25 Things You Didn't (Or maybe you did) Know About Belgium

From a great Belgian blog called Cheese Web, I discovered a few things about the flat country. Some I knew, some I did not know, or ever think about, like the number of McDonalds (Very few I am proud to say) and that the Body Mass Index (BMI) was developed by the Belgian Adolphe Quetelet, and is still used today to determine a person’s ideal weight. Not sure if this is a positive contribution or not, give how much I weigh after summer holiday. Belgian trivia is fun to read. Use it to entertain and amaze your friends. Go forth and spread the word of the Belgians. Read the entire list here.

La Rentrée

La Rentrée: feminine noun. Means: "The Return".

I love that the French language has a word specifically for this time of year. After all, Europeans do take their vacations seriously so it's no surprise they'd find a way to emphasize the end of it. Other than "Back To School", I can think of no specific word in English that captures this time of year with the same significance. "The Return" is so much more definitive and terminal! The Return: Of the Jedi? Of war soldiers? Of the prodigal child? Of innocence? Nope. La rentrée, in general, signifies the return to work or school after the slack period of the summer break. For many parents it's Vive La Rentrée as we get back to the routine of some free time. But for workers, it's the old routine of "Metro-Boulot-Dodo" .

Yes, it's the return to work, to school, to post sunburn life. But the return to Belgium doesn't mean a return to hibernation. I admit, I put away my sunscreen and I bought a rain hat yesterday (August 24th), that I can use today. But don't let that cool your enthusiasm because there are some seriously hot things going on this fall and winter. Mark them on your calendar today and perhaps I'll see you out and about, after "The Return", rain or shine. Let me know if you have other events you'd like to add.

What's On!

October marks the Belgian Center of Comic Strip Art’s 20th year in Brussels. Several events are planned through the end of the year. www.comicscenter.net

Delvaux is celebrating 180 years with an exhibition opening September 17 at Antwerp’s fashion museum spanning the life of this classic Belgian brand. www.momu.be

Thursday nights this fall mean late nights at local museums. From 24 September –17 December, at least five different locations each week stay open until 10 p.m. www.brusselsmuseums.be

Cinema buffs should head to Ghent to view some 120 features and 50 short films from across the world from 6-17 October.
www.filmfestival.be

Genever, a distilled tipple flavored with juniper berries that has been made in this region of Belgium for hundreds of years, calls the Limburg town of Hasselt home, where a national museum and annual festival pay homage to this local concoction
17-18 October. www.hasselt.be

Holy Edward Scissorhands! Bruges’ train station square is home professional ice sculptors who carve their frosty fantasies into unbelievable ice art. From November to January. www.icesculpture.be

Essen’s Christmas Festival is the place to taste more than 100 Belgian winter brews on the 12th and 13th of December. www.kerstbierfestival.be

Learn a language and cook a meal while you’re at it. Parlez-moi Cuisine in Waterloo offers some fall, three-hour classes where you’ll prepare and share a meal...in French of course! www.parlezmoicuisine.be

One of Brussels’ most anticipated events-Sablon Nights- is set for 26-29 November when one of Brussels' most beautiful quarters is transformed into a snow-globe scene with twinkling lights and horse drawn carriages. www.sablon.org

The long anticipated museum dedicated to the works of Belgium’s own surrealist son, Rene Magritte, is now open. Reserve your visit online. www.magrittemuseum.be

Winterfoor Funfair in Antwerp’s Grote Markt will enchant young and old with a retro carousel and vintage carnival rides
26 December–4 January. www.winterfoor.be

Under the patronage of the Italian Embassy of Belgium, ExpoIalia brings 150 exhibitors with products, food, and services from Italy. One of the latest Ferrari creations will also be on display in Heysel from 15-18 October. www.expoitalia.be

Skoda Jazz Festival from 1 September to 1 December means in various Belgian cities featuring jazz, blues, world music, avant-garde and hip hop. www.audijazz.be

By Way of Stones And Stars

I love hearing about the success of others, especially my dear friends, and I can think of no more worthy a person to celebrate than Wilna Wilkinson. Her book "The Way of Stars and Stones" is ready to launch and will be available on Kalahari.net in September and on Amazon at the end of October. Of course, most of you reading this don't know Wilna but let me just say, she is one of those magnetic, magnanimous, and marvelous people who brighten a room just by being in it. You want to move closer and eves drop on her conversation, and find a way to participate because she is so genuinely enchanting. I met her years ago when I was working on my own book. She has an amazing story of her own, and a free spirit that is covetous. Her new book reveals her thoughts and perspectives while journeying the Camino de Santiago, a large network of ancient pilgrim routes stretching across Europe and coming together at the tomb of St. James (Santiago in Spanish) in Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain. On top of being an observant writer, Wilna is a beautiful photographer. Her launch at her river side castle on 25 September in Lalinde, in the Dordogne, is on my agenda this fall. The event is open to anyone. If you you are thinking of walking the Camino yourself, why not find out about it while visiting one of the most beautiful regions of France. Write to me, or to Wilna directly via her website. Click on Lalinde above and tell her a broad in Belgium sent you!

Book Cover

It's Almost Here.....My hugely anticipated (at least by me) book. For those who have not been following my blog that long...shame on you! ;) This project had been three years in the making and has endured many hurdles and near death experiences, along with a wild ride through today's economy. Look ma, no hands! But, it has arrived. Of course, the date is still a long way off ...March. But it is going to happen. Yoopie. Stay tuned for the official release of our Culinary Adventures.

Inside the book will be stunning photos by L.A. based photographer Lou Lesko, delicious recipes from chef Laura Schmalhorst and fun stories, interviews and anecdotes from yours truly.

We will likely have a party here in Brussels, as well as in the US (Florida and L.A.) and of course, the Dordogne. If you are interested in attending, please email me at klovato@mac.com and let me know where I can send you an invitation.

Also, if you are on facebook, please join the Walnut Wine & Truffle Groves group. I have uploaded some photos and links, and I promise to keep you informed of the release date and any fun parties I'll be having in honor of the birth!

Interested in hosting a party for moi? I come with a great chef and booze!

In the mean time, check back regularly here or on the running press site www.runningpress.com