Friday, February 08, 2008

Reflections of our weekend in Brugge.....

Last weekend, we were in Brugge and I wanted to share some photos with you of our weekend...


This restaurant 'De Bekoring' is just perfect a name. The Dutch word 'bekoring' means charm or enchantment.From the moment you walk in, you are enchanted by the beauty of this old home and its welcoming husband and wife team who run this small restaurant. The building dates back to 1652.


We tried for a couple of years to get a table here for lunch. We called a week ahead to be sure we could get in this time. It was worth it as the food was excellent. We will be going back here on one of our upcoming visits.


The thing I love about the city of Brugge is its rich history. I never tire of walking around the city admiring the amazing buildings. I love details and this is just an example of what you see in the city. This is one of six chimera on window frames of a building we saw while walking among the side streets of the center.


Of course, the reason we went to Brugge was for the open house at the quilt shop 'De Lander'. Here is the latest window display.


These were among the quilts displayed which I thought are appropriate for this blog as it is a framed series of quilts of the four seasons.


The shop is a combination of quilting supplies and gift shop. Katie's husband helps her out behind the cash register when he can. It was a very successful day for them with the shop bursting with people. Their golden retriever Lander, who the shop was named after, was in his element greeting everyone who came through the door.


Just a few of the pretty items for sale in the shop.


Upstairs, the living room had been cleared to use as a display area for all the lovely quilts. Look just how wonderful Katie's kitchen is! I just love it.


The owner Katie was also presenting her new classes for this year. She is just the nicest person and makes you feel so welcome in her shop. She has an great talent not only for quilting but also for making bears. She creates kits for her wonderful bears of all shapes and sizes. You can see more on her website.


I am really glad I had the chance to see her open house.


What better way to end a trip to this city of architecture, lace and chocolate than to stop and have a pastry with coffee or tea. It is a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.

15 comments:

Jeanne said...

Hi Heidi,
That Four Seasons set is soooo cute! Did you get the pattern, or were you just admiring them? They are perfect for your blog!
Jeanne :)

Anonymous said...

Such pretty things for sale in that shop! Thanks so much for taking me along with you to Brugge!

I've got the paint and I'm planning to start tomorrow as long as I don't get interrupted! We'll compare notes next week. :)

Enjoy!

~ hugs, Lynda xo

ps ~ yes the rose is one from my garden!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Hi Heidi,
Thank you for taking me on this tour! De Bekoring looks enchanting for sure! I would love to sit at that table next to the fire and enjoy a meal....

De Lander looks like a wonderful quilt shop. I love that their retriever greets the customers!
Penny

Mary said...

Wish I could have joined you on that lovely tour through Brugge - I'm adding it to my cities to visit some day!
The little restaurant is so quaint - the age of the building and the sooty chimney breast made me think of a Hansel & Gretal type cottage in the woods!
Your friend's quilting/gift shop looks delightful - did you buy anything? Hard to resist I think.

Umm, that Belgian chocolate really is the best - we seem to be finding it more available here now, even at Trader Joe's which means it's more reasonably priced. Guess more people are on the dark chocolate/anti-oxidant kick now after being told it's good for their heart - in small doses of course!

Later I'll show you what I found for the guest room makeover - it's becoming so nice in that room I'm thinking of making it "a room of one's own", MY own that is!! Still hunting down the perfect chandelier and a few other things -but this weekend I plan to clean up the garden a bit so shopping has to wait.
Have a great weekend Heidi dear.
Hugs - Mary.

Nancy said...

First of all, YUM to the pastry on the last picture. Bet Jos had the biggest one, then part of yours. LOL. I remember the shop and Katie and her husband. That shop is really nice. That is a wonderful city for sure.

Nancy said...

Thanks for sharing Brugge! What a beautiful place filled with lots of interesting and fun things to do.

Dena said...

Oh Heidi,

That town sounds like it's right out of a story book. Thank you for taking me along :)

Hugs,
Dena

Rhondi said...

Hi Heidi What a wonderful day you had! The city looks beautiful. The quilt shop looks like it has lots of goodies and the food at the restaurant loks mouthwatering! Lucky you to have such a charming town so close by.
I think you said you were doing some painting at home this weekend. Hope it's going well. Rhondi xo

Angela said...

Oh Heidi,
What a great tour of Brugge. I felt as if I was peeping over your shoulder the whole time. The restaurant does look welcoming and the quilting shop looks out of this world. Imagine having such a lovely kitchen and those bears...oh, dear, they are just gorgeous. I do hope we'll be able to see some of these wonderful places for ourselves when we visit :>)
Warm hugs, Angela

Suzann said...

Heidi,
Everything is so beautiful. I definitely think I could get lost in that quilt/gift shop and those bears! I so adore teddy bears - always have. I have a few boyd's bears and some other cute stuffed bears and I'm going to go check out the webshop to view her bears. Thank you so much for letting me come along with you and Jos on your lovely trip.
Suzann

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

I can see why you made the trip. Heidi, that shop is wonderful and those Four Season quilted pieces are just so darn cute! It really makes me want to get in a learn how to do more quilting. I wish you lived close by! No, second thought, I would love to live in Holland - so I could go to Brugge! That dessert is mouth watering...and I am trying to lose weight!!!! ha.

love to you,
Becky

Reginas Cottage said...

Hello Heidi
Loveley tour of Brugge.It is a wonderful city.Wonderful quiltshop.
It is prettily that the golden retriever each buyer greets.Our makes the same.That dessert looks very
delicious.
Have a nice evening
Regina

Nan said...

Do you know there is a new movie out called, In Bruges?! I saw a preview and thought, that's where Heidi goes!

de lander said...

thanks thanks thanks thanks, my shop is at your blog, I hearded from an englisch lady that has looked on your site and told me about it, I was so suprised! you are very welcome in the shop and it's very beautiful what you have done with your blog ;)

see you at the shop
greetings katie
ps: I hope I will see you soon at the shop :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Heidi, I am Danielle living in Bruges, so you can imagine my surprise when - while reading your blog, I stumbled over a picture of my friend Katie who runs our beautifull quilt shop !
I had my very first appliqué lesson in that beautifull kitchen upstairs (yes, the one with the bears ..) - while her faithfull dog 'Lander' was resting at my feet.
Sounds like heaven ? it truly is to me ..
Heartwarming to hear you enjoyed your visit in Bruges; we do want people to feel welcome in our little town !
Have a nice day Heidi, and keep sharing you wonderfull blog with all of us !
Danny