An Overnight Stay at Camping la Route Bleue, Balbigny, France

It was just a chance encounter, I should say. But it was a nice one, because Camping la Route Bleue in Balbigny, France was a great surprise for us.

How did we end up here? Because we used a popular German camping guide book that I bought for a much, much lower rate from a neighborhood travel agency. You know, just in case the navigator suddenly acts up while we are travelling with a caravan in France.

What attracted us to Camping la Route Bleue? Since we are supposed to drive more than 900 kilometers away to our next destination from Port Grimaud, France; we chose a place where we could comfortably rest for the day and still have fun camping. And the most important requirement? They should accept dogs. The second? It should be near the Autobahn (Autoroute).

Yup, we found it at Camping la Route Bleue.

Here are some photos to show you why we got lucky.

They have a swimming pool!

As I said, we wanted to rest after a long drive, but we also wanted to have fun. Thus, the swimming pool is a great way to stretch out and yes, get out of the heat! Remember, there's a heatwave in Europe at this time.

The reception area.

The reception desk is friendly and yup, English is spoken. Everything's processed after a few minutes, and we are allowed to choose our camping pitch. No numbered pitches here.

The entrance to Camping la Route Bleue

You would get a code so you could drive your vehicle through, but after 10 a.m., you need to leave your vehicle outside because the code won't function anymore. They value silence here, which is good.

Simply Amazing: Justin Timberlake's Concert in Mannheim

Justin Timberlake in SAP Arena, Mannheim

This is a last minute concert ticket checking and buying that MC and I would never regret.

It was an impulse to simpy check the scheduled concerts around us two weeks ago and then we saw that Justin Timberlake's Man of the Woods World Tour added another venue, the SAP Arena in Mannheim. Why not? I told MC, who paid for both of our tickets (she started working part-time early this year), to just go for the cheapest seats. After all, we have been to the the concert venue a few times for various events and we know how it would look like.

TSG Hoffenheim 3:1 Hannover 96

And so our dream came true this Friday!

After checking the website to check all the important things (what not to bring 'no water, no food, no pets, no backpacks/big bags'), where our seats are located (there's a very helpful button on the website where you could see the virtual view from your seat number), and the best way to travel there (shuttle bus almost every 15 minutes)... IC and I, decided to leave early and it was the best decision ever!

There were no chaos at the shuttle bus station, only the excitement of the fans. Reaching the stadium, IC and I decided to just follow the masses. The stadium opened two hours before the game and it all happened in a very orderly manner (unlike the chaos during the three Justin Bieber concerts I've attended with MC!).

IC and I, finally, at a live soccer game!

We've Got Tickets for TSG Hoffenheim vs Hannover 96 Game!

Dream come true!

IC and I are going to be watching a soccer game live tomorrow! I know, I know... but you see, I have been waiting for a long, long time for the chance to watch a Bundesliga game live. What I didn't know is that IC is also enthusiastic about a live game!

So this afternoon, my husband asked me if I wanted to watch a game because somebody's giving him tickets. Of course I said yes! IC and I are now very excited. What should we wear, eherm!!!

Actually, our first thought was: where would be end up seating? And how would be find our seats? And finally, how would be get there? It's more practical to just take the shuttle bus from the main bus terminal to the stadium, and that's what wer're going to do.

As for what we're allowed to bring, I am not really sure. I've been with MC to three major Justin Bieber concerts in Germany and Switzerland, and everytime, there are different rules on what to bring and what not to bring. Especially after what happened with the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester. I guess after this post, I need to check the stadium rules.

Anyway, TSG Hoffenheim vs Hannover 96 game, here we come!

My Girls First Pumpkin Muffins

Okay, I am proud to present to all of you...

My girls first attempt at baking muffins. What's incredible is that they also made icing! Colored icing, gulp! So proud because I didn't even think about making or even trying colored muffins myself :-) I guess they are more adventurous, am glad.

Here are the muffins:

Pumpkin Muffins

These are Pumpkin Muffins with colored icing. They even experimented with sprinkles.

Another wow factor is that their first attempt at baking these muffins was done when they were alone at home. Success! And very delicious, too.

Black Forest Summer High

We've got a short break before the school starts, and here we are enjoying the sun and the water in our Black Forest camping ground.

Our dog and the girls decided to explore the river beside our pitch as soon as we arrived...

As soon as we arrived, Rikki jumped into the river to cool-off.

Yup, the silence and the coolness of the water, it's that inviting!

And then the girls joined in...

Happy Mother's Day

The same procedure every Mother's Day.

IC stood guarding the bedroom early morning, 'Mama, you are not allowed to go down,' she emphasized.

Who's complaining? I stayed in bed, reading. But eventually, I had to move my sleepy body because IC refused to walk with the dog :-)

I got ready, still with IC tailing me; making sure I won't stray into territories where I am not allowed. No peeking!

Continued with the normal morning ritual: jogged with the dog running excitedly beside me, stretched and did some exercises inside the sleepy woods while the dog did it's business, played fetch and finally, gave the dog sometime to play with its friends around the neighborhood.

Yup, I forgot about the time!!! When the dog and I finally arrived home, my family was impatiently waiting for me! The breakfast table for Mother's Day is done and waiting for the most important guest, oopps!

Of course, our bread basket is filled with assorted croissants and bread rolls from our very own cafe, SB-BackCafe'. There's even slices of our homemade Quiche Lorraine!

After reading the card proclaiming me 'best mama in the whole world' (ehem) and opening my gifts, we enjoyed our breakfast while planning our day -- just a quiet day at home as we were up at dawn yesterday when the whole family stayed almost the whole day working at the cafe.

I hope everyone enjoyed Mother's Day!

A special shout-out to Nanay.

Dear Nanay,
You're the best.
More than enough patience. More than enough grace.
Then there's your cooking. Your sewing. Your singing.
Not to mention your faith.
You have the best love!!
We love you, Nanay!

P.S. Special greets to my sister, sister-in-law and my niece. You know who you are!

Easter Egg Coloring While Camping

Nobody can stop them!
Despite having very little space to move around, the girls wanted to
 do the traditional Easter egg coloring. They already colored more
than a dozen at home with their Papa, but they wanted more... so, more!

There you have them, the girls enjoying this Easter tradition on a sunny Sunday
in a camping ground in Schwarzwald.

Okay, IC was not so busy compared to her sister, but that's because she's still waiting for the boiling eggs.
It's not so easy cooking while using the camping equipment but they waited patiently, just like our dog, Rikki!

Fun on a Sled

It's rare to enjoy a snowy day in a sled thus when the girls discovered that there's still enough snow on the hills nearby, they decided to seize the day!

On our way..

after more than 30 minutes of pulling their sleds up the hill, the arrival...

Our Christmas Tree

First, choosing the right tree.
Noticed that the first tree would always be the best despite any numbers of choices?
At least that goes for our family :-D

Despite the offer to drive our chosen tree home,
my husband declined and decided to carry the tree back home.

IC stayed with him to assist, just in case.

Our Traditional Christmas Baking

Our traditional Christmas baking started the week before the first Sunday of Advent.

As tradition goes, my husband and the girls got busy while my chore started after their done. Yes, I am the Christmas baking cleaner :-)

The girls decorating the Kulleraugen (Saucer Eyes Cookies).
This cookie is a favorite in our family.

Nice and easy, IC.

Having fun!

Yes, and going great, too!

This time, it's Spritzgebackenes (Shortbread Cookies).

They always have fun making this because of the machine.

Yep, Rikki is busy cleaning the work area, too.

Faster....

Okay, they are comfortable using the machine now but they still can't help making themselves crazy with the tempo...

See how the girls work?

Kulleraugen, done!

Something new :-)

Halloween at Camping Kleinenzhof, Schwarzwald (Black Forest)

Something different this Halloween for the girls, spending it at Camping Kleinenzhof.

Halloween at Camping Kleinenzhof

IC bargained with her Papa though, begging him to drive them home late afternoon of Halloween for them to have the chance to go trick or treating in our neighborhood so they would have enough time to collect more candies around the camping ground.

Nope, no chance. Especially since they realized how big an event it would be in the camping site. They forgot about going home to collect more candies because they got busy getting ready for Halloween with their new found friends at the camp.

Our pitch 

Actually, I was also impressed by the preparation done by the long-staying campers at Kleinenzhof. They really created a Halloween atmosphere around the camping area. Aside from the fact that most campers were really ready for the invasion of the kids, too.

Here's some photos for you to enjoy!

Ready for Halloween

The kids on their way to the main meeting place while Rikki enjoys the stroll

A camping ground transformed

More Halloween decors

Getting ready for the big event

Trick or treat

The invasion of the trick or treaters

Moving around the camping grounds

The party afterwards...these kids are watching an outdoor movie

Dark and light, fire and ice

Yes, that's what's happening there... the campfire twist bread!

Candies, chocolates, gummi bears, cookies, etc.

After the trick or treating, there's Flammkuchen (tarte flambee) while the cakes and campfire twist bread were given free. There's also kiddie punch and Glühwein (mulled wine).

Well, Halloween at Camping Kleinenzhof was something to remember. 

A Photo Review: Bakery Museum in Medemblik, The Netherlands

The Bakery Museum is located at Nieuwstraat 8 1671 BD Medemblik, The Netherlands.
You would find it in the middle of the city center and there's enough parking area around.

You enter the museum after paying the entrance fee and receiving free cookies,
(the free cookies intended for the kids but since they offered
them generously from a cookie basket, the adults get the chance to taste them, too!)
They accept credit cards.

Cake samples located right after the entrance.

Old waffle forms and baking equipments.