Today was a freeze day here in Belgium. The kind of day where everything is covered in frost, and the world feels like it’s wrapped in a thick, foggy blanket. We woke up early—no surprise there. @borniet and I are so used to getting up at that hour that it’s become part of our routine. But honestly, I love those early hours. It’s quiet, the world hasn’t fully woken up yet, and we have that time to ourselves, sipping coffee and chatting about anything and everything, from little daily things to deep dives into geopolitics.
After a slow morning, we decided to hit the road to get our groceries. Driving through the Belgian landscape, everything looked peaceful. The frost painted the fields white, but you could still see the grass peeking through the snow. It’s that kind of halfway winter scene, cold enough to freeze your nose but not quite enough snow to feel like a winter wonderland.
What made me smile was how stubborn people are here. Despite the frost and fog, everybody had built a snowman. Complete with shades, carrots, hats, the whole snowman outfit. It’s like a little tradition we hold onto, no matter how little snow we get. But today, you had to really look for them, because the thick fog made everything blend into the background.
What I love about days like this is how everything slows down. The traffic moves more carefully, the sounds are softer, and even people seem to take their time. There’s this quiet stillness that settles over everything. And in those moments, my brain feels like it can cocoon itself. It’s a pause from all the inputs and chaos of daily life. I can let my thoughts wander, to stories, memories, future plans or I can let my mind sit in complete stillness. No rush, no pressure.
With time on our side, we did our grocery shopping. It wasn’t a big haul, but just enough to fill the fridge with fresh food for the week. My daughter took the initiative to clean out the kitchen (which is always appreciated), so I had plenty of space to put everything away.
Some fresh fruit,kiwis, oranges, bananas, to bring in a bit of natural sweetness. A lemon and an orange for tea with ginger and spices to keep us warm. And some gorgeous tomatoes to make salads next week. Simple things that feel nourishing, not just for the body but for the soul.
These slow, foggy days remind me to appreciate the quiet moments. To take life one step at a time, like driving carefully on a frosty road. There’s beauty in slowing down.
And as I sit here now, warm inside with everything put away, I’m grateful for the calm that comes with days like this. Sometimes, the best thing we can do is to embrace the stillness and let life flow at its own pace.
With love from a frosty Belgium,
A Mom Enjoying the Quiet Moments
