Dries Buytaert

Miscellaneous 2023

A person walking on a cobblestone street surrounded by old buildings.
Walking through the historic streets of Durbuy is a journey through time. The cobblestone roads and quaint architecture invite the imagination to wander, wondering about the stories and lives of those who lived here hundreds of years ago.
A cobblestone street surrounded by old buildings.
The picturesque cobblestone streets of Durbuy.
The store front of a small shop, decorated with Christmas lights.
"L'épicerie de Durbuy" is a small specialty shop located in Durbuy. They offer artisanal products made locally in the Ardennes region. On our visit, we purchased some of their homemade pastis.
An empty stroller standing in front of a kids attraction.
Durbuy is one of the smallest towns in Belgium, but has one of the best Christmas markets.
The view from an airplane window shows another plane being de-iced, fluids sprayed on the wing to remove any ice and snow.
In the queue to get de-iced.
A mother and daughter working together in a dimly lit kitchen.
We recently visited Vanessa's parents. Their house holds great sentimental value as it not only served as Vanessa's childhood home, but also her father's. The property has been in the family for over 50 years. As we looked through old photographs, it became evident that countless birthdays and holidays were celebrated in their kitchen, adding to the warmth and nostalgia of the space.
A skinny and bendy road in Boston, dark from dusk, leads the eye to Boston's largest skyscraper, whose mirror glass windows are reflecting the last sun.
The John Hancock Tower shines in the last sunlight of the day. At 60 stories and 790 feet (240 meters), it is the tallest building in Boston.
A woman, dressed in pajamas and a winter hat, is sitting on a sofa reading a book, surrounded by the softly lit warmth of a log cabin.
The winds are howling, the snow is swirling, and frost is creeping upon the cabin's windows. But a love for cooking means she is always exploring cookbooks.
A log cabin nestled among trees, set in the evening's darkness, its interior lights reflecting on the snow and creating a peaceful atmosphere.
We're spending the weekend at a remote cabin in Vermont. You can't tell from the photo, but the temperature dropped to -17°F (-27°C).
A glassblower molding red-hot glass using a long rod and a large, special knife. He is seated on a wooden bench, surrounded by tools.
A glassblower at Simon Pearce in Vermont. I bought some handblown Negroni glasses.
Plants on a kitchen windowsill, basking in warm sunlight.
This summer, we're moving out of the apartment that I've owned for almost twenty years. Leaving will be tough as we have made countless memories here. Before we move, I want to capture some photos of the things I love about our apartment, such as the warm afternoon light in the kitchen shown in this picture.
A black and white portrait of two individuals sharing a moment of laughter.
We are celebrating a few birthdays with our family in Belgium. Lots of laughter and happy smiles.
A teenage boy with a basketball runs towards the basket, while players from the other team try to catch him. He started his layup before they could reach him.
I love that my sons have become passionate about basketball. Having passions is important for our well-being and drives our personal growth. It helps us develop a sense of identity and belonging, and it often drives us to work harder and push ourselves to improve. Passions also encourage us to dream big. They open up new opportunities and connect us with like-minded people. Having passions and being passionate is so important in life, be it in sports or any other area.
An aerial view of a harbor with traditional fishing boats docked on jetties and majestic snow-covered mountains providing a stunning backdrop.
The picturesque harbor of Svolvær in Lofoten, Norway. Lofoten is situated above the Arctic Circle and known for its picturesque fjords and rugged landscapes.
A small fishing boat docked on a jetty against the backdrop of a serene harbor.
Lofoten has a rich and storied fishing heritage. The fishing industry has its sustained local communities for generations.
A old, snow-covered fishing boat docked in front of red buildings that serve as homes for fishermen.
We went deep-sea fishing on a traditional fishing boat similar to the one shown. Lofoten, Norway is known for its charming red buildings. The unique red color of the buildings is the result of using cod liver oil as paint, which provides protection against the harsh arctic climate.
People with fishing rods on a boat, bundled up to stay warm in the cold arctic weather. Snow-covered mountains provide a beautiful backdrop.
Deep-sea fishing between the stunning fjords of Lofoten.
In the foreground, a cheese grater and a measuring cup holding dried pasta. In the background, a pot with hot water and a pan with bolognese sauce.
Pasta night! Vanessa's homemade bolognese sauce, paired with authentic pasta imported from Italy, freshly grated parmesan cheese, and a bottle of red wine from a vineyard in Italy that we visited last summer.
A table with drinks in the foreground and a television showing a cycling race in the background.
Tuning in to the Ronde van Vlaanderen, the prestigious one-day cycling race that takes place in Flanders, Belgium.
Four sets of sneakers in a row below a radiator.
Ready for four days of family fun at the Belgian coast.
Axl telescope
A display of baked goods such as cakes and cookies.
We found a cute coffee shop called Brødwolf in Brighton, UK. We enjoyed a delicious Easter Monday breakfast there.
People standing on the beach between the remains of an old pier.
The West Pier in Brighton, UK. The pier was built in 1866 and was a popular attraction. Over the years, it suffered damage from various storms, and in 2003 a fire destroyed much of the structure.
A quaint old cottage nestled at the base of a hill, surrounded by trees and flowers.
A charming cottage in Lewes, UK.
A bartender pours flaming liquid from one cup to another.
If you're in Mexico and feeling adventurous, be sure to order a Mexican coffee. A mixologist will mix coffee, tequila, and Kahlua, light it up, and create an epic waterfall of flames.
Acquia employees enjoying an outdoor dinner, seated at round tables below lights strung between palm trees.
We enjoyed a three-day trip to Mexico as part of Acquia's President's Club, a program that recognizes top-performing salespeople and employees.
A sushi chef is using a torch to sear sushi.
"No Relation" is one of my favorite restaurants in the South End of Boston. Their sushi is absolutely amazing, and I love watching the chefs prepare the food. Everything about "No Relation" - the food, the decor, and the service - reminds me of my trips to Japan. It's the closest dining experience to what I've had in Japan.
Dries is cleaning a roofdeck with the Boston skyline in the background, but then gets distracted and starts playfully spraying water into the air instead of cleaning.
Update from the upper deck crew: the roof deck is clean and ready for the Boston summer.
Stan
A person laughing, holding a cork in each hand after solving the party trick.
First, enjoy two bottles of wine with friends. Second, utilize the corks for party tricks.
People laughing while sitting at a table and eating food.
Evening BBQ with friends visiting Boston. We chatted about life and family while enjoying G&Ts, wine, hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, and steak tips.
A person on the beach setting up wooden pins for a game.
We spent the afternoon at the beach. We had fun playing Mölkky, als known as "Viking bowling". If you enjoy Kubb, give Mölkky a shot!
A meal in an aluminum container on the beach beside a hiking boot.
We had a great time hiking 6 miles near Crane Beach in Massachusetts. The trail took us through beautiful dunes and out to the beach. The loose sand made it feel more like a 9-mile hike though. Halfway through, we had a delicious lunch made by Vanessa - orzo with vegetables, served right on the beach. Great day!
A person sleeping in a camping chair next to a cooler with a candle.
We went camping in Maine for the weekend. On the first night, it started raining heavily with lightning and thunderstorms. Luckily, we had made a fairly last-minute decision to buy a tarp, which helped us stay dry and comfortable throughout the evening and night.
Bright car lights reveal tree silhouettes and rain in a dark forest.
Due to the heavy rain, lightning, and thunderstorms, various campers jumped in their cars and left. We caught glimpses of their car lights through the trees. There is something special about listening to the rain pattering on your tent, so we chose to stay and enjoy the experience.
My mom eating fries from a nostalgia-filled blue platter.
When we were kids, we would sometimes eat fries on the couch as we watched TV. We ate them on blue platters. Recently, my mom shared these memories with my sister and expressed her sadness that we can't return to those days. In response, my sister planned a surprise "Blue platter fries night". Those blue platters hadn't been used for 20 years and were hidden away on a forgotten shelf. But last night, the five of us – my parents, my brother, my sister, and I – enjoyed fries on our blue platters again, just like we used to. Organizing it was a bit of a challenge since I live in the US now, but I'm so glad we did!
A person leans over to blow out a candle on top of a slice of cheesecake.
Axl turned 16! I'm filled with pride seeing the young man he is becoming. We celebrated this milestone with a beer, a moment we both looked forward to. (In Belgium, the legal drinking age is 16.)
A percolator viewed through an Airstream window, evoking nostalgia and cozy camping vibes.
We brought our trusty percolator for our "glamping" experience in an Airstream on Cape Cod, USA.
A close-up of the aluminum exterior of an Airstream basking in a warm sunset glow.
We spent a few nights in an Airstream, an iconic American trailer recognized for its rounded aluminum exterior.
Vanessa hiking down what is a ski slope in winter.
We hiked up and down Killington Peak in Vermont. In winter, Killington is a bustling ski resort. Parts of our hike were on the slopes. Another 4,000-footer in the books!
A vineyard leading to a picturesque village next to a river, set against a backdrop of fields and hills.
The Champagne region in France.
A bottle of Collard-Picard champagne with a person drinking champagne in the background.
We were fortunate to visit Collard-Picard, a renwowned champagne producer, in the heart of France's champagne region. The owner, Olivier Collard, took the time to give us a private tour. The picture captures Olivier drinking his own champagne.
Champagne bottles upside down.
Bottles of Reinart champagne stored upside-down. This collects the sediment at the bottle's neck. After the sediment is consolidated in the neck of the bottle, that part of the bottle is frozen. The crown cap is removed, and the built-up pressure pushes out the frozen plug of sediment. This process is called "disgorgement".
A glowing light bulb hanging in an underground tunnel.
25 meters underground in a champagne tunnel, which often stretches for miles/kilometers.
Cozy living room with a lit fireplace, candles, and a coffee table displaying a book.
Welcoming the colder weather with a fire. Cold outside, cozy inside.
Two adults preparing a pizza while a young boy watches.
Enjoyed a weekend in the Belgian Ardennes with my family. Since I'll be in Boston on my birthday, we had a very early celebration. For my birthday meal, I asked for a family pizza-making contest. The photo shows my parents making their pizzas with Stan observing. The highlight? My pizza won! A nice birthday present.
An empty picture frame in a room with ornate wallpaper, candles, old paintings, and antique furniture.
I finally visited the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum after living in Boston for more than 12 years. The museum is famous for its art, but also for the 1990 theft of 13 artworks. The empty frame in my photo once displayed a Rembrandt valued at tens of millions of dollars.
Two people in a kitchen preparing a turkey on a wooden cutting board.
Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday, mostly because it's focused on spending time together and enjoying food, rather than being centered around gifts or materialism. The tradition of preparing a turkey together captures the true spirit of Thanksgiving.
A family hanging the lights on a Christmas tree.
Hanging lights on the Christmas tree.
A table decorated with candles, pine branches and Christmas holiday ornaments.
This Christmas is really special for us because it's the first time we're celebrating in our new home in Belgium. The table is ready and waiting to welcome our family.
A smiling elderly woman wearing a paper crown.
Feeling fortunate to have shared yet another Christmas with my 95-year-old Oma!