When Flying Used to Be Fun

I used to love flying.  I loved it so much that in 1979 I took flying lessons. My first solo flight was on December 7, 1978! As the plane lifted off the ground in Florida I felt an exhilirating joy at being ALONE in the air, flying like a bird into the clouds.  I took my final check ride and completed all qualifications for my Single Engine Land Private Pilot's License on Friday, April 13, 1979!  Yep, Friday the 13th! I love memorable dates!

All that being said, I am no longer a big fan of flying. Let me explain that by saying that I no longer fly solo; having decided that my vision and age are somewhat restricting my ability to do so.  Now when I need to go somewhere I must fly commercial airlines.  I used to enjoy flying commercially too, but things have definitely changed since 1979!

I used to look forward to traveling by air from one destination to another.  The seats were fairly spacious, the people fairly gracious and most even well dressed.  That is not the case any more!  Now, the airports are crowded with people pushing and shoving and running their wheeled luggage over your feet without so much as an "oops, I'm sorry."  Then there is the TSA Security Check! OMG...most of the time i get the "pre-check" status and it isn't too bad.  But, on my last trip when I tried to check in online (I was traveling with an 88-year-old lady and an 86-year-old lady) I was notified that I couldn't check in online as "one" in our party needed to check in at the airport!  Ugh!
That meant that I had to arrive at the airport an hour earlier than I had anticipated.  Oh well.

Our check in went okay except for the fact that in spite of the fact I had ordered TWO wheelchairs, NONE were waiting for us.  The agent informed me that the gate was only about 200 "meters" away, so we decided to go for it.  Well, it was waaaaaaay more than 200 meters away.  Then the Security people rifled through each and every one of our bags...really?    Oh well, we made it through and finally arrived at the gate.  Wouldn't you think that if the twenty something and thirty something healthy people were sitting and the eighty somethings were standing SOMEONE would volunteer to give up their seat? Not!  Courtesy and respect for elders is also GONE!

Once we boarded the plane, I was on an aisle seat again..hmmmmm.  I am going to have to rethink that choice in the future, because I still have a huge bruise on my left arm where a careless person boarding the plane after I was seated clobbered me with their oversized carryon!  Again, no oops or gee I'm sorry.  Ugh.

Then there are the tight seats...wow, we are all crammed in like sardines, with barely room to put our legs between the seats.  But, even worse are those people who are traveling with impossibly ill-behaved children!  Oh My God! Whatever happened to discipline?  If any child of mine had screamed and thrown fits in public when they were two plus years of age, there would have been SOME kind of repercussion! Not any more!  People, if you can't control your child, you don't belong on an airplane full of people!  On one three hour leg of our flight home, there was a two-year-old child who screamed at the top of his lungs every minute or two about who knows what! When we were disembarking the plane, the carnage of crackers, cookies and other food and drinks around the area where this child had been was horrendous! The Flight Attendant said she had never seen worse! Please people, I have raised four children, I have eight grandchildren...none of whom would have been allowed to show such disrespect for others.

Then when we had to clear customs coming back into the USA, our luggage was searched by TSA.  I really wouldn't have been upset, except that my medications had the tops removed and not put back on before putting them back into the suitcase and the pills were EVERYWHERE when I opened my suitcase upon arriving at home.  This is unacceptable.  The suitcase inside looked like a gorilla had rifled through it!

By the time I arrived home, I was sick of inconsiderate people, rowdy kids and the TSA!  Flying is no longer FUN!  It is actually a chore.  What a shame.  I really do wish we could go back to the time when flying and traveling were exciting events.  I really do wish people would understand that discipline and respect are important.  Well, maybe I'm just OLD! But, somehow I do believe things have gotten out of hand, and we need to back up and take a look at consideration, respect and discipline.  We need to speak up and tell the airlines and the TSA what is acceptable and what is NOT!!  I'm thinking about doing a lot more driving and a lot less flying whenever I can!

From the Rockies to the Fiords of Norway and Back!

After a month of traveling from my home in Ogden, Utah to London, England; Paris, France; Indian Head, Maryland; Macon, Georgia; and Bergen, Norway - I am finally home again! Whew, it is nice not to be living out of a suitcase!

I must say, that for a girl who has never lived more than a few hundred feet above sea level, I am definitely enjoying living in the mountains.

Ogden, Utah gets amazing reviews as a place to retire, raise children and enjoy great public transportation.  It is also located in a state where there is something to do no matter what time of year you are here!  In the summer there are beautiful lakes and rivers and you can ski, fish, swim and just enjoy the great views.

 In the winter there are snow activities and we are only 15 minutes from a great resort.     Then there is Antelope Island, right in the middle of the Great Salt Lake where Bison, Mule Deer, Antelope, Bighorn Sheep, Coyotes and so many other wild animals live wild and free in an amazing setting.

Traveling is an amazing experience, however, and frequently makes you appreciate home even more!  The scenery in Utah is breathtaking...from the valleys of northern Utah to the Red Rock Country of Arches National Park and St. George, the variety and diversity are impossible to describe!

Norway was extraordinary however. The fiords are beautiful, Bergen is full of history and the people of Norway are extraordinarily friendly!  As you can imagine, there is abundant seafood due to the location next to the Sea and all the Fiords.  Bergen is surrounded by seven mountains, and gets quite a bit of rain.  The weather did decide to cooperate while I was there, with only one day when we were rained out!

 The country of Norway is country located in Northern Europe on the western and northern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula, bordering the North Sea in southwest and the Skagerrak inlet to the south, the North Atlantic Ocean (Norwegian Sea) in the west and the Barents Sea to the northeast. Norway has a long land border with Sweden to the east, a shorter one with Finland in the northeast and a still shorter border with Russia in the far northeast.  Norway is one of the world's most northerly countries, and one of Europe's most mountainous countries with large areas dominated by the Scandinavian Mountains; average elevation is approximately 1500 feet, and 32 percent of the country is located above the tree line.  The lovely fiords were created by the movement of ice during the last ice age when Norway was covered by huge glaciers.

Downtown Bergen and old Brygen are  beautiful in spite of the fact that they are frequently overtaken by hoards of tourists who come ashore from numerous Cruise ships that dock in the huge harbor area.  Bergen received official status as a City in 1070! As an American, with a history of only a couple hundred years, that seems huge!  In about 1100 Bergen became the center for export of dried Cod.  Bergen was Norway's most important city by the year 1300. 

 In about 1343 the first Hanseatic commercial settlement was established in Bergen.  German merchants moved in and formed a colony, protected by the Hanseatic League.   This Kontor, as it was known, was located at Bryggen in Bergen.^[16] The Hanseatic merchants lived in their own separate quarter of town, where Middle Low German was spoken. They enjoyed exclusive rights to trade with the northern fishermen who each summer sailed into Bergen Harbor. During this century the Hanseatic merchants acquired monopolistic control over the trade in Bergen.  It is definitely worth your time to take a walk around the old Hanseatic area of Bergen.  Much of Bergen has been destroyed by fire on numerous occasions, but the area has been rebuilt and much of it's original charm still exists.

There are remnants of the old fort still open to the public, but much of it was destroyed, along with much of the town during World War II when Bergen was occupied on the first day of the German invasion on 9 April 1940, after a brief fight between German ships and the Norwegian coastal artillery. The German cruiser Königsberg was badly damaged by Norwegian coastal artillery at Kvarven Fort, and sunk by British bombers the following day, 10 April 1940, in the harbour. On 20 April 1944 the Dutch cargo ship Voorbode anchored off the Bergenhus Fortress, loaded with over 120 tons of explosives, blew up, killing at least 150 people and damaging historic buildings. The city was subject to some Allied bombing raids, aiming at German naval installations in the harbour. Some of these caused Norwegian civilian casualties numbering about 100.

In spite of its destruction on numerous occasions, Bergen remains a lovely city to visit! Surrounded by seven mountains and lovely fiords, this is a great Summer vacation location.  The summer nights are almost non-existent.  I found it unsettling to still have the sun on the horizon at midnight, but the people who live here seem to have adjusted to this fact!  I am not sure I could stand winter nights of the same length though!

I highly recommend the Fiord trips...whether you take the three hour tour out of the harbor, or opt for a six day trip from one end of Norway to the other, please take the time to enjoy the beautiful vistas presented along the various fiords.  From rocky hillsides covered with fir trees, to lovely little farms planted along the shorelines, to waterfalls and narrows, the fiords are an amazing journey.  The water is crystal clear and can be mirror like at times, doubling the vista views!  These farms in many cases can only be accessed by boat, and I couldn't help but wonder how they manage during the bitter winters.  We witnessed Fish farms along the way in the crystal cold waters, as well as small swimming areas (although i can't begin to imagine how anyone could swim in the COLD waters).  I was fortunate to be staying with residents of Bergen and got to experience many many of the local foods.  From fresh caught salmon and scallops, herring in cream, mustard, sour cream and tomato sauce, to lovely desserts, it was fun to experience Norway from a Non-tourist point of view!

I even got to help with a catering job with my host, May-Britt, who is a Chef for a local catering company.  It was interesting, to say the least, to see the kinds (and huge amount) of foods presented for the twenty people in attendance of the event.  Everything was gorgeous and delicious.  Foods included stone crab claws, smoked salmon, salted shrimp, deviled eggs, and a kind of baked scrambled egg cut into squares, as well as more familiar foods such as turkey and roast beef.  I love the Caramel Custard they serve for dessert.  Very reminiscent of Flan, and a little less sweet. Cream and butter are used abundantly here and the most frequently seen vegetables are of the cold weather variety such as Cabbage, Turnips, Carrots, Potatoes, etc.  The growing season is very short in Norway.  Meat staples are mostly fish, pork and lamb, and venison, all of which are prepared with the local vegetables and the dark meats with gravies which are usually cream based...yummy, but not exactly low calorie!

I enjoyed my recent trip to Norway very much, and would recommend it if you love to travel...but remember the Summer is LIGHT and the Winter is DARK! LOL

It is always nice to be able to travel, but it is also nice to return home, especially when home is my beautiful Utah!

Summer In Utah

I have certainly had one of the busiest Spring seasons ever!  Beginning with a trip to Florida to sell the Condo in Destin (sigh...yes, had to go since Utah is about 2,000 miles away and I couldn't find a reliable manager). I listed the condo on a Friday, flew down on Saturday had a cash offer on Wednesday and flew back the following Saturday! That certainly was a whirlwind trip.

I will miss this view, but plan to make a yearly trip down to enjoy the beach...probably in October when it is still warm and most of the tourists have left.

Just before I left for Florida, I had made an offer on a lovely three bedroom Townhome in Ogden.  As soon as I returned from selling the condo, we closed on the town home and closed on it shortly after.

But, before we could move, we made a lovely trip to Italy (see previous posts) with my son Charles.  It was fantastic.  So we were out of town from April 9-about the 16th.  We moved into the new town home on April 26th!  We are located at the mouth of Ogden Canyon with a beautiful view of the mountains, and we are within 15 minutes of great skiing and snowshoeing.  In the summer there are great activities all over Ogden and Snowbasin, so it is a great place to live.

I love sitting on the porch and looking at the mountains..The weather here is amazing and we are right next door to the Ogden Botanical Gardens and the River Walk.

The Ogden River is a lovely crystal river running over rocks and full of trout!

I am going to have to learn to fly fish soon.

The house is perfect for us with a huge master bedroom (which I kept beach themed)  a room for the girlies to spend the night, and a room for Kevin's Man Cave!

I have just enough room to plant some lovely flowers and plants out front and a nice patio out back where we can grill out with family.

After moving in the end of April, I took a flight back to Macon, Georgia to watch my Grandson Eric graduate from high school.  It is hard to believe 18 years have passed since he was born and we moved to Macon.  Time certainly does fly.  I spent five days in Macon before flying home on May 20th.

On May 28th, Melanie, Aaron and the girls and Kevin and I loaded up our cars and headed for Seattle, where we would depart for an Alaskan Cruise on the Rhapsody of the Seas.  What a lovely and exciting time we had!

We spent one night in Seattle after returning from Alaska before heading home to Utah.

I have finally been home for longer than a week now, and am enjoying my new home here.  I plan to take up painting again (mountains and trees now rather than seascapes) and connecting with people in the community.

Summer means lots and lots of fresh veggies here in Utah and RASPBERRIES galore!  Stay tuned for some great recipes.

PEACE, LOVE & JOY

Linda

Florence and More Plus Summer Chicken Salad

On to Florence, Italy, and all the amazing architecture and art you can imagine!

This was part of the lovely view of the Argon River

Our Suite was on the Argon, and the views were amazing.

Looking down the river as in this shot, you could see numerous bridges.

Directly across from our Suite at the Westin was another fabulous view!  Can you imagine having two large sets of French Doors overlooking this as you listen to the water falling over a small waterfall area?  Amazing!

Whichever way we faced there was something wonderful to look at, and wherever we ate there was something fabulous to eat.

One of my favorites in Italy was Panne Cotta...a soft flan like/pudding like vanilla custard which was always served with fresh berries and usually a couli of the same fruit...fabulous.

As we plotted our three nights here, we knew we had to see Michaelangelo's David as well as the work of Botticelli...so that meant visiting the Academie and Ufizzi Museums ..both of them were amazing, but if I had it to do over again, I would only see one each day...they are quite expansive and it takes a considerable length of time just to walk through.

David was more than I even expected (20 feet tall from one piece of marble), and the Ufizi Gallery and the work of Botticelli (including the Birth of Venus) were breathtaking. Don't miss either one if you have any interest in art at all!

There is definitely much to see in and around Florence, from the beautiful architecture to the fountains and art.

I even enjoyed the Mimes which worked the piazza near the Ufizi...

They were amazing...standing like statues for hours on end and so perfectly made up and dressed they actually did look like statues.  That is, except for Cupid who was quite flirtatious! LOL

Hugs from Cupid!

Another thing you can not miss in Italy, whether Venice, Florence or Rome is the delicious, refreshing Gelato! Oh my! Trying to decide which one to choose...thank goodness they usually let you put three flavors on one cone!  Not exactly easy on the waist (but we attempted to walk it off) but definitely worth the calories!

Choices, choices!

The cones are huge by the way!

This was a TINY shop but even they had a HUGE selection of flavors!

 Romantic and beautiful, excellent food a friendly climate...Florence was so very lovely.

We would head for Tuscany next...out into the countryside to visit Sienna and San Giminagno...both ancient towns on the crossroads to Rome and beyond.


But that is for another day...
Here is a lovely Summer Recipe for you to enjoy!

                                    SUMMER CHICKEN STUFFED RED BELL PEPPERS

3 Cups chopped chicken (I use rotisserie chicken and both dark and light meat)
1 Cup finely chopped Celery
1 Cup finely chopped Mild Sweet Onion
1 Cup seedless grapes, halved
1/2 cup chopped nuts (choose your favorite-pecans are great but any will do)
Helman's Real Mayonnaise ( this can be an amount to just moisten the ingredients, or more to taste)
2 Tablespoons FRESH Lemon Juice
Salt and Pepper to TASTE
(I also like using a little Cajun Seasoning to add a bit of ZIP)

Clean and cut in half three large Sweet Red Peppers (removing membranes and seeds) and set aside.
Mix all above ingredients thoroughly and fill each half of sweet pepper.  Chill several hours and serve over your favorite greens.  YUM!  Cool and refreshing yet full of protein and quite filling!

Until Later!

PEACE, LOVE & JOY!

Next Up - Italy!

This is just one of the many views we plan to see on our journey to Italy.  Lovely, isn't it.

We board our flight on Tuesday and arrive in Venice via Paris on Wednesday.  All our hotels have been booked in the three cities we will be visiting.  My son, Charles, has taken care of all of this.  He has been multiple times, and wants me to share this magnificent part of the world!  We will be joining he and Jon in Venice and then on to Florence and Rome before returning to our home in Utah.

I have had a great time today deciding which tours I needed to schedule for Kevin and I.  We are going to cram as much into this trip as is possible…lots of fun, family and food and wine.  We are so excited we can hardly wait.  I have taken great pains to forget nothing on this trip.  Passports and other travel receipts and documents are safely stored in my carry on luggage…it is going to be a wonderful experience.

There is so much I want to see in these three cities that it was hard to decide exactly where to begin!  I am an artist at heart and all of this is food for my soul.  Kevin loves history and so the experience brings so much of what he has read about the Medici's and others to life.

I will be blogging/posting as we travel our way through Italy.  I have scheduled a trip outside Florence to Tuscany to visit to ancient cities there.   My son has booked a wonderfully romantic sounding evening for a night in Venice, and we will be seeing Murano (beautiful glass) and Burano (amazingly colorful houses lining the canals) and so much more!

I researched the weather for April in Italy.  Sounds like a great time to visit before the Summer heat and crowds arrive.  I have everything laid out to pack and even contacted my physician about antibiotics to take along in case we catch anything!  I also packed fun stuff like Pepto Bismol, Immodium, etc.  I don't want ANYTHING to get in the way of this being a spectacular trip.

We are closing on our new home here in Utah on Friday, and so that won't be on our minds as we travel Italy.  When we get back, we will hit the ground running to accomplish our move by May 1st!
It really is an exciting time for us and I certainly don't feel my age!

Can't wait to share our experiences and pictures with all of you.  I encourage each and every one of you to travel any time you have the opportunity.  One thing I have learned for sure (and I have been traveling off and on since the early seventies) is that you don't learn anything about other countries and the people and politics there until you GO there.

I am just a little excited, in case you can't tell!  I plan on sharing some new recipes with you too!

See you in my blog when I return!

PEACE, LOVE AND JOY

We might not have leaves changing color here on the Emerald Coast, but we definitely have Autumn Colors of our own.

This simple photo was not re-touched or accented in any way, and was in fact taken on my little iPhone!

I love taking photographs here on the Coast.  The Island offers all kinds of beautiful views, and I have enjoyed so many different ones this year.  It is nearly December, and I won't be able to return to my beautiful Paradise until March, and I will miss all the beauty that is here.

The wind on the water, the sea birds and dolphins and rays and the waves and sand have provided me with so much beauty since I purchased the condo in May.  The variety is endless.  I will be leaving for China in just over a week, and am sure I will find some beautiful views and unusual things to photograph there, but I also believe I will never tire of taking pictures here on the Island.

While I intend to take many pictures over the next few months, I also would like to take a photography course before I return to the Island in May.  You see, I believe that an artist not only creates beautiful things, but also sees beauty through eyes that force him/her to want to share their vision with everyone else.

This simple little picture has me so captivated with all its shading and color that I think I will have it reproduced on canvas.  I can't wait to see China and Thailand and find treasures in the beauty of the landscapes and people there. 

I finished the first week of my Ease Into 5K today, but I am going to repeat the first week before moving on.  The case of whooping cough I had this summer has made stamina a bit more difficult for me.  I am hoping that by backtracking a week, I can help to build back into a greater amount of lung capacity and strength.  Oh, don't get me wrong, I am feeling really terrific now since I have lost 23 pounds.  I got myself outfitted today with a good pair of running shoes and an outfit to go with them.  My bright yellow top makes me very visible, and I have just discovered the wonders of a sports bra!  I wish I had tried one of those a long time ago...really keeps things in place! 

Tomorrow is Sunday and I will be leaving here on Wednesday, so I am trying to squeeze all I can into my last few days here.  Tuesday night we will be attending a Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Concert in Pensacola. I fell in love with the group over 30 years ago, and am glad they are still producing such magnificent music!  We will be going to dinner at a Restaurant in Pensacola called Jaco's which has excellent reviews.  I will, of course be watching very closely what I eat...don't want to blow the diet now!  So, dinner and a great concert will end my season here on the Gulf Coast, but I will be back in the Spring, ready for another beautiful time on the beautiful Island I call home.

GOD BLESS - Peace, Love and Joy

Around The World In 18 Days!

In just 18 short days, Melanie and I are about to get on a plane and head to the Far East...halfway around the world! 

Neither of us have ever been there and with each passing day I get more excited about what we will see and do while we are visiting Shanghai, Bejing, in China and Bangkok, Koh Sumai and Phuket in Thailand!  What a bucket list of a trip this will be!  I am going to ride an elephant in Thailand for sure! 

All our arrangements have been made by my son, Charles.  We will be staying in some fabulous hotels/villas in some beautiful and exotic locations.  My husband just gave me a brand new Canon Rebel t3 camera so that I can hopefully take some amazing pictures to record this fabulous trip!

I look forward to experiencing the cultures of both countries as well as their food and scenery!  Everyone keeps telling me the shopping will be quite fabulous as well, so I expect I will be doing some of that too!  We will be gone for two weeks and arriving back home just in time to get ready for Christmas. 

I love travel, and am looking forward to adding these two countries to my list of already visited!  I hope those of you who read my blog regularly will enjoy the many things I plan to write and the pictures I plan to share!  I don't think I will run out of things to talk about for a very long time!

I will be reviewing the plane rides and the restaurants and tourist sites.  I hope to get a few really special pictures of people and places to share.  There is a "floating market" in Bangkok which I am looking forward to seeking.  Everything about this trip will be "new."

I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving this year!  We will be taking the girls and heading for the beach on Saturday.  We love to share Thanksgiving at Harbor Docks where the owner sponsors a donation dinner to benefit Habitat for Humanity and Second Harvest every year.  The servers are volunteers from all over the country, and the entire proceeds from the event go to the two Charities!  Last year they raised over $17,000 for these worthy charities!  What a great way to say thanks for the many blessings we have received this year.

I have prayers in my heart which will travel around the world with me for a friend whose husband is fighting cancer.  I will share these prayers with my "Chinese daughter" Lilac.  She is a sweet Christian young woman who lives in China and works with my son Charles.  I met her and have gotten really well acquainted with her on SKYPE!  We talk regularly and share things about our respective countries, and our shared belief!  It has been amazing!  We are both anxious to meet face to face and share hugs!

Well...I must sign off for now, but I promise to be back soon with some amazing pictures and information!

GOD BLESS - Peace, Love and Joy!

Shanghai Charlie and Chicken's Feet!

Beautiful and interesting isn't it?  This is a view of Shanghai. 
Here is some interesting information from Wikipedia about Shanghai:

Shanghai (Chinese: 上海; Shanghainese: Zånhae; Mandarin pinyin: Shànghǎi) is the largest city by population of the People's Republic of China (PRC) ^[6][7] and the largest city proper by population in the world.^[8] It is one of the four province-level municipalities of the PRC, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010.^[4] It is a global city, with influence in commerce, culture, finance, media, fashion, technology, and transport. It is a major financial center^[9] and the busiest container port in the world.^[10]
Located in the Yangtze River Delta in eastern China, Shanghai sits at the mouth of the Yangtze River in the middle portion of the Chinese coast. The municipality borders Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces to the west, and is bounded to the east by the East China Sea.^[11]
Once a fishing and textiles town, Shanghai grew in importance in the 19th century due to its favorable port location and was one of the cities opened to foreign trade by the 1842 Treaty of Nanking which allowed the establishment of the Shanghai International Settlement. The city then flourished as a center of commerce between east and west, and became the undisputed financial hub of the Asia Pacific in the 1930s.^[12] However, with the Communist Party takeover of the mainland in 1949, the city's international influence declined. In the 1990s, the economic reforms introduced by Deng Xiaoping resulted in an intense re-development of the city, aiding the return of finance and foreign investment to the city.^[13]
Shanghai is a popular tourist destination renowned for its historical landmarks such as The Bund, City God Temple and Yuyuan Garden, as well as the extensive and growing Pudong skyline. It has been described as the "showpiece" of the booming economy of mainland China.<sup>[14][15]

Soooooo, last night I get a message from Charles saying, "Taking off on tiny Chinese plane to Shanghai.  I I die I left you in my will!  ;-)"   YIKES!!!

Obviously Charles was very nervous about the plane he was getting on to fly to Shanghai.  Then I was very nervous!  I told him not to get on the plane if he  was really feeling that way!  But, he did board the plane, and thankfully messaged me that he arrived safely in Shanghai.  Whew!  


He also sent me this picture of what he had for lunch yesterday before boarding the plane...</sup>

<sup>These are boiled chicken feet...eww...I guess it is what you get used to, but these look pretty yukky to me.  Charles said they aren't bad, but the texture is a little weird.  I  am kind of weird about textures, so I don't think they would work for me even though I am pretty adventurous about foods as well as life in general.


I think the claws on the end don't help ... kinda scary looking!  But, I guess if someone saw me eating steamed blue crabs and they had never seen anything like that before, they would probably feel the same way!


I wish more people got to travel the world and experience all the variety of things Charles is seeing.  I have been blessed and traveled quite a bit, but never to China.  It's on the bucket list.


If you really want to give your children and grandchildren something they will carry with them for all their lives, and expand their horizons, then send them traveling.  I believe that if we all better understood how people in other parts of the world live, it would become a better world.  Perhaps we would not judge things that we are not familiar with quite as harshly if we understood each other better.


Anyway, I am glad Charles had a safe trip to Shanghai, and am anxiously awaiting his safe return to the USA!  I know one thing for sure, he will be glad to get home to some good old American food!  


God Bless - Love-Peace and Joy</sup>

Ready To Travel Again!

The Sea is calling me again.  Have you seen that Royal Caribbean advertisement with the sea phone?  Well it dialed me up this week, and I am heading for Florida to board the Jewel of The Seas with best friend Trish! 

The past few months have been so stressful, and it is time for me to "cast my cares upon the sea" again.  I feel a peacefullness there that I have nowhere else.

Do you have a place like that?  It doesn't have to be far away.  It could be beside a babbling brook near your home, through the woods. It could be a mountaintop...I am NOT big on mountains, as I never liked high places...fear of falling!  I am kind of clumsy and falling off the side of a mountain is NOT how I want to go!

One place not far from home that I found very peaceful and restful was the Atlanta Botanical Gardens in Atlanta, Georgia.  They are absolutely beautiful with fountains, flowers and beautiful gardens around you everywhere you look.   They have an orchid show in the Spring that is absolutely unbelievable.  I will go there again this Spring to enjoy the colors and varieties.

Some people can get refreshed by taking a long walk or run.  I used to run a lot when I was younger, but that is much more difficult for me now.  I actually enjoy water aerobics to get those endorphins going.  

I love the sea though with its many moods and colors.  It is a mysterious wonder with so much going on under there that we are constantly hearing about the discovery of new and interesting creatures being found by scientists as they begin to explore its depths more fully.  Last week they were showing some funny looking octopus and crabs that were thriving at extreme depths in water temperatures that would normally COOK seafood! 

Our God is an Awesome God, and our world is amazing and full of surprises.  I love travel.  I love the sea.  If you haven't tried cruising yet, you really need to give it a try.  The "all inclusive" price which includes your food, entertainment and lodging is unbeatable, and the service is top of the line.  Trish keeps saying she can't wait to hear them say "How may I serve you?" again! LOL   And, I must admit, it is really nice to be waited on by such attentive and interesting people from all over the world.
So tonight, after this very rough week, I am going to sleep with dreams of the sea and all that it holds and "casting my cares" there next week.  I will keep you posted on the magical journey.

Oktoberfest

There is a definite chill in the air this morning...Fall is fast approaching. It is definitely my favorite time of year here in Georgia. I love the changing colors of the leaves, the crisp mornings, and apple picking in the North Georgia Mountains.

But Fall also brings back memories from years ago when I used to travel to Munich, Germany for Oktoberfest. I am NOT a beer drinker, but there is so much more to Oktoberfest than the beer.

They say smells are one of the strongest memories of all. I believe that is probably true, because every time I smell almonds roasting in cinnamon and sugar in a big copper kettle I am back in the cold, crisp air of Munich in October.

Believe it or not, there's much more to Oktoberfest than beer. From chicken dances and sing-alongs to giant pretzels and gingerbread necklaces, these traditions at Munich's favorite fall festival go beyond the brew -- though there's plenty of that, too.

Oktoberfest traditionally starts on a Saturday in late September and continues for 16-18 days. (This year's dates are Sept. 17-Oct. 3). The official festival kick-off takes place at noon inside the oldest beer tent, Schottenhamel, when Munich's mayor taps the first keg and exclaims, O'zapft is! or, it is tapped! This signals the beginning of draught pouring throughout the fair.

The following day, crowds gather for the 10 a.m. Costume and Riflemen's Parade, miles of more than 7,000 costumed dancers, marching bands, animals, and floats through parade through Munich's center.

Oktoberfest is the world's largest folk festival, and the biggest draw to this day is the free-to-enter beer tents. Fourteen temporary structures range in size from the massive Hofbräu Festzelt -- a favorite among Americans for its revelry and oom-pah bands -- (I LOVE the oom-pah bands) to the 2,900-seat Käfers Wiesen Schänke. Visit the Armbrustschützenzelt tent to try local delicacies like Hendl (a half or whole spit-roasted chicken) and Haxn (pork knuckles). The smaller Fischer Vroni tent offers a large fish selection, including festival favorite Steckerlfisch (grilled whitefish on a stick), along with Würstl (sausages), Knoedel (dumplings), and Brotzeit (snacks consisting of meats, cheeses radishes, and bread) are readily available throughout festival grounds.

Tents feature food and music, are packed with picnic tables and benches that fill up quickly, and while parties of two to three can usually squeeze in beside a group that's already seated, those of 6 or more should reserve a table in advance or visit one of the smaller, less crowded tents. The Augustiner -- a tent known for its family atmosphere and traditional tunes -- is a local favorite.

While donning traditional Bavarian garb is a great way to feel part of the Oktoberfest festivities, I never tried it! Many of the men wear lederhosen (a pair of shorts or three-quarter-length pants sporting either buttoned or zippered fastening), a drop-front flap, and leather suspenders with a front cross strap, and some feature elaborate embroidery. Just add a white shirt, long socks and boots, and top off the outfit with a Trachten hat, or German-style hiking hat, adorned with a tuft of goat hair. Voila! There ya go gentlemen!

Women wear the dirndl which is a flattering ensemble of a bodice, a blouse, and a full-skirt with apron. Where you tie your bow signifies your relationship status: left means single; right means taken. You can actually rent these outfits if you care to. One year I brought home lederhosen for my eldest son and a drindl for my daughter. They looked so cute!

I was always amazed at how the women working the tents could carry six of the large sized heavy glass mugs without any difficulty at all! The beer flows freely at Oktoberfest, but it is all in good fun. I never saw any excessive rowdiness or drunkness on any visit I had there. Remember, when toasting, make eye contact with your drinking compatriot and raise and clink your glasses together, shouting Prost! (Cheers!), before taking a swig.

One of Oktoberfest's favorite snacks is the Brezel (soft pretzel). Festival versions are gigantic, doughy, sprinkled with salt, and best purchased from vendors stationed outside the side and front entrances of each beer tent. And don't forget to check out the "chicken dance." One year while we were attending the Fair with a very French, very dignified business associate of ours, we found him to be quite adept at standing atop a picnic table doing the chicken dance! We laughed til our sides hurt!

For something sweet, stop by a food stand and ask for Gebrannte Mandeln, sugar-glazed almonds cooked in copper kettles and served in paper cones, this is the smell that seems to permeate everything in Munich during Oktoberfest, and one I will never forget...the stuff is addicting!

Since the late 19th century, a Fun Fair has been part of the overall celebration. Roller coasters, log flumes, and a 164-foot-tall Ferris Wheel (Risenrad) thrill visitors. Many amusement park owners actually come here to scope out new rides for their parks. A business and pleasure trip combined!

So, as we go into the Fall season, if you can't actually take a trip and fly off to Munich, hunt some of the local "Oktoberfest" celebrations and join in on the fun. Many of them do a good job supplying the fun and festive atmosphere of "Oktoberfest"
Some of the best: Cincinnati, OH; Helen, GA; Mt. Angel, OR; Fredericksburg, TX;
Soulard, St. Louis, MO; Leavenworth, WA; and Milwaukee, WI.

Have Fun!

RECIPE OF THE DAY

CHOUCROUTE

This is definitely a "cold weather" hearty dish...but worth the trouble!

1. 1/3 cup kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
2. 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
3. 3 pounds pork back ribs or baby back ribs, cut into 3 sections
4. 6 pounds good sauerkraut (in jars or plastic bags), drained
5. 1/4 olive or peanut oil
6. 1 large onion, coarsely chopped
7. 4 large garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
8. 20 juniper berries (optional)
9. 3 large bay leaves
10. 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds
11. 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
12. 3 cups chicken stock
13. 1 1/2 cups Riesling or Pinot Gris
14. 2 pounds Polish kielbasa, skinned and cut into 2-inch pieces
15. 10 skinless hot dogs
16. One 2-pound piece of boneless boiled ham (3 to 4 inches wide), sliced 1/4 inch thick
17. 2 pounds medium potatoes (about 10), peeled
18. Assorted mustards, for serving

1. In a large, sturdy, resealable plastic bag, combine the 1/3 cup of kosher salt with the sugar. Add the pork ribs; shake well to thoroughly coat the ribs with the seasonings. Seal the bag and refrigerate the ribs overnight or for up to 24 hours.
2. The next day, preheat the oven to 300°. Rinse the sauerkraut in cold water and squeeze dry. Set a large roasting pan over 2 burners on high with oil, Add the onion and garlic and cook over moderately low heat, stirring, until softened, about 7 minutes. Stir in the sauerkraut, juniper berries, bay leaves, caraway seeds, black pepper, stock and wine and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
3. Meanwhile, rinse the pork ribs under cold water and pat dry. Nestle the pork ribs in the sauerkraut and bring back to a boil over moderately high heat. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 1 1/2 hours.
4. Remove the pork ribs from the sauerkraut. Cut down in between the ribs. Return the ribs to the sauerkraut and nestle in the kielbasa, hot dogs and ham. Cover and bake until the meats are hot, about 25 minutes. Discard the bay leaves.
5. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, cover the potatoes with cold water, add salt and bring to a boil over high heat; cook the potatoes until tender when pierced. Drain the potatoes and cover to keep warm.
6. To serve, mound the hot sauerkraut in the center of very hot dinner plates and partially tuck in the pork ribs and the kielbasa. Arrange the hot dogs and ham around the sauerkraut. Alternatively, pile the sauerkraut on a large heated platter and garnish with the meats. Serve the choucroute with the boiled potatoes and assorted mustards.

Make Ahead The choucroute can be prepared through Step 3 and refrigerated for 3 days. Reheat before proceeding.

2001 Things To Do Before You Die

I have a little book given to me by my dear friend Vicki a couple years ago. The title is "2001 Things To Do Before You Die."

A quote from the jacket reads: "All the things you always wanted to do but never took time to live out are written down in this handy checklist." Some of the things are simple tasks like play with Clay, or bake brownies. Others are a bit more challenging, like climbing Everest or jumping from an airplane.

I have had a wonderful time checking off the items I have already done, and lining up those things which I still want to do. I went horseback riding on the beach in Vieques....check another one off! I also have a Private Pilot's License...check!
See the Eiffel Tower...check!! It is also fun to look back occasionally and see some of those things I have completed. And by the way that terrified looking person with all the padding and protective gear is me. I did ice skate in the Middle of the Atlantic Ocean...and it was great fun and I didn't break anything! Check!

I have even added some things to the checklist (there are spaces in the back of the book to add your own bucket list items).

What are your "Things". Do you want to fly in a hot air balloon, or jump from an airplane (NO I am not jumping from an airplane while I am still alive..think that one might kill me)! Even if it is something like making Baked Alaska, you need to write it down now and do it.

One thing I am sure of however, is that every one of us have a list of those things we have always wanted to do and never taken the time to complete them. I still want to learn how to ballroom dance. I tried taking my sweet hubby for dance lessons, but three lessons in he decided that sweating in the arms of another woman was not something he was willing to do. Oh well, if I am gonna do that one, it will have to be by myself.

Hubby and I completed another "bucket list" item when we rode in a horse drawn carriage ride through Central Park last Christmas. It was absolutely beautiful in spite of the fact it was freezing cold.

So here is my challenge to you. Do it now. Start your own bucket list. If you need a little help, buy the book "2001 Things to Do Before You Die" by Dane Sherwood...it is really a nice little book. Or, just buy your own little journal and begin your list. Come on now, I know every one of you have got things you want to do. Don't wait...do it now....live it!

Love Is In The Air

It is a fact. Every, and I do mean every, married couple need to get away
ALONE at times for a weekend. Oh, date nights are fine and necessary too, but there is nothing like getting away to a peaceful place to just spend time together.

My hubby and I were part of a Marriage Encounter Weekend many years ago. We learned quite a lot that weekend. Like how writing love letters is important. But, most of all we learned about "strawberries". No, not the kind you eat. Strawberries were things we were not allowed to talk about that weekend, like kids, jobs, in-laws, bills, etc. If one partner slipped the other was to say "strawberries" to change the subject. We were to focus only on our love relationship. I think one of the biggest problems in many families today is that the parents have "child centered" relationships. They get so involved in making everything perfect for the children that they forget about growing their own relationship.

You don't have to leave the Country or go somewhere exotic. You could just go to the next town, or a day trip to a place the two of you have never been but would like to share. The lake, the City, wherever. But it must be just the two of you and you must NOT call home! Leave someone responsible for the children and you are only to be contacted in case of an emergency.

Someday those children will find love relationships of their own, and be off, leaving the parents to continue on their own. Have you ever noticed how many people get divorced AFTER their children are grown and have left the nest? Many times it is because they no longer have anything in "common."

Take a serious look at your love relationship today, and make time for you and your partner. You need some alone time..time just for the two of you. This is not selfish, it is what leads to a long and loving relationship that will survive the bumps in the road that are sure to come in everyone's life. Re-kindle that love that brought the two of you together in the first place. Remember it was a "lifelong" commitment to love one another "for better or for worse." You won't be sorry you did.

New York, New York for the Holidays

I had the privilege of spending a few days in New York City last year just before Christmas. I hadn't been to New York since I was a child and was really looking forward to seeing it decorated for the Holidays! I was not disappointed.

My son had made all the arrangements as a Christmas gift for me and it was over the top. We had a lovely corner suite at the Gaansevoort Hotel right on Park Avenue. Everything about the Gaansevoort was wonderful. The staff were attentive and professional. The hotel was decorated beautifully for the Holidays, and our suite was beautiful. They had even embroidered my initials on the pillow cases on the king sized bed.

I had a few things which were on my Bucket List, but the main one was to take a carriage ride in Central Park. The weather was icy cold, but felt appropriate for the season. We took a cab down to the park and hired a carriage. The ride was wonderful. The views were spectacular, and people were skating on the pond in the Park. It made it seem so much like a Christmas card.

After our carriage ride, we walked back toward downtown to do a little window shopping. The decorations all over the City were spectacular, and all around Radio City we took many, many pictures. We went shopping at Bloomingdales and bought a few souvenirs.

My son had arranged for us to go to China Town and check out the shopping there. As we walked down the street we were approached by shop owners "you want Gucci? you want Rolex?"...and street vendors with all kinds of wonderful street food were in abundance. We however, walked around the corner and went to Lombardi's Pizza for coal fired oven cooked pizza! Was great. It is a wonderful experience when you go to New York. We took the Subway to experience riding it and really got a taste of New York. My husband was fascinated with the architecture, and I was fascinated with all the people!

We had breakfast the next morning at Les Halles, a little French place across the street from the Gaansevoort. The atmosphere was wonderfully French, and the food was wonderful. Once again, my son had plans for us for the rest of the day. We had lunch at a little Chinese restaurant, afternoon snacks of Sushi, and Italian food for dinner. So much for trying to diet in New York! There are just to many exciting places to go, and too much exciting and delicious foods to try!

Dinner was at Peter Luger, where we sampled their famous Bacon. I know, you are wondering what could be so wonderful about bacon. Well, this is no ordinary bacon. It is thick and meaty and cooked over hardwood fire. Then it is served with thick slices of tomato and onion and Peter Luger's special sauce! They are actually famous for their dry aged steaks, but let me tell you, the BACON is out of this world! Skip the steak and go for the bacon.

We then climbed into a Limmosine for a tour around the City at night. We saw Times Square, where you can't believe how many lighted signs there are. It is so bright, it seems like daytime! We went to The Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory underneath the Brooklyn Bridge. It was a bit too cold for the ice cream, but we found that they sell the best chocolates I have ever eaten. We bought several of every flavor, and climbed back into the Limo to continue our tour. I can tell you for a fact, that Champagne and chocolate go so well together!

Rockefeller Center with the huge lighted Christmas Tree topped by a huge star of Swarovski Crystal was amazing! We had an absolutely beautiful time that night, and look forward to doing it again some time.

The next morning, in spite of the thirty degree weather, my hubby and I chose to rise early and go to Rockefeller Center to watch the skaters, and stand outside as Hoda Kotb and Kathy Lee Gifford taped their show. Yep, we were two of those nuts standing there in the freezing cold waving at the television cameras! Gotta be a tourist sometime! The Christmas tree, all the golden flags around the Rockefeller Skating Rink and the skaters were so festive.

We then walked to St. Patricks Cathedral. It was even more incredible than I had ever imagined. The beautiful Cathedral was spectacular enough, but all the Nativity Scenes spread throughout made it even more awesome. You could feel the presence of God in that place..

After leaving the awesome Cathedral, we walked to the American Girl Doll Store where we made several purchases for our granddaughters. That place was incredible. I never saw so much beautiful clothing and accessories for dolls, and the dolls...they were incredible!

We had such a wonderful morning. We walked down Broadway, and we found a huge flea market where my hubby bought a crazy but warm hat...

New York City is probably exciting at any time, but if you get the chance, go just after Thanksgiving, and before Christmas and enjoy all the excitement of the Season. It is incredible!