The group of 8, myself included, arrived yesterday, via ways of Newark, New Jersey airport! We arranged this vacation some months ago and it has come to fruition! I am the youngest of the group and my grandfather is the senior adventurer at a few months shy of 90!
Yesterday, upon arrivel in the evening, we all checked in to our prospective rooms and got ourselves set up and met up for dinner at the all inclusive resort.
The “first” day on the restort, I spent the bulk of it on Tortuga beach at the enclosed resort–which included playing with a local Macaw and got a beach side pedicure–from a beach pedicurist–an absolute delight and much needed–which inspired my grandfather to also get his feet worked on–we both were calloused and crunchy but when our lovely lady was finished, we became beach worthy!
The other’s in my group decided to spend the day in the pool with the swim up bar and live entertainment, about 1 block away–and enjoy the full amnenities of the resort.
Listed below in the Gallery are just a few of the beautiful pieces for sale on my eBay, all kniited and painted by myself, Anna Potthoff. I am selling my art and knitted crafts (plus other odds and ends) on eBay to help support my adventures and 10% of each sale also goes to the Wild Life Sanctuary in Keensburg, Colorado!
I have a special trip to Scotland coming up in a few weeks and would love to have fun spending money while I am there–you get a great item to hang in your home, give as a gift for a friend or loved one or to simply treat yourself while it’s the gift that keeps on giving as it helps others in the process! Happy Shopping!
Hand Knitted scarfHand Knitted scarfHand Knitted scarfHand Knitted scarfHand Knitted scarfHand Knitted scarfHand Knitted scarfOriginal art, hand paintd canvas of autumn, halloween/withes Flower cake painting with original art by Anna PotthoffPotraits of ancient man at Rosemarkie Firth
Yes, it’s true! It has officially been 2 months since I have quit smoking–and yes, I am fully nicotine-free the whole time–sans the time it took for the residual nicotine to detox/leave my system–
Admittingly, the first week was extremely unpleasant, but as with all good things, it takes time, practice, effort and in my case, some assistance for a great thing to occur.
Often, the first question, well, the first two questions when I express to someone that I recently quit smoking, are the following– When did you start smoking (or why) and what prompted to you quit smoking?
I started smoking 20+ years ago in college (shame on me!) and I was simply ready to quit and was tired of smoking–which is odd to say as I still get an oral “hankering” for a smoke/cigarette (referring only to tobacco products here, I have never smoked the other stuff!).
I don’t know which was more difficult in the beginning, even now, training myself to know that I am a non smoker or telling/sharing/remdinging those whom are around me/know me that I don’t smoke anymore. There are people in my life whom have only known me as a smoker and a person whom gets a bit “tense” if she didn’t get her break at someone point to light up–now I can go an entire shift at work without even noticing that I didn’t smoke or have that quick fix break–which is kind of nice and an adjustment as well–and it works the same way at home, I work through a list of chores and more and realize when I sit to enjoy my cup of coffee/herbal tea that I knocked out a lot more because I didn’t want or need to stop for a fix.
A perk I didn’t see coming was that my parents sent me a treat/reward for quitting cigarrettes, which was super sweet of them–I used the reward to book a special tour in Octobeber when we are on vacation, which is awesome–quitting literally has its pay off and another perk? I won’t miss anything on the tour because I won’t have to find a “smokers hole” or other approved spot and to enjoy the tour without jonesing for nicotine–and if an oral craving does pop up? I will chew on a piece of my trusty spearmint gum and be minty fresh all day–something that hasn’t happened in 20 years, being fresh breathed all day!
Is it easy? Nope, but it has been worth it and the small benefits and perks just keep popping up everywhere! Everyone whom wants to quit and has quit has their own ways and reasons for doing it but it is possible, and while this is an adventure blog in food and travel, quitting smoking only allows me to enjoy both aspects more!
Also, especially in the beginning my knitting has also been an aid to quitting!
Success does come in many forms! Happy Quitting!
Quitting smoking concept. Hand is refusing cigarette offer.
It’s true! After more than 2 decades (21-22 years) of smoking cigarettes, I have finally quit! 😊😊
Yes, I started smoking years ago, while in college in North Carolina. Why did I start? Silliness? Stupidity? The convenience of smoking- in restaurants, hotels, practically everywhere a person attended or walked into, a person could smoke (even most McDonalds had a smoking area!)
Alas, times have changed but it has been know for quite some time that smoking is not good for one’s health or pocket book/wallet–and I felt it long overdue that I quit.
I sought assistance from my GP, though, as I tried in the past to quit cold turkey or with gum/lozenges or patches, none of which suited to what I need to quit–but with a prescription from my GP, I am 30 days nicotine and cigarette free (and not using vape or anything else!
While there are challenges and more, it feels great to quit and to celebrate, my Sweetness and w I went on a 2 mile (total, round trip) mini hike to a waterfall!! While quitting smoking isn’t a traditional adventure for me or others, this is a lifelong changing adventure for myself and my well being for now the future!
P.S. To aid in my quitting, my knitting has exploded as it helps to keep my hands busy, so check out the new goodies on my ebay!
Sweetness is happy too! I made it to the waterfall without wheezing!Playing in the waterfall, of course, shoelessMe and my SweetnessSweetness DavidI finally quit smoking
Adventures are amazing where there is so much beauty!
There is a trail head, just off the shoulder of HWY 11 (near Walhalla, S.C.) that I parked at, feet from the trailhead that lead to the Station Cove Falls–as seen in the photos, there are a several different informational placards, which is super helpful, not holding for “treasuring hunting” the local flora and fauna (seeking only, no harvesting or picking!)
Even with a funky knee, the trail was pleasantly mild and traversed it in roughly 35 minutes one way–it’s not wheel chair or scooter friendly for those whom need assistive devices but it’s family and adventure friendly for sure! Saw families enjoying splash time in the small creeks along the way and other families walking their bull mastiff and other dogs, so everyone one could be included!
Crossing over 4 different food bridges made it more fun (always reminds me of fantastical legends and lore to cross over small bridges!) The ferns, mushrooms and monks caps were fun flora to find along the ways to the Falls, which of course, I splashed around, enjoying the showers falling over myself–coming out looking like a soaked hooligan but well worth it!
Want to help support adventures? Purchase unique items from my eBay!
Station Cove Waterfall at the end of a very mild walking trail, 3/4 mile one way (1.5 miles round trip from parking area/trail head to waterfall and back!)
Nicole Maneri is a fellow co-worker and our manager has set up a GoFundMe to help Nicole out.. She had an unexpected medical emergency and has been hospitalized. She was admitted with Mxydema Crises along with a kidney and liver infection. She has been at the hospital for a week and will continue to be there next week. She has 2 young boys that she has to provide for and will not have income coming in for 2-3 weeks. Please help me raise money so she can feed her children and pay her bill-even $5 would help!
A super easy meal to make–with very common, often in household ingredients (and if you purchase ingredients, the items not used can be used in other stuff easily!)
1 large yam, washed and coarsely chopped
2 big carrots, peeled and shredded/chopped
1 medium purple onion, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup natural peanut butter (creamy or chunky, doesn’t matter)
1 tablespoon Curry Powder
1 tsp each, dried ginger, black pepper, Garam Masala, sea salt
1 tablespoon coconut oil
3 Tilapia Filets (I like the frozen ones from AlDI)
4 cups of cold water
Put everything in a large, deep skillet or medium sized pan, except fish
Simmer and stir for 10 minutues, put the fish on top, cover and let simmer for 40-45 on medium heat until fish is done and veggies are soft/cooked through. Mix well to break up fish and incorporate everything together.
Can be eaten as is or served over cooked rice. If eaten as it, serves 2-4, if served over rice, served 6-8.
+Can be altered to be vegetarian or vegan by eliminating the fish!
Over 80+ items are available for sale on my eBay! Free shipping on all pieces shipped to the USA but able to ship worldwide with a small shipping fee (depending on location!)
Each items helps supports the rescued carnivores at the Wild Life Animal Sanctuary in Keensburg, Colorado–Lions, Tigers, Wolves and Bears, OH MY! All items also include a “Make An Offer” tab, so, shop happy and make me an offer!
Here is the link to all items on my items, and more items are coming!
Hand Knitted scarfHand Knitted scarfHand Knitted scarfOriginal art, hand paintd canvas of autumn, halloween/withes Flower cake painting with original art by Anna PotthoffPotraits of ancient man at Rosemarkie Firth Hand Knitted scarfHand Knitted scarfHand Knitted scarfHand Knitted scarf
My Travels 