my cousin Amy and I were on a hunt for postcards and a souvenir T-shirt for our cousin Charlie, and in the meantime, we found some really cool stuff and amazing architecture.
while at walking was a lot of fun, there was a slight bit of a scary moment. There, as a Jesuit piece fell down and had a really bloody nose; so after helping him get himself together, we continued to adventure, and found a really pretty chapel dedicated to Saint Joan of arc. Amy and I thoroughly enjoyed a Middle Eastern meal at a restaurant called FiFi which is located on Wisconsin Avenue
it is official! Rebecca and Stephen have tied the knot! Myy lovely cousin Rebecca is married now to a wonderful man, named Stephen. The wedding today was outstanding and quite beautiful, as they said their vows, and committed their lives to each other.
The wedding took place in a Wells Lutheran Church in Wisconsin, and it was such a beautiful place. Stephan’s father, an ordained Lutheran minister, married the young couple in front of family and friends today.
it has been a wonderful celebration and reception today, filled with so much love, and so many well wishes, and of course, it was a fairytale for them to kick off their lives together.
after the wedding at the church, we all met up at the reception venue for dancing wonderful food and of course what would a wedding be without Dr. Hooks “Sylvia’s mother” being played and the whole family singing and dancing together to unify the whole event! The groomsmen also gave the bridal couple the chair lifting tradition
Enjoying the sunrise here in the upstate of South Carolina- nature always provides a wonderful entertainment, and the soothing sounds of the song birds.
Taking a drive through the Blue Ridge Parkway to cross state lines in to Hendersonville, North Carolina has been so much fun! My Sweetness (aka my Sweetheart boyfriend) and I took a little day adventure and visited Hendersonville, visiting the aldstate/downtown area.
The quaint little town is nestled perfectly among the evergreens and decidious tress of the the Blue Ridge and is amazingly fragrant with the scent of flowers, honesuckle and flowers-a real treat for the nose and the eyes, not sensory overload but a perfect blend to enjoy.
We enjoyed frozen yogurt (FROYO) from the Sweet Frog shop on the corner, a lovely treat on such a warm day; across the street was a charming new and used book shop (For the Love of Books) where I purchased some great postcards (which are getting harder to find) and why I would have loved to have purchased a few dozen books offered there, I stopped at the postcards.
This quanit place is also located very close to many trails for bikeing and walking as well as being pretty close to some really cool waterfalls, from what I read.
My Neighbor is from Alexandria, Egypt-and her friendship has been a really nice gift to me. It’s so nice to have someone to chat with that lives so close; a lady friend to share odds and end with and today, she shared a Egyptian dessert with me. She had atteneded an event that served international cuisine through her college, hosted by a professor and she brought me a dessert commonly served in Egypt.
I love that she shared a bit of her home food with me! It’s honey and has maybe a bit of cinnamon in it? It’s an adventure with food and having someone bring me something so special melts my heart.
In truth? If Egyptian food is all similiar to this and the other food Nour (my neighbor) has made and shared, I am more than happy to try new things. God’s goodness can be seen in many forms, through the kindness of a neighbor, the delight in sharing a meal together and more.
This morning, about 90 minutes ago, I struggled big time. My co-worker, in efforts to be super sweet and nice, offered me a McDonald’s breakfast sandwhich when she came into work. The sandwhich smelled wonderful; I really wanted to say yes and gobble it down with delight.
I politely declined, despite my tummy rumbling, my mouthing salvating with the warm aromas wafting from the paper wrapped food.. She asked if I didn’t care for McDonalds, I told her, no, I absolutely love McDonald’s breakfast sandwhichs but I am giving up fast food for Lent.Her face turned quizical in expression and I gave the brief description that Lent is the 40 days before Easter and many Catholics and Protestants give up something during this period as part of their faith and journey. I wasn’t expecting this struggle this morning at all.
While on my way to my job, I do pass several fast food chains to and from work. In the past, even recently, especially on the days I go to the Rec center to swim, I often imbibed and picked up a breakfast at one of the fast food chains;it makes things easier and tasty for me before I hit the lanes for laps. I can eat in my car (likely not a good habit to have anyway) and then realizse, as I evaluate my bank account weekly, just how much I am/was spending on fast food-especially lately as I have become passive, lazy about making breakfast for myself. But when does easy and convienent become a lifestyle? Why is this passively okay for when it’s not really okay as a norm? These are the questions I ask myself-and many more.
One lingering question, just a few days into Lent, is how do I make/cook more interesting food for myself? There are times, when I do need a quick meal, and I am learning that I need, at times, to practice better time management since I am eating solely homecooked meals at this point-with the exception of when I get invited to a family or friends house for dinner (or the like.) I didn’t anticipate that the struggle would also be with getting tired of my usual routine meals and recipes, especially so quickly.
While I did make myself breakfast (seen below), and while it settles down, I wonder, what easy meals can I make myself on short notice or with some prep work that are tasty and contian easily found ingredients? Please, do comment and share if you have ideas!
Multigrain Flat Bread
1 green onion
One small carrot shredded
1 tablespoon cream cheese
1/2 an avacodo
1 teaspoon parmesan cheese
Drizzle of Thousand Island Dressing
Left over Chicken breast shredded up
Spread the cream cheese on the flat bread, load veggies and avacado on top,add chicken, sprinkle parmesan and drizzle thousand island dress, roll up like a buritto. I also drank cold drip coffee with it. It was a B- meal.
While having to work on Christmas morning, I decked myself out in Jingle Wear as the Elves are always around! One never knows who might be watching to put you on the naughty or nice list, too.
Yes, I am at work in some of the photos, and because I work with the public, wishing the customers a Merry Christmas is essential to me. I always find it interesting who comes through, especailly during the holiday seasons as travelers and locals alike mix together and create quite a fun variety. In truth, too, I don’t mind if someone wishes me a Happy Hannukah in exchange, to each may celebrate as they enjoy while me and my loved ones celebrate Christmas.
Later on today, I am super stoked and excited the birth of our Saviour with my sister, brother-in-law, my Sweetness, my Papa, and my Godson, always exciting and, of course, all the pets will be included in the festivities as well, playing their reindeer games!
As you can hear and see in the short video I snapped/shot, the wind is really howling! It’s so cold, too and the icy winds bite at the skin. Yes, it’s blizzarding! Welcome to the cold and snowy Colorado plains! I also got my wish for Christmas, I witnessed a good snow fall and all was merry and white!
Thankfully, the blizzard did stop and I own plenty of warm wear to go out and play in the snow, a favorite past time of mine, while also getting to enjoy the warmt of the indoors, with hot cholate and games with family and friends.
We are playing Scattergories, Clobber, and card games, always a delight, no matter the weather!
Fa-la-la-la-la-de-dah! Christmas bells are ringing!
An original Christmas painting, oil on canvas, framed and matted (no glass) is available for purchase, ready to hang, just in time for bringing in the holidays and Christmas cheer! Listed at $65 (offers are welcome!) and will ship in time to be gifted or hung by the chimney with care.
Each and every purchase on my eBay helps to support me the “starving” artist, not only to create more art but to travel and learn and glean from all the wonderful things the world has to offer.
Again, I chose to shop at Aldi’s and found a great price on Tuna Steaks.
I didn’t include the cost of the spices/seasoning as I already had a can of Tony’s in the cupboard.
1 Tuna Steak
1 Can of green beans (Aldi Brand)
1 can of new potatoes (whole, Aldi Brand)
1 large carrot, peeled and cut into short sticks
1 table spoon of olive oil
Sprinkles of Tony’s.
Simmer Tuna Steak and carrot sticks (same skillet) on low/medium heat, slowly until cooked through.
Warm up green beans and new potatoes in same skillet, season with salt and paper.
Put New potatoes and green beans on the bottom of two bowls, cut tuna steak in half and put half in each bowl, top with sautéed carrot sticks, serve hot.
My Travels 