I'm Back 4/18/23

I'm Back............rested and recouped.                                                                  4/18/23

After a several year hiatus, with my last blog done in 2021, seems my energy is restored and I'm going to start blogging again.  I may go back and try to recreate some of my travels that I didn't write about.  I'll go through my photos and try figure out what I did. Thank goodness for precious photographs.  Blogging is a lot of work, but it is fun and keeps memories alive. 

Speaking of photos, a reminder of what I learned from my own experience. Just a suggestion: Be sure and take lots of pictures of "your people" because someday if your someone isn't here anymore, you are going to enjoy looking at the pictures you took of them.  I look back now and wonder why I took 25 flower photos, when I should have taken many more pictures of John. Now, I'm not saying I don't have pictures of John.....he would always say, "No, don't take my picture", but I insisted. I would just love to have more of him. One of the best things for me is Facebook Memories. I so enjoy seeing him and us in our life together, and they always bring a smile to my face. Anyway, for what it is worth, get your loved one(s) in front of the camera. Take no excuses of "I'm too fat,or  I'm too......".  You'll be glad you did.

Today I'm sitting in Palm Harbor pet sitting for my friend, and I do have some relaxing time to think about the things I'd like to accomplish, and my blog just popped into my mind. I enjoy it because it documents what I've done, where I've gone, some special photos, and most importantly people. In case you don't know, I love people!

So I hope you will come along for the ride. First, I'll start with finishing several draft blogs I have. It will be interesting to see what I can remember from a few years ago. Right now I'm working on a big trip to Dubrovnik, so that will be forthcoming.  Also plans to go to Tucson and Philadelphia this year.

I'll throw in some miscellaneous photos here just for fun.

All my best,

Gena

P.S.  When I put two spaces between sentences, please forgive me. I've typed for 40 + years and it is a habit that is hard to break. To me, it does look weird to have the sentences so close together, but I'm going to try.

Friends I met years ago in Cancun.  They

are Michigan snowbirds.  Always fun!!

Following four photos are from Imagine

Museum (glass).  I think I've been there six

times and never tire of it.  Magnificent!!

Just for Fun group, had a pot luck at

my house after a park walk.  We've discovered lots

of new parks this year and had many of good times.

My precious Amigas - Easter at Vicky's

• “If you are depressed you are living in the past if you are anxious you are living in the future, if you are at peace, you are living in the present.” —Lao Tzu

The Tastes of Europe

Some foods I've had the pleasure (usually) of experiencing.  I have many more.

With Raphael and Chloe, I treated them to ice cream.  Europe has

excellent ice cream because their cream is so high in fat content.

La Gacilly, France, 6/2019

Kouign amann

Not my photo, but had to show what it

looks like.  I just ate mine, so good.

Oh I just read this, so no surprise it is a top five favorite of mine:

Kouign-amann is a Breton cake, described in the New York Times as "the fattiest pastry in all of Europe." The name comes from the Breton language words for cake and butter.

Raphael said I had to try this so he bought me one, it

was so buttery and perfect.  150 year

old pastry recipe.  I think they have it perfected.

Beautiful potatoes

Fancy sandwich

We had savory crepes for dinner and then sweet crepes

with fruits and ice cream, Nantes 6/19

A different type of Goulash

Pig Knuckle

Goulash in bread bowl, very

typical.  We had this several times.

Strudel and the best creme

I ordered a flight of Absinthe - from cheap

to very expensive.  Potent stuff.  They also had absinthe

ice cream I wanted to try but it wasn't ready yet.  Prague 9/2018

Pretzels that hang there on the table.

You pay per pretzel.  Nice snack with your beer.

Prague 9/2018

Shown below, this shows how they make it.

Very different and interesting.

Mike's pork knuckle, Prague, 9/18

I think he's still there eating it.

Looked better than they tasted

Prague, 9/18

Fried cheese, Prague, 9/18

No, not yarn, this was wonderful cheese.

Prague, 9/2018

Beautiful market in Prague 9/18

Ask for creme, you get creme!!!!!!!  Heaven.

Now that's layers, yum.

We tried many beer brands in Prague, 9/18

Crash Test - with dummy who hates his job!!!!

So good, so messy.  Prague, 9/2018

They roll this dough on a stick like thing and

cook it over charcoal to make the cone.

Cafe'

My favorite, Limoncello

Now that's roasted pig

Prague, Hungary, 9/18

Quick late lunch at Ikea, the ran out of my

favorite meatballs, Croque Monsier

Nantes, France 6/19  Daim candy was great!!!!

Restaurant known for their American style hamburger and loaded fries

Was not very American, Nantes, 6/19

Probably the most buttery sweet pastry I

ever had, Nantes, France 6/19

Pizza in Nantes, France 6/19

Pizza in Europe is so different, so plain compared

to ours in the US.  We do tend to put everything on ours.

My contribution to 4th of July 2019

This did not come out the way I wanted it too.  It is always

hard for me to cook in Europe.  Ingredients are close, but

not always exactly what I want.  At least I had the

American spirit and did celebrate.  Tasted good.

Philippine Food in Nantes, France

Mussels

This was so funny.  I asked Chloe what this was on

the menu and what I got out of her explanation was

a sort of tartare so it was a huge, huge surprise 

when these mussels came out.  They were great though.

It was so funny and we really laughed.

Just a few more to throw in.

London, a high tea we went enjoyed.

London, Bangers & Mash

This is pretty much what we lived on in London,

Fish & Chips.  Not a fan of their cuisine (except high tea).

Many interesting beverages in the UK.

Galette, mushroom/cheese - French when we were in Chantilly, France.

I always forget that they cook the eggs (or don't cook the

eggs) like this.  I can't eat that so have to drag it off.

Galette - a flat round cake of pastry or bread, savory from potatoes or buckwheat.

Ham/Cheese raw egg yuck, galette

Chinese restaurant in London.  With the coolest tea pot and cup.

The cup is blown or molded glass with air in between the inside

and outside of the cup so you hand doesn't get burned.  Cheryl bought

me one of these.  I fell in love with the concept.

Our Chinese lunch in London.  Love the way they

tied the dough and made a beautiful carrot.