Prague, part 2

Tags

Czech Republic, Prague, St. George Basilica, St. Vitus Catherdral, travel

You cannot go to Prague without taking a trip to the castle grounds.  Well, I guess you could but why not!

It was a beautiful morning when we set out for our tour of the castle area.

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The castle grounds was a nice walk upwards!  The walk was breathtaking!

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Come on in….

First up St. Vitus Cathedral

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Majestic isn’t?

Next we saw St. George Basilica.

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I do not know what it was but I really  loved this church.  It was just amazing.  The wood ceiling, the stone work, and the walls just brought it to life for me.

We could not take pictures inside the castle.  I can assure you it was fabulous.  Just what a castle should be.

To end this post, changing of the guard.

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Tomorrow Golden Lane and hubby’s favorite part of the trip.

 

Munich, Germany

Tags

Bavaria, Germany, Munich, travel

Oh, we had fun!   We did not mind the rain.  We just loved being surrounded with an amazing city to view.  We have been here a couple of times before, but it has been four years since the last visit.

Here is a couple of views from our hotel room.

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As we were walking around, we thought everything looked stately.  I know in a couple of weeks….Oktoberfest ….it will not be!

 

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The city center, Marionplatz, hosts one of the most exciting clocks.  We rushed to see it chime and the figures dance around only to find scaffolding all around.  I was disappointed.  But so it goes…

The morning we went to the museum district we found an interesting sight.

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From a distance, they looked like hay bales painted really bright colors.  But after closer inspection….

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We found they were made out of plastic tubing.  Modern art.  We looked around and saw a lot of people climbing on them.  We looked at each other and said why not!

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Hubby relaxing.  At this point, the rain started.  We went to see our exhibit on Kirchner.

On our last night as we were walking back to our hotel, we got a chuckle when we were about to cross the street….

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Right down a main vein of downtown Munich!   Loved it.

What a wonderful way to spend a weekend.

 

 

 

Traffic

Tags

commuting, traffic, travel, working

As you know, currently I am working about an hour and fifteen minutes from our home.  That will be changing pretty soon since we will be moving.

I leave early Monday morning and come back Friday evening.  The drive does not really bother me.  It allows reflection time.  Singing time.  Daydreaming.  So it is all good!

This past Friday, I was lucky enough to have a lot more reflection, singing, and daydreaming time…..

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I decided to make good use of the delay!  Yep,  it was very slow moving for a while.  A lot of red ahead.  ABBA and I became one.  I was admiring the sun setting on this Friday.

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The other side was moving faster.  That was the happy side.

I did make it home in under two hours.  Dancing Queen is still playing in my head.  I am ready to do it all again this coming Friday!

Happy Monday everyone!

P.S. I think we have solved the internet problem.  You will be seeing a lot more post this week!

Thank you, 2013!

Tags

family, goals, New Year, Running, travel

Here we are at the end of another year!  Is it just me or do the years just seem to fly by these days?

At this time of the year you have the  time to sit back and just reflect on the last 364 days.  Sometimes, it just is not pretty.  Sometimes it is just a masterpiece!  This year has been a little of both.  But I am happy to say, mostly (90.999999%) it has been a great year!

So in honor of the ending of another year, a top 10 list of 2013!

10.  Our Aggies did not blow their entrance into the SEC.  (This fall was not the best season but we are still Aggie Proud!)

9. I loved our patio on any given summer evening,

8.  Going through four pair of running shoes!

7. Watching Hubby cross the finish line at his first half marathon.

6. Watching Amazing Daughter walk across the stage in May at her college graduation.  One proud Aggie Mom!

5. Accepting my dream job!  More on that in the weeks to come.

4.  Accomplishing my goal of running a half marathon in each season.

3.  Exploring new spots in the world!

2.  Redoing our entryways!

1.  Living every single day with love, passion, and knowing that I am truly blessed.

It has been a fabulous year!  I am looking forward to 2014!

Life is sooooooo good!

Happy New Year!

(Starting on Thursday Barcelona!)

The Tree

Tags

Christmas tree, Christmast, decorations, ornaments, travel

Most people feel the tree is the centerpiece of the season.  I happen to agree.  I am not one to have a themed tree.  What makes our tree special are the ornaments that are hanging on it.

Each place we travel, we collect an ornament.  Amazing daughter one year said it was like looking at our travel journal.  Well said.  When we are putting up our tree each piece of history is relived, a laugh is shared, a dish becomes alive again.  That is Christmas to me.

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The tree this year is shorter and fatter!  I just love full trees.

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All lit up!  We were almost finished with the decorating.

 

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A Belgium lace Santa.  Can you think chocolate??

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There is just something about a Santa attired in full Scottish gear!  I love that he is playing the bagpipes!

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Delft, Holland.  The blues…..

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Our whirling Turkish friend!

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German woodwork….

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Our 20th anniversary trip.  Seafood, hiking, and wine…

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We will never forget our roots!

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Amazing Daughter feels that no tree is complete without this!

 

Don’t you just love this time of year???

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bowl me over!

Tags

blue, Bowls, Egypt, France, travel, Tree of Life, Turkey

No secret, I love blue.  I love pretty blue things.  They make me happy.

I like to have pretty things with a purpose.  It cannot all be about looks.

Bowls are useful objects.  They can have many different uses.  That makes sense to me.  So combine useful, blue, and pretty we have so scored!

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I am lucky enough to live and work in Germany.  That allows me the opportunity to travel and find just some really amazing objects!

For example, this bowl.  I bought it in France.  I just adore the poppies on the vivid yellow background.  I pull this out for the Spring and Summer to store fruit.

Here is a closer look.

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Right now our fruits are being displayed in this bowl that I picked up in Poland.

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Cool right?

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Lots of blues here!

Another bowl I picked up in Poland is this treat.

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It is such a great size!  Right now I pulled it out to use as a display for some great Fall goods.  The dark blues and hint of a deeper green says Fall to me.  I usually use it for veggie storage.

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See, Fall!

On one of our trips to Turkey, I picked up these amazing bowl that is hand painted with the Tree of Life.  I know I have shown it here before but I just LOVE it.

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Bad picture!  Here is a better one…

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This one I just have it out for display.  I do not want to cover up the art!

Next is a bowl that have in our guest bedroom.  I usually have handkerchiefs in here.

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Softer blues with a touch of orange.

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Nice!

Lastly, a bowl that is not blue!  I know, I know… I bought for Hubby in Egypt.  I purchased it for a specific purpose… His wallet, keys, and other pocket ‘stuff’.

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I love alabaster.  A favorite childhood memory was admiring the alabaster piece on my grandmother’s dresser.  I always thought it was precious.  Now Hubby has a place for his stuff in a functional, yet pretty setting!

Great stuff right?  I love when function , blue, and pretty align.

Traveling Woes

Tags

airplane, College Station, Houston, Newark, travel

We are here!  We are in College Station to celebrate our Amazing Daughter’s college graduation!   There were times yesterday that we were actually wondering when we would actually get here, though!  Does not matter, we are here in beautiful College Station!

We love to travel.  It is usually painless.  Yesterday we were excited.  We were headed to Newark, then onto Houston.  Final leg was to drive the last 2 hours to College Station.  We thought we would arrive in College Station about 930 Texas time.  The best laid plans….

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We arrived to go through the usual security to see our plane.  It was a beautiful site!

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Carry on and just waiting!

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Of course, reading material.  I’m SOOOO enjoying this book.

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Hubby is checking things out.  Right after I snapped this shoot, he mentioned that we might have a problem.

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These started to arrive.  Then more.  Apparently, someone decided to bring some baby powder in there luggage.  When the baggage people were unloading, it let’s just say ‘opened’ up.  They had to send a sample to the lab.  Yes, while we waited….

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Finally!  We were boarding.  However, the fun was not over.  The pilots did not have the current maps.  So we had to wait some more.  Fun morning right?

We started clapping when the plane took off!

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I love looking out the window.

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Hello, North America!

We landed in Newark a little after 430 ET.  After learning that we would not leave for Houston until after 8 pm, we wanted supper.  We found Gallagher’s.  For airport food not too bad!

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Hubby’s dinner.  He enjoyed is hamburger.

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Grilled chicken with Brie cheese for me!

Our flight to Houston was non eventful!  YEA!!!!  We arrived sometime after 11 pm.  (5 hours late).

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Nice site!  We got out of the airport with our rental car after midnight.

Last leg was filled with a great classic rock station and our Amazing Daughter texting us back and forth.  Love it!

No, our day was not what we had planned.  However, we are here, rested and ready to celebrate this wonderful accomplishment that our Amazing Daughter has done.

We are looking forward to our time together over the next couple of days.  Friday morning is G-day.  We have promised that we will be dignified!

More tomorrow on beautiful College Station!

Part 2- Valentines Day

Tags

romance, travel, Valentines Day

Part 2 of this week’s series will cover Romantic Destinations….

I love to travel.  Exploring, learning, and experiencing what other cultures, countries, or cities have to offer is just awesome.  Over the years, we have been lucky enough to go to some amazing places.  I always look forward to dusting off the passport and packing a bag!

Since this week is Valentines Day, I started thinking about the places that we have been that I would classify as romantic destinations.  I realize that everyone has a different definition of romantic destination.  Different strokes for different folks and all that!

Here are the destinations that we have been that just seem picturesque. They are not in any order!

Venice, Italy

Talk about history, atmosphere.  This was just breathtaking.  Yes, we even rode on a gondola.  I cannot wait to return!

Rome, Italy

It was the fountains, the gelato, the relaxed pace of the Italians that brought this city alive.  Sitting on the Spanish Steps watching Romans passing by is about as romantic as it gets!

Heidelberg, Germany

We had the privilege of living in this gorgeous city for 5 years.  We never got tired of walking up to the castle and walking the grounds.

Killarney. Ireland

Yes, we walked this!  I have never experienced green as I did in Ireland.  This was the highlight of the trip.

Vienna, Austria

We went to Vienna over Thanksgiving a few years ago.  It was amazing.  The museums, the Christmas Markets.  The city where so much music came from.  You cannot help but want to walk the streets with the one that you love.

Brugge, Belgium

Known as the Venice of the North, this was a quaint joy to visit.  I will not begin to mention that Belgium chocolates are mouthwatering.

Edinburgh, Scotland

As soon as we stepped out of the taxi, it was love.  Medieval love.  I never enjoyed having wind blowing in all directions before.  The Scots were always smiling!

Bar Harbor, Maine

Hubby and I spent 2 amazing weeks touring the Northeast on our 20th anniversary.  This was the highlight of the visit.  Talk about great food, and views….

Paris, France

Of course.  Whether you are sitting at a cafe, strolling along an avenue, or at a museum, the romance of Paris is drawing you in.

Those are the places that bring out the romance in me.  I know I will soon be able to add to that list.

What is your dream or favorite romantic destination?

Tea Station

Tags

dishes, tea station, travel

I’m not British, but I really like a cup of tea.  No I do not drink coffee.  It is just tea for me.  During this time of year, hot tea is the beverage of choice in our house.  Minus the cream, sugar, or honey.  Just the original stuff.

In my kitchen I set up a tea station.  A while ago, Amazing Daughter wanted to know why I never use my dishes that I buy.  For once, I could not really give her a good answer.  I have thought about it.  When is a good time to bring out the china?  Or the tea set?  What am I waiting for??  I have it.  Why not enjoy it?

So……

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Tea made easy.  I feel all fancy when I use it!  I really have a hard time keeping that pinkie down….  This is the set that I bought a million of years ago (it just seems like it….) in the Czech Republic.   It was one of my first purchases after moving to Germany.  I was a young military spouse who took a bus trip to do some crystal shopping.  I  blame the Czechs for introducing me to dishes.  Because of that first trip, I fell in love with the designs and shapes of them.  Simply, floral, bold, elegant, modern, it did not matter.  I was able to see something that I could appreciate.  With that appreciation, I happily bring out my goods to use on a daily basis.  They are not very useful in a cabinet!!!

I boil water with me tea kettle.  I love to hear the whistle!  Then I fill up my pitcher and throw some tea bags in.

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Having a set spot in the kitchen for tea makes it easier to access it.  It also adds a burst of color to the room.  I really like the vividness of the red tray next to the navy blue walls.  The elegant  design of the set makes the simple task of drinking tea feel like a little treat.  Drinking tea has made fun and fancy!

Now I am so glad that I bought this set a million years ago!!

Friends

Tags

friends, travel

This week I did a road trip for work.  I was looking forward to it actually!  Long drives listening to ABBA, Journey, and my thoughts (oh, dear).  With my job uncertainty can accompany the sheer enjoyment that I have.  That uncertainty stems from people deciding to roll up the carpet and move military troops somewhere else.  However, that is okay with me.  Change is good.  It keeps you on your toes or at least it does me.  But more importantly, it allows a bigger circle of friends. 

 Enter these three lovely people…..

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This week I had dinner with these wonderful people.  We laughed, talked, remembered, and just enjoyed each other.  Oh yea, we ate too!!!  The absolute best part of working is building relationships that you will always treasure.  We live in different places now, but the journey we traveled in Mannheim will always be something we will share. 

It was hard to say goodbye because I keep thinking about how comfortable it was to be among friends.  Change.  It is good.  But for that evening, I was back sitting on the ledge in the front hallway of Mannheim Elementary School talking with peers.

The next time we meet will be in the beautiful city of Paris in March.  We will be running the half-marathon. 

Thank you my friends!  Remember it  is Bobcat Boogie Friday!!!!