Friday, January 30, 2015

For Cryin' Out Loud.....


For crying out loud, I did it again.  It's been almost a week since I last sat down to the computer to write a blog post.  How can I get back in the habit if I don't do it!!  But honestly my life has been pretty boring lately, only went out twice this week, once to Bunco and Wednesday to Bible Study. You would think that would leave me plenty of time, right??  Admittedly I have been taking pictures with my I-Phone and posting on Instagram (something I said I would not do), but heh, sometimes I break my own rules and since I upgraded to an I-Phone 6 the camera has far improved.

I have the travel itch....thinking about taking a trip across the pond.  I have been looking into Tracey L. Heppner's Follow Your Heart Travel Experiences, she is going to Morocco, Italy, and Turkey this year.  Doesn't that sound like it would be a great experience?!! Each trip is about 10 days except Italy is shorter, Tuscany and Umbria.  Oh be still my heart.  I am going to Paris in July with my daughter, granddaughters and some of her dance students with their parents. We will be there approximately 8 days with an itinerary that is packed to the gills.  I am hoping to make contact with someone who
lives there (photographer) since I have one day free and would love for a native to take me to places that I know I will never see on the tour.  Anybody know anyone??

It really isn't that snowy outside right now, it is in that "ugly " stage, where it's melted in spots so it looks like it either needs signs of Spring or another good covering of the pretty white stuff.  And I can guarantee that there will be no signs of Spring even when the calendar announces that Spring is here, it won't show up for at least a month or so after.  A couple three years back we had a really early Spring and it was almost creepy, so unlike here.  And then, you betcha, a hard freeze that killed off all those early buds and virgin growth.

OK, so because of the scenery I stop by Trader Joe's weekly for a dose of prettiness and color.  Last week it was a bouquet of mixed flowers.....


This week it was a small bunch of pale pink roses....


And then sometimes I even buy food while I am there that also gets photographed....


Some raspberries with vanilla yogurt....pretty tasty!!

So, I finished "The Girl On the Train" in 2 sittings (something I never do) so it was a darn good page turner...2 thumbs up.  And I have started "One Plus One" by Jo Jo Moyes, love her books, so I know I will enjoy it.  I started one of those "cheap" books I grabbed off of Book Perks, or Pixel of Ink or Book Bub (if you are a Kindle Reader you should subscribe to these sites, I have purchased some excellent books via their daily emails for $1.99 to $3.99 or in some cases "free").  Anyhoo, I started this book entitled "Burial Rites" by Hannah Kent.  It was quite a downer about a young woman accused of murder and scheduled for execution.  I think it took place in Finland in the 1800's or one of those Scandinavian countries where everyone's names are unpronounceable. I decided to put that down and move on to a more "light" read.  Sometimes I go back and finish reading a book that I have started and sometimes not.  Life is too short and there are too many good reads out there to suffer thru one that isn't appealing.

And speaking of books....sad to hear that Colleen McCullough died yesterday at age 77.  "The Thorn Birds" captured me when I was in my 30's and remains one of my favorite all-time reads.

"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy books and that's kind of the same thing." ` Anonymous

Until next time.....


20 comments:

  1. I love the colorful bowl of raspberries. I heartily agree with Anonymous!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I thought you might have been stuck in a snow drift. I'm on Book Bub and my only gripe is that some of those free or almost free books have so many grammatical and spelling errors they start irritating me. But, I guess lousy (or no) editing if they're free should be expected. I need to follow your lead and get some flowers to brighten my table. It's snowing here and has been gray for days - we could use some happy color. Sounds like you've been bitten by the travel bug.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I walked through Trader Joe's the day after our blizzard, the smell of the fresh flowers warmed my soul!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh you are going to LOVE Paris!!! And yes, I'm VERY envious :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I started "Burial Rites," too, but it was way too dour for me. I'm reading "Return to Exile," the second part of a trilogy about ancient Carthage. Definitely holding my interest. I'm not familiar with that tour group, but I will look into it. My big travel splurge for this year is Japan. It's long been on my list and I'm so eager to see Kyoto.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Don't put your boots away . . . it sounds like you are in for more white to cover all the dismal grey.
    I will have to read the "Girl On The Train" , I am ready for a "can't put it down!"
    Like the flower pick me uos!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I've been wondering about 'Girl on a Train' and whether it was worth reading or not! So good to hear. Life does get pretty boring this time of year, doesn't it? Your travel plans sound wonderful. I can't wait to see your photos of Paris! Fresh flowers from the market are so necessary this time of year to keep up spirits. Love your photos. At least Downton Abby is airing again! xo Karen

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your Paris trip plans sound wonderful, but I will have to settle for the good old USA. I doubt I will ever cross any borders or jump any puddles again in my lifetime- except for Canada which I would dearly love to visit. Your Trader Joe flowers are pretty. I'm reading Sense and Sensibility again after watching the movie with my granddaughter.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love the title of this post...it summed up everything and you are not alone. Thanks for the laugh. Your travel thoughts sound so good to me. We have been in an ugly snow period here for awhile too. It gets to you. I wish we had a Trader Joes near here!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your posts always make me chuckle! Your flowers and food look fab!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Across the pond is always delightful. I still have to wait three years, but I know those three years will fly.

    ReplyDelete
  12. LOVE fresh berries! the blooms are beautiful, too. sounds like a fun trip you have planned!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank goodness for Trader Joe's in the winter! Well, anytime, really. We made a stop today when we were in Lexington. The pitcher that your little pink roses are in? I have the same one!!! We were talking about across the pond this morning. We are crossing the pond in July for Paris and then Italy, 18 days in all. {Not sure but what that's a bit long for this not-quite-so-young-anymore gal.} But I mentioned that Barbara Hurst's daughter and sister-in-law are taking her to the British Isles for her 70th and told Krista to start planning for 3 years hence. We've got to make these trips now, Deanna ... BTW, tomorrow is the half way point between the winter equinox and the spring equinox which calls for a celebration. Maybe ice cream on your raspberries instead of yogurt! :-D

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh, I love IG ... it's my no-pressure, happy place that keeps me creating on days I otherwise may not. I'm going to have to get The Girl on the Train ... I just finished "Gone Girl" and that was a real page-turner too. How wonderful to have Paris to look forward to ... it should get you through the next dreary (weather) ahead ... beautiful images as usual Deanna.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Your travel plans sound delightful and your images, always lovely. The thing about blogging is that it is supposed to be fun (unless of course when it isn't and is supposed to generate money) - it is so easy to get caught up and feel guilty when you back down a little - but trust me, living life is far more important than posting about it. Enjoy yourself - just don't go away too long. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your flowers look beautiful. I would love to travel to Europe someday. We keep tossing the idea of going on a European Cruise. A girl can dream.. I have been enjoying your IG photos, I do hope you have a happy week.

    Hugs~

    ReplyDelete
  17. Okay, it's Monday & I'm just now catching up on my blog reading.
    Not much snow. hahahahahahahahahaha
    'nut said, right?

    ReplyDelete
  18. More gorgeous images, Deanna! You have a beautiful gift.
    It was terribly sad to hear of Colleen McCullough's death. She was a brilliant author and a highly respected here in Australia, not only for her huge literary success but also her contribution to tackling significant themes.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I really do wish I had a Trader Joes around here, I keep hearing about how awesome their flowers are. It's quite hit and miss at my grocery store. We are supposed to be taking a trip in March to North Carolina and Pennsylvania to explore all things ancestor. But, I'm so afraid we are going to run into bad weather. But it's so hard to orchestrate a little family vacation (first in over 10 years) with one in high school and one in college and not knowing if the college girl is taking summer classes and when they start. I do hope it works out. I'm thinking you're going to need a vacation from your Paris trip, lol!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for leaving a comment, I read and cherish them all. I will do my best to return the favor.