MONDAY MUSINGS: EXPANDING ONE'S GASTRONOMIC PALATE

MONDAY MUSINGS: Travel can not only help one see magical places but also experience new foods. I just returned from a WONDERFUL two weeks, one of those spent upon a small yacht that would visit a fraction of the over thousand islands that make up the country of Croatia.

Below is our main itinerary on our small yacht which only had 16 passengers for their initial trip of the season. Yes, 16! Couples from Australia, Chicago, St Louis, Seattle, La Crosse, Russellville (ironically Arkansas) and Little Rock. 

Every day our cruise director would handwrite our day's itinerary and we could snap a picture to keep track of the day's plans and dinner suggestions. 

European breakfast bar and lunch most days would be aboard the Diamond, our recently renovated craft of the Zantium fleet. 

Dinner was always on our own, except for the Captain's Dinner.

I actually tried the cheese-filled burek 

Sampling local cuisine and local baked both savory and sweek baked goods.

Burek (l:and pistachio-filled croissants, cardamon rolls, etc...

Since we were surrounded by water, seafood was a must and I tried the gamete. 

All sorts of risotto although my fave was Black risotto with cuttlefish. 

Sea bream cooked various ways, salmon, octopus salad, scorpion fish and all sorts of shellfish that had never passed my lips before.

Popular desserts including gelato, tiramisu, custards, mousses, cakes, 

Yummy fresh food every day. ..

I could get used to a Mediterranean diet for sure. 

FOTO FRIDAY: STICKERED

FOTO FRIDAY: When my children made me give up the oversized hiking backpack I had inherited from my son's leftovers in my storage, they gifted me one of those small, expandable rolling suitcases. 

I had to do something to distinguish it from all those other bags rolling around the carousel... I decided to add stickers after each trip. 

Here's my most recent memory :)

Last week's FOTO FRIDAY was SON KNOWS BEST

TBT: THE BLUE CAVE

TBT:  After we left the Croatian island of Vis,  our yacht, the Diamond, visited Bisevo, a nearby island with a very small cave.  On one side of the cave, sunlight sneaks in through what appears to be a sliver of an opening, which reflects off the white limestone floor and makes the light inside the cave a fluorescent blue.

We boarded a small tour boat where its passengers have to duck as it enters the cave's small opening. I didn't dare snap a picture as we entered, but I snapped a shot of it before we left. (see left)

In fact, the day before, the waters were so rough and raised its waters too high for guests to enter.

Luck was on our side the day after...

We were very happy campers to get to see this natural wonder...

MIDWEEK MUSINGS: NEVER TOO OLD FOR NEW FRIENDS

 MIDWEEK MUSINGS Catch-Up has me thankful for the opportunity to make new friends in these senior years on my Croatian adventure. There was one couple in particular who won a special place in my heart. 

Jane at 76, and her husband Joe, 80, are active seniors back in Australia on a nice-sized farmstead. Jane, a retired G.P., now works with folks with a mental health emphasis, and Joe takes care of the farm and is currently busy building them a new, smaller home on their property in order for their offspring to move into their old adobe with their kids. It sounds like a great way to stay on one's land and let one's kids take over the day-to-day workings of the farm.

Joe wore his COEXIST t-shirts in every color throughout the trip, so I knew right away we were politically aligned. He wanted to talk politics (unfortunately, a taboo topic nowadays) and was curious when I spoke of Natureman's activism. Jane made no bones about how she felt about the U.S. and its state of affairs or what was happening in the Middle East. 

Jane also has a very unique way of remembering her trips as she collects little items and combines them to create a lovely arrangement, which she photographs and leaves them for others to encounter. 

While in the National Park of MJet, near the church,  Jane found various native products along the walk. When she spotted a brick of carved limestone lying next to a tiny chapel, she had her canvas for her finds and went to work arranging them.   

When Jane finishes, she snaps a pic and includes her small masterpiece photos in a memory book of their adventures. 

 What a lovely idea, right? 

Besides the arts, Jane also loves classical and folk music and definitely knows how to cut a rug too.  Joe obliged her to a bold sashay down the middle of our dance party one night when it was time to exit. 

They definitely know what the other likes. When Joe needs alone time,  Jane gives him space as she picks up a book/makes a point to visit with the other travelers. 

It was a delight spending time with these Aussies whether traversing a new town,  enjoying the frigid Adriatic waters/ a meal/ excursion.

 Travelling is a good way to meet people as one is never too old to make new friends!

tUESDAY tUNES: YOUNGER YOU

In water aerobics this new song was played by Miley Cyrus off of her  her latest album . Listen to the lyrics of  Younger You . 

It spoke to me. How about you?

From the "Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special"

FOTO FRIDAY: SON KNOWS BEST

FOTO FRIDAY: I stated that I had the record for staying the longest in the Adriatic waters but my son disproved this ...

Take a look...

TBT: A DECADE AGO I BECAME SOMETHING I HAD NEVER BEEN BEFORE...

TBT: It's difficult to believe that it's been ten years since I was called by a new title...  my firstborn made me a Mother of the Bride.

It was a gorgeous day in a beautiful setting in Atlanta.

                          A lot has transpired since that glorious day of May 7, 2016....

During that time,  the couple also gave me a granddog first,

followed by 2 wonderful grandchildren who call me Bubbe. 

Who could ask for anything more?

May you both continue to celebrate many more happy occasions together!

All my Love,

Mom