Travelling to London

                                           Work always seems to get in the way of life.                              

                                            Demanding work factors have resulted in absolutely less

                                            "me" time the last three weeks.
                                            I thought I should do something about it.
                                             So I decided to take some days off.                                                    

                                             I will be in London  for a few days in order to see some good  

                                             friends of mine whom I have not seen for a long long time.
                                             I am so excited. Can't wait!

                                             Hope you have a great week and are in good spirits. 

                                             I will miss you! 

                                             Missing you already, guys. xx)

                                                

                                                                                      *Comments Off*  

                                              (Top photo by kikmag)
                                              (Bottom photo by B.M.)

Relationship Killer

                                           I'm angry! I feel upset! I feel hurt! I feel embarrassed.

                                           Not expressing feelings, difficult feelings like anger, irritation,

                                           etc. I strongly believe it could really kill any relationship.

                                           I always feel better when I express or release of the bad

                                           feeling; and I really am determined to say how I feel.

                                           This is the most important part to prevent a build-up of

                                           feelings and festering and reduces the chances of being
                                           misunderstood.

                                           I don't risk the loss of any of my relationships.

                                           I  believe that it is quite essential to express feelings without

                                           attacking the self-esteem of the other person.

                                           And  I'm trying to express difficult feelings in a manner that

                                           is productive and respectful.

                                           Non-blameful and non-judgmental manner; a kinda like:

                                           "When you did that thing I felt that way." That simple.

 

                                           But I have to admit that sometimes I find it really hard! And
                                           I fail miserably.

                                           What are your thoughts? I'd love to hear.

                                           xx

                                           (Photo by B.M.) 

A Sense of Outdoors

                                   Mementoes and quirky finds can transform a home into a

                                   distinctive and deeply personal space.

                                   The marble table seats eight and  the metal chairs look so elegant.

                                   The whole effect is lightened.  You get the feeling of being

                                   in Tuscany.

                                   xx

                                   (Photos by B.M.)

Sigh! + Have a Wonderful Weekend

 

                                   Never the time and the place and the loved one all together.

                                   Sigh! A very, very deep one of that.

                                   Everything is just a coincidence, a sequence of random incidents 

                                   that shape our life the way it turns out.

                                   Anyway, life is more about the journey than the destination.
                                   Don't you think? 

                                   Well, what are you up to this weekend, my dear friends?

                                   I'm enjoying a morning without having to get out the door for

                                   work sipping a hot cup of green tea.

                                   No plans for us this weekend. Staying in, cooking up a big meal, 

                                   watching movies having a glass of red wine. Just what I need;

          

                                   Doing nothing- for a little bit- is something! 

                                   Hope you're having a lovely weekend, my darlings! xx                                  

Such a Stroke of Genius

                                     From inside the aircraft.

                                     I've always been enjoying searching on the Internet for brilliant
                                     and creative ideas.
                                     I have to admit that I am really addicted to creative ads (as part
                                     of my work, too), actually I love discovering some fresh, bright,
                                     and innovative ideas through books and from around the web.
                                     I liked very much this You Tube video and thought I might share
                                     it with you. It's absolutely brilliant!

                                     KLM, the Royal Dutch Airlines launch their new Economy
                                     Comfort Product with Ramana.
                                     That puzzled everyone at Manchester Airport T2.
                                     This video is brilliant and fun to watch.
                                     These days it's easy to hate airlines. They often loose your
                                     luggage; and never give straight answers when things go away.
                                     Creatively this commercial is effective in its evocative
                                     moodiness. And it definitely attracts your attention.
                                     A company with that kind of creativity couldn't possibly
                                     screw up.
                                     I think I would like to be on their flight! xx
                                   
                                     (Photo by B.M.)

Have a Sweet Weekend!

 

A rich and gorgeous sunset.

Take the time to enjoy the sunset.

Tranquility of a lovely sunset.

Sunset and wild grasses.

What are your plans for the weekend, dear readers? I'm going to a gallery opening tonight and I'll have lunch with few good friends tomorrow evening.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend, my lovelies!

P.S. Did you know that the intense red and orange hues of the sky at sunset or sunrise are mainly caused by scattering of sunlight by dust particles, soot particles, other solid aerosols and liquid aerosols in the Earth's atmosphere? xx                                    

Splendid Cheese

 

Cheese makes too much of itself. I love cheese, almost any kind of cheese.

'You Banbury cheese!' The Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare (1564-1614).

Just a little bit of this fabulous Parmesan cheese grated over a green salad, takes it to a whole new level. And there's nothing like a grilled cheese sandwich and a salad for comfort food.
Cheese sandwich dipped in sour cream, mmmm...tastes so good.

Don't you think? xx

*Comments Off*
                                 
 (Photos by B.M.)

Defining Happiness

                                      To live happily is an inward power of the soul, mind.
                                                                                                          Aristotle.

                                       Happiness resides not in possessions and not in gold, the
                                       feeling of happiness dwells in the soul.
                                                                                                          Democritus.
                                       I strongly believe that happiness is the warm glow of a        

                                       heart at peace with itself.
                                       To live happily is an inward power of the soul and mind.
                                       Happiness is a choice. So, I choose to feel happy.
 
                                       Happiness must not be asked to anyone, because it is a
                                       personal experience.
                                       Not trying to find answers of what happiness is; just try to
                                       answer your own question.
                                       And as Martha Washington said: "the greater part of our
                                       happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not
                                       on our circumstances. We carry the seeds of one or the
                                       other about with us in our minds wherever we "go".
                                     
                                       Take care of yourself. Good health is everyone's major
                                       source of wealth.
                                       Without it, happiness is almost impossible.
                                    
                                       What are your thoughts? I'd love to hear. xx
                                          
                                        (Photo by B.M.)

Have a Wonderful Spring Weekend!

Do I need a haircut? 
My lovelies, what are you up to this weekend? My colleagues and I decided to enjoy the great outdoors and get some exercise with a leisurely stroll along a nature trail, and soak up the sunshine as well.
So I'm going to pack a big picnic lunch as the weather is warm and the idea of lunch al fresco is more appealing than ever.
My menu ideas would include: fried chicken, panini sandwiches with prosciutto or capocolla or coppa (a traditional Neapolitan cold cut made from pork, and dry-cured whole),
lettuce and cheddar cheese as sandwich filling, potato salad, and macaroni salad with chopped black olive, diced hard boiled eggs, fresh parsley, and mustard sauce.  And of course a nice Chardonnay. I can't wait.
...and I'm looking  forward to a family filled day on Sunday.

Hope you have a lovely, relaxing weekend, my dears.

Here are some Italian recipes if you're interested in Italian cuisine. xx    

P.S. I really love this photo of a lamp. What a great photographer! I wish I knew his name. Does anyone know?               

(Photo courtesy of Google images.)

Things I Love

                                     Medieval buildings reflected in the canal. Gant, Belgium.                                     

                                     "Haunted" houses. Bruges, Belgium.

 

                                     Peaceful swans love to glide...

                                     Today is no special day; I have no news to tell you, or any
                                      problems to discuss with you. But I'd like to share these thoughts
                                      with you dear readers.
                                     There are four things I'm most passionate about that I could not
                                      live without.
                                      I absolutely love them like a fat kid loves cake!
                                      I adore:
                                      My favourite music.
                                      Photography.
                                      Watching movies.
                                      Long-distance walks.

                                      What are the four things you love?

                                     Now if you feel like your ears have been lacking wonderful music
                                     and lyrics,check this clip out; "She's always a woman to me"
                                     by Billy Joel.
                                     Perfect music and symbolic lyrics.
                                     (Sorry male blog friends, no offence intended!).

                                     I so love this song. I've got it stuck in my head lately. xx

                                    (Photos by B.M.)                       

Summer Fling

                                      Oh, summer days beside the joyous sea.

                                     Caribbean Blue.                               

                                     Here comes summer! These pictures make me long for summer.

                                     Don't you just love it? I know I do.   

                                     For me, summer brings more than just a good tan.

                                     I often take time over the summer to read lists of books I may not

                                     ordinarily seek out.

                                     Don't you love to sit in the shade and read away in the summer?

                                     The summer heat seems to melt away inhibitions.

                                     We allow ourselves to wander and enjoy simple things like

                                     summer movies, nature walks, hanging out with friends, going to

                                     the beach, having picnics.

                                     Beautiful beaches, soft, white sandy landscapes kissed by

                                     turquoise crystal waters...

                                     The beach has so been on my brain lately; as soon as the weather

                                     balances I'm off for a visit. xx

                                     (Photos by B.M.)                                 

Have a Fun Weekend!

                                       Age is mind over matter, if you don't mind, it doesn't matter.
                                                                                                        (Mark Twain).
                                       Sorry about my somewhat impromptu disappearance for a week
                                       or so. You know how it is. Real life sometimes takes over.
                                       I have been deeply touched by everyone's comment and with what
                                       you wrote more so than I could ever express. A big thank you!
                                       I 'm feeling better now. And I want to reach
                                       through the screen and hug you all!
                                       Hope you have a wonderful weekend. 

                                       Well, it's great to be able to giggle! Laughter is the best medicine.
                                       And this couple in their nineties are both having problems
                                       remembering things.
                                       During a check up, the doctor tells them that they are physically okay,
                                       but they might want to start writing things down to help them remember.
                                       Later that night, while watching TV, the old man gets up from his chair.
                                       "Want anything while I'm in the kitchen?" he asks.
                                       "Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?
                                       "Sure". "Don't you think you should write it down so you can remember
                                       it?" she asks.
                                       "No, I can remember it ".
                                       "Well, I'd like strawberries on top too. Maybe you should write it down,
                                       so as not to forget it?"
                                       He says. "I can remember that. You want a bowl of ice cream with
                                       strawberries".
                                       I'd also like whipped cream. I'm certain you'll forget that, write it down?"
                                       she asks.
                                       Irritated, he says, "I don't need to write it down, I can remember it!
                                       Ice cream with strawberries and whipped cream- I got it, for goodness
                                       sake!"
                                       Then he toddles into the kitchen. After about 20 minutes, the old man
                                       returns from the kitchen and hand his wife a plate of bacon and eggs...
                                       She stares at the plate for a moment.
                                       "Where's my toast?"
                                       xxx