by Krista | Aug 15, 2011 | Bootstrap Monday
My last trip to Europe consisted of grey skies and even greyer cities, so I was unprepared for the colorful display Prague had in store for me when I arrived last week.
It seemed that around every corner I found vivid vignettes of beauty that took me by surprise. The corner below looks right out of Spain or Mexico, but nope, it was a hidden entrance to a monastery that towered above stunning gardens.
Somehow I think the stone and brick of Prague make the bits of color really stand out. Like the gold toppers on these fellows.
I love these beautiful dogs resting in the courtyard of a massive church, so obedient and docile, watching the passersby as they awaited their master. Dogs are adored in the Czech Republic, and can be seen on trams, buses, and the metro. They are very well trained, however, and certain breeds and sizes must wear muzzles when out in public for even greater protection. Never once did I feel nervous.
After much delightful ambling through the market I told you about the other day, we were ravenous!! We wandered down this little street and found the perfect place to rest our bones and fill our bellies.
It was a cozy Czech bar with warm orange walls and glossy wood tables. The sort of place you want to linger in. So we did. 🙂
I was craving hearty Czech food, so I ordered a good, strong beer and what turned out to be a massive platter of local fare: two kinds of dumplings, sauerkraut, red cabbage, roast pork, smoked pork, and spicy pork sausage all slathered with gravy. Delicious!! Needless to say I was well-fortified for the remainder of our trekking that day.
Do you like to try new foods when you’re traveling, or do you like to stick to recognizable food?
by Krista | Aug 8, 2011 | Bootstrap Monday
Good morning, luvs! How was your weekend?
We were ecstatic to see glorious sunshine on Sunday afternoon and made the most of it by renting a 12-person boat to float down the canals outside Amsterdam with dear friends.
It was heavenly.
My brother did a splendid job as our captain, steering us through quaint villages and open fields, under tight-squeeze bridges and around hairpin curves.
The rest of us leaned back and soaked up sunshine as we sipped beer and wine, nibbled our way through sausages, crisps and chocolate, and talked up a storm as we let all the stresses of the week melt away.
Over and over we exclaimed: “It looks just like a painting!” as we passed diminutive windmills and hearty cattle seemingly propped against a background of lush green grass and cloud-studded skies.
How I loved this day spent with the dearest folks, eating scrumptious food, and delighting in the myriad beauties of the Dutch countryside.
What is your favorite memory from your weekend?
by Krista | Aug 1, 2011 | Bootstrap Monday
It’s gloriously sunny in Amsterdam today, and I wish you were here with me to sit on my brother’s terrace, linger over lunch, and have a good ol’ visit. 🙂
After we eat we could snooze in the sun and watch the clouds drift by.
Or watch the boats motoring along the canal below.
Then settle back to enjoy the sunset with a seagull perched on a nearby chimney.
What would you like to do on a lazy sunny afternoon in Amsterdam?
by Krista | Jul 11, 2011 | Bootstrap Monday
Mornin’ luvs! How are you this fine day?
After a good night’s sleep I’m doing my darnedest not to get stressed as I ponder how to get everything done before I move to Amsterdam on Friday. Yipes! 🙂
I’ve been learning how to space things out so I do a few necessary and a few fun things each day. It’s been so good to have time to visit with dear friends in between hustling to banks, the post office and doctors offices. I’m grateful beyond measure to the lovely folks who have come to help me do the things I can’t do.
Have you moved before? Do you have any tips for me? Things to remember, ideas to make the transition easier? I’m all ears. 🙂
Wishing you a most wonderful Monday as I finish my bowl of berries and dash out the door. xo
by Krista | Jun 27, 2011 | Bootstrap Monday
Do you ever feel like life is just a bit much? That your to-do list is impossible and the trials confounding your efforts have crossed the line into ridiculousness?
I admit that’s exactly how I felt on Friday gazing at stacks and stacks of boxes and wondering how on earth my crippled self was going to get them all sorted and organized in time for a garage sale in the morning. Then the other items on my to-do list started hollering for attention and pretty soon I was utterly and completely overwhelmed.
Not. Good. 🙂
I decided it was high time for a little break to get myself on track again, so I got on the snazzy medical scooter a dear friend loaned me and rolled myself outside for some fresh air. I found a comfy perch on a lawn chair, propped up my foot and tipped my head back for a little rest.
I just sat there, breathing, relaxing, letting all the stress and anxiety drift away as I listened to the wind rustling in the trees and setting the chimes dancing.
When at last I opened my eyes, this is what I saw.
It was so beautiful, almost magical somehow, like a special gift of wonder to cheer my heart. I wanted so much to share it with you so I grabbed my phone and took a little video. 🙂
httpv://youtu.be/PmAlTgpuwq0
I know it’s nothing exciting, there are no pyramids or Eiffel Towers to be seen, but nonetheless, I hope it delights you. I watched it again this morning and it made me smile, reminding me that even on dark, stormy days when everything seems to be going wrong, there is still beauty and light to be found. There is always hope.
That little moment calmed me down and cheered me up and soon I was back on the job. My dear friends Marie, Nicole, Darren, Cameron, Robin, and Jenny came with beaming smiles, hugs and amazing enthusiasm to “get this done!!” And we did!! I got propped up in a rocking chair and they brought me box after box to sort and organize then dashed off to arrange and price. It was after dark by the time we finished, but we finished!! (Thank you SO much, dearest folks!!)
The next morning Marie and I were both sick, but we got up and Nicole cheered us on and we made it! Even before we opened treasure-hunters were scavenging for deals. The emotional difficulty of letting go of most of my belongings disappeared as I saw people SO excited to buy my treasures. Little girls beamed as they wrapped my scarves around their necks and clutched ropes of shiny necklaces. Other folks couldn’t stop smiling as they balanced stacks of my beloved books in their arms or found a cd they absolutely loved. It made me happy. 🙂
It was quite a day. 9-year-old Adrienne fortified us with toasted bagels and string cheese and Dylan made a donut run to keep us going and somehow we made it through. The sale was a rousing success and I made enough money to ship my remaining belongings to Australia. That makes me happy too. 🙂
Today is a new day. I’m all caught up on sleep, down to taking pain pills only a couple of times a day (yay!), and am one step closer to getting everything done for my big move.
What projects are you tackling this week?
xo
