Happy Halloween!

Wow.............again this year is flying.  So today is Halloween and before you know it Thanksgiving.  Someone in my stitching group said yesterday "Eight Saturdays until Christmas".   Chanukah starts December 16 and runs until December 24.  As many of you know our house celebrates both Soooooooooooooooo now that we are home from Europe it's time for me to get busy!!!!!  I've sent out emails for lists from the kids and family but have only had one response.  Which means last minute shopping and last minute wrapping.  I don't think I've ever gone a Christmas Eve, to bed before 2 am.  And mind you as most you know my kids are 26 and 20.  But as much as they think I'm crazy I will never end tradition of making sure there are presents wrapped and under the tree for Christmas morning.

The weather today is supposed to be amazing for the little candy snatchers. This is my husbands favorite holiday.  He dresses up with random things throughout the house. Here are some examples.................

2010

2013

2013

loves to greet the little kids

Have a safe and treat filled evening!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just had to post - Just Judie!

I may have posted this before so if it is a repeat it's just because it's worth repeating.  A woman I met via an online group finished her quilt that Marilyn and I started a few years ago......this was very encouraging to get my done.  LOVE IT!

The fabrics are from Judie Rothermeil which is why it is called "Just Judie"

by Bente Marie Antonsen

from  Norway

thanks for giving me the opportunity to share this.  It's gorgeous.   

Back in the U.S.A. - Happy Monday

Vacations are always nice but it's always nice to get home, get a shower and sleep in your own bed.  11 days gone was long!  Coming back to NC fall was a great surprise.  Nice brisk air; leaves falling in many colors.

Unpacked and cleaned yesterday, and Keith and I were asleep by 10 p.m. - that is truly a record. Keith usually hasn't even eat by then.  We were exhausted.   The trip home went smooth and I have to say, the nicest in cleanliness and people was Toronto.  From customs, through security everyone was sooo nice.



So now back to reality, grocery shopping today and a trip to the vet with Crystal.  (our 13 year old lab/border collie) - she lost a bunch of hair while gone.  Our carpet in our bedroom was covered in hair.  I'm sure stressing us being gone had some to do with it but she is due for her 6 month blood check.  Her and little miss Piper have not left my side.


I put together a menu/grocery list I thought I'd share with you all - I'm hoping to not make daily trips to the grocery store.  We'll see how well it works.  Going to grocery and being known on a first name basis only shows how much time I spend there.

I'm still Alive........Day 6

So, it's been busy and crazy.  We are currently at see when we were supposed to be in another part of Greece due to bad weather.  We had rough seas last night and bad weather.  It was actually pretty cool to leave our curtains drawn and watch the lightening while we lay in bed.

So now we are headed for Split, Croatia.  We had a fairly decent day in Kotor with the exception of the food.  Athens was great.  I think so far that is my favorite.  We went to the Acropolis where Justin, Quinn and Keith climbed the Fort (i think that's what it was) and while they were gone for 2 hours I went to a jewelry workshop.  *****Captain just chimed in that sees are 12'***** .  I'm good as long as no one around me gets sick! So anyway, they were so nice at the shop.  I bought a few things and then they had a cove where I sat and awaited the guys.  The owner was so funny.  A woman straight from "my big fat Greek wedding"  They gave me coffee and she was so astonished by my embroidery project I was working on.  You would have thought I pulled out a work of ART.  LOL..........she called the other ladies over to show them as well.  Then I showed them how to "do it".  The guys then showed up and we went back on the bus to the city area and Justin took us a little back to another area where it was still around where everyone was but not immediately off the bus.  We had an amazing lunch.  Spanikopita (phyllo with spinach and cheese), tsatyky (cucumber yogurt dip); olives with pita; Justin and Quinn order Octopus in Vinegar and hold onto your seats.....I actually tasted a very tiny bite.  It truly was tasteless but definitely not anything I'd eat again.  The waiter suggested this Phyllo encrusted Feta with Sesame seeds and honey and that was AMAZING!!!

Yesterday we were in Mykonos and a couple of hours were plenty .  Lots of white buildings- a maze (truly a maze) of shops.  This island was full of stray cats.  We came across an amazing bakery where Quinn got mincemeat pies; and we bought baklava which we've not indulged in yet.   Justin was feeling too good so he stayed on board and joined us when we returned.

We then had dinner at the Chef's table onboard last night.  It is a separate dining experience where it is 5 courses with wine pairing and the chef comes out between each and explains his plate that he created.  We met a newlywed couple from San Antonio that both work for H.E.B. grocery store.  One in construction the the in Statistics Analyzing. Then there was another family from Minnesota.  They were rather interesting.  I'll leave it at that.  The son was very nice and so was the Dad.  The mom seemed a little out there.  But, Whatever.  The Attendant that took care of us was from Romania and we had a very nice conversation with him after the dinner.  He is actually an Archeologist who due to where he lives cannot do what he went to school for.  He has a wife and 5 year old who he sees only 2 months out of the year.  He said he does get to Skype with her though.  We then met a man who I believe runs the dining room.  He gave us some information on a home in Mexico that is "Paradise" that he owns and is not well known.  No crime, no drugs, just pure paradise.  He invited us and gave us his information to contact him to go there if we choose.  So after I research it I will let you know.

Here are all the pictures to date that I can load.  We will be in Split hopefully tomorrow, so I don't know that I will be able to update anymore before we depart.

It's been a great adventure but I'm ready to come home.  Miss everyone.

Big HUGS from the seas of the Mediterranean -

Phyllo with Feta Cheese, Honey and Sesame Seeds
or as Justin and Quinn call the Greek PopTart

Spanikopita 

Add caption

Pita

Octopus

Greek Stadium in Athens of Olympics

Train and Cars on Same Road

View from the ship of Kotor

Justin's Chocolate Souffle at dinner

Streets of Athens

streets of Athens

Tile in work in Jewelry Workshop where I sat 

Athens

Day 3 - Corfu, Greece

So apparently my phone is a day behind on posting pictures.  I guess it's on US time.  So I'm going to post how things are and then send pics tomorrow.

We arrived in Corfu, Greece today and again a beautiful vision.  The city was very old and very busy but very clean.  As in Kotor with their Cats all around, Corfu had dogs on the run.  They were very well behaved and ran through the cobblestone roads into the parks to play.  It was very very cute.

The guys climbed the Old Fort as I sat and rested in the well shaded park stitching.  The weather once again truly amazing.

I stopped at a couple of shops (I know shocking) and inquired about a scarf.  I inquired if locally made.  The lady didn't say no she said it was (used a word I don't recall) and implied it was.  I looked further for tag and yes folks..........MADE IN CHINA.

We ate lunch at a place off the beaten path but didn't have a so great experience.  The Tzatziki (yogurt cucumber dip) was great and so was the feta and pita bread,  but the Waiter/ Matre'd pulled a fast one.  Quinn had the right idea to leave but we chose to stay.  He said $17 but neglected to say the "Mezzanine" was $17 per person.  Needless to say it was a very expensive lunch.  (by the way that was in eros not us dollars)

We then stopped at a Baklava cart where I got Baklava.  I like the stuff in the US better.  Authentic or not - didn't like it.

Now taking a little down time on the ship before getting ready for the group cocktail hour and dinner. It's formal night so I'll try to get a pic of me/keith and Quinn/Justin.

TaTa..............hugs from the Mediterranean

Pictures from today

I walked around the little city of Kotor,Montenegro while the guys biked....here's my pics...
Kotor, is known for their abundance of cats

Day 2 - Cruising / Kotor, Greece

We have arrived in Kotor, Greece.  Arrived at 2:30 pm today.  It's now 3pm in Greece.  (9 am back home).  The view was amazing as we pulled in.

I went off the ship while the guys went on a biking excursion.  Found some local Brandy, wine and olive oil.  Also found out that Kotor is know for their large population of stray cats.

I'm having issues loading those pictures but will do so asap.

I haven't heard from guys but hope they too had a fun filled day.

I'm sitting now, posting and have a nice cup of coffee while listening to a man that is singing "Lady" with a foreign accent.  Cracking me up.

The weather was gorgeous again today.  The ocean breezes are truly amazing and calming.

*************************************************************************

Before boarding the ship yesterday we had a tour in St. Mark's of the Palace.  It was beautiful.

Our Italian Tour Guide.  He was about my height.  5'2" on a good day 

all the gold trim is actual gold leaf.  

court was held here

beautiful paintings

art work just amazing

entrance

Justin and Quinn 

Our entry to St. Mark's Square

The two pillars are the "Main Entrance" into Venice.  (look closely between the buildings)

Today I'm just chilling and the guys are on a 3 hour bike tour.  The weather is so magnificent.

Good Morning - Saturday departure to Venice/Ship

So with about 4 hours of sleep I thought while waiting for our departure from the hotel to our tour of St. Mark's Square, I would take a moment to update pictures.  We leave in about 45 minutes for our water taxi ride into St. Mark's City Center for a tour, some free time and then off to board the ship.

Justin and Quinn arrived last night about 7p - via water taxi.  Ironically they had the same driver we did.  While waiting for them Keith and I enjoyed some time on the platform outside the hotel -

We spent the day in St. Mark's Square looking for the Louis Vuitton store.  I've searched at every European country for a bag I'd love and can now cross that off my bucket list.  It was a great day spent together. 

 

View from the hotel.  It's like the city is floating on water.

 

The only way to get around is via water taxi.  Ambulance water boats, garbage, police, construction, are all in and out via water.....

Sponge Bob is apparently THE THING ..........

 

This was a ladies boutique.

 

Chrismakah gifts???????????????

 

Don't worry we didn't get any.  Or did we.  LOL!

 

The architecure is beautfil.  This is the outside of a church in the square that is

getting a face lift.

 

The square

 

Who is the hidden man? 

 

Had gelato Pat.  :)

 

Have to say the Gelato in Portugal was better.  "Just sayin'"

 

Masqueraders in the Square

 

Keith doing what he does best. 

While waiting for the water taxi to get back to the hotel, he decided to climb a stump at the Pier. 

 

We had missed the previous water taxi so we sat at a cafe for a Latte and Espresso. 

We witnessed a street vendor getting arrested by the police as the others ran.  It was amazing that within minutes shop was set back up.

 

Awaiting Quinn and Keith. 

 

Keith enjoying a conversation with the little guy.

 

Louis

 

Louis zippered

 

view from the room

 

Gondola canal

 

water taxi dock

 

view of the square from the church

 

Amazing dinner with Quinn, Justin, Keith and I

 

Zambione cake- Justin in awe

 

Quinn enjoying an Irish Coffee

 

Lemon Meringue Pie

 

Shortbread

 

"Socrates" - dogs dine with their owners. 

Very well behaved

 

Justin chilling in Skyline Bar

 

Quinn relaxing on couch

 

"The Egg"

 

Ah........cool!

 

Justin's Smoking Drink

 

Keith playing with "The EGG"

 

cheers

 

 

 

Their Arrival