{Fond Memories of Mom with us in the Eifel, Germany}

Mom & Dad always have worked really hard together in their greenhouses.

Most crops needed harvesting during the peak of summer, so needless to say that they never could have a real VACATION...

Dad was even pulling back from his Sunday visits to his Mother's place, as all his brothers and sisters only talked about their recent vacation trips...

So during my 12.5 years of marriage to my late 1st husband, I've helped Mom & Dad out during my vacation weeks; harvesting gherkins or tomatoes in the greenhouses with them.

We also did plan every summer a day-trip to the beautiful Michelsberg area in the Eiffel, Germany.

Mom looking oh so happy here on October 2, 1976, together with Dad.

Having been just back to The Netherlands, for the 65th time, not having Mom around did feel a bit odd.

Also being once more in the beautiful Eifel, Germany area, did bring back lots of fond memories of time shared with Mom & Dad.

So happy for having still some photos, not good quality but they did capture the joy of the moment very well!

This is from the summer of 1975 near the Michelsberg (Eifel) and also called the Ahr Hills.

You can click on the hyperlinks in pink for finding out more about this beautiful low mountain range and volcanic plateau, where even Julias Cesar left his marks in 54 B.C.

Lots of Roman artifacts are still to be seen in the Bad Münstereifel area.

Well, my connection with this beautiful area is because my late husband's Mother came from there, so I've been visiting it now for almost half a century and still love it very much!

Hope you enjoyed my sentiments of going back into the footsteps of my dear Mom...

1060 times her footsteps have been viewed...

Thanks for your visit!

{Columbia Restaurant since 1905 in Sarasota, Florida}

Back to Florida again, to June 30, when we enjoyed a special lunch at the famous and historic Columbia Restaurant since 1905 in Sarasota, Florida.

Our dear friends Jo and Dennis did recommend this to us...

Alongside Beautiful St. Armands Circle in Sarasota you find this gem...

The setting is very tropical with a covered patio.

We both LOVE history and if you can experience such a historic gem of a Spanish Restaurant - we are game!

We're so fortunate for having dear friends that used to have their business at St. Armands Circle and they sure did tip us!

It seems that the Columbia Restaurant in Tampa's Ybor City is the oldest one of their chain.

In 1905, Casimiro Hernandez, Sr. the great-grandfather of this family business, immigrated to Tampa's Ybor City from Cuba and opened a small café called Columbia Café. 

You can read the history here above...

So I had to have the Ensalada, Columbia's Original '1905' Salad

As for me, I opted for the Columbia Original '1905' Salad with Shrimp 'Al Ajillo' (Cuban Garlic Shrimps) and Pieter had the one with Turkey.

There are now 7 locations all over Florida...

We did enjoy our lunch on the patio, partially in the sun.

For sure we will be back on a next trip as we loved this place!

Thanks for your visit!

{Made with Love in The Eifel, Germany}

It is always a BLESSING for being with those we love!

Especially when they live across the Ocean.

We did visit our 'German Son' and his family.

His dear Father-in-law made us this sweet hanger for a plant.

We visited them in their new home.

Isn't this a very sweet plant hanger, made out of wood?
The pot for the plant is not wood...

Pieter did paint it white and hung it next to our Rose Suite's entrance.

He even found a winter hardy plant for it.

Looking happy already and the blue goes perfect with the Golden Mist colored wall.

THANKS a lot for this special gift dear FAMILY!

The sun was very strong and thus hard to take a good photo.

Even as I type this, it still is 31°C

It sure was a lovely day so far and still!

Wishing you all a happy October week and thanks for your visit.