{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.

{Made In Italy Pizzeria in Venice, Florida with Friends}

Hard to believe that September is almost coming to an end...

And the fact is, I'm still digesting our previous trip to Florida where we met with most of our special friends!

Like gettingg together with our virtual friends Jo and Dennis, at the famous Made in Italy Pizzeria in Venice, Florida!

June 29...
Happy together over Pizza, after knowing each other for good seven years.

Yummy Pizza, all made in a Wood Burning Oven!

Very delicious and it did bring back fond memories of our life in Italy...

We also loved the way it was being presented!

After a delicious cappuccino à la Dennis, at their lovely new home, we retreated to the patio with its grand view.

All, including their lovely fur babies Gina and Baci, enjoyed being together!

We wish to head back soon as Friendships are the Best Food for the Soul.

Do you travel long distance to see your friends?

{Tiggy-Tiger in her Favorite Spot}

Whenever we come home from a trip, be it long or short, our felines greet us on the driveway.

For Tiggy-Tiger her Favorite Spot is on top of the retainer wall, alongside the driveway...
Our Fiberglass  Window Boxes alongside the wall are filled with white Verbena Lanai® Blush White from White Flower Farm

She always has remained kitten-like, so tiny...

But she is very fast and fierce.

Sweet too!

Love this girl and miss them all while we're traveling but they do always have a sweet cat-sitter.

While we're traveling, our cat-sitter also waters the Fiberglass Window Boxes from Flower Framers of Cincinnati, so the Verbenas don't perish in the heat.

They have been blooming during the entire summer.

Not easy for keeping them alive in our harsh climate though...

Thanks for visiting!

{My Appointment with Certified Podologist Across the Ocean}

Fighting Jet Lag...

The very BEST thing to do is after a shower and lovely breakfast, to follow up on an appointment with a Certified Podologist!
Or Certified Master Pedicurist for that matter.

Even if that is across the Ocean.

Feeling oh so RELAXED in the hands of Natalie Basten, from Medisch Pedicure Praktijk Horst in my birth town...

Wearing my Escada jeans (see post: {My White Escada Jeans Score}) and a new find from Last Call by Neiman Marcus, such a light comfy top by Michael Kors.

LOVED this quote:

Many people will 

Walk in and out 

of your Life

but only true

Friends leave

footprints in

your Heart

Relaxing atmosphere through the modern lay out of her work space

👣

Thank you Natalie for giving me 'Happy Feet' for driving the distance to the South of France and beyond!

Only wish, there would not be such a vast (read: expensive...) Ocean between us.

Thanks for your visit!

{J BAR D Farm in Dublin, Georgia}

On the road to our dear friends, we pass by an impressive gate; that of the J BAR D Farm in Dublin, GA.

On July 31, I did stop to make these photos to share with my readers.

Stepping a bit back...

A view to the left over the vast farm area

And again to the right

Just across the road were hay bales, just harvested.
As well as dramatic clouds on this summer day.
Hope you enjoyed these rural images from our State of Georgia

{Back Home from a Wedding in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France}

Sorry for having been Missing In Action...

But we went to Europe on September 3 and back on September 20 at 1:00 AM.

The main reason for this trip was a Wedding in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France.

The daughter of our friends got married with a Frenchman, who studied and lives in the USA.

But it was a delight to be in the South East of France and getting to know his family.

Yes, I've driven this Renault Captur for 4,134 km

Good thing that at BB&L Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam, they have no limits for km driven!

Here we arrived at HOSTELLERIE DE L'ABBAYE in Thoronet for the Rehearsal Dinner.

For the romantic occasion, I did wear my silk Escada Rose dress for 'La Vie en Rose'... together with the Escada Pearls choker.

It was very warm, 34ºC so I did tie my silk shawl around my evening bag instead of draping it around my shoulders. 
Absolutely no need for that!

Here I was tying my shawl around the evening bag.

At L'ABBAYE Le Thoronet, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur in France

This is a Google view of where the ancient Abbaye from above is located.

Yes, in the very South East of France...

Driving back, I went via Switzerland and Germany...
Visiting friends and of course before we drove to France, I already visited my Dad and also the rest of the family.

CitizenM click it
Dropping off our BB and L rental car and staying for the night at the BEST hotel near Departure, just walking the covered walkway to and from CitizenM

Thanks for stopping by and I will visit you soon again!

{Award Nights at Hyatt Regency in Sarasota, Florida}

On July 29, we arrived from Orlando, Florida at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota where we last were on May 1, 2014. 

Again this was for our Award Nights, now for 2 nights.

The Hyatt Regency in Sarasota is such a dream location!
This photo is from my post, linked below.
We had no time for taking photos this visit...
Instead we met with dear friends!

Like a dream!

Free nights at such a location... WOW!

We earn that with each year's anniversary of the Hyatt Visa Card.

One night per year!

This year we enjoyed a swim in this tropical pool, surrounded by Coconut Palm Trees.

It feels like being in paradise...

View from our room.

Again we had a spacious room with a balcony where we enjoyed a coffee/tea.

Wish we could have stayed for at least a week!

Have you ever been to Sarasota?

Thanks for your visit!

Related link:
{Sarasota, Florida - Hyatt Regency} | previous post by me

{Dinner with Friends in Lakeland, Florida}

While being in Orlando, it was only an hour drive from the Hyatt Place, to our friend's home.

Without traffic that is...

But we made it in 1.5 hour to be at their home for a delicious dinner!

Happy together after two years.

Lots of things have happened since than, I lost my Mom and Roman's Mom has been in the hospital for 5 months and lost her leg...

Still we have many things to be grateful for!

Roman was the Chef for baking this delicious salmon in the oven...

Served with Mashed Cauliflower and Asparagus artfully added on top.

It was so yummy!

Maritza's Salad is also a very special treat!

We were feeling pampered...

Such a perfect relaxing evening together!

Wish we would live closer but the more we cherish these moments of Friendship!

Such a lovely setting for summer.

Poor cat-boy Ash was not allowed to be near the table.

Hope they soon find time to dine at our home.

IF Ash will let them travel away...

Our Felines and those of our dearest friends are being LOVED!

Do you also travel for catching up with dear friends?

Thanks for your visit!