lulu
It’s always a little sad for a Foodie Adventure to end as it is a wonderful week with great people and the best ever hosts, Michael and Mary Jo, who work so hard to make it a perfect experience. End it must though, and everyone moves on.
Since we were in Europe, the hubby and I decided to maximize our trip by taking a Danube cruise, long on our bucket list. The timing worked out pretty well, but we had a few days before the ship’s departure. Finding it to be a short trip from Rome to Croatia, we went to Dubrovnik.
With its lovely coastal views, it is a lovely place.
It’s hard to believe that just over 20 years ago much of Dubrovnik was in ruins thanks to intensive bombing by the Serbs.
Today most of the city has been restored and is a major tourist destination.
With its charming Old Town, filled with interesting sights and shops, it is easy to see why.
Nowhere have I ever seen so many eateries as there are in such a compact space.
Because of its proximity to the sea, seafood is on every menu.
In some ways Dubrovnik reminds me of Maine because so much of its economy depends on the tourist trade which is about a five month season. That means people work very hard during that time in order to earn enough money to survive the winter.
From Dubrovnik we ventured on to Budapest, a vibrant city filled with beautiful architecture.
While there is much to do there, what we like best about Budapest is spending time with one of our former exchange students and her family. What made this meeting very special was meeting Lulu, the newest family member named in my honor. Talk about turning to mush, this little one completely stole my heart!
Part of spending time with Lulu’s parents means we get to experience their life which includes weekends on Lake Balaton, the largest lake in Central Europe where so much of the activity centers around the water.
After an all too short visit, it was time for us to say good by and board our ship to begin a Danube River cruise that would take us from Budapest to Prague. Wow, this is a lot of stimulation in a short period, but each part of the adventure holds something new.
i so appreciate your visit and the comments you leave behind
Morning. First one up. Quiet. Gray skies over the hills.
Time with a daughter. Sharing laughter remembering funny things.
It’s not always easy to be a mom or a daughter. In The Nix is a line reading “The things you love the most will one day hurt you the most.” Sad that loving can be a painful part of relationships.
Thoughts on a day becoming brighter as sun begins to move clouds away. Maybe a metaphor for love being stronger than pain.
The task of setting the table for Christmas dinner was given to me and was a bit of a challenge as it wasn’t immediately obvious to me what could be used as accessories. A trip or two around the house provided a few things with which to work. There was a red and white plaid blanket from the back of a chair that could be folded to serve as a table runner and from another era came a couple of teddy bears. So began the making of a table. Outside was a still healthy rosemary bush, and a few sprigs came in handy not only to fill some space but to add a pleasant fragrance to the table.
Now, keep in mind this daughter is very much a fan of French country decor, so it was inevitable that the table have those touches. Scallop edged placemats are the new backdrop for the Spode dishes and with several teenagers joining us for dinner, it made perfect sense for them to be paper.
Stems are the ever popular bee embellished ones, 
Considering this is a table that was not supposed to happen, it turned out OK. The Christmas tree dishes are fine in their new environment, and it tickles me that the daughter wanted them though she might not have been expecting them quite so soon! Now all that is left is to enjoy the meal that will soon be shared with family. That’s the gift of Christmas.
It makes me sad that our small family, which now includes sons-in-law and grandchildren, is rarely all together during the holiday season.
I will enjoy time in Houston while awaiting the return to Maine
where there is boating, exploring islands and spending time with family and friends.
Without question I will eat more lobster!
From start to finish, it was perfect for the entire family.
The boys were a little worried about being away from home on Christmas, but they need not have feared. The Disney Wonder was fully decked out for the season.
and Santa was right there on the ship listening to all good little boys and girls.
and there were activities from swimming to dancing on the deck to movies to kids’ clubs to spa….well, you name it, there was something for guests of all ages.
And, if some quiet time was desired, there were places for that, too.
Aboard ship no detail was overlooked. Accommodations were comfortable, food offerings satisfied every appetite, meal times were well organized and the crew friendly and ready to meet every passenger’s need. I guess it should come as no surprise that Disney knows how to entertain and do it right!
All in all, the cruise was a perfect way to spend time with family and the four days from Galveston to Cozumel was just long enough to keep the boys entertained. I’m thinking it was also an adventure to be remembered.
The table is ready
and how I look forward to having family gather round.
Thanksgiving is the only holiday the hubby and I still host as daughters have taken over the rest and create their own traditions.
Here not much changes from year to year. Dishes are the same
and for years dryer hose pumpkins have been arranged one way or another for a centerpiece.
This time some of the pumpkins are in a box that belonged to my much loved mother-in-law. In spirit she is always with us
as is my mother whose flatware is at my place. Why I kept only one place setting is totally beyond me.
Most years there is a little something new just because!
