SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

We are on our way home!

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

 

  Hodgepodge Questions-

A little later than usual, but here they are...

1. Labour Day weekend (in the US of A) is approaching...what's something you've laboured over this year?

I have laboured on baby blankets and baby outfits. 2 of our neighbours had babies as well as my son and daughter-in-law, my girlfriend’s son had a baby and 2 of my nieces had babies. It has kept me very busy.

2. What is one word to describe your 'job' or career?

I have my dream job now – I am retired.

3. What was your worst or least favourite job ever? Why?

I never had a job I didn’t like. I have worked in libraries, babysat, worked at and Exhibition, been a teacher, sold Avon and worked for the telephone company. My favourite job has been being retired.

4. How do you measure contentment?

I eat well, sleep well and laugh a lot. Life is too short to cry about it.

5. Pickles-like or dislike? What is something you eat that requires a pickle? Dill, bread and butter, sweet gherkins...what's your favorite kind of pickle?

Not a pickle lover. I prefer olives.

6. In your current house-town-state, what is it you like living close to?

We live close to the beach, shopping, major highways and our friends.

7. What is one thing on your 'want-to-do' list before summer draws to an official close?

I want to spend more time with my grandchildren before they go back to school and we go on another cruise.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Our current cruise is coming to a close. We have one more port to visit tomorrow when we see Copenhagen, Denmark. We fly home on Saturday. We spent today in Oslo, Norway at the Viking ship museum. This is what we saw:

THOUGHTFUL TUESDAY

 

I had a few problems with my blog because of our travels out of the country so I apologize for the inconvenience. We fixed it and are having a wonderful time. Here is where our cruise has taken us so far.

This is in Norway!

MEET ME ON MONDAY

 

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Acting Balanced.  We are continuing to answer questions together. 

Here are the Questions:

1. Yesterday (August 25th) was Kiss and Make Up Day... when was the last time you had to kiss and make up?

Every day because we love to kiss.

2. Are you doing anything special for Labour Day weekend?

Yes! We are coming home from our European cruise then we will catch up on laundry.

3. If you could go back to school, what would you major in?

History!

4. How much rain did you have this summer?

Too much! We even broke a 60 year old record for rain. Fortunately we did not get flooded.

My 5th question is:

Do you like to travel by yourself or in a group?

SUNDAY IN THE CITY

 

Let’s travel the world together!

Today we did our travelling in Bergen Norway. We came in on our cruise ship:

We then walked to the Funicular which is a cable car up the mountain:

We also took a small touring train through the city:

The rest of the time we walked around through the Fish Market and around the castle grounds. It was a beautiful day.

SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

Pictures are worth a thousand words!

FRIDAY FUN

Let me share my pictures of Glasgow. Four fill-in fun will resume when I get home.

 

THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY

 

We are having a wonderful time on the cruise. We had 3 days of intensive port visits. We were in Dublin, Ireland, Belfast Northern Ireland and then Glasgow Scotland.  We took the Duck ride in Dublin and 2 guided tours for Belfast and Glasgow.

Our guides took us around the coasts of Ireland and Scotland. We saw the Giant Causeway as well as the fisherman’s rope bridge. We had a wonderful lunch at a seaside restaurant. Dessert was a sticky toffee pudding for dessert. We also visited Loch Lomand and the Inverary castle. We had lunch at the St George hotel which was built in the 17th century.

The scenery is amazing in both countries. We had lots of laughs. I rode in the front seat because there were lots of hair pin turns.

WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE

 

1. What's your worst food memory?  How about one of your best?

My worst food memory is eating calves liver. My best food memory is Christmas dinner.

2. Do you appreciate people telling it like it is, or would you rather a speaker temper his/her words and maybe beat around the bush a little?  How about when you're the one communicating...which type are you?

I prefer telling the truth even it hurts. I hate lying.

3. What's your favourite place to hang out?

A cruise ship of course.

4. When do you most feel like you're a slave to time?

When I travel by air. I hate airports.

5. What was the last concert you attended?  Who'd you go with? Was it any good?

I just attended a concert on our cruise. Here is a picture of a local group from Dublin Ireland.

6. Reality TV...harmful or harmless?  What's your guilty pleasure when it comes to reality TV?

We love “Dancing with the Stars” as well as “So you think you can dance” We dislike “Here comes Honey Boo Boo”

7. What's something you think is overrated?

Organic food.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

We were in Dublin yesterday and had a wonderful time. We toured the city in a DUK.

Did you know that Dublin was once a Viking stronghold. We learned that yesterday hence the reason for the hats.

We are having a wonderful time.

THOUGHTFUL TUESDAY

 

Questions from Chats on the Farmhouse Porch

1. My oldest daughter has returned to college for her second year. Could I get you to give her some good wishes here? Please?  All the best! Don’t stay up too late!
2. Summer is about to move on, what will you miss the most? And the least? I will miss the beautiful weather and the fact I don’t have to wear a coat or sweater. I will not miss the extreme heat that forced us to use the air conditioning.
3. Are you currently working on any craft, sewing, DIY home, or any other creative project? I always have a crocheted baby blanket on the go as well as a knitted baby outfit. In the mean time I have been making Christmas stockings and sweaters for the grandchildren.
4. If you could have any treatment at a spa for free, what would it be?  A full body massage.
5. What's your favourite kind of pasta? Macaroni and cheese.

I just want to add a few pictures of our cruise. Yesterday we had an Indonesian lunch. This is what it looked like.

We also went to the pool.

MEET ME ON MONDAY

 

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Acting Balanced.  We are continuing to answer questions together. 

1. Apparently today is International Homeless Animal Day.  Have you ever adopted an animal friend for your household?

No! I had enough animals with just my children and all of their friends. Their friends adopted me and called me Mom especially when it was pancakes for lunch.

2. How do you adjust to changes in your daily routine? 

We are pretty flexible especially since we retired. There is very little we have to make adjustments for.

3. Which social media platform do you like best?  Which one do you like least?

Blogging. I am not on Facebook or Twitter.

4. How do you decide, 'what's for dinner?'

Whatever D H decides on. He is the cook in the family and when he asks me he says he can’t cook “Whatever”

Instead of a 5th question today I am posting some pictures of our day in Brugge, Belgium.

The first one was taken from a boat as we saw Brugge from their canal. It is called “Venice of the North”.

The second picture is obviously the girls riding on a carousel from 1700. It was a 2 story carousel. It was fun.

SUNDAY IN THE CITY

 

 

 

Let’s travel the world together!

Our city this week was Amsterdam.

The last picture is the bridge in Rotterdam taken from our cruise ship also called the Rotterdam.

SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

 

 

Wonderful time in Amsterdam! Cruising today!

We spent 2 days in Amsterdam. We toured the city on the Hop On Hop Off boat cruise as well as the Hop On Hop Off bus. We found a fabulous restaurant for lunch and had the best pizza ever. We walked around downtown and had a marvellous dinner. After dinner we visited the famous Red Light District and found an excellent bakery for late night desserts.

We are on the Rotterdam, our home away from home for the next 2 weeks.

FRIDAY FOUR FILL IN FUN

 

Welcome to the weekly Follow Friday Four Fill-in Fun Blog Hop! with Hilary G.

This week’s co-host is Rachael from Print and Stitch – she came up with the last two statements!

 

This week’s statements:

1) I hate when I have to wait for other people who are never ready on time.

2) I sometimes long for more time to cruise.

3) Thinking about our grandchildren  always makes me happy.

4) My favourite day of this week so far was Wednesday because we finally started our vacation trip with our friends. You can read about our adventures on this blog as well.

THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY

 

Day 1

Our journey began On Wednesday afternoon. We planned for traffic and found very little, so we arrived at our meeting place early. We went ahead and had our dinner as planned which was also quickly served. There was no wasting time.

We forged ahead and park the car and our luck was with as the shuttle bus was right there. We got to the airport terminal to get into the registration line which didn’t open until 6:30 pm. The line-up extended past the ropes that had been set up. Again we encountered no trouble so we made our way through security and sat around waiting for the plane to arrive.

There was no trouble boarding and the flight was smooth however we slept in spits and spurts. How does one sleep in those cramped quarters? We saw very little of the Iceland airport because our connecting flight was already boarding and was just waiting for the stragglers like us to get there.

The biggest problem was when we arrived in Amsterdam. We were tired and hungry. We faced a crowd collecting our luggage and then we had the daunting task of getting out of the airport and onto the train bound for downtown Amsterdam. The train station was crowded and we had to manoeuvre our luggage up stairs and hold them while the train rocked back and forth. No seats for us.

Our hotel is lovely. We had a wonderful walk around downtown and found an amazing restaurant where D H had a huge kettle of steamed fresh mussels. He was in heaven.

We have great plans for tomorrow however right now we need to catch up on some sleep.

WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE

 

Hodgepodge Questions

1. My daughter earned her Master's Degree this past weekend...what's something you've 'mastered' in recent weeks or months?

I haven’t mastered much lately except retiring. That takes a lot of work doesn’t it.

2. What song most reminds you of your childhood?

I loved Herman’s Hermits when I was growing up. “Mrs. Brown, you’ve got a lovely daughter” was a good one.

3. What do you think about single gender groups and/or events? Should every group/event be open to both genders?  If not, what sort of exceptions do you think are appropriate?

I have been married so long that D H and I do a lot of things together,so it doesn’t matter to me.

4. What's your favourite spice? Your favourite dish containing your favourite spice?

Is chocolate a spice? I love anything with chocolate.

5.  I saw this question on Marla's facebook page and asked if I could steal borrow it for the Hodgepodge...thanks Marla!
Chevron patterns are everywhere!  Do you like it or think its just a little too much? Do you own anything 'chevron'?

I don’t do chevron, whatever that is.

6.  What's something you disliked as a child, but can fully appreciate now?

Riding in a car. I used to get car sick however now that I drive I don’t have that problem.

7. What can irritate you very quickly?

Rude people.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

The bags are packed. We are getting our hair cut this morning and heading to the airport for our flight to Amsterdam where we will catch our cruise around Norway, Ireland and Scotland. I haven’t slept much in anticipation of travelling with our good friends. You will see a lot of the trip on my blog for the next 2 weeks. Yes I will still be blogging.

THOUGHTFUL TUESDAY

 

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch

 

Questions

1. Do you have any type of air cleaner in your home? We have an air cleaner on our furnace but not an actual separate one.
2. What do you do with the spare change you accumulate in your car, purse, pockets, etc? Spend it. Being retired we put most of our purchases on credit card and pay once a month so when we need cash we spend it wisely.
3. What's one chore you wish you never had to do again? Clean the bathrooms.
4. Are you outgoing, quite, shy, reserved, or life of the party? I would say I am outgoing. D H takes me out so that I can talk to strangers on the street. I am not afraid to start a conversation.
5. Have you understood your parents more as you've gotten older? Yes! I was a terrible teenager and gave my parents a very hard time. I realize now the effort the put into raising us. The longer I have my parents in our lives, the better. Mom will be 84 in September and Dad turned 86 in April.

MEET ME ON MONDAY

 

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Acting Balanced

Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own

1. What is your favourite 'G Rated' activity that you like to share with your SO or BFF?

D H and I love to cruise. We enjoy ballroom dancing as well as playing cards together. We take long walks as well.

2. Do you buy summer clothes at the end of season clearance sales?

I do like a bargain however I need so little in the way of new clothes since I retired. Most of my shopping is done at the Outlet Malls.

3. August 13th is national left-handers day.  How many left handed people do you know?

Both of my son-in-laws are left-handed. I was left-handed for a summer when I broke my right arm. It was not pretty.

4. When you go swimming do you: a) jump into the pool; b) gently move into the pool; or c) dive in?

I used to be a diver however now I walk in. I have been in some pretty cold pools.

My 5th question is:

When you go on a trip do you pack early or at the last minute?

SUNDAY IN THE CITY

 

Let’s travel the world together!

Walking in our favourite park! The weather has been just perfect for walking! Just as well since we are getting in shape for our cruise!

SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

Packing for cruising Norway, Ireland & Scotland!

FRIDAY FOUR FILL IN FUN

 

Also thanks to Hilary for hosting Four Fill Ins.  This week’s statements:

1) I always avoid texts. I even had them taken off my phone because I don’t use them and don’t want to pay for them.

2) I love to fall asleep when hubby is watching his Business News ( I call it Business Snooze!)

3) My dream pet would be a rock named jewellry – I love diamonds, emeralds, rubies, amethyst, turquoise – Get the Picture!

4) I love apple pie more than chocolate. (Or ice cream!!)

THRIVING THURSDAY

 

It is coming down to the final week before we start our next cruise. I am anxiously watching the Weather Channel for sunny or rainy days in our Ports of Call. I know I will be packing a raincoat and probably an umbrella because we are going to want to visit all of the places we will be stopping in. So far Amsterdam looks good although there is a chance of rain every day. Unfortunately Belfast is showing rain all day and we have a tour booked.

You never know when you plan a trip what the weather is going to be like especially in Northern Europe. We have had a cooler summer with lots of rain as well so I think it will be the same over there. It will just be a 6 hour difference. D H is looking forward to taking lots of pictures and we hope to do lots of walking.

Next Thursday I will report on our arrival in Amsterdam.

WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE

 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume

Here are the questions for this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. 

 

1. The first week of August is National Simplify Your Life Week...what's one thing you could do this week to qualify as a participant?

We have really simplified our life since we retired. We don’t take the car out as often. We walk to the grocery store and we make our own meals without buying pre-packaged foods.

2. It's also National Peach Month...peach pie, peach cobbler, or please pour me a Bellini?  What's your peach pleasure?

D H’s favourite pie is peach pie. I also used to can my own peaches as well as make peach jam.

3. Eleanor Roosevelt once wrote, "Do one thing every day that scares you." Agree or disagree...explain.

I don’t think I want to do a scary thing every day. I do think highly of Eleanor Roosevelt and my granddaughter is named for her.

4. What's your favourite household chore?  Yes-you have to name one.

I actually like doing the laundry. I love the feel and smell of fresh cleaned clothes.

5. Fodors recently listed (what they've dubbed) the ten most beautiful sunset spots in America. Click here to read more and see the pretty pictures, but this is their list:
Butterfly Beach in Santa Monica CA, Mount Haleakala in Maui HI, Old Fort Marcy Park in Santa Fe NM, Laguna Beach CA, Hopi Point in Grand Canyon AZ, Four Seasons in Miami FL, Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica CA, Gay Head in Martha's Vineyard MA, Ensign Peak in Salt Lake City UT, and Mallory Square in Key West Florida.
Have you seen the sun set from any of these spots?  If you could choose to watch the sun set this weekend from one spot on the Fodors List, which would you choose?  Where was the prettiest sunset you've ever seen?

We have some spectacular sunsets in Canada as well. I have seen them from the East Coast as well as the West Coast however we see  fabulous sunsets when we cruise.

6. What's your favourite or most used app?  If you don't use apps how about your favourite or most visited website?

I visit my daughter’s and sil’s websites everyday. I also use Skype every day to talk to my mother.

7. We've recently passed the halfway mark for 2013...write a seven word sentence that sums up your year thus far.

We have been cruising through this year!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

We are just one week away from our next cruise. This is a short one, only 14 days. We will be visiting Belgium, Ireland, Scotland, Norway and Denmark. Before we go D H has been working in the garden. Here are some of his beautiful flowers.

Have a great week everyone!

THOUGHTFUL TUESDAY

 

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch!

1. Have you ever baked bread from scratch? No although we did have a bread maker for a while. We have also baked bread from frozen.
2. If we decided to have lunch on the porch, and you so kindly volunteered to fix it (thank you). What would you serve? It would probably be grilled cheese sandwiches and a salad with ice cream for dessert.
3. Show us, or tell us about your key chain ( the thing you have on your car or house keys). I have 3 rings on my keychain. I also have a leather oak leaf because I bought my car from Oakland Ford and they gave me the key ring. I also have my house key as well as the keys to my daughters’ houses.
4. Have you ever tried a challenging or dangerous sport? No. I don't mean rush hour traffic, but I understand the confusion. :) I am not much of a sports person. The most challenging I have done is water ski and I never learned to go on one ski or barefoot.
5. Have you ever written poetry? If not, have you ever had anyone write a poem for you? If you aren't happy with this question, we'll even accept a "Roses are red..." poem. No! I do like limericks however I can’t even remember any of the poems we learned in school.

MEET ME ON MONDAY

 

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Acting Balanced and Touristic.

Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own

 

Here are the Questions:

 

1. Do you prefer brain games or games of chance?

I prefer games of chance however we have become hooked on a form of Canasta called “hand and Foot” which we learned from a lovely couple from Florida on our long cruise last summer.

2. How often do you misplace your keys? Not very often. My purse has a hook on the side and the keys are always attached to my purse.

3. It's National Clown Week!  If you were a professional clown what would your name be?

Probably Jolly Judy

4. What is the strangest conversation you had last week? As everyone knows who reads this blog I love spending time with my grandchildren. I had a play date on Wednesday with my 5 year old granddaughter  E and we had some interesting discussions in the car while travelling to and from swimming. She keeps me on my toes.

 

My 5th question this week is ...

What id your favourite breakfast food?