tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44114595085573832792024-03-13T15:48:59.861+01:00Stories and ScribblesLoreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520908604580765632noreply@blogger.comBlogger417125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411459508557383279.post-4530599605176085112018-01-25T20:31:00.001+01:002018-01-25T20:32:00.480+01:00Sincerely, Loree<p align="center"><font size="5">This is just a small reminder that I will no longer be updating this blog. I have moved to a new blog: <b>Sincerely, Loree</b>:</font><p align="center"><font size="5"><a href="http://www.sincerelyloree.blogspot.com">www.sincerelyloree.blogspot.com</a></font><p><img style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj467zEEuFEOuGhgiqXLgsoLj8p5KZsYFm_BSNVfw_IitUmtUtxrdWjoUVAlq-uRVh9aq3OiewmpzxB48XEvzfMjsDdUPoTCYqdCIZ110g0LN_ofjRpLsZWCebEgwiXpf5Y1e9DR2Q5sH6l/s640/IMG_20170822_194229_P.jpg"></p><p align="center"><font size="5">Hope to see you there. I promise it will be fun.</font></p>Loreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520908604580765632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411459508557383279.post-65783666852674292572017-12-31T19:27:00.001+01:002017-12-31T19:27:19.042+01:002017: A year in review and an announcement<p align="justify">2017 started, as all years do, with a lot of high hopes but it went the same way as its predecessors. Looking over the international headlines for the year that is about to end does nothing to alleviate the perception that life for hundreds of thousands of people around the world was harsh and horrendous. From the racial cleansing of <a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/08/rohingya-muslims-170831065142812.html" target="_blank">the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar</a>, to a <a href="https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/why-the-2017-atlantic-hurricane-season-ranks-among-the-top-7-most-intense-ever-recorded/70003277" target="_blank">hurricane season from hell</a>, 2017 delivered, but not in a good way. </p><p align="justify">On a local level, the murder of journalist and blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia that I wrote about in <a href="https://loreeswritingspace.blogspot.com.mt/2017/10/dear-daphne.html" target="_blank">Dear Daphne</a>, stopped Malta in its tracks – if only for a few days. Our attention spans are short and we flit from one piece of tragic news to another the same way bees dance from flower to flower in a spring garden. Three men have been arrested in connection with Daphne’s murder but the motive remains unclear. In the meantime, an impromptu memorial in her honour has been set-up on the Great Siege memorial in front of our law-courts and thousands of people are still hoping that justice for Daphne will be done.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZJB76_6t6ys/Wkkr0NP1noI/AAAAAAAAh08/hGAx3O0xposq5vX8uxmJlBB3Uis6QT-mgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Valletta%2BChristmas%2Blights%2B%252830%2529%255B3%255D"><img width="595" height="451" title="Valletta Christmas lights (30)" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Valletta Christmas lights (30)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MKQAKcWifLk/Wkkr1ZqyEtI/AAAAAAAAh1A/RSan5WgoCpYH__vSNuT7a8DbOqCr7XsoQCHMYCw/Valletta%2BChristmas%2Blights%2B%252830%2529_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">On a personal level, our trip to the US was the highlight of our year. I made my acquaintance with <a href="https://loreeswritingspace.blogspot.com.mt/2017/09/snapshots-of-florida.html" target="_blank">Florida</a> and re-visited <a href="https://loreeswritingspace.blogspot.com.mt/2017/08/hannibal-attractions-in-americas-home.html" target="_blank">a few favourite haunts in Missouri</a>. Unfortunately, the three weeks passed too quickly and we were soon back home, dealing with one of the hottest summers in the past few years. Having said that, Florida was hotter than I could have imagined but it rained every day in the afternoon (which is normal in the tropics) so that alleviated some of the heat – although it did nothing to help the humidity. During our trip to <a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/hollywood-studios/" target="_blank">Disney’s Hollywood Studios</a> we rode the infamous Tower of Terror, which was definitely the scariest part of our trip, for me, at least – much scarier than waiting for a tornado to pass overhead as we visited friends in Kissimmee. </p><p align="justify">During 2017 we got to discover Malta a bit more because we went on quite a few hikes off the beaten track. which helped us appreciate the last-remaining beauty spots of this island. This enthusiasm for discovery was triggered by the loss of <a href="http://allaboutmalta.blogspot.com.mt/2017/03/the-azure-window-end-of-icon.html" target="_blank">the Azure Window</a> and the concrete jungles that are springing up in so many of our towns and villages. It seems that what Nature has preserved, we are keen to destroy – which puts into perspective just how much some people really care about our environment, in spite of all the public rhetoric.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9QjtyoARB6E/Wkkr2rtGlFI/AAAAAAAAh1E/X98UxvRK7RYbPiKilraMDkqHNSaMNM94wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Valletta%2BChristmas%2Blights%2B%252828%2529%255B3%255D"><img width="595" height="451" title="Valletta Christmas lights (28)" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Valletta Christmas lights (28)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6WujJmKTms0/Wkkr3yeAQGI/AAAAAAAAh1I/4iZJ7reE8XkFRI-9J9gKmQMzcMYrF2Q3QCHMYCw/Valletta%2BChristmas%2Blights%2B%252828%2529_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify"><font size="4">A little bit about our Christmas …</font></p><p align="justify">We had a lovely Christmas with colder-than-usual temperatures that added to the season’s spirit. On some days the air was so crystal clear that we could see Mount Etna snowy cap, which added a bit to the magic of the season, I baked four different types of cookies: peppermint chocolate chip, <a href="http://fakeginger.com/cranberry-orange-cookies/" target="_blank">orange cranberry</a>, <a href="https://www.howsweeteats.com/2013/12/mocha-coconut-crinkles/comment-page-1/#comment-1056015" target="_blank">mocha coconut crinkle</a> and <a href="https://marshasbakingaddiction.com/chocolate-orange-slice-n-bake-cookies/" target="_blank">chocolate orange</a>. I also made <a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/champagne_chocolate_truffles/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+elise/simplyrecipes+(Simply+Recipes)" target="_blank">champagne chocolate truffles</a> and a <a href="https://thesouthernladycooks.com/2012/07/27/exquisite-chocolate-cherry-cake/" target="_blank">chocolate cherry cake</a> accompanied by a boozy cherry syrup for tomorrow’s New Year’s Day lunch. The links will take you to the recipes but I might share some of them on my blog in the coming year. We spent Christmas day with family. My cousin moved to Malta from the UK this past autumn and my aunt and uncle, who would usually spend Christmas in the UK with him, stayed in Malta this year. So we really enjoyed our day and had some laughs over a game of Trivial Pursuit.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J-glpk2S3zk/Wkkr44INGkI/AAAAAAAAh1M/NED2fM3S5No3qM8yyWTVSELc38tnqQZ9wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Valletta%2BChristmas%2Blights%2B%252829%2529%255B3%255D"><img width="595" height="451" title="Valletta Christmas lights (29)" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Valletta Christmas lights (29)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W8wtWDh6EfQ/Wkkr6P_G1yI/AAAAAAAAh1Q/X4MjlgyFvqAqaIaQGsoSzGwcBcFDsNWQwCHMYCw/Valletta%2BChristmas%2Blights%2B%252829%2529_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">During the holidays (I was so happy to be off of work between Christmas and the New Year) we enjoyed an evening at <a href="https://www.madc.com.mt/en/upcomingproductions/productions/57/cinderella-.htm" target="_blank">MADC’s pantomime ‘Cinderella’</a> during which dames Dulcey and Duda had the audience, especially the children, in fits of laughter. We spent another evening at the newly refurbished Suq tal-Belt (I will write about it in 2018) and had some time to critique Valletta’s Christmas lights. I did not particularly like them as I thought they were too glitzy and kitschy for Christmas (you can see them in today’s post) and would have looked better in downtown Las Vegas than in a city that takes so much pride in the Mannerist and Baroque buildings that abound in its streets. But, as they day, to each his own, as the majority of people seem to like them.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SKJSr0KtCxM/Wkkr7tgueCI/AAAAAAAAh1U/fo_sZCfODr4VAxhMPl-Kz0Hrznv5oDOZACHMYCw/s1600-h/Valletta%2BChristmas%2Blights%2B%252832%2529%255B3%255D"><img width="595" height="451" title="Valletta Christmas lights (32)" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Valletta Christmas lights (32)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YmNVLmyHWhA/Wkkr8r2MOLI/AAAAAAAAh1Y/v5G7l5jfyf49omMOGwIqG8IqZPXhLITXwCHMYCw/Valletta%2BChristmas%2Blights%2B%252832%2529_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify"><font size="4">An announcement</font></p><p align="justify">At just 18 posts, 2017 was my least productive year and there are many reasons for this. Foremost amongst them is my inability to stop (unfavourably) comparing my writing to that of others, coupled with a nagging feeling that something needs to change for me to recapture my spark. But I also had some major issues with technology and with Windows in general, and there were many days when I turned on my laptop which started to automatically update. Except that two or three hours later it would still be updating. Luckily, my cousin managed to fix whatever issues it had.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WeZZ62dc814/Wkkr-MN0MaI/AAAAAAAAh1c/DDOa2w5ykYEZA20zTz8JQgZC57u9GZD6QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Valletta%2BChristmas%2Blights%2B%252833%2529%255B3%255D"><img width="595" height="451" title="Valletta Christmas lights (33)" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Valletta Christmas lights (33)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2SqWKLedotA/Wkkr_G0GBdI/AAAAAAAAh1g/2Hj01kjrHSomrWveYHX6lU9h3jl2nP8QgCHMYCw/Valletta%2BChristmas%2Blights%2B%252833%2529_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">And so, we come to my ‘momentous’ announcement. I have decided to stop updating this blog and start a new one called Sincerely, Loree. The URL for this blog is new too. So those of you who would like to subscribe or follow along, please go to:</p><p align="justify"><a href="http://www.sincerelyloree.blogspot.com">www.sincerelyloree.blogspot.com</a> (www(dot)sincerelyloree(dot)blogspot(dot)com)</p><p align="justify">The final layout is still not completely finalised so please have patience with me if you come across some strange things while I tweak the template.</p><p align="justify">I will dedicate my first entry (I hate calling them posts) on my new blog to why I felt that this change was required. My main hope is that I will really get back into the blogging groove. I have read up about blogging quite a bit and my aim is to write about subjects in a more realistic and informative manner, without forsaking a touch of whimsy every now and then.</p><p align="justify"><font size="4">And finally …</font></p><p align="justify">My best nine on Instagram</p><p align="justify">Since it is the end of the year, I want to share my best 9 on Instagram, as I feel that these photos usually bring back some wonderful memories. This year all the photos were from Malta. Five of them were taken during our forays onto the island’s coast but the other four are very close to home.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--cRyfKXyFEQ/WkksAH_2KDI/AAAAAAAAh1k/K1wSNg-qN4YlgzgmR3UaStRh467j1UetgCHMYCw/s1600-h/storiesandscribbles_full%255B2%255D"><img width="595" height="739" title="storiesandscribbles_full" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="storiesandscribbles_full" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ec1G4eMc9Qc/WkksBZMsz0I/AAAAAAAAh1o/ap9WE5fYjCQ-g9rZpz_4CXo02sDLbUBTwCHMYCw/storiesandscribbles_full_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">From top to bottom, left to right, they are: the cliffs at Fomm ir-Rih, the view from the balcony at the back of our house, the geological formations at the bay in Fomm ir-Rih, a pair of colourful doors in the neighbouring town of Rabat, red balconies in Valletta, Crown Daisies at Fomm ir-Rih, looking down from the cliffs at Ghar Lapsi, poppies in a field in front of my parents’ house, and Kalanka Bay.</p><p align="justify">I sincerely thank those of you who take the time to like or comment on my photos. Anybody that would like to find me on Instagram may click <a href="https://www.instagram.com/storiesandscribbles/?hl=en" target="_blank">here</a>. incidentally, as from tomorrow, my user name on Instagram will change to Sincerelyloree. The URL will remain the same,</p><p align="justify">Dear Readers, I would like to wish you and your families a wonderful year. May 2018 be kinder to people everywhere. and may we all do our little part to make it more joyful to those around us.</p>Loreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520908604580765632noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411459508557383279.post-83192276425407329912017-12-21T21:09:00.001+01:002017-12-21T21:09:17.527+01:00The most wonderful time of the year<p align="justify">Christmas is here once again and, as it does every year, it brings with it hope of peace, joy and good things. In these two short weeks before the year is born anew, I find myself living in a self-created bubble of optimism – as if the beauty we create within our homes and our towns, and the hundreds of twinkling lights that shine out of our windows can somehow make their way into the world and into the hearts of men and women. Beauty and light. We need more of them in our lives. May we each do our utmost to spread them far and wide.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nrAjUyCljEQ/WjwU2XvYVQI/AAAAAAAAhzg/LBHqytayTFw3fRLtTfo6rQ3oLvkua824ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Natalis%2BNotabilis%2B%252823%2529%255B7%255D"><img width="595" height="451" title="Natalis Notabilis (23)" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Natalis Notabilis (23)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S6TU2Ukgjeo/WjwU3k5jjwI/AAAAAAAAhzk/WS_mhHtDdgMlyhKfjz4AFbtj_d3rBCBxgCHMYCw/Natalis%2BNotabilis%2B%252823%2529_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">I was planning on writing a totally different and much longer post than this, but the preparations for Christmas, the baking, the cleaning, the decorating, the shopping, the wrapping, took much more time than I expected – even though I had promised myself that this year would be different; that this Christmas season I would be organised. But, once again, it looks like everything will be done in the nick of time, leaving me frazzled and breathless. But I will have a week off to recuperate. Then January will be upon us and it always seems a bit dreary and drab after all the glitz and glitter that Christmas brings with it.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BujI4611C7U/WjwU4gzC2vI/AAAAAAAAhzo/j6qMFDehXI8wGAqNnxxB-TbzAqiYoNhlgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Natalis%2BNotabilis%2B%252829%2529%255B7%255D"><img width="595" height="451" title="Natalis Notabilis (29)" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Natalis Notabilis (29)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RWpYQMqLcPM/WjwU5mqvBjI/AAAAAAAAhzs/0QcEaZOdE2E5fcCLJ-utX-mNHFiTG04GgCHMYCw/Natalis%2BNotabilis%2B%252829%2529_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">But for now we’re counting down the days to the most magical day of the year. I wish you all good things, wonderful moments, a dash of glitter and a soupcon of sparkle..</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jjdvwm0lyhY/WjwU6RafhnI/AAAAAAAAhzw/u_fcvCHqQo0TBNde82K9B4NHOBpE0fz5gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Natalis%2BNotabilis%2B%252811%2529%255B7%255D"><img width="595" height="451" title="Natalis Notabilis (11)" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Natalis Notabilis (11)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w4NQAim9JL8/WjwU7MJf_rI/AAAAAAAAhz0/TJ6ye-KJ1J0jRyUYCMZFgTFzdR1XpKirgCHMYCw/Natalis%2BNotabilis%2B%252811%2529_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><font size="5"><em>Merry Christmas to you all.</em></font></p><p align="center"><font size="2">All photos were taken during the Natalis Notabilis Christmas market in Rabat, December 2017</font></p><p align="justify"></p>Loreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520908604580765632noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411459508557383279.post-66235751644876836622017-11-29T21:29:00.001+01:002017-11-29T21:29:31.784+01:00Penhaligon’s Lothair: My new favourite scent<p align="justify">I’ve been on the hunt for a new scent for close to a year, trying different fragrances every time I entered a perfumery. But although most of them smelt nice, they either did not last long enough on me or the scent lacked that something special that I was seeking.</p><p align="justify">Then, last Saturday, almost as an afterthought, I tried Penhaligon’s Lothair. The initial whiff was a bit fruity, nice but not too memorable, I thought. Two hours later the scent had evolved into something more earthy, reminiscent of fragrant, exotic woods. And that is what made me decide to buy it. That rather mysterious, seductive, almost powdery, base note.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RmaPp_oA3A8/Wh8YpgF5u9I/AAAAAAAAhuI/LKDuF91JKUkZ913rg23gKKe-8p8VSSw_ACHMYCw/s1600-h/IMG_20171128_175313%255B3%255D"><img width="595" height="787" title="IMG_20171128_175313" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="IMG_20171128_175313" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xn5pbCdY9Ys/Wh8YqphKSFI/AAAAAAAAhuM/Ks7Pk6M-ecchIdDG0Aht91Hi6hzsrbPiACHMYCw/IMG_20171128_175313_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">The nose behind Lothair is Bertrand Duchaufour and, in the company’s own words, it is:</p><p align="center"><font face="Segoe Print" size="4">“Inspired by the famous Tea Clipper Ships that navigated the globe to bring exotic wares to British shores, Lothair opens with the salty tang of grapefruit and juniper, and a brilliant green sensation from fig leaf. The smoky heart of black tea is softened by fig milk and magnolia, sailing into an ambergris, cedar and wenge woods base, reminiscent of the varnished decks of these elegant ships.”</font></p><p align="justify">I first heard of Penhaligon’s Perfume House on Travel Channel’s <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqcOWYyJkg8"><em>‘Jenny’s Streets of London’</em></a> and soon after I visited their store in Covent Garden, where I was drawn in by the enticing scents that wafted out of their open door. Penhaligon’s was established in 1870 by William Penhaligon in a store on Jermyn Street. The shop was destroyed during the war but the fragrances endured. Penhaligon’s has been granted two Royal Warrants: one by the Duke of Edinburgh and the other by the late Diana, Princess of Wales. It’s nice to learn that I share my perfumer with royalty.</p><p align="justify">Related links:</p><p align="justify">- <a href="https://www.fragrantica.com/designers/Penhaligon%60s.html">Penhaligon’s: A Short History</a></p><p align="justify">- <a href="https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Penhaligon-s/Lothair-27039.html">Lothair reviews</a></p>Loreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520908604580765632noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411459508557383279.post-9220790466916198122017-11-22T22:36:00.001+01:002017-11-22T22:36:47.797+01:00November days<p align="justify">I want to start off by thanking all those of you who left a comment on my last post. I didn’t reply to each of you individually but just left a general comment to express my gratitude. A month has passed since Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination and, to date, we have no answers. Not even one single suspect, if any exists, has been questioned by the police. The silence is deafening. Frighteningly so. And yet, life goes on for the living and November has all but flown by. Lots of people here love to hate this month because it brings with it shorter days and cooler weather and also because, in the not too distant past, it was dedicated to the dead.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rP8AD7Juw0Q/WhXt0f0GK8I/AAAAAAAAhqY/eMfHcYe6hfIGBhlVlCbYiA0ifSzp5TR2gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Nov%2B2003%2B-%2Bautumn%2B003%2B%25282%2529%255B14%255D"><img width="595" height="787" title="Autumn colours" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Autumn colours" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QUdJwUg4okw/WhXt1TTBOKI/AAAAAAAAhqc/WKmlXZ9wE_gI8BS_TjdnROsHndLsjlbSgCHMYCw/Nov%2B2003%2B-%2Bautumn%2B003%2B%25282%2529_thumb%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">I look at November as a month of transition: from autumn to winter and, personally, I enjoy its anticipatory feel. Some Christmas lights have already gone up in places, even in our neighbourhood, and I am looking forward to decorating the house, baking cookies and other naughty treats, lighting candles and making home-made mulled wine, while dreaming about Vienna. Because Vienna is absolutely magical and breath-taking at this time of year and it smells of roasting chestnuts and gluhwein and spice and all things nice.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_2YK-icqObs/WhXt3H0_IVI/AAAAAAAAhqg/fuhlhn3zo_syC3kyFmVWiqMr5FyBlELtwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Nov%2B2003%2B-%2Bautumn%2B003%2B%25283%2529%255B12%255D"><img width="595" height="787" title="Autumn colours" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Autumn colours" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MiAXXA-POwo/WhXt31wCIAI/AAAAAAAAhqk/HP0n2XCIL5g5sjF6pow5GM6fS1nd5MZLACHMYCw/Nov%2B2003%2B-%2Bautumn%2B003%2B%25283%2529_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">But back to the present and back to reality. Because before Christmas there is Thanksgiving and, even though it it not a holiday in Malta, in this house it is celebrated. So I’ll be making some lists, doing some shopping and remembering all the people and things that I am so thankful for. It’s not easy, sometimes when so much of the world seems shrouded in darkness. to sit back and reflect on all that is good and beautiful and wholesome, But we have to do it. For the sake of our sanity and for our children, we have to let go of all that’s ugly and rotten and, instead, give thanks for our multitude of blessings and look with hope towards the future..</p><p align="center"><font size="5"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PAo_G3QdAYI/WhXt4v32NvI/AAAAAAAAhqo/uKRLzqfZhp8C8Z1BbhYZNfKMPt9Vbp01gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Nov%2B2003%2B-%2Bautumn%2B003%2B%25285%2529%255B16%255D"><img width="595" height="787" title="Nov 2003 - autumn 003 (5)" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Nov 2003 - autumn 003 (5)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5TNPPLcaL-s/WhXt7n0Lk0I/AAAAAAAAhqs/3m1S3HhiVM8LSks882h6r7VPYgRO-5kmgCHMYCw/Nov%2B2003%2B-%2Bautumn%2B003%2B%25285%2529_thumb%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="center"><font size="5">Happy Thanksgiving</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3">These photos were taken a long time ago (in 2003) when we lived in the US and I experienced my only Thanksgiving in America.</font></p><p align="center"></p>Loreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520908604580765632noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411459508557383279.post-5005165082650096012017-10-30T22:38:00.001+01:002017-10-30T22:38:26.724+01:00Dear Daphne<p align="justify">It’s already been two weeks since the cowards blew you up in your car and a part of me still does not want to accept the fact that you are gone forever. You’ve left a void that no one can fill because nobody has your inimitable style or your courage, We all thought you were invincible – one lone woman reporting and writing on an almost daily basis about all that is rotten in our society and our country, about the rampant corruption and the criminality that has infiltrated our institutions. The very institutions that should be there to protect us, but which are now turning not one, but two blind eyes at all that is taking place just beneath the thin veneer of respectability that still remains. You were one lone voice in the wilderness and we let you soldier on by yourself because it’s always convenient to have someone else fight our battles. Or maybe it’s because we never fully understood the implications of all that you revealed.</p><p align="justify">Whatever it was, we are all guilty of your death. Because of our collective complacency, our infamous Mediterranean apathy and laid-back attitude, our lack of discipline, our culture of silence and omerta’, our xenophobia, our unwillingness to educate ourselves about the Constitution of our country, our acceptance of so much that is unacceptable within our government, our judiciary and our police force, as long as it didn’t affect us directly. But now it seems as if your horrendous assassination has woken some of us out of our stupor. Journalists seem to be finding their voice again and, the Sunday after you were so brutally murdered, thousands marched in protest for justice to be done on your behalf. Your assassination has been reported in some of the world’s most influential newspapers and websites like <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/21/world/europe/malta-daphne-caruana-galizia.html">The New York Times</a>, <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-malta-journalist-killed-20171029-story.html">The Chicago Tribune,</a> <a href="https://www.politico.eu/list/politico-28-class-of-2017-ranking/daphne-caruana-galizia/">Politico</a>, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41637730">BBC News</a> and many, many others. Journalists have held vigils in your memory here in Malta, in London, Rome and Brussels, and the European Parliament has named its press room after you. While your killers sought to silence you, the world is making sure that you, and all you stood for, will never be forgotten. In their annihilation of your physical body they have given credence to all that you have been revealing, especially during the past two years. We all know that whoever did this did not do it because you mocked their fashion sense or because you called them out for parking on a double yellow line, but because of far more serious accusations. Like the cowards they are they thought that they could make everything you wrote die with you but I think they ignited more than the bomb that killed you, something they had not bargained for and could not foresee.. They’ve ignited little sparks of courage and indignation in many people that, if fanned properly, will blaze into a fire that will ensure that we will see the changes that many of us know are necessary for this country to regain a semblance of normality. At face value, it does appear to be normal, but you knew better and paid for it with your life.</p><p align="justify">Were you a saint? No, definitely not. You were human, like the rest of us and, like us I am sure you made mistakes. Figuratively speaking, you stepped on a lot of toes and managed to offend many, because the truth hurts, and too many people could not stand seeing their heroes knocked off the pedestals they themselves had placed them on. So they started calling you vindictive, a witch even. They would not mention you by name, called you ‘the hate blogger’, vilified and harassed you, calling your articles fake news, and had internet trolls hound you on a daily basis. They fanned the flames of hate so well that somebody thought nothing of placing a bomb under your car and detonating it just a few metres down the road from your home. The message is clear: they want to scare and intimidate us into silence. It’s hard to believe this has happened in Europe, in 2017, in a supposedly democratic and sovereign member state of the European Union. And, of course, the powers-that-be in this country are continuing their campaign of discrediting and dehumanising you even in death, not openly, of course, but for those of us that can cut through the rhetoric, the message is very clear: you had it coming, is what they’re saying, because you had the impudence to uncover their sordid secrets; because their concept of free-speech does not extend to those that hold them to account. They are treating us worse than Marie Antoinette ever treated the French peasants yet, unfortunately, there are many amongst us who are content to eat cake, crumbs even, while the heads of the innocent roll in the dust of Maltese soil and any thought of revolution is blown away by sultry Mediterranean winds.</p><p align="center">******************</p><p align="justify"><img align="left" style="margin: 0px 20px 0px 0px; float: left; display: inline;" alt="Daphne caruana galizia.jpg" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/bb/Daphne_caruana_galizia.jpg/220px-Daphne_caruana_galizia.jpg">This post is written in memory of Daphne Caruana Galizia, a journalist and Malta’s most influential blogger. She was a columnist for The Malta Independent and editor of Taste & Flair Magazine.. It was not uncommon for her blog <a href="https://daphnecaruanagalizia.com/">Running Commentary</a> to receive 400 000 hits in one day. Daphne was assassinated on Monday, October 16 2017. She was 53 years old. </p>Loreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520908604580765632noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411459508557383279.post-36002381087203894382017-09-14T22:38:00.001+02:002017-09-14T22:38:42.671+02:00Snapshots of Florida<p align="justify">What struck me most about Florida was the heat – the humid, all-encompassing humid heat that embraces you as soon as you step outside and drives you half insane. As a friend of ours remarked, it’s almost as if there is no ozone in the atmosphere. But aside from the heat, I was surprised at how lush and varied the vegetation is. In my mind, intense heat goes hand in hand with months of drought and a dry landscape. But then, I didn’t know about the rain.</p><p align="justify">We stayed in Florida for almost four full days and did the things that tourists do. We spent our first afternoon in <a href="https://www.disneysprings.com/?CMP=KNC-FY17_WDW_ACT_FLR_DisneySprings%7CBR%7CG%7C4171591.DD.AM.01.01&keyword_id=kwd-719770443%7Cdc%7Cdisney%20springs%7C216028280050%7Ce%7C5064%3A3%7C&s_kwcid=AL%215064%213%21216028280050%21e%21%21%21%21disney%20springs&ef_id=WZkgSgAABTrwHfYD%3A20170914192541%3As">Disney Springs</a> (formerly Downtown Disney), an eclectic mix of shops, restaurants and entertainment venues. My son and husband had a grand old time at the <a href="http://www.orlandoharley.com/map-and-directions--xhours-downtown-disney">Harley Davidson</a> merchandise store – especially since they got to pose with all the bikes on display, while I spent a wonderful hour at <a href="https://www.anthropologie.com/">Anthropologie</a>; and we all agreed that <a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/blog/2015/12/chocoholics-unite-at-disney-springs-ganachery.html">The Ganachery</a> was a chocoholics heaven. We were seriously thinking of going for a ride in the Characters in Flight tethered helium balloon that soars to 400 feet but, due to a thunderstorm warning, all rides were cancelled, and, sure enough, it wasn’t long before the rain started to pour. We soon learnt that torrential downpours are part and parcel of daily life in Florida. No wonder the place is so green.</p><p align="justify">Our first full day was spent at <a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/hollywood-studios/">Disney’s Hollywood Studios</a> where we mostly passed the time chasing characters from the <a href="http://www.starwars.com/">Star Wars</a> movies to the extent of waiting in line for 45 minutes to take a photo with Chewbacca (I learnt that he’s the tall, hairy guy). But thankfully, we queued indoors where it was nice and cool. The most memorable and terrifying ride was the <a href="http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/mgm/st-tower.htm">Tower of Terror</a> and the one I enjoyed most (because it was a staid ride in an open vehicle) was The Great Movie Ride which has since closed down. I opted out of the <a href="http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Rock_%27n%27_Roller_Coaster_Starring_Aerosmith">Rock ’n Roller Coaster</a> and was pleasantly entertained by two street performers in their 1920s costumes who soon had the crowd gathered round them in fits of giggles. Although we would have loved to stay for the fireworks show, we had friends to visit and left soon after seeing the Storm Troopers perform their final march for the day.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1db194jMOH8/WbrovStxReI/AAAAAAAAhcY/K0vn9acYPsYS_TYw2OOCM2CSrk1VgqGYACHMYCw/s1600-h/collage%2B2%255B2%255D"><img width="595" height="595" title="collage 2" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="collage 2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aeucB3nbvK8/WbrowmiJYdI/AAAAAAAAhcc/wrINnS-5UN4npGnoxxWNAgG0V2--OLjFQCHMYCw/collage%2B2_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">The next day we drove to <a href="https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/?gclid=Cj0KEQjw0ejNBRCY4bDb7unioqkBEiQAIQGEM9ZkHx-PHVVnXXOmtL5vIkjjBJDAHQ_mwEHOmcr_x_8aAjKd8P8HAQ">Kennedy Space Center</a> which is about an hour away from Orlando. Space enthusiasts have plenty to see and learn here and even though rockets and spacecraft are not quite my thing, I was still thrilled to learn more about the Moon landings and <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/features/nasa-knows/what-was-the-saturn-v-58.html">Saturn V</a>, the gargantuan rocket (111m long) that propelled Mankind to Earth’s closest neighbour. The space shuttle Atlantis is another jaw-dropping exhibit at Kennedy Space Center. I was especially moved by the memorial to the crews of the Challenger (lost in 1986) and the Columbia (lost in 2003) tragedies. A guided tour bus took us ‘Behind the Gates’ to the launch pads at Cape Canaveral. We got to see the cavernous building that houses the spacecraft and learnt how special, gigantic vehicles called crawlers transport the rockets to the launch pads. We stayed till closing time and were disappointed that we did not have time to see and experience everything, especially the <a href="https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/explore-attractions/shuttle-a-ship-like-no-other/shuttle-launch-experience">Shuttle Launch Experience.</a> which simulates the shuttles’ eight-and-a-half minute ascent into orbit. We arrived in Orlando just in time for a tornado warning that came complete with thunder, lightning and a downpour that lasted close to an hour.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VYi1Vt6KusU/WbroxVIIGNI/AAAAAAAAhcg/zll-7Mld7K48BiD1RMmuO7EjVf9hVPIJwCHMYCw/s1600-h/collage-47"><img width="595" height="595" title="collage 4" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="collage 4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z_Q2BkmshU4/Wbroyt22IaI/AAAAAAAAhck/c8XmpNfMwogygmVNtWij7OwtTFwbJp_HwCHMYCw/collage-4_thumb2?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">On our last day we drove back to Cape Canaveral to visit friends and swim in the Atlantic – it was the first time that I swam in an ocean and not in a sea. The water was surprisingly warm but the swell was a force to be reckoned with. The beach we were on stretched for miles, the sand had an unusual mud-like quality to it and there was a wonderful breeze. I was loathe to leave but black clouds loomed on the horizon and before too long we were driving in an infernal storm that satisfied my longing for rain for a while.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vCcAZl_hNp8/Wbrozc5wlRI/AAAAAAAAhco/JdHhacOsrCwIA0kdlyS9dvLBEMquaksLACHMYCw/s1600-h/collage%2B5%255B3%255D"><img width="595" height="595" title="collage 5" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="collage 5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9CtPHDA5OjM/Wbro0HVuxzI/AAAAAAAAhcs/hxIMVQ3bN7YY1wT1wH-xXZxDriOoGJWJQCHMYCw/collage%2B5_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Our trip to Florida was vastly different to the things we see and places that we usually visit when we travel. It was more about fun, friends and, well, thunderstorms. I am glad I got to experience it and cross another State off my bucket list: 11 down, 39 to go.</p>Loreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520908604580765632noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411459508557383279.post-8766680658563638352017-08-24T21:10:00.001+02:002017-08-24T21:10:17.819+02:00Hannibal: Attractions in America’s home-town<p align="justify">This was not my first visit to Hannibal. Since it is only about 45 minutes away from where my in-laws live, this was probably my fifth visit – I’m starting to lose count.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WMBV2UjrPJQ/WZ8kMUlKjzI/AAAAAAAAhSI/SdjkucIWXI0qq-d40DNBx2C8m8CzJlZzQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Jul-019%255B3%255D"><img width="595" height="451" title="Hannibal, MO" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Hannibal, MO" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Mu8K8TiHnZE/WZ8kNEtL-DI/AAAAAAAAhSM/t-NcCSix7rQ7vOmI61nrdp9DOLrzRto7QCHMYCw/Jul-019_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Hannibal was founded in 1815 and, strangely enough, was named after the famous Carthaginian leader who fought the Romans during the second Punic War (218-201 BC). He was the one who marched elephants across the Alps in a desperate attempt to conquer Rome.. He failed; but I am sure he would be happy to know that he has not been forgotten and has lent his name to a little town on the banks of the Mississippi – a far cry from Rome, but such is the irony of history. The place where Hannibal is located was long occupied by various indigenous Native American tribes. In the mid-1800s it became an important trading post due to its proximity to the river. Nowadays, it is mainly remembered for being the boyhood home of writer Mark Twain, who used Hannibal and its surroundings as inspiration for two of his most famous novels: <em>Tom Sawyer</em> and <em>Huckleberry Finn..</em></p><p align="justify"><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-za5jS8XtK5k/WZ8kOXs1kvI/AAAAAAAAhSQ/2Xe-czMY0sYrpyMvQAysdwpttKBVrZEtQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Jul-18%2B%25283%2529%255B3%255D"><img width="595" height="451" title="Hannibal, MO" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Hannibal, MO" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wJDyJeD86d8/WZ8kPKoxD1I/AAAAAAAAhSU/3wLQGgXI0gkpxE5dSlKdZnx5d_4iRC4HgCHMYCw/Jul-18%2B%25283%2529_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></p><p align="justify"><font size="4"><strong>Things to do in Hannibal</strong></font></p><ul><li><div align="justify"><strong><font size="4">Take a stroll in the downtown area</font></strong></div></li></ul><p align="justify"><font size="3">The most picturesque part of Hannibal is undoubtedly N Main Street which is lined with colourful store-fronts – some of them dating back to the 1900s although, back in the day, the colours would probably have been more muted. The businesses are quite varied in nature and include art galleries; stores selling vintage and antique items, jewellery, chocolate, souvenirs and quirky collectibles; boutiques and restaurants. </font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K_gSJ8cAC68/WZ8kQGif9nI/AAAAAAAAhSY/TAqRNBoU2mwLDYKcKoHZzsql6xjnOF9rQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Jul-18%2B%25281%2529%255B3%255D"><img width="595" height="451" title="Jul-18 (1)" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Jul-18 (1)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8GXXT_e478I/WZ8kRNEyJXI/AAAAAAAAhSc/Lh0gh_QS2kg-aBRDQ8FMHoS8s5v7HPO1gCHMYCw/Jul-18%2B%25281%2529_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3">My personal favourites are:</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3">- <a href="http://www.nativeamericantrading.com/">The Native American Trading Company</a> which specialises in Native American arts, crafts and jewellery. </font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3">- <a href="http://www.allianceartgallery.com/">The Alliance Art Gallery</a> that features the work of member and guest artists. My husband was lucky enough to be the featured guest artist in December 2011, when he exhibited a number of paintings inspired by the Mediterranean. Member artists include, amongst others, Missouri native Kimberly Shinn, Hannibalian photographer Connie Stephens, potter Ron Cook and fibre artist Bella Erakko.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3">- <a href="https://javajive.coffee/">Java Jive Coffee Shop and Deli</a> that is located in the most colourful building on the street. It is impossible to miss the eye-catching combination of the yellow and turquoise facade, with touches of fuchsia. We always stop at the Java Jive whenever we are in town. We love the friendly, relaxed and cozy atmosphere of this coffee shop and I have to commend the staff for their excellent customer service as they replaced my Italian soda free of charge after I spilt it all over my toes. The Java Jive also doubles as a gift shop. Apart from souvenir t-shirts and coffee mugs, a selection of pottery by Steve Ayers and paintings by Brenda Beck-Fisher are for sale.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2RK4FVT_fxA/WZ8kSLPZB6I/AAAAAAAAhSg/pcYuVKOEfwgUPGtkfmlhtEy9MKtqsSVfwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Jul-18%2B%252813%2529%255B3%255D"><img width="595" height="451" title="Java Jive, Hannibal MO" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Java Jive, Hannibal MO" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lovZUJBEQcM/WZ8kS9_2LpI/AAAAAAAAhSk/8ZoZv_WkWyAibyF_tG46h33KoBCLvbXIgCHMYCw/Jul-18%2B%252813%2529_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--FbmRTVS5HY/WZ8kT75nY8I/AAAAAAAAhSo/oIObZ8p2MScfeb4NPEkcqQwmnuNxL1wuwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Jul-18%2B%252814%2529%255B4%255D"><img width="595" height="787" title="Jul-18 (14)" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Jul-18 (14)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8uBmP4q6hY8/WZ8kUu7YSKI/AAAAAAAAhSs/pWoutkU_30o-3vG-Mjt5NfNqAHy8nEQKwCHMYCw/Jul-18%2B%252814%2529_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></font></p><ul><li><div align="justify"><font size="4"><strong>Get to know Mark Twain at the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum</strong></font></div></li></ul><p align="justify"><font size="3">The boyhood home is one of nine properties that make up the <a href="https://www.marktwainmuseum.org/">Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum</a> complex. The two-storey boyhood home is surrounded by the now legendary white-washed fence of Tom Sawyer.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6sBVPLmJXBk/WZ8kVz5zUtI/AAAAAAAAhSw/cjcjZ7_UiN4sqwTposnsOOBV0Rq3pWL7QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Hannibal%252C%2BMO%2B%252811%2529%255B13%255D"><img width="595" height="451" title="Mark Twain Boyhood Home, Hannibal, MO" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Mark Twain Boyhood Home, Hannibal, MO" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7gGjAJs9ZO4/WZ8kW2AmT2I/AAAAAAAAhS0/4gdc_1-Sdq4OIwJMyTc_yPmxCvEvmeLVACHMYCw/Hannibal%252C%2BMO%2B%252811%2529_thumb%255B10%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3">The museum has a collection of many first editions by Mark Twain, family photographs and numerous personal items. The museum also houses the second largest collection of <a href="https://www.nrm.org/about/about-2/about-norman-rockwell/">Norman Rockwell</a> paintings that were commissioned as illustrations for a special edition of <em>The Adventures of Tom Sawyer</em> and <em>The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. </em>Also on display are 54 original pen and drink drawings by <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Daniel-Beard">Dan Beard</a> who was selected by Mark Twain to illustrate <em>A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court</em>. From time to time the museum also hosts touring exhibits.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pPfV86Or5yc/WZ8kX1qebZI/AAAAAAAAhS4/37QFrneWbhAsLK7RJsmqj5qcvqU00s-VQCHMYCw/s1600-h/USA%2B-%2BDecember%2B2011%2B041%255B4%255D"><img width="595" height="787" title="Mark Twain Museum, Hannibal, MO" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Mark Twain Museum, Hannibal, MO" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V3eCMbvXbqI/WZ8kYuWjJjI/AAAAAAAAhS8/SDl1nKOWwDkVvLQxNXNbrLFJ-CBaiRb9gCHMYCw/USA%2B-%2BDecember%2B2011%2B041_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3">Currently, actor Jim Waddell, as Mark Twain,, is recounting the the childhood experiences that led to the creation of Tom Sawyer. Performances take place every Thursday in August and September at 4pm in the Mark Twain Museum Gallery auditorium. A frequently updated list of activities may be found <a href="https://www.marktwainmuseum.org/calendar/">here</a>.</font></p><ul><li><div align="justify"><font size="4"><strong>Ride the trolley</strong></font></div></li></ul><p align="justify"><font size="3"><a href="https://www.visithannibal.com/attractions/tours-and-sightseeing/hannibal-trolley-company-sightseeing-tours/">Trolley rides</a> are always fun no matter where they are and the trolley ride in Hannibal is no exception. The narrated tour covers 14 miles, with stops at Sawyer’s Creek, Rockville Mansion, Mark Twain Cave and downtown Hannibal. The trolley ride is always one of my favourite things to do while visiting Hannibal especially since each of the tour guides, who are generally the trolley drivers, narrate the history of the town and its attractions in his or her own inimitable style – so it never gets boring.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TubhB62gIoM/WZ8kaEdiNbI/AAAAAAAAhTA/2tS7jVJRN88IjS9M4WqGYqMFBClj8KD3gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Jul-18%2B%252810%2529%255B3%255D"><img width="595" height="358" title="Hannibal, MO" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Hannibal, MO" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ekv5Ey6ldwE/WZ8kbEx5veI/AAAAAAAAhTE/bqE2MvM6oLI1FTbNB5i9IQIHXOm9c675wCHMYCw/Jul-18%2B%252810%2529_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></font></p><ul><li><div align="justify"><font size="4"><strong>Visit Rockcliffe Mansion</strong></font></div></li></ul><p align="justify"><font size="3"><a href="https://www.rockcliffemansion.com/">Rockcliffe Mansion</a> is a Victorian edifice in the Georgian Revival style. It is situated high on a limestone bluff overlooking downtown Hannibal and the Mississippi. Visitors may tour the building and the gardens are open to the public. Alternatively, anyone wishing to experience a glimpse life in a Victorian mansion may <a href="https://www.rockcliffemansion.com/b-b--policies---amenities.html">book accommodation</a> in this boutique hotel for a few nights.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h_uliTcG_F0/WZ8kcGrL_DI/AAAAAAAAhTI/prv8nlKl2jYuX5kDL3sBQaHTel1hlaXGwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Hannibal%252C%2BMO%2B%252858%2529%255B3%255D"><img width="595" height="451" title="Rockcliffe Mansion, Hannibal, MO" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Rockcliffe Mansion, Hannibal, MO" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ALcf5CxYtfw/WZ8kdEJugoI/AAAAAAAAhTM/fwRYinJ4CP8XhiRET71mho4FlwQXR89dQCHMYCw/Hannibal%252C%2BMO%2B%252858%2529_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></font></p><ul><li><div align="justify"><font size="4"><strong>Admire the view from Lover’s Leap</strong></font></div></li></ul><p align="justify"><font size="3">A perfunctory search on the Web will reveal that Hannibal is not the only town on a river that boasts of a place called Lover’s Leap. The Hannibal legend was started by a certain Arthur O. Garrison who claimed to have obtained the details from ancient inscriptions. Not much else is known about Garrison. According to his story, a brave warrior loved by a maiden named Altala, was killed during a battle on the river. When Altala, who was watching the battle from the top of a high cliff, saw him fall, she leaped over the edge and into the river. You may find the full story <a href="http://www.hannibal.net/article/20111119/NEWS/311199980">here</a></font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qYCVl3LLAak/WZ8keHaTdVI/AAAAAAAAhTQ/4ldj17sC52oThqQns_PxSD_t-R3zlYRQgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Hannibal%252C%2BMO%2B%252874%2529%255B3%255D"><img width="595" height="451" title="Lover's Leap, Hannibal, MO" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Lover's Leap, Hannibal, MO" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RAritHJocdQ/WZ8kfI07VsI/AAAAAAAAhTU/pVpTjDJIdkYvzjkvDI8cufgwa6fkoFsJACHMYCw/Hannibal%252C%2BMO%2B%252874%2529_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3">Similar stores abound in places where there is a cliff overlooking a river (there are 8 in Missouri alone) and the veracity of these tales has never been established. Most people will shrug their shoulders and move on but I prefer to believe there is some truth in this legend – it’s the only way to explain it’s popularity and longevity. </font></p><ul><li><div align="justify"><font size="4"><strong>Tour Mark Twain cave</strong></font></div></li></ul><p align="justify"><font size="3">The cave is located about 1 mile south of Hannibal and it rather unique in that it consists of a number of winding passages that spread over 6.5 miles. Originally named McDowell’s cave, it plays an important role in <em>The Adventures of Tom Sawyer</em> as ‘McDougal’s Cave’. <a href="http://www.marktwaincave.com/">Mark Twain cave</a> was discovered in 1819 by a local hunter named Jack Simms. Guided tours of the cave take around 55 minutes. It is open year round.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1zUhVWXv6fs/WZ8kgOA56vI/AAAAAAAAhTY/DdzNc2SP1qgpaGNP60NNu0TGRX98XRfGwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Mark%2BTwain%2BCave%2BApril%2B04%2B%252816%2529%255B3%255D"><img width="595" height="451" title="Mark Twain Cave, MO" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Mark Twain Cave, MO" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xtAF0CwX-2w/WZ8khPHFUJI/AAAAAAAAhTc/q_MNvY-uDIQpibgSMK6LBBhPQ6cEhp1aQCHMYCw/Mark%2BTwain%2BCave%2BApril%2B04%2B%252816%2529_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></font></p><ul><li><div align="justify"><font size="4"><strong>Other places of interest</strong></font></div></li></ul><p align="justify"><font size="3"><strong>- <a href="http://www.premierexhibitions.com/exhibitions/3/3/titanic-artifact-exhibition/blog/titanic-survivor-stories-margaret-molly-brown">Molly Brown</a></strong> (the ‘unsinkable Molly Brown’ of Titanic fame) Birthplace and Museum</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3">- Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3">- Tom and Huck Statue</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3mqtb-7JIlA/WZ8kieQUFII/AAAAAAAAhTg/zDhpNiF1eugLp_Kb6oFX97XxQXUNpkAQACHMYCw/s1600-h/Hannibal%252C%2BMO%2B%252850%2529%255B3%255D"><img width="595" height="451" title="Hannibal, MO" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Hannibal, MO" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t15F1pNNPVE/WZ8kju9NBeI/AAAAAAAAhTk/UzmDGqLHnYA7cDECY8zq-xsvXLpvoKQpwCHMYCw/Hannibal%252C%2BMO%2B%252850%2529_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3">By American standards, downtown Hannibal is a very small place but, if you are ever in the area, you will definitely find plenty of interesting things to do and I would recommend a visit, even if it is a short one. Summers are hot and clammy in this area of Missouri so a visit during spring or autumn will definitely be more pleasant and I think that, like me, you will enjoy the pleasant, friendly atmosphere of this town.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G_Vq8bD2wQk/WZ8kk3hUjkI/AAAAAAAAhTo/jOjWPCt7c0YXu7bdBlz7ok2a8UXfkq2CQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Jul-18%2B%25288%2529%255B3%255D"><img width="595" height="451" title="Hannibal, MO" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Hannibal, MO" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5xjOftM6qHE/WZ8kmHrwLNI/AAAAAAAAhTs/SstyxapNFG8CunRyPi7e1j4_3VG3NcYaACHMYCw/Jul-18%2B%25288%2529_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></font></p>Loreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520908604580765632noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411459508557383279.post-14962327444742155402017-08-03T22:16:00.001+02:002017-08-03T22:16:55.663+02:00Update<p align="justify">It's been over ten days since we returned from the US. A part of me feels like we've returned from the moon - adjusting to the smallness of Malta is always hard, no matter how many times I go away. But life has to go on and I am more or less back to my normal routine. The word 'normal' however, does not seem to include blogging and other social media. I always struggle with that in summer and this year is no exception. Anyway, back to our trip …</p><p align="justify">For probably the first time since we've been crossing the pond, we arrived in St Louis at the decent hour of 5pm, which meant that it was midnight back home and we had been awake since the ungodly hour of 4am or something like that (by now I'd lost track, but who cares when you're on holiday?). Also for the first time ever, our whole trip went without a hitch and even the Homeland Security guys didn't seem too threatening this time round. This meant that we arrived in St Louis with smiles on our faces and an enormous appetite which we immediately sated at IHOP - an American breakfast in the late evening sounded like a perfectly good idea. We spent the next 4 days in Canton, my husband's hometown in northern Missouri. It's a place of cornfields, farms and the sluggish Mississippi and is perfect for a few days of perfect relaxation. </p><p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2JYfEgj-2pA/WYOEpi20CYI/AAAAAAAAhQ8/fsjGIZcnH5s_voXQZ2jEOa3pIYPKJnAzgCHMYCw/s1600-h/IMGP0067%255B3%255D"><img width="595" height="451" title="IMGP0067" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="IMGP0067" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w64_85z1SP0/WYOEqgxUMvI/AAAAAAAAhRA/qhabGUpCpgIXHgqEYuYKn8snonOY5zrAwCHMYCw/IMGP0067_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">From Canton it was back to St Louis on the 4th of July to fly to Florida. We spent 4 days in Orlando (more about that some other time) and managed to fit quite a bit into our schedule including meeting up with some friends. From Florida we flew back to St Louis for 5 days and then spent the final week in Canton. Some firsts on this trip were an evening at a county fair, a jet-ski ride on the Mississippi, a tour of an old brewery that is being restored, a terrifying theme park ride, an up-close-and-personal look at the Saturn V rocket that propelled mankind to the moon, a swim in the Atlantic and a family photo shoot in a meadow complete with an old barn and some very lovely horses. Most importantly of all we reunited with family and friends (and I made some new ones). </p><p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-au04R2roeGI/WYOErdtt5oI/AAAAAAAAhRE/i2HohPiED2s8aYTaB5zsLAgXVD_p9668wCHMYCw/s1600-h/IMGP0007%255B7%255D"><img width="595" height="451" title="IMGP0007" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="IMGP0007" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JV8oY2rFNpc/WYOEsCMfRAI/AAAAAAAAhRI/9UtnCjOxl-sM2n3srmAXW7BhRVFvT7D4QCHMYCw/IMGP0007_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Today I downloaded my photos and spent some time re-living the memories. Unfortunately, the heat must have addled by brain because I only took about half the amount of photos that I usually do. I will make sure to share some of our 'adventures' in the coming weeks. I hope you are all having a wonderful summer and that it's not infernally hot in your part of the world. I am already looking forward to cooler days and to wearing boots and beanies.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bGxj9qNQuOw/WYOEsrI_eOI/AAAAAAAAhRM/2L9MmKVtTloy9qlxI02p40_zSIdkR7OIQCHMYCw/s1600-h/IMGP0031%255B4%255D"><img width="610" height="440" title="IMGP0031" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="IMGP0031" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qbyPYigh6mA/WYOEtdq9vzI/AAAAAAAAhRQ/LMF3cP2ZbV0G-JrXjye5hjWWmXFCgmTcQCHMYCw/IMGP0031_thumb%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p>Loreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520908604580765632noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411459508557383279.post-86895506394208583502017-06-14T22:30:00.001+02:002017-06-14T22:30:22.713+02:00Searching for answers<p align="justify">I did not mean to go so long between posts but for the past month I have sat at my laptop night after night hoping that, against all odds, I would be flooded with a dose of inspiration. But it hasn't happened yet; and chances are that it will not happen any time soon. It's been a rough month, not just for myself but for the whole country. A lot has happened here and none of it was good. It's a long story, but in an effort to keep it as simple as possible (and also because political discussions are not my forte) I will just say that four years ago the people voted in a new political party. While in government, this party systematically incapacitated the different institutions necessary to ensure separation of power and the proper functioning of democracy. It did this by, to put it prosaically, lining the palms of many with silver - many times over, and placing buddies and 'persons of trust' in positions in which they have no business to be. Evidence was also brought to light that high ranking officials in our government, including the Prime Minister himself, were involved in corrupt practices and money laundering. An election was called, a year early, and the people voted to return these crooks to power. I have been trying to come to terms with this decision. I have been trying to understand why human beings can be so perverse at times. Unfortunately, I am still without answers and I doubt I will ever find them.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DQUHjq3Y9V4/WUGcx6XUiGI/AAAAAAAAhH0/xA1pALe4x7UQeG25a6Om4kGp5JDQgD69wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Ghar%2BLapsi%2B%25287%2529%255B3%255D"><img width="595" height="451" title="Ghar Lapsi (7)" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Ghar Lapsi (7)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kQ6CPJhyunk/WUGczOfEq3I/AAAAAAAAhH4/CKWLXYQDQzopa-VWitZeRfWeg5PsD_ENACHMYCw/Ghar%2BLapsi%2B%25287%2529_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">As many of you know, I can usually be found tightly ensconced in my own little cocoon, surrounded only by the people and things I love; the little world I retreat to in an effort to regenerate myself. I do not usually stray out of it for very long. But, during the past months, I have had to. I have had to stop and take a good, long look at the outside world. And the sight that met my eyes was not pleasant. In some ways, I am still reeling from the shock. I am finding it very hard to get back to my safe cocoon. Truthfully, I don't think I have quite found my way yet and I feel like someone who is in the wilderness - even the gentle buzzing of words in my head has ceased. Instead of my little dream world, inhabited by half-finished stories and jumbles of sentences, I am forced to acknowledge the harsh reality that my fellow countrymen and women have either not understood what is going on or, worse, they have and they just don't care. Either way, I have to revert to who I used to be before this whole debacle turned the world as I knew it, the world where right is right and wrong is wrong, on its head.<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ItkJUoJxd-I/WUGc0ASfKHI/AAAAAAAAhH8/KRZ-kWoL1wUf5RNQSVRjxDlNoDbH3uhNgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Ghar%2BLapsi%2B%25288%2529%255B7%255D"><img width="595" height="451" title="Ghar Lapsi (8)" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Ghar Lapsi (8)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DKUDUXtaeZw/WUGc1Cjhe8I/AAAAAAAAhIA/AdtTagzqKa8yWhgU8qmNtfnnNEEY9zkTACHMYCw/Ghar%2BLapsi%2B%25288%2529_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Maybe I am not being entirely fair but, right now, I feel as if a dark cloud hangs over this small country. Whereas before all this started I sought out the things that made me smile and soothed my soul - the pretty, quirky, quaint things - now I can only see the blemishes and the scars; the potholes in our roads; the rubbish that people leave indiscriminately anywhere and everywhere; the inconsiderate drivers; the general lack of manners. It makes me feel that the island I so loved to write about has changed beyond recognition and I have become a stranger in my own country. It is not a good feeling. But now that I have got all of that off my chest I will try to find my way back home again.<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JRctkc2D-9o/WUGc2RIKREI/AAAAAAAAhIE/4rkbhMfIVdgGhGGniv9fYRWrXCYhXOsUQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Ghar%2BLapsi%2B%252822%2529-001%255B3%255D"><img width="595" height="451" title="Ghar Lapsi (22)-001" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Ghar Lapsi (22)-001" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qMFRpz_bjZI/WUGc3c_2U5I/AAAAAAAAhII/RtUOeAmKqycHCe-wMQ4AFU0d5P4JiNcwwCHMYCw/Ghar%2BLapsi%2B%252822%2529-001_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify"></p>Loreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520908604580765632noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411459508557383279.post-65393953776953286762017-05-11T21:17:00.001+02:002017-05-11T21:17:49.845+02:00Glastonbury Abbey: the legend and the history<p align="justify"><font size="3">Glastonbury Abbey has always been high on my bucket list - not only because of its association with King Arthur but because its destruction was wrought at the hands of King Henry VIII, whose notoriety lives on, centuries after his death. At Glastonbury Abbey I was able to learn more about the Arthurian legend and the tempestuous reign on the Tudors - folklore and history, two of my favourite subjects.</font></p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OE5WJocGa2M/WRS4PubPU4I/AAAAAAAAg-I/PLgu4ROuRSgjYrE-DUj1pJHa0pcYYiqKgCHM/s1600-h/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-323"><img title="07072016 - Glastonbury & Wells (32)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="07072016 - Glastonbury & Wells (32)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xS1-pMgfKKk/WRS4Qu7c8HI/AAAAAAAAg-M/ciDRUjo9zGUdOWa2_-TmZzNDAKlTrWzBACHM/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-32_thu?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a><font size="3"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Courier New">"… among all the greater churches of </font><font size="3" face="Courier New">England</font><font size="3" face="Courier New">, Glastonbury is the only one where we may be content to lay aside the name of </font><font size="3" face="Courier New">England</font><font size="3" face="Courier New"> and fall back on the older name of Britain." Professor Freeman (archeologist)</font></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="justify"><font size="4">The Legend</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">Glastonbury Abbey is purported to be the earliest Christian church in Britain and it is linked to Joseph of Arimathea and also to the burial place of King Arthur and his queen, Guinevere. Joseph, who buried Christ's body in his own tomb after the crucifixion, is said to have travelled to Britain with the Holy Grail (the cup used by Jesus during the Last Supper) and burying it in a secret place in what is now Glastonbury. It is claimed that he also established the first monastery in Glastonbury and built the first wattle church on the site. It was also believed that Joseph was buried somewhere at the abbey.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">In Arthurian legend, on of the adventures of the Knights of the Round Table was the quest for the Holy Grail. In the 12th century, the Abbey was destroyed by fire and, in an effort to raise more money from the pilgrims, the monks spread the tale that they had found the bodies of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere. To this day, a site in the Abbey grounds is marked as their tomb.</font></p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FG2wYn_GPPc/WRS4R-qbINI/AAAAAAAAg-Q/kmjZIFv1dJU4Pc6O-hfTC2afW3wVPNEGgCHM/s1600-h/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-213"><img title="Glastonbury Abbey" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Glastonbury Abbey" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qm9gL9svwvE/WRS4S8NTmEI/AAAAAAAAg-U/ndPmBWOhZogGfwLsxOGQz-he4j3ambzHQCHM/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-21_thu?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">Other legends associate the whole area around the Tor, a hill located a few miles from the town of Glastonbury, with the legendary island of Avalon, the place where King Arthur's sword, Excalibur, was forged and where he was taken to recover from his wounds after his last battle at Camlann.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Courier New">"Now I do not ask you to believe these legends; I do ask you to believe that there was some special cause why legends of this kind should grow, at all events why they should grow in such a shape and in such abundance, round Glastonbury alone of all the great monastic churches of Britain." Professor Freeman (archeologist)</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4">The History</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">The history of Glastonbury Abbey is as long as it is eventful. In an effort to keep it simple I will just mention the most important milestones. The first church on this site was probably built in the 7th century by King Ine (or Ina) of Wessex. The church was enlarged in the 10th century by St Dunstan who later became the Archbishop of Canterbury. Following the Norman conquest of Britain in 1066, skilled Norman craftsmen added magnificent buildings to the existing church. By 1086, Glastonbury Abbey was the richest monastery in the country. The Norman church and monastery were destroyed by fire in 1184 and in 1191 the story about the tomb of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere was circulated. The first structure to be built, in 1184, was the Lady Chapel which was later annexed to Glastonbury Abbey, also known as the Great Church. The Great Church was re-consecrated in 1213 but work on it continued until 1348. Both the Abbey and the Lady Chapel were destroyed in 1539 during Henry VIII's quarrel with the church and the subsequent Dissolution of the Monasteries. It was the last of all the religious houses in Somerset to be destroyed and despoiled of its riches, which passed to the Crown.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3"></font> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7eQVGTrxpvI/WRS4TqW71TI/AAAAAAAAg-Y/xhchWaKsc7Q-3YyE0Lm826qOjMUy60hkwCHM/s1600-h/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-504"><img title="Glastonbury Abbey" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Glastonbury Abbey" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IDH_jYrrCto/WRS4U5OSLHI/AAAAAAAAg-c/PWhQMItLWD8s4UyikBgKLXWoS_IK-H2DQCHM/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-50_thu?imgmax=800" width="595" height="787"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">Artist's impression of what Glastonbury Abbey may have looked like</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4">The Architecture and the Ruins</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">Both the Abbey and the Lady Chapel are in ruins, albeit the Lady Chapel is in a better state. Most of its walls are still standing and one can get a good idea of what the original building must have looked like. The chapel is Romanesque in design and highly decorated. The crypt beneath the chapel, which was dug out in around 1500, is largely intact.</font></p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O-pRqYBj_c0/WRS4Vjhjz8I/AAAAAAAAg-g/87ub8t7H7UIFXfi2ipc_lFpKctEkAxLywCHM/s1600-h/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-877"><img title="The Lady Chapel - Glastonbury" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="The Lady Chapel - Glastonbury" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iBjVb4qon9w/WRS4WXgpPzI/AAAAAAAAg-k/7Rz5h0tYZl424w0JPptllf8f7JWs1u2zACHM/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-87_thu?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6ufnXlQvQRE/WRS4XTo5kQI/AAAAAAAAg-o/9yueErHwv4Y0arlJw66RWL_jlK34ukDhwCHM/s1600-h/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-694"><img title="The Lady Chapel - Glastonbury" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="The Lady Chapel - Glastonbury" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IR3i-PLzzeI/WRS4YlnqJfI/AAAAAAAAg-s/Eu7oGobH4Ck6HCKQ_q35CSNhTwLc8-mwQCHM/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-69_thu?imgmax=800" width="595" height="787"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DwXGimu4-kk/WRS4ZQqp1YI/AAAAAAAAg-w/6Fmsn1HnMm0jctFhH2FBZGRk3Uc9vorUQCHM/s1600-h/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-753"><img title="The Lady Chapel Crypt - Glastonbury" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="The Lady Chapel Crypt - Glastonbury" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6gOXYJNrw0w/WRS4b8NYRxI/AAAAAAAAg-0/vcmoYEA256MqVtV7a7yBWayqN9cP-k4NQCHM/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-75_thu?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ivw3MZcMGjs/WRS4c9EE5pI/AAAAAAAAg-4/gy3eRkXaFsM0LJqFjA-UAorb5gj4AiExQCHM/s1600-h/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-774"><img title="The Lady Chapel - Glastonbury" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="The Lady Chapel - Glastonbury" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d7WydalzEnk/WRS4d3W3clI/AAAAAAAAg-8/103rGNYufb8eiS0D2TnWl1fcPWw0r5aCgCHM/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-77_thu?imgmax=800" width="595" height="787"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6aFcG8xL_O4/WRS4ew6eTvI/AAAAAAAAg_A/ClVHQADy1XoU4cLJk7dQ8e90boVXWBi9ACHM/s1600-h/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-813"><img title="The Lady Chapel - Glastonbury" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="The Lady Chapel - Glastonbury" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-en7_qe3aGfQ/WRS4gPhbQ-I/AAAAAAAAg_E/1_1b793DuYkO6DUqF6jbClcJWPgTGvOQQCHM/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-81_thu?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dR4p-NUTNxg/WRS4hHiEsII/AAAAAAAAg_I/uMCfTS99aH4aGIm3jRhFmzL3AWeZVHHrQCHM/s1600-h/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-63"><img title="The Lady Chapel - Glastonbury" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="The Lady Chapel - Glastonbury" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UTtZQtfweTs/WRS4iKLoJXI/AAAAAAAAg_M/cmiQaU5-L44F7Xyney8tAgliKIMom3xTQCHM/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-6_thum?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">Glastonbury Abbey has both late Romanesque and Gothic styles incorporated in its structure and, despite the fact that not much of the original building is left, the surviving ruins are a legacy to its original grandeur and majesty. The Abbey had a long nave and choir, with a square central tower and twin towers at the west end. There is no doubt that this used to be a magnificent edifice which must have looked pretty awe-inspiring to the pilgrims that travelled here from around the country.</font></p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0m2UtF2m9tg/WRS4jGu0SMI/AAAAAAAAg_Q/T-Bn7tgf1SM7Pu66DQdppo6ZjAEP4vVmACHM/s1600-h/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-104"><img title="Glastonbury Abbey" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Glastonbury Abbey" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xF5c7_tK_5Q/WRS4kFGcScI/AAAAAAAAg_U/lVx4oSlqKHMQH0IeEwEdedl9zGZ4mkrSgCHM/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-10_thu?imgmax=800" width="595" height="787"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8mkhKSS6OFQ/WRS4k7I4WHI/AAAAAAAAg_Y/FIWbXKRLx8sRWXqt_vjEv1x-2FUl-uJDQCHM/s1600-h/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-154"><img title="Glastonbury Abbey" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Glastonbury Abbey" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NvPdk5t8E_I/WRS4l77OFPI/AAAAAAAAg_c/o1ZtcvQv_Dkp2btT_cjGGUDg2bNH5_8sACHM/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-15_thu?imgmax=800" width="595" height="787"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZKbsHEEXj08/WRS4myY_HjI/AAAAAAAAg_g/jJFMqPq63UoDlapulKcnQRSNQH7UfXRnACHM/s1600-h/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-273"><img title="Glastonbury Abbey" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Glastonbury Abbey" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_c9ttKvuC4M/WRS4n4NP7tI/AAAAAAAAg_k/h5QMNwD_peMeHSHFTtos6iga_KthWaZQQCHM/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-27_thu?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Courier New">"bare ruin'd choirs / Where late the sweet birds sang" (from Sonnet 73). William Shakespeare</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4">The Abbey Grounds</font></p> <p align="justify">Entrance to the abbey grounds and museum is through Magdalene Gate, a large stone arch dating to the 14th century with some 16th century alterations. Close to the entrance is a small chapel dedicated to St Patrick that is from the 16th century and has survived to this day. </p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mWPx0U2NFwM/WRS4o6h-ZaI/AAAAAAAAg_o/qkj3jUgQS9cq8WoihMRACxQ0p1SRqc4twCHM/s1600-h/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-594"><img title="St Patrick's Chapel - Glastonbury" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="St Patrick's Chapel - Glastonbury" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BgiCz3VIHu0/WRS4pisIREI/AAAAAAAAg_s/RC_UBGuG7L8T3ZqGWgLert_HjjkkKwFZgCHM/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-59_thu?imgmax=800" width="595" height="787"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I4JyVwlV3kE/WRS4qs32FoI/AAAAAAAAg_w/dW0HnmXKUJoEdTWAepSDtgVNeHfpAWWYwCHM/s1600-h/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-614"><img title="St Patrick's Chapel - Glastonbury" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="St Patrick's Chapel - Glastonbury" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kfxBWcgk0No/WRS4rkMBD2I/AAAAAAAAg_0/A4G2JGZOrLw17iMWHxlSinvNJFND8baAgCHM/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-61_thu?imgmax=800" width="595" height="787"></a></p> <p align="justify">Unfortunately, we had to rush through the museum as we did not have as much time on our hands as we would have liked but, from the little that we saw, I can confirm that there is a wealth of information about Glastonbury Abbey and its environs to pass an interesting hour or two. The abbey ruins are situated on 36 acres of parkland that has areas dedicated to public recreation. Also located on the grounds are the ruins of the Abbott's Hall, the cloisters and the still largely-intact Abbott's Kitchen. The latter is an octagonal-shaped building from the 14th century that served as the kitchen at Glastonbury Abbey. The Abbott's Kitchen is one of the few surviving medieval kitchens in the world. It used to be connected to the Abbott's Hall, of which only one small section of wall remains.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EPFtf54SEXA/WRS4seO_nNI/AAAAAAAAg_4/UNRtmCPgxbsgYVAVCmNmJG5Jf0_5f8rNACHM/s1600-h/07072016%2B-%2BGlastonbury%2B%2526%2BWells%2B%252851%2529"><img title="The Abbott's Kitchen" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="The Abbott's Kitchen" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JGAb4y4UTrg/WRS4tf7BESI/AAAAAAAAg_8/h_ZyWjjQK_keZnpz49eujiUGXThC6Vi5ACHM/07072016%2B-%2BGlastonbury%2B%2526%2BWells%2B%252851%2529_thumb?imgmax=800" width="595" height="787"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I8C1iDCUS5Y/WRS4udITn9I/AAAAAAAAhAA/ylkhdBNSbCkJxirk9qDOKAXv5rLlQSO5ACHM/s1600-h/07072016%2B-%2BGlastonbury%2B%2526%2BWells%2B%252852%2529"><img title="Remnant of the Abbott's Hall" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Remnant of the Abbott's Hall" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2hchWj78n_s/WRS4vQ3VUOI/AAAAAAAAhAE/-leF5QItLPkR2hIOcz4PvKxAtNZ0EGPTwCHM/07072016%2B-%2BGlastonbury%2B%2526%2BWells%2B%252852%2529_thumb?imgmax=800" width="595" height="787"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oqv-A6sDnNs/WRS4wQjUzxI/AAAAAAAAhAI/AxaluoJotp8ocW9cw-pZeelrMxEpcvyZQCHM/s1600-h/07072016%2B-%2BGlastonbury%2B%2526%2BWells%2B%252856%2529"><img title="Remnant of the Abbott's Hall" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Remnant of the Abbott's Hall" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MHMoMRJZkK8/WRS4xg0e1YI/AAAAAAAAhAM/aKrR4wgEoEkb4rVPhisNYv8AEvyI-j16ACHM/07072016%2B-%2BGlastonbury%2B%2526%2BWells%2B%252856%2529_thumb?imgmax=800" width="595" height="787"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mRCD5AfWGQ8/WRS4ytiCygI/AAAAAAAAhAQ/9FQ0xAgLEX4NrEmqnmq1GuDtIVTkYrCtgCHM/s1600-h/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-643"><img title="The Abbott's Kitchen interior" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="The Abbott's Kitchen interior" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PlQuCckMPVw/WRS4zry4HWI/AAAAAAAAhAU/IgOleK-dq6wNGibC_JpFer-4iepmukB-gCHM/07072016---Glastonbury--Wells-64_thu?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Mzh44L51dY8/WRS40SW8l3I/AAAAAAAAhAY/hxUimJF4kFoXlgNMHXBbW7rCxXF0lwVhQCHM/s1600-h/07072016%2B-%2BGlastonbury%2B%2526%2BWells%2B%252874%2529"><img title="The Abbott's Kitchen" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="The Abbott's Kitchen " src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a5JHs7s-SW8/WRS41M4M6NI/AAAAAAAAhAc/z8-5puh9N9szxLnWrWebm6YLWjpkNE5YgCHM/07072016%2B-%2BGlastonbury%2B%2526%2BWells%2B%252874%2529_thumb?imgmax=800" width="595" height="787"></a></p> <p><font size="4">My Impressions</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">Needless to say, I loved exploring the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey and the Lady Chapel. Even though the connection to King Arthur is tenuous at best, the rich and varied history of the abbey made the visit extremely interesting. While I would have loved to see the abbey as it would have looked like before its dissolution, the scale of the ruins only reinforced the feeling of awe and mystery that washed over me as soon as I laid eyes on them. A visit to Glastonbury Abbey may not be everyone's idea of a fun-filled afternoon but there is a lot to learn and explore as none of the ruins are off-limits. The stately ruins, looking almost skeletal against the darkening sky, were absolutely fascinating to this amateur photographer. I would have been content to photograph the beautiful bones of this once-stately structure till the last sliver of light disappeared. There is an almost mystical sense of peace here that completely shuts out the world outside. Some people believe that natural energy lines run through Glastonbury. I saw others in deep meditation on the place that used to be the High Altar. It seems as if an aura of sanctity prevails and perhaps a little bit of magic too. Or maybe my imagination is up to its tricks again.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QA9UAu6gyDM/WRS41xLQgcI/AAAAAAAAhAg/yZoR1vo07igJwNBDZhq83P3CCh-kwRfSgCHM/s1600-h/07072016%2B-%2BGlastonbury%2B%2526%2BWells%2B%252842%2529%255B4%255D"><img title="Glastonbury Abbey" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Glastonbury Abbey" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UR0Ez0Bbjj8/WRS425xUlBI/AAAAAAAAhAk/VnohofogTmgnR-Nz4GPazx4CMBYLSIPvgCHM/07072016%2B-%2BGlastonbury%2B%2526%2BWells%2B%252842%2529_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="595" height="787"></a></p> <p><font size="3">Related Links</font></p> <ul> <li><font size="3"><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06579a.htm" target="_blank">New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia: Glastonbury Abbey</a></font> <li><font size="3"><a href="http://www.sacred-destinations.com/england/glastonbury-abbey" target="_blank">Sacred Destinations: Glastonbury Abbey</a></font> <li><font size="3"><a href="http://www.glastonburyabbey.com/" target="_blank">Glastonbury Abbey Official Site</a></font></li></ul>Loreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520908604580765632noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411459508557383279.post-91164678567497122452017-04-25T21:05:00.001+02:002017-04-25T21:05:21.517+02:00Kitchen tales: Almond lavender cake<p align="justify">While Christmas is a time when I invariably indulge in my love for chocolate when searching for the perfect dessert, at Easter I usually give chocolate a miss and try to make something lighter. Something which is more in keeping with the pastel colours that are generally associated with this special time of year. So when I came across a <a href="http://www.folklifestyle.com/blog/2015/9/8/eat-almond-lavender-cake" target="_blank">recipe for Almond Lavender Cake</a> on Folk Magazine's Instagram feed quite a few months ago, I knew that this would be the cake I would be making for Easter dessert.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EdENwN0rgt4/WP-d1wJttlI/AAAAAAAAg5U/92MMfFwLj9sq0TfPwiipHlAJqD5Mm23zACHM/s1600-h/Lavender%2B%25288%2529%255B3%255D"><img title="Lavender (8)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Lavender (8)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-btvg_4XCJNs/WP-d2zETlWI/AAAAAAAAg5Y/yukrsvCDFuMQWsJf2XBDkeN8qnbF0PzPQCHM/Lavender%2B%25288%2529_thumb?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="justify">My husband, who has a much more adventurous palate than I do, had been urging me to cook with lavender ever since he had eaten lavender ice-cream at <a href="http://www.margosmalta.com/about.php" target="_blank">Margo's restaurant</a>. It took me a while to get used to the idea that lavender isn't only used in body lotions and other random potions and that it is actually edible. But once my brain had accepted the fact, I was determined to give lavender a try.</p> <p align="justify">This almond lavender cake is quite easy to make and , although it took me a bit longer than the 25 minutes stipulated in the recipe (it took me around 40 minutes), the end result was worth it. This cake is moist and fluffy, with just a hint of lavender - so it doesn't taste like you're eating your body lotion. Most of the lavender flavour is actually concentrated in the drizzle, so although you might be tempted to decrease the calorie count by omitting it, I would not advise it since you will lose some of the cake's magic. </p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cGD0fy6rtLk/WP-d3i53rhI/AAAAAAAAg5c/cC25XrYAcSA0NFcIh0CHa2Vta8zRYIdcwCHM/s1600-h/Lavender%2B%252810%2529%255B3%255D"><img title="Lavender (10)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Lavender (10)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mmK4vcMqQHU/WP-d4T1vLJI/AAAAAAAAg5g/qEU4ErYx1foddB6a7f6erSrQYgTlh2tkwCHM/Lavender%2B%252810%2529_thumb?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p>Here's the recipe, reproduced entirely from <a href="http://www.folklifestyle.com/blog" target="_blank">Folk Magazine's blog</a>:</p> <p><font size="4">Almond Lavender Cake Recipe (serves 12)</font></p> <p>For the cake:</p> <ul> <li> <div>2 cups sugar, divided*</div> <li> <div>1/2 cup slivered almonds (or whole ones, you have to grind them in the food processor anyway)</div> <li> <div>1 tablespoon dried lavender flowers</div> <li> <div>1 cup butter, softened</div> <li> <div>4 eggs</div> <li> <div>2 teaspoons vanilla extract</div> <li> <div>1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream</div> <li> <div>1/4 cup half and half cream</div> <li> <div>2 1/2 cups all purpose flour</div> <li> <div>1/2 teaspoon baking soda</div> <li> <div>1/2 teaspoon salt</div></li></ul> <p>For the drizzle:</p> <ul> <li> <div>4 teaspoons boiling water</div> <li> <div>3/4 cup confectioners' sugar</div> <li> <div>1 teaspoon dried lavender flowers</div> <li> <div>additional dried lavender flowers, optional</div></li></ul> <p>Method:</p> <ol> <li> <div>Grease a 10-in. fluted tube pan and sprinkle with sugar*; set aside. </div> <li> <div>Place 1/2 cup sugar, almonds and 1 tablespoon lavender in a food processor; cover and process until finely ground.</div> <li> <div>In a large bowl, cream butter and remaining sugar until light and fluffy; beat in almond mixture until combined.</div> <li> <div>Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla.</div> <li> <div>In a small bowl, combine sour cream and half-and-half.</div> <li> <div>Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with sour cream mixture, beating well after each addition.</div> <li> <div>Pour into prepared pan. Bake at 350° for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.</div></li></ol> <p>To make the drizzle:</p> <ol> <li> <div>In a small bowl, combine the boiling water and 1 teaspoon lavender. Cover and steep for 5 minutes. Strain, discarding lavender.</div> <li> <div>In another small bowl, combine confectioners' sugar and enough infused water to achieve desired consistency; drizzle over cake.</div> <li> <div>Garnish with additional lavender if desired.</div></li></ol> <p><em>*Note:</em></p> <p><em>I am not sure why the recipe requires the pan to be sprinkled with sugar. It did not seem to add any value to the cake itself and the sugar made it very hard for me to remove the cake from the fluted pan. Next time I make this, I will either not use a fluted pan or I will omit the sprinkled sugar and add it to the rest of the cake batter. I think removing the cake from the pan might work better if the pan is sprinkled with flour after it is greased. Alternatively, I may have waited too long to remove the cake from the pan. Anyway, I just wanted to give you a head's up that you may encounter some issues removing the cake from the pan.</em></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DObizOQdIMQ/WP-d5QWj6hI/AAAAAAAAg5k/YfI1zT5SvsEGXm83IKy3hu5DPQaTpi2nACHM/s1600-h/Almond%2Blavender%2Bcake%2B%25284%2529%255B3%255D"><img title="Almond lavender cake (4)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Almond lavender cake (4)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tOz5rFc28bY/WP-d6SgDDLI/AAAAAAAAg5o/Y3VB7uCvtFk5Ku7AWVE_mmwsCoYRZ2cYACHM/Almond%2Blavender%2Bcake%2B%25284%2529_thumb?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="justify">I do hope that you will try this delicious lavender cake recipe. I found others out there and next time I might try a different one. This recipe is definitely a keeper, which is why I have pinned it to one of my Pinterest boards.</p> <p align="justify">With regards to the lavender, I am sure that most of you will have no trouble finding it. I would have encountered a bit of a problem finding it here but we had purchased some from <a href="https://www.worldmarket.com/" target="_blank">World Market</a> the last time we were in the US.To remedy that, we now have three different varieties of lavender growing in pots in our little yard. I simply adore it's unique scent. One of the plants is flowering right now and I hope we will be able to dry the flowers to use in recipes and in other things such as body scrubs or simply in sachets to fragrance closets and drawers.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QkTLiYJn-UA/WP-d7GG7v4I/AAAAAAAAg5s/9Tp9ZpA1sZo3uX5zG6UHsUe9XLozqUqHACHM/s1600-h/Lavender%2B%25289%2529%255B4%255D"><img title="Lavender (9)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Lavender (9)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rmgYUYaE7lE/WP-d79AnTpI/AAAAAAAAg5w/sWZvK8YXdDcYkmZGPxOBQHlqTqBBwGuQACHM/Lavender%2B%25289%2529_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="595" height="787"></a></p> <p>Have you ever cooked with lavender? If you have any special recipes using this fragrant herb, please share them as I would love to give them a try.</p>Loreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520908604580765632noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411459508557383279.post-88814527619991392832017-04-12T22:39:00.001+02:002017-04-12T22:39:39.646+02:00The lost art of letter writing<p align="justify">I was rummaging through one of my rarely-used craft drawers the other day and came across an old, dog-eared cardboard file. I smiled as I lifted it out of the drawer because I had not forgotten what was in it: notepaper. But it wasn't just any notepaper. Back when I was in school, it was the 'in' thing to do to buy a pad of decorated notepaper and then exchange sheets with friends. Some designs, like <a href="http://www.liketotally80s.com/2013/03/holly-hobbie/" target="_blank">Holly Hobbie</a> and <a href="http://betseyzone.com/Resources.html" target="_blank">Betsey Clark</a>, were especially coveted and what was even more special about these notepapers is that we actually used them. To write letters. To real people. Isn't it amazing how things change? Apart from Christmas cards and the occasional 'thank you' card, I cannot remember the last time I wrote a letter to anyone. It is sad that we are constantly in contact via social media but not really connected.</p> <p align="justify">Maybe it was fate or simply just one of those coincidences, but shortly after I discovered my old notepaper I stumbled across two wonderful blogs dedicated to snail-mail: <a href="http://naomiloves.com/" target="_blank">Naomi Loves</a> by Naomi Bulger and <a href="http://www.lettersofnote.com/" target="_blank">Letters of Note</a> by Shaun Usher. Naomi Bulger, the author of Naomi Loves, creates the prettiest mail art and sends it to anyone who stops by her blog and requests a letter. Her husband recently gifted her 1000 vintage postcards and she has pledged to send one to any reader who would like to receive one. I thought it was a splendid idea and signed up to <a href="http://naomiloves.com/the-thousand-postcard-project/" target="_blank">The Thousand Postcard Project</a>.</p> <p align="justify">Just a couple of weeks after discovering Naomi Loves, I somehow ended up on Letters of Note where author Shaun Usher is collecting and reproducing letters written by prominent people from the 16th century to the present day. I have to admit that I was immediately hooked. The beautiful sentiments expressed in some of these letters made me wish that people are still writing to each other in such an eloquent and, often heartfelt, way. I am sharing extracts from some of my favourites (and there were so many beautiful ones that it was really, really hard to narrow them down to so few) with you.</p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify">From <a href="http://www.lettersofnote.com/search/label/roalddahl" target="_blank">Roald Dahl to a seven-year old fan</a> who sent him a painting of one of her dreams contained in a bottle:</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZcMwTawMmC8/WO6QakrLqQI/AAAAAAAAg18/6l3ZLABsuGg/s1600-h/07072016%252520%2525283%252529-005%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="07072016 (3)-005" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="07072016 (3)-005" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FrWV_NsldlU/WO6QbuNb5mI/AAAAAAAAg2A/pzmvbJYqKQo/07072016%252520%2525283%252529-005_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="justify">From <a href="http://www.lettersofnote.com/search/label/johnnycash" target="_blank">Johnny Cash to his beloved June</a>:</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lRcBi7pSj_E/WO6QcbUhbVI/AAAAAAAAg2E/dB4s47j4ofc/s1600-h/07072016-3-00119.jpg"><img title="07072016 (3)-001" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="07072016 (3)-001" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0VEN0JbL8Y8/WO6QdfL7eqI/AAAAAAAAg2I/tLC0L-Ui1Fg/07072016-3-001_thumb13.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="justify">From <a href="http://www.lettersofnote.com/search/label/beethoven" target="_blank">Ludwig van Beethoven to a woman known only as his Immortal Beloved</a>:</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r7XAjhVt1oM/WO6QeLql43I/AAAAAAAAg2M/6r__jQjWo_0/s1600-h/07072016-3-00217.jpg"><img title="07072016 (3)-002" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="07072016 (3)-002" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QzGco67P5Jo/WO6Qe9PHxRI/AAAAAAAAg2Q/tctY1s1XHUI/07072016-3-002_thumb11.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="justify">From <a href="http://www.lettersofnote.com/search/label/henrymiller" target="_blank">Henry Miller to Anais Nin</a> shortly after the start of their affair in 1932:</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mKEFKms24d0/WO6Qf0d-SnI/AAAAAAAAg2U/6L5Z6t_W-O8/s1600-h/07072016-3-00319.jpg"><img title="07072016 (3)-003" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="07072016 (3)-003" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fP2mVDCqky0/WO6Qgr4MUuI/AAAAAAAAg2Y/RVwrGTKgUgg/07072016-3-003_thumb13.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="justify">From <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/08/07/so-long-marianne-leonard-cohens-final-letter-to-dying-muse/" target="_blank">Leonard Cohen to his muse Marianne Ihlen</a> who was dying of leukemia, written just a few months before his own death:</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J2JUamsUzGw/WO6QhaAi4xI/AAAAAAAAg2c/U0I9kpKvytM/s1600-h/07072016-3-00421.jpg"><img title="07072016 (3)-004" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="07072016 (3)-004" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BX0V5FGdIfM/WO6QiH1pt7I/AAAAAAAAg2g/W5LCk13mKyk/07072016-3-004_thumb15.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="justify">What do you think? Now I will admit that we don't all have the gift of flowery prose and some of us will cringe at the thought of expressing ourselves so openly and with so much passion, but don't you wish we could, at least, revive the art of letter writing?</p> <p align="justify">So I wanted to ask whether any of you would be interested in receiving a letter or a note or even just a postcard from me. I would be extremely happy to send out some snail-mail and would be delighted if you would reciprocate. So I am channeling Naomi and also Jeanne (from <a href="http://collageoflife-henrqs.blogspot.com.mt/" target="_blank">Collage of Life</a>) and taking the plunge. If you would like to receive anything from me, drop me an email (technology <em>does</em> have its uses) at: stories(dot)scribbles(at)gmail(dot)com</p> <p align="justify">Let's see whether we can slowly bring back this beautiful form of communication that has existed for hundreds of years and that, in just a couple of decades, has almost completely died out.</p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify">If you feel inclined to find a pan-pal, here are some useful links:</p> <ul> <li> <div align="justify"><a href="https://www.postcrossing.com/" target="_blank">Postcrossing</a> - this is a site where you can exchange postcards with people from around the world</div></li> <li> <div align="justify"><a href="http://www.penpalworld.com/" target="_blank">Penpal World</a></div></li> <li> <div align="justify"><a href="https://www.interpals.net/" target="_blank">Interpals</a></div></li></ul>Loreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520908604580765632noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411459508557383279.post-38925000437324769852017-03-28T22:39:00.001+02:002017-03-28T22:39:10.889+02:00Off the beaten trail: Gnejna Bay to Lippija Tower<p align="justify">Gnejna Bay is one of our favourite places to go for a swim in summer and to hike during the cooler months. Up on the ridge overlooking this sandy bay is Ta' Lippija Tower. Ta' Lippija Tower is the first of several towers built by Grand Master Lascaris in the 17th century to serve as watch-towers in the less-protected areas of the island. On a sunny but breezy day in February we decided to take the short hike from the bay to the tower. It's an uphill climb but it's worth the extra effort and what's even better is that we were by ourselves, except for a very few like-minded individuals. So it was a peaceful walk and the only sound that broke the silence was bird-song - not a bad accompaniment at all.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xBirFFUz4ng/WNrJnaZNx9I/AAAAAAAAgsg/4tfJ_e-2FXc/s1600-h/Ta%252520Lippija%252520%25252817%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Ta Lippija (17)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Ta Lippija (17)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wT34ISM2EUU/WNrJoWb2A8I/AAAAAAAAgsk/KWmRzKBdMa0/Ta%252520Lippija%252520%25252817%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="justify">It's during walks like these that we get to make small discoveries: like tiny wild-flowers and lichen-covered rocks. Such little things, so easy to miss - fleeting beauty, here today and gone tomorrow. There's no other way to make them last except by pointing a camera lens at them and capturing their images forever. </p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pAFviR9xh5Q/WNrJpTOm9wI/AAAAAAAAgso/Lnqspx2dUwI/s1600-h/Ta%252520Lippija%252520%2525281%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Ta Lippija (1)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Ta Lippija (1)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zeQhGUaQe8o/WNrJqCCTaOI/AAAAAAAAgss/-XM64wvZ9U8/Ta%252520Lippija%252520%2525281%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_kUNpIYQoxw/WNrJqzVvgxI/AAAAAAAAgsw/U_eMSLjeRTM/s1600-h/Ta%252520Lippija%252520%25252823%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Ta Lippija (23)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Ta Lippija (23)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VyjG6NJo8j8/WNrJrvlAC1I/AAAAAAAAgs0/MVPRWhG0QeQ/Ta%252520Lippija%252520%25252823%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="787"></a></p> <p align="justify">It takes about an hour to walk from street-level up to the tower at a leisurely pace. It took us a bit longer since we were so preoccupied with taking photos. The path slopes gently, except for the last few metres which are a bit more taxing - but nothing that an able-bodied person cannot master. In this area of Malta the geological layer known as blue clay is quite predominant. Blue clay erodes easily when wet and this accounts for the almost extra-terrestrial landscape of some parts of Gnejna Bay. In reality, it's nothing overly spectacular, but it does create some striking photo opportunities. The contrast of blue clay deposits against the golden limestone is especially prominent when viewed from above; and once you crest the ridge and stand beneath the tower, you are rewarded with a view that is quite unique, especially since the blue clay deposits on the island are quite rare. </p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EQ4jtvB98zo/WNrJsnnDyHI/AAAAAAAAgs4/ffP2Wpc8djU/s1600-h/Ta%252520Lippija%252520%25252863%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Ta Lippija (63)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Ta Lippija (63)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4B8Jrkz15ko/WNrJtSsT5XI/AAAAAAAAgs8/WYm5pgRjjF8/Ta%252520Lippija%252520%25252863%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yhnID3DXM7s/WNrJuCou8WI/AAAAAAAAgtA/F2lGT8zW448/s1600-h/Ta%252520Lippija%252520%25252865%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Ta Lippija (65)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Ta Lippija (65)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FfUATN3UkIc/WNrJuxWzGUI/AAAAAAAAgtE/obrgwwtvcPw/Ta%252520Lippija%252520%25252865%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="justify">By it's very nature blue clay is not very fertile and in most cases it is totally devoid of any vegetation but in other areas, hardy grasses such as Esparto grass, and flowering species such as Asphodel and Seaside Squill do manage to thrive. It has become something of a hobby of mine to photograph wild flowering plants and then try to find out a little bit about them. All this has made me realise, that in spite of its small size, Malta is home to an amazing array of wild-flowers that are stunningly beautiful.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d7FFOvZ4TRg/WNrJvkyYghI/AAAAAAAAgtI/F3HltcGrMPw/s1600-h/Ta%252520Lippija%252520%2525284%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Asphodel" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Asphodel" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jAaRVQA5Im8/WNrJwd9ghqI/AAAAAAAAgtM/EQroCiPx0WA/Ta%252520Lippija%252520%2525284%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="787"></a></p> <p align="justify">Like all the coastal towers, Ta' Lippija tower commands a view that stretches for miles, which, of course, is the reason why it was built. This tower, which is about 11 metres high, has a square plan and two floors topped by a flat roof. Each floor has a single room and the upper floor was accessed by a wooden, or rope, ladder. Originally the tower was known as Torre del Migiarro. I've made the trek up to the tower another time, back in 1995, when my friends and I decided it would be the perfect way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon. At that time we found the tower in an advanced state of disrepair: part of the roof had caved in and the whole edifice showed signs of structural damage. In 2003, Ta' Lippija Tower was repaired and restored and now looks much the same as it did when it was constructed in 1637.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KNm-NF_CM2s/WNrJxPjavAI/AAAAAAAAgtQ/VxT7lGnb_ro/s1600-h/Ta%252520Lippija%252520%25252838%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Ta Lippija (38)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Ta Lippija (38)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z86I5Jzi62I/WNrJx_qss6I/AAAAAAAAgtU/GZ5TlGbRcms/Ta%252520Lippija%252520%25252838%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="787"></a></p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pjJ9tBRGlB4/WNrJyiinDZI/AAAAAAAAgtY/WBWkGyHvkaw/s1600-h/Ta%252520Lippija%252520%25252841%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Ta Lippija (41)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Ta Lippija (41)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AorZWlB9vcY/WNrJzUCYCMI/AAAAAAAAgtc/9CuNo7y4AEA/Ta%252520Lippija%252520%25252841%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FsDTl9dzNNA/WNrJ0PO5fFI/AAAAAAAAgtg/gotr0EG0ZiU/s1600-h/Ta%252520Lippija%252520%25252862%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Ta Lippija (62)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Ta Lippija (62)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XJPwFun_w6g/WNrJ0zqzwhI/AAAAAAAAgtk/75KLR6KR3HI/Ta%252520Lippija%252520%25252862%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="justify">This walk combined three of my favourite things: nature, the sea and a little bit of history. It is the first installment in the "Off the Beaten Trail" series that I hope you will enjoy. As promised earlier this year, I would like to share more of this little island with you without throwing out too many facts and making it sound like some sort of lesson. I hope that, in some small measure, I have succeeded. </p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YIkSD0bQUE0/WNrJ1vt_-oI/AAAAAAAAgto/EW_35nF2Kus/s1600-h/Ta%252520Lippija%252520%25252836%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Ta Lippija (36)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Ta Lippija (36)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XcMwMXHCh_w/WNrJ2XnWtBI/AAAAAAAAgts/O1WeZMEVQW4/Ta%252520Lippija%252520%25252836%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="787"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X1AED7iL9eQ/WNrJ348gdeI/AAAAAAAAgtw/hsxflKQxI34/s1600-h/Ta%252520Lippija%252520%25252847%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Ta Lippija (47)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Ta Lippija (47)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z33ey9bK3Ro/WNrJ4hVe-FI/AAAAAAAAgt0/K1Z5Bboho2A/Ta%252520Lippija%252520%25252847%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yFplh68ShPI/WNrJ5EwJHTI/AAAAAAAAgt4/xKPXCYSXAdM/s1600-h/Ta%252520Lippija%252520%25252856%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Ta Lippija (56)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Ta Lippija (56)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6-awYLDK5pQ/WNrJ55EsQXI/AAAAAAAAgt8/-jhtFpTkDkE/Ta%252520Lippija%252520%25252856%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SarXsCbtYys/WNrJ6pP8m3I/AAAAAAAAguA/vnYJPukgf60/s1600-h/Ta%252520Lippija%252520%25252859%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Ta Lippija (59)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Ta Lippija (59)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7ZxjcVwIMEM/WNrJ7gBvbUI/AAAAAAAAguE/JYkvYygEeYQ/Ta%252520Lippija%252520%25252859%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="787"></a></p> <p align="center"><em>Location: Gnejna Bay and Lippija Tower, February 2016</em></p> <p align="justify"><em>A small note on the pronunciation of Maltese words (which can be a bit tricky). Gnejna sounds like Jineynah and Lippija like Lippiyah).</em></p> <p align="justify"><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <ul> <li> <div align="justify"><a href="http://allaboutmalta.blogspot.com.mt/2011/11/wildflowers-of-malta-asphodel.html" target="_blank">Wildflowers of Malta: Asphodel</a></div></li></ul>Loreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520908604580765632noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411459508557383279.post-40146987353811416262017-03-09T22:46:00.000+01:002017-03-09T22:49:04.050+01:00She<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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She is as wild as the wind and as free as the eagles that soar
high over mountain-tops. Her love is as deep and unfathomable as the boundless
ocean. She walks with her feet planted firmly on earth and her head in the
clouds. She breathes stardust and her smile is as radiant as the light of the
sun. Her hands have nurtured the young, tended the sick and buried the dead. She
has cried rivers of tears and her sorrow has pierced the hardest of hearts. She
has faith and strength to move mountains and is fearfully and wonderfully made.
Her laughter brings happiness to those she loves. She is maiden, mother and
crone. Her wisdom transcends generations. She was, is and will be - till the end
of time. She carries the pain of a thousand Eves and the joy of a thousand more.
She is imperfectly perfect, indestructible as a diamond yet as delicate as a
blossom.</div>
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She is Woman.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75U5JxB7uhyphenhyphenLD-vmwpmSzXHw_eq0eKDdbqVY_qNm5WmtJaODFs-aYYHw0S5oFi18CPxXgyJldJ1-zmdd0jgZJASdLChCepDzz1I-dv1W1jz0gQiCON8cxz2KdJ-HsLU7ifjbm-2fDlsDU/s1600/Blossom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Blossom" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75U5JxB7uhyphenhyphenLD-vmwpmSzXHw_eq0eKDdbqVY_qNm5WmtJaODFs-aYYHw0S5oFi18CPxXgyJldJ1-zmdd0jgZJASdLChCepDzz1I-dv1W1jz0gQiCON8cxz2KdJ-HsLU7ifjbm-2fDlsDU/s640/Blossom.JPG" title="Blossom" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">On a different note …</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;">Gone But Not Forgotten</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div align="justify">
My plan was to publish the above short post in honour of
Woman's Day. But Malta suffered a mini-catastrophe yesterday when a storm
destroyed one of its most iconic natural creations - the Azure Window. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmDw-0fOP5MMwI8g79OApFxMuOTIK9deTf3ZZYmP9EjzyR0OlEljB_tPZ7Dt2uwT0r7ifTL3dET1cMWaGCoj1iPm6kTfvtC8ee2uWDjPsVLzCFmfsdkrbw-5Giy11MQE0urkPAXZyd86L/s1600/Azure+Window+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Azure Window" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmDw-0fOP5MMwI8g79OApFxMuOTIK9deTf3ZZYmP9EjzyR0OlEljB_tPZ7Dt2uwT0r7ifTL3dET1cMWaGCoj1iPm6kTfvtC8ee2uWDjPsVLzCFmfsdkrbw-5Giy11MQE0urkPAXZyd86L/s640/Azure+Window+%25281%2529.jpg" title="The Azure Window" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">This arch rose from the depths of the sea to a height of
almost 100 feet. Nobody knew for sure when the arch was formed. Some geologists
are estimating that it was around 500 years old. But yesterday morning, after
hundreds of years of standing tall and proud and battling countless storms, it
succumbed to the elements and collapsed into the sea after a massive gale hit
the island. For the past few years everyone had been expecting the top part of
the arch to cave in and fall into the sea, leaving the stack (pillar) behind -
as commonly happens with these types of arches. But in the case of the Azure
Window, it was the pillar that had eroded to the point that it could no longer
support the massive weight resting on it. And the rest, as they say, is now
history. I think that the whole nation was a bit saddened by its loss, mainly
because nearly everyone has a photo with the Azure Window as a backdrop or a
memory of some sort associated with it; and like all familiar things, their
loss, though inevitable, is sometimes harder to accept.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify">
The loss of the Azure Window made it to the international media
with reports about its collapse in <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/malta/gozo/articles/maltas-famous-gozo-azure-window-arch-collapses-into-sea/" target="_blank">The Telegraph</a>, <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/maltas-iconic-azure-window-collapses-9990075" target="_blank">The Mirror</a>, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-39207196" target="_blank">BBC News</a>,
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/03/09/that-sad-day-arrived-maltas-azure-window-as-seen-on-game-of-thrones-collapses-into-sea/?utm_term=.14c84fcc2f41" target="_blank">The Washington Post</a>, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/08/world/europe/azure-window-malta-game-thrones.html?_r=0" target="_blank">The New York Times</a> and many, many others. I did my own little
tribute <a href="http://allaboutmalta.blogspot.com.mt/2017/03/the-azure-window-end-of-icon.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
Many feel as if nature has dealt us a collective blow. But I
think it was more of a case that what nature had given it has now taken away.
The Azure Window has vanished from sight and what remains of it lies at the
bottom of the Mediterranean sea, from where it once rose. Perhaps the sea has
only claimed back something that was birthed from its watery womb and, maybe for
this particular window, it was time to return - this time to its watery grave.
So farewell legend, I was lucky to have known you.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7B8_tRQf2m86h6mHcfAgsUb3bYCw0xJMQ7eMexc5lexSKewITc4u13Kjd46925BNoa2Jx_f3dBjC89ktX7eIAAs8QfeauKJjtMetR0MZlbIQVZjMgGdf3HnervfpCL3HS1avowHGzSJm_/s1600/Dwejra%252C+Gozo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Dwejra, Gozo" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7B8_tRQf2m86h6mHcfAgsUb3bYCw0xJMQ7eMexc5lexSKewITc4u13Kjd46925BNoa2Jx_f3dBjC89ktX7eIAAs8QfeauKJjtMetR0MZlbIQVZjMgGdf3HnervfpCL3HS1avowHGzSJm_/s640/Dwejra%252C+Gozo.jpg" title="Dwejra, Gozo" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
Related links:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://allaboutmalta.blogspot.com.mt/2017/03/the-azure-window-end-of-icon.html" target="_blank">The Azure Window: the end of an icon</a>
</li>
<li><a href="http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160623/local/hugo-boss-video-highlights-gozo-attractions.616513" target="_blank">Cliff-jumping in a suit in Gozo</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Loreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520908604580765632noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411459508557383279.post-43954979303669657512017-02-27T22:41:00.001+01:002017-02-27T22:46:57.250+01:00Famous sculptures from antiquity to the Renaissance that I love<p align="justify">Any time we travel, we always make sure that, apart from seeing the sights and trying out the local food, we also get to visit a few museums that will enrich us culturally. I consider myself lucky that I have seen all these famous sculptures in person. Although beauty is always in the eyes of the beholder, I think that you will all agree that the sculptures I will be sharing with you are formidable works of art that have ensured that their creators will remain immortalised forever.</p> <p align="justify"><strong>David by Michelangelo at the Galleria dell' Accademia (Florence)</strong></p> <p align="justify">David was created between 1501 and 1504 by a young Michelangelo. It depicts the Biblical hero David and was intended to be positioned along the roof-line of Florence's world-famous duomo the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. However, once the statue was finished, the city authorities realised that raising the 6-ton sculpture to the roof of the cathedral was going to be a close-to-impossible feat. Instead, David was placed in Piazza della Signoria next to the entrance to Palazzo Vecchio - the town-hall. David remained there until 1873 when the sculpture was removed to the Galleria dell'Accademia to protect it from the elements. A replica now stands in its place. Michelangelo seems to have captured David right at the moment when he has taken his decision to face Goliath and what we see depicted here is not bravery as much as a steely determination to see this thing through. Here is a sculpture that embodies youth, vigour and invincibility.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2F69B4FfYuE/WLSc4nF-RRI/AAAAAAAAgW8/HFDrhzaE384/s1600-h/David%252520%252528Galleria%252520del%252520Accademia%25252C%252520Florence%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="David (Galleria del Accademia, Florence)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="David (Galleria del Accademia, Florence)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o9hwU0PYrck/WLSc5pgrnuI/AAAAAAAAgXA/aXe3xqHCqYY/David%252520%252528Galleria%252520del%252520Accademia%25252C%252520Florence%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="764"></a></p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"><strong>The Winged Victory of Samothrace (sculptor unknown) at the Louvre (Paris)</strong></p> <p align="justify">This Greek statue from the 2nd century BC depicts the goddess Nike (the Greek goddess of Victory) and was probably created to honour a sea battle. Despite the fact that parts of it, including its head, are missing, it is still a sculpture of mesmerising beauty. The flow of the goddess's robes, the triumphant stance, the overall feeling of fluidity and movement create the impression that what we have before our eyes is not a marble statue but a living being that is somehow frozen in time. I think that if I had to choose an absolute favourite from this list it would be this ethereal creation from antiquity.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uhFeq0Pd8nc/WLSc6b1DSyI/AAAAAAAAgXE/eJbFqn14m-I/s1600-h/Winged%252520Victory%252520of%252520Samothrace%252520%252528Louvre%252520Museum%25252C%252520Paris%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Winged Victory of Samothrace (Louvre Museum, Paris)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Winged Victory of Samothrace (Louvre Museum, Paris)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q_ztCYflv68/WLSc67W2KII/AAAAAAAAgXI/DzhaaUVcbbE/Winged%252520Victory%252520of%252520Samothrace%252520%252528Louvre%252520Museum%25252C%252520Paris%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="886"></a></p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"><strong>The Dying Gaul (sculptor unknown) at the Capitoline Museum (Rome)</strong></p> <p align="justify">This statue is thought to be a Roman copy of a Greek original and, as the title suggests, depicts a dying man. There is no sense of movement or any type of urgency in this sculpture. On the contrary, I got the feeling that there is a poignant pause: that we are catching a glimpse of the everlasting moment between life and death. The man depicted there before you knows that his time is nigh. You can almost sense his resignation, his acceptance of his fate: the winner takes it all; the loser … well he gets to darken the earth with his life's blood.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aedXVAL0ltg/WLSc75nriCI/AAAAAAAAgXM/sOV_CF6h4l4/s1600-h/The%252520Dying%252520Gaul%252520%252528Capitoline%252520%252520Museums%25252C%252520Rome%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="The Dying Gaul (Capitoline Museums, Rome)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="The Dying Gaul (Capitoline Museums, Rome)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W8D9nBHUGwY/WLSc8vtwgII/AAAAAAAAgXQ/orvPGbvAcQM/The%252520Dying%252520Gaul%252520%252528Capitoline%252520%252520Museums%25252C%252520Rome%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"><strong>Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss by Antonio Canova at the Louvre (Paris)</strong></p> <p align="justify">This masterpiece of Neo-Classical sculpture was created by Antonio Canova in 1787. It shows Cupid waking his beloved Psyche from her death-like sleep by gently pricking her with one of his arrows and kissing her. Canova expertly captures the sensuous moment between the lovers, imbuing the marble figures with life.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H7e24I5L9Ng/WLSc9TMxX5I/AAAAAAAAgXU/C3QHpKeMrh0/s1600-h/Psyche%252520Revived%252520by%252520Cupid%252527s%252520Kiss%252520%252528Louvre%252520Museum%25252C%252520Paris%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss (Louvre Museum, Paris)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss (Louvre Museum, Paris)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-boNNP_uKV3w/WLSc-HmZD0I/AAAAAAAAgXY/iKHkW9oNhcg/Psyche%252520Revived%252520by%252520Cupid%252527s%252520Kiss%252520%252528Louvre%252520Museum%25252C%252520Paris%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"><strong>The Colossus of Constantine (sculptor unknown) at the Capitoline Museum (Rome)</strong></p> <p align="justify">This massive statue that was sculpted some time between the 3rd and 4th century AD depicts the Roman emperor Constantine the Great. Judging by the size of the still-intact pieces (the head, legs and arms) this colossal, seated statue was probably around 12 metres high. This sculpture screams power and haughtiness, both reflected in the unyielding eyes of the emperor. Here is a man whose word was law and who held the power of life or death over hundreds of thousands. It's no wonder that even in it's fragmented form I felt intimidated by the unwavering stare of the first Christian emperor.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cCfmRXgzqCs/WLSc-xkYf6I/AAAAAAAAgXc/pkWWWhcfHF0/s1600-h/The%252520Colossus%252520of%252520Constantine%252520%252528Capitoline%252520Museums%25252C%252520Rome%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="The Colossus of Constantine (Capitoline Museums, Rome)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="The Colossus of Constantine (Capitoline Museums, Rome)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SKCME3HGbwo/WLSc_sVDl3I/AAAAAAAAgXg/VCzEU6Kf9Kg/The%252520Colossus%252520of%252520Constantine%252520%252528Capitoline%252520Museums%25252C%252520Rome%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"><strong>The Rape of the Sabine Women by Giambologna in Piazza della Signoria (Florence)</strong></p> <p align="justify">The three figures that make up this dynamic sculpture are carved out of a single block of marble. They give the impression of writhing movement that starts by the woman's outstretched arms, continues in the body of the young Roman from whom she is desperately trying to flee, and ends in the raised arm of the dominated male figure at the base of the sculpture. The twisted, intertwined bodies draw the eyes upwards, creating a composition that seems to change depending on the angle it is viewed from. The sinuous nature of this sculpture creates the impression that the three figures are locked in a strange, morbid dance from which they cannot escape. <a href="http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/sculpture/rape-of-the-sabine-women.htm" target="_blank">The Rape of the Sabine Women</a> is truly a remarkable sculpture from the late Renaissance and its creator, Giambologna, is considered to be amongst the greatest sculptors the world has ever known. Somehow, just by looking at this masterpiece, I was able to feel the woman's fear and torment, the harshness of her abductor and the desperation of the husband or father who is overpowered and unable to aid the horrified woman. I could sense their struggle but I could do nothing to help.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--kGBnv-cDqs/WLSdAZ1sQhI/AAAAAAAAgXk/ibJpSBg4E5Q/s1600-h/The%252520Rape%252520of%252520the%252520Sabine%252520Women%252520%252528Piazza%252520della%252520Signoria%25252C%252520Florence%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="The Rape of the Sabine Women (Piazza della Signoria, Florence)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="The Rape of the Sabine Women (Piazza della Signoria, Florence)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3zXBu8coNlA/WLSdBeW1ZVI/AAAAAAAAgXo/HAsAqH1Ml6c/The%252520Rape%252520of%252520the%252520Sabine%252520Women%252520%252528Piazza%252520della%252520Signoria%25252C%252520Florence%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="787"></a></p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"><strong>Venus de Milo by Alexandros of Antioch at the Louvre (Paris)</strong></p> <p align="justify">This is one of the most famous sculptures from ancient Greece that was created some time between 130-100 BC. It is thought to depict Aphrodite, or Venus, goddess of love and beauty and, although the statue is incomplete, there is no denying the grace and beauty of the female form. The missing arms and the covered lower limbs create a stream-lined silhouette that is, strangely, more visually and aesthetically pleasing. It now almost seems as if the arms were an afterthought and that, with them, the sculpture would look cumbersome and, perhaps, just a little bit ungainly. It is imperfectly perfect, an enigma that continues to allure us thousands of years after is creation.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E_pZCFBiVCU/WLSdCMibkLI/AAAAAAAAgXs/6kEM2aA7mKI/s1600-h/Venus%252520de%252520Milo%252520%252528Louvre%252520Museum%25252C%252520Paris%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Venus de Milo (Louvre Museum, Paris)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Venus de Milo (Louvre Museum, Paris)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m59stgZVOzg/WLSdCzN_5AI/AAAAAAAAgXw/Zjsh11naj5s/Venus%252520de%252520Milo%252520%252528Louvre%252520Museum%25252C%252520Paris%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="787"></a></p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"><strong>The Pieta' by Michelangelo at St Peter's Basilica (Vatican City)</strong></p> <p align="justify">This sculpture is the only work of art that Michelangelo ever signed. It was created some time between 1498 and 1499. It depicts the dead Christ on his mother's lap. It seems to be the final moment between Mother and Son before He is taken away for burial. I am sure that thousands, probably millions, have gazed at this sculpture and I am sure that every person has taken away something different with them. While I could detect the Mother's sorrow and felt her heart-breaking agony as she gazed on the lifeless body of her Son, I also got the impression that Mary's outstretched arm and the almost altar-like shape of the lower part of her body are presenting the dead body of Jesus as a sacrifice. It is almost as if she is telling us that she is giving him to the world with no conditions or strings attached. </p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iOaVZyHa0VE/WLSdDpXHqhI/AAAAAAAAgX0/BHJIWh-W5BI/s1600-h/The%252520Pieta%252527%252520%252528St%252520Peter%252527s%252520Basilica%25252C%252520Vatican%252520City%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="The Pieta' (St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="The Pieta' (St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F7lwhVWZsb8/WLSdEjLhjpI/AAAAAAAAgX4/UzVb7zeHbBM/The%252520Pieta%252527%252520%252528St%252520Peter%252527s%252520Basilica%25252C%252520Vatican%252520City%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p>I hope you have enjoyed my take on some of the most beautiful sculptures that exist. There are other famous sculptures that I love but I decided to focus only on those that I have experienced for myself. Naturally I am curious to know whether there are any that I have mentioned that you also count amongst your favourites. Please do tell and include any others that I have failed to mention.</p> <p> </p> <p>Related links:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.accademia.org/explore-museum/artworks/michelangelos-david/" target="_blank">Galleria dell'Accademia: Michelangelo's David</a></li> <li><a href="http://musee.louvre.fr/oal/victoiredesamothrace/victoiredesamothrace_acc_en.html" target="_blank">A Closer Look at the Victory of Samothrace</a></li> <li><a href="http://mentalfloss.com/article/65911/15-things-you-should-know-about-venus-de-milo" target="_blank">15 Things You Should Know about Venus de Milo</a></li></ul>Loreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520908604580765632noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411459508557383279.post-20886153644377646872017-02-14T22:03:00.001+01:002017-02-14T22:03:38.504+01:00A blog at the crossroads<p align="justify">Dear readers, I feel that this blog is at an impasse. As I have probably already mentioned, I started this blog without putting much thought into it. After a few months, I made the (I now feel) mistaken decision to start another blog dedicated solely to Malta. The problem is that I now do not have the time to update both. Ironically, while I make most effort on this blog, <a href="http://allaboutmalta.blogspot.com.mt/" target="_blank">Snapshots of an Island</a> (my other blog), which I haven't updated since June, gets much more traffic (300 - 400 hits a day compared to around 50 hits on this blog). The reason for this is because there is more factual information on my other blog as opposed to my day-dreaming and musing on this blog. So what is the solution?</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8uvUidjFw08/WKNwk0s2XuI/AAAAAAAAgVY/3mveskwPz1A/s1600-h/USA%2525202013%252520016%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="USA 2013 016" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="USA 2013 016" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M_tHm7lANmo/WKNwmHVMoEI/AAAAAAAAgVc/QJDJXa0IIqA/USA%2525202013%252520016_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="787"></a></p> <p align="justify">I have been doing some research on how to make my blog more interesting (read that as 'more interesting to Google search engines'). There is a lot of advice out there, some of which I am not tech-savvy enough to understand. But there was one piece of advice (apart from hundreds of articles about SEO (search engine optimisation) and algorithms) that was repeated <em>ad nauseum</em>: Google loves it if we talk about current events. Ah, and there's the rub, as the most famous English bard put it. I am not quite ready to do that. It's not that I completely ignore all that going on around me. It's that here, on this blog, I want to get away from the corruption and the sleaze; from the whole ugly mess out there. Most days, when I watch the news, both local and international, I get so emotionally distraught that all I want to do is dig a deep hole and lie in it until it's all over - if it ever will be.</p> <p align="justify">So it seems that I will ignore the advice and do what feels right for me. My blog isn't about a business or about putting myself out there to make a living off of it. It's just a place where I make my own rules and where I can stick my tongue out at Google and write about what I want. I was toying with the idea of starting a new blog but that seemed too drastic and it felt like a pity to abandon all that I had built up (albeit, it's not much). However, some changes are necessary. I will definitely be going for a different look: a new font, new background, simpler layout. I will definitely be sharing more about Malta on this blog (including some factual posts that I promise won't be too heavy on the history) and also write more articles about the places we have visited on our travels. I feel that I have not done most them justice as there is still so much more I can dig up from my travel journals that is bound to be of interest to those that take the time to stop and read. Another plan is to interview readers of this blog and also authors (if they accept) of blogs that I read and find very interesting or informative. We will see how it goes. Please bear with me if you land on my page and it's in shambles. I will try to keep the changes in the background but I am sure I am bound to make a few errors in the process.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5ZZsMiKHQwY/WKNwnYdeUsI/AAAAAAAAgVg/uDY8YMFmS-w/s1600-h/USA%2525202013%252520031%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="USA 2013 031" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="USA 2013 031" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3E6y1nP9GnA/WKNwofQnw2I/AAAAAAAAgVk/_Nj__48zuz8/USA%2525202013%252520031_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="787"></a></p> <p align="justify">None of these proposed changes will happen overnight but I hope that, by the end of this year, I will have a more defined style and a much more clear indication of the direction that I want this blog to go on. I know that a lot of my readers have been asking themselves whether what they have to say is relevant. I want to reassure them that, yes, it is relevant. As long as people stop by to read, it is relevant. As long as what you have to say, or the photos that you share, brightens someone's day, then it is relevant. It is, perhaps, just a matter of making some changes because if there is one thing that I have learned in life, it is that change is constant and we just need to adapt while remaining true to ourselves. And although I know that I've talked about making changes a number of times but never got round to it, this time I am determined to see them through. All I ask is that you stay with me on what may be a bumpy ride -at least for a little while. And I hope you won't mind me mixing things up a little bit.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wSpZo9ond6Y/WKNwpIgB1hI/AAAAAAAAgVo/2YmCd4PKzPY/s1600-h/USA%2525202013%252520030%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="USA 2013 030" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="USA 2013 030" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p_hCh-U9FtM/WKNwqHe8pQI/AAAAAAAAgVs/TS2c8tX007o/USA%2525202013%252520030_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="787"></a></p>Loreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520908604580765632noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411459508557383279.post-75647051050507885922017-01-31T22:19:00.001+01:002017-01-31T22:23:21.545+01:00Loree Loves - A list for January<p>I missed my list for December - there were too many things going on. The month sped by before I had time to blink twice. And it looks like I am only just going to squeeze this month's list in. I definitely need to plan these lists a bit better.</p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Bowls</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">I have this thing for bowls. I can never have enough of them - as long as they're round. Because round bowls easily stack into one another and it's so easy to pile them higher and higher: as high as a wobbly, leaning tower of bowls will go without topping over. I don't really mind what colour they are. I adore pastels, bright colours and white bowls. I keep my eyes peeled for solid colours and patterns, vintage bowls, ceramic bowls, bamboo bowls, wooden bowls. My favourite type are the ones that have been turned on a pottery-wheel and hand-painted with love and dedication. Wooden bowls are a close second. Both Etsy and Anthroplogie are good online sites to hunt for bowls. </font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2qYPsxzfwvw/WJD_QUcnr4I/AAAAAAAAgUw/Zz0gDUhfdyE/s1600-h/Januray-favourites2.jpg"><img title="Januray favourites" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Januray favourites" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gval9vHNXwY/WJD_RYNeSUI/AAAAAAAAgU0/T2ZTYM-onVM/Januray-favourites_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="595"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Main picture: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/92169841/handmade-pasta-bowl-set-pasta-dishes?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=bowls&ref=sr_gallery_33" target="_blank">Handmade pasta bowls by Blue Sky Pottery CO</a> on Etsy; top to bottom: <a href="https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/old-havana-cereal-bowl?category=kitchen-bowls&color=102" target="_blank">Old Havana cereal Bowl</a> on Anthropologie; <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/208475030/wooden-bowl-woodturning-wood-bowl-wood?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=bowls&ref=sr_gallery_44" target="_blank">Wooden bowls by Oniroteo</a> on Etsy; <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/451071342/handmade-ceramic-bowl-speckled-turquoise?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=bowls&ref=sr_gallery_19" target="_blank">Speckled turquoise bowls by GXDesigns</a> on Etsy; <a href="https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/wing-petal-bowl?category=kitchen-bowls&color=000" target="_blank">Wing & Petal bowl by August Wren</a> on Anthropologie; left to right: <a href="https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/sissinghurst-castle-cereal-bowl?category=kitchen-bowls&color=095" target="_blank">Sissinghurst Castle cereal bowl</a> on Anthropologie; <a href="https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/swirled-symmetry-bowl?category=kitchen-bowls&color=049" target="_blank">Swirled Symmetry bowl</a> on Anthropologie; <a href="https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/francophile-serving-bowl?category=kitchen-bowls&color=000" target="_blank">Francophile Serving bowl by Nathalie Lete</a> on Anthropologie. </font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">However, if you happen to be in Venice and want to purchase some lovely ceramics, there is a pretty little store in Santa Croce called <a href="http://www.lamargheritavenezia.com/lamve/default.asp" target="_blank">La Margherita</a> that has an amazing selection of hand-painted pottery, including bowls, of course.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3"></font> <img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrVBfX_F48sfK1KtnbFMghc4Xch_rXs_sGlfX5cy4N0P0tfgDKRvxTMsIk73cwjD978XQOpe2hEVDoml9z3Py_mWZR9xKsxlXMJcV2Q8c7J2JCUc38fkO-KjMVLIJ81CrqMJJZ_8ffFk9/s320/La+Margherita+008.jpg" width="575" height="431"></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Leonard Cohen</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">When Leonard Cohen died last November, I had started to write my own little tribute to him. But I never found the time to finish it; so I never published it. I suppose it is ironical that it was the animated character Shrek who introduced me to Leonard Cohen, when Rufus Wainright's version of '<em>Hallelujah'</em> was used in the movie. I'd heard the song before but this time, I couldn't get it out of my head. So I went online and Googled it. I found out that it was a Leonard Cohen original and that Wainright's version was just one of many covers of this beautiful song that I could listen to over and over. But this is hardly the only piece of music that Cohen gave the world. In my case, <em>'Hallelujah'</em> was just the door that got me exploring the other wonderful compositions of this talented man. Songs like <em>'<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ1P3LjkE28" target="_blank">Dance Me to the End of Love'</a></em>, <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpU6tAZvShg" target="_blank">'A Thousand Kisses Deep'</a></em>, <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgEiDc1aXr0" target="_blank">'So Long Marianne'</a></em> and so many more that have immortalised him forever. This little paragraph that I have just written really doesn't do justice to the man. Just one month before he died, David Remnick published an article in The New Yorker entitled <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/10/17/leonard-cohen-makes-it-darker" target="_blank">Leonard Cohen Makes It Darker</a>. Read it if you have time. It is quite long but it provides a great insight into the man behind the music.</font></p> <p align="center"><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" style="width:450px; height:369px;" data="//www.youtube.com/v/v0nmHymgM7Y?color2=FBE9EC&version=3"> <param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/v0nmHymgM7Y?color2=FBE9EC&version=3" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /> </object></p> <div style="font-size: 0.8em" align="center"><a href="https://www.tools4noobs.com/online_tools/youtube_xhtml/">Get your own valid XHTML YouTube embed code</a></div> <div style="font-size: 0.8em"> </div> <p align="center"><font size="4">The Prisoner of Heaven</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3"><em>'<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Prisoner-Heaven-Carlos-Ruiz-Zafon/dp/006220629X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485810001&sr=8-1&keywords=the+prisoner+of+heaven" target="_blank">The Prisoner of Heaven</a></em>' is the third published book in The Cemetery of Forgotten books series by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, but the second in chronological order. The first book, '<em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Wind-Carlos-Ruiz-Zaf%C3%B3n/dp/0143034901/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485810112&sr=8-1&keywords=the+shadow+of+the+wind" target="_blank">The Shadow of the Wind</a>'</em> is a page-turner. I couldn't stop reading it until I'd finished it. But whereas '<em>The Shadow of the Wind'</em> had every loose end tied up by the final page, <em>'The Prisoner of Hea</em>ven' left you with a feeling that more is yet to come. Apparently it will, in a fourth installment that will be published in Spain later this year. The English version will be available in 2018. </font></p> <p align="justify"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/515tzvU0OaL._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg"></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">A prequel to <em>'The Shadow of the Wind'</em> called <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Angels-Game-Carlos-Ruiz-Zafon/dp/0767931114/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1485810263&sr=1-1&keywords=the+angel%27s+game" target="_blank">'The Angel's Game'</a></em> already exists and I meant to read it before <em>'Prisoner of Heaven'</em> but I got the order mixed up. Not that it matters because, according to the author, the sequence in which the books are read is irrelevant as each one is a novel in and of itself. It looks like I have another two books to add to my reading list.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">The Cemetery of Forgotten Books series takes us to post-civil war Barcelona. It is a Barcelona very different to the one we know today. In Zafon's novels, Barcelona is a dark, gothic place. A city of secrets and tragedies, where mysteries seem to leap out at our unsuspecting protagonist, Daniel Sempere, a book seller's son, from the very pages of a book that he loves and cherishes. </font><font size="3"></font> Daniel's best friend and side-kick, Fermin Romero de Torres is one of those unforgettable characters in literature. He provides moments of levity in what is , essentially, a dark tale and makes the book come to life.</p> <p align="center"><font size="4"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="4">BB Cream</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">BB, which stands for blemish balm or beauty balm, creams really should be a must-have in every woman's make-up routine. They have been popular in Asia for many years but made their debut in Europe in 2011. Since then, they have become a favourite beauty product with many women - including myself. According to <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/gallery/10-best-bb-creams" target="_blank">Vogue UK</a>, 'they should provide moisturisation, SPF protection and sheer coverage alongside soothing and healing properties - preventing the need for numerous separate products'. I find them an excellent, every-day alternative to foundation because the majority are tinted and they really help to even-out skin tone. I am currently using <a href="http://www.revlon.com/products/face/bb-creams/revlon-photoready-bbcreamskinprotector#309973132016||0" target="_blank">Revlon Photoready BB Cream</a>. It does tend to leave the skin looking a bit dewy, so it shouldn't be used by women with oily skin and it doesn't work miracles, but it does hide minor imperfections and, if you can get away with it, it is a fast alternative to foundation especially during morning rush-hour. If you're after something more than sheer coverage, then BB creams are not for you.</font></p> <p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="Revlon Photoready BB Cream Skin Perfector, Light Medium, 1.0 Fl Oz" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71QyH8SgUwL._SY679_.jpg" width="177" height="460"></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="4">SerenissimaFacades</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">I just stumbled across this Instagram account a few days ago. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/serenissimafacades/" target="_blank">SerenisssimaFacades</a> is all about the best facades in Venice. Venetian facades popping up in my feed sounds like a win-win situation to me.</font></p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uD55Yusm1VI/WJD_SWPMtcI/AAAAAAAAgU4/bAb_wHSXTtE/s1600-h/image6.png"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w3PeyUxx4T8/WJD_TMjClpI/AAAAAAAAgU8/k08mTNZOmtQ/image_thumb9.png?imgmax=800" width="595" height="244"></a></p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p>It goes without saying that seeing all the photos of this ephemeral city makes me long to return. I've heard people say that Venice is boring and that one visit is enough to last a life-time. I, on the other hand, can never get enough of its decaying charms. Undoubtedly, it is time for another visit. The trick is to fit it into my schedule.</p> <p>P.S none of the links presented here are sponsored or affiliate links.</p>Loreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520908604580765632noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411459508557383279.post-822721219282039382017-01-18T22:47:00.001+01:002017-01-18T22:47:49.553+01:002016: A year of turmoil<p align="justify">The general consensus on social media seems to be that 2016 was a particularly bad year. I am not sure where the negative vibe is coming from and whether it is even true. But it is there and the negativity seems to have stuck around long enough for almost everyone I know to be glad that it's over. From my perspective, it wasn't all bad (it never is). But it had many ugly moments which may have come too close on the heels of each other to offer any respite.</p> <p align="justify">Perhaps what we will remember most about 2016 are the senseless acts of terrorism in Europe and beyond that made us all realise, once again, just how vulnerable we are. Brussels, Nice, Berlin, Istanbul, Burkina Faso - the list goes on and the death toll continues to rise. It feels as if nowhere is safe. Yet we refuse to be beaten and continue to live our lives as normally as this crazy world will allow - always hoping that something will change.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X-GqOcEvNNs/WH_iYXkwy0I/AAAAAAAAgMk/pJ2_QxACK4Y/s1600-h/29032016-Point-du-Hoc-and-Arromanche%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="29032016 Point du Hoc and Arromanches (9)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="29032016 Point du Hoc and Arromanches (9)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IwSSHZi_HtE/WH_iZZTFxfI/AAAAAAAAgMo/I08pJ86CyTE/29032016-Point-du-Hoc-and-Arromanche.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="justify">As if the threats of terrorism were not enough, 2016 saw one of the biggest refugee crises in modern history as the atrocities in Syria continued unabated and thousands were displaced from their homes. This human tragedy continues to unfold - while many Europeans look on with mixed feelings as they wonder whether, from a practical and cultural perspective, Europe can continue to take in these homeless thousands.</p> <p align="justify">June brought with it the unexpected and unwelcome decision of the British electorate to leave the EU. Due to Malta's close historical ties with the UK, many of us here felt as if an arm or leg had been severed from the collective whole. How the whole Brexit misadventure will end remains to be seen but an EU without the UK somehow feels like a Spring without flowers: still beautiful but with an essential element missing. Soon, borders will exist where they haven't existed in years and we will have to get used to the new status quo.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-La8Rc9jjh00/WH_iaKdP_NI/AAAAAAAAgMs/p9m1RPFfNFI/s1600-h/29032016%252520Point%252520du%252520Hoc%252520and%252520Arromanches%252520%25252891%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="29032016 Point du Hoc and Arromanches (91)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="29032016 Point du Hoc and Arromanches (91)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G_VADTzzmKA/WH_ia8i1gjI/AAAAAAAAgMw/FEqCK2MDJEE/29032016%252520Point%252520du%252520Hoc%252520and%252520Arromanches%252520%25252891%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="justify">But perhaps the event that gained the most air-time and caused the most controversy was the US Presidential election. I won't pass too many comments but I will say that I disliked both candidates and felt that a country like America, boasting millions of citizens, could surely have come up with two better candidates than the final two that ended up running for the highest office in the land. In my opinion, both of them lacked the necessary characteristics that singles out great leaders. Both candidates seemed to be run-of the-mill with the added 'bonus' of hurling insults at each other. I thought these were traits only exhibited by hot-headed Mediterranean politicians - but apparently not. Thankfully, I did not have to choose between either of them. So I'll say what I always do in such situations - thank goodness for royalty. </p> <p align="justify">During 2016 we lost a number of celebrities, as we do every year, yet for some reason, it felt as if we lost some of the best last year: David Bowie, Prince, George Michael, Leonard Cohen. I grew up listening to the music of George Michael and was a late, but fervent, convert to Cohen's poetical outpourings that were so much more than songs. David Bowie was, of course, the man of a hundred different faces and musical styles. I wasn't an avid fan but he always seemed to be somewhere on the periphery of my world, until he was gone. Prince was widely acknowledged as a musical genius but I never quite got into his particular musical groove. There were others that departed, both famous and infamous: Mohamed Ali, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Fidel Castro, Nancy Reagan, Elie Wiesel, Gene Wilder, Harper Lee, Carrie Fisher, Debbie Reynolds …</p> <p align="justify">On a personal level, the past year was not an easy one but it did teach me a thing or two. The main lesson learnt was that, career-wise, you do not always get what you think you deserve. At the time it was a bitter pill to swallow but the whole episode left me with the strange feeling that a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I don't know what the future holds. In the past few years I've survived merger after merger and acquisition after acquisition. The company I now work for is the biggest producer of generic medicines in the world, with a total work-force of over 50 000 employees. So I am just one of the thousands who make the huge wheel turn. They used to say that <a href="http://www.newsflashenglish.com/english-lessons/the-british-empire-where-the-sun-never-set" target="_blank">the sun never sets on the British Empire</a>. I guess you can say the same about the company I work for.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jmoRtAc_TTQ/WH_ibsg0ssI/AAAAAAAAgM0/z1dQn34iVRo/s1600-h/IMG_20160804_195405798_HDR%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20160804_195405798_HDR" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20160804_195405798_HDR" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tXLLyibG_xI/WH_icfyCHgI/AAAAAAAAgM4/zgAk7yLIEgw/IMG_20160804_195405798_HDR_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="justify">The most positive aspect about 2016 was that I got to travel - alone (to Budapest) and with my family (to Normandy, Paris and Somerset). I had never been to any of these places, except Paris, and it was an enriching experience to discover them. Perhaps I was most pleasantly surprised by <a href="https://loreeswritingspace.blogspot.com.mt/search/label/Hungary%3A%20Budapest" target="_blank">Budapest</a> as I did not expect it to be quite as grand as it was in person. But that should not have come as a surprise since Hungary was an integral part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the wide boulevards and sumptuous architecture of Budapest are reminiscent of the imperial majesty of Vienna. Paris, of course, is Paris: there's none other quite like it and although all we had time for was one brief evening, and a rainy one at that, we were not disappointed. <a href="https://loreeswritingspace.blogspot.com.mt/2016/04/snapshots-of-normandy.html" target="_blank">Normandy</a> was as far removed from the airs and graces of Paris as a peasant is from a princess but its charms were of the completely wholesome type: deserted beaches, wild cliff-sides, huge swathes of countryside, old castles, cemeteries with row upon row of silent crosses, and heart-wrenching stories of heroes who will never be forgotten.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fKCn94gSORA/WH_idLYMuTI/AAAAAAAAgM8/-oYDUNqLi-I/s1600-h/Normandy%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Normandy" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Normandy" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3LWfNJr6A3A/WH_id6X6ewI/AAAAAAAAgNA/0O8sFQp0JvM/Normandy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="764"></a></p> <p align="justify">And then there was Somerset, Britain's <a href="https://loreeswritingspace.blogspot.com.mt/2016/07/the-summer-country.html" target="_blank">'summer country'</a>, with its quaint pastel villages, lush countryside, sleepy sea-side towns and famous historical locations such as Wells, <a href="https://loreeswritingspace.blogspot.com.mt/2016/08/a-day-in-bath.html" target="_blank">Bath</a> and Glastonbury. I will forever remember eating cherries by the crate-load and having cream-tea on the sunny lawn of an old, old farm-house, surrounded by flowers and chirping birds while the sun shone merrily but kindly.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0Ab-aX1ba_8/WH_ieQyiGeI/AAAAAAAAgNE/gvgQ6ljLn7k/s1600-h/England_July-201612.jpg"><img title="England_July 20161" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="England_July 20161" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iqb-CbpO9dk/WH_ifBAASVI/AAAAAAAAgNI/Cxjs46EfcyY/England_July-20161_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="764"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zCAOmHeVLtk/WH_if46XXfI/AAAAAAAAgNM/X3ePB9izHOI/s1600-h/England_July-201622.jpg"><img title="England_July 20162" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="England_July 20162" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w3_vEAXCdWs/WH_igjL8ipI/AAAAAAAAgNQ/j3VpHLcT9I8/England_July-20162_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="764"></a></p> <p align="justify">So there it is - 2016 from my perspective. It wasn't all roses but we managed to survive it and emerged, rather bruised and buffeted, into a new year. Let's hope it's kinder to us all.</p>Loreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520908604580765632noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411459508557383279.post-38887026002130225472016-12-29T22:09:00.001+01:002016-12-29T22:09:08.447+01:00Looking back, Stepping forward<p align="justify">I've realised, that at this time, when one year gently slips into another, I find myself reminiscing about the ghosts of bygone new year's eves. The memories come to me, in no particular order, an intangible collage of snapshots and a jumble of half-forgotten whispers that pour out of some forgotten fragment of my mind. Or is it our soul that remembers? I know not.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iqaJXtVOS4o/WGV7ZX7I8sI/AAAAAAAAgKs/xg-qFU8obPg/s1600-h/Storm%252520%2525282%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Storm (2)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Storm (2)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V_gHrXKrJlM/WGV7aIoMq5I/AAAAAAAAgKw/8GNOny5OWV8/Storm%252520%2525282%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="justify">But I do know, that amidst the memories of parties and mayhem, of <em>spumante</em> and pink champagne fizzing out of hastily uncorked bottles as my friends and I sang (or tried to) Auld Lang Syne, while balloons floated gently over our heads and we popped <a href="https://www.baciperugina.com/intl/en/" target="_blank">Baci chocolate</a> (not sure why, but we did) into our mouths, there are the equally memorable quiet moments. Moments of intense clarity, that stand out, proud and tall, like solitary fir-trees on a barren, snowy expanse. Moments of silence on the shores of the Mississippi river in the non-descript town of La Grange (MO), where the only sound my husband and I could hear was the gentle lapping of the water of that mighty river, as a feeling of all-pervading peace quieted our hearts. Or the year we drove to <a href="https://loreeswritingspace.blogspot.com.mt/2014/01/the-chapel-at-edge-of-cliff.html" target="_blank">the chapel at the edge of the cliffs</a>, in an equally non-descript hamlet, this time in Malta, and listened to a mighty gale usher in the new year. Years when all we wanted, all we needed, was candle-light and mulled wine and the closeness o family - the perfect ending to any year.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vT8VsmdhZtA/WGV7am_wpqI/AAAAAAAAgK0/svVibkgVyKQ/s1600-h/Storm%252520%2525287%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Storm (7)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Storm (7)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zezthBmD3Hw/WGV7bXo1dQI/AAAAAAAAgK4/GFgPBbrvfbU/Storm%252520%2525287%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="justify">But it doesn't end there, on the eve; dawn signals the start of something new, offering fresh hope and endless possibilities. This year is spiraling out of our reach and we stand with one foot in the shadows and the other in the light. We will soon turn our calendars to a new month and a new year, literally taking a symbolic leap of faith into the unknown. Perhaps it is the most courageous thing that we do each year as, unthinking and unknowing, we step forward into a new adventure. </p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D7eHv20XLOY/WGV7cLodh5I/AAAAAAAAgK8/umhmwl2SvyY/s1600-h/Storm%252520%25252814%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Storm (14)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Storm (14)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bkiApipIxj0/WGV7c-9x3fI/AAAAAAAAgLA/00nTEW8TzMA/Storm%252520%25252814%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="787"></a></p> <p align="center">This will be my last entry for 2016. I would like to wish all my readers and their families a wonderful 2017.</p> <p align="center"><em>Location: Ghar Lapsi, December 2014</em></p>Loreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520908604580765632noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411459508557383279.post-6428165016889067782016-12-13T21:51:00.001+01:002016-12-13T21:51:33.508+01:00So, this is Christmas<p align="justify">Or is it? </p> <p align="justify">There are barely any gifts under our tree, I haven't baked a single cookie and the weather remains as warm as spring. I procrastinated and procrastinated, because at the back of my mind, there's always enough time to get everything done. Then last week I fractured a toe so, even if I wanted to, I cannot do anything fast. Gifts I've ordered online are not showing up (is it just my impression that snail mail seems to get slower every year?), one set of lights on our Christmas tree stopped working after (of course, when else?) we had got all the decorations up and I just get this feeling of chaos surrounding me.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EX9ZUoqidTQ/WFBfPttXsJI/AAAAAAAAgEg/tLnIAekJd-A/s1600-h/Christmas%252520001%252520%2525285%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Christmas 001 (5)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Christmas 001 (5)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8FxCEtPAwaw/WFBfQTzcgsI/AAAAAAAAgEk/e93gsiVcofE/Christmas%252520001%252520%2525285%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="787"></a></p> <p align="justify">But it doesn't have to feel like this. It <em>shouldn't </em>feel like this. Because Christmas is not about anything material. Or about lights and parties and food. Christmas is about an inner sense of peace, serenity and joy. The fact that it has become something of a nightmare is because we've got our priorities in a twist. Worse than that, we seem to be going through life with our eyes wide shut, mostly indifferent to the thousands of homeless and displaced people. And I know that sometimes we have to shut things out, for our own sanity and peace of mind. I do it nearly all the time. But maybe at this time of year we should just remember how lucky we are instead of stressing about the little things. How lucky that we have so much when so many thousands have so little. It may seem to be impossible that we can do anything about their plight. But, believe me, there are ways by which we can make a difference to others, without having to leave the comfort of our homes or go too much out of our way. <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uSZRt9k1oM8/WFBfRLApxnI/AAAAAAAAgEo/k2CSaWIpB6c/s1600-h/Christmas%252520Day%252520001%252520%25252846%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Christmas Day 001 (46)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Christmas Day 001 (46)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CzDka0PGNM8/WFBfSCHlOAI/AAAAAAAAgEs/NA1ZaRlaonM/Christmas%252520Day%252520001%252520%25252846%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="justify">So today I want to introduce you to dear friends of ours, Ben and Eve. We first met this lovely couple in 2012 during a baseball game (where else would you meet Americans in Malta?). They lived here with their three children and did missionary work amongst the refugees that made it to our shores in rickety boats. They are probably one of the most giving couples we have ever met. The fact that our sons were very close in age just helped cement the friendship more quickly. in 2013, they went on to have a fourth child - Liliana Joy - who was born with a very rare genetic disorder. Undaunted, Ben and Eve continued their work while extending their friendship to as many people as they came in contact with. We had some fun times: roof-top barbecues, birthday parties (Eve always came up with the most original ideas), cozy talks around a crackling fire during cold winter evenings. We felt we had made friends for life. </p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B6SQaudIJXo/WFBfStVUdvI/AAAAAAAAgEw/7mWqAqKkhbw/s1600-h/Christmas%252520001%252520%25252824%252529-001%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Christmas 001 (24)-001" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Christmas 001 (24)-001" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JpaaxpRBlzc/WFBfTcTcisI/AAAAAAAAgE0/LHyoIoGhCw8/Christmas%252520001%252520%25252824%252529-001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="787"></a></p> <p align="justify">Then, in October 2015, Liliana died peacefully in her sleep. While we knew she was now in a much better place, we were devastated for her parents and her siblings. Within three weeks, the family made the decision to move back to the US. We were sad to see them go but life is what it is. Change is constant. We keep in touch as best we can via Facebook and e-mail. Which is how we know that Ben and Eve are still extending their big heart out to those that are hurting, to those that need all the love they can get. Their own grief and loss just seemed to make them more in-tune with those who were hurting more or were more vulnerable than them. Last summer, Ben and a friend recorded video footage of a people group living in Northern Iraq called the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yazidis" target="_blank">Yazidis</a>. The Yazidis have been persecuted since the 18th and 19th centuries and, more recently, by Al-Qaida and ISIS. In October 2016, Ben and Eve founded the Peace Lily Foundation, a non-profit organization which aims to raise awareness of, and support for, those in need of a restoration of hope, peace, prosperity and innocence. And they have a dream. Their dream is to buy weather-proof tents for 47 Yazidi families who have nothing in this world, let alone presents under a Christmas tree or cookies baking in the oven. So, if any one of you can help, I ask you to donate to this worthy cause. You don't even have to leave your home. Each tent costs $300 but any amount will do. You may donate <a href="http://www.peacelily.org/donate/" target="_blank">here</a>. To learn more about the Peace Lily Foundation go <a href="http://www.peacelily.org/about-us/" target="_blank">here</a> or to the official Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=peace%20lily%20foundation" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Individually, we are one drop. Together we are an ocean</font>. Ryunosuke Satoro</p> <p align="center"><img title="Peace Lily Foundation" alt="Peace Lily Foundation" src="https://scontent-fra3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14915372_990619451084538_4846784249545247682_n.png?oh=47f8429997f5cb5cd3e2c5dde7dbaded&oe=58AE608A" width="575" height="575"></p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify">Just for the record, Ben and Eve did not ask me to write this or to share their dream. They do not even know that I did. I just felt compelled to do it. And if any of you want to share this post or spread the word about the Peace Lily Foundation, please feel free to do so.</p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world.</font> Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5; Yerushalmi Talmud 4:9, Babylonian Talmud Sanhedrin 37a.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NNEnhIreiR0/WFBfUY0HDZI/AAAAAAAAgE4/kYsjsoWYK4Q/s1600-h/Ornaments%252520024%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Ornaments 024" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Ornaments 024" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FoAPxfTSrvo/WFBfVCqJctI/AAAAAAAAgE8/hUzLNfONr5Y/Ornaments%252520024_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p>Loreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520908604580765632noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411459508557383279.post-55242165119559699262016-11-24T22:39:00.001+01:002016-11-24T22:39:08.688+01:00On giving thanks<p align="center">There is a lot that is bad about this world. There are days when it takes a super-human effort just to crawl out of bed and face the day. There are moments when the constant barrage of information we are bombarded with feels overwhelming to the point of suffocation. It's so easy to become prisoners of our own success, drowning our senses in the incessant noise of a world that seems to be doing its best to implode. That's when it's time to step back and take a moment to reflect on all the things we should be thankful for. Today I have taken a good look around me and I know that I am thankful first and foremost for my family, who are there for me in the good times and the bad times. I am thankful for green fields and wild flowers. For the sea and puffy, grey clouds. I am thankful for books and for the people who write them. For Beethoven and Cohen; for poets and dreamers. Thankful for friends and memories. For giggles and laughter. I am thankful for freedom and for moments of unbearable lightness of being. For stardust and moonlight. Thankful for just being me, with all my quirks and endless contradictions. </p> <p align="center">Thankful. Just thankful.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OyDAFf2Ja9g/WDdd9XRwzaI/AAAAAAAAf_0/dvWGJKcMKPg/s1600-h/07072016%252520%2525282%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="07072016 (2)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="07072016 (2)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-reGum1CrkW4/WDdd-wEgl-I/AAAAAAAAf_4/y8OANvRLCBc/07072016%252520%2525282%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="center">Wishing you all a happy, if belated, Thanksgiving.</p>Loreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520908604580765632noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411459508557383279.post-74156191207492260362016-11-06T22:38:00.001+01:002016-11-06T22:38:53.722+01:00Loree Loves - A list for November<p align="justify"><font size="3">Loree Loves will be a monthly list of things/ books/ blogs/ Instagram accounts or anything else which gets my radar buzzing. My intention was to start sharing these lists last January - but we all know how quickly new years' resolutions end up on the trash heap of history. Then I thought I should wait till next January to give this a go but ended up deciding that there's nothing like the present. So here's the first installment (and fingers crossed that there will be many more).</font></p> <p align="center"><strong><em><font size="4">Burgundy</font></em></strong></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">…the colour not the wine (I prefer white wine). It seems to be a popular colour for the coming season and all the stores here have racks of clothes in this colour. It also happens to be one of my personal favourites, especially if it has a strong undertone of red. Here are some burgundy items that I found online that I absolutely love:</font><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LZo4Zvrb6oo/WB-iwIuPu8I/AAAAAAAAf2E/O_APxk7GEZU/s1600-h/November%252520favourites%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="November favourites" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="November favourites" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vf1v6NocXPA/WB-iw65-2uI/AAAAAAAAf2I/59Tmd2NHd48/November%252520favourites_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="787"></a></p> <p align="center">From top left to bottom: 1. <a href="http://www.shein.com/Burgundy-Flowers-Embroidered-Shift-Dress-p-324677-cat-1885.html" target="_blank">Dress with embroidered flowers</a> via SheIn; 2. <a href="https://www.net-a-porter.com/gb/en/product/756361?cm_mmc=LinkshareUK-_-Hy3bqNL2jtQ-_-Custom-_-LinkBuilder&siteID=Hy3bqNL2jtQ-XrJoj.JxHTMDhM4Baj59iA" target="_blank">Chloe lace-up ankle boots</a> via Net-A-Porter; 3. <a href="http://www.shein.com/Burgundy-Mercerized-Velvet-Tie-Waist-Sheath-Dress-p-323777-cat-1885.html" target="_blank">Velvet dress</a> via SheIn; 4. <a href="http://www.shein.com/Burgundy-Mercerized-Velvet-Tie-Waist-Sheath-Dress-p-323777-cat-1885.html" target="_blank">Felted mittens</a> by Aurelia Felt Studio on Etsy; 5. <a href="http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/13854/310/Products/Makeup/Lips/Lipstick/Lipstick#/shade/Power_Driven" target="_blank">MAC Lipstick</a> Power Driven; 6. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/223489602/wine-silk-scarf-hand-dyed-large-burgundy?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=burgundy%20scarf&ref=sr_gallery_10" target="_blank">Silk scarf</a> by The Chic Artisan on Etsy</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><strong><em><font size="4">Poldark</font></em></strong></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">If you're not watching this BBC period drama you're missing out on some good entertainment. Now into Season 2, we were all rooting for Ross Poldark until his actions in episode 8 made us all realise that he's no saint. Which is just as well, I suppose, as saintly men do not make for very interesting leading characters. And even if we can't quite forgive Ross just yet, the gorgeous scenery of Cornwall and the brilliant acting more than make up for our hero's indiscretions. If you aren't watching this series, I strongly suggest that you start now. Season 1 trailer </font><a href="https://vimeo.com/132235649" target="_blank"><font size="3">here</font></a><font size="3"> and season 2 </font><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGsyR6k_C_w" target="_blank"><font size="3">here</font></a><font size="3">.</font></p> <p align="center"><img alt="Image result for poldark" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3c/Poldark_2015_TV_series_titlecard.jpg"></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><strong><em><font size="4">Travel Tall</font></em></strong></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">I first ran across Eric Giuliani on Instagram and became fascinated by his story: feeling stifled by corporate life he studied photography, writing and film-making for a year, saving as much money as he could in the process to realise his dream - to travel the world without using air travel. It was a huge dream but he did it, is still doing it and, in the process, has enriched his life with experiences that most of us can only imagine. You may find Eric on Instagram </font><a href="https://www.instagram.com/traveltall/" target="_blank"><font size="3">here</font></a><font size="3">, on Facebook </font><a href="https://www.facebook.com/traveltall/" target="_blank"><font size="3">here</font></a><font size="3"> or on his website </font><a href="http://www.traveltall.com/" target="_blank"><font size="3">here</font></a><font size="3">. Truly this is one man who has become an inspiration for many and while we may not all be in a position to sell our belongings and just take off into the unknown, we can all pursue our dreams and our passions in our own way. It only takes that first small step.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eYpvGQKfPpQ/WB-ixmIQFgI/AAAAAAAAf2M/_S9eHrSXyL0/s1600-h/image8.png"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N3sBR0NGc3Y/WB-i1H_gdtI/AAAAAAAAf2Q/V7vEfAWA82g/image_thumb11.png?imgmax=800" width="595" height="268"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong><em><font size="4"></font></em></strong> </p> <p align="center"><strong><em><font size="4">The Little Card Boutique</font></em></strong></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">This husband and wife team from Melbourne lovingly create beautiful hand-made cards and other gifts such as bookmarks, Christmas ornaments and notebooks. Personalised gifts are available on request. The Little Card Boutique is a perfect place to shop for a card for that special person in your life, especially with Christmas just round the corner. You may find The Little Card Boutique on Instagram </font><a href="https://www.instagram.com/littlecardboutique/" target="_blank"><font size="3">here</font></a><font size="3">, on Etsy </font><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/littlecardboutique" target="_blank"><font size="3">here</font></a><font size="3"> and on Facebook </font><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thelittlecardboutique/" target="_blank"><font size="3">here</font></a><font size="3">.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cFDCNQiLAtM/WB-i1oG3uAI/AAAAAAAAf2U/9O1zBmXZucY/s1600-h/image15.png"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JYD7jgu4-j0/WB-i2hDJUlI/AAAAAAAAf2Y/v3FfffoFwms/image_thumb21.png?imgmax=800" width="595" height="251"></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><strong><em>The beach in autumn</em></strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">It is no secret to any of you that I have a special love affair with the sea and autumn just have to be one of the best seasons to capture its ever-changing moods. So whether it looks like this</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"></font><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jfJwTY0EnIs/WB-i3Vnvc_I/AAAAAAAAf2c/iMHtCSDYcP4/s1600-h/Golden%252520bay%252520%2525289%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Golden bay (9)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Golden bay (9)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t6XfqwOSEc0/WB-i4DlhlsI/AAAAAAAAf2g/8KvGbRxEErU/Golden%252520bay%252520%2525289%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3">or like this</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"></font> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z1q1lqjfWPk/WB-i4wsiQNI/AAAAAAAAf2k/ynqbDhsGaYE/s1600-h/IMGP0145%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMGP0145" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP0145" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aTD_YsDH3BY/WB-i5iJVZRI/AAAAAAAAf2o/5syW1AVUpR8/IMGP0145_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">it will always intrigue and fascinate me and I will always answer its secret call.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"></font> </p> <p align="center"><strong><em><font size="4">Hiking</font></em></strong></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">A recent thunderstorm or two and a veritable gale finally broke the heat and it's the perfect time to get our hiking boots out of the cupboard and hit the trails. We take the road less travelled, only occasionally coming across like-minded individuals, and explore areas of this little island that most people who live here all their lives never get to see - amazing but true. And I have to admit that even though I thought I had seen it all, there are times when I am stunned by the diversity of the landscape and the plethora of wild flowers that seem to spring from every nook and crevice. Strange as it may sound, our hikes have taken us to places we had never been to before. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"></font> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oBnoxmxkcUM/WB-i6RCYNlI/AAAAAAAAf2s/jzb5OjxC32g/s1600-h/Ta%252520Lippija%252520%25252859%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Ta Lippija (59)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Ta Lippija (59)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eXasq_8PK2k/WB-i7C76oKI/AAAAAAAAf2w/QsJ1fA5qBKE/Ta%252520Lippija%252520%25252859%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="787"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong><em><font size="4">Thanskgiving</font></em></strong></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">I have to admit that it took me some time to get used to this holiday (which is not a holiday here). My husband and I would get into some, erm, heated discussions about the menu. For the first few years he insisted on sweet potatoes, turkey and pumpkin pie. I hated all of t hem. As the years passed, we've come to a compromise. The sweet potatoes have stayed (and I must admit that they are not that bad) but turkey has been struck off the menu. As has the pumpkin pie - although we do try to incorporate pumpkin in some form or other since it is synonymous with Thanksgiving. It has become an almost unspoken tradition not to cook the same thing twice. Which means that just about now we both start looking for new recipes and discussing meal plans. I generally search for a dessert recipe first. Last year's <a href="http://www.annies-eats.com/2014/12/17/glazed-cranberry-lemon-cake/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+AnniesEats+(Annie%27s+Eats)" target="_blank">Glazed Cranberry Lemon Cake</a> was a big hit. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">This year I am torn between <a href="http://www.ninahendrick.com/pumpkin-spice-cupcakes/" target="_blank">Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting</a> and <a href="http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2012/11/pecan-pie-muffins.html" target="_blank">Pecan Pie Muffins</a> (or are muffins breakfast fare?) that I can serve with this <a href="http://www.handletheheat.com/whipped-cinnamon-pumpkin-butter/" target="_blank">Whipped Cinnamon Pumpkin Butter</a>. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"></font> </p> <p align="center"><strong><em><font size="4">Pentatonix's version of Hallelujah</font></em></strong></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">If you have not yet acquainted yourselves with this <em>a capella</em> quintet, I urge you to do so immediately. Their rendition of Leonard Cohen's classic hit <em>Hallelujah</em> is perhaps the most beautiful I have ever heard (and, believe me, I have heard quite a few).</font></p><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" style="width:500px; height:410px;" data="//www.youtube.com/v/LRP8d7hhpoQ?color2=FBE9EC&version=3"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LRP8d7hhpoQ?color2=FBE9EC&version=3" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /> </object> <div style="font-size: 0.8em"><a href="https://www.tools4noobs.com/online_tools/youtube_xhtml/">Get your own valid XHTML YouTube embed code</a></div> <div style="font-size: 0.8em"> </div> <p align="center"><font size="3">Pentatonix have recently released their Christmas album <em><a href="http://apentatonixchristmas.ptxofficial.com/" target="_blank">A Pentatonix Christmas</a></em> and although <em>Hallelujah</em> is not what I would describe as a typical Christmas song, I am definitely not complaining. <em>A Pentatonix Christmas</em> may be purchased </font><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/mt/album/a-pentatonix-christmas/id1166722990?app=itunes&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" target="_blank"><font size="3">here</font></a><font size="3"> or on Amazon </font><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pentatonix-Christmas/dp/B01MA5TVLJ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478462370&sr=8-1&keywords=pentatonix+christmas" target="_blank"><font size="3">here</font></a><font size="3">.</font></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><strong><em><font size="4">Valentina Poudre</font></em></strong></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">This is currently my favourite go-to perfume. This powdery fragrance has subtle hints of vanilla, iris, tuberose and sandalwood. Valentina Poudre is the creation of perfumer Aurelien Guichard. It has been described as an Oriental floral fragrance. While during the summer months it may smell a bit overwhelming due to its strong earthy undertones, I find it perfect for this time of year.</font></p> <p align="center"><img alt="Valentina Poudre Valentino for women" src="https://fimgs.net/images/perfume/nd.34936.jpg"></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Valentina Poudre by Valentino is available for purchase <a href="http://www.thebay.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/thebay/valentina-poudre-eau-de-parfum-0161-va037602--24" target="_blank">here</a>.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Please tell me whether you have enjoyed the first edition of Loree Loves. I hope I will be able to keep this up and that it will be a monthly feature on my blog.</font></p>Loreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520908604580765632noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411459508557383279.post-12111224510410780722016-10-17T22:43:00.001+02:002016-10-17T22:43:31.109+02:00Books for a spooky Halloween<p align="justify">Halloween is just two weeks away and I can barely believe it's that time of year again, when one holiday will follow relentlessly on the heels of the other until we pop the <em>spumante</em> at the chimes of midnight on December 31 and ring in another year in this journey we call life. But for now, Halloween looms and it is time for me to take out the few knick-knacks with which we tentatively decorate the house during this season. Despite the fact that my husband is American, Halloween is a low-key affair in our house. We take the Mischief Maker trick or treating - but strictly to family only. Halloween is not a traditional feast in Malta but, during the past ten years or so, it is increasingly becoming part of the local calendar. Whether that is good or bad I cannot say. For the time being, most people still celebrate the traditional feasts of All Saints and All Souls, that fall on November 1st and 2nd respectively, but I have a feeling that this will change in the not too distant future. The world is what it is. Change is constant, not matter how much we may resist it.</p> <p align="justify">But there are other ways, apart from decorating the house and trick or treating, that can help conjure up that spooky Halloween mood. And I find that one of the best ways to do it, if you are so inclined, is to plop down in a comfy armchair with a mug of hot chocolate, a plate of <a href="http://www.averiecooks.com/2015/09/soft-and-chewy-pumpkin-oatmeal-chocolate-chip-cookies.html" target="_blank">Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies</a>, the obligatory candle ( I love Yankee Candle's Cinnamon Stick and Pumpkin Pie at this time of year) and, of course, a spooky book. I am aware that there is a never-ending list of books in the horror genre and what may scare the living daylights out of me may leave you unfazed, but I thought it would still be fun to share the books that have given me many a sleepless night. So here they are, in no particular order, the books that should guarantee a spooky Halloween to all those that choose to read them.</p> <p><strong><em><font size="3">Dracula by Bram Stoker</font></em></strong></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">This has to be <em>the</em> quintessential horror book of all time and, while I am sure that it needs no introduction, let me just say that Dracula is not one of these affable vampires that seem to be all the rage these days. Count Dracula is a malevolent, evil vampire. His impulses and desires are so horrifying that I could not help but feel appalled at his very existence - although he only ever existed on the pages of the book. But Stoker's imagery is so masterful that I could almost feel the most famous vampire of them all breathing down my neck. </font></p> <p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dracula-Bram-Stoker/dp/0486411095/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1476731547&sr=1-1&keywords=dracula" target="_blank"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51bkV77uxLL._SX312_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="240" height="381"></a></p> <blockquote> <p align="center"> <em>“I want you to believe...to believe in things that you cannot.”</em></p></blockquote> <p><strong><em><font size="3">A Portrait of Barbara by Robin Squire</font></em></strong></p> <p align="justify">Charlotte, a young bride, is abducted on her wedding night by a madman and taken to a derelict house in a desolate, moorland wilderness. Here she is kept prisoner, with a decaying corpse for companion, and a portrait of a lady called Barbara. But who is Barbara and what plans does she have for Charlotte? This book is quite horrifying and the climax is truly something out of the worst possible nightmare. <em>A Portrait of Barbara</em> is definitely not a tale for the faint-hearted.</p> <p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3509973-a-portrait-of-barbara?ac=1&from_search=true" target="_blank"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="3509973" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1248352444l/3509973.jpg" width="240" height="399"></a></p> <p><strong><em><font size="3"></font></em></strong> </p> <p><strong><em><font size="3">The Ghosts of Malta by Joseph Attard</font></em></strong></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">This book is a compilation of ghost stories that are part of Maltese folklore. I had heard quite a few of the stories before actually reading the book but that didn't make it any less scary to read - Mmybe it's because, give or take a couple of miles, most of the haunted places mentioned in the book are not more than 20 miles from my house. So that made it so much more personal, which may explain the number of sleepless nights that I went through while I was reading it. It's my fault of course, because in spite of my skepticism, my imagination ran away with me and kept creating apparitions behind every closed door even though I kept telling myself not to be so silly and superstitious. </font></p> <p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ghosts-Malta-Joseph-Attard/dp/9990900302" target="_blank"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51-02OOI5OL._SX302_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="240" height="394"></a></p> <p><strong><em><font size="3"></font></em></strong> </p> <p><strong><em><font size="3">Ghosts and Haunting by Dennis Bardens</font></em></strong></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">This book is also a collection of short stories - except that this time it is about the ghosts of the British Isles. There is one particular story in this book, involving a black skull, that I thought was particularly scary and is imprinted in my brain to this day - which does not mean that the rest of the stories were less spooky. </font></p> <p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ghosts-Hauntings-Dennis-Bardens/dp/B003J3QAN6/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1476733498&sr=1-2&keywords=ghosts+and+hauntings+by+dennis+bardens" target="_blank"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41%2BcklU37PL._SX307_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="240" height="368"></a></p> <p><strong><em><font size="3"></font></em></strong> </p> <p><strong><em><font size="3">Misery by Stephen King</font></em></strong></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">After a traffic accident, writer Paul Sheldon is rescued by Annie Wilkes, a nurse who describes herself as his number one fan. There's nothing wrong with that except that Annie is very angry with Paul Sheldon because he has killed off her favourite character: Misery Chastain and, by hook or by crook, Annie is determined that Paul will revive Misery. This book is a reminder that horror stories do not have to be of the spirit kind. <em>Misery </em>is a study in psychological horror, the sort of horror that human beings can inflict on each other without the need to resort to vampires and grinning skulls. </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Misery-Novel-Stephen-King/dp/1501143107/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1476733617&sr=1-1&keywords=misery+by+stephen+king" target="_blank"><em><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51u%2BBqeluaL._SX326_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="240" height="365"></em></a></p> <p align="center"><em>“I am in trouble here. This woman is not right.”</em></p> <p align="justify">So what do you think? Is your curiosity piqued? If you haven't already, would you read any of these books? Or do you prefer something less horrifying for your entertainment?</p> <p align="justify">To be honest, horror is probably my least favourite genre but, every now and then, a good, spooky book is the best thing to get my heart racing. On second thoughts, maybe I should consider taking up jogging.</p>Loreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520908604580765632noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411459508557383279.post-88426994848527264362016-09-29T22:10:00.001+02:002016-09-29T22:10:44.851+02:00Summer's end<p align="justify">It was Sunday morning and I was alone in the house doing the much-hated ironing. All was still, all was silent - except for a barley-perceptible noise that I had not heard in months: the gentle rhythm of the falling rain and the occasional rumble of distant thunder. The unmistakable scent of <a href="http://themetapicture.com/some-of-the-best-words-of-the-english-language/" target="_blank">petrichor</a> wafted in through the open doors and windows, tickling my nose. The air smelt fresh, the dust of months was washed away, the plants looked relieved and I could finally breathe. I feel like I've stumbled across a rare gem, a grey autumn day in sunny Malta. Can I safely say that autumn is here to stay? Probably not. I am sure that blue skies will soon chase the clouds away. But for the moment, I find comfort in the possibility that maybe, just maybe, we will experience this most elusive of seasons. As the cool air finally circulates around the house I allow myself to dream of fluffy socks and pumpkin-spice scented candles while thinking about upcoming lazy weekends spent reading, baking or watching movies. </p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-atGVZOKFv0I/V-11LXSLWXI/AAAAAAAAfi8/pM9YLegcm0w/s1600-h/Ghar%252520Lapsi%252520%2525287%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Ghar Lapsi (7)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Ghar Lapsi (7)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u8Rey4Umo58/V-11MNz7e0I/AAAAAAAAfjA/F4-ty64sMvQ/Ghar%252520Lapsi%252520%2525287%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="justify">There is something extremely exhilarating about the shift in seasons, the slow but steady decline in daylight hours. Perhaps it's strange that I love the seasons that so many love to hate. But there is an aura of mystery and enchantment that surrounds autumn and winter that totally eludes our boisterous summers. Maybe it's because summers are for extroverts but autumn and winter are definitely for introverts. The beaches are all but deserted now, the crowds have gone home and nothing remains but the echoes of memories. Memories which we didn't make because we shun crowds and noise and spend most of our summer days in a tight little circle of family and close friends. Like snails we remain cocooned in our shells, until the rain comes and coaxes us out.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6GCKpZPT4y0/V-11NIMek_I/AAAAAAAAfjE/XaMOYK21kEw/s1600-h/Ghar%252520Lapsi%252520%25252811%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Ghar Lapsi (11)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Ghar Lapsi (11)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-muAER-ulcbQ/V-11N5txQEI/AAAAAAAAfjI/OBmWKKvP1lo/Ghar%252520Lapsi%252520%25252811%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="justify">Excitedly I start making plans for the coming months: there are hikes to plan and cookies to bake; books to read (although that never stops) and movies to see; titbits to share with my readers and changes to make to this blog. I can finally stop contemplating the ceiling and twiddling my thumbs and get productive.</p> <p align="justify">So, after the very long article I wrote last time about Dunster, I thought that this time I would keep it simple but before I go I wanted to share <a href="http://mashable.com/2015/11/25/edward-curtis-native-americans/#k5fMmLdBZkq3" target="_blank">this wonderful collection of photos of The North American Indian</a> taken by Edward Sheriff Curtis between 1904 and 1924, which provides an enthralling insight into the daily lives of various indigenous North American tribes. As always, when the subject of American Indians comes up, it makes me wonder what America would be like today if white man had not desecrated its most sacred places. </p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aQLzpNCa-PU/V-11OnjfjmI/AAAAAAAAfjM/zlyJ_4fHQ3U/s1600-h/Ghar%252520Lapsi%252520%25252848%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Ghar Lapsi (48)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Ghar Lapsi (48)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mcdikVIlErM/V-11PY--YlI/AAAAAAAAfjQ/2Pue3blo5Zc/Ghar%252520Lapsi%252520%25252848%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="justify">Speaking of North America's hallowed places, <a href="http://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-of-the-day/2015/7/yellowstone-grand-prismatic-aerial/" target="_blank">this National Geographic photo of Yellowstone's Grand Prismatic Spring</a> is simply breath-taking and brought back wonderful memories of <a href="https://loreeswritingspace.blogspot.com.mt/2013/09/the-untamed-beauty-of-yellowstone.html" target="_blank">our trip there in 2013</a>. Yellowstone is an unforgettable place, a wilderness that each person that is able to should visit at least once in their lifetime. I promise that you will come away with so much more than memories. I almost got the feeling that I was looking right at America's soul. I can truly never find the words to convey what I'm trying to say. The best thing would be for you to experience it for yourselves.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xmUsEXHOPTg/V-11QGCJTmI/AAAAAAAAfjU/Ro3GQnoJJmk/s1600-h/Ghar%252520Lapsi%252520%25252853%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Ghar Lapsi (53)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Ghar Lapsi (53)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_Belrzzqbco/V-11Q3Dt5TI/AAAAAAAAfjY/q9eThLb7vRg/Ghar%252520Lapsi%252520%25252853%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="451"></a></p> <p align="center"><em>Location: Ghar Lapsi, October 2015</em></p>Loreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520908604580765632noreply@blogger.com10