THANKING MY LUCKY STARS

Flying the friendly skies later today!  Tomorrow morning I'll be slushing around in the rain/snow in Ljubljana, Slovenia. There for 4 days and then on to Croatia to cruise the coastline.  Another GRAND adventure.  

I DO realize how fortunate I am as I try to take advantage of every chance I get to experience more of Europe, marvel at their varied cultures and re-discover the depth of history there.

When I travel, I develop more empathy for others. This time we'll be where the people were under Communist rule until 1991.  THIS is nearly impossible for me to "grasp"...... 

I wear 3 rings now, each inscribed on the outside with a different phrase -

• "thank your lucky stars"
• "count your blessings"
• "find silver linings"

I certainly do every day, I do, I do.........

Ciao!

Joan

MAKING MEMORIES AT THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving here yesterday in the USA - SOOOOO much to be thankful for - a wonderful life, freedom, family and friends.  And I'm also thankful that my sister Ellen cooks a delicious fresh Tom Turkey with our family recipe "stuffing", every year in her home!!

We were missing my nephew and his wife (alternating holidays with her family), but the rest were all present and we just barely fit around the table (the youngest joined the adults this year).  Eight adults and 5 children.  

My sister Jane remarked on Facebook that her favorite memory of the day was this -  

"As we circled the table with each person's declaration of what we were most grateful for, the 3 1/2 year old waited patiently for her turn.  Of 13 of us she was 3rd from the last to speak.  

When asked what she was most grateful for - with a big smile on her face, she boldly announced - "LAUGHTER!"  The whole crowd erupted into a hearty laugh.  She was so proud of herself.  It was absolutely priceless!"

There were so many memorable moments yesterday, but in case you missed what I posted on Facebook, some of my favorites were from the time that I spent with my 7 year old grand-nephew, Derek - 

He announced to all that he is changing his name to "Stuart". Later that evening I was snuggling with him in a big stuffed chair and asked how he came up with the name "Stuart"?

He said, "Well, I had it in my brain from a long time ago, like when I was 2. There are a lot of things in my brain that I have from a long time ago."

He also told me that since his "Gram" passed away (this Fall), she talks to him in his dream every night. He has total confidence that she is actually there with him - he sees her "with hair, not her wig and she looks so much better than she did the last time I saw her". What a gift he's been given, to have her visit each night with words of guidance.

He also spent over an hour giving me every detail about a World War II movie that he just watched (Kelly's Heroes), completely understanding and explaining that the Germans were trying to take over France and that the US soldiers helped to save France. I mean the "details" he remembered and explained were amazing.......

I LOVE this kid!!!   I LOVE my family!!!

If you celebrated Thanksgiving, I hope you too had a memorable day.

Joan

LIFE'S UNEXPECTED "LITTLE THINGS" TOTALLY ENTERTAIN ME

I love life.  I really, really do.  I am entertained daily by the unexpected "little things".

I'll give you a "for instance"......... 

This week I was with my Aunt in Philadelphia waiting for her new bedroom furniture to arrive. The two delivery guys were young (30's), "TALL, DARK and HANDSOME" - WITH AN ACCENT (darn it - I'm too old). I asked where they were from and they told me SERBIA. 

I said, "I can't believe it - I'm going to that part of the world next week!".  I also told them that a tour guide for a Danube River Cruise I took 2 years ago is from BELGRADE, SERBIA.

"Her name is BOJANA", I said.

"There are only a million BOJANA's in Belgrade", was his reply.

Because I still stay in touch with Bojana, I was able to show him her photo on Facebook.  He asked if he could write her a note from my Facebook page in his language, which made me chuckle and of course I said yes.

And the "coincidences" continue........

They asked where all I was going next week and I said, "The first 4 days I'll be in LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA" (the 2 J's are silent).  

He said, "That's where my "ex" is from!"  (Seriously?  Is this for real??)

He proceeded to tell me that LJUBLJANA is not a huge city (goodie!), but it's a really nice place and I should be sure to "try everything" while I'm over there. 

They asked if I was going by bus and I told them the tour will be mostly by boat along the Croatian coast. They wondered if I'd be visiting HVAR, a CROATIAN ISLAND.  I AM!!  They think HVAR is the most beautiful island anywhere.  They told me the Croatian coast is so spectacular - there will be plenty of fresh seafood and great wines (I'm happy!).  AND it probably won't be as cold along the coast as it is here right now.  EXCELLENT news!!

SERIOUSLY, what are the odds of one week before going to CROATIA and LJUBJANA, SLOVENIA that I would meet someone whose ex-wife is from this little-known city, far from the USA? I'm completely entertained by it all and it makes me chuckle.  (Laughing is good for the soul, right?)  Life is such a blast.  I'm hoping you know EXACTLY what I'm talking about here!!

This is just one little example of the fun things that happen in MY life EVERY DAY - all of which I could take for granted or easily overlook and completely miss the JOY of the moment. I try to regularly "pay attention" - to appreciate these "little things" when they occur - I'm in awe as they unfold......

GOTTA LOVE IT!!

Joan

MY DISTASTE FOR PUBLIC BATHROOMS

Earlier this week I met my friend Anna for lunch at THE WHITE DOG CAFE in Wayne, PA.  Lunch was delicious as always (one of my favorite restaurants in the area).  We both had the tomato bisque soup and 1/2 of a turkey/swiss/cranberry/lettuce sandwich.  Yummy!!

Before leaving, we each hit the LADIES ROOM. The dreaded experience of using a public bathroom. I always enter tentatively, with my face all scrunched up, ready for an unpleasant experience - the smells, the dirt, the unkempt stalls, the drab decor...... I get that germophobic feeling of not wanting to touch ANYTHING!!

Ugh..... I HATE public Ladies Rooms. But I was pleasantly surprised at "The White Dog". So much so, that after Anna returned I HAD to go back and take some photos. It was one of the prettiest Ladies Rooms I've ever been in. What a nice surprise.

First of all, the signs on the doors indicating MEN vs LADIES Rooms made me smile - LOVED them. HOW CLEVER, right?!!

Framed photos of dogs all over the walls as soon as you walk in.  

Did you notice the ceramic sculptures of dogs by the wash basins (shown above and below)?

  "Dog Print" tiles all over the floor.  

Cast iron dog head hooks on the door in each stall.  

Hieroglyphic dogs etched in the wall tiles and a doggie toilet paper holder.........

I resisted the impulse to take a photo from the perspective of "sitting on the pot", 

but you can take my word for it, there was much to enjoy looking at!

To the other public toilets owners in the world - 

"TAKE NOTICE"!!!!   

With a little extra effort on their part, I could have less wrinkles on my face from scrunching before entering..........

Joan

ARE YOU FREE THIS WEEKEND FOR ANDY SMITH'S OPEN HOUSE?

Yes, this Blog post is a plug for my friend ANDY SMITH, but it's also an opportunity for you to enjoy some beautiful artwork.

This weekend is ANDY SMITH'S ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE, with the doors opening at 2pm on Friday. Andy and his wife Linda work for months to prepare for this event to showcase in their home/studio his originals, his Limited Edition prints and other prints. Linda cooks delicious finger foods, they serve wine and all of his new (and some older) paintings are on display, hoping for a buyer. Yes, we have to keep in mind that this is how they make their living.

They usually choose 2 originals each year that will become Limited Edition prints, but they aren't available until Open House. This year they are selling "HERITAGE" and "MISTY MORNING" - each selling for only $115 - FRAMED! If you can't make it to Lititz for their Open House, all paintings and prints can also be ordered online from www.andysmithartist.com, by email (andy@andysmithartist.com) or by phone (717-627-3383).

Yes..... PLUG, PLUG, PLUG.......  :)

"HERITAGE"

"MISTY MORNING"

Incredibly, ANDY is a self-taught artist. In my 30's I could only afford his "prints", but after I bought my first "original", there was no going back for me. Here is one of 2 early "prints" I still have that hangs in my guest room over the dresser.

I am now considered a "collector". Here is the first "original" that I purchased, which they subsequently printed, which makes the original more valuable. I just checked Andy's website and they still have these prints available for purchase - $45 unframed and $85 framed - CLICK HERE!!. This is hanging in my foyer. 

Naturally I think I have some of his best work. These two miniature paintings are from a trip to France that I was fortunate to share with them, for the marriage of their daughter Abbey, to Ben Hunter. What a sensational trip and destination wedding that was!!  I've also zoomed in so you can appreciate the detail of each painting.

Also a France painting, this is my most recently purchased and largest original. I apologize for the glare. When ANDY finished this one, I was astounded at how much the style resembled a MONET. As you can see, I placed it prominently over my fireplace.

PAINTING, especially watercolor painting has forever kept me in wonder. I seriously would love to know how a person does it. I graduated college with a degree in Art Education and I would have failed my watercolor class if a friend hadn't come to my rescue. How does the artist see in advance what colors to use and layers will be added and where to leave the white space? It truly boggles my mind.

HOW WE MET -  When I separated from my husband at age 25, I moved to a tiny apartment over a garage in Ephrata, PA, near the high school where I was teaching art. One day there was a knock on the door and it was an Avon Lady. Do Avon Ladies still knock on doors to make sales? Anyway, Linda was "The Avon Lady", we became immediate friends and have remained super close all of these years. And that's a LOT of years!! So, Linda too had just separated from her husband (the dirty dog!) and when my lease was up, she and I rented an apartment together. During that next year, Linda met Andy and at the end of our lease she moved in with him (and I moved in with my boyfriend at the time).

For years Linda and Andy worked separate jobs while he painted watercolors in his free time. Not too long after they were married, Andy started painting full-time and Linda continued to hold a full-time job at a local retail store. When Andy's paintings started to sell regularly, Linda quit her job to run Andy's business. She set the show schedules, sold the paintings, did the budget and accounting, matted and framed the paintings and they went on the road every weekend to Art Shows to broaden his exposure to people who might buy his work.

They continue to this day to travel to shows most weekends. Linda plans "excursions" en route to feed their combined passion for travel and discovering new things. AND Andy takes photographs everywhere to provide inspiration for his paintings.

I'm particularly attached to Andy's miniatures. I have quite a few, but here are some pics to give you an idea of the range of his subject matter.

His seasonal paintings are hard for me to resist. He has some adorable mini Christmas prints framed for $35 each - To purchase, click HERE. I love them!! They make excellent Hostess Gifts and Christmas gifts.  

Since we are still in the Fall season, I have to share my pumpkins with you, which I bring out each year and traditionally place on my kitchen counter, next to the stove - Linda's suggestion and I love it.

I'll be at ANDY'S OPEN HOUSE this Friday when the doors open at 2:00. Not everyone has the luxury of a free Friday afternoon, so Saturday or Sunday might be a better day for you??  Please indulge!!

ENJOY!!


Joan

A VERY COOL DOG

One of the many highlights of my recent trip to Asheville, NC was a DOG. We stopped for gas and I saw a "SMILING HUSKY" (ok, it might have been a "Husky-type" dog - not sure). Doesn't he look like he's smiling?!

The more I looked at him, the more I fell in love with that face! I asked the owner for permission to snap a few pictures and he not only said "Yes", but he also dressed him up in GOGGLES to show me how he REALLY rides in the back of that pick-up.  I LOVE this look!!!

So, be honest - didn't you too just fall in love with this face?!


Joan

A QUICK TRIP TO ASHEVILLE, NC

ASHEVILLE, NC - 3 nights with 3 girls I went to high school with - we had a blast! Although the 4 of us attended the same school, we don't remember each other that well (if at all) BUT after a year of getting to know each other on Facebook, we had a remarkable number of things in common. One is that we all love the colors of Fall. Marjie and Liz both live in South Carolina and Annette lives in Florida, so they were all craving a few days in the midst of Fall colors and falling leaves. ASHEVILLE was the perfect location.  

One morning we took a drive along the BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY and stopped to enjoy a waterfall and also a slip-slide rock location that actually entertains up to 2,000 visitors each day in the warm weather!  Thankfully there was no one there when we were, so we could enjoy the solitude of nature.

We totally enjoyed A Walking Food Tour in Asheville with "EATING ASHEVILLE" - Hank was our guide and what a great source of information he was!  He shared a little information about Asheville's history and how it's become a wonderful city for those who love farm-to-table restaurants and organic foods.  

We started the tour with a glass of Champagne and appetizers in BATTERY PARK BOOK EXCHANGE CHAMPAGNE BAR (don't you love this place??). 

Every single restaurant Hank took us to was out-of-this world DELICIOUS!  Way more food than one person can eat in an afternoon, but we all did our best to try everything. 

How about a few GOURMET POTATO CHIPS?  They ship all over, if you're looking for a creative gift sometime.  

And there's no better way to end a 2.5 hour walking tour than with a taste of CHOCOLATE, right?! Imagine a young couple taking off from the Midwest in their 20's for Costa Rica in a converted school bus. They bought an abandoned cacao farm and started their career with chocolate. They moved back to the USA - landed in Asheville - opened a little chocolate shop (living upstairs) - they ordered their chocolate directly from friends in Costa Rica - made a little money and eventually opened a factory to make the chocolate themselves in Asheville.  I LOVE a success story and I LOVE CHOCOLATE.  

The truffle sample we tasted was filled with a milk chocolate ganache, flavored with honey and lavender. Yummmm!

While Margie and Annette took to the woods for a hike (Egads!), Liz and I headed to the RIVER ARTS DISTRICT to enjoy the talent that this area is known for.  We could have stayed there for days!

FALL - APPLES - Find crisp, fresh apples was one of the itinerary items and how about a HARD CIDER TASTING?  I've been prone to enjoy a number of Wine Tastings, but never even knew about Cider Tastings.......  A tray of 4 small glasses.  Found out it's not my cup of tea, but it was fun to experience it.

We ended our trip with wine on the Terrace of THE GROVE PARK INN.  The colors were spectacular and we received white glove treatment from one of the GREETERS.  

I highly recommend a few days in ASHEVILLE, if you ever get the chance.  Plenty to do and see!!! 

Joan