The topic for this week’s photo challenge is the sun. Initially, I thought to use one of the many sunset pictures I’ve snapped in the past, but as I continued searching through the digital file, I came upon these instead; captured last fall during a visit to Bok Gardens in Orlando, FL. They reflect the sun in all its glory, at least I think so. LOL
Bok Gardens in Orlando, FLIt is a sunny day in the GardensLots of sunshine..the bells are ringing
This is one of my favorite pictures, taken a few years ago during a trip to London; I took this picture during a cruise through the River Thames on one of those days when the London weather decided to cooperate. That day we discovered that one of the best ways to see London’s famous landmarks, is from the river. As we went past London County Hall, I was duly impressed with the architecture of its building and had to snap this picture. You can see a corner of the London Eye peeking through on the left side as well a ship passing by. This week’s photo challenge: Two subjects.
What is it about it? I am talking about cars, trucks, any kind of motorized vehicle that gets a man salivating at the thought of having one in which to spend their (and our) free time, tinkering under the hood.
Cougar and Explorer, blue...of course!
This love affair started, for my husband, when he bought his first car—a brand new 1974 Ford Maverick, blue of course. The excitement and anticipation hung in the air as seen through the wide grin, which seemed permanently etched on his face. The moment he signed his name on the dotted line at the dealership, I should have known it would be a lifelong affair.
Fast forward to 1990, when we moved from New York to the Sunshine State, and where we would need to obtain another vehicle, because we sold the Maverick in anticipation of the big move south. We bought two cars that year, one for me, the other for my hubby. This being the West Coast of Florida, not Miami or Tampa or any big city for that matter, the only way to get around required we each had a vehicle. However, this is not the story about my vehicles, which I consider basic transportation and not a member of the family, but about the hubby’s love affairs with his cars. So on with the story, LOL
As I said before we bought two cars that year, only one of those two is still with us twenty-two years later—you guessed it, not mine. The slightly used, less than thirty thousand miles when purchased, 1988 Mercury Cougar Blue Max sedan, blue of course; is still among us and has received so much pampering I’m amazed that I am not jealous. Every move we have made, the Cougar has been there, and to make matters worse, since 1997, a Ford ExplorerSUV, blue of course has been keeping it company.
Not only there is a Ford loyalty issue at stake here—there is also this blue thing going on. Now that I think about it, it is an all-around blue thing. Hubby loves blue, too much if you ask me. Shirts, if he goes shopping for them they will be blue—basic, light, dark royal, navy, pastel, blue-green, any and all shades of blue. If there is any other color hanging in his closet, it is because I went shopping not him, OMG!
For years he has spent so much time and money on that Cougar, I swear it is his mistress. (Note: I am not complaining here, better his mistress be a car than a woman). Still, I have been harping on the fact that both the Cougar and the Explorer need to go; they are excessively old in-car years or is it dog years? Anyway, he keeps telling me they are “classics” and I keep telling him that he should get in touch with Ford and cash-in his loyalty card, he should ask them for a spanking new Ford SUV in exchange for his lifetime loyalty, there must bonus points for that.
What do you think? I say Ford owes me, for putting up with this affair with their two cars, for so long. Right?
I have been waiting for an opportunity to post these pictures, and this week’s theme “Journey” just provided the perfect one. Most days I go out for a walk with Sasha, our lab/husky mix, around 1:00 pm; the same scene usually greet us on our journey.
Across the street, on our neighbor’s yard, a turtle has made her home. She comes out of her nest a couple of times a day but most definitely at the same time we go for our daily walk. She even spies us as we approach her territory and ensures to get closer to her refuge the closer we get. Her antics fascinate me, so this time I decided to capture some of her moves as she is sunning and then when she quickly runs to hide from us, all along–Sasha anxiously hopes to follow, it is a daily “dance” that leaves me exhausted but marveled at the animal kingdom’s instinct to hunt and the need to ensure survival.
Suntan time, just chilling!Ahhh, the sun feels so good; but here comes that dog. Gotta go!Patiently waiting... just let me loose I'll get her!
Tostones - fried green plantains (Photo credit: haleysuzanne)
This week’s photo challenge: “Sometimes you chance across things which were arranged on purpose, or on a whim – find something in your environment which was arranged by a human hand for others to enjoy!”Share a picture that means ARRANGED to you!
On a recent trip to the Farmers’ Market I was happy to find some of the fruits and veggies I like. Beside bananas, which I love, there was an ample supply of green plantains–which put a smile on my face. Growing up in Panama, one of my favorite meals to have on a Saturday morning would be “Patacones con Salchicha” or “Pescado” or “Carne”, also known as “Tostones” in other Latin cultures–it basically translates into “fried plantains with sausage, fish, or meat”; but plantains are one of the most versatile fruits you can find, they are nutritious and delicious and a great complement to many meats, fish, shrimp even egg omelets.
Arranged in this basket are some of the fruits that made it into our very own yummy dish, such as the one displayed below.
Chica on the Move 