Timeless - a special anniversary. . . . . . . . . . . .

On this day, ten long years, ago I sat down at my computer and penned a little blog

 post, my first ever. It became the beginning of a new and exciting part of my life.

 My first blog I named Across The Pond, a title I liked as I believed it would resonate

 with any readers who might somehow discover me. Having come across that wide

 Atlantic Ocean many years before, and making a new life here in America, I was

 hoping to share not only my life here as an expat, but now and then throw in a

 few stories of my life growing up in England. . . . . . . and of my visits back and

 forth over what is now fifty plus years. 

After three years nurturing that first blog (still available HERE - see how bad

 my photos were back then!) I was forced to start another thanks to problems with

 the Google/Blogger gremlins! 

So, since 2010, A Breath of Fresh Air has been my window to the world, and my

link to kindred spirits. What an astounding world it is.

I especially have enjoyed meeting several of my blog friends in person, both here in

 North America, and across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in several countries.
 Those of you who follow me, whether you leave generous comments or just
 read and run, I appreciate you all so very much. I know blogging takes time and
 we're all busy. There are now numerous fabulous blogs to follow out there
 compared to when many of us started years ago.

For me, this blog is my personal creative outlet, a way for me to share my

 photos (a now favorite hobby which, by the way, has been impacted greatly by

 blogging), especially those taken on my travels to places near and far on all

seven continents.

But, even more special, is the fact that my blog has brought me to

your blog, some for many of the past ten years, others more recently. I do so 

enjoy reading of the lives of others in their special corner of the world.

Some of us mention now and again that we are considering giving up blogging 

for one reason or another. It does take time, especially if you like to write 

a wordy post, prepare your photos, and do that several times a week, perhaps

 even daily. I admit to having had thoughts of quitting. Just think of all the other

 things I could be doing, such as making lampshades like the one above, yes I used

 to do that when my eyesight was better and sewing was a big part of my life.

 But now I really enjoy getting out with a camera, and coming up with something

 to write about which I hope you will read and enjoy.

Yes, blogging and I are planning to keep going a while longer. . . . . .  as long as

 I am able to fit it in along with all the other things life has a way throwing at us.

 I will be traveling internationally again this Spring - to a few new to me

 beautiful places - more on that later!

So here's to this day next year when hopefully we can celebrate yet another

 anniversary together. . . . . . . . .many thanks again for stopping by and

 sharing your time and your words with me here. You are certainly a very 

special group of great friends, and I'm thankful for each and every one of you.

Big hugs.

Warming HOT POTS. . . . . . . . .

Despite the very warm days we've had this past week and all 

through the weekend, and the bright spots in the garden where the

 spring blooms are already out, there's still a nip in the air early 

morning and the nights turn quite cold.

Cooking in winter is always a favorite time for me.

I make several different soups during the week, always a great choice for

 lunch or dinner, and often one of these warmers. . . . . . . . a veggie hot pot,

 basically a more chunky, thick version of soup more like a stew, and it means

 no additional entree is required - this is a filling bowl of healthy ingredients.

I'm sharing the recipe below - I do tweak it a bit by using canned beans which are 

fine and take much less time. I used butternut squash this time, any winter squash

is good, but I always add the rutabaga which I love. I did jalapeño pepper - one was 

plenty as it was large, and although I had to buy a bunch of cilantro, fortunately I

was able to clip fresh mint from the garden. 

I shared this healthy meal with you HERE a couple of years ago. As I made it 

this weekend I'm posting it again with new photos!

Sunday supper by the fire, perhaps while watching a movie or your favorite

 TV show. . . . . . . warming thoughts with a bowl of goodness in hand.

Blue skies. . . . . . . .

Yesterday the skies were so pretty and

Carolina Blue was just that, really brilliant blue.

The clouds were white with shadow moments of grey,

 puffy, billowing, but slow sailing. . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . .and in the early evening they were 

tinged with gold as the sun dropped down to the west.

Branches are still mostly bare up there, reaching

for the heavens, a still and silent canopy above. 

Today, close to 80F expected again.

Birds think it's spring, they are full of songs and 

seem to be property hunting in the shrubbery.

This morning I've filled the feeders and suet holders,

 and topped up the bird baths. . . . . . .a robin was bathing,

 first I've seen in a while.

 The garden is lively and starting to get little pockets of

 color from daffodils, pansies, camellias and periwinkle.

Have a fine weekend everyone.

Saucer magnolia, early garden splendor. . . . .

Grabbed the camera yesterday to take some photos of this lovely flowering

 magnolia liliiflora in the garden. I planted it ten years ago when quite tiny, 

just 18" in its garden center pot, and it's now about 15 feet tall. A moderately

 fast grower until about 20 years of age, it should top out around 20 feet with

 15 feet spread. One of the earliest multi-stemmed flowering trees in the USA,

 it blooms from late winter and is a beautiful first indicator of spring, with flowers

 opening before the grey-green leaves appear. . . . . . .I think you will agree

 it's very lovely.

With the temperature continuing very warm again here today and tomorrow - perhaps

 hitting 80F - we're enjoying the many blooming trees, shrubs and plants. However we

 are concerned that it will no doubt cool off with possible frost damage in the remaining

 weeks of winter. . . . . . . . a winter which never really arrived around here!

Tweaking a French classic. . . . . . . . .

Today my kitchen was bursting with the fragrance of fresh vegetables, garlic, thyme

 and the best olive oil. Sizzling in two baking dishes in the oven, and bubbling

 from a skillet on the burner, music was created! Who knew a plump eggplant,

 two zucchini, two onions, and an orange and yellow pepper could taste so good

when blanketed with your own homemade thick tomato sauce, it's so easy.

 If you've spent time in the South of France, especially in picturesque Provençe, 

surrounded by lavender and sunflower fields, when dining in either a restaurant

 or a French home, you most likely have been served ratatouille. 

Also known as ratatouille niçoise, this colorful unctuous vegetable

 stew which originated in the city of Nice, is a French classic and so easy to

 make at home.

Purists may still choose the traditional French way of preparation where each

 vegetable is cooked separately atop the stove, a longer more messy process,

 then combined and cooked together slowly until they reach a creamy consistency.

 I used to make mine that way. The new way is much easier and to me tastes even

 more fantastic. . . . . .actually this version we will have for supper tonight is really

 the best I've ever tasted, honestly!

The word ratatouille derives from the Occitan ratatolha and is related to the French

ratatouiller and tatouiller, expressive forms of the verb touiller meaning 'to stir up'. 

From the late 18th century, in French, it indicated a coarse stew, and the actual 

ratatouille recipe didn't appear in print until around 1930.

Always serve ratatouille warm or at room temperature.

If you have refrigerated leftovers remove from the fridge allowing at least

 half an hour prior to serving.

There are dozens of recipes available online for ratatouille or, if you have a

 collection of French or vegetable cookbooks, you are certain to find 

 one to try. I used the simplified recipe from my awesome British cookbook

VEG by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall of River Cottage in Dorset, not far from

 my English home. It was a gift from my granddaughter Jasmin who always

 knows what I love, or will grow to love. . . . and I'm definitely loving

this cookbook.

Off now to eat and enjoy.

Bon appetit.

The perks of Southern living . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . often begin with the weather.

We are so fortunate right now having what everyone is calling 'an early Spring'.

This February weather is fantastic - not saying it will last as there can be really

harsh weather here even in March, but we are certainly enjoying these mild days

 and embracing the sunshine and brilliant blue skies.

Yesterday we did some garden chores and it was actually hot outside.

I was able to gather these pretty blooms to bring into the cottage. . . . . . 

I love cutting my own flowers, even just a few can bring color and smiles

for several days.

Happy Sunday. . . . . . . . . I'm sending these blooms north to all my friends

 who won't see their daffodils until later. Do take care moving all that snow!

Closer to wild, a shared adventure. . . . . . . . . .

If you love animals, especially viewing them in their natural habitats,

I hope you will enjoy this post. These are all photos from Kenya which I've

not shown previously - it's rather long and all the information is 

at the end.

This will probably be the final post on my safari trip to Kenya last Autumn.

These links below will take you directly to view my earlier posts of very exciting

 moments of that memorable trip --------------

 http://abreathoffreshair-mary.blogspot.com/2017/02/kenyan-birdsong.html

http://abreathoffreshair-mary.blogspot.com/2016/11/a-morning-on-maasai-mara.html

http://abreathoffreshair-mary.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-cheetah-on-early-morning-drive.html

http://abreathoffreshair-mary.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-maasai-community.html

http://abreathoffreshair-mary.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-leopard.html

http://abreathoffreshair-mary.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-crossing.html

http://abreathoffreshair-mary.blogspot.com/2016/09/mara-lions-from-sunrise-to-sunset.html

As usual, I took a lot (close to 2,000) photos, of people, places, and of

 course the amazing animals. I used the lightweight Canon Power Shot SX530HS

point and shoot, not a hefty complicated DSLR, and am happy with my photos.

This visit, we were in Kenya the entire time. All these beautiful creatures,

 large and small, were seen on the magnificent Masaai Mara National Reserve

 which is contiguous with the Serengeti National Park of Tanzania. 

I've included some shots which show you the stunning landscapes as well as

 close ups of the animals.

As mentioned, these are photos I've not shown in previous posts. They are more

 I really like and want to share with you before moving all the Africa photos

 to a portable drive to free up storage space here on my MacBook. 

If possible, never pass up a chance to visit the captivating

 continent of Africa. . . . . . and definitely go on a wildlife safari.

For more information on planning a wonderful customized safari trip,

I suggest you contact Kili McGowan here at NEXT ADVENTURE. 

Kili and her staff will make sure your experience will be unforgettable 

as mine have always been.