Green and gorgeous . . . . . . . and a Birthday!

Today is special. . . . . 

. . . . .and so is he!

After all the hoopla celebrating America's birthday on Independence Day, another

 birthday rolled around for my dear husband as the fireworks filled the late night sky.  

As a little boy his mom told him the fireworks were to announce his impending arrival

on July 5th!  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY dearest Bob, and here's to many, many more!

Bob enjoying the Thomas Connolly Pub, (1861) Sligo, Ireland, June 2019

Not Ireland, but just as green . . . . .  . .if you plan a visit in springtime. 

Looking through older photos from travels, I came across these taken in Sicily

 in May 2017, reinforcing my great affinity for 'the color green.'

Leaving the coast of the island for the high rolling vineyards of the interior, 

the incredible changes in the landscape were breathtaking.

There will be more posts to come featuring Ireland. . . . . taking a little posting
 break while working on them.

So hot here. . . . .our own green garden patch is struggling, fading by the day.

A last glimpse of Sicily. . . . . . . . . .

Prior to moving many photos off the laptop into portable storage, 

just wanted to share these remaining ones taken in Sicily in May.

Enjoy, and remember, this Italian island is a truly beautiful place to visit if you

 have the chance. I would love to return some day for the scenery, the history,

 the oranges and lemons. . . . . . and the best pizza ever!

"Arrivederci stunning Sicily".

Sicily - Summer Fashions. . . . . . . . .

Seems ages since I did a 'fashion' post.

No, didn't do much shopping at all whilst in Sicily - other than a 

useful lemon squeezer - oh my, the Sicilian lemons are the world's best -

and definitely no clothes or shoes this time, bags were already overstuffed 

for the cruise, and this time orders were, "we are not buying another suitcase to

get things home." 

However I still enjoyed looking, and window shopping, and as you probably

 know, I love taking photos of shop windows. Just something really interesting 

 about reflections. . . . . . .and the mannequins are amazing these days.

Being in Italy and NOT buying shoes was hard!  While in Siracusa, I really was

 interested in these handmade sandals in gorgeous black and silver leather,

170.00 euros was just a bit much for sandals! I passed them up - and I kick

 myself daily on these 98F melting days and wish I had them - so different from

 anything I've seen around here.

via Anthropologie

But I do have these pants!  Not from Italy, from Anthropologie, and they 

are my best summertime buy this year!  I could live in these pants, and almost do,

 as they are so comfortable, a bit baggy, lightweight and cool, and despite wrinkling

 as linen does, having the fine stripe seems to mask creases really well. I throw 

them in the washer and dryer and put them back on. They fall just above the ankle

 or can be rolled twice to make them cropped at a good length (I'm quite tall - 5'8"), 

and can be dressed up or down with different tops and accessories.

If you bump into me any day this summer don't be surprised if I'm

wearing these pants!

Here I'm in the car heading west - yes, I even did that recent road trip to the

 North Carolina mountains wearing these comfortable pants.

Did you find something to wear this summer which you are really enjoying?

Sicily - Siracusa

May 11, 2017 - 7 AM - Island Sky docked at her berth at Siracusa (Syracuse). 

This was our last port of call in Sicily.

The approach to the city was somewhat murky that morning, however 

the closer we got the deeper the colors became. . . . . . .soon the details of

 the ancient ochre buildings became clear, beautiful and welcoming.

Our ship, Noble Caledonia's Island Sky, moving in toward her berth at 

the Syracuse waterfront - aways fun to watch the crew maneuvering a ship alongside

 and, as you can see, we couldn't have been closer to town which was great.

That morning I was really feeling the effects of the 'Euro-bug' which had hit me, 

several other passengers, plus the Island Sky's chef, quite hard.

I'd already croaked for three days with laryngitis, then a burgeoning cough over

 several days had me feeling lousy. 

Not going ashore was out of the question - most likely I would never be here

in Sicily again - so off I went, camera around my neck, bag stuffed with tissues,

Ricolas for my throat, and sunnies to hide my red, watery, no makeup eyes.

Still a few more stories to come from the May Sicily/Malta cruise - such a wonderful

 voyage to new to me places.

Noto, Sicily. . . . . . . .

May 10, 2017 - Port of Pozzallo, Sicily.

Some photos from Noto which, quite simply, is the apotheosis of Baroque
 town planning and architecture. Completely destroyed in the terrible1693
 earthquake, it was rebuilt from scratch on a new site about 10km from the old city.

A picturesque city, it is located on the terraced slopes of Mount Iblei among

 olive groves and almond trees. One can spy carved brilliance around its
baked pale vanilla walls, and on almost every corner stands a beautiful
church.

The idea was to create a linear, perfectly proportioned urban center whose parallel

lines would provide myriad panoramas. The town was divided into three parts by

 three roads running from east to west, thus ensuring the constant attention of

the sun. At the top lived the nobility, in the middle the clergy, and at the bottom the 

"hoi polloi" - the ordinary people.

The main building material used was local compact limestone, a substance that 

seemingly absorbs the sun's rays and transforms them into a soft golden-honeyed

glow. The effect is quite breathtaking.

 Tourist activity in Noto is simply to wander around the beautiful narrow streets, 

admiring the golden-colored stone buildings, lovely facades and
 balconies. . . . . .perhaps throw in a little window shopping, then

find a shady spot for a coffee, a pizza, or my favorite. . . . . . . 
a bowl of delicious gelato!