CHURCHILL

Someone just told me - "If you're going through hell keep on walking." Churchill

As I continue 'walking' I am hoping for the best and it passes.

The countdown for this current project in NC has begun until I return to the safety of what I call, for the moment, home.  Soon enough I will be back with my two furballs and my kitchen.

The kitchen is where I find solitude.  Cooking is a tremendous stress relief for me.  Once upon a time, I made a kazillion cookies that I sent to everyone I know - worldwide - Of course, I don't eat anything but the batter.  However, I am told that the cookies are amazing.  Thanks, to a disgruntled person on Urban Legend who left the recipe to a Mrs. Fields cookie recipe. YUMMY!

I GET MEADOW MUFFINS

The pictures are self explanatory:

Daughter #2 shares a moment of her daily routine that includes a walk through the forest where she goes to school.  How beautiful.   

Daughter #1 spends spring break in Key West.  View from Mallory Square at sunset [stating the obvious]. 

And, me...  I get Meadow Muffins!!!  

Diamond in the RUFF

If I could figure a way to get to this cafe each morning without having to drive 1 hour and 23 minutes [thank you GPS], I wouldn't miss the experience.  Amelie's french cafe in Charlotte, NC.  

After spending 1 month in Paris not too long ago [to celebrate a milestone birthday] I thought I hit the jackpot with respect to cafes, but this little treasure bypasses all that I experienced cafe-wise.  The croissants are delicious, atmosphere - unbeatable, the 'sipping' hot chocolate is yummy; but, the soups are, by far, exceptional. My favorite is the spinach/asparagus soup.   [To obtain the recipe - www.ameliesfrenchbakery.com]

Of course, I will continue to trapse the globe having cafe 'tastings.'  One never knows when I will find another diamond in the RUFF..... OH, WAIT!!! I did!!! In Morocco, but that is for another day.

TELEPHONE

This has been a completely disheartening project I am currently working on in NC.  People here seem to have an alternative agenda aside from just WORK.  It's like the old 'telephone' game. ... Someone says something to someone and 10 people later it's twisted and causing havoc amongst 75 other people.  For the most part, these are contractual facts being spewed without warrant or justification.

And, the cause????  None.  Just to be gossip queens.  Hurtful.  

This behavior leads me to believe [or, confirm what I have been repeatedly told to me in the past] that no one is trustworthy.  Where does that leave me.... that I have to keep further to myself and become more of an introvert!  

Oh, a wandering I will go....  

NC

I have nothing to say about filming in Winston-Salem.  Trust me, I think everyone took dummy pills for this production!

The Wanderer

Vagabond - basically, a wanderer with no fixed home.  That would be the definitive description of my soul.  I don't think it's a bad thing. I like being able to pick up an go, trying new things, living in new places, eating new things...etc...  And, now, that my kids are older I am able to revisit the joy of travel and 'wander.'

Just recently, I spent 1 month celebrating a milestone birthday in one of my favorite cities; Paris.  Even though it was rainy almost daily, grey and cold, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.  The food was still beyond fabulous, the walks along La Seine were still beautiful, and, according to my oldest daughter, the bread was the best she has ever tasted!!!  Agreed.  If I think about it hard enough I can even taste the fresh baguette right now!

Just after the first of 2013 we came home to our little New England town.  Only moments later, I was on a plane to my next job in the south - North Carolina - where I will stay until the beginning of April. On the odd occasion I am able to sneak home for a quick weekend visit with my furballs [cat and dog].

 In my first week in NC, I was encouraged to taste grits.  The ladies at the hotel brought me butter, syrup, honey and jam thinking that one of these additives may enhance the flavor enough of the pasty flavored cream of wheat type of food.  And, NO!  None of the aforementioned toppings enhanced the flavor enough for me to eat again.  Thank you, hotel ladies.

I do have a long history of travel and experiences that I will share.  But, for now, I am finishing my wine and going to bed.  Who knows, in the morning, when my head is clear, I may end of deleting this entire post and blog site.

Good night!