Ten Things of Thankful 178 (Election Week Thankfuls)

Hello everyone! Hope you are all fine. Cold here in Bavaria, had some snow in the morning, now melted. Him Indoors and I are both coughing like crazy, but we’re glad it’s the weekend, we can relax and hopefully, get better. Ten things of thankful, yes, I’ve got loads to be grateful.

Starting with my Mom. For three weeks, she didn’t have any companion to assist her in the house. Her PA left without saying anything and there was my mother, waiting for her until she rang and said, she didn’t want to return anymore. So panic, panic, everyone asking around if they knew anyone who could help and voila! Found one. One of the nieces of my friend, so we sent her some airfare ticket from the province to come to Manila. Happy with that result.

Aurora is my mother’s name
Daybreak she came
Such a beauty
Out in the sea

Creating an aura of hope
She always cope
Always has been
Serves with a grin

And in our lives she’s the centre
Perfumed with myrrh
The love she gives
Superlative!

(c) ladyleemanila 2016

HRH the son and his beautiful bride are happy on their new place/new town. She started with her PhD, he is volunteering in a charity foundation for three months and then he’ll try to look for a job next year. Good luck to them.

Yesterday, we had a phone call from the in-laws. He was taken to the hospital for some kidney stones. He’s back now, was given some medicine and asked to wait. He goes back in two weeks to be scanned and see what the next procedure is. Hope it works and he gets better so they can come here for Christmas.

Thankful for freedom and all men and women, generations after generations, all over the world, who sacrificed their lives to give us our freedom.

Thankful for my job, I’m still enjoying it and I still see it as my hobby.

Thankful for the memories. It was my Mom’s birthday last week and next week, it would be my Dad’s, bless his soul. We miss him.

Thankful for the autumn this year, now welcoming winter.

I woke up this morning, the air was fresh, cool breeze and dark time. Fog all over our garden, children on their bikes, waiting for each other to go to school. Summer is over, children are cheerful with their back packs. The wind whispering as crispy leaves fall from trees, heaps of gold, brown and red on the ground. It’s also time for harvest, our grapes by our front door and the two apple trees at the back. There was not a lot of harvest this year, enough to stew the apples for apple crumble and pies, and the grapes for some juice. We are very grateful for the produce. It’s also the time to take some of our plants, like olives, banana and palm plants in the house, as well as our pet tortoises. No more garden paradise for them. They are staying in with us.

autumn like a dream
when the wind brushes the leaves
fairy tale that weaves

kids back to school
cheerful to see each other
summer is over

harvesting apples
crisp copper leaves falling off
chilling the air

(c) ladyleemila 2016

For: Ten Things of Thankful 178 (Election Week Thankfuls). Also for: 30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 12, ALL SEASONS -NOVEMBER ENJOYMENT (November 13)

Ten Things of Thankful 172 (Magic) #10Thankful

Hello everyone! There’s magic in the air and I’m loving it! Hope you are all fine. As I’ve said last Thursday, got lots of little things to be thankful about.

I’m smiling because the weather here in Bavaria is lovely, our Indian summer! We have just been swimming this morning and it was brilliant. I’ve hanged clothes outside to dry and the tortoises are happy in the garden. We’re also happy sitting in the garden, drinking our fizzy drinks and admiring the flowers. I have taken lots of photo, as usual, of the flowers, of the leaves changing colours, of the falling leaves, of shadows and other stuff. This morning I’ve video-called my mother. She’s getting better in using the tablet and she rang me herself, how cool is that! In social media, I’ve greeted my cousin, who celebrated their 25 years wedding anniversary and they have renewed their vows in the same church where they were married. It was nice to see them, together with their 6 children and they were all lovely in their white dresses and suits. My friend from Iran is now back from her holidays and we agreed to see each other next week. And tomorrow, Him Indoors and I are going out for a Chinese, the one where we used to eat when we first arrived here. We’ll be cycling there tomorrow evening. So that’s my smile this week. Cheers everyone!

P.S. the sky tonight’s so heavenly!

What else? I’m thankful that we have a long-weekend having Monday off as it’s Germany’s reunification day. Him Indoors is out buying food until Monday (shops are closed tomorrow and Monday, so panic buying for everyone!).

Grateful that HRH the son and his beautiful bride have found a flat in their new place where they will have the next phase of their lives. She’s doing her PhD and he’s hoping to find a job, having just finished his Masters. “White rabbits” to them!

Happy that I spoke to my mother and she’s fine and in good spirit. We talked about her 80th birthday celebration for next year, planning for a big party, of course, with all of her children and grandchildren all over the world coming to the Philippines to celebrate with her.

Grateful that school term in the language school starts next week. Looking forward to seeing my new students. I’ve just ordered some new books, too.

That’s it from me. Keep the magic in you! Take care everyone x

For: Ten Things of Thankful 172 (Magic) #10Thankful, SEASONS – BEGIN OCTOBER FEASTS

A Day in Munich

Hello everyone! Lovely day here and we’ve just showed around Munich a friend from Canada. I just love this city. We started with a rainbow in Stachus.

Followed by churches’ visit. St. Peter’s Church (Munich’s oldest church, housing the jeweled skeleton of St. Mundita, plus a tower with city views), Assam Church (compact 1700s church known for its lavish, baroque interior swathed in gold leaf, frescoes and stucco), St. Michael’s Church (this Renaissance-style church was increased in size after the tower collapsed during construction), Frauenkirche (Gothic church with iconic domed towers), Theatinerkirche (domed baroque Catholic church with striking yellow facade & ornate white stucco interior).

Not to forget, our city hall, Marienplatz, which is our central square

Munich

We also went to Viktualienmarkt, which is a daily food market and a square in the centre of Munich. The Viktualienmarkt developed from an original farmers’ market to a popular market for gourmets.

We had lunch in Hofbräuhaus, which is a 3-floor beer hall dating back to the 16th century, with a Bavarian restaurant, shows & upbeat vibe

Some souvenirs from Munich

We really had a nice day. I hope you all have a great week. Cheers!

For: KHDA – The sublime working environment – Echoes Of My Neighbourhood by Jackie, Ten Things of Thankful 166 (Blessings) #10Thankful by Lizzi, Skywatch Friday – 25 August 2016 Edition , framed in rock…, SEASONS – ALREADY THE END OF AUGUST?!, Jo’s Monday walk : Tall Ships Regatta at Blyth

Ten Things of Thankful 165 (Inspiration) #10Thankful – The Indian Wedding

Hello everyone! Hope you’re all fine. We’ve just got back from India to celebrate HRH the son and his beautiful bride their Indian wedding. We had a great time. Beautiful K’s parents hosted the wedding and everything was organised, from when we arrived in the city, to the henna evening with all the food (chicken, prawns, squids, curries, papadoms, etc.) and Kathakali and other Indian dances and martial art and fire performances. Not to mention we all had henna art work. We finished the night with dancing.

Him Indoors’ brothers and their families were able to join us and we were all happy that they could join us. HRH the son was happy to see all his cousins. The wedding started with the chanting and the first ritual is welcoming the groom by the bride’s family. Beautiful K’s brother washed his feet, dried them and greeted him with a garland. He then held his hand and guided him to the Mandapam or the stage. Beautiful K is brought to the Mandapam by her parents, along with young girls (their friends and cousins) carrying Deepam (symbolic to casting light along the way). She then took her place next to the groom on the Mandapam.

HRH the son and his beautiful K seek our blessings and all the elders. The Thaali or the wedding necklace is blessed by the priest and handed to HRH the son. The Thaali is a leaf shaped locket strung on a yellow thread which he tied around the beautiful K’s neck. The Nadaswaram is played loud and the couple exchanged garlands accepting each other as husband and wife.

HRH the son and his beautiful K took seven steps representing nourishment, strength, prosperity, happiness, progeny, long life and harmony and understanding.

He then showed his bride the double stars of Arundhati and Vashishta, symbolic of marital fulfillment and loyalty.

The wedding feast followed, known as Sadhya (banquet in Malayalam). It is a variety of pure vegetarian dishes traditionally served on a banana leaf in Kerala, India.

I’m really grateful that we can share with you our happiness. Here’s to the bride and groom, may their future be as bright as the ceremony, and be blessed forever. Have a great week everyone!

What made you smile this week?

For: Ten Things of Thankful 165 (Inspiration) #10Thankful, Weekly Smile 32 #weeklysmile, Three Things Thursday: August 11, 2016, Circus at Mercato Mall – Echoes of my neighbourhood, #MySundayPhoto – Blenheim Palace /August 14, 2016, Hello Kitty Bike (Sundays In My City), Tell Me Something Good #18

Ripples of Thankfulness

Hello everyone! Just got back from the UK where I visited my Mum, brother and family and of course, HRH the son and his beautiful bride. My friend N came with me and she also enjoyed her visit. We had some grill in the garden, sang, ate, drank and messed around.

We visited Coventry Cathedral, Lady Godiva, St. Mary’s Guild Hall and the City Centre.

Coventry Cathedral

We went to the Transport Museum, where we saw old cars, bikes, sportcars, etc and we went on a simulated ride on the fastest car (Thrust 2). That was cool!

We went to see Packwood House and Gardens in Solihull. It was lovely! The famous Yew Garden must be one of the largest collections of yew trees in the world.In the Carolean Garden visitors can admire the stunning herbaceous borders and enjoy views across the gardens and parkland from the seventeenth century brick gazebos. Away from the formal gardens visitors can discover Packwood’s lake, which features a circular stroll through a wooded glade.

We went to see two films – Tarzan and Json Bourne. They were great!

We went to see Stowe House, which has one of the most beautiful landscape gardens in the country. Stowe House is a Grade I listed country house located in Stowe, Buckinghamshire. It is the home of Stowe School, an independent school and is owned by the Stowe House Preservation Trust. It was a long walk but all worth it!

We met HRH the son and his beautiful bride and had Chinese. Nice to see them again.

Went to Birmingham with my Mum and my brother with his kids. We walked around the City Centre, did some shopping and had some ramen soup.

For a real bonding time, my Mum and I stayed in Chester for three days. Chester is a city in northwest England, founded as a Roman fortress in the 1st century A.D. It’s known for its extensive, well-preserved Roman walls made of local red sandstone. In the old city, the Rows is a shopping district distinguished by 2-level covered arcades and Tudor-style half-timbre buildings. A Roman amphitheatre, with ongoing excavations, lies just outside the old city’s walls.

I think that’s about it, my ripples of thankfulness! I have to unpack now, do some laundry, then pack my bags again. This time is for India, for the son’s wedding, Indian version. Him Indoors and I are flying in two days’ time for a couple of weeks’ holiday. Have a great week everyone!

What made you smile this week?

For: Ripples of Thankfulness by Lizzi, Weekly Smile 30 #weeklysmile, Three Things Thursday: July 28, 2016, Ski Dubai and Two Birthdays – Echoes of my neighbourhood 29, Thankful Thursday: Cherry on Top

Ten Things of Thankful 161 (Courage, courage) #10Thankful

Hello everyone. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. We had a quiet one and I’m very grateful for it. Just a cosy watching tv or dvds in the attic. Just me and Him Indoors. That’s my first thanks – to Him Indoors, who’s there with me through thick and thin.

Next – HRH the son and his beautiful bride and I’m going to see them this weekend. And then we all go to India for their wedding, the Indian version, with 500 guests.

My beloved Mother, who still rocks at 79, and I’m visiting her in the UK this weekend before she flies back to the Philippines. Next year for her 80th birthday, all of us will be flying to the Philippines to celebrate it, probably on a Christmas time so we can all be able to take some holidays.

To my siblings, my sister and two brothers and their families – all my nieces and nephews, bless them all. I love them.

Very grateful for our health – well, sort of healthy-ish. We just have to enjoy and be active by cycling, swimming and walking, try to eat healthily and be positive.

Very grateful for the flowers in our garden.

Not to mention, some herbs, our grape and apple trees

And the bees and butterflies who come and visit our flowers

Which reminds me, we’ve got an insect hotel for the little ones

And last weekend, it was children summer fest at the park

Have a lovely week everyone!

For: Ten Things of Thankful 161 (Courage, courage) #10Thankful by Lizzi

Weekly Smile – Caravan, Cabins and a Tree House

*three things that make me smile: an exercise in gratitude – feel free to steal this idea with wild abandon and fill your blog with the happy*

Hello everyone! During our road trip in Wales, we stayed in caravans and cabins. All 8 of us in one caravan is such a squeeze – 3 bedrooms, kitchen, living room, a terrace, a shower and a toilet. As my sister said, she felt she was on a boat – floating! We had fun, though, it was a big caravan site, with supermarket, gym, swimming pool, playground and bars. We stayed there for 2 nights while we visited Lllandudno, Beddgelert, Colwyn Bay and Llanberis.

And for something really adventurous, we stayed in cabins in the middle of a forest. It’s got a tree house, 3 cabins, a sauna, outside bath, shower, creek at the bottom and the whole forest to ourselves. It was quite hard to find it, like looking for a treasure hunt, we followed the instructions, complete with never-ending mountains in the middle of Wales, one-lane gravel lanes and nature galore to our delights. It was really a wonderful place for our road trip. We were able to visit Snowdon, Lake Vyrnwy and Pistyll Rhaeadr.

As part of our forest adventure, we also enjoyed the tree house there. It has two beds (but because there was no heater, no one wanted to sleep there, but we just hanged around the next morning), got a lovely view of the the forest, some weird stuff around, a sink, radio and an electric kettle.

What made you smile this week?

For: Weekly Smile 25 #weeklysmile, Creek side and pit stop at Al Ghurair Mall…Echoes of my neighbourhood # 24, Three Things Thursday: June 16, 2016, Thankful Thursday: Summer at Last, Skywatch Friday – 23 June 2016 , Ten Things of Thankful 158 (Current Affairs) #10Thankful by Lizzi and SEASONS – BEGINNINGS OF SUMMER June 24, 2016 | jesh stg

SEASONS – Das Kranzbach

To celebrate our Pearl Anniversary and Him Indoors’ birthday, we went to Das Kranzbach for the long weekend. We had a great time! This upscale spa retreat set in a 1915 country house with an annex is 16 km from Partnach Gorge and 15.9 km from Bavarian Zugspitze mountain railway.

For some reason, they upgraded us. We were given a biggish room on the top floor of Mary Portman house. In the main house, the stylish rooms are furnished in a modern, Arts and Crafts style, and feature free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. Annex rooms add balconies and modern pine furnishings. Quirky treehouse and a 1915 gatehouse suites are also available. The weather was nice so we were able to walk to Elmau and to Fernchensee Lake.

Breakfast and dinner are included and served in the chic restaurant, which features a terrace with mountain views. The day spa includes indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, steam baths and treatment rooms, in addition to yoga and hiking.

For: SEASONS -June’s SUMMER and WINTER by Jesh Stg, #MySundayPhoto – HMS Belfast /June 19, 2016 and San Francisco Botanical Garden (Sundays In My City). Also for: Ten Things of Thankful 157 (Stormy times) #TenThankful by Lizzi, rural greens…, Tell Me Something Good #10

Seasons – London Calling

Hello everyone! I went to London with Him Indoors, my sister and her husband. There we met our friends from Munich. We stayed near Trafalgar Square so we could walk everywhere. And boy, we walked! We walked to the Big Ben, 10 Downing Street, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden. We met our friends in Soho to have our Chinese meal.

We walked through Green Park to reach Buckingham Palace. There was a cavalry parade.

We took our time looking at some painting at the National Gallery Museum.

We went to Imperial War Museum and saw the story of those whose lives have been shaped by war from the First World War to the present day.

We took a barge from Embankment to Greenwich. We saw the Tower of London, the Shard, Parliament, Millennium Bridge and other places of interest.

Tower Bridge

We went to the National Maritime Museum – the world’s largest maritime museum with 10 free galleries and a vast collection that spans artworks, maps and charts, memorabilia and thousands of other objects. The uniform of General Nelson with a bullethole was there.

We stepped on the Prime Meridian in Greenwich

Greenwich

What made you smile this week?

For: Weekly Smile Week 23 – #weeklysmile, Thankful Thursday: Silver and Shiny, SEASONS – LOCAL JOCALS IN JUNE by jesh stg, Flames of the forest and more Echoes of my neighbourhood 22 by Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha, Three Things Thursday: June 9, 2016 by nerdinthebrain, Thursday’s Special: Traces of the Past Y2-03 by Paula, Skywatch Friday – 9 June 2016 Edition , Ten Things of Thankful 156 (Frivolyptic) #10Thankful by Lizzi

Ten Things of Thankful – The Wedding

Hello everyone! Nice to be back. I’ve got lots of things to be thankful for. Our pride and joy, HRH the son has just married his beautiful K two weeks ago and we had a great time. Families and friends from different parts of the world came to celebrate with us.
Cheers to the newlyweds!

Before that we had a couple of pre-wedding parties

There was a quiet ceremony at the Registry Office

We were lucky with the weather and the venue was wonderful!

The band was brilliant!

Everyone had a smashing time!

There was even a photo booth…

They went to Rome for their “surprise” honeymoon

Roman Colosseum

So here’s wishing the newlyweds all the best in life! Cheers and we love you!

For: Ten Things of Thankful 155 (Virtuously done) #10Thankful by Lizzi, SEASONS – JUNE’S FARMERS MARKET by jesh stg, Gratitude For My Wonder Wagon, Thank God, It’s Monday! — Week of June 6th 2016 and Weekly Smile Week 22 – #weeklysmile. Also for: Jubilant