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“R”ental car rousting
Highlighting a popular post from 2012, during the 2019 A to Z Challenge. The problem with rental cars is ...
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#AtoZChallenge: Il Paretaio B&B
Photo of Il Paretaio from TripAdvisor website. Many moons ago, my friend and I planned a trip to Italy. We mapped out Bed and Breakfast inns in Rome, Venice, Florence and Tuscany, in hope that we’d have a more authentic, local experience. We chose Tuscany because Karen Brown recommended Il Paretaio as a relaxing choice that also offered one of the top riding stables in Italy. We thought it would be neat to go horseback riding, as well as visit beautiful countryside. Preparation for our trip included us taking English riding lessons at a stable near Elizabeth, Colo. We learned how to saddle up the horses, ride them (posting with…
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Visiting Lincoln’s boyhood home
I’ve lived in Indiana for more than 11 years and didn’t realize that Lincoln’s boyhood home was a few hours south of me. I’ve heard all about the memorial in Illinois and plan to visit it in the future but I hadn’t heard about our own historical jewel. My friend and her husband let me tag along on their trip. Lincoln spent his formative years in Indiana, having moved with his family from Kentucky when he was 7 years old. He lived in Indiana for 14 years, until he was 21, when the family moved to Illinois. We enjoyed the Memorial Visitor Center, the introductory film, bookstore and museum exhibits.…
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A to Z Challenge: “H”orsing around
Horses are amazing creatures! I’ve ridden horses when I was younger in Colorado, while I was at Girl Scout camp or up in Estes Park with my aunt and cousins. I’ve mainly ridden them on trails in the mountains, which is a beautiful experience and very fulfilling, at least until the horse senses that he’s almost home and it’s feeding time. Then I usually lose all control and end up galloping to the barn, feeling lucky to stay atop said amazing creature! My fellow riding partners would be impressed with my equine prowess if it weren’t for the scared look on my face as I dismount. You may have heard…
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Newport Beach – a gift from a loving God
© 2013 by Diane Weidenbenner There is something magical about the beach. I never gave it much thought until two of my good college friends from California showed me pictures of the beach at sunset. What a spectacular site. Just as I cherished the beautiful, lush mountains from Colorado, they had the same fond memories of spending time at the beach. I have since been to several beaches: those in California, Florida and Mexico. One of my favorite places to visit is Newport Beach, near Los Angeles, California. © 2013 by Diane Weidenbenner The evening tide comes in to meet the sand as if on schedule and it leaves a…
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“K”ir
I first discovered the Kir, a French cocktail, while traveling with a friend. It’s a simple yet tasty drink made by combining dry white wine with a splash of blackcurrant liqueur and served in a wine glass or champagne flute. By Stuart Webster from Southampton, England (Kir) via Wikimedia Commons Chambord is used when available but for the less extravagant, Hiram Walker makes a Crème de Cassis for about $12. It can also be served with champagne in place of the wine, and would be called a Kir Royal. The drink became popular after WWII, when Félix Kir (1876-1968) who was mayor of Dijon in Burgundy, served it at receptions…
