Rome (Italy Chapter 1)

Since I am a newcomer to blogging, and my blog is named "Journey", I decided to include some of my travels prior to becoming a blogger. June 2009 I traveled to Rome and the Amalfi Coast with a tour group. I would like to share some of my photographs. I will divide the trip into segments because we went to so many different places.

We flew to Rome and spent a couple of days experiencing the city. We spent a lot of time walking. We walked to dinner nearly every night. It was a good way to really experience the city. I loved all the little cobblestone alleyways - I think they actually considered them streets. In some cases we had to move over to make way for one of the tiny little cars they drive in Italy or to avoid being mowed down by a motorbike.

I loved the little tables along the streets. They had beautiful tablecloths.

The Spanish Steps

We spent some time at the Spanish Steps on the way to our restaurant one evening. 

Trevi Fountain

Yes, I did toss a coin into the fountain. I hope it works because I really do want to return one day!

Wild Flowers at the Colosseum

The Colosseum

The Colosseum was sooooo big!  You can just imagine from the photograph below. See how small the people are and that is one tiny section. Can you imagine the place being filled with cheering Romans in ancient times?

Inside the Colosseum

The Arch of Constantine

The Arch of Constantine is adjacent to the Colosseum.

Vatican City

There was art of every description in Vatican City. The two photographs above were in a hallway leading to the Sistine Chapel. We did visit the Chapel, however, no photography was allowed.

The Pope's Apartment (top right)

St. Peter's Basilica

No trip to the Vatican City would be complete without seeing St. Peter's.

Our group had a tour guide for the day we went to the Colosseum and The Vatican. She was full of interesting information and fun stories that she seemed to enjoy sharing. She lived within site of The Vatican.

I saw this movie poster while in Rome.

Dinner with Opera

At dinner one evening we were treated to opera. When in Rome, right?

We returned to Rome for one more night following our journey down the Amalfi Coast. In my next Chapter I will take you to Ravello and along the Amalfi Coast.

♥and Peace, Myra

Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery - Birdeye - Dedication Ceremony

Friday, May 4, 2012 at 1 PM



Entrance

Today was a special day for Cross County, Arkansas. The long awaited Veterans Cemetery was dedicated on this sunny, hot, windy afternoon. There was music by the 106th Arkansas Army National Guard Band. The Wynne High School JROTC, the Forrest City High School JROTC, the West Memphis JROTC and the Arkansas Patriot Guard Riders all participated in the program.



Wynne High School JROTC

The Crowd Gathers



Raising the Flag



Program:



Welcome Dave Fletcher, Director, Arkansas Dept of Veterans Affairs. Presentation of Colors - Wynne High School JROTC. National Anthem - Caroline Parker. Pledge of Allegiance.

Invocation Bishop Gregory Brown - Arkansas Veterans' Commission. Opening Remarks Dave Fletcher. Proclamation reading by Arkansas State Representative, District 57, Jerry Brown. Remarks - Senator Jim Luker, District 17, Remarks Steve Munro, Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs - Dept of Veterans Affairs. Keynote Address Governor Mike Beebe.

Senator Jim Luker

Representative Jerry Brown
(Photo by Kim White)

Senator Mark  Pryor, Governor Mike Beebe, Senator Jim Luker
(Photo by Kim White)

Governor Mike Beebe



Ground Breaking Ceremony Fall 2010

Looking Back



Presentation of the "Check"

Plans for the Cemetery

Ground Breaking

Recognition of the Champion Southern Red Oak (Fall 2010)

Me With the Champion Southern Red Oak (Fall 2010)

 "They will rest where the sunrise quickly dries the dew and where the sunset, because of Crowley's Ridge, shades the afternoon heat. It's a magnificent place." - The Honorable Mike Beebe, Governor State of Arkansas.

For more information: www.veterans.arkansas.gov/birdeyecem.html.


♥and Peace, Myra

Arkansas Strawberry Shortcake

The Arkansas strawberries are ready! Yes strawberries are available in the markets most of the year but they are not Arkansas strawberries. The Arkansas berries are small, sweet, juicy and red all the way through.

My husband brought home several quarts yesterday so I spent the morning preparing the berries for strawberry shortcake for dinner and had a couple of quarts to put in the freezer for later.

First the berries must be capped. I find a paring knife is the most effective method to accomplish this.

I run cold water into my salad spinner and toss the capped berries in for a couple of rinses. Sand, soil and leaves are rinsed away.

Then I give them a spin to dry them.

Slice the berries and add sugar. I use a potato masher to mix the sugar and create juice. The amount of sugar is a matter of preference.

Ready for shortcake and a couple of quarts for the freezer.

There are several options for the shortcake. My grandmother made a sweet biscuit that is the traditional Southern shortcake. Another option is pie crust. I like the crunch of the pie crust especially when the berries are very juicy. Today I used a pound cake mix.

Assemble the cake and berries, top with topping of your choice.

There is no right or wrong way to make strawberry shortcake. I guess the "Supreme Strawberry Shortcake" would be my grandmother's homemade sweet biscuits and real fresh whipped cream. That said, I think my grandmother would have enjoyed the shortcake I prepared for supper.

♥andPeace, Myra

Simple Wreath

I wanted a wreath for my door. The ones I see around town are just not to my taste. They are downright gaudy in my opinion. My Mom bought one last year that would attack you as you entered the house it was so big. If that wasn't bad enough the mosquitoes nested in it so she had to take it down! And what is with all that netting stuff? Those wreaths look like Mardi Gras exploded on the door. No offense to folks who find that sort of thing attractive but it is not for me. The other option, available at craft stores, are overpriced and fake looking.

I decided to make my own. I bought a couple of medium sized grapevine wreaths and a few sprigs of somewhat simple and somewhat realistic greenery and flowers at a craft store. I had painted floral wire and wire cutters at home. That is basically all that is needed to make a simple wreath.

I collected my supplies and headed to the garage work-shop. I snipped the greenery and flowers from the main branches.  Then I attached the pieces of greenery to the wreath with the floral wire until I was satisfied with the arrangement.

The result - understated but welcoming.

I made one for the garage door too.

♥and Peace, Myra

Add a Little Color

During the holidays a friend shared with me a simple sewing project with purpose. She volunteers at a "soup kitchen" that provides several meals each week for the homeless and hungry in the community. At Christmas they distributed pillowcases they had made with the holiday meal.  Here is the link for the site she uses for patterns, http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/millionpillowcases. There is information about the project including where to donate your pillowcases. There is even a how to video for the "roll it up" pattern.  If there is a need in your community perhaps you could start a mission of your own.

While shopping for fabric last week I noticed an older lady with several bolts of fabric in her shopping cart. She was matching patterns as she shopped. I inquired and sure enough she was making pillowcases for children with cancer. She was having such a good time selecting the fun children's patterns for her project.

If you are not inclined to donate your handiwork it is still a fun, simple project to add a little color to your home. I heard of a grandmother who gives her grandchildren a new  pillowcase when they come for a visit that they can take home with them when they leave. I think they make nice hostess gifts.

I am still practicing my sewing skills. I started out with some scraps I already had.

Fabric From My Scrap Box

Then I moved on to the fun part - fabric selection. I bought a couple of combinations at the local fabric store, Fabrics 'N More. I can spend hours checking out the new patterns. I selected a couple of combinations that I thought would work in my bedroom.

The New Fabric Cut and Ready to Assemble

Now For the Fun Part

Almost Finished

A Little Bit of Color for My White Summer Bed

The Second Option

Ready for the Cutting Table

On a recent trip to Hobby Lobby I enjoyed selecting new fabric for more pillowcases. I spent several hours in the fabric department visiting with other shoppers. There were young mothers with their children as well as older women all on a mission to find just the perfect fabric to create something useful and pretty. The fabric department employees were friendly and efficient and joined in the camaraderie.


♥and Peace, Myra