Simple Pleasures And Food..

Simple can be harder than complex: You 

have to work hard to get your thinking clean to 

make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because 

once you get there, you can move mountains...

They say that the simple things are the most

 extraordinary things and that only the wise can see 

them.  I guess I am one of those wise ones for I enjoy

 the simple things in life more than anything else.

Some of my favorite times are walking on 

the beach.  When we lived in Fort Lauderdale, it

 was very easy to go for walk on the beach.  It gave me 

time to just be with myself and to just let my imagination 

take flight.  If only for an hour or so.  It revives the soul 

and prepares me to face whatever the day holds.

Arvid and I used to enjoy going to Monty's in 

South Beach.  Not a fancy place but the sunsets are 

impressive.We saw the cruise ships pass by as we enjoyed

 our favorite seafood.  Only restaurant where both 

Arvid and I actually order from the raw bar.

Food makes me happy.  When I eat I enjoy it. 

 Arvid eats because he has to.  For me it's just a 

delicious experience.  Time after time.  At Monty's 

it was just a truly delightful time.  We both love it 

there and it had become "our" spot.  I do miss it.

Many say that food is our common ground.  

A universal experience. I truly believe so for

 laughter is brightest where food is best.  Food brings

 everyone together and puts people in a happier better 

mood and state of mind.  Does it for me, always.

To all a very good day.  You know they say that

 you have to taste a culture to understand it.  I want

 to understand many cultures in this lifetime.  Good food

 is good mood, and I always want to be in a good mood.

A good day to all.  Every so often it makes me happy

 to take a little stroll down memory lane.  There is laughter,

 joy and tears.  I have enjoyed every (almost) chapter 

in my life.  A few I could do without, but over-all, 

 life has been good to me.  And it still is.

Legacy was waiting for me again.  Just

 chilling on her mat. It rained a bit in the evening.  

Her mat will be wet, so today I have to go and hang 

them in the sun to dry out.  Always something to do. 

Life is really simple, but we

 insist on making it complicated...

~Nadiya~

A Woman Of Substance...Our Mom

A strong person is not one who doesn't cry.  A strong person is one who 

cries and sheds tears for a moment, then gets up and fights again...

Tuesday was really a stressful day for our family. You see our mom had surgery.  

Not being there with her made it even more stressful.  We had some very tense

 hours while surgery was taking place. Fortunately everything went well. 

She's still in the hospital and will be there until Friday but the worst is over.

  Mom is in a lot of pain, but she never ever complains.  I have never seen anyone 

in my entire life deal with as much pain as she has for so many years and never ever

 complaining.  I sure did not take after her in that sense.  I'm so not tolerant to pain.

Our dad was with her throughout the entire time.  He never left the hospital even 

when there where hours of waiting knowing that he was not going to know anything.

  My mom is his entire world and he hers.  Yes though it was my mom in the hospital 

I was also worried about my dad.  I just wished I was there right now with him to 

give him a big hug and to let him know how much he and my mom are loved.

He spends all day at the hospital from early in the morning until late in the evenings.  

I'm sure the house is extremely quiet without her there.  They have a huge house.  

I think way too big for just the two of them, so I can only imagine how quiet is

 for him.  The nights must be very long.  Very long. I miss them this moment.

As for us five girls we noticed our moms "absence" immediately.  There was a void. 

 We usually text constantly on messenger and yesterday messenger went very 

quiet.  Mommy was not there.  It's always her who keeps us chatting 

away.  Mostly nonsense but nonsense we really missed.

Finally yesterday she was able to do some chatting with us, and as soon as she woke 

up  she called me.  It was the most beautiful sound I heard.  Her voice.  One 

by one she called all five of us.  When she was done I knew she was

exhausted. Even so she never complained.  She never does.

Our lives without her even for a day was too quiet.  Felt empty and we all felt a little 

lost without her.  Just happy she is recovering and will soon be back home with our dad. 

 They belong together now and forever.  For weeks to come she will be in a lot of pain, but 

hopefully it will get better.  There is no one stronger and more courageous than my mom.

To all a very good day.  Today our family is very relieved and much more relaxed than we were

 two days ago.  Our mom is going to do good and will soon be back home with our dad. 

Many may relate to this quote: 

"I am a strong woman because a strong woman raised me."

The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd.

The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before...

~Nadiya~

Autumn Is In The Air...

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.

Goodbye summer...hello Autumn...

One of the many things we enjoy while living in Chicago is the ability to walk to 

just about everywhere and to everything we want.  We are centrally located

 so it's only a matter of stepping out of our building and just going.

Something we do not usually do when we are in Florida.  

A favorite of ours every week is the fresh market.  Every week Arvid and I go for fresh

 baked bread and fresh vegetables.  Being Arvid, he is fussy about his bread.  No store 

bought bread for this man.  Claims that it's too soft.  Has no texture as he puts it.

It feels like the cool weather is about to make its appearance.  I am happy about that.

 Tired of the hot temperatures and hope to experience even a little of the cool down before

 going back to Florida.  Summer here in Chicago has lasted long this year.  Everyone

 seems very surprised (pleasantly) at how warm the temperatures have been.

We have been enjoying the days.  Doing a little of this and a little of that.

Making most of the gorgeous weather.  Arvid had a little run in with the geese.

 He started feeding them and before you knew it they were hissing and trying to bite us.

He had to really run from them.  That left me in the middle with them

taking pictures.  Boy they sure got aggressive fast once the food was done.

Looking forward to feeding them soon again.  I like the challenge.

The day has started out a little on the cooler side.  Love it.  Looks very much like

 fall right now.  For the days we have left, I am looking to enjoy cooler temperatures.

Autumn paints in colors that summer has never seen...

~Nadiya~