It Must Be Flower Day! #1LinerWednesday

 Or Dia De Las Flores! 💐

Today found us walking down the mountain for a second trip to the optical shop. Hubby broke his glasses a week ago and the laboratory was unable to repair them or to use the extra frame we had with us for such an event. It was (another) gorgeous day so we left early and made a morning of it. 

One thing about Panama that I love is that it is always the season for something beautiful to be blooming. Now that we are in ‘dry’ season there is no end to what is popping out everywhere. Every turn in the road reveals a new and wondrous view. I was so inspired by the flowers we saw that I had to pick out a couple more to add to my growing family on the terrace. When you live in a place where even the trees bloom in fiery reds and deep orange, you can’t help but feel happy. 

The photo doesn’t do this pink topped tree justice. The sunlight washed it out. 

Bougainvillea grows everywhere here and can be seen cascading over the hills 

 

Ginger

This ginger flower is used in sushi dishes. It is edible and has a citrus taste that cleans the palette 

My little flor de familia

Getting fitted for new glasses. 

Lunch at the Peruvian restaurant. That is sea bass and shrimp in the most delicate sauce and hubby had Arroz con Pollo with salad

One of my new ‘adoptees’ today

These are my favorite daisy! 

And this fuchsia was too pretty to leave behind

 

The depth and layers of color are stunning

One of the views on the walk down

Yeah, we’re happy! 

This post is a part of One Liner Wednesday hosted by Linda Hill. Visit her at the link to check out other terrific Wednesday posts and say hi! 

Did Somebody Say Cake? #SoCS #JusJoJan #Thursdaydoors

 Lord knows I love cake! Especially chocolate….🥰🥰

But…I digress. What were we talking about? Oh yes. Today’s prompt. First, my sincere apologies to my good friend Dan over at No Facilities for missing #Thursday Doors this week. I have doors but ran out of hours in my days. Visit the link to his place to see the submissions for this week. 

Since today is Saturday, that means it is time for Linda Hill’s #SoCs/#JusJoJan combined prompt. Today, the prompt is ‘icing on the cake’. Visit Linda’s blog to read some great posts and meet other terrific bloggers. 

I have been working on my novel, as if going on ten years isn’t enough, and making great progress. Yesterday was an all day event. 

So, today, I took a mind break and joined a new friend on a mountain hike. I love hiking and have been too busy for any lengthy walks lately. This was supposed to be a minimally difficult hike, not too far away or too far up. I kept in touch with the hubby while walking and when I texted that the trail was looking a bit hairier than we thought, as well as steeper than we might have wanted, he looked it up. 

The trail has a rise of 322 meters, or 1000 feet. It must be stated here that I live in the mountains these days and walk the sloping roads. But climbing them like a goat is not in my daily routine. 

I was determined though and, with some encouragement from my walking buddy as well as the man who joined us part way up, I stuck with it. There were only a few places I felt truly apprehensive about, mostly due to the fact I don’t have hiking boots yet and I had a wicked experience here a year ago trying to take a shortcut to town. The trails look innocuous in photos and often just viewing them. But, one little divot filled with loose rock and dirt at the wrong incline and you are on your as#!. Some of these trails have steep to sheer drops on one side. 

See? Looks innocent right? Slippy slidee if you don’t step right.

My ‘goat’ buddies

This was my end place. That indented grass was part of the trail. 

This hike was so great though and just the treat I needed. 

And this….

Was the icing on the cake.

Do I look happy.. or what? 

Cool breezes

Bamboo. Not just for cooking utensils..

Every tiny thing…

These two were the sprinkles on that cake! 😉

Oh this?  My friend climbed up the back of that rock face for the 360 view. 

I admit it is gorgeous. Just not ‘risk breaking my neck’ gorgeous. At least not today. 👍🏻

Thanks for the walk, Doug! 

This one’s for you Dan! I’m late but it was such a cool abandoned house and of course it had a door! 😉

So Many Good Things! #9GoodThings

 

I’ve been bad. But only because it’s been so good. I didn’t post yesterday, but not because I had no good things. In fact, there were so many good things in one place that we were ready for a nap when we got home. 

We were invited to go up to another gorgeous spot near Boquete with amazing views and the most lovely restaurant/hotel. This time, our dear friend Julie took us with her to Hacienda Los Molinos, about 15 miles outside of Boquete. To say that this country club area is amazing would be an understatement. Someone found the perfect spot to build the community. Standing on the lawn of the clubhouse you get a 360 view of the mountains and canyons of the area as well as two waterfalls. There is even a hike you can take down to the waterfall. No, we didn’t do it on this trip but I definitely want to go back-and hike I will! 

If you click on the link you will see a video of the hotel and the breathtaking nature there. Meanwhile, you know I took photos. I’ll try to keep it to nine. Honestly up there I lost track of how many wonderful things there were.

But the very first good thing happened before we left the house. A video call from my little monkey back in the states. That boy sure makes me smile. 

 

Hey Bug! 

The most visible of the waterfalls

The clubhouse at Los Molinos

A panorama shot of the canyon

The pool… so natural. No hubby and I didn’t swim.

We want to go back and spend a night. 

The pool area includes an outdoor covered dining area, lounging tables near the pool and another bar which was closed.

View beyond the dining room

My very yummy Complete Bourbon Experience. Wake up, John Howell! Although not made with Woodford Reserve it was a unique smoky delight.. with real smoke uncorked at the table. 

A tasty chicken wrap for me, the Canyon Burger for him

I love waterfalls. 

But the best good thing? You’re lookin at it. Another day together. Thanks Julie! 

Let’s hear about your good things. 😀

What Else Would It Be? #SoCS

 

What could it be? 🤔

My contribution to Linda Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt.

Okay, so today Linda has given me a no brainer because anyone who knows one thing about me knows that taking photos is my favorite thing to do. Then spending time with hubby, cooking, birdwatching, grandchildren, reading, writing…..all things lead back to a photo of these favorite pastimes. 

For today’s prompt Linda asks us to use the word ‘cam’, either alone or as part of another word and build your post around that. Of course the first thing that came to my brain was my camera. And anything in a photograph will be a favorite thing, so this post can ride alongside my November gratitude posts of 

9 Good Things 

(Spoiler alert: there’s more than 9)

Well….just, me.🤷‍♀️

A recent baking project. Lemon Loaf Cake with Passionfruit Curd Swirl. 

I know, it’s a grub, but an exotic one and should make a stunning beetle if it grows up.

Just cuz this is a happy looking character! 😀

My best buddy who hikes with me

Yep, Maw Maw sees your new tooth! 🥰

The power of one with a vision for all…

Helping a stunned hummingbird

Doodles..

Catching a dedicated bus driver trying to keep it looking sharp.

Exploring magical places..

Always doodling…

Praying for new tiny friends to show up! 😉

Catching the sun as it opens its eyes..

Watching friends at play

And family celebrations

Moments…

Enjoying a favorite series. Can’t wait for season 4 of Stranger Things! Poor Bob. 😭

Finding a full blown ferris wheel. Inside a department store. And getting to ride it! 😱

Making my grandson’s 2nd year birthday cake! 

Finding signs and treasures

Sharing pizza with two of my favorite guys

Always, always..the little surprises. I was taking a photo of this bloom and only discovered its guest when I zoomed in. 

Life is ready to give us special gifts if we take the time to notice. 

Happy weekend everyone. You should stop over to Dan Antion’s place. He has a special guest there who has written an amazing book about his search for his family’s history. I’m tending bar,so service will be good. 😜Stop over and say hi to John Mancini