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! 😉

This is Thanksgiving #1LinerWednesday #9GoodThings

 In spite of all the hype, the unquestionable historical inaccuracies and blatant commercialism, I have found true celebration in honest Thanksgiving. 

In a morning hike

The air, the view, the invigoration of an uphill climb

Then rest and cool breezes are Nature’s gentle reward for a job well done

A friend to share it with

An unexpected rainbow hiding in the shadows..

No matter how often I see it, this view takes my breath away

A celebratory Pina Colada after my cornbread for tomorrow is baked

(I even toasted coconut for garnish 🤭)

Yeah, fresh pineapple and coconut milk too. 😋

A sweet phone chat with my youngest about making dressing. We used to cook together a lot! 

Always looking down I find so much art in Nature. 

May all your days be celebrations of thanksgiving. 

This post is part of Linda Hill’s 1LinerWednesday prompt along with #9GoodThings for my gratitude month. Visit her blog to meet other bloggers and check out the rules for this prompt. 

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. 😀

A Time to Celebrate/#9GoodThings

 

Different day..same old view….

😱Still amazing. The best reason to take a walk on this gorgeous day without rain. 

I’m back once again to share 

9 Good Things

from this 5th day of November, 2021

1) Starting the day with a favorite breakfast. We grew up eating this favorite, Toad in a Hole. 

Since I had lovely quail eggs, I dubbed them Tadpole in a Hole. 

2) Fallen blossoms, like a kiss for the earth

3) Just what makes that little ole ant…

4) This hibiscus was beautiful, kind of shimmering in the sun

5) If I knew what it was I’d tell ya…promise!

6) There are a dozen of these bushes lining the drive

7) Always a winged thing to catch my fancy

8) My son proposed to his girlfriend.. and she said yes! 💃🏼🕺🥂

AND today is her birthday. We love you guys!!!

9) What better way to celebrate than with fresh brownies? 

And then there was this lovely surprise. Our friends from down the hill where we lived in our last life here stopped by for a visit. Their youngest made me a beautiful picture for the fridge. 

Thanks Luna! 

Yeah, a good time to…