Reality Break and Random Things

Thought it was time for a little break from posting about our trip to Nepal to talk about real life. Although the plants on my bedroom balcony died while we were away, the succulents on the other balcony fared well.


The old barn wood animals you see in the pots were gifted to me by my husband's ex-wife's uncle many years ago. :)

This wildflower with tiny yellow flowers has popped up in many pots. Not sure where it came from, but I am happy to see anything green so it gets to stay and grow wherever it pleases.

With temps around 125 each day, I am in full pajama mode, and although I should be cleaning, I am mostly blogging and crocheting. The crocheted hearts were made using a pattern found at The Royal Sisters and the sachet hearts were inspired by my many visits to Beth at Gathering Dust.

More doilies off the hook using Glor's mug coaster pattern because it works up quickly and makes a nice little gift with a jar of flowers or bowl of chocolates.

Although it was great eating out while we were away for 10 days, it is also nice to get back to the food we know and love. Black beans with rice topped with onions, tomatoes, jalapenos and sour cream with cornbread on the side. My girlfriend, Lisa, turned me on to canned black beans long ago and they have been a staple ever since. Sadly we can't always find them in the grocery store here.

I tried a new tuna patty recipe which held up nicely when pan fried. (I substituted Italian breadcrumbs for the ground flaxmeal called for in the recipe.)

And last week I actually saw a sunset with a bit color which was unusual since dust high in the sky usually blocks our view of the sun.

Guess I should do a little bit of cleaning so that I don't feel so guilty about my couch potato ways (albeit a productive couch potato). Hope you have a wonderful day! Friendship blessings, Tammy

Flora and Fauna

This is the very sad view from my balcony now. All my plants died while we were in Nepal and the neighbor across the street sold his house; the new owner had it demolished this past week, I'm assuming to rebuild.

It is always a wonderful thing to leave behind a desert country where temperatures can reach 120 and above (126 yesterday) to visit a country rich in biodiversity. The flora and fauna of Nepal is much more varied than any other area in Asia. From grasslands and jungles, to farmlands, forests and mountains high, there was much beauty to be seen (and a few creatures to surprise us along the way).































If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive. ~Eleonora Duse

Hope you are having a fabulous Friday! Best wishes and blessings, Tammy

Jungle Safari

A 5:30 am wakeup call, tea and coffee with a view, and then at 6:00 am it was time for our adventure into the jungle.

The elephants crossed the river ahead of us.

While we were transported by canoe.

Chitwan National Park was declared a National Park in 1973 and designated as a World Heritage Site in November of 1984.

It is home of the last Nepalese population of endangered one-horned Asian rhinoceros which we were privileged to see.

We also saw deer ...

a beautiful butterfly ...

an owl ...

kingfisher ...

an eagle ...

and the footprint of a Bengal tiger but not the tiger itself.

There was nearly a constant drizzle the entire time we were on the jungle walk.

It was so enlightening to see how the elephants navigate their way through the forest and grassland.

Getting on and off the elephants was a feat in itself. Zack literally threw himself off both times we rode.



Our first outing with the elephants ended mid-morning.

Back at the lodge we were able to have a refreshment and then rest a bit before lunch and our next acvtivities which included an ox & cart ride to visit a Tharu village, canoe ride to a crocodile breeding center and a final jungle walk.

We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open. (Jawaharlal Nehru, Indian Prime Minister, 1889-1964)

Have a terrific Thursday! Friendship blessings, Tammy

A Change of Plans

Our first full day in Kathmandu was spent visiting temples (along with a group of school children),

city squares,

monasteries,

and exploring the area around our hotel.

The next day, we hit the road headed for our next stopping point of Pokhara. Although the two cities are only about 90 miles apart, the trip would take approximately 6 hours because of the condition of the roadways.

Besides encountering cows ...

goats ...

and people carrying goods.

We also had to contend with heavy rains ...

rockslides ..

and a river run. A tour bus carrying over 20 passengers tried to cross the road where the river had overflowed. The water actually swept through the bus and everyone on board had to be rescued by rope.

After waiting a couple of hours, it was determined that no one would be getting through for quite some time. I was thankful for my crochet as I got so many projects done during times of travel and waiting.

Yusef took this picture of me and hubby as we were walking back to the bus. When nature calls, you gotta go! And in the middle of nowhere, you go anywhere you can.

The tour company we booked with made arrangements for us to backtrack and make our way instead to Chitwan National Park which was to be our next destination. (We later found out that traffic on the road to Pokhara was at a standstill for 10 hours because of the river run.)

The closer to we got to the National Park, roads were no longer paved and it was quite a bumpy, slippery ride.

This lodge would be where we would stay for the next couple of days. No air conditioning, no tv, and if you like sleeping with salamanders, then this is the place for you.

Next up, our jungle adventures. Have a wonderful Wednesday! Best wishes and blessings, Tammy