Thursday, August 13, 2009

FSO- Relaxation

Lena of Spirit of Lena (SOL) suggested the topic 'Relaxation'. "My idea for relaxation was anything or place that fill people with a sense of calmness or relaxation, like a favorite garden, sitting on the porch, or park, etc. Anyplace that fills them with a sense of happiness and calm." SOL

First thing in the morning this is my idea of relaxation, that is until visiting friends little cuties decide to hop on me to get attention. Buddy here has decided just as I was getting up to make some breakfast for us all that he would give me specific instructions for his...




















Another mental relaxation for me is knowing that my son who lives in St. Louis, works as a butchers assistant, and is attending college has great friends like Lindy around to watch out for him, and make sure he calls me once a week and keep me posted...
























Reading and filling my mind with as much about foodie stuff as I can, but occasionally I like a good humorous piece to stir the juices, or has been know to put me to sleep...

























Who doesn't love to relax and window shop? I have had my eye on this bag for a while; its orange, and also has my zip code... Oh how I could even relax more knowing it was mine!



















Strolling the neighborhoods of the old areas of town in Princeton give me a chance to imagine who built these houses, and the history behind their owners, oh the mysteries...





















...and while I am strolling enjoying a beautiful sunny day if we come upon a beautiful garden that has a welcoming path leading down to a bench where we can sit and think about what we have conquered yesterday, and what we will tackle tomorrow...

























Now and then we like to stroll down the towns main streets during art festivals. Art is very relaxing to me, and this just happens to be my table in an art festival. My first art showing that is, but painting, sculpting, writing, and playing guitar is so relaxing to me...



















I love murals, and hope we do this for one of the shoot outs, but doesn't it just stop you in your tracks and take your mind places...























How about a cup of what I call 'Aquarium Tea', or Jasmine flower bulb tea to relax you while...


























...the music of local open mics help unwind you for the evening...I run an open mic in my neighborhood, and this is one of my members, Karl Dentino, who plays rag tunes...


























Planned get always for us in our area, even if it is just down the street to one of the canals is always on the agenda...as you get to know me you will find that hubby and I always love the water, especially when we can find a few fish to take our bait...


















There are lots of rivers around our area, and here you can see me trying to take an artistic view of hubby on the damn, fishing... Me, well I had pen and paper, and was working on a new poem...





















Here hubby is trying on his new vest for our journey up north to meet Gordon for some Chinook (King) Salmon fishing...


















Just writing this post soothes me in the evenings, as I unwind from a busy day doing something else that helps me unwind...of course cooking!

Thank you for joining me on my town adventure, and hope you found it relaxing!

Over on my right side bar is a camera for Friday Shoot Outs, and if you want to snag it to place on your site, so that others can navigate around to others posts...then please do so!

Next week is 'INTERESTING SIGNS'...

27 comments:

Sarah Lulu said...

I did, really did enjoy the whole thing!

Your art for your first show is WONDERFUL too!

Jama said...

Window shopping definitely don't relax me, because the malls here are practically jam-packed with shoppers! that's the peril of staying in a big town. But I don't mind joining you on a walk around your town, especially with such beautiful flowers and rivers around.

Anonymous said...

Great shots and such a variety of ways to relax. "Aquarium Tea" looks interesting.

Barry said...

Wow ChefE your relaxation involves more activity than I've put out in a week! The variety of your talents and and interests is impressive.

Enjoy your visit with Gordon, that should be a lot of fun!

Unknown said...

loved the garden shot and the mural. fantastic!! nice little walk around your town. very nice and calming. great shoot out Chef E!!

Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of all Trades. said...

great ways to realx! Those flowers are awesome.

kate sweeten said...

I love the outdoorsy pictures - the one of the path through the flowers is especially nice :) I can't wait to get outside all weekend!

Sarah Sullivan said...

Oooh how fun are these!!! I love the tea picture!! I have not found a place that serves it here yet. wonderful shots - I do feel relaxed. Fun picture of what makes you you!! Namaste, Sarah

Sara Diana said...

Brilliant pictures, thank you for taking me around your town! It looks a beautiful place. I love the picture of the Jasmine tea, is that the one which opens up when you pour water on it? Amazing.
Sara x

Unknown said...

This is a beautiful shoot. I love the bag with the zip code. I hope you bought it. it will come in handy on your relaxing trip. Princeton is so pretty. I loved the wall mural. Have fun with Gordon and yummy salmon.
We will be home eating corn. Safe journeys.

dash deringer said...

Great post!
We relax in many of the same ways - I have structured my life and my lifestyle to be as stress free as possible. I am self employed and get to do my work from bed if I want to - I sometimes go for six months without ever meeting a client in some cases... but when I have to unwind from the routine - which is what my life has become - I head to my favorite used book store and get lost in the dust and the smell of those fading pages and stacks of boxes, it's a labyrinth of forgotten dreams in there... or I'll head to my friend Bruno's pastry shop and over endulge my sweet tooth with some good coffee and poeple watch... but then comes the part where I have to work off all that sugar - every night - six nights a week - at seven p.m. I go for an hour long walk - a fast paced hard walk. I face forward and think of what ever problem I may have or I try to find new ways of improving my business and make more money, I focus on my dreams and goals and my the time I have returned home - I usually have the answers I was looking for... and I have gotten some excercise... and this dear friend is how I relax - and now you know

gigi said...

How exciting that you get to fish with Gordon. Yall are going to have a blast. We expect to see some great pictures from that adventure.

That cutie on top of you cracks me up! He is a lot smaller than the 25pound cat of mine that will walk on top of me if I'm not up by 6:30 to feed him. I've thrown a pillow at him and he just sits there and cries until I get up. Some times I feed him and just climb right back in bed, depends on what day of the week it is.

I forgot shopping as relaxation and I alos love the orange purse and your art table.

Have a RELAXED weekend.

Pauline said...

I really enjoyed relaxing around your town. There are so many beautiful places I would never get to see if it weren't for our Fridays! Thanks for sharing!

Chris said...

I have so be neglecting my photo blog but I have the perfect ones for interesting signs for next week!

Jeanne Estridge said...

It WAS relaxing, thanks!

Sandra Leigh said...

Thank you so much for sharing your relaxation photos, and also for sharing the camera, which I've now pasted into my sidebar.

Carrie said...

What a beautiful shot of the path through the black-eyed Susans. I think you should buy the purse - in the name of relaxation. Plus, your husband got a new fishing vest...your turn!
Nice shoot-out!

Melissa said...

cool

Liz Mays said...

I love everything you do to relax! (except being jumped on by pets)

I haven't tried that blooming tea yet but it's so beautiful!

J9 said...

I like the fishing rod shot, and I like to lie on my sofa and relax too!

Unknown said...

beautiful. I love watching my tea steep too.

Anonymous said...

Relaxation is a great topic.

aurbie said...

I missed you! I am still trying to get around to visiting and see that I missed you this week. Argghh.

That first photo is a hoot. You know I love that jasmine tea. The river is so relaxing. Thanks for a well-rounded tour around part of the world.

You are doing a great job. Carry on!

Zaroga said...

Wonderful photos... I especially like the garden path.

T said...

Great post!

And a score for me, I'm very intrigued by the Stefan Gates book.

GingerV said...

I enjoyed my visit - your town is very nice for relaxing, I also would like to sit and listen to the music to relax.

Gordon said...

Ekizabeth, you are like Shrek. You have layers! So many nice relaxing ideas. One of my favorite things in the world is to relax while someone (not me) plays the guitar or banjo for a sing-along. I think I enjoy the old folk songs the best.
We do have very much in common. I want to read the poem you were working on. You should post at least one each week.