SKYWATCH--corn stalks

Another 'through the window of the bus' photo on the way back from Kopaonik mountain. I hope to  be posting photos from Belgrade soon....

See other skies at SKYWATCH.

Slow down....

My daughter and her family have left for the US, after a three-week stay.  I miss them already.

I always wax nostalgic around New Year's. I try to remind myself to focus on what is important, like what's said in this Calvin and Hobbs cartoon.

Not a photo of mine, of course, but I've been so busy it's all I can do to get a photo.  Hope to be back on track soon and back visiting blogs.

ABC WEDNESDAY--"Y" is for "Yuletide"

No, not late on these photos of Santa Claus, or Deda Mraz (Grandfather Frost), as he is known here. The Yuletide continues!  In Serbia, Deda Mraz makes his appearance on New Year's Day, when these photos were taken. I'd organized a small party for my 'older' friends to meet my grandchildren. Among the guests was a good friend who is an actor and who recently filmed a commercial as Santa.  He got to keep the suit, so...

Mila wasn't too thrilled about sitting in his lap, but her cousin Luka didn't bat an eye.

See other Y's on ABC WEDNESDAY.

A New Year's Kiss

 Constantin Brancusi's sculpture The Kiss has been one of my favorites for a long time, and last May I purchased two reproductions; one for me, and one for an old friend whom I haven't been able to see yet, but hope I will this year. That's what New Years are for, too....hope.

 Happy New Year to all my readers.  I wish you all a Happy and Healthy 2013.  Be thankful for what you have and for those you have.

Have a look at others' January 1st photos at CDPB January lst photos.

Riding into the New Year

Like yesterday's post, another photo snapped from the bus on the way back to Belgrade.

Where will you be this New Year's Eve?  Me, I'll be at home, noshing on some goodies with my family.

Happy New Year to you all!

Sunday Bridges....somewhere...dunno where...

Leaving Kopaonik ski resort, traveling by bus with my son-in-law while the other members of my family returned to Belgrade by car.  No idea where this bridge is. I snapped it from the bus.

See other bridges on Louis La Vache's SUNDAY BRIDGES.

Weekend Reflections--Cockta's still here.

Cockta is a soft drink created in the early 1950s by chemical engineer Emerik Zelinka, an employee of the Slovenijavino research labs. He and his team wanted to create a refreshing drink using local herbs, while at the same time making it original rather than trying to copy similar foreign drinks.  Its main ingredient is rose hip, which probably is why I don't care for it, since I don't like rose hip tea either.

And please note that ironically it's served here in a Coke glass!  My grandson Luka is enjoying a bottle of formula in the background. He can try Cockta later on.

See more reflections at James' WEEKEND REFLECTION.

SKYWATCH--Idyllic

Saying farewell soon to Kopaonik, where I've spent several days with my kids and their families.

See other skies on SKYWATCH FRIDAY.

Cousins meet....

My granddaughter Mila, who lives in Belgrade, has had the opportunity this Christmas to meet her cousin Luka, my daughter's son.  Luka lives in Seattle and was visiting Serbia for the first time. Mila is now 17 months and he is 7 months old.  Such fun to have them all here!

ABC WEDNESDAY--"X" is for "eXceptional foods"

Here on Serbia's highest mountain, Kopaonik, you can find all kinds of ethnic crafts, goods, brandies....  Have a look!

See other X's on ABC WEDNESDAY.

Christmas breakfast

Actually I had this breakfast on Sunday, not today, but will for sure have it again. Those Serbs reading this will recognize this dish as 'kachamak', a cornmeal dish similar to palenta.  It's served piping hot with 'kajmak', a rich, creamy spread, and some salted white cheese.  Yum.