Christmas Traditions from Around the World

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We are fully in the Christmas season, now that Thanksgiving is past! And I’m glad. This is my favorite time of year. My house is fully decorated for Christmas. There’s a cocoa bar set up in my kitchen. And my little living Norfolk pine serves as my Christmas tree.

In the US, we have many fun holiday traditions, from decorating Christmas trees to ugly sweater contests to setting out cookies for Santa.

Have you ever wondered how other countries celebrate Christmas? My ever curious mind wanted to know. Check out these Christmas traditions from around the world! You might find a fun new custom to add to your festivities.

Christmas Traditions from Around the World

Christmas Traditions from Around the World

Many countries celebrate Christmas differently than we do in the US. People around the world find joy in this holiday season, eating favorite foods, honoring timeless traditions, giving gifts to loved ones.

Although some Christmas traditions are universal, like decorating trees or singing carols, some are quite unique. Take a look at these traditions that differ from what we do in the US.

Christmas Traditions from Around the World US
Christmas Traditions from Around the World – in the US kids like to leave Santa a snack

England

In jolly England, Father Christmas leaves presents in stockings or pillowcases hung on kids’ beds. And children leave a snack for Father Christmas, just as children do in the US. However, while we leave cookies and hot cocoa or milk, children in England leave mince pies and brandy.

Christmas Traditions from Around the World England
Christmas Traditions from Around the World – in England kids leave a mince pie and brandy

Ireland

The Irish leave a red candle lit overnight in a front window on Christmas Eve. The candle is symbolic of welcoming Mary and Joseph with warmth and shelter as they search for lodging. Traditional Christmas fare includes roast goose, potatoes, veggies and cranberries.

Christmas Traditions from Around the World Ireland
Christmas Traditions from Around the World – Irish candle in the window

Scotland

One of the most astounding things about Scotland is that Christmas was banned in the country for 400 years! As a result of the reformation in 1560, the kirk (church) frowned on anything related to Roman Catholicism. In 1640 Scottish parliament passed a law making yuletide celebrations illegal. It wasn’t until 1958 that December 25 became a public holiday in Scotland again.

For this reason, New Year’s Eve in Scotland is a very big celebration. It’s called Hogmanay. I’ll share more about this festive time in a future post. One Scottish Christmas tradition is baking unleavened yule bread for each person in the family. The one who finds a trinket in his or her bread is blessed with good luck for the new year.

Christmas Traditions from Around the World Scotland
They’ve only been legally celebrating Christmas again since 1958, however the Scots decorate their cities beautifully now. The Dome in Edinburgh.

Italy

Did you know that nativity scenes originated in Italy? The holiday season begins on December 8 in Italy and runs through January 6. Everywhere, in churches, homes and outdoors, are nativity scenes called presepes that include Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. And rather than Father Christmas, Italians have Babbo Natale, a kind old woman who leaves gifts for children on January 6.

Christmas Traditions from Around the World Italy
Christmas Traditions from Around the World – Italian presepe with Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus

Germany

In Germany, December 6 is Saint Nicholas Day. Children receive small gifts on that day and they recite poems they wrote for Saint Nicholas.

Christmas Traditions from Around the World Germany
December 6 is Saint Nicholas Day in Germany.

Sweden

The Yule Goat became a Swedish Christmas symbol centuries ago. However, in 1966, someone came up with the idea of making a huge straw goat, now called the Gavle Goat. The festive goat stands 42 feet tall and weighs more than three tons.

Construction of the straw goat begins on the first Sunday of Advent and it remains standing until New Year’s Day.

Christmas Traditions from Around the World Sweden
Christmas Traditions from Around the World – Swedish Yule Goat

Philippines

San Fernando is the Christmas Capital of the Philippines. Every year they hold the Ligligan Parul, Giant Lantern Festival. The brilliant lanterns, called parols, represent the Star of Bethlehem. Each parol contains thousands of spinning lights.

Christmas Traditions from Around the World Philippines
Christmas Traditions from Around the World – Giant Lantern Festival in the Philippines

Iceland

In Iceland they celebrate the 13 days of Christmas. Every night before Christmas, children place shoes or boots in the window and then go to sleep. The kids hope to receive a visit from the 13 Yule Lads, who leave candy for good children and rotten potatoes for naughty ones.

Christmas Traditions from Around the World Iceland
Christmas Traditions from Around the World – boots wait for treats in Iceland

New Zealand

Christmas in New Zealand falls during their summer. Christmas festivities include gathering around the barbie for cookouts. New Zealand boasts a spectacular Christmas tree called the Pohutukawa that blooms with crimson flowers in December.

Christmas Traditions from Around the World New Zealand
The Pohutukawa tree blooms during December in New Zealand.

Denmark

Homes in Denmark contain gnome like characters called nisser, who provide protection. They sport long white beards and wear red stocking caps. Make your own adorable nisser by searching for them on Pinterest.

On Christmas Eve, Danish families move the Christmas tree into the middle of the room where they dance around it while singing carols.

Christmas Traditions from Around the World Denmark
The nisser are a playful part of Christmas traditions in Denmark.

Norway

The Christmas season, called julebord, begins on December 3 in Norway. Families celebrate Little Christmas December 23. On that day they decorate the tree, make gingerbread houses and eat a hot rice pudding called risengrynsgrot.

Christmas Traditions from Around the World Norway
Christmas Traditions from Around the World – Norway celebrates Little Christmas on December 23

Ukraine

In the Ukraine, people celebrate Christmas Day on January 7 by dressing in traditional clothes and walking through town, singing carols. Kutya, a dish made with cooked wheat, honey, ground poppy seeds and nuts, is popular on Christmas Eve. If someone throws a spoonful of kutya at the ceiling and it sticks, the harvest in the new year promises to be bountiful.

Christmas Traditions from Around the World Ukraine
Christmas Traditions from Around the World – people in Ukraine singing carols through town

Nigeria

Families in Nigeria throw parties that last all night long, on Christmas Eve. In the morning they go to church. The church choir travels through the town, singing carols to people in their homes. Family members exchange gifts and children enjoy setting off fireworks on Christmas Day.

Christmas Traditions from Around the World Nigeria
Christmas Traditions from Around the World – Nigerian children shoot off fireworks on Christmas Day

Switzerland

In Switzerland, families make their own advent calendars together. Each day’s bag or box contains a small gift or treat. The biggest gift is given on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Traditions from Around the World Switzerland
Swiss families make their own advent calendars together.

Mexico

In Mexico, bright red poinsettia plants appear in holiday arrangements throughout the country. In churches, members put on Pastorelas, Shepherd’s Plays, to tell the Christmas Story. They also march in parades in early December, re-enacting the journey of Mary and Joseph.

Christmas Traditions from Around the World Mexico
Christmas Traditions from Around the World – in Mexico the poinsettia appears in arrangements throughout the country

What Are Your Christmas Traditions?

In my home, I enjoy several personal traditions. I purchase a heart ornament for my tree each year, buy a new Christmas mug for my collection and cluster snowmen in groups and villages.

My younger daughter and I, and any other family members who want to join in, watch Dicken’s A Christmas Carol every Christmas Eve. We prefer the George C Scott version. I’m excited to introduce my new granddaughter to the tradition this year.

And I’d love to incorporate Christmas traditions from around the world in my festivities too. I seriously want a nisser! And next year, or whenever travel restrictions ease, I’ll visit the Christmas market in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Do you have favorite Christmas traditions in your home? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below.

Edinburgh Christmas Market
Edinburgh Christmas Market

Christmas Finds from Amazon:

 


 

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63 Curious Things to Do for My 63rd Birthday

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Last year, at the suggestion of my granddaughter Aubrey, I completed 62 Outrageous Things for My 62nd Birthday. I wrote out 62 activities on slips of paper and every day, I randomly drew one out of the jar and did what was written. I enjoyed those activities so much that I decided to celebrate my 63rd birthday on January 9 with 63 curious things to do.

For 63 Curious Things to Do for My 63rd Birthday, I’ve made a few modifications. I still randomly draw out an activity every day. If I can complete the activity on that day, wonderful. However, if I don’t have time, or the activity requires a lot of effort, I’m okay with working toward its completion as I can. My goal is to have all activities completed by January 9.

And last year I posted a birthday activities update once a week. This time, I’m shooting for twice a month updates. I schedule out my posts in advance for each month plus I’m working with more and more brands that require social media or blog posts. To get it all done I’m limiting the number of birthday updates.

On November 7 I drew my first activity. Here are highlights of the curious activities I’ve done!

63 Curious Things for My 63rd Birthday

63 Curious Things to Do for My 63rd Birthday

I’m keeping a notebook this year, with a numbered list of the 63 activities and then a list showing which activities were drawn on which days. And I’m keeping track of the completion of each activity.

Although I’m not sharing details about every activity this year, I’ll list each one. I’m posting a good sampling of what I’m doing.

So here we go!

11/7/2020 Write out my name and list a favorite characteristic for each letter (completed)

11/8/2020 Write a poem and hide in a library book (completed)

I’m no poet, however I enjoyed creating a simple poem and then tucking it into a library book at my local public library.

Travel is the theme and I felt inspired to write about the regions my ancestors came from, according to my Ancestry DNA test results.

Here is the poem, titled Traveler:

My Irish feet dance down paths unknown

Scottish bagpipes wail and call me home

Cups of hot tea warms my soul

My gypsy heart longs to roam.

 

Northern lights draw my gaze

African savannas whisper “come explore me”

Germany’s forests shelter surprises

The world is calling, there’s much to see.

 

Of all the journeys I’ve undertaken

In travels far and wide

The one that opened doors to all others

Is the discovery of who I am, inside.

The poem found a home inside a travel book, which seemed appropriate!

63 Curious Things for My 63rd Birthday poem
63 Curious Things to Do for My 63rd Birthday – write a poem and hide it within a library book

11/09/2020 Draw with my left hand (completed)

I discovered during this curious activity that I can sketch with my left hand better than I can write with it. Sitting on my bed, I spied my cat Angel taking a nap. Her body contorted, as only cats can do, she nevertheless snoozed soundly.

Below is an actual photo of Angel…and the quick sketch that I did in my notebook with my non dominate hand.

Curious Things for My 63rd Birthday Angel the cat models
Angel the cat models for me, unknowingly!
63 Curious Things for My 63r Birthday left handed sketch
63 Curious Things to Do for My 63rd Birthday – draw with left hand

11/10/2020 List 63 curious things I’m grateful for (completed)

11/11/2020 Take an online photography class (completed)

11/12/2020 Create a hot cocoa bar (completed)

This activity completed today! I enjoyed using pieces from the Decocrated Christmas box (post coming soon…use CINDYLAUDERDALEMOORE1O to save $10 on a seasonal box or CINDYLAUDERDALEMOORE to save $30 on a yearly subscription) and healthy hot chocolate mixes from Four Sigmatic. (Check out this POST for more info about this awesome company. You can order from this amazing company using this link. Use my code CINDYLAUDERDALEMOORE at checkout to save 10%)

I recently purchased a new cabinet to hold all my tea supplies and loose leaf herbs. This cabinet became the base for the cocoa…and hot tea…bar. I love the way it turned out!

63 Curious Things for My 63rd Birthday cocoa bar
63 Curious Things to Do for My 63rd Birthday – create a hot cocoa bar

11/13/2020 Make a vegan Indian recipe (completed – Vegan Curry)

11/14/2020 Send out newsletters to email lists for Beyond and Journey (in process)

11/15/2020 Create a black and white Christmas Vignette (completed)

Another fun activity, I created this vignette after enjoying my black and white fall one. I used an assortment of items, from Decocrated pieces to items I already had to Hobby Lobby finds.

This display makes me smile! I love all the buffalo plaid. Read more about how it came together HERE.

63 Curious Things for My 63rd Birthday black and white
63 Curious Things to Do for My 63rd Birthday – create a black and white Christmas vignette

11/16/2020 Research and plan a night themed garden (completed)

11/17/2020 Create my own full moon ritual (completed)

11/18/2020 Contact a person I haven’t talked to since childhood (not completed yet)

11/19/2020 Try a food I consider disgusting (completed)

There are very few foods I consider disgusting, although as a plant based person, there are many I don’t eat now. The perfect opportunity presented itself, however. During lunch at an Asian restaurant, I tried seaweed salad.

I use powdered seaweed such as Atlantic sea dulse and spirulina in smoothies, but I’ve never eaten seaweed. I expected it to have a slimy texture and a fishy taste. It did not. I enjoyed the salad. Full disclosure, however. I did belch a couple of times later and there was the fishy taste! Ewww.

63 Curious Things for My 63rd Birthday seaweed salad
63 Curious Things to Do for My 63rd Birthday – try a food I consider disgusting

11/20/2020 Color a page in a coloring book using only one color (completed)

11/21/2020 Read a classic I’ve missed (in process)

I love the various movie adaptation of Emma. I realized recently that I never read the book by Jane Austen. I’m remedying that. I purchased a copy of the book and I’m loving it. As I read I can imagine the characters plus I love the extra details in the book. Check out my review of the latest film version of Emma.

63 Curious Things for My 63rd Birthday classic
63 Curious Things to Do for My 63rd Birthday – read a classic I’ve missed

11/22/2020 Buy a new to me plant (completed)

I’m a plant fiend, it’s true. They grow in my garden, thrive in containers on the porch and patio and brighten my indoor space. When I went looking for a new to me plant, I immediately settled on a bamboo plant. I’ve actually always wanted one, and now it graces my writing table in my studio.

63 Curious Things for My 63rd Birthday new plant
63 Curious Things to Do for My 63rd Birthday – buy a new to me plant

11/23/2020 Buy moon jewelry (completed)

My symbol for 2021 is the moon. I found the perfect necklace on Amazon. This Edary boho layered necklace features a crescent moon AND a globe of the world. I’m excited to receive it. You can order one too by clicking photo below.

11/24/2020 Create a new holiday dish for Christmas (completed – vegan lasagna)

There are the first curious activities as I march toward my 63rd birthday. As usual, I’m having fun, learning new things and stepping beyond my comfort zone. I honestly can’t think of a better way to celebrate who I am.

Marching toward my 63rd birthday
Marching toward my 63rd birthday

 

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Movies That Inspire You to Visit Italy

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This post combines two of my favorite things…movies and travel. Long before I visited Italy, my dreams of exploring that beautiful country were fueled by movies that I enjoyed. While watching the stories unfold, my eyes also scanned the background shots. I fell in love with Rome, Venice and Tuscany through those films.

When my grandson, daughter and I visited Italy in 2017, what fun to recognize places from the movies. It felt surreal, in fact, to stand in those locations that seemed new and familiar at the same time.

Check out these 12 movies that inspire you to visit Italy. And dream a little, of travel.

Movies That Inspire You to Visit Italy title meme

Roman Holiday  1953

This classic movie, filmed in black and white, stars Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn and Eddie Albert.

A bored princess, on a tour of European cities, sneaks out of her Italian room one night, in search of adventure. An American reporter stationed in Rome finds her asleep on a park bench and takes her back to his apartment. His intention is to get an exclusive story about the princess. However, romance soon blossoms between them.

Fun fact: Paramount wanted to shoot the movie in Hollywood, however the director insisted on filming in Rome. Paramount finally agreed, but reduced the budget which meant filming in black and white and using an unknown actress in the title role. Audrey Hepburn played the princess and won an Oscar.

Rent Roman Holiday

Movies That Inspire You to Visit Italy roman holiday
Movies That Inspire You to Visit Italy – Roman Holiday

Enchanted April  1991

This lavish and beautiful film stars Joan Plowright, Miranda Richardson, Polly Walker, Josie Lawrence and Alfred Molina.

Post World War I, four British women, unhappy with their lives, rent a villa in Portofino, Italy for a month. They embrace a leisurely lifestyle while there, that allows each of them to reconnect with herself, explore their different personalities and backgrounds and reexamine their current relationships.

Fun fact: The castle scenes were filmed at Castello Brown in Portofino, Italy, the same castle that Elizabeth von Arnim stayed in during the 1920s. While there she penned the novel by the same title, on which this movie is based.

Rent Enchanted April

Movies That Inspire You to Visit Italy enchanged april
Movies That Inspire You to Visit Italy – Enchanted April

Much Ado About Nothing  1993

This Shakespearean inspired film stars Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Keanu Reeves, Kate Beckinsale, Denzel Washington, Robert Sean Leonard and Michael Keaton.

The young lovers Hero and Claudio wed in a week. To pass the time, they play matchmakers in an attempt to get arrogant Benedick to fall in love with his favorite sparring partner, Beatrice. Meanwhile, evil Don John conspires to break up the wedding by accusing Hero of infidelity. In the end, it’s all “much ado about nothing.”

Fun fact: Set in Messina, Sicily this film was shot near Florence, Italy and made splendid use of the gorgeous countryside. The movie cast a real life married couple in the lead roles, Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson. They later divorced.

Watch Much Ado About Nothing Free on Prime

Much Ado About Nothing
Movies That Inspire You to Visit Italy – Much Ado About Nothing

Only You  1994

Marisa Tomei, Robert Downey Jr, Bonnie Hunt and Billy Zane star in this romantic comedy set in Italy.

Faith believes in destiny and soul mates. Based on a couple of incidents in her teen years, she believes she is supposed to meet and marry a man named Damon Bradley. Time passes and Faith settles for a dull man who is NOT named Damon. Ten days before their wedding, she takes a call from her fiancé’s friend, who is on his way to Venice. The friend’s name is Damon Bradley. Faith risks everything to follow this man to Italy, to see if he is really her soul mate.

Fun fact: Robert Downey Jr and Marisa Tomei reenact the Mouth of Truth scene made famous by Gregory Peck’s prank on Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday! That scene is the thing I remember most about Roman Holiday.

Rent Only You

 

Only You Movie
Movies That Inspire You to Visit Italy – Only You

Life is Beautiful  1997

Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi and Giorgio Cantarini star in this whimsical historical film set in 1930s Italy.

A carefree Jewish book seller named Guido begins a fairy tale life when he marries his beautiful girlfriend. They have a son and live happily until the German occupation of Italy. Attempting to keep his family together and help his son survive the horrors of a concentration camp, the father pretends that the Holocaust is a game and tells his son that the prize for winning is a tank.

Sad fact: Roberto Benigni, who co-wrote, directed and starred in the movie, says the title comes from a quote by Leon Trotsky. In exile in Mexico, and about to be killed by Stalin’s assassins, he saw his wife in the gardens and wrote that, in spite of everything, “life is beautiful”.

Watch on HBO or Rent Life is Beautiful

Movies That Inspire You to Visit Italy life is beautiful
Movies That Inspire You to Visit Italy – Life is Beautiful

The Talented Mr. Ripley  1999

This thriller stars Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, Cate Blanchett and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

In the late 1950s, Tom Ripley, a chronic underachiever, is sent to Italy to retrieve a rich and spoiled millionaire playboy named Dickie. After arriving in Italy, Tom attaches himself to Dickie and his pretty fiancée, soaking up the life of luxury. Tom’s gifts include lying, forgery and doing impressions, so when the rich couple tire of him, he uses all of his talents to make the millionaire’s lifestyle his own.

Fun fact: Dickie’s favorite tailor in Rome, Battistoni, is a real tailor shop founded in 1946.

Watch The Talented Mr. Ripley on HBO or Rent

The Talented Mr Ripley
Movies That Inspire You to Visit Italy – The Talented Mr. Ripley

Gladiator  2000

Another historical film set in Italy, Gladiator stars Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Richard Harris, Oliver Reed, Djimon Hounsou and Derek Jacobi.

A former Roman general, Maximus is chosen to succeed Emperor Marcus Aurelius, rather than the emperor’s son, Commodus. A power struggle ensues, resulting in the death of Maximus’ family and his capture. He is forced to participate in the gladiator games. The fierce desire that fuels Maximus now is to survive long enough to get revenge.

Fun fact: It’s not true that a Roman emperor gives a thumbs up to spare the life of a gladiator. In reality, a thumbs up symbolized sword action and death. A thumbs down represented a sheathed sword and mercy. However, since a thumbs up is nowadays considered a good sign, the director decided to leave it and not confuse the movie audience.

Watch on AMC or Rent Gladiator

Movies That Inspire You to Visit Italy gladiator
Movies That Inspire You to Visit Italy – Gladiator

Under The Tuscan Sun  2003

This romantic comedy stars Diane Lane, Sandra Oh, Lindsay Duncan and Raoul Bova.

Frances, an author, struggles to complete her latest book. In the midst of her writer’s block, her husband files for divorce. Urged by friends to get away, Frances joins a bus tour of Tuscany, where she falls in love with a crumbling villa. She impulsively buys the house in Tuscany and begins a new life. Restoring her beautiful old home, she ultimately restores her life as well.

Fun fact: When a bird poops on Frances, while she is looking at the villa, the owner cries out “Grazie, Santo Francesco!”. She sees the incident as a good sign that Frances is the right buyer. Read more about good luck traditions in Italy HERE.

Watch Free on Prime or Rent Under the Tuscan Sun

Under the Tuscan Sun
Movies That Inspire You to Visit Italy – Under the Tuscan Sun

Angels & Demons  2009

This action thriller stars Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor, Ayelet Zurer and Stellan Skarsgard.

Following the murder of a physicist, Robert Langdon, a symbolist, and Vittoria Vetra, a scientist, embark on an adventure that involves the secret brotherhood known as the Illuminati. Clues lead them all over the Vatican while an assassin, who works for the Illuminati, kidnaps four cardinals. The pair must also locate a destructive weapon that could kill millions.

Fun fact: Crew members visited Vatican City as tourists and took many photographs to capture as much detail as possible. They knew it was unlikely that they could film there so the photos helped them recreate the sets as faithfully as possible.

Watch Angels & Demons on Showtime or Rent

Angels and Demons movie
Movies That Inspire You to Visit Italy – Angels & Demons

Letters to Juliet  2010

This charming romantic comedy stars Amanda Seyfried, Gael Garcia Bernal. Vanessa Redgrave and Christopher Egan.

Sophia, an American writer on vacation in Italy, finds a 50 years old unanswered “letter to Juliet” in Juliet’s Courtyard in Verona. These letters, left in the courtyard wall by lovers, are typically answered by a group of women known as the secretaries of Juliet. Intriqued, Sophia goes on a quest to find the writer of the letter and help her find her lover.

Fun fact: Juliet’s secretaries really do exist. They are called the Juliet Club and they volunteer to reply to letters left in the Verona courtyard. They also organize events in honor of Romeo and Juliet. Juliet’s Courtyard is one of Verona’s biggest tourist attractions. I stood in that courtyard and touched the wall where lovers hide their letters.

Watch Letters to Juliet on Showtime or Rent

Letters to Juliet movie
Movies That Inspire You to Visit Italy – Letters to Juliet

Eat, Pray, Love  2010

This biographical drama stars Julia Roberts, Javier Bardem, Richard Jenkins, Billy Crudup and Viola Davis.

Liz Gilbert appears to have everything…a husband, a nice house, a promising career as a writer…and yet she feels like she has lost herself. After divorcing her husband, Liz embarks on a year long journey that takes her to Italy, India and Indonesia. During her travels, she discovers herself and what she most desires to do in life.

Fun fact: Rome’s two pro soccer teams, SS Lazio and AS Roma, are fierce rivals. In the book, Luca Spaghetti is an SS Lazio fan. The filmmakers made him an AS Roma fan, which enraged the local SS Lazio fans.

Watch Eat, Pray, Love on Showtime or Rent

Movies That Inspire You to Visit Italy eat pray love
Movies That Inspire You to Visit Italy – Eat, Pray, Love

To Rome With Love  2012

This romantic comedy stars Woody Allen, Penelope Cruz, Jesse Eisenberg, Ellen Page, Alison Pill, Roberto Benigni and Alec Baldwin.

Four interconnected stories play out in Rome, the Eternal City. A worker unexpectedly wakes up a celebrity, an architect takes a trip back to the street he lived on as a student, a young couple honeymoon in romantic Rome and a frustrated opera singer discovers he has a gift for finding talented singers.

Fun fact: One of the characters drops her cell phone into a square manhole. The manhole cover bears the initials SPQR. This is a Roman Empire symbol. It stands for “Senatus Populusque Romanus” and means “Senate and People of Rome”.

Rent To Rome With Love

To Rome With Love
Movies That Inspire You to Visit Italy – To Rome With Love

Movies That Inspire Travel

I’ve seen all of these films, beginning with Roman Holiday in my childhood. Each one fed my desire to someday visit Italy myself. I own several of these movies, in DVD format, and watch them still.

How amazing, to travel through Tuscany, stand in Juliet’s Courtyard and explore Rome and Venice, and recognize locations from these films.

Movies are such an important part of my life. I love the connection between them and my travels. Watch for more posts like this one, that weld together these two passions of mine.

How many of these films have you seen? And do you have a movie that inspired you to travel?

Rome, Italy
The Colosseum in Rome, Italy

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Welcoming Winter with Decocrated

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure Policy for details.

This is a paid affiliate partnership with Decocrated. All opinions are my own.

As the days grow shorter and the chilly evenings longer, I’m reminded 2020 is winding down.  How quickly the year passed. Our trees in Missouri released their last leaves and give testament to the approach of winter.

During the strangest 12 months in my lifetime, I’ve marked the seasons partly through the arrival of my Decocrated subscription boxes! These boxes bring me new seasonal items to decorate with. Truly, Decocrated provides much needed fun and diversion as I incorporate the pieces into my home.

Check out my way to welcoming winter with Decocrated.

Welcoming Winter with Decocrated title meme

The Decocrated Winter Box

The Decocrated subscription boxes ship out before the beginning of each season, offering fresh décor pieces to incorporate into any decorating style. Each box contains seven to eight curated items appropriate for the season.

I find it easy to mix my own pieces in with the Decocrated items. And each season’s décor pieces work well with past and future boxes. Additionally, the company offers add-on boxes for specific holidays. Check out how I decorated with my Halloween add on HERE. My Christmas add on arrived today. I’ll share another post soon featuring Christmas!

The winter box décor is suitable for that time in between fall and Christmas. And it’s perfect for after Christmas as well, when all the excitement of the holidays is over and I want to enjoy my cozy home until it’s time for a spring reset.

The winter box featured artists are Kat Fonte and Cris Menedez. This season tells the story of charming winter villages, falling snow and forest greenery. Key colors are green and blue with wood accents. The pieces have a playful, cozy feel that work well in any home, no matter the decorating style.

Check out the unboxing below…and then see how I incorporated the pieces into my décor.

Welcoming Winter with Decocrated

People are decorating for Christmas earlier than ever this year. Due to COVID people are staying home more than they typically do. Bringing out the Christmas décor invites joy and beauty into the home at a time when it’s desperately needed and appreciated.

While I usually begin Christmas decorating after Thanksgiving, this year I began the shift this week. The winter pieces from Decocrated create a nice transition into the holidays as I slowly create Christmas vignettes. I’m enjoying mixing things up and departing from my usual placement of objects.

Welcoming Winter with Decocrated unboxedecocrated
Welcoming Winter with Decocrated – unboxed

Dining Room Shelves

With the exception of one spot in the living room, all of the Decocrated winter pieces ended up in the dining room, on the tall wooden shelves.

Top Shelves

On the top shelf, the sled shelf becomes a tabletop one for now. I’ll move this cute shelf into the kitchen soon, as part of a hot cocoa station. For now this wood and metal shelf holds a framed print from last year’s Decocrated winter box, wooden snowmen, a winter mug, bottle brush trees and this season’s perpetual calendar. I’ve always wanted one of those calendars! This comes with all the pieces to create the month, day of the week and date

Greg made the wood and metal wire shelf last year and I’ve used it every season. I absolutely love how the winter box village houses look tucked into the shelf. The star ornament hanging above is the perfect addition. And I accidently bought that ornament! I picked it up to look behind it for another ornament and then carried it to the check out without realizing I still held it. I didn’t want to get out of line to take it back, so I bought it. I’m so glad I did.

Welcoming Winter with Decocrated village
Welcoming Winter with Decocrated – sled shelf

The second shelf is home to the framed print for this season. I love that the green leaves work well for the holidays and also for spring and summer. It can hang on the wall, stand as a background piece or work as a tray. The trio of ceramic trees are from the winter 2019 box. I love trees. These stayed out all year. I moved them around the house as they joined different vignettes.

I popped the small winter 2020 art print into a glass and wood frame. The print and the frame are double sided so I can simply turn the frame around to display the Winter Wonderland side. The cute candle covered with polar bears came from Big Lots as did the winter mug in the sled shelf, and complements this winter vignette beautifully.

Lower Shelves

The one piece from the winter box that I felt unsure about, the boho snowflake, found a home on the third shelf. This is one of the things I love about Decocrated. I receive items I might not typically buy. Styling them becomes a fun challenge. And I’ve yet to dislike any piece once I’ve found a place for it.

I began by pairing the wooden snowflake with the woven basket from the fall box. As soon as I laid the basket on its side, my creativity kicked in. I added greenery and a white candle and boom…I loved the snowflake. On the other side of the shelf I completed this vignette by adding a group of wooden and metal trees and the word JOY. This grouping can stay through Christmas, with its reds and greens. I love it.

And the bottom shelf holds four pillar candles and the OUR HAPPY PLACE sign from the fall box. I’ll add snowmen and other Christmas items to this shelf soon.

Welcoming Winter with Decocrated JOY
Welcoming Winter with Decocrated – the boho snowflake

The Winter Pillow

Decocrated always includes fabric pieces in each box. This season, I received a lumbar pillow cover. The design is inspired by an evergreen forest. I created a cozy area on my living room sofa using the pillow and the serving tray and snuggly throw from last winter’s box.

The ceramic bird perches atop a couple of books and the candle holder features silvery snowflakes. The tray is perfect for holding a cup of hot tea and a snack. And, I must add, I’ve used that tray many, MANY times throughout the year.

Welcoming Winter with Decocrated pillow
Welcoming Winter with Decocrated – forest pillow cover

Sneak Peek at Christmas

Want a sneak peek at what I’m doing for Christmas? As part of my 63 Curious Things for my 63rd Birthday (first post about that up Monday…I’ll update with a link as soon as it posts), I created a black and white Christmas vignette. It was so fun to pull together and of course I incorporated several items from past Decocrated boxes.

The wooden crate from the fall box now holds black and white fabric ornaments instead of pumpkins. My wooden snowman is counting down the days until Christmas. And I love those fabric covered cone trees.

Welcoming Winter with Decocrated snowman
Welcoming Winter with Decocrated – black and white Christmas

On the second shelf, the black lantern from the spring box holds a bright red candle resting within a pretty candle ring. The simple black, white and gold sign wishes all a Merry Christmas.

The bottom shelf features the black lanterns from the Halloween add on box. I knew I’d use those black lanterns throughout the year. They add illumination to the black JOY sign and the cute black and white stand up signs. I love the bottle brush trees scattered throughout the shelves. They provide additional color.

This bookcase will remain exactly as it is throughout the holidays.

Welcoming Winter with Decocrated let it snow
Welcoming Winter with Decocrated – black and white with pops of red and green

Welcome Winter in Your Home with Decocrated

Are you decorating for Christmas yet? Or would you like to transition into the holiday season with winter décor?

If you’d like to receive this cozy nature inspired winter box, which will sell out I’m sure, use this link YES I WANT TO DECORATE. And, type in my code CINDYM15 to save $15 off a seasonal box or a yearly subscription. The yearly subscription is the best value and you won’t miss a box.

If, like me, you enjoy decorating and connecting with others who share that joy, then you will love these subscription boxes, delivered right to your front door. Plus Decocrated members have perks such as private Facebook groups, additional items to purchase in their online store and specials like Christmas and Easter add on boxes. Those sell out very quickly.

May you know deep joy as we enter the Christmas season. And have fun decorating!

Welcoming Winter with Decocrated candlelight
I love lighting candles throughout my home!

 

Cindy Goes Beyond is an affiliate with Decocrated Curated Home. I may earn a commission for items purchased through my links, all at no extra cost to you.

 

Ten Fun Facts About Loch Ness

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Loch Ness in the Highlands of Scotland is a large, deep freshwater loch extending approximately 37 kilometers southwest of Inverness. It is one in a series of interconnected bodies of water in Scotland that extends from the east to the west coasts.

Loch is the Gaelic word for lake and Scotland has over 31,000 of them.

Loch Ness is best known for alleged sightings of the Loch Ness Monster, affectionately called Nessie. However, there’s more to this mysterious body of water than a sea monster.

Check out these ten fun facts about Loch Ness.

Ten Fun Facts about Loch Ness title meme

Ten Fun Facts About Loch Ness

Visitors travel to this beautiful area to enjoy the amazing scenery and to hopefully catch a glimpse of the loch’s famous monster. The loch and surrounding area are shrouded in mystery and history. Discover these interesting facts about Loch Ness that you may not know.

Largest Lake, by Volume, in the UK

It’s Scotland’s second deepest loch, however due to its size AND depth, Loch Ness contains more water than all of the lakes in England and Wales, combined! The loch contains 253 billion cubic feet of water.

Year Around Temperature

Loch Ness remains a steady 6 degrees Celsius year around. That’s a chilly 42.8 degrees Fahrenheit.  On warm summer days, the loch never warms up, making it too cold for swimmers. And even on very cold days in Scotland, the loch never freezes over. In fact, on those frigid days, steam rises from the loch, as it is warmer than the surrounding air.

Dark Water

The waters of Loch Ness are very dark and murky, due to the presence of peat washed from the hills by rain. The poor visibility underwater perhaps hides an ancient occupant. However, that murky water also hinders scientists in their attempts to locate Nessie. They have discovered thousands and thousands of golf balls though!

Ten Fun Facts about Loch Ness on the water
Ten Fun Facts About Loch Ness – the water is very dark and murky

Great Glen Fault Line

The loch is one of four in the Great Glen Valley. Glaciers carved this valley during the last ice age. Underneath the valley lies the Great Glen Fault Line. Although scientists sometimes detect seismic activity, earthquakes in the area are relatively rare. The last known tremor occurred in September 1901 and registered as a 5.0 magnitude quake. As a precaution, seismic buffers steady Kessock Bridge carrying the A9 highway out of Inverness.

Caledonian Canal

Loch Ness is part of the 60 mile long Caledonian Canal, built in the 19th century to allow ships to travel from the North Sea to the Atlantic without having to face the dangers of the Pentland Firth. The canal connects the east coast, at Inverness, with the west coast at Corpach, near Fort William.

Bona Lighthouse

Scotland’s smallest manned lighthouse, Bona Lighthouse watched over Loch Ness for more than a century. The lighthouse keeper put a lantern in the bay window, on the upper story, to guide ships from Loch Ness into Loch Dochfour. Today Bona Lighthouse serves as a charming holiday home.

Ten Fun Facts about Loch Ness
Ten Fun Facts About Loch Ness – the loch lies along the Great Glen Fault Line

Urquhart Bay

Urquhart Bay on Loch Ness and the surrounding woods near Drumnadrochit make up one of the UK’s last swamp woodlands. It is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and serves as a haven for birds.

Urquhart Castle

Located on the shores of Loch Ness, near Strone Point, this castle dates back to the 13th century. Alan Durward, son-in-law of King Alexander II built it. During its history, the English invaded it on several occasions. For a time it served as a stronghold for Robert the Bruce after he became king in 1306.

Upon his death, the castle passed back and forth between the Crown and the MacDonald Clan.

In the 1509 the castle passed to the Grant Clan who repaired it and brought it back into use. They added the five story tower.

In 1692 English forces blew it up to thwart the Jacobites. The ruins are cared for today by Historic Scotland and open to the public.

World Water Records

On September 29, 1952, John Cobb lost his life trying to gain the world water speed record. Traveling at 206 mph on Loch Ness in his boat Crusader, tragedy struck when Cobb hit an unexplained wake on the surface of the water. Because of the Englishman’s popularity with the people of Glen Urquhart, a memorial cairn is erected near the site of his accident.

Brenda Sherratt first swam the length of Loch Ness on July 28, 1966. It took her 31 hours and 27 minutes to complete the swim.

On August 31, 1974 David Scott Munro became the first person in the world to water ski the entire length of the loch. He covered 48 miles in 77 minutes at an average speed of 37 mph.

Ten Fun Facts about Loch Ness castle ruins
Ten Fun Facts About Loch Ness – the ruins of Castle Urquhart

The Loch Ness Monster

Of course I have to mention Nessie. After all, it’s what Loch Ness is most famous for.

The first recorded sighting of the Loch Ness Monster happened in 565 AD. Saint Columba supposedly came face to face with the monster, claiming the beast rose from the loch and tried to grab his servant. According to legend, Saint Columba commanded the sea monster to go back into the loch. It obeyed.

In 1933 builders completed a road adjacent to Loch Ness, offering unobstructed views of the water. Numerous sightings came in about a large “dragon or prehistoric monster”. One couple reported they saw the creature cross the road in front of their car and disappear into the water.

Monster hunters and scientists from around the world used sonar and other scientific equipment over the years, attempting to locate Nessie. None were successful. What they DID discover is that the loch is full of eels. It’s possible that Nessie is an oversized eel that occasionally appears near the surface.

Most photos of the supposed Nessie, including the famous one from 1934, are proven hoaxes. To this day, no solid evidence of the Loch Ness Monster exists, however the creature remains popular and certainly helps to boosts Scotland’s economy.

Ten Fun Facts about Loch Ness dark water
Ten Fun Facts About Loch Ness – it’s not hard to imagine that a sea creature lurks in this dark water

Visiting Loch Ness

I visited Loch Ness for the first time in 2014 and again in 2017. Nestled deep within the Highlands, this beautiful loch is well worth a visit.

One can drive in from Glasgow, Edinburgh or Inverness. Or there are many companies that included Loch Ness as a stop on their Highlands bus tours. I joined a Rabbie’s Tour in 2014 and enjoyed the day spent in this magical region.

Included with the tour was a boat ride on Loch Ness. Seated at the front of the boat, with the wind blowing my hair, I fell in love with the beauty and mystery of the loch. And I could easily imagine a creature swimming deep within the loch although I saw no signs of Nessie.

And in 2017, on the girls’ UK trip, my sisters, mother, niece and I drove along the loch, stopping several times to take in the wonder of the area. Quoting myself, I wrote then:

“This region is so wildly beautiful that it makes my heart ache and brings tears to my eyes.”

That is still true. I didn’t visit Loch Ness on my last trip to Scotland, in 2019, however the entire country haunts me and calls to me. I can’t wait for travel restrictions to lift, so I can “go home” to Scotland.

Have you visited Loch Ness?

Ten Fun Facts about Loch Ness Urquharg Castle Tower
Ten Fun Facts About Loch Ness – Urquhart Castle Tower

Loch Ness Finds from Amazon:

 


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CBD Living Energy Shots

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure Policy for details.

This is a collaboration with CBD Living. All opinions are my own.

I’ve enjoyed and benefitted from CBD Living products. Their bottled living water, infused with CBD, is amazing. (See my review HERE.)

Their product line continues to expand and includes health boosting items for people and pets. From gummies to tinctures to roll on pain relief to lotions and hand sanitizer, CBD Living has you covered.

CBD Living energy shots appeared on their fall line up. I’m excited to share about them after giving the shots a try.

CBD Living Energy Shots title meme

The Benefits of CBD

CBD is not the same as THC, the psychoactive compound known for producing mind altering effects. You don’t get high from CBD. Instead, this component of cannabis acts as an anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant and antioxidant.

Health benefits of CBD include:

  • Reduces anxiety and may be effective for people with social anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and post traumatic stress disorder.
  • Helps to fight cancer by inhibiting cancer cell migration and invasion.
  • Treats neurological disorders such as epilepsy. Early studies show that CBD may be promising for treating resistant seizures. Other benefits include increased alertness, better mood and improved sleep.
  • Promotes cardiovascular health and lowers the risk of diabetes.
  • Relieves pain and inflammation, which is the most common reason for CBD use. It is proving especially helpful for chronic pain and inflammation.
CBD Living Energy Shots box
CBD Living Energy Shots – box of 12

The Company

Established in 2013, CBD Living is headquartered in Corona, California. The company uses only 100% organic hemp sourced from state-licensed farms in Oregon and Colorado

The secret to their superior products, according to their website, lies in the use of nanotechnology that reduces CBD into nano-sized droplets, without the use of emulsifiers. This technique allows the CBD to immediately penetrate the body’s cells, giving increased bioavailability at the cellular level with no waiting.

CBD Living pays above market rates to their extractors and manufacturers. Their products are all fair trade and never tested on animals.

CBD Living Energy Shots
CBD Living Energy Shots

CBD Living Energy Shots

These mixed berry shots energize, focus and relax. Made with purified water, each 2 oz shot delivers 200 mg of caffeine and 30 mg of nano CBD.

The shots are sugar free, THC free and contain 100% organic hemp.

And they are easy to use.

Drink half a bottle or a whole one, not to exceed 2 bottles in a 24 hour period.

Refrigeration is not required. Discard any remaining product within 72 hours of opening the container.

Do not use the shots if pregnant, nursing or under the age of 18.

And do not use in combination with other products containing caffeine. Excessive caffeine intake may cause nervousness, anxiety, occasional rapid heartbeat or sleeplessness.

CBD Living Energy Shots glass
CBD Living Energy Shots – in a shot glass

My Experience with CBD Living Energy Shots

I appreciate the energy shots. And I had the perfect opportunity for experiencing their benefits.

My new granddaughter, Finley Grace, arrived last week. I am so grateful for her safe delivery. She is a beautiful, healthy baby girl.

Her delivery process began on Tuesday evening, with the birth taking place Wednesday night. Due to COVID, for the first time I could not wait at the hospital for the arrival of a grandchild. However, I kept vigil from home.

Naturally, I didn’t sleep. I was too excited. When tiredness crept in though, I’d drink half a bottle of the CBD Living energy shot. In all I consumed 1 1/2 of the little bottles in a 24 hour period.

The taste is perfect. Since embracing a plant based, low sugar lifestyle, I don’t like sweet drinks. The shots contain zero sugar. The mixed berry extract creates a delicious juice with a slightly tart flavor that I loved.

And this is how I described the almost immediate effect of the shots, to my daughter. I felt energized and yet calm. I did not experience an increased heart rate or jitteriness or anxiety. My ability to focus increased. And yet I felt very relaxed.

I also did not experience a crash later, which I appreciated very much. In fact, I didn’t feel any lingering after effects at all. And as a bonus, my body stayed pain free, in spite of passing the hours waiting for news hunched over a laptop or cell phone.

CBD Living Energy Shots close up
These shots taste delicious.

Purchasing CBD Living Energy Shots

Purchase your energy shots through the company website.

And do yourself a huge favor. Check out their many, MANY products and give them a try. I’m looking forward to sampling the Orange Grapefruit Sparkling Water and the assortment of loose leaf teas!

Plus I’m excited about the Travel Bundle with travel sized versions of their most popular products. It’s a great way to feel my absolute best while exploring the world.

What product do you want to try?

CBD Living Energy Shots bottle
Energized…and calm.

 

 

 

 

Cindy Goes Beyond is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This affiliate program provides a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, all at no extra cost to you.

 

Fun Irish Phrases and What They Mean

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure Policy for details.

While visiting Dublin, Ireland in 2017 I enjoyed the people I encountered. From the tour bus drivers to waiters in cafés to people we chatted with in pubs, all were friendly and playful. And what is it, to Americans, that so delights us? Those charming accents and words and phrases common to their language but unique to us.

My mother, sisters and niece accompanied me on this trip, a magnificent girls’ trip across the UK. We agreed that the Irish hold a special place in our hearts. My mother’s family comes from Ireland, so perhaps it’s a familial connection. Or perhaps it’s that they don’t know a stranger. We felt very welcomed and embraced in Dublin.

Check out these fun Irish phrases and what they mean and then try them out on your next trip to the Emerald Isle.

Fun Irish Phrases and What They Mean title meme

Irish Words We’ve Adopted

Some Irish words are common to the English language. We’ve adopted them. Slew, meaning a large number, comes from the Irish word slaugh, which means a host. Trousers comes from the Irish trius. Galore is adapted from go leor, meaning plenty or enough.

The Irish gave us bog, which they pronounce bug. And we get whiskey from the Irish phrase uisce beatha, which means “water of life”.  Buddy came from the Irish bhodaigh, meaning pal. And slogan originated from a word used by Irish clans in the 1670s, sluagh-ghairm, which is a battle shout.

The fun word smithereens is a gift from the Irish, from their word smidrin with the “een” diminutive added. It means a small fragment.

And do you know how we got the word boycott? It comes from Ireland’s history.

In 1880, an uncaring County Mayo land agent named Captain Boycott refused requests to reduce rents after a bad harvest. His aggrieved tenants responded by refusing to bring in the harvests. From that time on, boycott refers to shunning people, organizations or countries that do not respect human rights.

Fun Irish Phrases and What They Mean temple bar area
Fun Irish Phrases and What They Mean – people enjoying the Temple Bar area

Fun Irish Phrases and What They Mean

Pubs truly are the heart and soul of Ireland’s cities, towns and villages. Visit them and enjoy listening to lively stories and discussions. The Irish sprinkle their conversations with sayings that are common to them and play with the English language. Now you’ll know what they mean.

Acting the Maggot

This phrase means you are probably up to no good or getting into mischief.

Oul Fella or Oul Wan

If you hear someone talking about her oul fella or her oul wan, she is referring to her father or her mother, respectively. I think I might start calling my mom oul wan!

Fluthered

When someone is fluthered, he is very, very drunk!

Happy Out

When you are content in your current surroundings, you are happy out.

Fun Phrases and What They Mean shopping
Fun Irish Phrases and What They Mean – Happy out shoppers in Dublin.

Donkey Years

When the phrase donkey years pops up, it refers to a lot of years.

Any Use?

This questions is the equivalent of asking, “Was it good?”

The Jacks

This phrase refers to the bathroom. “Where are the jacks?” “Aye, down the stairs.” In Irish pubs and restaurants, it seems all the jacks are up a flight of stairs or down one.

Arseways

One of my favorites, if something isn’t done the right way, it is arseways. In case you don’t know, arse means ass.

Fun Irish Phrases and What They Mean
Fun Irish Phrases and What They Mean – on our way to the jacks, while visiting a pub

Go Way Outta That

This fun phrase is an expression of disbelief. It can also be used as a refusal to a request.

Sure Look It

This phrase is very common and often attached to the end of a sentence.  It means carry on or let’s get on with it. A similar phrase, sure listen, means the same. It does NOT mean “listen to me”.

Ara

Used more in rural Ireland, ara comes before your name if someone doesn’t believe you or feels surprised or disappointed by you.

The Craic was 90

Heard frequently in pubs, this phrase means the atmosphere and fun were excellent.

Fun Irish Phrases and What They Mean temple bar
Fun Irish Phrases and What They Mean – the craic was 90 in all the pubs we visited!

I Will Yeah

This one makes me laugh. It’s said when a person has no intention of doing what she’s just been asked to do.

A Bag of Tayto

This is a bag of crisps…or what we call chips.

Will You Have a Mineral?

You might get asked this in a pub or café. It means, “Will you have a soft drink?” “And a bag of tayto?” Now you know how to answer!

Great Drying Out

When the weather clears up this phrase means it’s a great day to dry clothes on the line.

Fun Irish Phrases and What They Mean River Liffey
Fun Irish Phrases and What They Mean – all of our days in Dublin were great drying out days, weather wise.

Feck Off or What the Feck

You might easily guess the equivalent of these phrases. Replace the “e” with a “u” in  feck and you’ve got it. We heard feckin’ frequently too, placed before any word!

I’m Going on the Gargle

When you do this, you are headed out for drinks and might not be back…for days.

Dooter

A dooter is a short, or wee, walk.

Aye and Naw

Aye is yes and naw is no for the Irish. Confusingly, the word yes means hello!

Eejit

Used affectionately, an eejit describes someone who isn’t very bright.

Fun Irish Phrases and What They Mean swans
Fun Irish Phrases and What They Mean – we enjoyed a dooter through Stephens Green.

Which Phrase is Your Favorite?

Did you learn new phrases to try out? Which one is your favorite?

I hope, when travel restrictions ease, that you add Ireland to your “must visit list”. While there, listen and join in conversations and get to know the lovely and fun Irish people. Visit pubs and cafés and walk the streets and parks. Ride the hop on/hop off buses and delight in the guides, who speak with such love and passion for their cities.

And if you are going on the gargle, let me know!

Fun Irish Phrases and What They Mean lunch
Fun Irish Phrases and What They Mean – our first meal in Dublin.

Another Fun Post

If you enjoyed this post, check out Fun British Phrases and What They Mean.

 


 

Cindy Goes Beyond is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This affiliate program provides a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, all at no extra cost to you.