Today I will use one of my tags granted to me by my blogger friend Livingsword from Life on the Blade, who in fact tagged me a while ago. It looks like this tag forces me again to talk about myself, and who does not like to talk about themselves? Well, I don't mind. And since I am into photo stuff, in this post I am supplementing my secrets or things about me with photos.
WHERE I GREW UP
I grew up on the outskirts of a beautiful small town, Sępopol in Poland, surrounded by two rivers. More so, the church in this town is from the 14th century, and recently, beautiful undamaged wall paintings were discovered when one of the framed paintings was removed from the wall for maintenance. Secondly, Napoleon Bonaparte and his army passed by the town. This picture was received from a friend of mine many, many years ago.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC: FAMILY IMITATORS
As you can see, in the old days, they put us in front of the camera and told us to smile while the photographer clicked. Not much fun! We look quite stiff in this photo taken about 24 years ago, and I have to say it always reminds me of the Sound of Music movie. In this picture, I am the second-eldest and second-tallest. Then we were teenagers and growing; therefore, I must say that age was directly proportional to our height. And now, our brother has outgrown all three of us.
FLIGHT LOT 011
Something about me and the number eleven—since there are so many encounters—means it must be my favourite number. Recently, I discovered from my mom that we left Poland on November 29, 1985, on flight LOT 011.
THE MOON, MY BEST FRIEND
Me and the Moon are the best friends. I remember when I was 8 or 10 years old, I got my first binoculars from Santa Claus. Since then and until now, I have continued to look up at the Moon. Even though this is not a 3D image of the moon, I keep looking at it through my new set of 3D glasses I received from Bob from Blackholes and Astorstuff.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND ME DO NOT GET ALONG
Yes, I don't drink any alcoholic beverages. Even wine I need to dilute because I don't like the aftereffect. It must be my blood circulation because alcohol takes over me in a matter of seconds. But, one hot summer day, while digging a flower bed, I had one beer, and boy, it was good. Don't ask what happened next. About the picture: It was taken a couple of years ago during one of my business trips to Germany, and we had the privilege to visit one of the oldest beer breweries located in Lubbecke, Germany.
MY FAVORITE FRUIT: POMEGRANATES
I don't know how much I can talk about the pomegranates, but I eat one or two every other day. And check this out: my breakfast consists of bran flakes, flax seeds, milk, and pomegranate. I recommend trying this recipe; it's very nutritious.
SNOW SHOVELING ADDICTION
Yes, I love shovelling snow; however, now that Matthew is on board, we will be enjoying watching Daddy do all the work.
The rules are simple: write seven things about yourself and then pass this tag to six bloggers. Remember to notify them too. Out of the blue, randomly, I am going to tag six bloggers who are my Friends at BlogCatalog but do not visit me here. Surprise, surprise!!!
How to be Happy, when Sad... (blog no longer exists); Morgan's Life (blog no longer exists); When Choo Choo Blogs... (blog no longer exists); Mushy's Moochings; Everything Everywhere Travel Blog; The Positive Side Blog (not what it used to be).
~ Anna
WHERE I GREW UP
I grew up on the outskirts of a beautiful small town, Sępopol in Poland, surrounded by two rivers. More so, the church in this town is from the 14th century, and recently, beautiful undamaged wall paintings were discovered when one of the framed paintings was removed from the wall for maintenance. Secondly, Napoleon Bonaparte and his army passed by the town. This picture was received from a friend of mine many, many years ago.
As you can see, in the old days, they put us in front of the camera and told us to smile while the photographer clicked. Not much fun! We look quite stiff in this photo taken about 24 years ago, and I have to say it always reminds me of the Sound of Music movie. In this picture, I am the second-eldest and second-tallest. Then we were teenagers and growing; therefore, I must say that age was directly proportional to our height. And now, our brother has outgrown all three of us.
Something about me and the number eleven—since there are so many encounters—means it must be my favourite number. Recently, I discovered from my mom that we left Poland on November 29, 1985, on flight LOT 011.
Me and the Moon are the best friends. I remember when I was 8 or 10 years old, I got my first binoculars from Santa Claus. Since then and until now, I have continued to look up at the Moon. Even though this is not a 3D image of the moon, I keep looking at it through my new set of 3D glasses I received from Bob from Blackholes and Astorstuff.
Yes, I don't drink any alcoholic beverages. Even wine I need to dilute because I don't like the aftereffect. It must be my blood circulation because alcohol takes over me in a matter of seconds. But, one hot summer day, while digging a flower bed, I had one beer, and boy, it was good. Don't ask what happened next. About the picture: It was taken a couple of years ago during one of my business trips to Germany, and we had the privilege to visit one of the oldest beer breweries located in Lubbecke, Germany.
I don't know how much I can talk about the pomegranates, but I eat one or two every other day. And check this out: my breakfast consists of bran flakes, flax seeds, milk, and pomegranate. I recommend trying this recipe; it's very nutritious.
Yes, I love shovelling snow; however, now that Matthew is on board, we will be enjoying watching Daddy do all the work.
How to be Happy, when Sad... (blog no longer exists); Morgan's Life (blog no longer exists); When Choo Choo Blogs... (blog no longer exists); Mushy's Moochings; Everything Everywhere Travel Blog; The Positive Side Blog (not what it used to be).
~ Anna
Comments
I'll list you in Bloglines so I can "lurk"!
Please explain the 1085 date...was it supposed to be 1985, or did I miss something...sorry.
I will list you in too...
Anna :)
We are now busy pretty much in the coming days with our upcoming travel plans, so sorry that I was not visiting so often and maybe not will be more in the future.
Sue's Daily Photography
I love the Moon, I have also posted somewhat on the Moon,lol, and I love pomegranates, although I never posted on it anywhere,lol.
That is quite the pic of your family, you do look like you're all gonna break out and sing, except for your younger sister, she looks.. well she just looks like she want's to get the pic taking over with,lol
Mind you I hate with a passion shoveling snow, rather be fishing, and I don't even fish, so that probably tells you something about how much I hate shoveling,lol
Great post Anna, thanks for sharing!
Susanne, good luck with you adventures, you will be deeply missed, lol, and as I told you the most important thing is you travel and I enjoy the photos, lol...
Anna :)
Thanks, yeah but I think only my oldest sister can sing the best, the rest of us sound like rusted door, lol....and yah my younger sister never liked to take photos, even now we cannot get her with a straight face, lol.
Hey I shovel your snow and you go fishing, lol...
BTW I got some pics of the moon today, skies cleared out, and you are right so large and so bright!
Thanks for voting, I am not sure about that thing, it feels like my blog is slower because of this voting thing, I will have to investigate....btw you are too generous, lol.
Anna :)
The flight number got me thinking. I have to check the flight number of the airline we used when we migrated to Australia almost 21 years ago.
I can't say more...
LOL This looks good let me walk along your words here….
Ahhh Sępopol in the north east of Poland I wonder if the photo was taken from a church steeple…
Bony certainly marched past a lot of towns…
LOL LOL Ok you and Bob both talking about The Sound of Music in posts not that far apart! LOL LOL Looks rather East Block…
Cool plane wing photo! Are you sure you don’t have something to do with 7-11? LOL
Binoculars what a great gift and it ignited a passion for observing the Moon till this day…
LOL Look at those casks of beer going to waste…well perhaps better than going to waist…LOL You know these kinds of reactions to alcohol seem rather common in women…hmmmm
I love pomegranates! I have a good friend from Cyprus who was explaining to us their fine art of devouring them…You do know that they enhance the effects of alcohol….LOL LOL just joking…. :) Actually we have a pomegranate liqueur that is delightful!
Wow look at that snow….actually it snowed a bit here yesterday but it melted as it hit the ground….good thing we may have had to call out the national guard…LOL
I love the photos and learning more about you Anna! Certainly a post waiting for…
Great post. I loved all of your fotos and, of course, the way you described everything. It really felt homey.
I see what you mean about alcohol. Just like my friend, Rick, you can't drink very much or it will affect you.
I especially liked the picture of your hubby blowing the snow off the walkway. It really looks cold where you live.
Happy trails.
It was great to read and snapshots from history. You look very East European in that teenage photo with siblings LOL :P If you promise not to laugh, I'll tell you that one of the most interesting things I did right after coming to Canada was - shovelling snow :)
Nice pictures as usual,
Priyank
This was an interesting series of photos and facts. Your hometown really looks picturesque. And like you I also don't do alcohol and love pomegranates. The only problem pomegranates are not readily available in our stores, so I buy them when I get a chance which is very seldom.
BTW the only reason I was able to calculate the number of hits, was because I had noticed that I was about 100 short of 15,000 on the morning of 9 December. Since then it has increased rapidly and is showing slight signs of slowing down. I am just glad that they do not all leave comments, otherwise I would be totally flooded :)
How nice to meet a Polish/Canadian. I am a Texan/Brit.
Although we would seemingly have little in common, it turns out that 11 (my birthdate) is also my favorite number; I adore pomegranates, and made an Eton Mess with pomegranates instead of berries for pudding this weekend; alcohol does not agree with me, either; and I am a big Sound of Music fan! And who doesn't love the moon?
Season's Greetings to you!
Peace!
Lee
Great post and congratulations on Post of the Day comment from David!
Sandi
This is excellent!
Congratulations.
You really did a good job with photography and stories, Interesting to read where you grew up. I also had to think (by looking at the familie photo) of "The sound of Music"Yes I remember that film, now its playing in a musical here in Holland, number eleven is my birhmonth an my house/home number... what a coincident eeeh? :)Great post!!
For a change I made an overVIEW in ABC with a slideshow. Come and watch: ww.joannwalraven.blogspot.com
Greetings from JoAnn
I again have to thank you for your nice comments on my posts and also would like to take this opportunity to answer your question about the children you saw on the photo that I posted. Yes, Anna, they played with toy guns. There is no wonder when there is nothing that children cannot buy today. Besides, there is no any movie that they cannot watch especially those with abundance of violence. By the way, the violence is present on the TV or radio news and newspapers what means it is everywhere in our every day life. It is really sad, isn’t it?
Jeff wants to ask you how you mastered eating pomegranates? We become frustrated with harvesting the fruit within.
Have a super day, dear friend, and Happy Holidays.
I looove that the paintings were found in your church. What a day that must have been!!!
Hugs, JJ
Hugs, JJ
I must say that I love the way you do your memes: they are delightful :D!
Now, let me comment point by point:
1- You were born in a nice place! I like the small buildings!
2- LOL LOL LOL "Sound of music" I actually love that movie! The Von Trapp family is so cute!! I'd say that in this picture you guys look better than the Von Trapps :D!
3- So you left Poland when you were 15 (+/-)? And yes, the number 11 follows you wherever you go!
4- LOL oh, you received the 3D glasses from Bob? Speaking of 3D glasses, did you see his Yoda doll? It is so cute!! lol
5- I don't drink either. Me and booze don't get along at all!
6- Not much of a fan of pomegranates...but my mom is!
7- LOL LOL LOL you are so funny, girl! I can imagine baby Matthew shoveling snow next year: soooo sweet! :)
Anna, I loved this post...you have an unique way to share these things with us: thank you *bowing*!
Hugs to baby Matt and you!
Cheers
These are interesting things to know about you! I did not know you were from Poland. My mom loves Europe but has not made it to Poland. Her mom is from Switzerland and dad was from Holland. And my mom loved pomegranates too! She used to eat them all the time as a kid and got all her clothes all red from the juice!
Thanks for coming by to read my posts again. We are finding it hard to keep up these days, but glad to still have you as a reader!
Happy Holidays to you!
--JB
But the photos look rather nicely though :)
Anna :)
That's the new one - East Block??? Not familiar with East Block, but I will laugh, lol.
Not nothing to do with 7-11, lol.
'Binoculars what a great gift and it ignited a passion for observing the Moon till this day…' - I still have those binoculars.
You said 'seem rather common in women…hmmmm' - I guess I am part of the women's club then, lol.
'I love pomegranates!' - and they are good for you! You know for the longest time I was eating seed by seed, until we found brochure in the store how to carve them out, lol. Still it is not that easy, but I am getting better...
'You do know that they enhance the effects of alcohol….LOL LOL just joking…. :) Actually we have a pomegranate liqueur that is delightful!' - lol, may be that is why I feel so energetic, lol, but that it opposite side effect???, lol.
So what is going on in your place, no snow! Don't you worry its coming lol.
Thanks LS for your delightful comments and humor. It certainly made my evening!
Anna :)
So not just women get that effect, lol. But luckly I don't get sunburn, lol.
Yes it gets cold at times. The snow comes from the roof. What happens is that we get snow drifts, and these crazy overhangs form on the side of the garage roos, and are ready to fall if you don't destroy them.
However the best part is that the wind always blows in our direction, and we get all the snow, even neightbours, lol.
I guess you don't get much snow in you area, lol....
Anna :)
'If you promise not to laugh, I'll tell you that one of the most interesting things I did right after coming to Canada was - shovelling snow :)' - ooops broke the promise, lol.
Thanks Priyank for sharing your insights, and glad to have you back.
Anna :)
Thank you so much for your nice comments, and I guess we have something in common, lol.
We have the same problem too, pomegranates are only available in winter, but summer I miss them so much.
BTW thanks for the info on the counter and high count visits.
I will try to implement something too. You said: 'I am just glad that they do not all leave comments, otherwise I would be totally flooded :)' - lol, yeah it would be tought to pay back with 8000 visits, lol.
Thanks again Max-e, appreciated.
Anna :)
You said: 'How nice to meet a Polish/Canadian. I am a Texan/Brit.' - nice to meet you too. But there is more to the story, I am actually Ukrainian born in Poland, but I think I have some Polish blood streaks in me, lol.
Wow, I guess you met to visit me, since you have 11 on you too.
'I adore pomegranates, and made an Eton Mess with pomegranates instead of berries for pudding this weekend' - oh that sounds very delicious.
Yeah who needs alcohol then.
Thanks Bee for your wonderful and connecting comment. Nice to meet someone new on my blog with so much in common! I will be visiting you shortly.
Thanks again,
Anna :)
Too bad we got cold weather, thus we cannot grow the pomegranate tree. Oh it would be heaven for me, lol. Me too I did not imagine them in the cereal, but once I tried it, oh it was sooooo good!
Thanks for visiting and commenting, and I will be paying you a visit shortly.
Anna :)
So you passed by Poland, just like Napolean passed through my home town, lol.
Thanks again for stopping by....
Anna :)
I guess you can grow pomegranates at your place, here - too too cold!
Thanks for the congrats. David is too nice!
Anna :)
Anna :)
Yes what a coincidence! My mail box is 11, and recently we had to take Matthew for check up in the hospital, we were number 11 in line. I guess it was a good sign, because everything turn out good.
Thanks again Joann, and I will come over to watch your slideshow.
Anna :)
You said: 'I remember how much I enjoyed in that movie when I saw it the first time many years ago.' - me too, I love that movie too, never knew I will make the cut, lol.
Yes it must be my lucky number then, lol.
I never knew they had pomegranates in Europe. Where I was, we did not have much access to exotic fruits.
Matthew in deed loves looking through the window, and laughs a lot when he sees his dad coming home.
Medam I had to ask, because those toy guns looked so real. And yes it is sad! What are we doing introducing violence to our children at that early age.
Thanks for sharing your story with me. I am honoured to have you visit my blog every time Medam. Thank you.
Anna :)
If comes to eating pomegranate, no secret. I would crack on half and pick one by one. It was lot of fun, until we found a brochure in the store how to crack them properly. If you want I will email you a copy. But I tell you every fruit is different, and I was only able to do 3 properly so far, otherwise, I have blood spots all over my kitchen. And once I tried in the bedroom, and I had to explain myself to my painter, lol, why there are red spots all over the wall.
Oh you can hear us, lol, trust me you don't want to hear us, lol.
JJ I always enjoy having you here. All the best to Jeff.
Anna :)
Since I don't post very often, I must do them properly, lol.
You said: 'you guys look better than the Von Trapps :D!' - oh thanks Max girl, lol, but we are little stiff, lol.
Max, you asked: 'So you left Poland when you were 15 (+/-)?' - yes, I was 14. Sometimes seems like a long time, and sometimes it feels like we just left.
Yeah that 11 is everywhere I go, lol.
You said: -'Speaking of 3D glasses, did you see his Yoda doll? It is so cute!! lol' - no I did not, I better then go and see it.
You said: 'Me and booze don't get along at all!' - you are my type a girl then....
You said: 'Not much of a fan of pomegranates...but my mom is!' - ohh, but that is okay, I still be your friend. All the best to your mom!
You said: 'I can imagine baby Matthew shoveling snow next year: soooo sweet! :)' - thanks :), I am debating should I get him toy shovel or toy snow blower, lol.
Thanks Max, you are always too nice to me, but I will take it, and sending hugs from Matthew....
Anna :)
Yes I am from Poland, but never been back since I left. If your mom ever makes to Poland, she will like it! It is nice country, lot of tourist attractions, and lot of history.
You said: 'She used to eat them all the time as a kid and got all her clothes all red from the juice!' - did she get surroundings too?, lol, I used to get walls.
Hey no problem, love your site, and I will be always over. Now with Reading List, blogging is much easier.
Happy Holidays to you too!
Anna :)
Thanks for visiting Will.
Anna :)
"thanks. Since I don't post very often, I must do them properly, lol."
You are most welcome, darling *bowing*!
"oh thanks Max girl, lol, but we are little stiff, lol."
Don't mention it lol! Well, but that was the trend at that time, remember?
"yes, I was 14. Sometimes seems like a long time, and sometimes it feels like we just left."
I hear you, girl! :)
"no I did not, I better then go and see it."
It is in one of his older posts (you had to ask him for the link)...so cute!
"you are my type a girl then...."
LOL *High Five*...although we already knew that LOL ;)!
"ohh, but that is okay, I still be your friend. All the best to your mom!"
LOL thank you, girl! Thanks, I will pass on the message :D!
"thanks :), I am debating should I get him toy shovel or toy snow blower, lol."
LOL LOL ask him which one he prefers, it's much easier that way....
"Thanks Max, you are always too nice to me, but I will take it, and sending hugs from Matthew...."
No, I am never too nice to you (I wish I could be more)...I am enough! Oooh, his hugs are great :)!
Anna, I missed our conversations....
Cheers
You said: 'LOL LOL ask him which one he prefers, it's much easier that way....' - funny thing he probably would take both the way he grabs everything now.
Thanks Max for your kind words. Yes I miss them too, but for now you have to share my time with Matthew, lol....
Thanks again you're so kind!
Anna :)
I do drink, but not to excess. And I love Irish Coffee. Be around again later.
"I think I will settle for a toy snow blower, lol, so he can learn how to walk, lol."
lol it is an excellent idea!
"funny thing he probably would take both the way he grabs everything now."
LOL he is exploring the world already :D!
"Thanks Max for your kind words. Yes I miss them too, but for now you have to share my time with Matthew, lol...."
You are welcome! Oooh, so sweet...yes, you must definitely dedicate your time to your baby boy :D!
"Thanks again you're so kind!"
Don't mention it, girl!
Have a blessed weekend, darling!
Cheers
And I played along, took me awhile to come up with 7 things, but here they are :)
Cindy
Pomegranates may be one of the most beautiful things ever grown. And your breakfast sounds delectably nutritious.
Pomegranate Martini: Check it out!
2 tablespoons natural cane sugar
2 tablespoons water
2-3 ounces top-shelf vodka
2-6 ounces freshly squeezed or organic pomegranate juice
half of a lime
2 slices lemon
a martini shaker and glass
ice
I'm sure one will not harm you.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Take Care,
Peter
Your home town in Poland does look charming. Do you have many memories of your life there?
I'm curious about where your "breakfast recipe" originated. It doesn't sound as appetizing as bacon and eggs, but it's a whole lot healthier! (I hate to admit it, but I've never eaten a pomegranate, not even ONE bite of one! I'll have to look up how to eat it, i.e. what parts to eat.)
Sorry to hear that you are deprived of your snow shoveling, but you can JOIN Matthew and his Dad in doing that, as soon as Matthew can wield a shovel!
Happy holidays to you, dear Anna!
Thanks for your comment Roger, it is always nice to have you here.
Anna :)
Hope you are getting better from your operation. Wishing you fast recovery and happy holidays. Anna :) PS Yes they are all my photographs.
And now I eat pomegranates at night too....
Happy Holidays!
Anna :)
You asked: 'Do you have many memories of your life there?'
I say: Yes I do Lynda. Every dream I have since the time we left, is always around my hometown. Nothing here in Canada. I will be back one day! But it is all different now, from what I hear.
You asked: 'I'm curious about where your "breakfast recipe" originated.' - the brochure in the store, it was how to carve them, and they had this small liner there too.
You said: 'It doesn't sound as appetizing as bacon and eggs...'
I say: Ouch Lynda, lol, and ouch you got to try it...you eat the red seeds inside the fruit.
Looks like we are getting lot of snow this year, I guess we will be taking turns shoveling, lol.
Lynda my friend, thank you so much for your nice comment. Wishing you happy holidays, and all the best in the upcoming year 2009.
Anna :)
I have risen from the dead (I am over the flu) and promptly came over to read your blog. Great post. Rated it 5 out of 5. And as always, great photography ...love the still life on the pomegranate. Talking about pomegranates..aren't they great? Love them myself...they remind me of my childhood. Mind you I never had them for breakfast.
I would love to visit the old church in your hometown to check out the artwork. I find myself visiting many old churches around here checking out the wood carvings and artwork. I could lose myself for hours studying the techniques used by the artisans.
And the beer kegs! Now THAT would be a great Christmas present LOL
As always Anna...excellent post. Yo touch a lot of people as evidenced by the many commentaries. Well done.
Oh and thank you for the well wishes and visits. That was very nice of you.
Hope you and Matthew and your husband have a wonderful and Happy New Year and a great 2009.
Take care.
~JD
'have risen from the dead (I am over the flu) and promptly came over to read your blog.' - glad that flu bug left you, lol, and it is so nice to see you back.
Thanks for the ranking, lol, I don't know if this thing is working or what, but I take your word for it. Hope it is not slowing things down here in my blogging world.
You said: 'Talking about pomegranates..aren't they great? Love them myself...they remind me of my childhood. Mind you I never had them for breakfast.' - oh oh they are the best thing ever, trust me I eat them sometimes at 2 am, lol, and then breakfast, and lunch, lol.
JD you said: 'I would love to visit the old church in your hometown to check out the artwork. I find myself visiting many old churches around here checking out the wood carvings and artwork. I could lose myself for hours studying the techniques used by the artisans.' - you know now I remember, you used to have the wood carving blog. Yes I like old churches a lot too. This church also has canvas painting behind the altar, it is only uncovered a very little - just to expensive to restore it.
JD you said: 'And the beer kegs! Now THAT would be a great Christmas present LOL' - Merry Christmas, sorry it is only a picture.
You said: 'Oh and thank you for the well wishes and visits. That was very nice of you.' - hey anytime my friend.
Thank you for wishes also.
Anna :)
This is Anna. Today I have visited your blog and found some interesting information.We have site's for Photo frame which is related to your blog. We think our visitors will be benefited by your blog's information. That's why we are interested in exchanging links with your blog.
Regards
Anna
Anna :)