Jo’s Monday walk : Kirkstall Abbey to Leeds City Centre

restlessjo's avatarrestlessjo

What could be finer, on an almost sunny day, than a little piece of English Heritage, topped off with a canalside walk?  Numerous times I have passed by the ruins of Kirkstall Abbey, with a backward look and a sigh.  Founded in 1152, over 800 years ago, this Cistercian monastery is surrounded by greenery and sits on the banks of the River Aire.

All summer long Leeds City Council have provided activities to keep youngsters active and entertained.  Kirkstall Abbey was one of the venues, in case you were wondering about the terrier.  He was watching me with curiosity as I read the signboards and imagined how life must have been, back in those draughty days.

A short, sharp shower forced us across the road and into the Abbey House tearooms.  Excellent timing for a huge slice of carrot cake.

I was astonished to learn that the main road…

View original post 644 more words

Imperial Garden in the Forbidden City

Ester's avatarTravelling around the world

The Imperial Garden occupies 12,000 square meters and was built in the days of the Ming Dynasty in 1417.It has the characteristics typical of the typical Chinese garden, with trees, rocky areas, flower beds and sculptural elements. There are more than twenty structures, and the main one is the Imperial Peace Hall. To emphasize also a pine of more than 400 years, that symbolizes the harmony between the emperor and the empress.

View original post

team spirit.

beth's avatarI didn't have my glasses on....

first game of the year

and lots of excitement buzzing around town

most everyone embraces it

even the new arrivals on campus

on sorority/frat row

and the car wash

that stays open and works

while also hosting tailgaters

complete with

buses, games, food, and mini bar

now that’s team spirit.

“you are either supporting the vision or supporting division” 

― saji ijiyemi

View original post

Into a cry of joy

Maxima's avatarMaxima

Written: Maxima

Hey, my darling
Let me hide
Under your tiny lacy nightie
And lay my kisses
On your secluded sweet hills
Let me feel that
Magical wild world
The world of fire
Burning in your loins
Turning the lovers tremble
And flashes of light
Buried deep under the skin
Into a cry of joy
Into a realm of glorious
Miracle
The world’s destiny depends on
I dedicate this poem to you
My love
’cause I live you
With my whole being
Longing for you
Madly in love with you
In this blooming spring evening

View original post

My Mom’s Sopa de Res: Salvadorian Beef and Vegetable Soup

Eugenia George's avatarSalviKitchen

DSC_8819-XL

On days when I’m feeling under the weather, there is nothing more comforting than my mom’s sopa de res. The ingredients are simple, but highly nutritious. It’s made with vegetables that are just “roughly chopped” and beef shanks with bone and all. Bone broth seems to be all the rage nowadays, but using the bones in soups is quite traditional in Salvadorian cooking and for good reasons. I’m not a dietician or scientist, but I can tell you that any soup made like this must, indeed, have some medicinal qualities that cure all sorts of ailments.   Plus, it’s pure comfort food, rustic and surprisingly flavorful. It think it rivals chicken soup in terms of warming your soul and tummy during cold winter months, or just when you need a pick-me-up. It’s easy to make and I’m sure it would be delicious cooked slowly in a crock pot. Just make…

View original post 568 more words