Sunday, July 6, 2014

Osijek Croatia The Post War Years

After spending the dead of night in Vukovar, Stone and I were up early to carry on our adventure to Osijek, the fourth largest city in Croatia.  This town is well-known for it's Baroque architecture, and the beautiful suspension bridge across the Drava River.  Sections of the Drava in Hungary and Croatita are some of the most natural and unspoiled waters in Europe.  The Drava River links five countries along its course.
The neo-Gothic styled Church of St. Peter and St. Paul.  A Co-cathedral , a beast of a church with multiple tiers and ferocious-looking trio of gargoyles was built in the 1890's.  Here we were entertained with a violin and cello concert performed by two young artists.
After lunch we spent the afternoon walking around Osijek, marveling at the contrast of new buildings and ones damaged during the Serbian Croatian War which were standing side by side.  The war damaged buildings bore the results of artillery fire and gun shots with missing roofs and massive cavities in the side walls.  The reconstruction is taking many years and is still continuing.

Post War Damaged Building

I call this precious!!!!!!

Two Young Artists


War Damaged Buildings


Why do we not have cool doors like these????



Fisherman made from twigs.  Once a year there is a twig festival.


War Damaged Building

War Damaged Building


War Damaged Building

Twig Flower Basket

War Damaged Building

Stone and Judy
Post War Damaged Building

Stone and I


Saturday, July 5, 2014

Horsing Around In Kalocsa Hungary

Todays adventure has lead us to Kalocsa, one of the earliest towns in Hungary.  We began our morning with a visit to Trinity Square.  It was situated in the interior of the city where we viewed the Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace and then was honored with a short organ concert.

Cathedral

Archbishop's Palace
 We enjoyed a traditional Puszta horsemanship performance at the Bakodpuszta Equestrain Center.






While in Kalocsa I attended an Apple Strudel making class.  I have never made this type of pastry before.  It was very easy, at least the baker made it appear so.  Once done the strudel was served.  It was tasty, a recipe that I will surely be making.

Apple Strudel
Serves 6
Dough:

12 1/4 ounces flour
1 Tablespoon oil
1 tablespoon melted butter
3 1/2 ounces water, lukewarm
a pinch of salt

Filling:
1 1/4 pound tart apples (peeled, cored and sliced)
3 1/2 ounce melted butter
3 1/2 ounce biscuit breadcrumbs or shortbread cookies
1 3/4 ounce light brown sugar
raisins, cinnamon, chopped nuts
lemon juice, rum (optional)

Peel apples and cut into thin slices.  Gently brown the biscuit crumbs in butter.  Combine all ingredients for the filling together.
Mix flour, salt, oil and lukewarm water and knead together with the kneading hook on the mixer or in the kitchen's machine for approx. 10 minutes until the dough has become smooth and elastic.  Roll the dough into a ball and brush with butter.  Using a sharp knife, cut a cross at the top of the ball of dough and then leave to rest at room temperature for 2 hours, wrapped in cling film.
Sprinkle a tablecloth evenly with flour. Roll the dough out as thinly as possible on the cloth.  Place your hands, stretched out flat, under the dough and draw the dough over the back of your hand so that it becomes thinner and thinner.  You know the dough is ready when the pattern on the tablecloth is recognizable through the dough, or when the pattern on the table cloth is recognizable through the dough, or when you can read newspaper print through it.
Fill and roll the strudel together as per the instructions in the recipe, being sure to use the tablecloth to help you, by raising the end with the filled dough just enough that the strudel begins to roll on its own accord.  Grease the apple strudel with melted butter and bake in preheated oven at 4oo' for 30 minutes, or until golden brown.










Happy July 4th From Budapest Hungary

This was our last day in Budapest so we visited the Great Market Hall where we saw where the locals shop for their traditional ingredients.  We learned about the local vegetables and meats, and about there FAMOUS Paprika spice. The city's best know butcher and patisseries are located here.  Content from our samplings we visited a wine shop for a wine-tasting.  Mine actually taste like grape juice…

This place is massive, with stall after stall of produce, meats, spices and more.  We strolled along each isle zeroing in on numerous items, making our purchases.  After we had seen all there was to see downstairs we make our way up to where the textiles were.  Again we walk up an down each isle taking in all that they had to offer.  Again making a few purchase.  As were left the market we walked out to take the train back to our hotel stopping just long enough to take a few shots of Liberty Bridge.  Just as we were coming up to the Hotel, we decided to get a bite to eat at Sonkabar Divin Porcello, a Ham Bar. This place was wonderfull we ordered a cheese platter to share that came with this wonderful bread to accompany it and a glass of wine.  We lingered here as long as we could, I would love to have a place like this back home.  
We ended our day with a celebration July 4th cake, made by the local bakers.  Of course I had a piece.

Liberty Bridge

Great Market Hall

Stone and I

Happy July 4th

Parliament House

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Exploring The Inter City Of Budapest

Cutting through the heart of the city is the Danube River.  First stop today we searched out Castle Hill.   Here we explored the Fishermen's Bastion which was built as a viewing terrace with lookout towers on a stretch of the Castle walls.

Budapest Hungary,Castle Hill,Chain Bridge,Elizabeth Bridge,Fishermens Bastion,Heroes Square,Palvix Restaurant,The Matthias Church,Danube River
Fishermen's Bastion

 Also in the heart of the Buda Castle district we saw the Roman Catholic religious institution, The Matthias Church, officially named The Church Of Our Lady.  This is a stunning building in a beautiful setting.

Budapest Hungary,Castle Hill,Chain Bridge,Elizabeth Bridge,Fishermens Bastion,Heroes Square,Palvix Restaurant,The Matthias Church,Danube River
The Church Of Our Lady

 From here we took a ride alone the Andrassy Ut.  This avenue is lined with spectacular mansions, townhouses, fine restaurants and cafe's.  Located in central Budapest is the largest Opera house in Hungary, the National Opera House.  This is an architectural wonder.  We also saw Heroes' Square, one of the major squares in Budapest with its many statues of enormous height celebrates the heroes of Hungarian history.

Budapest Hungary,Castle Hill,Chain Bridge,Elizabeth Bridge,Fishermens Bastion,Heroes Square,Palvix Restaurant,The Matthias Church,Danube River
Heroes' Square

Budapest Hungary,Castle Hill,Chain Bridge,Elizabeth Bridge,Fishermens Bastion,Heroes Square,Palvix Restaurant,The Matthias Church,Danube River
Heroes' Square

The Parliament is one of Europe's oldest legislative buildings and is the largest building in Budapest and the tallest in Hungary.  The architecture is stunning with a mixture of gothic and renaissance style.
On the Danube was the most moving memorial.  Sixty pairs of rusty iron shoes cast from the time period 1944-1945, honors the victims of the Holocaust.  Hungarian Jews, children, women and men that were shot into the icy cold Danube River by the notorious Arrow Cross Army.

Budapest Hungary,Castle Hill,Chain Bridge,Elizabeth Bridge,Fishermens Bastion,Heroes Square,Palvix Restaurant,The Matthias Church,Danube River
Men's Shoes

Budapest Hungary,Castle Hill,Chain Bridge,Elizabeth Bridge,Fishermens Bastion,Heroes Square,Palvix Restaurant,The Matthias Church,Danube River
Women's Shoes

Budapest Hungary,Castle Hill,Chain Bridge,Elizabeth Bridge,Fishermens Bastion,Heroes Square,Palvix Restaurant,The Matthias Church,Danube River
Sixty pairs of shoes.

Two of the many bridges that connect the two halves of the city are the Chain Bridge and the Elizabeth Bridge.  The Chain Bridge, a suspension bridge was the first permanent bridge that crossed the Danube.  Two lions sit on each side of the bridge protecting its glory.  The Elizabeth Bridge was named after Queen Elizabeth.  Today, her large bronze statue sits by the bridge on the Buda side in a small garden.

Budapest Hungary,Castle Hill,Chain Bridge,Elizabeth Bridge,Fishermens Bastion,Heroes Square,Palvix Restaurant,The Matthias Church,Danube River
Chain Bridge
Budapest Hungary,Castle Hill,Chain Bridge,Elizabeth Bridge,Fishermens Bastion,Heroes Square,Palvix Restaurant,The Matthias Church,Danube River
Elizabeth Bridge
After our morning city tour of Budapest, the parents of my sons girlfriend, who traveled four hours from Romania joined us for a visit and dinner.  We were greeted in the lobby of our hotel by Aurel and Daniela.  Now who wouldn't love a man who as soon as he sees you he say's "hi Brenda, you look like Barbie".

Budapest Hungary,Castle Hill,Chain Bridge,Elizabeth Bridge,Fishermens Bastion,Heroes Square,Palvix Restaurant,The Matthias Church,Danube River
Me and Aurel
For dinner we leisurely strolled through Center City and choose to have dinner at Pilvax Restaurant.  The streets were full of people mingling as we made our way to the outdoor patio.  Once there we ordered drinks and visited getting caught up.  We hadn't seen them since December when they where in the U.S. for Delia's MBA graduation Ceremony.  Hungry, we ordered dinner which was fabulous.  I ordered catfish in a red sauce with dumplings.  It was so good I ate every last morsel, wiping down the bowl with bread to get every last drop of the heavily sauce.  It was getting late and they had four hours to drive back home so it was time to leave.  Unlike us, they where not on vacation.  We walked them to their car, bid them farewell and they were on there way.

Budapest Hungary,Castle Hill,Chain Bridge,Elizabeth Bridge,Fishermens Bastion,Heroes Square,Palvix Restaurant,The Matthias Church,Danube River
Stone-Daniela-Brenda-Aurel

Budapest Hungary,Castle Hill,Chain Bridge,Elizabeth Bridge,Fishermens Bastion,Heroes Square,Palvix Restaurant,The Matthias Church,Danube River
Catfish with Dumplings

Budapest Hungary,Castle Hill,Chain Bridge,Elizabeth Bridge,Fishermens Bastion,Heroes Square,Palvix Restaurant,The Matthias Church,Danube River
Piano player at Pilvax.


Happy Birthday Brother Robert "Bob" From Budapest

From Budapest, Chestit Rojen Den, (Happy Birthday),  Robert "Bob", my not so little brother.  Have I ever mentioned that you are my favorite brother?  Oh wait, you're my only brother.  Since we can't be together on your special day, and yes all birthdays are special no matter how old, I will celebrate your birthday from Budapest, Hungary. With that in mind, Stone and I enjoyed a piece of cake in your honor.  Let me tell you a little about my little brother.  He is six years younger than I.  I know, I know, you're thinking, how can that be?  I totally look so much younger than him.   He's born and raised a true Texan.  He has an avid interest in physical fitness, and therefore works out everyday.  He has a Masters of Science in Business.  He is a devoted father to his son Brandon and daughter Baileigh and to his wife Stacy.  The most interesting thing about my brother is the opportunities he has had with acting.  He has filmed  numerous commercials, billboard ads and shared the TV screen with Patrick Duffy (Bobby Ewing) on the Dallas series remake, as the sheriff. It was so exciting seeing him for the first time on our big screen TV while watching the Dallas series.   He's also worked with actors David Keith, Luke Perry, Burton Gilliam and Nicholas Cage and many others.   In my eyes, he is certainly a celebrity.
Here is Robert's link: http://www.imdb.me/robertjjohnson. You should visit, like and check back often to keep up with his latest projects.  Check out his resume and photo section as well.  Comment on them if you want!  P.S. if you Facebook him, he will accept you as friends, you know you want to.  Go ahead, he's always posting cool things.  And the great thing is he's available for nationwide and international projects.  So check him out and if you're interested, make the connection.  You'll be glad you did.


Robert Johnson, Actor, SAG AFTRA-Eligible at Core Talent
Film Industry and Model/Actor
http://www.imdb.me/robertjjohnson
Photo credit:http://www.jamesedward.com


Cowboy Photo Shoot at Eden Farms
Photo credit http://www.jamesedward.com

Robert on set.

Blazing Saddles
Rich Emberlin, Burton Gilliam, and Robert with Chris Kyle, Navy Seal,
Americas deadliest snipper, Author of American Sniper, Deceased 2013

Clowning Around
Josh Henderson-Robert-Patrick Duffy

Billboard for Chesapeake Energy

Robert getting ready to hit the set.


Character Shot
Photo Credit by:http://www.jamesedward.com

Model Jo Robinson from Missouri and Robert
Cowboy Indian Princess Shoot
Photo Credit:http://www.jamesedward.com

See, I told ya'll I looked younger than Robert "Bob".

Wouldn't you want to see him on the Big Screen?



Wednesday, July 2, 2014

The Vibrant City Of Budapest Hungary

After our flight of 12 hours and 4 hours of lay over, we arrived in Budapest, Hungary to begin the month long celebration of my birthday.   It is the capital and the largest city in Hungary.  Luckly, Stone and I slept on the plane, and since its was early when we arrived, we had the entire afternoon to become familiar with this vibrant city.  It is said to be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and is considered to be the "Paris of the East."  We arrived at our hotel, which is alongside the Danube River,  unpacked and hit the road for a much needed walk to absorb some of the beautiful sunshine and stretch our legs.  After about two hours,we made our way back to the hotel to freshen up then meet up for dinner with friends, Judy and Barbara from California.  In the charming atmosphere of the Szazeves, a 100 year-old restaurant ,we enjoyed drinks (Puszta Cocktails) and our evening feast, followed by desert. During dinner we chatted and got caught up on everyones latest happenings, while listening to Hungarian music from a live band.  After dinner, we strolled along the bustling streets of central Budapest enjoying the cool night air, ending with a walk alongside the Danube River as we returned to our hotel. Shower and Zzzzzz!

Budapest Hungary,Szazeves Restaurant,Danube River,Europe,Puszta Cocktail.
Barbara-Judy-Me

Budapest Hungary,Szazeves Restaurant,Danube River,Europe,Puszta Cocktail.
Puszta Cocktail

Budapest Hungary,Szazeves Restaurant,Danube River,Europe,Puszta Cocktail.

Budapest Hungary,Szazeves Restaurant,Danube River,Europe,Puszta Cocktail.

Budapest Hungary,Szazeves Restaurant,Danube River,Europe,Puszta Cocktail.

Budapest Hungary,Szazeves Restaurant,Danube River,Europe,Puszta Cocktail.
Szazeves

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

My Birthday Month Begins

As I was checking out Facebook this morning a friend, Kelly, stated that this is the beginning of his birthday month.  I told him that mine is also this month.  I asked Kelly does that mean we can celebrate the entire month?  He said, "O yeah Brenda."  Well, I am definitely going to welcome Kelly's advice and take advantage of getting older.  I told Stone that my birthday celebration begins today!  We are going on a trip and leaving now.  Reservations are made, bags are packed and we are waiting on a jet plane.

Birthday,adventure, vacation,celebration,jet plane.
Our bags are packed, its time to go…..
Follow my blog to experience my birthday adventure.  Any guess where we are going?