TURKISH GOZLEME

This was on a recent trip we took to my husband's country from which he was born in to visit family......TURKEY. 

This "GOZLEME" I absolutely love and must have eaten dozens of them just filled with cheese, anywhere I saw they were preparing them I ordered one. Reason I stuffed myself was that we don't have them here....I mean there are recipes out there but they just don't taste the same.

Gözleme is a savoury traditional Turkish pastry dish, made of hand-rolled dough that is lightly brushed with butter and eggs, filled with various toppings, sealed, and cooked over a griddle.

The name derives from the Turkish word göz meaning "compartment", in reference to the pocket of dough in which the various toppings are sealed and cooked. Traditionally, this is done on a saç griddle.

Toppings for gözleme are numerous and vary by region, and include a variety of meats (minced beef, chopped lamb, seafood), vegetables (spinach, zucchini, eggplant), mushrooms (porcino, chanterelle, truffle) potatoes, cheeses (feta, Turkish white cheese), as well as eggs, and seasonal herbs and spices.

 (Source; Wikipedia)

We were on our way to Ephesus.....a must for anyone visiting Turkey. It's one of the world's wonders of the ancient world. But as you enter Ephesus there is lil' sign that said "Seven Sleepers", another ancient site with it's own story....won't go into that now. Will post later in another post. So we always stop there first.
As you enter The Seven Sleeper's area there are a few shops and Cafe's....one of these cafes these ladies were preparing these Gozlemes'. They were turning them out like 'hotcakes' one after another.

 It was an extremely hot...scorching hot day. After I had climbed the hill to get up there and rummaged through the old ancient ruins and room I got tired and came down the hill with my sister in law for some cold drink. But my husband and daughter continued to look around....as we waited for them we enjoyed some of these Gozlemes'...I had mine with just cheese and my sister in law had cheese and spinach....that is the more popular one but I just enjoy plain cheese. 
I almost ate the whole thing but a poor stray doggy was looking at me so I threw mine to him but it wasn't enough  so I ordered another one and fed him that.........found a bowl poured water for him and he joyfully went away.....those stray animals really hurt me when I see them roaming the streets.

 These ladies are always smiling and talking away.....like a social corner for them. But then it is HOT outside and sometimes I wonder with the heat cooking and heat outside how do they stand it....I guess it's their source of income.

Thanks for stopping by........

Linking to http://smilingsally.blogspot.ca/ for  "BLUE MONDAY".

Galeries Lafayette, PARIS.

This department store ...Galeries Lafayette" has to be one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen. I was in awe when I walked inside...not your typical department store.

We visited this store in Paris while my husband, daughter and I were on vacation and were on our way to Turkey but stopped for a week in Paris. The stained glass dome roof in the middle of the store was amazing...it was a cloudy day but I can imagine if it was sunny how the gorgeous colours would come through.

It had balconies going around the whole store........with ornate iron work. Every groove on the balconies had a little display of merchandise......Everything in the store was very expensive and I could see they really hiked the prices up. 

It was very crowded there and I think more people were snapping away at photos then they were shopping.....especially at the gorgeous stained glass dome on the roof.

 The stained glass dome on the roof.

 Balconies surrounding the whole store with ornate iron work.

 No details were spared in the store.

 Make up counter.

 Absolutely gorgeous stained glass work on the windows at the turn of the century.

 We saw more people with their heads up and taking photos then shopping.....

 Front of the store on the street.

Subway stop.......


Thank you for stopping by.

Pennsylvania Blue Skies.

Last week after being in Europe for 6 weeks we went to Pennsylvania for a few days......here are some of the gorgeous scenic routes we took. The skies are a beautiful BLUE.

I come from a place where everything is flat...so I was kind of freaking out when we had to drive along the edges and were so high up.

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!!!!!

I'm linking to http://smilingsally.blogspot.ca/
 for some "MONDAY BLUES.

BLUE TASSELS

Blue and White Tassels

Linking to;
smilingsally.blogspot.com

Sour Cream Dill Dip

Sour Cream Dill Dip

 (Source; Taste of Home)

2 cups sour cream

1 green pepper, finely chopped

1/4 cup minced chives

1/4 cup minced Italian flat leaf parley

2 Tbsp. minced dill

1/2 tsp. salt

In a bowl combine all and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Serve with veggies or crackers.....

Linking to ;
http://www.designsbygollum.blogspot.ca/

Niagara Falls Mist (USA side)

Living about an hour from the US border we go over quite often to shop and stay there for a few days........this is when we stayed at Seneca Casino. We have the same exact  stores but prices are lower and it's like a small get away for us.......even though we are so close to home. We normally don't stay here mainly because we don't gamble and it's not in the shopping mall area. 

If the Casino doesn't have a good stage show or any popular celebs are coming the price of the hotel is low......but when something good is going on the price can be 4 times the price of the hotel room. I guess they know you going to stay there so why not hike up the price.

These pics were taken this past summer when we stayed at the Seneca Casino in Niagara falls on the US side.

 Beautiful BLUE sky and in the background is the Canadian side.

 Seneca Casino , Niagara Falls, NY. we stay here sometimes.....way up on the 29th floor. I don't like staying up too high but my husband always does, he says he can see a view.

 You can see the mist in the background from Niagara Falls in the early morning. This is the USA side and looking onto the Canadian side....and all the hotels and attractions.

 Canadian side in the background with the hotels and attractions.You can see a bit of the Gorge along the mist.

Linking to; 

smilingsally.blogspot.com    for Blue Monday!

Wishing Tree

This is a "Wishing Tree' in Turkey......it has all the BLUE Turkish Evil Eyes' hanging off the branches. 

Some girls like to make a wish and hang a Blue Evil Eye up on the branches to wish for some love of their life to get married to.

Others just make a wish for something better and what matters most in their lives......only wishing.


Today I'm linking to  smillingsally.blogspot.com  for "BLUE MONDAY"