Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
Friday, September 8, 2017
Summer Photo Gallery by Klub Polki
Here is our summer summary in pictures. If you want to see photos taken in summer months by Polish ladies in various countries around the world, click on the picture to get to the Polish Lady Abroad Club gallery page.
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Summer Joy and Retirement
Chef Pol-Tex is enjoying the summertime. She loves nature, flowers and colorful butterflies.
Although it is nice to be outside, the Texas heat is a bit oppressive. The hot and humid weather makes you feel like staying in and hiding yourself in the aired room all day long.
On the other hand, in the morning, when it is not so terribly hot, outside activities are quite enjoyable. Green trees decorated with light-pink blossom, birds singing their songs, delicate, cooling breeze - all so delightful.
Having enough time to stop for a moment and appreciate such wonders is a kind of luxury.
In the past, being busy at work, I could only dream of it. Now, the dream has come true, which is a good side of the retirement.
Wishing my husband could retire as well.....
 |
| Chef Pol-Tex and her summer delight :-) |
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
My Texas Alphabet: I for Ice Cream
The idea for this alphabet post series comes from ' The Alphabet of My Emigration' by Dee Dorota L., member of The Polish Ladies Abroad Club, who has relocated to England.
I have also decided to join the project and write about My Texas Alphabet twice a week.
During the long, hot and humid Texas season cooling your body is a must. That is why iced soft drinks are basic coolers, drunk daily by everybody. Before coming to Texas, I did not like cold tea and never had it. Of course, the climate conditions were totally different in northern Poland. Cool temperatures and cold weather required drinking hot tea - to warm up and avoid catching a cold.
The Texas summer made me learn to like cold tea and a lot of ice in my glass of coke. It brings such relief and helps survive the heat.
Another heat survival aid is ice cream. The toasty weather gives a good excuse to have it more often.
When on the road, it is nice to stop at a McDonald's place and have their vanilla ice cream, which is plain but quite refreshing.
Still, the treat which I like best is an old-fashioned banana split made and sold at Braum's. Actually, it is my great Texas discovery - a dessert that is decadently delicious and enjoyable - real heaven to my taste buds. One serving of banana split is so big that I am not able to it all on my own. So I always share it with my husband who very much enjoys the dessert too.
For those of you who do not know: an old-fashioned banana split (with everything on it) consists of:
a split of a banana covered with three big scoops of ice cream (one scoop would make three European size scoops): vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate. The vanilla scoop is decorated with marshmallow topping, the strawberry ice cream is covered with strawberry sauce and the chocolate scoop is coated with chocolate topping. Then there are also two big scoops of whipped cream, two cherries, pieces of strawberries, and nuts (or almonds). Totally wonderful!
Talking about ice cream, I need to mention the brand which is my favorite one, considering the ice cream sold at grocery stores. It is Blue Bell, which was originally made in Brenham, Texas. Unfortunately, last year the ice cream was recalled (by its manufacturer) from all the stores, due to some serious bacteria problems and possible health risk connected with it.
I have tried quite a few Blue Bell flavors, but I like homemade vanilla and banana split best. Nevertheless, other ones (e.g. buttered pecan and mint) are tasty too. According to the information published on the Blue Bell website, the ice cream is to be back in the local stores on November 2. Hopefully, my favorite kinds of ice cream will be available again soon. I am going to update this post with a picture of a Blue Bell treat, as soon as it is possible.
More info:
Braum's website
Blue Bell Ice Cream website
Jagoda / Inspiracje Językowe
Gabi / I for Internet // I jak Internet
Justyna / I jak Iced Chocolate
Sylwia / I jak Ironia losu
I have also decided to join the project and write about My Texas Alphabet twice a week.
During the long, hot and humid Texas season cooling your body is a must. That is why iced soft drinks are basic coolers, drunk daily by everybody. Before coming to Texas, I did not like cold tea and never had it. Of course, the climate conditions were totally different in northern Poland. Cool temperatures and cold weather required drinking hot tea - to warm up and avoid catching a cold.
The Texas summer made me learn to like cold tea and a lot of ice in my glass of coke. It brings such relief and helps survive the heat.
Another heat survival aid is ice cream. The toasty weather gives a good excuse to have it more often.
When on the road, it is nice to stop at a McDonald's place and have their vanilla ice cream, which is plain but quite refreshing.
Still, the treat which I like best is an old-fashioned banana split made and sold at Braum's. Actually, it is my great Texas discovery - a dessert that is decadently delicious and enjoyable - real heaven to my taste buds. One serving of banana split is so big that I am not able to it all on my own. So I always share it with my husband who very much enjoys the dessert too.
For those of you who do not know: an old-fashioned banana split (with everything on it) consists of:
a split of a banana covered with three big scoops of ice cream (one scoop would make three European size scoops): vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate. The vanilla scoop is decorated with marshmallow topping, the strawberry ice cream is covered with strawberry sauce and the chocolate scoop is coated with chocolate topping. Then there are also two big scoops of whipped cream, two cherries, pieces of strawberries, and nuts (or almonds). Totally wonderful!
 |
| Braum's places are also in Arizona, Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas |
Talking about ice cream, I need to mention the brand which is my favorite one, considering the ice cream sold at grocery stores. It is Blue Bell, which was originally made in Brenham, Texas. Unfortunately, last year the ice cream was recalled (by its manufacturer) from all the stores, due to some serious bacteria problems and possible health risk connected with it.
I have tried quite a few Blue Bell flavors, but I like homemade vanilla and banana split best. Nevertheless, other ones (e.g. buttered pecan and mint) are tasty too. According to the information published on the Blue Bell website, the ice cream is to be back in the local stores on November 2. Hopefully, my favorite kinds of ice cream will be available again soon. I am going to update this post with a picture of a Blue Bell treat, as soon as it is possible.
More info:
Braum's website
Blue Bell Ice Cream website
Update - December 2015
 |
| Blue Bells have already been back in stores! |
Other 'I' posts by bloggers of the Polish ladies Abroad Club:
Dee / I jak IJagoda / Inspiracje Językowe
Gabi / I for Internet // I jak Internet
Justyna / I jak Iced Chocolate
Sylwia / I jak Ironia losu
Thursday, October 8, 2015
My Texas Alphabet: H for Heat
The idea for this alphabet post series comes from ' The Alphabet of My Emigration' by Dee Dorota L., a member of The Polish Ladies Abroad Club, who has relocated to England.
I have also decided to join the project and write about My Texas Alphabet twice a week.
Summer starts in Texas in March. At least according to Polish summer temperature standards. Sometimes even 30C/ 86F happens before 'calendar' spring begins. This is what I like about Texas - winter is rather mild here and does not last so long as it does in Poland.
During my first spring in the state, I was quite surprised by the quick end of the cold season (and delighted as well). I was happy to see how quickly the trees in our neighborhood turned green and white. The latter one not because of the snow of course. It was a sign of spring: the trees were covered with fresh, delicate and beautiful blossom. It was so weird to know that at the very same time of the year, people in northern Europe still wear winter clothing. Really cold winds, low temperatures, and also snow are nothing unusual in March there. I had never liked the bitterly cold weather, so the happier I was enjoying the warm sunshine and watching nature waking up after the winter sleep again.
Last spring we bought a pot of pelargonium to decorate our patio and to enjoy the red flowers while sitting outside. I took care of the plant as well as I could and it grew really beautifully. It was quite magnificent. It was - until the Texas summer began in May. Then, the heat came. Meaning not only much higher temperatures but also very high UV level (up to nine times higher than it happens to be in Poland). I tried to do my best to help the pelargonium survive the hot season. I watered it regularly and placed the plant in the shade (well, maybe I did it too late though). Anyway, despite my efforts, the plant did not manage to resist the heat - it got totally yellow and dry.
The summer heat is quite oppressive not only considering plants. The sunshine in the hottest part of the year is so burdensome and burning that while walking outside, I have a feeling as if it was pushing me to the ground. What is more, the summer Texas air is so hot and stuffy that even when a small breeze comes, it is as refreshing as the hairdryer air-blow. That is why, when it is so incredibly hot, most people prefer to stay inside (if possible of course), in air-conditioned rooms, as the outside activities are not very enjoyable then.
One of my Polish cousins has asked me why I do not sunbathe here. She loves laying in the sun and getting a suntan. I have never been a beach person as my skin is rather pale - I easily get sunburn even in the Polish UV level conditions. So, before going out in the (Texas) spring or summer I cover myself, including my head, cautiously. Another thing is, that I love wearing hats so the local sun gives me another reason to wear and enjoy them. Anyway, the cousin seemed not to understand that sun exposure in Texas is not the same as sunbathing in Poland. In my opinion, none of them is a healthy thing to do. Nevertheless, it seems if somebody has not experienced the strength of the southern sun finds it hard to understand how burning and dangerous such sunshine can be.
The heat season in Texas lasts till October. Then the temperatures lower a little bit and the weather becomes more enjoyable again - it is still nicely warm and sunny but not that terribly hot anymore.
I like it. Especially because October is the time of the year when it gets quite cold in Poland. Yesterday, when I talked to my mum, she mentioned that the heating at her place had already been on and she also started wearing warm jackets and boots. This is not my kind of weather and I am glad we can still wear shorts here.
To sum up - I have decided to write about the summer heat because it is part of my life here. Moreover, the summers which I experienced in Poland were totally different, often cool, rainy and disappointing (meaning the lack of sunny weather). It is certainly not my intention to complain about anything (maybe except the pelargonium which got burned), but it would be great if we could spend the winters in Texas and enjoy the summers in Europe.
Anna / H jak Huragan
Gabi / H for Hamlet, Helsingborg and Helsingør // H jak Hamlet, Helsingborg i Helsingør
Justa / H jak Haarlem
I have also decided to join the project and write about My Texas Alphabet twice a week.
Summer starts in Texas in March. At least according to Polish summer temperature standards. Sometimes even 30C/ 86F happens before 'calendar' spring begins. This is what I like about Texas - winter is rather mild here and does not last so long as it does in Poland.
During my first spring in the state, I was quite surprised by the quick end of the cold season (and delighted as well). I was happy to see how quickly the trees in our neighborhood turned green and white. The latter one not because of the snow of course. It was a sign of spring: the trees were covered with fresh, delicate and beautiful blossom. It was so weird to know that at the very same time of the year, people in northern Europe still wear winter clothing. Really cold winds, low temperatures, and also snow are nothing unusual in March there. I had never liked the bitterly cold weather, so the happier I was enjoying the warm sunshine and watching nature waking up after the winter sleep again.
 |
| Spring - picture taken on March 12 |
Last spring we bought a pot of pelargonium to decorate our patio and to enjoy the red flowers while sitting outside. I took care of the plant as well as I could and it grew really beautifully. It was quite magnificent. It was - until the Texas summer began in May. Then, the heat came. Meaning not only much higher temperatures but also very high UV level (up to nine times higher than it happens to be in Poland). I tried to do my best to help the pelargonium survive the hot season. I watered it regularly and placed the plant in the shade (well, maybe I did it too late though). Anyway, despite my efforts, the plant did not manage to resist the heat - it got totally yellow and dry.
 |
| Our pelargonium - in April |
The summer heat is quite oppressive not only considering plants. The sunshine in the hottest part of the year is so burdensome and burning that while walking outside, I have a feeling as if it was pushing me to the ground. What is more, the summer Texas air is so hot and stuffy that even when a small breeze comes, it is as refreshing as the hairdryer air-blow. That is why, when it is so incredibly hot, most people prefer to stay inside (if possible of course), in air-conditioned rooms, as the outside activities are not very enjoyable then.
 |
| St. Patrick's Day Parade - March 16. |
One of my Polish cousins has asked me why I do not sunbathe here. She loves laying in the sun and getting a suntan. I have never been a beach person as my skin is rather pale - I easily get sunburn even in the Polish UV level conditions. So, before going out in the (Texas) spring or summer I cover myself, including my head, cautiously. Another thing is, that I love wearing hats so the local sun gives me another reason to wear and enjoy them. Anyway, the cousin seemed not to understand that sun exposure in Texas is not the same as sunbathing in Poland. In my opinion, none of them is a healthy thing to do. Nevertheless, it seems if somebody has not experienced the strength of the southern sun finds it hard to understand how burning and dangerous such sunshine can be.
The heat season in Texas lasts till October. Then the temperatures lower a little bit and the weather becomes more enjoyable again - it is still nicely warm and sunny but not that terribly hot anymore.
I like it. Especially because October is the time of the year when it gets quite cold in Poland. Yesterday, when I talked to my mum, she mentioned that the heating at her place had already been on and she also started wearing warm jackets and boots. This is not my kind of weather and I am glad we can still wear shorts here.
 |
| Poland - October. We still wear shorts/summer clothes in Texas. |
To sum up - I have decided to write about the summer heat because it is part of my life here. Moreover, the summers which I experienced in Poland were totally different, often cool, rainy and disappointing (meaning the lack of sunny weather). It is certainly not my intention to complain about anything (maybe except the pelargonium which got burned), but it would be great if we could spend the winters in Texas and enjoy the summers in Europe.
Other 'H' entries by bloggers, members of the Polish Ladies Abroad Club:
Jagoda / Włoski humor i energiaAnna / H jak Huragan
Gabi / H for Hamlet, Helsingborg and Helsingør // H jak Hamlet, Helsingborg i Helsingør
Justa / H jak Haarlem
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
It Is Hot Again, Take Good Care of Your Pets!
The hot summer season has already been here and hotter and hotter day
are to come soon. Remember - you are not the only one who gets hot and
tired in the heat, your pets suffer too! Especially, if they are not
hydrated properly. So whether you take them on a trip or leave them at
home - provide them with fresh water. Not only you get thirsty when it
is hot. So do your pets.
Let them stay in and do not keep them outside too long. Cats and dogs do not have eccrine sweat glands in their skin, so they are not able to cool their bodies with sweat.
Do no take them to the beach - staying in the sun may be fun according to you but not necessarily to your dog. Besides, hygiene on the beach matters too - meaning pets toilet time.
And please, do not leave them in the car when you go to take care of your errands. Even when you think it will only take 5 or 10 minutes. They may not survive it.
Let them stay in and do not keep them outside too long. Cats and dogs do not have eccrine sweat glands in their skin, so they are not able to cool their bodies with sweat.
Do no take them to the beach - staying in the sun may be fun according to you but not necessarily to your dog. Besides, hygiene on the beach matters too - meaning pets toilet time.
And please, do not leave them in the car when you go to take care of your errands. Even when you think it will only take 5 or 10 minutes. They may not survive it.
The summer is here again.
Take good care of your pet!
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Pure Light Foundation For Summer By Yves Rocher
Since it is getting warmer and warmer (despite the rain), it is time to switch to a lighter makeup version. I have recently bought this Light & Luminous Foundation by Yves Rocher and I really love it. Although it is light indeed, it evens the skin tone and makes it look radiant and fresh. It gives medium coverage and quite a natural look. Besides, what is also important on a warm and sunny day, the foundation lets the skin 'breath' (I do not feel it on my face as it is lightweight) and stays in place all day long. It is also good for a nude and flawless makeup look. What is more, it does not irritate my eyes/skin. The fluid consistency makes it easy to apply the foundation evenly, without any darker smudges.
The Light & Luminous Foundation contains rice extract, cornflower water, soy extract and vitamin E.
Its regular price = $23 (it is often available at a lower price during 'special offer' time - right now it is $13.90).
From the manufacturer:
The Light & Luminous Foundation contains rice extract, cornflower water, soy extract and vitamin E.
Its regular price = $23 (it is often available at a lower price during 'special offer' time - right now it is $13.90).
- Rice extract, from Asia, is rich in botanical inositol which improves the skin's radiance.
- Tested under dermatological control.
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