Friday, January 29, 2016

Fredericksburg Brewery

Fredericksburg Restaurant and Brewery, established in 1994, is our favorite food place in this charming town of Texas Hill Country.


Due to their delicious meals and top quality beer, the place is popular with visitors and always full of customers eager to indulge in the tastes of Fredericksburg Brewing Co. That is why, whenever we happen to be there, we are ready for some waiting time before we are seated at a table. The waiting room, nicely decorated with flags from all over the world and German inn style wall paintings, is also a beer chamber where you can order the drink, sit on a wooden bench and await till your dining time comes.

I was pleased to see the Polish flag there...

While waiting, it is also a good time to take pictures.




Flags decorate also the restaurant room.

European 'section'

US area

The restaurant offers various meal options, including German dishes, Southern style ones, sandwiches, salads, appetizers and sides (see their menu here). It is difficult to make up your mind and choose one - all is so delicious! I usually order a German dish for dinner, as it is something I can get in Fredericksburg only. Besides, it reminds my familiar tastes of Europe too.



The quality of the meal is certainly worth waiting.

One of my favorites: Jager schnitzel. The bread is so good too!

What is also special about Fredericksburg Brewing Co. - amazing beer is made there. The place reminds me some inn in south Germany which I have happened to visit. There, I could also see big and shiny beer tanks which where part of the brewery/inn interior.



Five kinds of medal awarded beer are made by the Fredericksburg Brewing Company. My number one is Enchanted Red Rock Ale.



Santa stopped at the Brewery too.

Our lunch meal treat.




All in all, there is no visit in Fredericksburg without having a meal at the Brewing Co. restaurant place. Whenever you plan to go to the Texas Hill Country, put it on your 'things to do and see' list too.

Fredericksburg Brewing Co. website

Our other posts related to Fredericksburg:

Fredericksburg TX & Its Main Street 

Fredericksburg - Side Streets & Roads

Fredericksburg - National Museum of The Pacific War

Christmas Spirit in Central Texas

 

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Monday, January 25, 2016

Mój Teksaski Alfabet: 'ż' i 'Małżonek' / Spouse

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.

"Ż" is the letter which comes after "Z" in the Polish alphabet. Since the Polish alphabet is the alphabet of my native language (and my life is a Polish-Texan mix), I write my Texas Alphabet partly in Polish also.
To Your Knowledge: małżonek = spouse



To już ostatni wpis w Moim Teksaskim Alfabecie. Ostatni, chociaż ten własnie powinien być pierwszym. Dlaczego?

Mój Małżonek jest Teksańczykiem, przyjechałam do Teksasu, z jego powodu. Tym samym jego osoba jest główną przyczyną mojej emigracji. Mąż mój jest wspaniałym i dobrym człowiekiem, rozumiemy się bez słów (o czym wspominałam we wpisie alfabetu na 'U'). Gdyby nie jego wsparcie, moje przystosowanie się do życia w nowym kraju (i wszystkiego, co się z tym wiąże) nie przebiegłoby tak gładko i bezboleśnie. To on cierpliwie tłumaczy mi to wszystko, czego nie wiem, co jest dla mnie nowe, czego nie rozumiem. Jest moim przewodnikiem życia w Teksasie/ USA i moją opoką. Z przyjemnością niejednokrotnie chowałam się za jego plecami, patrząc 'jak to się załatwia w USA', korzystam z jego rad i pomocnych wskazówek.

Małżonek mój docenia wszystko, co robię. Co mnie także cieszy - je wszystko, co ugotuję - bez narzekania czy marudzenia. Nawet wtedy, gdy zdarzy mi się niewypał kulinarny. Swoim zachowaniem nigdy nie sprawił, bym chociaż przez chwilę pożałowała wyjazdu z kraju. Wprost przeciwnie. Wspiera mnie też i zachęca do działań związanych z realizacją moich zainteresowań.

O moim mężu mogłabym jeszcze pisać długo. Będzie krótko: jest najwspanialszy na świecie.


This post is the last part of My Texas Alphabet. The last one, even though it should have been the firts one. Why?

My spouse is Texan and I came to Texas because of him. At the same time, he is the main reason of my emigration. I am happy to say, that my husband is a great and good man. We understand each other without words (I wrote more about it here). If it was not for his support, my adjustment to life in the new country (and to everything which is connected with it) would not be so smooth and painless. It is him who patiently explains all the things to me. Things which I do not know/ do not understand and which are new to me.

My husband is my true personal guide to life in Texas/USA. It is so good to hide myself behind his back (literally) and watch 'how are errands done' here.

What is more, he appreciates everything I do, which obviously makes me very happy as well. Moreover, my dear man eats what I cook - without complaining - even if my cooking results happen to be a culinary failure.  My spouse has never made me regret leaving my home country. On the contrary. He supports all my hobbies as well.

I could write much more about my wonderful husband, but shortly speaking: he is the greatest in the world!

Thursday, January 21, 2016

My Texas Alphabet: Z for ZZ Top

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.





I have always liked the music by ZZ Top and their image as well. However, it was not long ago when I learned they are a Texas band who originate in Houston.

Many years ago, a song by ZZ Top was the first music piece that I used in English classes to create a listening comprehension exercise. When I told my students (it was a new group which I had started teaching that semester) that we would watch a video in class, they expected it would be a boring educational program (I could hear their comments). They were really surprised to hear ZZ Top and see one of the band's music videos. Among others, the kids were to answer some questions related to the lyrics and the visual part of the video. They were very much into the exercise - listening to the song and watching the clip. Needless to say, that class was a success. ZZ Top was a key to it.
I know those students had never watched/listened to rock music in a class, so later, they had something to talk about as well.


Since then, quite a lot of times, I have shared some of my music favorites, disguised as language exercises, with different groups of students. They always seemed to enjoy it. Even if, sometimes, they happened to find a band/ kind of music a bit vintage.

The song/video by ZZ Top mentioned above was "Legs".
Mind the socks the main girl character wears in the second part of the clip. I used to have similar socks - they were white with pink lace at the top. And I also wore them with pink high heels. No, I did not do it/buy them because of the video. I just had them (quite unaware of the ZZ Top part then) - it was simply part of the fashion trend. And I found them cute too.



Simplified Banana-and-Vanilla Pudding/ Deser Waniliowo-Bananowy

Banana pudding is quite a popular kind of dessert. Here is my simplified and lower in calories version of this treat. From time to time, we enjoy it when we finish having our dinner. The dessert is simple but quite tasty too!

Yield: 2

Ingredients:

  • 1 box instant vanilla pudding (5.1 oz / 144g), milk;
  • 1 banana - sliced;
  • round vanilla wafers;
  • 1TBS whipped cream (optional)*.

What to do with it:

1. Prepare the pudding according to the instructions provided on the package (I always add 2 1/2 cups milk instead 3).
2. Chill the pudding in the fridge. Prepare to dessert bowls.
3. Get the pudding out of the fridge. Spread a Tablespoon of pudding at the bottom of the dessert bowl.
4. Place a single layer of wafers on the pudding.
5. Put banana slices on the wafers.
6. Fill the bowl with pudding, put a few wafers at the top.

Note:

* If you wish, you can mix the pudding with some whipped cream. Do it gently, with a spoon, when you the pudding is chilled already.

Bon Appetit!

Pudding waniliowo-bananowy, który jest czymś więcej niż zwykły budyń, to popularny w Teksasie (oraz innych stanach USA) deser. Poniżej przedstawiam jego uproszczoną i mniej kaloryczną od tradycyjnego przepisu wersję. Ten łatwy w przygotowaniu deser, od czasu do czasu, jest elementem finałowym naszego domowego obiadu. Z powodzeniem może być też serwowany jako poczęstunek dla gości.

Ilość porcji: 2

Składniki:

  • 1 podwójne opakowanie budyniu waniliowego* (te, które kupuję w lokalnych sklepach spożywczych ma 144g), mleko;
  • 1 banan pokrojony na plasterki;
  • okrągłe biszkopty waniliowe;
  • łyżka bitej śmietany (opcjonalnie)**.

Przygotowanie:

  1. Przygotowujemy budyń według przepisu na opakowaniu - zawsze dodaję pół szklanki mleka mniej niż jest podane w instrukcji, dzięki temu masa budyniowa jest trochę gęstsza.
  2. Po ostudzeniu wstawiamy budyń do lodówki. Przygotowujemy dwie miseczki deserowe (lub jedną większą).
  3. Kiedy budyń stężeje, wyjmujemy go z lodówki. Rozprowadzamy łyżkę budyniu na dnie miseczki deserowej.
  4. Układamy na tym pojedynczą warstwę biszkoptów waniliowych.
  5. Na biszkoptach układamy plasterki banana (też jedną warstwę tylko).
  6. Wypełniamy miseczkę budyniem, a na wierzchu kładziemy biszkopty waniliowe.
Jeśli mamy jedną większą miseczkę (zamiast dwóch mniejszych), po ułożeniu plasterków banana na biszkoptach, nakładamy na nie warstwę budyniu. Następnie potarzamy czynności: 4 i 5. Dopełniamy naczynie budyniem i dekorujemy biszkoptami.

Smacznego!


Uwagi

* Zazwyczaj używam budyń błyskawiczny, który bezpośrednio po wymieszaniu z mlekiem można wstawić do lodówki. Wszystko zależy od naszych upodobań i jakości budyniu, nie każdy budyń błyskawiczny jest smaczny.
** Jeśli chcemy, by deser był 'bogatszy', po schłodzeniu masy budyniowej mieszamy ją delikatnie z łyżką bitej śmietany. Osobiście jednak nigdy śmietany nie dodaję. 


Tuesday, January 19, 2016

My 50s Style Going Out Outfit

I have always liked the fashion of the 50s and 60s. I find it very feminine and stylish.
When I was little, one of our neighbors had a big catalouge of an American department store (I cannot recall the store name). The catalog was huge and very thick. I loved watching it and all the pictures included in the big book. There were no photographs, just colorful drawings of all the pieces of clothing available at that particular store. Including church choir outfits which I found quite interesting too. Most of all, I was enchanted with the cute dresses, trousers and blouses. The 60s were long gone then but I could still enjoy the style of that era browsing the catalogue. I dreamed of having one of those beautiful dresses which looked so elegant and fancy (also because of a special kind of underskirt which was part of the outfit). And I so much liked looking at them that finally, the neighbor presented the catalog to me. I was happy!
We had the catalog for quite a long time, stored in one of the wardrobes. And I did watch it quite frequently. After a few years, when I grew up and was more into the 80s fashion, we threw the book away. I wish I had not done it as maybe today, it would be interesting to know which store had such an adorable collection.

Luckily, it is still possible to get that kind of clothes.
Here is my going out outfit suggestion inspired by the style of the 50s and 60s.


GRACE KARIN Sleeveless Cotton Rockabilly Tea Dress with Belt

Berry Women's Short Sleeved Satin Bolero Jacket

Vintage Women's 50s Rockabilly Tutu Skirt Petticoat



Bamoer Queen European Style Pink and Red Snow Murano Glass Bead Heart Dangle Charm Bracelet Jewelry

Simplicity Women's Wide Brim Caps Summer Beach Sun Straw Hats

Adult Women's 50s White Pump Shoes

Zbeibei Women's Fashion Faux Velvet Leather Envelope Clutch Handbag Shoulder Cross Body Bag


Ready to go out!


All pictures from amazon.com. Click on the captions below the pictures to go to particular pages with the items descriptions.


Monday, January 18, 2016

My Texas Alphabet: Y for You Bet!

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.





When I came to Texas I had already been able to speak English (mostly its British version). Although my husband had no problems with understanding me while using the language, to my surprise, many people seemed to have no idea what I meant when I addressed them. Of course I was aware that American and British English are slightly different, so I was not surprised when communication difficulties were caused by vocabulary differences. It was confusing though - when I was trying to find a trolley at a supermarket or have my fringe trimmed at a hairdresser's place. People did not know what I wanted and I felt rather stupid e.g. showing the hairstylist in 'sign language', to let her know what I was talking about.

I have also found out that since there are many emigrants here, almost everybody speaks with their own accent. However, the most popular seems to be the one of the native Spanish speakers. Simply because many guys come from countries in South/Central America where Spanish is the first language. Polish accent is not popular at all, I reckon that is why many locals find it strange or difficult to understand.
Moreover, Texan English is commonly spoken in the state. Obviously, its grammar forms and pronunciation vary from Standard British English which I had been taught.
All in all, having lived in Texas for some time, I am able to communicate more and more efficiently thanks to the fact that I also learned quite a few new words and phrases.

Here are some examples.
  • 'You bet!' - used as a reply to 'Thank you'. Frankly speaking, I find it quite weird, considering the exact meaning of the expression. Anyway, I know what it means when I hear it after my 'Thanks a lot', but I still prefer using traditional 'You are welcome' or 'Not at all' instead. I am simply more used to what I learned before my move to Texas.
  • 'Ice box' - I do like this name for the fridge. I happened to see what a real ice box looked like when I was watching an old movie made in the 40s. The ice box was a big room with cooling pipes system on the walls. It was a cold room, quite large and fancy comparing to a modern refrigerator.
  • 'Scoop down' - when I first heard it, I did not know what I was supposed to do 'down' as nothing was 'up'....
  • 'I am good' - used as a reply when somebody is offered more food/drink. I still say my 'No. Thank you.' then. :)
Those are only some of the language aspects which were new to me. No matter how many years I have been learning English, I am still learning. And I guess, I always will.....



New Year's Project: 12 Cakes, 12 Months / Projekt 2016: 12 Ciast, 12 Miesięcy

The new year has just started and I came up with an idea for a year long baking and blogging project.
Every month, I am planning to bake a new cake, which I have never made before. Each of those experiments will be followed by a monthly blog entry.
I like baking and quite often make us some cake. Since recently I tend to repeat making the same cakes - which we like of course - maybe it is time for some kitchen adventure and exploring new recipes.
Besides, it will give me an opportunity to share my tries and results on the blog.

I think it will be fun!

If you find my project interesting enough to enter it and start the year long baking challenge too, you are welcome to accompany me and join the project Facebook group .
Looking forward to sharing recipes with you (and trying yours)!
 
 
Nowy rok się niedawno zaczął, pomyślałam więc, że jest to okazja, by rozpocząć nowy projekt cukierniczo-blogowy.
Mam zamiar upiec nowe ciasto (którego wcześniej nigdy nie robiłam) każdego miesiąca, a następnie podzielić się z Wami rezultatami moich eksperymentów w comiesięcznym poście na blogu.
Lubię piec i często mamy ciasto na deser. Ostatnio jednak przeważnie piekę tylko to, co już znamy i wiem, że to lubimy. Może więc przyszła pora, by wypróbować nowe przepisy, a przy okazji trochę poeksperymentować w kuchni. Poza tym będzie o czym pisać na blogu, będzie też niezła uciecha, jeśli wybrany przepis okaże się sukcesem.

Zapraszam do przyłączenia się do projektu i dołączenia do projektowej grupy na FB – jeśli masz ochotę wziąć udział w cukierniczej i blogowej zabawie.
Będzie mi miło podzielić się z Wami przepisami oraz wypróbać Wasze!
  

Friday, January 15, 2016

My Texas Alphabet: X for Texans

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.




 This post is the English version of my alphabet entry in Polish which also tells about Texans among others.


There are many things you which are important when you move to another country, but one of the most significant parts of your life is the people who you see every day. The Texans I have happened to meet so far were friendly, nice, and rather straightforward people. It seems, 'Friendship' is the state motto with a reason.

At the beginning of my life in Texas, saying more than 'good morning' eg. while entering a store, was quite a challenge to me. The reason was not the language though. I simply was not used to saying more than that. It is not customary in Poland (Europe?) to do so when you visit a shop or talk to sales persons/strangers. Nobody welcomes you in a store with 'how are you doing?'. What you can most often hear is simply 'good morning' or 'can I help you?' Your reply is expected to be short too - just 'good morning'. Of course, you can be more explicit in answering the question and saying what you are looking for or just answer (shortly again) 'thank you'. I am not a talkative person so, when in Texas, at first I needed to make an effort to react properly in such situations. Besides, I certainly did not want to be regarded as rude or impolite.
Nevertheless, after some time, I got used to the 'how are you doing' dialogues and even found them nice. These days, seeing a friendly smile I also start such small talks.

What I really like about Texans is that people/strangers passing each other by on a street, customers in stores and so on, smile to each other and greet each other. It is really nice. So I do smile too. More often than I used to do it in Poland. Because of another custom difference, which I never thought of before leaving my home country. If you smile to strangers there, for example while walking in a city, most likely passers-by would think you are up to something, you are laughing at them or maybe something is wrong with you.

Here in Texas, when I see someone smiling at me, it fills me with positive energy and I simply smile back.

However, what surprised me the most was that persons who do not know me: waitresses/store customers/clerks make positive comments on my outfit items, shoes, etc. Quite often, I happen to hear 'I like your..........', 'I love your........', 'your......... is/are really cute'.

I never experienced such a thing in Poland or any other European country which I visited. No, my look or style did not change while living in Texas. I most often wear my European clothing/shoes. Again, in Poland, commenting on such personal matters, considering talking to strangers or customers would be found rather improper or/and unprofessional. No way, you would hear “I like your ........” from a bank clerk for example. Bank/office persons talk to customers only about the bank/office matters. Waiters, who I used to meet, talked to guests only while taking orders/on orders. However, it happened they chatted  about other things as well, but only when a guest happened to start a dialogue. Anyway, even in such a case, you would never hear a comment on your look or appearance as it would be something maybe similar to violating your personal zone. You just say 'I love your ..........' only to someone who you are accustomed to.
But it is so nice to hear it! Especially when you do not expect it at all. I like it! Well, who does not. It is always quite uplifting and makes me feel good as well.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

My Hand Painted T-Shirts: Pattern #15/ Moja Malowana Koszulka: Wzór 15

This t-shirt, decorated by myself, was a present for one of the fellow Polish Ladies Abroad Club members. In December we had our Secret Santa gift exchange. I decided to send the lady something she could not get at any store.
The pattern is obviously my usual - a folk motif of the region of Kashubia. It is the part of Poland which is closest to my heart due to my background. I find great enjoyment in such painting on fabrics and its results as well. No matter what other guys think of my creations.
Although I have already painted most of my plain shirts and blouses, I am going to leave some as they are - just plain - for a change (and for clothes matching purposes).

My designs and the patterns I paint are similar. However, at the same time they differ: some are smaller, some bigger, some are simple, some more sophisticated. I like them all. Including the figures of my own design. I do love the little creatures!
The pattern which you can see in the pictures below is one of my favorite ones.
How about you? See all of them here. Which one do you like best?




Tę koszulkę pomalowałam w prezencie dla jednej z Klubowych Koleżanek, w ramach naszej grudniowej akcji 'Secret Santa'. Wzorek oczywiście z serii moich ulubionych motywów kaszubskich, związany z bliskim mi regionowi Polski.

Znajduję wielką przyjemność w takim malowaniu, także w jej rezultatach (niezależnie od tego, czy innym się podoba). Pomalowałam już prawie wszystkie moje jednokolorowe koszulki i bluzy - kilka zostawię w oryginalnej gładkiej i nudnej wersji - dla zwykłej odmiany.

Wzory są pododne, ale różnią się rozmiarem i ilością elementów dekoracyjnych. Lubię je wszystkie, nie mówiąc o pamperkach mojego własnego wymysłu i projektu.
Motyw na zdjęciu poniżej jest jednym z moich ulubionych.
A Tobie, który z wzorów (zobacz tutaj) na udekorowanych przeze mnie koszulkach podoba się najbardziej?


Monday, January 11, 2016

My Texas Alphabet: W for WRR

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.





WRR101.1 is one of our most favorite local radio stations. It is owned by the city of Dallas and it is all about classical music and arts. The station came into being in 1921 and, currently, it is situated at the grounds of the State Fair of Texas. They play wonderful music pieces (24 hours a day) which make a great music background to any home and work  activities (if you are allowed to listen to the radio at work). What is more, while driving, WRR's calming tunes also help survive bumper to bumper traffic.

Another reason why we like listening to WRR101.1 is the kind of the advertising they present - the commercials are toned and they are not so insistent and annoying, comparing to what other radio stations have.
Moreover, WRR often offers free tickets to various arts and music events. To get the tickets, you only need to call the station. If you happen to be lucky and manage to get through all the calls, you can be a winner and enjoy some great free entertainment. What is rather important, to collect the tickets, you do not have to go to the station during office hours (which is not possible for many people). Very conveniently, tickets are always collectible at a will call.

You can check out what I am talking about and, possibly, join the WRR fans - simply listen to the radio station online here.

To learn more about WRR , visit their website.


Thursday, January 7, 2016

My Texas Alphabet: V for Virtual

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.






Although computers and computer projects have been part of my job for years, it used to be only work - which I enjoyed, but it was nothing really personal at the same time. Just work. Things have changed a lot since I met my husband. The computer, technology, and Internet connection have become a vital part of my personal life. God bless all the people who have created online communicators and invented Internet phone cards/ calls! Thanks to all the modern technology solutions, despite being in two different parts of the world, the two of us could communicate daily - many times a day. Considering the prices of the traditional, international phone calls it was a real-life (and our wallets) saving possibility.

These days, our family life is also partly virtual, in another way though. We use the same means of computer-based communication tools to talk to my mum and family in Poland. It is so good to be able to see them and talk (for free) online. I often wish we could go through the computer screen and hug each other or share a cake mum/I just baked. Sometimes, the connection is so bad that we can hardly understand each other. It is a bit frustrating then. On the other hand, I am really happy with what is possible nowadays. We can share things and our lives and be close, despite the physical and geographical distance between the places where we are. And be together, even if it is an online  meeting only.

Talking on the phone, when you cannot see the other person, is not the same. Luckily, since the phone cards (Internet connections again) have made international calls much cheaper, my family and friends in Poland can contact me, and I can call them, any time we feel like saying something to each other. No matter if we are at the computers or not.


Wednesday, January 6, 2016

December Picture Gallery

I am pleased to tell you that the December Picture Gallery by Klub Polki na Obczyźnie (The Polish Ladies Abroad Club) has been online already.
Collages of pictures send by the club members create monthly galleries posted ont he club website.

We are proud to tell you that our December collage is part of the gallery too.


You can see the December Gallery by Klub Polki here.

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

My Texas Alphabet: U for Us. Uncommon, Unusual Understanding

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.




Although the two of us grew up in two countries which are in two totally different parts of the world: my husband in Texas, myself in the north of Poland, we are quite similar. Unusually similar. We share likes and dislikes, have similar tastes and points of view. And we understand each other even without verbal communication. Quite often it has happened that I think of something, for example: 'I feel like having some ice-cream'. And then I hear my husband says: 'Let's go for ice-cream after dinner'.

And it has always been like that. We had such a connection even when we were thousands of miles apart when I was still in Poland. It seems we have always been together. Many times in previous lives. Though possibly not always as man and wife, maybe as siblings or parent and child too.


Monday, January 4, 2016

New Year's Greetings / Życzenia Noworoczne

During 2015 my blog developed and evolved in quite unexpected directions. Among others, I joined the Polish Ladies Abroad Club. I need to say that it is a very friendly and supportive group which I find really inspiring as well. Our common projects resulted in my posts in Polish and English, including 'My Texas Alphabet' and quite a few other ones. I hope to continue this fruitful club collaboration,  complete all my ABCs and come across many interesting topics to write about.
What I first planned when I started my blog - meaning product reviews - did not work out (so far). I do not regret it though. I am still open to such opportunities and possibilities, but at the same time I am quite happy, I dared to share other things with you - my thoughts and experiences, including  remarks on  various life matters.

Many thanks to all of you who spared their time to visit my blog in 2015 (and see what I do on it). Hope to find you among my followers in the New Year too!

Wishing you all a wonderful New Year, hope it will be safe, good and prosperous to all of you and your dear and near ones. Likewise to myself :).

Aleksandra 

If you are planning new things for the New Year and you would like to receive a little pocket planner/calendar (see the picture at the end of the post) to write down your plans in it, please leave a comment - till the end of Jan. - below the post. I will draw a person who will get the calendar (in case if there is more than one comment only).


W minionym roku mój blog rozwinął się i 'poszedł' w całkiem nieoczekiwanym kierunku. Dołączyłam do Klubu Polki na Obczyźnie (bardzo przyjaznej i inspirującej grupy). Zaowocowało to wspólnymi projektami klubowymi i moimi postami w języku polskim i angielskim, do których należy, między innymi, seria 'Mój Teksaski Alfabet'.

Zakładając bloga miałam w planie pisanie na temat kosmetyków i rozmaitych produktów używanych na co dzień, spożywczych i nie tylko. Odeszłam od tej tematyki z różnych względów, a przede wszystkim dlatego, że ośmieliłam się pisać o tym, co mnie interesuje i czego doświadczamy w naszym codziennym życiu. Nie żałuję tej zmiany, myślę, że dzięki temu blog stał się ciekawszy, także dla mnie. W nowym roku zamierzam dokończyć moje 'alfabety': teksaski, muzyczny oraz wpisy na temat mojej 'kosmetycznej' stronie życia. Jednocześnie pozostaję otwarta na nowe projekty i możliwości, które przyniesie czas.

Dziękuję wszystkim czytelnikom 'Gone To Texas' za poświęcone chwile na przeczytanie moich postów i zainteresowanie tym, co pojawiło się na stronach blogu w roku 2015. Mam nadzieję, że nowe treści spodobają się Wam na tyle, by na te strony powracać.

Życzę wszystkim udanego i pozytywnego Nowego Roku, pełnego dobrych dni i przyjemnych wydarzeń.

Aleksandra

Styczeń sprzyja robieniu planów na Nowy Rok. Jeśli ktoś z Was chciałby otrzymać w prezencie mały kalendarz kieszonkowy (w formie książeczki) na 2016, by zapisać w nim swoje plany,  proszę o zamieszczenie komentarza pod postem do końca stycznia. Kalendarzyk mam jeden, jeśli więc będzie więcej komentarzy niż jeden, przeprowadzę losowanie.

(15,2 cm x 10 cm)