August 27, 2026 Lunar Eclipse

 

Source: https://www.cpr.org/2026/08/28/photos-lunar-eclipse/

Amazing Gardens Around the Globe

Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

Image: Kjersti Joergensen / Alamy Stock Photo

Jardin Majorelle, Marrakech, Morocco
Image: Jacek Sopotnicki / Alamy Stock Photo

Monet’s Garden at Giverny, Eure, France

Image: Oleg Bakhirov / Shutterstock

Palace de Versailles, Île-de-France, France

Image: Andre Quinou / Shutterstock

Pukekura Park, New Plymouth, New Zealand

Image: Hanna Tor / Alamy Stock Photo

Quinta da Regaleira, Lisbon, Portugal

Image: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden, Port Louis, Mauritius

Image: Natalya Sterleva / Shutterstock

Villa d’Este, Lazio, Italy

Image: Marco Rubino / Shutterstock

Source (and more!): https://www.loveproperty.com/galleries/amp/136509/the-worlds-most-amazing-gardens

TripAdvisor Best of the Best: 2026 Travelers' Choice Awards

1. Bali, Indonesia

2. London, United Kingdom

3. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

4. Hanoi, Vietnam

5. Paris, France

6.Rome, Italy

7. Marrakesh, Morocco

8. Bangkok, Thailand

9. Crete, Greece

10. New York City, United States

Source (and more!): https://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Destinations

Australia’s Fashion: Pied Piper Duck Parade

Greetings all!

Even if you follow fashion, I bet there are some models you have never heard of!

In the past, Australian farmer Brian Harrington dressed the ducks and geese in stylish outfits so they could waddle the catwalk in style at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Each bird modeled 3 outfits: day, evening, and wedding. 

Why a duck would need a wedding outfit, or any outfit - with a hat! - raises so many questions but that is a different story! And looking at what I am wearing while writing this post, I have to confess that these duckies are better dressed than me! My only excuse is that I am not attending a wedding today!

Hope this made you chuckle! What did you think? Drop me a line!

Sources:

• https://sortra.com/australias-annual-show-of-pied-piper-ducks/
• https://mymodernmet.com/australian-pied-piper-duck-show/
• Watch a video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v1GsXXrYuo
• Images by Rachel Lord

Masters Egg Salad

Greetings all!

Yesterday, as I was planning on an egg salad for lunch, the Universe sent me the Masters Egg Salad recipe in my news feed. I thought 'Hmm, Master Chef? Master Class'? No!!! This is what is served at the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, each April. 

So, if you want something delicious, easy, AND golf-adjacent, here is the recipe that goes back to the 1950s! What piqued my interest was the addition of mustard and lemon zest.

Ingredients 

• 6 hard-boiled large eggs
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest (from about 1/2 medium lemon)
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 8 slices white sandwich bread (I replaced with a French baguette)

Instructions

• Peel 6 hard-boiled large eggs. Halve each one lengthwise. Scoop the yolks out into a medium bowl. 
• Mash the yolks with a fork until finely crumbled. Stir in 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest, and 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt until creamy. 
• Chop the egg whites into small pieces. Stir and gently mash the egg whites into the yolk mixture. 
• Divide the mixture between 4 slices white sandwich bread (about 1/2 cup each) and spread into an even layer. Close each sandwich with a second slice of bread, then cut each sandwich in half.

My verdict: I scaled down the recipe and enjoyed it, with lemon zest definitely adding an interesting note! I did skip mashing the yolks and just mixed everything together.  

Bon Appetit! Let me know how you like it! 

Sources: https://www.thekitchn.com/masters-egg-salad-recipe-23775420 / Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Janette Zepeda

The World Happiness Report: Top 7 Happiest Countries in the World in 2026

1. Finland

Photo: https://www.visitfinland.com/en/places-to-go/nature/

 

 2. Iceland

Photo: https://pixabay.com/photos/iceland-skogafoss-waterfall-falls-2111810/

 3. Denmark

Photo: https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/en/view-image.php?image=220959&picture=copenhagen-cityscape

 4. Costa Rica

Photo: https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/es/view-image.php?image=317341&picture=volcan-arenal-costa-rica

 5. Sweden

Photo: https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2016/10/31/09/18/alvsborgsbron-1785139_1280.jpg

 

6. Norway

Photo: https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/en/view-image.php?image=239724&picture=foggy-lofoten-in-norway

 

7. Netherlands

Photo: https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2015/12/12/15/24/amsterdam-1089646_1280.jpg 

Source (and more!): https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2026/03/28/happiest-countries-in-the-world-2026/

Korean Street Toast

Greetings all!

What are you having for lunch? How about this Korean-inspired street toast?

Image and recipe from Chef John

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/282477/korean-street-toast/

Chef John's description is drool-worthy: “A slightly sweet, super savory vegetable and egg patty is sandwiched with smoky ham, melty Cheddar, and a ridiculous amount of mayo and ketchup between two slices of crispy, buttered bread. You'll eat almost a whole serving of vegetables and barely even notice!” 

Ingredients

• 1 cup thinly sliced green cabbage
• ⅓ cup julienned or grated carrot 
• 1 stalk green onion, thinly sliced
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper or Korean chile flakes
• 2 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons salted butter, divided
• 2 thick slices white bread
• ½ teaspoon white sugar, or to taste
• 2 thin slices smoked ham
• 1 slice mild Cheddar or American cheese
• 1 tablespoon ketchup, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, or to taste 

Instructions

1. Mix cabbage, carrot, green onion, salt, pepper, and cayenne with your hands in a bowl until soft, about 30 seconds. Mix in eggs with a fork until thoroughly combined. 
2. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add bread slices and flip a few times to make sure both sides are coated with butter. Grill bread until beautifully toasted, golden brown, and a little crispy on both sides. Transfer to a plate. 
3. Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Add cabbage mixture; cook and simultaneously mix by using the edge of a spatula to chop down on the surface while pushing the edges up and over the top. As the mixture starts to hold its shape, form it into a rectangle that's about twice as long as it is wide. Split the rectangle in half into two square patties; continue to cook until golden brown, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side. 
4. Stack patties on top of one another onto one slice of toast and sprinkle with sugar. 
5. Place ham slices into the hot skillet; cook over medium heat until sizzling, 1 to 2 minutes. 
6. Flip and top with Cheddar slice; cook until melted, about 1 minute. 
7. Place ham and cheese on top of patties; top with ketchup, mayonnaise, and remaining slice of toast. Cut in half and serve. 

Bon Appetit! Let me know how you like it!

2025 Fine Art Photography Awards: Nature Photos

1st Place Winner: Flower Portraits By Tim Platt

2nd Place Winner: Kanso By Alessandro Tagliapietra

3rd Place Winner: Flow By Hayleigh Beach

Villarrica Volcano By Francisco Negroni

Reflector By Ben Goode

Dream Fulfilled – Japan By Fin Erik Eckhoff

Paradise By Stanislav Bartnikas

The Meeting By Petros Nikolaidis

Source (and more!): https://www.boredpanda.com/nature-winning-photos-fine-art-photography-awards-2025/ / Image credits: fineartphotoawards

Visiting Portugal

Images: Gate1 Travel