Greetings to my ABCW friends.

I haven't been able to participate in this week's round ( letter G) due to circumstances beyond my control. Firstly I reached a certain age that a lot of ladies prefer not mention, and secondly as most know, I lost my dear sister recently. Losing her has hit me like a sledge hammer, thus not being able to concentrate on much !

Fear not Roger, I am preparing  the introduction for next week (letter H), HOPEFULLY we can get things back to normal in this HOUSEHOLD. Life has been so HECTIC of late.... now then,

My furry little companion Princess Chloe.

where's my favourite pen and my little lap top cat, so I can start writing again ?

Best wishes to all ABCW--- ers

Thanks to Roger, Denise  and Leslie for all that you do for ABCW.

Di.

My favourite things.

Since the death of my dear sister Norma I still find it difficult to concentrate on writing, when I'm feeling sad I try to think of my Favourite things.... Of course this will bring to mind the wonderful scene in the movie of The Sound Of Music where the legendary Julie Andrews sang to the 'Von Trapp' children, whilst there was a fearsome thunderstorm......  

singing to the children.

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens,

Chloe my kitten cat sporting her gorgeous whiskers

 Bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens,

 Brown paper packages tied up in string,

'These are a few of my favourite things'.

My favourite fireplace, where I sit in my comfy reclining chair, usually with Chloe Cat sitting on my lap, whilst I tap away on the keyboard.

The River Mersey Ferry.

My all time favourite band

The wonderful Beatles. I actually saw them performing at The Cavern in the 'sixties'. just when they were on the cusp of fame....They went on to perform on The Ed Sullivan Show...the rest is history..

So when I'm feeling sad  I think of them and the wonderful FUN we had in Liverpool watching our FAVOURITE bands performing.

'Ferry cross the Mersey', the song immortalised by Gerry and the Pacemakers, another famous Liverpool band.

One of my most Favourite dishes

   Baked Aubergines stuffed with fragrant minced lamb tomatoes and herbs

The actual name of this delicious Turkish dish is  IMAN BAYILDI, which roughly translated means, The Iman, who had a passion for Aubergines, was presented  with the new recipe, prepared by a new chef, was so delighted with it that he FAINTED....I make this often and it is truly delicious, the above picture is one of my efforts and it was truly FANTASTIC ! (She said with an air of modesty enveloping her)!

I was given this recipe by the owner of a small  FRIENDLY FAMILY RUN Locanta during on of our many travels through Turkey.

FINALLY I must FINISH by mentioning the very most FAVOURITE and treasured parts of my life...My wonderful loving husband, my FAMILY and FACEBOOK FRIENDS.

The amazing people from all over the world, who share their lives with us on Abc Wednesday.

 You all fill my life with joy and fun in so many ways. I have been particularly touched by the support and kind words expressed to me and my family during our bereavement.

 Thank you, Di xx

Thanks to Denise for devising ABCW...such a fabulous lady! Where would we be without the never faltering Roger who fastidulously supports and encourages us all to do our stuff week after week.

Not forgetting Leslie from Vancouver who also plays a big part in administration along with team of supporters who help with the visits.

E stands for Endings and Endearment.

As many of my friends on ABCW may know, my dear sister Norma passed away on the 28th December 2015.

She was suffering from the terrible affliction of Type 1 Diabetes incurring sight loss and eventually kidney and heart failure.  I just couldn't believe that my lovely 'big sister's' life had sadly Ended.

  All that I could think of was that my clever vivacious sister, of almost seventy years was no longer here. The last couple of times when we saw her she didn't recognise me, yet recognised Ian, she just stared at me blankly. At present my grief knows no bounds, grief is very much a subjective thing,

 I know my dear brother Clive is grieving but it's something we don't  yet seem  able to share.

 I can't bear to think of how she was when she was so poorly, so I have the image of the picture below, in my mind, when she was so  Endearingly lovely.

She was such a kind and supportive sister to Clive and I and looked after us a lot when Mum had  to work.

Norma Margaret Courtenay 1938-2015. RIP darling sister,

 It was Norma who encouraged us both to read and write, to speak properly also to appreciate great literature and recite poetry maybe she was meant to teach but she ended up working in a bank, and I followed her, into what was considered to be a good job, in those days!

This picture was taken when she was 24 years of age and just married to her darling husband Roy, who, sadly, passed away twelve years ago. They had a full and happy marriage, although they were not blessed with children, they had many pets including  four goats, two Labrador dogs and four cats.

My sincere thanks to the EXCEEDINGLY  talented Denise for devising abcw.

 Also my thanks to Roger for his  EXCEPTIONAL administrative skills in keeping this successful and interesting blog running smoothly!

Again not forgetting the team of workers who assist Roger by visiting and commenting on participating sites.