Today mom’s cousin Duša celebrates her grand 70 (wrong number, clearly). In your honour, here are your husband and some of your doors.
Yes, Duša means Soul and this is what you are.
First I’ll let Gianni sing us a song from this year’s Sanremo Festival about opening all the doors. It’s high time. He’s still doing it at 77, respect.
Next, let’s clear up the relative relations:
I really like how this photo is set up. You are the youngest one in this photo, sitting in your grandpa’s lap in the centre. Grandma is next to him. Except, of course, they are my great-grandparents. There is one generation between us, something I’m not necessarily aware of, since you often played with me so happily.
Look at all these happy faces! Your mother Silva in front, an absolute beauty. Then her two older sisters: on the right the oldest Mira with daughter Janja who is mimicking your silly stare game, on the left the middle sister Nada – my grandma. Look at my cheeky mom hugging her mom! And then there is little blonde Matic, my travelling uncle who turned 70 last month, next to mom. What a precious memory!
And this is now.



And now, to the doors. I have looked through all the photos that you took on your visit here in Tuscany, and on our day trip to Goriška Brda, “Slovenian Tuscany”, which you organised so wonderfully with your husband, and came up with this door selection.
You were here back in 2014 and I enjoyed seeing Tuscany and me as I was then through your eyes. The gallery ends with two of your personal doors.
On the way over here you stopped in Monteriggioni where I haven’t been yet. Our Capalbio on the hill. Invading army. With one of my favourite Capalbio doors. One of the forts above Porto Ercole. Ghosting in Orbetello. I love this photo! Another church, in Pitigliano. A hidden Pitigliano corner. Old Porto Ercole. Modern Porto Ercole. Prospective buyer in Sovana (nahhh). Flower among flowers in Sovana. A hop to Šmartno in Slovenia. Clearly, no longer real Tuscany. Too white. I like it how you kept catching me in your frame. The Dobrovo Castle in Brda. Your personal blue line door. And the gate that opens for us when we arrive.
Thank you for all the art and memories. I wish you health, peace and much fun and games with your loved ones, including me.

Celebration continues below in my blogging memories from previous years.
For Thursday Doors challenge hosted by Dan at No Facilities

This day in my blogging history
So many wonderful photos, so many wonderful memories. 🙂
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True, Not Pam. I miss my people. Thank you!
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Amazing photos and the doors are fantastic!!!! Happy Birthday too 🎉
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Thank you, Wayne! I like to celebrate birthdays of my family members and friends on my blog, especially with doors if it’s Thursday. I had a look at yours and your last one is my favourite too. 🙂
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Thanks Manja ☺️
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What great memories for you!
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Thank you, Sue! 🙂 We always have fun in my family and I miss this. We will have more.
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Good!h
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This is a wonderful post, Manja. I enjoy the stories you share about your family. I can feel the love in your writing and in the photos that you share.
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Thank you kindly, Dan. This is the most I could hope to achieve. I miss them and am looking forward to more together fun.
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More happy birthdays ! I too like that green door…and the blue stripe. How lucky you are to have such a wonderful artist in your family. (K)
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Thank you, K! I think so too, and when I tell her what nice things about her art people on my blog are saying, she says: “That’s because they are your friends!” 😀
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Too modest!
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You’re surrounded by beauty so much so that you become it. How amazing. Happy birthday to … 👏 and many more. Bless you. XoXo
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Ahhh, lovely to hear this, Selma. 🙂 To become beauty! You are such a good will sprinkler. ❤ Thank you!
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beautiful family memories
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You’re right, Tanja. Thanks. I miss my people.
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What a lovely tribute to your Mom’s cousin. Such happy memories and wonderful family photos. We are honored to be “there” with you as you share your love. And my what a beautiful watercolor. She is so talented!
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Thank you kindly, Carol Ann. She is talented and so modest about it. I love to have you all here with me. 🙂
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What an endearing post! The photos are wonderful and your memories through words made them even more special. 😊👍
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Thank you kindly, Pepper! 🙂 Most of the door photos in this post were taken by the birthday girl herself. Such nice memories. Thanks for the follow too.
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My pleasure. 😊
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What lovely photos and memories. She does good paintings! 🙂
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Thank you on her behalf, Sunra Nina. One of these days she will embrace it and start to believe it. 🙂
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Oh, I hope so! She has such a clean bold style, and is clearly highly skilled. Love the landscape she’s given you and the watercolour of trees earlier. Somehow I think that’s not even her best work. Bet she’s got some right corkers hidden away in her house.
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