Home fashion blog and unique items

June 03rd, 2017

6/3/2017

Sparrow's Nest .....A 4 Day Getaway for my Birthday !!

I have a birthday coming up soon ....and was delightfully surprised when my Son's said to choose a cute cabin or hotel to go on a 4 day getaway vacation break and they would pay.

How lucky am I and so thankful for their generous gift.

So here is where we are booked ..this super cute little cabin on the edge of a State Forest just 3 hours away from home , in Tennessee.

How rustic is the kitchen ....these are obviously not my photo's they are the photo's that were on the vacation listing.

But you know that I will be taking lots of mine and will share them with you.

We chose a secluded cabin instead of a lovely hotel as we will love to sit on the porch and have our breakfast and again to watch the sun go down....we can get up whenever we want and we won't be doing any major cooking or anything so still a lovely.

I Love the wooden floor and the real tree trunk holding something up or perhaps just for more rustic decor.

It is just 20 minutes from downtown Chattanooga ...so lots to see and do.

Chattanooga has wonderful restaurants,

An amazing Aquarium, Chattanooga Choo Choo, Incline railway up to the top of Lookout Mountain, A visit to the very unique Rock City with it's spectacular views and Ruby Falls that are inside a massive cave system that we can walk in to so we can see the falls.

We can visit Lookout Mountains cute little town of Mentone ..I love that place and eat at Wild Flower Cafe ..so unique and quirky.

We can even go on a trip in an amphibious Duck vehicle that rides around Chattanooga telling you all the history of the buildings and then after a chorus of 'Quack, Quack, Quack' turns in to a boat as we enter the Tennessee River via the slip way and go for a ride around the river ....lovely experience ..

Super cute bedroom too ...with it's pine ceiling ....so cozy and lovely ...every area and corner of this cute mountain home is unique it seems.

Sliding barn doors take you to the other bedroom that has two single beds ...perfect if you are taking children with you .....

Lovely sized window ...I can't wait to see what the view is from it ...

Full of surprises this little wash hand basin is just darling in the bathroom and below the large shower.

Some of the view of the valley below.

We also have a hot tub on the backside of the cabin.

I hope that some wildlife come to say 'hello'

So here is another view of our home for 4 days.

The cabin is called ' Sparrows Nest'

For a birthday treat to remember.

I can't wait to start creating memories with my Darling Danny.

Are you going on any mini breaks just to unwind and take another view of life for a while?

Thanks for popping by.

Happy days to you all

Kindest regards

Janet

1 Comment

May 03rd, 2017

5/3/2017

0 Comments

Our 18th Wedding Anniversary Weekend Trip down South

We were lucky enough to celebrate our 18th Wedding Anniversary this past weekend.
It has become a tradition to go down to Fairhope , Alabama by the Gulf of Mexico to have a long weekend break.
Just the two of us ...a peaceful, quiet time.
Doing what we both like best.
With only each other to worry about for the whole 4 days.
Filled with Love and Romance.

We went on short walks whilst I drank in the much missed Sea of my island home of Guernsey ...
To hear the Seagulls.
Lapping of the waves.
Diving of the Pelican's

We walked several times in our very favorite swamp.
To say 'hello' to our friend the Alligator.
He is about 10 feet long now.
A Big Boy ....fighting off all other Alligators who dare to try to take his swampy pond away from him.

He seemed to favor swimming out in the Sea this time ..maybe it was the coming storm that we were promised while down there.

They have made a really lovely board walk through the Swamp now.
Allowing everyone to enjoy it.
The Toads were in fine fettle ...singing at the top of their voices in a huge Toad Chorus.
Sounding like hundreds of yapping Chihuahua dogs.
Almost deafening us as we walked with smiles on our faces.

Yours truly looking a little smug ...don't you think ...ha! ha!

The first time I have seen orange flowers on a Mimosa Tree ...up here in Central Alabama they are usually pink.

We had to fight off the mosquito's a little ....but there you are we were in a Swamp !!

I love how they put the nesting boxes for the Purple Martin birds out in the Sea...
As you can see the birds seem to think it's perfect.

There were 4 Alligators swimming in the Sea just outside of the entrance to the Swamp that day.

Thanks for popping by and sharing some of our Special weekend with us.
We ate at lovely Italian restaurants.
And treated ourselves to a delicious Latte Coffee and a large slice of Carrot cake.
Which was particularly wonderful .
Rummaged through Antique Stores.
Dreamed of owning one of the Mansions down there.
Super time.
Loving company.

Kindest regards

Janet

0 Comments

March 23rd, 2017

3/23/2017

3 Comments

Weeping For London
Recording my Experience of Being in London when Terrorists Bombs went off & Killed Fifty Two people injuring over 700 more in 2005!

Being that I am British by Birth & British in my Soul
On this sad day I just wanted to say 'my bit' about what happened in London on Wednesday, March,23rd 2017.
I don't usually put political thoughts on my blog so I won't get too political but I wanted to say how sad I am that another one of these terrorist attacks has happened again.
Totally innocent people , tourists who have saved up to come for a holiday of a lifetime in the beautiful historical city of London, UK.
All enjoying themselves with no knowledge about what was about to happen.
Two American's a Husband and Wife celebrating their 25th Wedding Anniversary on a trip of a lifetime..their life changed forever as the Wife's Beloved Husband has his life tragically taken away and His Beloved Wife lays in a foreign hospital seriously hurt ...my heart and prayers go out to them and their families.
This must stop ....something has to be done ...Heads of Countries must do something ...what I don't know but I just know it has to STOP !!
My Heart, thoughts, sorrow and prayers go out to everyone that has been effected.
Do not stop going on trips and holidays of a lifetime for then the terrorists have won ...
Keep going and being vigilant but don't give in to them

Danny and I experienced bombings in London the London Bombings of the 7th July, 2005 ...you see we were there.
Fifty Two (52) people were killed on that tragic day and over 700 were injured.
We will never ever forget it ...I can relive every moment of it and am forever thankful that we just so happened to be in the safest place we could have been on that day ...God was looking after us very well.
I will tell you how our unforgettable day started from the time we knew that, that day would always be etched in to our memories forever.
I was so excited to show my beautiful Husband Danny this incredible City that I loved and had visited so many times in my life ...
To show it off to him to see the delight in his lovely American eyes ...to see the wonder of it, knowing that he just loves history and never thought he would ever come over to that side of the pond.
After a wonderful time spent in Guernsey with our lovely boys and loved family and on the way back to catching our plane in London back to the States we had decided to spend several days in London.
So that day we woke up had breakfast and Danny chose the first place he wanted to see that day ...it was the Winston Churchill War Rooms in the War Tunnels way below ground underneath the White Hall area of London ....so you see we were in the safest place we could have been.
We were in there for ages as Danny wanted to read and discover everything he could and he was well impressed with it all ....such a lovely few hours ..little did we know....

Here a photo's of some of the rooms within the tunnels ...

This is the map room.

These are some of the offices ...you also saw Sir Winston Churchills bedroom, Lady Churchill's bedroom and so much more ...it was very , very interesting, wearing earphones attached to a tape recorder telling you all that you needed to know ..

Now it was time to go and visit the London Eye ...as we emerged out in to the London sunshine our phones started to ring immediately ....
On answering there was my Son ...asking me where was I , what had happened, were we ok, why didn't we answer our phones ????
Then he told us ....that there had been a bombing in the train in the tube underground tunnels ...like the Metro in France or the Subway in New York ...and that a double decker bus had been blown up and there were lots of people dead and injured.
Since he hadn't been able to get hold of us they were fearing the worst ...similar calls came in from America from the American family .
But we were very pleased to tell them that we were fine and had been oblivious of anything happening ...no one in the tunnels had ever told us anything ..so perhaps they were all oblivious too.
We were so saddened by it all .
We noticed that the air was just full of whaling sirens ...everywhere and soon became aware of how serious this was...
The emergency ambulances, police, firetrucks,were driving at top speeds through the London traffic and people were running everywhere ....
People looked shocked all around us ...running, running though we had no idea where or what they were running too or from ...
It was out of some crazy disaster movie ...so surreal ...what on earth was happening ??
Are we safe ...which way is safe, shall we go left or right ???
Should we go for safety ?
What to do ? what to do?

So we eventually we crossed the Westminster Bridge (the same one that the terrorist incident yesterday happened on) ...looking around us all the time , for what we didn't know but we looked anyway.
Danny enjoyed looking at Parliament and Big Ben and then we went to look at the London Eye but didn't go on it ...just felt it may not be safe ...
Siren's still filling the air.
People running, has stopped.
Breath !!
Then we went back over the Bridge to White Hall and decided it was time to go for a little lunch.
We go in the Pubs in London as they have the best food and the cheapest food ...usually in ancient buildings where highway men etc...used to frequent and wonderful oak beams on the ceilings all the history that Danny craves.

We entered this lovely Pub called the Red Lion (Westminster)
As early as 1434, a tavern known as the Hopping Hall existed in this location.
In the Victorian Era, a pub called the Red Lion standing on this spot was visited by Charles Dickens as a young boy.

We ordered a lovely meal and we were waiting for it to arrive.
When we noticed a lot of hustle and bustle
and goings on outside in the street by the pub along whitehall.
Coming from the Prime Minister's House at 10 Downing Street
Just across the street to the right.
A policeman entered the pub;
And spoke to the barman.
Then immediately we noticed him go outside;
The two doors were then locked and policemen
stationed at each door outside.
So we were now locked in a pub in the heart of Whitehall
On a day where terrorists were terrorizing London !!

No one told any of us what was happening!
I knew that adrenaline was happening within me;
Questions unanswered;
Nor did we ask.
Not panic but just wondering also perhaps comforted
That there were Policemen guarding us ...on each door.
We had our food by then.
Still wondering.
Danny and I noticed that the street traffic, which is very noisy and busy in London.
Was no longer noisy ..nor was it any longer there ??
What on earth could have stopped the busy streets around Whitehall, Houses of Parliament etc ?
We couldn't see as the bottom of the windows were frosted over.
So Danny went upstairs to use the bathroom,
Looked outside and not a thing was out in the street,
Not a car,
Not a taxi,
Not a bus,
Not a Person of any kind ??
Everyone just carried on eating their meals, drinking their drinks
As if nothing was happening ..but I am sure they were all wondering too ,
Some would say it was their dream to be locked in a pub
But to me , drinking an orange juice, I could think of better dreams
All of a sudden the doors were unlocked
The police vanished
And we were told by way of the news on the television
That a man was seen running very fast with a ruck sack on his back
Past the Prime Ministers residence
The terrorists had bombs in their ruck sacks and they ran too
So they cleared Whitehall and the all clear came
When they realized after questioning this man that he was simply late
And running to wherever he was going ...nothing bomb like was in the ruck sack
But of course they had to check for bombs so hence the shut down.
We gingerly enjoyed the rest of our day in London
But never without the sadness of what had happened that day.

So my heart goes out to all involved in yesterday's terror attack,
The victims,
The families,
The people that witnessed such terror
And the family of the brave Policeman
Who ran towards danger to save others

Rest in Peace PC Keith Palmer

Stay safe and vigilant everyone

Janet

3 Comments

February 22nd, 2017

2/22/2017

0 Comments

Normandy, France ...my Second home ..Come take a quick peek with me!

I thought you might like to come along with me to one of my most loved places and really a second home to me ...Normandy, France ..Here is a map of France with Normandy on the upper left ...You can also see the Island where I was born and lived on for 43 years till I moved to Alabama, USA to marry my American Husband ...it's called Guernsey and you can see it just under the word 'English Channel ...top left hand corner ..a group of islands called The Channel Isles they are called Alderney, Guernsey & Jersey ...it's a British/English island just off of the coast of France

Here we are on our last trip to Guernsey on board a ferry boat entering the Harbor of St. Malo, France ..what a magnificent castle it has

Our accommodation was our Friend's house boat barge ..Here it is ..the one with the green roof and red strip ...tied up alongside another barge , house boat ...this is the boats permanent mooring ..but it can move down the River through the locks etc ...lots of fun .
We stay on the house boat every time we go to France to visit Normandy, Brittany etc.

This is the rather cute galley inside of the barge ...it has 3 bedrooms going
up that hallway on the right and one bathroom.

Some fun French words for you to try and learn.

Anywhere in France you will find people walking, skateboarding,bicycling with long French Bread Loaves ..that for the most part are not even wrapped ...I have never understood that ...especially going along in traffic with your bread bare to the elements but it's just one of France's little quirks ...of which they have many ..that I love ...French people are not so hung up on political correctness as we are ...Here you see lots of loaves just loaded in to an old van ...and some one's bicycle parked outside of the Patisserie ...

Beautiful, amazing Rouen Just look at the town clock and all of the timber frame houses ...some dating back to the 8th century ...the middle ages.
So mind blowing that these houses are still standing ...most of them are lived in and have cafés or shops below.
This Bridge is just amazing.
Whilst walking through the streets you are just in amazement and mostly have your head tipped back looking up at the unbelievable architecture.
Every moment spent in Rouen is a total delight.

Just a small sample of some of the houses you may find in Normandy ...all at very reasonable prices.

Mont St. Michel ...it sits out in the bay and when the tide is up it gets surrounded by the sea.
It is an Abbey and dates back to the 8th Century

I will tell you more about Mont St. Michel in a future blog as there is so much to say and see ...you can visit it each day via a causeway ...

Ste. Mere Eglise ...is just inland from the Normandy Beaches ...that were used on D-Day by troops to take back France from the Germans ....
This lovely Church was founded in the 11th Century (1080–1082)
The town's main claim to fame is that it played a significant part in the World War II Normandy Landings because this village stood right in the middle of route N13, which the Germans would have most likely used on any significant counter attack on the troops landing on UTAH and OMAHA Beaches. In the early morning of 6 June 1944 mixed units of the U.S. 82nd Airborne and U.S. 101st. Airborne Divisions occupied the town in Mission Boston, giving it the claim to be one of the first towns liberated in the invasion.

A well-known incident involved paratrooper JOHN STEELE of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment(PIR), whose parachute caught on the spire of the town church, and could only observe the fighting going on below. He hung there limply for two hours, pretending to be dead, before the Germans took him prisoner. Steele later escaped from the Germans and rejoined his division when US troops of the 3rd Battalion, 505 Parachute Infantry Regiment attacked the village, capturing thirty Germans and killing another eleven.

I also love to go to Bayeux & see the Tapestry and the beautiful town & Markets.
The tapestry is a band of linen 231 feet (70 metres) long and 19.5 inches (49.5 cm) wide, now light brown with age, on which are embroidered, in worsteds of eight colours, more than 70 scenes representing the Norman Conquest of England.

The story begins with a prelude to Harold’s visit to Bosham on his way to Normandy (1064?) and ends with the flight of Harold’s English forces from Hastings (October 1066); originally, the story may have been taken further, but the end of the strip was either not completed or later removed.

D-Day took place on Normandy Beaches 6th June, 1944

It was on the Normandy beaches.. Omaha, Utah, Gold, Sword and Juno that D-Day took place ..It was called 'Operation Overlord' ..where troops from Britain, U.S.,Canada, Free French Forces and in weeks following many other allied countries freed the French and won the World War II

Nowadays you can go and see lots of wonderful museums ...visit the American , British and other cemeteries ...such as the American one depicted in the photo above and the beaches themselves ...
I have a memory of visiting these beaches, it was in the late 80's and my children were little ...it had been a long hot day and after visiting lots of interesting places that day the children were ready to play in the sea ...so we all went into the sea and were playing whilst the tide was rising (France has some of the largest tides in the World ..sometimes going out as much a mile)and whilst the tide came in the sea around us started to turn pink then red ..apparently they pumped a red dye in to the sea to depict the blood in the sea on D-Day ...it was an opportunity to explain the day in greater detail to our eldest Son and was very thought provoking and above all moving ....I do not know if they still do that today

Thank you for popping by and joining me.
In sweet memories of just some of what I love about my beloved Normandy
I hope you can get there too some day
If you enjoyed this blog please look out for future ones about places where I have been
And take a look in the archives for some that you may enjoy
Happy Days to you all

Janet

0 Comments

An Afternoon Picnic at Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama

10/3/2016

0 Comments

An Afternoon Picnic at Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama, US

Now that the searing heat seems to have left Alabama and we can break out of our air conditioning and go and breath and enjoy the weather that we have been given from now on till the cold comes.
Danny and I have enjoyed the weekend and on Saturday took a picnic out to beautiful Oak Mountain State Park. Pelham, Alabama.
Welcome to some of the photo's we took on this beautiful day.
Here are just some of the things you can do;
Cabins
Camping
Equestrian Camping
Backcountry Camping
Demonstration Farm
"The Oaks" Golf Course
Fishing
FlipSide Watersports
Boat Rentals
Horseback Riding & Trails
Oak Mountain BMX
Beaches
Mountain Bike Trails
Hiking Trails
Peavine Falls
Oak Mountain Playgrounds
Oak Mountain Boarding Stables
Oak Mountain Community Archery Park

One of my favorite things to do is to go on the board walk in the woods, it meanders around and takes you to cages that house rescued birds that were injured and although totally recovered will never be able to be released in to the wild again ...
I think this is the next best thing for them as their cages are built within the forest ..so they are out in the wild but are kept safe within the cages ...this photo Danny took shows a baby Barn Owl sleeping whilst holding tight on to it's dinner, a white rat.
There are two birds in each cage ...an adult Barn Owl was with this baby one.

The view from the top of Oak Mountain showing how the leaves are just on the turn for Autumn/Fall.

The winding boardwalk has about 10 cages in it each one housing two birds of the same species.

Two gorgeous Tawny Owls in this cage ...very curious, turning their heads around and around.

A pair of Black Vulture's ripping their carrion apart.

As you can see the cages are deep in to the woods.

In the Turkey Vulture cage there was a wonderful surprise ..an Albino one and a typical dark brown one.
I often see Turkey Vultures in the road that we live on but I have never seen an Albino one.
I guess that is why this one is in captivity as it would not survive in the wild because of it's color.

An incredible pair of regal Red Tailed Hawks ...we see these soaring over our home all the time.

We decided to have our little picnic by one of the lakes.
We didn't have a fancy picnic.
Just a ham on the bone sandwich with cheese and spinach.
And some lovely Cantaloupe Melon.
All washed down with chilled homemade iced tea.
Whilst we sat there at the picnic table we watched this lovely Western Kingbird catching bugs.
A few canoeists came along in the very shallow water of the lake.

In Alabama we are in a drought and haven't had any reasonable rain for a long while ..this is showing on the banks of this manmade lake at the park.
The mud in the foreground was hard and bone dry.

After our late lunch we travelled up the Mountain and we were greeted with great views ..you can just about see the city of Birmingham in the far distance.

This poor long suffering tree has fought against horrendous winds, searing heat and below freezing cold temperatures ..but it still clings on to life ...just about ...I think the weather is winning this war don't you ??

In a few weeks the road up to the mountain should look like this as it has on previous years when we have gone there ...but with the drought I am wondering if it will actually get to be this beautiful and the dead leaves seem to just be dropping in brown colors only.

Dry, sunburned soil, groans with dying heaps of parched leaves;
Discarded like weary dusty garments.
Dreaming of better days;
Daring to hope for rain.

At the top of the mountain you will find the trail to Peavine Falls ....there was no point going this year as with the drought there would be no falls.

On previous years when rain has been plenty,
We have found THIS in all of it's beauty.

Thanks so much for joining us on our lovely afternoon out.
I hope that you are managing to enjoy the beauty of the cooler days.
Where ever you are.
Happy Autumn/Fall time everyone.
Happy Days.
Janet

0 Comments

Art ...Amazing group of Statue's telling a Story about a Remarkable Woman ...Sea Birds, Food & Flowers

5/10/2016

0 Comments

Art...Amazing group of Statue's telling a Story about a Remarkable Woman..Sea Birds, Food & Flowers

On our short vacation we came across this lovely set of statue's telling us about a remarkable woman ...Marietta Johnson ...and of course I had to sit down and listen to what she had to tell us ..ha! ha!

Miss Johnson founded a school in 1907 and here she is educating some of the children ...it is in Bronze and so life like ...we loved it ....

All the details in the statues are wonderful ..here you can see the boy is holding a pinecone and Miss Johnson has a small twig with leaves on it resting in the book ....

Here is the plaque that was placed by the statue's explaining what they are about ...

A little way along there was this gorgeous artsy Sea Horse ...so pretty ..standing proud looking over the fishing pier

Strolling along the fishing pier we found this cheeky chappy ...waiting for a hand out from the fisherman ...and he got some ....he seems to be a regular

We came across hundreds of Pelicans but most times I didn't have my camera with me so this is the best I could do ..two of them up on their perches ...drying out and scouting the area for more fish

We had lots of yummy food ...this time I had Cioppino Scallops, Shrimp,Octopus and Mussels in a wonderful Italian broth with spaghetti and freshly baked ciabatta bread

In Fairhope whilst we went shopping we saw lots of wonderful flowers ...so pretty

Danny had Polenta with a lovely Bolognese Sauce with lots of cheese and large chunks of Italian Smoked Sausage ...I had a taste it was just yummy

Thanks for coming along with me on one of our vacation days out

Hope you get to have a lovely long weekend vacation or a great trip away

Happy and safe travels

Janet

0 Comments

In the Swamps 0f Alabama ...where Beauty and Alligator's Live

5/7/2016

1 Comment

In the Swamps of Alabama...where Beauty and Alligator's Live

On our recent trip for our 17th Wedding Anniversary we did one of our favorite things and took a long walk in the Swamps ....it is so lovely there and the scenery changes every month with different levels of water and beautiful flowers, berries and fungi ....not to mention the wildlife .

We were thrilled to find a very large length of new boardwalk had been added to what used to be unaccessible area's ....It smelt so lovely with the fresh smell of pine ...now the swamp is totally wheelchair accessible ..how wonderful is that so everyone can enjoy it ..with all of the resent rains the water was the highest we had ever seen ....

We found lots of flowers and berries including these above ...it always amazes me that the Blackberries are already out and some are ready to eat ...as in England we don't pick our Blackberries till end of August, September time

Vowing to go on as many nature walks as we can , since my surgery 6 months ago I wondered if I would ever be able to do them again ..but I can ..how wonderful and thankful I am for that ..so we went on another favorite walk at Bon Secour right down to the Gulf of Mexico and Gulf Shores ...I love the Spanish Moss on the trees ....the lower third of Alabama has Spanish moss growing on the trees it loves the heat and humidity

As you can see here the water level was pretty high ...this is Gator Lake ...it is fresh water and has lots of Gators in it ...though today they seemed to want to hide away

There was an abundance of water lilies ...and I wish I had captured the singing of the toads ...it was very loud and lovely to hear ..brings smiles to our faces and feeling privileged to be sharing the lovely chorus at this happy mating time ...it was so loud and they seemed to be everywhere but we never did see one

We usually see plenty of Alligators but I believe the water level was too high ...but we were very lucky to have found this cute little chap ....he was only about 12" long and a darling little baby ...he or she was sunbathing on the bank

We unintentionally disturbed him just by being there, so he swam to the other side and ended up even closer to us ..perhaps he wanted to say 'hi there'

Lifting his head to see if the coast was clear he climbed up on the bank and resumed his sunbathing

Beautiful water lilies ....the day was very overcast as we were to experience a massive flash flooding storm with enormous thunder and lightening that evening once we were back at our hotel safe and sound ...so the lilies never did fully open ...we can only imagine the beauty if they had

We found these gorgeous Cacti everywhere showing off their beautiful yellow blooms

Finally another look at our little ferocious friend ...one day he will be anyway ...I hope he has a long and wonderful life

Thanks so much for joining me on some of our nature walks

Hope you had a great time

Happy Days

Janet

1 Comment

Our Trip to Venice ....one of my most favorite places on Earth!!

2/25/2016

0 Comments

Have you been to a place that will stay forever in your heart ???? I have been lucky enough to have been to many places in the world but several of them just stayed in my heart and I long to visit them again ..Venice is one such place ...I have been there twice and would love to go and live there for a month or two before I depart this world ....This is Danny and I standing on the roof of the Basilica in St. Marks Square on a wonderful sunny hot day ...

If you ever go there don't stand in the huge lines out in the hot sun go online before you leave and get a
fast track pass ..it's free and will give you a time to enter the Basilica through another gate ...we were so pleased we did this

Being a cat lover I just love this photo ...do walk through the streets not always in the boats as you will discover so much more and enjoy your experience even more ..you never know what is around the corner ...breath in the atmosphere

This was our bedroom in the hotel Ca' Dogressa

This is were we ate breakfast every morning ..if the weather wasn't good there is a breakfast room within the hotel but every day was perfect ....it was funny to see the UPS delivery passing by on the UPS boat instead of a truck

I would recommend this hotel to anyone

This is the Proprietor to the left ...a wonderful host and my Son and Husband contemplating life before we went out for our day in Venice ...Son was texting of course ..ha! ha!

There was a little excitement on the Grand Canal as we stood on the Rialto Bridge ..a Police chase with siren's etc... just like out of a James Bond Movie

We found a fabric store in a tiny street and of course I had to go in ...I found this lovely floral embroidered fabric and this unusual trim and Danny chose this tapestry of the Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge ..so I made a pillow/cushion with it when I came home and smile everytime I pass it ..creating memories

This is the backside of the pillow

They are a little pricey about 100 Euro's..shop around and barter for a good price but a Gondola ride is incredible

The water really is turquoise and some people say you can smell it in the heat of the summer days but I have always been there in the summer and never have smelt any odor

Our romantic Gondola ride

Yummy cake shops

Back Streets and cute steps leading to the canals

Coming up the Grand Canal in a Water Bus ....it's the best way to get around if you have had enough of walking plus you get some breeze on a hot summer day ...they are everywhere and fairly cheap ...a visit to the Rialto bridge is a must ..it's fascinating but be prepared for crowds

Happy Days everyone

And Happy travels

Janet

0 Comments

Our Thanksgiving Getaway ...for Four Glorious Days of Sun, Sand, Wildlife, Sunsets and Shopping

12/1/2015

0 Comments

To progress with my recovery from my recent Spinal Surgery Danny took me down to the Gulf of Mexico for the Thanksgiving weekend to enjoy the sun, shopping, wildlife, and above all the sea ...having been born on the island of Guernsey and lived there for 43 years the most I miss about the island is the sea, the smell and the sound of it

Here I am with a couple of seasonal friends enjoying shopping the pretty boutique shops of Fairhope, Alabama ..that edges the Bay of Mobile ...glorious shops ...glorious coffee shops...glorious places to eat ..one of my favourite places to be

It got dark too early was my only complaint as it was dark by 4.50pm every day ..but at least we could see the lovely Christmas lights of Fairhope on our way back to the hotel

This was the first sunset to greet us on the Bay of Mobile ...it was such a lovely evening and I love the whispy clouds and the birds just hoping to take one last dive before having to find a roost for the night

Pelican's are one of the birds we don't get in Guernsey so I just love to see them ..here they are gently gliding over the top of the water in the hope of just one more catch before they settle down for the night

I don't think there is a place in the World where there aren't any Great Heron's ...I wonder how many there are in all ..I doubt they will every become extinct !!...in the background you can see a little White Snowy Egret and a Brown Pelican that was going around and around flapping and cleaning his wings

See what I mean ...two Great Heron's now and the Brown Pelican and the Egret all in one shot ...a thrill to bird watchers like Danny and I

So relaxing and wonderful to be alive on Weeks Bay whilst waiting for the Sun to dunk itself in to the horizon

I sometimes wish we had a boat house like these, then think about the expense and the worry of hurricane's, quickly makes me glad that we don't own one ..there are so many boat houses that are just now stumps sticking out of the water along with empty lots once their owners pride and joy ..now their sorrow ....

Our final day at Gulf Shores on the Gulf of Mexico ...and there is a red flag flying to warn of ' No Swimming' due to Rip tides ...so every one is enjoying the sand activities and watching the daunting waves that harbor those elusive rip tides

The final night and we have an amazing Sunset in deep oranges of the Season ...blood oranges that just deserver 'gasps' of admiration ...Just in time to say ' goodbye' to the Sun...Please come back again ...the ending to the perfect day

I hope your Thanksgiving Weekend were also perfect days

Now back to the rush up to Christmas ....can you believe it's December 1st already !!!

Thanks for popping by

Your Friend

Janet

0 Comments

Favorite finds of Souvenir Pottery ...such high quality pots

9/10/2015

0 Comments

I can't resist picking up these high quality pottery mugs ...they are souvenirs ..which I wouldn't usually give the time of day to ..but the color and subjects of these make me smile ..plus my happy snails seem to like to hang around them too !!

This gorgeous green one is from Mountain Laurel Inn Bed & Breakfast at Mentone, Alabama ..on the gorgeous Look Out Mountain just above Chattanooga, Tennessee ...see a little more about it below

This other one is Modern Process Equipment, Inc. Chicago...that I know nothing about but I just love the look of it and if I don't want the emblem on the front to show I just turn the pot around ..they are both great for small bunches of wild flowers and grasses

I have been up to Mentone, Alabama on Look Out Mountain many times to stay at the lodge at Little River Canyon ...and always make a visit to Mentone ...a gorgeous little mountain village ..full of history and the quaintest little log homes and cabins ..with a some very lovely curious gift shops full of delights ..this is Mountain Laurel Inn Bed & Breakfast in Mentone where the green mug above is from

Here are some of the mugs in different colors that you can get at the Bed & Breakfast ..they give them to you to drink out of with your morning coffee etc. and you can buy them to take home

One of the lovely breakfasts they serve up for Breakfast ...it truly is unique and there are two more of those mugs !!

It is so rustic and woodsy ...with the cutest little bedrooms to have a great rest

When fall (autumn) comes to Mentone and Look Out Mountain this is what it look likes ...

There are many waterfalls to visit all leading down to the Little River Canyon

Danny and I and even family members that are visiting in the Autumn usually go with us to see the gorgeous Autumn colors

We can all recommend this gorgeous unique restaurant ..The Wildflower Cafe ...the food is unique and so is the decor..filled with local art that you can purchase

Reservations are totally recommended as it's very popular and has some weird opening times so I would look those up and give them a call before going there ...you won't regret it

Thanks for popping by ...hope you enjoyed my little tour of my pottery finds and one of my favorite places to visit and spend some time at

See You Soon

Best Wishes

Janet

0 Comments

Random Final Photo's of our Recent Vacation Trip to Europe

8/7/2015

0 Comments

Street Market in Winchester, England ...just alongside Winchester Cathedral

Lovely meat ..great prices ..all wrapped hygienically but I don't like that the meat not he front of the stall isn't sitting in ice or any refrigeration !!

Infamous Winchester Cathedral ..which is the reason we went to Winchester was closed as there was a Graduation service going on from the nearby University

So incredible..So awe inspiring

So much history ..wish we could have gone in but we did enjoy looking around the outside and the area

Walking around the Cathedral we found such wonderful old historic buildings ..including Jane Austen's home that I blogged about earlier

So lovely ..thought provoking ...Who lived there ?? Who was it built for ?? ..What stories it could tell ??

Wonderful Tudor ...I am sure that many kings including Henry the VIII would have walked by and perhaps in these buildings

Now let's go tot France and walk through the arch of the Medieval Walled City of St. Malo

Inside some of the lovely shops of St. Malo ..looking so inviting

the main square in St. Malo ..great for food and really great for people watching

Can't get enough of this architecture ...so ancient ...so may stories to tell ...evokes the imagination

Even the weeds look like they are part of a movie set

Now back in Guernsey for some lovely Pub grub ....Danny had Scampi and chips ..with an Italian Peroni Beer

Mine was a delicious Spider Crab Salad ..with Marie Rosé and Mayonaise Dipping sauces ..mmmmm!!

It was Pub grub with a view as you can see ...L'Ancresse Bay , Guernsey ...a very beautiful beach

When I lived in Guernsey this beach was just an 8 minute walk from our house

Thanks for popping by

I hope you enjoyed looking at my final vacation snaps...

It was a wonderful time ...we collected many, many happy memories

To keep stored forever in our hearts and minds

Have a wonderful day ..

Full of memories for you to keep

0 Comments

So here we are on Sark for a Special Day and Incredible Birthday lunch

8/4/2015

0 Comments

I have blogged before about my Birthday lunch and how we got up the hill in Sark but here is the top of the hill and the lovely, tiny main street on a glorious sunny day

They had obviously had a very lovely Scarecrow competition just recently ..so creative and lovely to see

There are no paved roads in Sark ...No Cars ...transport is either by Horse and Buggy or Bicycle ..Tractors are owned by a few farmers

This is the only Post Box on the island and it was painted Gold as one of Sarks Resident's received a Gold Medal in the recent Island Games

Old buildings and beautiful homes can been seen dotted throughout Sark .the population is around 600

We pass a pretty cottage on the way to the hotel we are going to have our celebration lunch at

This lovely windmill minus it's sails used to be a little gift shop but didn't appear to be any longer

Perhaps someone is lucky enough to just be living there

Even Sark is now moving with the times ..as it has apparently got several Vine Yards now ..hope it doesn't change too much ....it's so unique ...and so back in time ....

We had the best time there

I blogged previously about our special meal etc. and some of the gifts I was lucky enough to receive

I thank all of my Children for giving Danny and I a very , very special day to hold closely in our memories and hearts forever

Thanks of tagging along ..hope you enjoyed it ....

See you soon

Janet

0 Comments

A final evening in the French Medieval City of St. Malo, France

8/3/2015

0 Comments

Our final evening in France and we spent it having a lovely walk and an evening meal in St. Malo

These are some of the imposing gates of this walled medieval town that is fully enclosed by medieval ramparts

Some of the lovely shop signs that are works of art and adorn most of the shops in French towns

One of the many Creperie's that can be found in St. Malo

Loved the rabbit display in this shoe shop ....so cute

As we walked the ramparts before our evening meal we could see that the sun was on it's way towards setting ...sunset whilst we were there was at 9.50 pm

As you can see wonderful views are had from all around the cities walls

Our final morning in our accommodation aboard the old barge on the La Rance River and we fed our left over croissants, breads etc to the very grateful seagulls ...I love the view from the boat ..it's so pretty

A final farewell to the walled city of St. Malo as we leave the harbor on our way back to Guernsey for my 60th birthday celebrations

0 Comments

A 60th Birthday to Remember ..on The Unique Island of Sark

8/2/2015

0 Comments

My Surprise 60th Birthday Celebrations started off well with some lovely Birthday Flowers

My Son's were to give me a Surprise Birthday day out to remember for the rest of my life

It started off with an early morning brisk walk down from my Son's house to the harbor though at this time I did not know where we were going and neither did Danny, my Husband

Downhill we walked through the ancient streets of St. Peter Port, Guernsey and here at the bottom of hill iare the old Victorian Markets

A lovely old sign of one of the oldest pubs in Guernsey

Past the markets in to the Town Church Square

The Steeple of the church shows the time to be 9.15am

Through the winding streets full of history

Up the cobbled streets of the main street of St. Peter Port

Soon having Castle Cornet in our sight's ..so now I am thinking we are going somewhere by boat ..Sark being my first choice ...and I was right

Looking back at the lovely town of St. Peter Port on our way down to the harbor

Passing breathtaking flowers and more lovely scenery

Here's the boat ...we are going to have so much fun ....we have my Son's dog with us ..my Grandog Stanlee and my oldest Son is just about to join us for the happy, happy day

My Husband having grown up in Rural Alabama was fascinated by the ancient harbor and how it looked underneath the docks

On our nearly 1 hour journey to Sark we pass some fascinating old fortifications ..this tower is now a bird sanctuary

The first island we pass on our way to Sark is the tiny paradise island of Herm ..I have spent many, many happy times here during the whole of my life ..a wonderful day trip just 20 minutes by boat from Guernsey

A quick look back at Guernsey as we go on our way

A closer look at Herm

Such a beautiful morning to be on the sea

This distant castle was built on a private island off of Sark called Brecqhou that is owned by the Barclay Brother's owners of Banks

The approaching cliffs of Sark

Nice view of Sark's Lighthouse

Once at the top for the hill in Sark on the plateau we came across some rather strange scarecrows ..guess there was a scarecrow going on in the island

In the next blog I will show you more of quant Sark

Thanks so much for popping by and joining me on my big Birthday surprise

0 Comments

I just Stumbled over Jane's House ...Jane Austen's House where she lived and died in Winchester, England

7/31/2015

1 Comment

Whilst in England just wondering around killing time before we had to go to our hotel in Heathrow Airport, London we decided to look in to Winchester to see the town and get some lunch

Whilst taking a look around after lunch ..knowing nothing about Winchester after strolling through some back streets just off of the Main Street ...I could not believe my eyes as I looked up on a wall and read the plaque above ....'IN THIS HOUSE JANE AUSTEN LIVED HER LAST DAYS AND DIED 18th July, 1817'

I had by some strange bit of fate stumbled across the house Miss Jane Austen had lived in ...it was a great moment ...to know that Jane walked on the same streets I was walking on looking at most of buildings that surrounded it just as I was ....

Any one who reads my blogs or buys my pillows knows how much I love and admire Miss Austen
Here is her house the pale yellow one next to this beautiful castle that would have been there when she lived in the street

Wonderful Architecture

Just around the corner from Jane's is this beautiful Tudor house ....so very well preserved almost like we had gone back in time

Just stand for a while and imagine the history...the comings and goings of this magnificent house

The brick work and original timbers of what I believe would have been the stables originally

So cute...hardly untouched by time
Below are some photo's of the typically English cottage gardens that surrounded the street that Jane used to live on ..I did so enjoy taking these photo's

Miss Jane Austen herself

I just love all the hydrangea's that grow all over England , Guernsey and France ...with not attention needed ...here in Alabama it's almost impossible to grow them with all the heat ..my didn't bloom this year

The streets around Jane's house just keep on surprising us ...now we have stumbled over an amazing piece of wall from the City's Roman Wall remains ...completed in the 3rd Century A.D. ...how amazing is that ...it's only tiny but to think it was built in 3 A.D. and that we are stood there looking at it ..it's just mind boggling ...

More pretty buildings ..these are the backsides of the buildings that line the Main Street ...

The bridge is very ancient and takes you straight to the main street ..that in it's self has lots of history

Yes that's King Elfred ...told you that there was lots of History

So be aware that you never know what the new day will bring ..you too may stumble across your Heroin's home one day ...and feel so lucky and happy and glad to be alive

Happy Days to you All

1 Comment

<<Previous

June 03rd, 2017

Sparrow's Nest .....A 4 Day Getaway for my Birthday !!

May 03rd, 2017

Our 18th Wedding Anniversary Weekend Trip down South

March 23rd, 2017

Weeping For London
Recording my Experience of Being in London when Terrorists Bombs went off & Killed Fifty Two people injuring over 700 more in 2005!

February 22nd, 2017

Normandy, France ...my Second home ..Come take a quick peek with me!

An Afternoon Picnic at Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama

An Afternoon Picnic at Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama, US

Art ...Amazing group of Statue's telling a Story about a Remarkable Woman ...Sea Birds, Food & Flowers

Art...Amazing group of Statue's telling a Story about a Remarkable Woman..Sea Birds, Food & Flowers

In the Swamps 0f Alabama ...where Beauty and Alligator's Live

In the Swamps of Alabama...where Beauty and Alligator's Live

Our Trip to Venice ....one of my most favorite places on Earth!!

Our Thanksgiving Getaway ...for Four Glorious Days of Sun, Sand, Wildlife, Sunsets and Shopping

Favorite finds of Souvenir Pottery ...such high quality pots

Random Final Photo's of our Recent Vacation Trip to Europe

So here we are on Sark for a Special Day and Incredible Birthday lunch

A final evening in the French Medieval City of St. Malo, France

A 60th Birthday to Remember ..on The Unique Island of Sark

I just Stumbled over Jane's House ...Jane Austen's House where she lived and died in Winchester, England

Author

Archives

Categories

Sparrow's Nest .....A 4 Day Getaway for my Birthday !!

Our 18th Wedding Anniversary Weekend Trip down South

Weeping For London Recording my Experience of Being in London when Terrorists Bombs went off & Killed Fifty Two people injuring over 700 more in 2005!

Normandy, France ...my Second home ..Come take a quick peek with me!

An Afternoon Picnic at Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama, US

Art...Amazing group of Statue's telling a Story about a Remarkable Woman..Sea Birds, Food & Flowers

In the Swamps of Alabama...where Beauty and Alligator's Live

Author

Archives

Categories

Weeping For London
Recording my Experience of Being in London when Terrorists Bombs went off & Killed Fifty Two people injuring over 700 more in 2005!