Friday, July 31, 2009

Come With Us On An Adventure in Italy






A Typical Day


So you are thinking about joining us on our trip to Orvieto. What will a typical day be like? It will be a mix of artistic expression and cultural exploration. You will learn and eat and play and explore and simply enjoy!





You will awake to a peaceful quiet, perhaps punctuated by bells out in the city. Each room has its own bathroom in which to prepare for the day. Descend the stairs for breakfast in a room sporting 15th century frescoes. Cheese, fruit, cereal, coffee, bread – a Continental breakfast greets you.



From there it is to the classroom for a morning of exploration and learning. We might be in class or you might be out on an assignment, an excursion in which you explore a bit of the city. We will gather for lunch with any spouses and friends who have joined us on the trip, comparing notes on our morning. Good food is a given, whether we picnic with food we have bought or go to a very local restaurant.






We'll have a bit of quiet time after lunch. Some of us may nap, some explore the city, some get into the studio to do a little work on our project.
Then, later in the afternoon, we will head out on a cultural adventure, exploring the Italian way of life, the things that make Italy and Orvieto so intriguing and appealing.




An olive oil and wine tasting in a space inhabited by Etruscans, a cooking class where we make pasta and other goodies, a visit to a vineyard where we get to sample local wines, a look at the incredible cathedral, or Etruscan history, or medieval architecture.




Sated with culture we will enjoy one of Orvieto's many wonderful restaurants. Whether for pizza which is indescribably wonderful, or a traditional multi-course meal, we will eat well. Then back to the quiet of our B&B, maybe grabbing a gelatto to enjoy along the way.

Mmm, I'm looking forward to more tomorrow!


There is limited space for accompanying ua on this fabulous adventure so I hope you will visit Adventures in Italy and sign up. We will have fun, excitement and a cultural experience you will remember for a lifetime.

Tracie Lyn and I look forward to sharing this time with you.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Thinking of a Friend




I have a friend who is ill so I wanted to send her a little something to let her know I was thinking of her. Put together this notebook for her to carry in her bag or lay by her bedside. It is a small notebook 3x5 inches so is a good size to carry.

Using fabric scraps from fabrics I created I covered the front and back. Trimmed with bits of lace, ribbons and yarns then lined the insides of the covers with pieces of a printed fabric.




Fun and easy way to create a small gift from the heart!





I will be creating one of these on a larger scale for the July monthly giveaway. Please click the link on the upper right of my blog for the details. All you need to do is leave comments on my blog and you might be the winner!

Monday, July 06, 2009

Cassie is Home!



We got to bring our precious Cassie Kitty home today. She has improved much but still needs to eat more. We are so very happy to have her home again.

She has wandered through the entire house.....every room...every special place she likes to lay and.....the screened in porch where she likes to watch the birds.



"Look Mom. See my boo boo. This is where Doc Ron stuck me with a needle. It hurt!"

Cassie held her little paw up for the pic.


I will miss her in my studio but never as much as I was missing her this past couple of weeks. I am so VERY grateful that she is on the mend.

THANKS to ALL of you who have sent me messages of good wishes and asking how Cassie was doing! I APPRECIATE ALL of you, my FRIENDS!!!

Hugs!

Sunday, July 05, 2009

June's Winner Announced





I am happy to announce that Summerset Banks is the winner for the June drawing. I will be mailing her the great packet of goodies.

THANKS Summerset! For visiting my blog and leaving a comment. Please visit frequently.

For all you faithful visitors please don't forget to leave a comment each time you visit so you, too can be eligible to win a monthly prize and be entered in the drawing for the grand prize in December. It will be a very personalized and special gift!

Details can be read by clicking the link on the upper right of my blog page!

Side note: I always send a little surprise along with the drawing prize.

I will be posting a picture of the prize for the month of July soon!

Saturday, July 04, 2009

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!


Photo by Saji and Niffy (flicker.com)


Best Wishes for a safe and joyous Independence Day! Hope you are able to spend time with family or friends or attend a big public celebration.

We will be spending a relaxing day with a few friends and our youngest son and his friend. Our eldest son and Tracie aren't here this year because they will be visiting soon and they needed a weekend of relaxation. Our other son is on his way to Afghanistan.

He wrote yesterday to wish us a Happy 4th and to let us know that he was in Romania. He has a short tour this time but as many of you parents are aware that does not lessen the danger. I pray for his and all our other troops' safe returns.

In my younger years I did not really pay much attention to the meaning of this day but time has shown me how precious the meaning of today. Living in this great country is a privilege that was not much realized by me until 9/11, my husband serving in Desert Storm then my husband and son serving together in Iraqi Freedom. I now have a deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by all who serve.....whether it be the troops or the families at home. The brothers, sisters, moms, dads and children both on the front lines and at home have given so much for the betterment of others.

Please take a minute today to remember all those who have died fighting for the freedom of others and those who are far from home and loved ones. Say a prayer for their safe return and for the success of the mission they so bravely serve.

Say a prayer for the families at home....the children awaiting parents to return....the parents awaiting children to return.

CELEBRATE YOUR FREEDOM AND THE GREATNESS OF OUR NATION!