Life is a patchwork of experiences
This was an epic year of travel for me – the best ever. I was very fortunate to be able to go somewhere special each month.
I visited National Parks in the US as well as a few new places in my home country. I had a completely unique experience as a volunteer citizen scientist in Kenya. And my feet touched the soil of South America for the first time. To top it all off, I was totally spoiled on a one of a kind barge cruise on the Burgundy Canal in France. I don’t think any year in travel can get much better.
Continue reading “Reflections from 2019 – An Epic Year of Travel”
To all my friends, family, readers and followers – sending you lots of butterbeer and other Hogwarts goodies for a truly magical season, whatever holiday you celebrate. (Wishing this was a photo of my castle, but it is actually the Hogwarts Great Hall at Warner Brothers Studio outside of London).
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
Each year the official Christmas tree in London is displayed at Trafalgar Square. The tree is a Norwegian Spruce from Norway that is 50 to 60 years old and is donated by the city of Oslo. This tradition started in 1947 as a show of gratitude for Britain’s help to Norway during WWII.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
One of the fun holiday events I observed in London was the Great Christmas Pudding Race at Covent Garden. To raise money for Cancer Research, teams dressed up in costume raced around an obstacle course while trying to hold on to a Christmas Pudding. In the UK a Christmas pudding is a steamed cake, which does wobble a bit but not quite as much as an American pudding would.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
Along with Big Ben and the Tower Bridge, the London Eye has become an iconic structure that immediately identifies the city which is ironic because it was initially built for only a five year run to celebrate the millennium. This Christmas tree is one of many that I saw throughout London on my visit this December.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
This statue of two time British Prime Minister Winston Churchill stands in Parliament Square Garden in London and has him looking directly toward the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. It’s almost as if he is standing guard and keeping an eye on the Houses of Parliament across the street.
One of my favorite department stores in London is Fortnum and Mason. It started as a grocery store in the early 1700’s and continues to be a purveyor of fine food and drink to this day. I especially love having afternoon tea at the store’s Diamond Jubilee Tea Room. For the Christmas Holidays, Fortnum and Mason went all out decorating both inside and outside the store.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
It seems that London goes all out for Christmas. Hanging over the shopping streets of Regent Str. Oxford Str. and Bond Str. were miles of huge light installations that blinked and put on a continuous show.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
A lodge to lodge Rogue River rafting trip in Oregon is an active adventure experience that entertains everyone from ages 10 to 75.
Luxury comes in many forms. There is the obvious five star hotel with concierge service and private infinity pool type of luxury. But for me, experiencing the solitude of pristine, unspoiled wilderness is a more important form of luxury. A lodge to lodge Rogue River rafting trip gave me that experience with the added comfort of sleeping in a bed and hot showers at the end of each day, along with hearty home cooked meals and fine local Oregon wines. Now that is five star luxury indeed.
Continue reading “Rogue Luxury – My Lodge to Lodge Rogue River Rafting Trip Experience”
This was the second quilt I ever attempted – and finished. I called it “Cascade” because the design reminded me of a small waterfall. I thought that my Rogue River rafting trip, with all of the rapids and small waterfalls, was an appropriate spot to photograph it.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
Other quilts:
Patriotic quilt: “In Honour of Valour”
Watercolor quilt: “Step into my Garden”
Christmas quilt: “My Merry Christmas Quilt”
Fall Aspen quilt: “Aspen Glow”
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