Skip to main content

Merry Christmas!!! - and Catching Up On My Journey!

Enjoying short sleeves
and sunshine on Christmas Day!
Merry Christmas everyone, and I hope you are all enjoying the Holiday Season!! Some of you may have already seen this information (and pictures) on Facebook, but I wanted to make sure I posted something for my non-Facebook friends and family!!
Yummy mince pies
and latte in the sunshine!
I thought I'd just give you a little insight into my day thus far in France (in case anyone was worried that I'm feeling bored or sad all alone here on the other side of the world)!!  This morning (not too early, of course) I enjoyed a warm, flakey, buttery chocolate croissant and latte in the sunshine (in short sleeves no less!!) as I enjoyed the morning sun on the patio! (My "temp app" says it's 50 degrees, but it feels like 70 to me in the sunshine!) Who knew that if you take a slightly soggy croissant and put it in the oven for 5-10 minutes that it tastes fresh out of the oven - now I do!! 

Outdoor French Christmas Picnic!!
My ever-present companion!!
I'm not usually one to post pictures of my food (not that exciting usually), but I thought you might enjoy my "French Christmas picnic lunch" pictures!!  And in case anyone is worried that I'm LONELY and had to eat my lunch alone, I posted a picture of my ever-present companion (who minutes after I finished lunch and turned my back grabbed the end of the french bread I had torn off to eat with my turkey and potatoes.....naughty Zelda)!!! 

I'm thinking of my family and friends (and missing THEM, but not the "hulabaloo" that comes with holidays - no offense, of course!!) - and ever-thankful for technology (especially Facebook and Skype) so I can feel like I'm as present with them as if I were there in person! I enjoyed Skyping with my family - made me miss them even more (especially the little ones who say "Aunt Ju-Ju" in a way that will always melt my heart)!!

I'll be moving onto my next "new adventures" next week! I'll be spending a week in London (over New Year's), then heading to the Cotswolds in England for 6-8 weeks.  I'm sure there will be more pictures of amazing countryside and architecture since (as described by Wikipedia) the Cotwolds are "a rural area of south central England with thatched houses, medieval villages, churches and stately homes built of distinctive local yellow limestone." The 102-mile Cotswold Way walking trail goes right through the village I'll be staying in (Stanton) - a popular walking trail that brings though lots of tourists on their "walking holidays" (probably more in the summer than winter, but one can hope for entertainment and good conversation at the local pub)!! 

 I'll try to post more as I travel, but for now I just wanted to say "Happy Christmas" (as the British say) to all of you that I love so much - and thank you for always being there for me (if not in person then definitely "in spirit" on Facebook, email, and in my heart)!! 

 Much love to all of you - and hugs all around!! 

I've attached a few pictures that I meant to post awhile ago - seems like since I got into the normal routine of living life here, I haven't been very good about posting pictures or experiences - sorry!!
Such a treat to have my sister Carol visit me for a week at Thanksgiving!!
Enjoyed seeing the countryside, looking at sights and mostly enjoyed good conversation and company!!
You don't see this often in other parts of the world:
a vending machine that sells fresh bread!!
It was in a small village on my way to
Issigeac Market, sitting in the parking
lot of the church (next photo)! Gotta love France!
The over-200-year-old church where I
found the bread vending machine
in the parking lot!!



One of many beautiful Abbeys I visited.
All theses types of buildings have
such beautiful architecture.
Although many are stark and
cold inside, they are historically
(and energetically)
drenched with the palpable
experiences of many before me!
This was just one corner of the
"harvest festival" held at the
Issigeac Sunday Market -
one of my favorites I've visited
often (a great place to buy
fresh fruits and veggies -
and loved how the market wound
through the streets of the town)!!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How Did I Get Here?!?!

This is the peaceful back porch area, a lovely space to enjoy the beautiful view!!   I made it to France a couple days ago and oh my goodness - what a beautiful place I will be staying in for the next few months!! The back yard is like a park with beautiful trees providing privacy and birdsong throughout the day, and I can already feel my soul settling in for a good rest!! My cozy room with morning sun streaming through the windows Gotta watch out for the "concussion beams" on the way to the bathroom - especially at night!! I had a wonderful time getting to know the homeowner and her brood (one very sweet and sometimes rambunctious dog and two darling kittens who sleep together in a basket – so cute).  As she was showing me around the property, she showed me two darling guest cottages and said "because of course you may want to have guests come visit you, yes?" What a lovely, generous woman she is! One of two "guest cottages" for any...
1 comment
Read more

"Ciao" to Italy and "Bok" to Croatia!!

Fossombrone (only 20 minutes from here)!! I had hoped to have more pictures to post after some  sight-seeing this weekend (checking out places nearby), but a little stomach bug caught up with me, so I've decided it's better to rest up for the next leg of my "big adventure" (and not take any chances RE: the whole "public toilet/squatty potty" issue)!! Oh well, I guess this is the life of the nanny (since Raquel is also sick and I'm sure we've shared many a germ or two over the last few weeks)!!  The Fortress of Senigallia on the Adriatic Sea!! I've posted a few pictures of what I had PLANNED on seeing so you can imagine where I would have been today (instead of enjoying the sunshine and fresh air wrapped in a blanket in my jammies with a cup of tea)!! I didn't even want coffee this morning so you KNOW I'm not up-to-par!! (And forgive me in advance for the philosophical meanderings of this post....not enough coffee or energy to ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Happy in Paradise!!

It's morning #7 sitting on my terrace looking out at the ever-changing sky and sea, and I still haven't felt a moment of boredom....only peace and fascination at this incredible view and the culture that surrounds it!! I'm feeling very settled and comfortable here - everyday is the same but different!!  I sleep in (of COURSE... no babies or noise to wake me), and I'm lovin' my dream-time....feels much more vivid with the waves splashing just outside my door as I sleep!! I then sit with my coffee on the terrace looking out at the gorgeous sea - watching the way the weather changes the look of this place!! I've been doing a bit of writing, but I've also been enjoying just reading, relaxing and pondering life (as I look out at the sea - it's absolutely MESMERIZING)!! Hmmmm.... I'm sensing a theme here about the water, the sunshine and being VERY relaxed and contemplative!! I finally made it into town the other day (Saturday, I think?!?!?......
Post a Comment
Read more