Scribble Picnic. . . . . . . . . . Books

One of my favorite things in life - books, beautiful books. 

Life would be nothing without them and is so enhanced by them.

 I have always lived by my pledge to 'read the written word', and to

 do it with a real book in my hand.

With Michael's Scribble Picnic up and running again, our challenge this week is 'books'.

My little piece is, as always, a photo edited back to a sketch then color added with watercolor pencils.

I love to use vintage and unusual books as part of my cottage decor, such as here

on the hearth for summertime.

This is a stack of several vintage French paperback books I purchased some 

years back in the very pretty Provençal river town of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, home

 of awesome brocantes and the place for French antiques hunters from around

 the world.

 Yes, I do remember where my little treasures were found - not in the high priced

 riverside antiques dealers shops, but in the back alleys piled on tables and going 

for just 1 Euro a piece!

This stack is topped by my early foray into 'folded books', see an old tutorial HERE

if interested, in need of relaxing creativity, and have some time on your hands.

 I have picked up old books in used book shops, thrift shops etc. and enjoyed giving

 them a new life around my home. . . . . . . and folding books is a change from

knitting scarves when relaxing in from of the TV on winter evenings!

My thoughts have been with Michael and Alexandra as they traveled back to

 England for Michael's mother's funeral. Glad you are safely back here now

 dear friends.

Hope to see our 'sketching friends' at the Scribble Picnic today.  I missed 

everyone whilst away in Italy (Sicily) and Malta - am trying hard to catch up

and post on all the wonderful places visited on the awesome Mediterranean

cruise.

Erice, Sicily - Part II. . . . . . . .

Venus Castle

The Castle of Erice was built during the Norman domination in the place where there was already a pagan temple dedicated to Venus.

Looking out across the beautiful panoramic landscape of the island.

The small cobbled streets were lined with shops, restaurants and cafes.

High above that magnificent blue Mediterranean Sea looking down on Trapani.

Here you can see the winding road our tour bus took up the hillside -  cable car

not running in early morning - however we did return by the cable car so

 had two very different journeys, both of which were spectacular.

The wildflowers were magnificent here.

Coming soon - the olive oil farm and a delicious lunch.

Saturday Morning in May. . . . . . . . .

Sun is up. . . . . . . .it's a lovely start to the day during these early morning hours. 

Perhaps a thunderstorm later in the afternoon as the heat builds, typical late

spring weather in our area. Some garden chores await.

I'm trying to eat more raw fruit, especially from the berry family. 
Because I have some difficulty swallowing it, I've started making 'smoothie' breakfasts. 
 Nothing complicated - for the base I use so good for you Kefir, a couple of ice cubes,
 a handful of strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and a third of a banana.
 Toss in some chia seeds, sometimes a half teaspoon of honey, and I'm good to liquefy!

Yes, definitely a promising morning - I'm off to enjoy it.

Have a happy Memorial Day weekend. . . . . . and please remember

 the true meaning of this very special holiday.

Erice, Sicily - Part I

May 7, 2017 ~ 7:00 AM Docked in Trapani, Sicily

On another clear and sunny day we awoke to find Sea Cloud, legendary windjammer

 the 'cruise ship of millionaires', had berthed next to us overnight.

  Sadly, she sailed from the harbor later under power and we didn't get to see them set

 the sails - I imagine that's a lovely sight.

The day was promising and for the morning shore excursion we'd signed up to
 visit the medieval town of Erice balanced on the mountain top above Trapani, 
the Egadi islands and famous salt pans visible in the distance.
 There was a problem with the cable car, not mechanical thankfully, just someone
 who didn't show up for work on time! We were bussed to the top around narrow
 hairpin bends - took the cable car back down later.

When it takes me two parts to post the story of a special place, you just know I

 was out there breathing in local color, history, and taking many photos to
 share with you! Erice was such a place and I loved it.

The early morning was quiet, a lovely time to wander through the winding streets.

The Gothic style Mother Church of Erice - construction began in 1312 - was 
breathtaking. I thought this the most beautiful church interior in Sicily. 

At its heart, true treasures await the visitor, 70 precious works of silver, jewelry,
 alabaster, ivory, paintings, frescoes, sculpture, coral, gold and silk embroidery from
 the 14th to 19th centuries. 

It is known as the city's museum and I could see why.

More later on this lovely morning in Erice. . . . . . castles and wildflowers, views across 

the Mediterranean, the olive farm for a most memorable Italian lunch!

A thing of beauty, a job forever!

Late May Garden update ~~~~~~~~

We've tried to put the garden straight since returning from Sicily - not easy 

when feeling so rough with Europe's 'bug from hell' which came home with us,

 and weather which although lovely for a couple of days, has now turned cool 

with several continuous rainy days saturating the ground and giving a new growth

 spurt to weeds! Fortunately, two days of tornado activity stayed away from our 
area - we are sad for the North Carolinians who lost their homes in rural
 areas - thankfully there were no deaths or severe injuries.

A swing by the garden center for mulch, potting soil, and packets of herb seeds,

 morning glories and moonflowers to plant in those waiting pots, also brought

 sighs over all the lovely pots of plants, perennials and annuals now in bloom,

 all calling out "choose me" of course!

How could I resist the foxglove, one of my favorites even though it doesn't 

like our hot/humid climate here and will usually only last one summer season.

I've kept it mostly on the porch under cover as the heavy rains came down,

trying to save the flower spires to enjoy on sunny, drier days coming soon.

The hydrangeas have hardly a bloom due to the severe freeze we had in early
 spring killing the new buds - I doubt we'll see those lovely blues this year, or many 

figs on our two trees as they were also hit hard. The jasmines were damaged 
but with a hard prune they have returned and are raucously climbing, blooming
 and perfuming the front porch now.

I took down the nesting boxes as all babies have gone, and I've hung my 

hummingbird feeder early this year in hopes the tiny beauties will

 return as usual. For some reason I feel ahead of myself regarding the 

outdoors for this summer season. Probably due to being away in the non-stop

sunshine and heat of Italy. . . . . . I feel I've had, and enjoyed, my summer already.

I like this feeling though, knowing I still have a good three months ahead where 

I can work around the cottage and garden, relax in the gazebo, perhaps plan some

 outdoor get-togethers with family, friends and neighbors. . . . . . . and maybe take a

 few overnights out of town to enjoy the North Carolina countryside and the

 summer bounty of its farms and markets. 

What are your summertime plans?

Palermo Highlights. . . . . . . .

May 6, 2017 - 7 AM - Docked in Palermo, Sicily

The history of Palermo is complicated and colorful. Following the founding of Palermo on Sicily's northwestern coast at the head of the Bay of Palermo by Phoenician traders in the 8th century BC, it became a Carthaginian settlement until its capture by the Romans in 254 BC. It then decayed under the Romans but later prospered under the Arabs in 831 and flourished as a center of trade with North Africa. Later, under Norman rule 1072-1194, Palermo reached its golden age and became capital of this kingdom in which Greeks, Arabs, Jews and Normans worked together in harmony to create a cosmopolitan culture of remarkable vitality, all leaving vestiges of their domination.

Our morning visit was to the small village of Monreale. Arab in origin and surrounded

 by the fertile plain, "Conca d'Oro" (golden shell), with a panoramic view over the

 Gulf of Palermo.

The cathedral and cloister - Norman architecture (1172) - were stunningly beautiful,

 with the church, Benedictine monastery and royal palace for King William II (1166-1189).

The cloister was definitely a favorite with me.

The shameless magnificence of Palermo's Pretoria Fountain - read more about it here.

Our afternoon in the city was busy with much to see including the newly restored

 Martorana church, and other places of interest. . . . . . . . and here I will stop because

 I know how churches, cathedrals, palaces and public buildings can become

 overwhelming, not only to those of us visiting them, but to readers who find it 

monotonous reading about them!