Sad Loss of a special blog friend -

 

Remembering a special lady from the State of Maine, Vee.

Vee's blog, A Haven for Vee, was a favorite of many of us who

started blogging in the early days of social media. 

She continued to share her life with us until May of this year when

 her illness became more difficult.

If you've been blogging for some time you may recall and were

 perhaps even a part of Vee's fun monthly Note Card Party, 

circa 2013.

Vee has left us now after several years of living with cancer.

I know she is now now pain free, in a place of comfort, 

surrounded by love and her dear ones who passed before her.

She will be greatly missed, both here in the vastness of the online

community, and by her special loving family and many friends in

Maine and many other places.

Many thanks to blogger Abby who, in the link below, notified us of 

Vee's death (July 23, 2023) and included the link to her obituary.

https://ahavenforvee.blogspot.com/2023/07/this-is-abby-from-little-birdie.html

https://www.funeralalternatives.net/obituaries/obit-details.php?Swanson-3244

Vee, a lovely lady who will be missed but never forgotten.

Yesterday flew off into the history books. . . . . .

 

. . . . . . however, like all the recent January days, it left me with some gentle, 

simple thoughts.

~ An afternoon cup of excellent tea as 4 o'clock rolled around ~

This is one of my favorite black teas, a gift from friends Marilyn and Jim in

 Oregon who stopped by to visit us last year. It as our second meeting as

 we visited with them several years ago when travel was easy and safer.

Marilyn is your 'go to' tea lady - and her lovely blog Delights of the Heart

will inspire you with tea info, poetry, photos, kind thoughts, and so much more.

This blend similar to Earl Grey, is No.55 Lord Bergamot, by Portland, Oregon Teamaker Steven Smith.

"A flavor somewhat superior to traditional Earl Grey. Fragrant Ceylon Dimbula and Uva are artfully combined with select teas from India's Assam valley, then scented with bergamot essential oil from the realm of Reggio Calabria, Italy." 

Teamaker Steven Smith

I find one silky tea bag fills my smaller tea pot with enough for two good sized

 cups of delicious tea. I like the note on the tea bag envelope, 

"Steep 5 minutes, while pondering the Earl's affair with the Duchess of Devonshire."

A Scottish shortbread - Walker's my favorite - always goes well well with tea.

~ The power of a flowering bulb ~

Once amaryllis get going they grow so quickly.

Last evening the four buds on the second bulb to bloom

 looked like this.

This morning, the buds have changed a lot.

What fun it would be to have a time-lapse camera to film all this.

~ My thoughts in regard to new books - I love new books ~

. . . . . . .will have to wait until another time.

I have a lot to share about these particular ones, so please come

 back if you would like to learn more.

They are thought-provoking: covering good-for-us food, 

objects of art, gifts for special people. . . . . .you know who you are.

Meanwhile, enjoy this day. We have bright sunshine, cool 

temperatures and a forecast of much colder days and 

nights ahead with possible snow/ice come Friday.

Firewood is piled near the door. Thoughts include even more cups and

 mugs of tea, coffee and hot chocolate - and perhaps toss in a warming

 snifter of cognac later when the flames are dancing on the hearth.

 Trying out a couple of new soups will mean a quick trip out for 

vegetables tomorrow. 

Then curling up with those new books, knitting, writing, listening to old

 recordings of Yanni, Kitaro, Enya, whilst writing - all of whom bring back

 so many memories. 

My history.

. . . . . and speaking of flying, a Mockingbird arrived to nibble crumbs on the

 front porch rail. Birds seem to know when snow is coming - they

 stay closer to the house and porch, and of course I love that.

Between the book covers -

There's something really special about friendships made with bloggers, even when one hasn't been fortunate enough to meet them in person . . . . . . yet!  They arrive on your computer screen in ways often unexpected, and you cannot always recall how they found you, or you them!

This year I 'met' wordsmith Mark Charlton, via his exceptional blog, VIEWS FROM THE BIKE SHED. I love Mark's posts on life in Wales and France. I have yet to read them all from years back, but will return to those as time permits because I have a feeling each one will have something of interest to tell me, teach me, or make me feel grateful that he took the time to share each post with us, his readers, in wonderful words and photos.  Mark leads a very busy life with his job, family, travels, creative and sports pursuits, blog posts etc., yet somehow squeezed in writing a remarkable book. 

COUNTING STEPS ~ A Journey through Landscape & Fatherhood has definitely been my personal favorite read of this year.  Here you see it waiting to be tucked into my 'favorite books' shelf - although I may just read it again before doing that! Thank you again for such a remarkable book Mark . . . . . . looking forward to your next one.

Thank you all for following my blog through yet another busy and

quite difficult year. 

You actually helped me through 2021 by reading my words, viewing

 my photography, and leaving such generous, often funny, but always

 greatly appreciated, comments. By doing all that you gave me the

 opportunity to 'follow' you, keeping up with old friends and making

 new ones.

I hope to see you here for a long time, you will always be welcomed.

I wish you all the best for the New Year.

May you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy, and be happy every day.

Knitting needles staying busy!

 

Knitting news - and another winner!

Yes, I finished knitting the cowl for recent winner Vee in Maine.

Her little parcel is going in the mail today and heading north to

 arrive hopefully before the first snowfall!

Speaking of which - I still miss those lovely years of long ago

when I lived in New England and spent quite a lot of time in

the beautiful state of Maine..........at my favorite beach, 

Ogunquit ("a beautiful place by the sea" in Abenaki language)

 in the summer months, and taking drives north from our

 homes in New Hampshire and Massachusetts in winter

 when the weather wasn't too severe but the landscape 

was often snow-covered.

*********

So the brown yarn is used up - that was Ms. Vee's choice.

At the time of the drawing I told you that Bob and I decided to 

also pull a second name for later - after all I need to keep my

knitting needles clicking all the long winter months ahead

while stuck in front of the evening TV screen!

Here's the other winner. 

Congratulations Lorrie.

Lorrie lives far away, also in the north - and in another country!

Bob and I had the pleasure to meet up with Lorrie and her charming

 husband a few years ago when visiting another of our most favorite places, 

the lovely city of Victoria on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.

Many of you also follow Lorrie at Fabric Paper Thread and I know agree

when I say she is a special, beautiful, and gracious woman in so many ways. 

Lorrie - Bob and I were delighted when your name popped up naming

 you the runner up. . . . . .and I have the 'merlot' shade of yarn you

requested waiting for the knitting needles so will get started on your

cowl soon!

Only three little boys showed up at the door for Halloween candy

last evening - disappointing. Recalling the years when there was a

steady stream of ghosts, witches and Ninja warriors on the front porch.

How about at your house?

November here already!

Here's to another great week ahead.

We took a short drive yesterday to look for autumn scenery.

I'll share photos soon.

Celebrating emigration and friendship. . .

Yesterday marked the 59th anniversary of my

arriving in America!  It was to be just one year of working

and seeing the wonders of this vast land . . . however, because

 I met and married Bob, it turned into almost a lifetime visit.

Yes, I'm a legal immigrant and have dual citizenship with

the United Kingdom!

I gathered an armload of flowers from Trader Joe's on Thursday in

 preparation for friends visiting.........and because I like fresh flowers

 for the dining room at the weekend.

Now here it is Sunday and I'm taking a rest!

It's been a busy last few days around the house as I prepared for 

yesterday's visit from our Oregon friends, Marilyn and Jim.

We last visited with them in Portland in 2016.

Where have all those years gone?

They were passing through Raleigh on an East Coast visit and it was

enjoyable to have them stop here for lunch with us at a nearby

 restaurant, followed by a quick visit to the the cottage for dessert prior

 to heading west to the North Carolina mountains.

 On the front porch with my longtime blog friend Marilyn ~ visit her at

Delights of the Heart

where you'll enjoy beautiful words, nature, the Oregon coast, flowers,

 and learn a lot about tea, her specialty!

P.S.  Last chance to enter my knitted cowl giveaway - drawing will be tomorrow.

Leave comment on that recent post to be included.

Sipping with friends!

A circle of wonderful friends.

Some only known virtually, so far.

Others already met in person. . . . . and even looking 

forward to meeting up again once travel is back on 

the books!

Thankful for all these years of blogging and the many

super people it has brought into my life.

Thankful for blogging friends who recommend good things which help 
us through the days and weeks making life even more pleasant.

Meike (Germany), on her wonderful blog From My Mental Library gave

 me a heads up recently on Fentiman's English Botanically Brewed

 'ROSE LEMONADE' which I was able to locate at our World Market 

store last weekend.  This is such a refreshing, and pretty,

drink for the hot weather. Meike suggested make a Rose Gin & Tonic

 with it. I just drank it straight up, secretly thinking ~ "This is just as good

as a fine French sparkling rosé wine!"

I would love to meet up with Meike if I get back to Germany some day.

I passed along this drink to another dear blog friend, Marilyn (Portland, 

Oregon) of Delights Of The Heart who is really suffering with the

 unimaginable heatwave in her area. She can use anything chilled

 to drink this week. She's already made popsicles and gazpacho!

 Marilyn, whom I've met - lucky me - is a tea specialist.

She knows a ton of stuff about tea that even I, a Brit, never knew!

Fourteen years of blogging. . . .

. . . . and recalling some awesome travel.

 

No, not a new trip or any wild travel soon, sadly!  At this time, three years back, I was busy packing for the road yet again, leaving in early March for another visit to South America, focusing on the Chilean Fjords. I was doubly excited as Bob was going to be with me. Although he'd sailed on many ships, he'd never taken part in an expedition trip, riding in Zodiac boats to access amazing places large cruise ships were unable to visit. This was a new adventure for him. . . . . . and he really enjoyed it. 

These days I'm still traveling, though much differently. Virtually. Without my blog posts available to do this I feel I would not have such a quick/easy way to pull up old travel posts and photos. Sitting down with a mug of coffee, or a cup of tea, opening up the laptop and choosing a country to visit, takes my mind off being 'imprisoned' here at home. . . . . . . . . . . . for such a long time.

Torres del Paine National Park, Chile - March 2018

The three huge granite 'Torres' (towers) which reach over 10,000 ft., are just

 visible between the 'Cuernos' (horns) on the right side of this photo above.

To read about and see more photos from our visit, go HERE and HERE.

For a laugh go HERE to see Bob on his initial Zodiac ride!

 Meeting you and sharing many aspects of our lives in this ever changing world has been a wonderful gift. Thanks so much for being here, some of you for 14 years! Please know you are all special to me, today and every day.

Cheers! Here's to our travels yet to come

Keep on blogging, and stay well.

The Victorian railway - travel back in time. . . . .

 

I came across this very important, to me, greeting card many years ago.

I have never sent it to anyone because I cannot part with it!  From the first glance I thought this was me!  It isn't, but it could have been!  Clark's sandals, Peter Pan collared dress, straight bobbed hair.

Growing up at the seaside in Devon actually didn't require taking a holiday there, it was an everyday place. It was home. In summer we often ended days at the beach at Torquay station, just a short walk from the beach, to take the short run to the next station along the line. There, we'd hop on the local bus to our village, riding up a lengthy slow rising hill with views of blue Tor Bay beyond the rolling fields. It was a beautiful place to spend a childhood in the 1940's-50's.

An online newspaper article a couple of weeks back featured 

the same station, the headline read. . . . . . .

PLANS TO MODERNIZE TORQUAY'S VICTORIAN RAILWAY STATION

Apparently the station fails to comply with the law on equality. Major changes are being planned to modernize and install elevators in the two towers so all passengers can use the footbridge to cross between the two platforms. Makes sense, should have been done long ago to assist disabled people as there is no step-free route between the platforms. 

The building is listed because of its historic importance and a surviving example of Victorian railway architecture. It was opened in August 1859, later being rebuilt in 1878 as Torquay grew in popularity as a major holiday resort.

My station photos were taken in May 2019, actually the last trip home as we've been unable to get back since the pandemic hit. Sadly, last year's trip was canceled, and although we are lined up to go this spring, it's looking doubtful with quarantine issues etc.  

That lovely sunny day in May we traveled by train to Cornwall to meet up with longtime blog friend Barbara (also known as Elizabethd at Small Moments). We had the most fun time with her, she is a special lady in many ways.

"A little girl curls up on the train seat at the end of a seaside holiday, 

clutching her bucket and spade, her comics and a rag doll."  

PICTURE POST cover - 1946 (Haywood Magee)

It took a lot of research to find the original photo used on the card. 

Note there are railway workers outside the window, 

and the caption is 'The End of the Holiday.'

I recall the plush velvet upholstery. Overhead there would have 

been a netting 'shelf' to put baggage, and the ticket taker would

 come round with a friendly smile. Those were the days of

the wonderful steam trains.

Sitting here this morning I had a wonderful surprise outside the window.

One of those 'being in the right place at the right time' moments.

A true gift!  

I will share with you later in the week. . . . . . and yes, it's all about 

'the birds' again, of course!

Stay safe - well - and warm.

Patience pays off -

 

 This is one of the old amaryllis bulbs I planted in the garden last Spring

 after the first indoor bloom. It bloomed again in the garden in May, and

kept tall leaves all Summer. I dug up the bulb in September and kept

 it in the potting shed until repotting again in November. 

It has now grown a 24" stem, no new leaves though ~ but

 I see some starting at the base ~ and today there are four 

beautiful buds filling out and getting ready to bloom!

I'm so excited and grateful. Sometimes I lack patience, waiting about 

bothers me and I just want to get on with things. Perhaps these pandemic

days have changed much of that. Now I have plenty of time and am more

attune to waiting for things to happen. 

Or I'm getting old and slowing down ~ have to be honest here.

I also thank my wonderful friend Gina at Art & Alfalfa for advising me

 on how to encourage amaryllis bulbs to re-bloom year after year, not

 toss them after the first bloom.

Gina gives advice on so many things that bring immense joy to my life. 

When visiting with her on her amazingly beautiful Utah farm a couple

of years ago I made a true forever friend.  Bob and I love you Gina.

 

December means Christmas -

Eugéne Samuel Grasset (Swiss 1845-1917)

Color Wood Engraving from his portfolio Les Mois -1895

This has always been one of my favorite depictions of December as

 Christmas approaches - snow, hellebores, wind, a red dress and warm wrap, 

and a huge bunch of mistletoe.

This is the week I committed to nothing but Christmas decorating, indoor 

and outdoor. It's completed and I'm happy.

Well we did also manage to squeeze in a most enjoyable dinner date with friends 

(at that great Greek restaurant we recently discovered out of town) to celebrate

the season. . . . .and some shopping for gifts and holiday foods. . . . .also a great

Christmas concert. . . . . . and I wrote a lot of cards with more to do today.

I also blogged of course!

Yesterday's chilly, dreary weather with non-stop rain - still falling this morning -

made the kitchen a good place to be. I roasted squash - kuri and acorn -

made tomato basil soup, and even the famous 'best ever' apple pie - recipe

from my special friend Penny whom we'll be visiting in the mountains next week!

The list was long - a lot was done.

How are you doing with your Christmas preparations?