Showing posts with label Tuscany. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tuscany. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Tuscany, women's lib and a big group hug


I am sitting in our garden, the sun is setting, the birds are chattering around me, our dog, Tika, is staring at me with great intent ( I have no idea why) and I admit I am feeling blissfully content. Nothing like a long weekend to set things right. 


Mary Mary quite contrary how does your garden grow?
This pretty sums up the long weekend for me. We have had amazing weather here in Surrey/London. I am soaking it up knowing the weather will change again in a few days. It was just enough to add a touch of colour to our garden, pop in a few veggies/herbs and add a new trellis for my Sweet Peas.


Morning Walk....
I wrote about a morning walk for Easter and we managed a few. Today we visited Claremont Landscape Garden, a National Trust property which is conveniently located in the town we live in. I think the weekend had the same effect on everyone else. Just a pleasure to enjoy it all. More here.


Women's Lib...
I have started reading and typing letters written to me by my grandmother who passed away in 1975. The letters were written in the 70's and I saved them all. Now that I am older, I feel a stronger connection to her. My aunt is reading along and commenting which is making the experience that much more rewarding. I enjoyed my grandmother's references to 'women's lib', a term that was bandied about frequently back then. She was all for it, the more so the better. I plan to type the letters and create a book for my daughters and family members so that we can cherish and remember her together.


Nesting...
Now that it looks like we may be moving on again next year, I am having a serious think about what I want to accomplish in a year's time. The thought has put me on an energetic path. I have attacked the boxes in our garage with gusto (I have been staring at them for the past 16 months). Things are coming in the house, rooms are shifting as I feel the need to nest to make the most out of our time in England. Next on my list is more lists...I have been making good use of these magazines and books.


Big Group Hug...
Many thanks to those of you who passed on such thoughtful comments on my post Making a House a Home. You are very kind and your words are most sincerely appreciated. I am making my rounds this week...and plan to stop in to say thank you all very soon!



Tuscany Colour...
I have been organising my posts (part of the nesting process) and trying to categorise them. Lists are tucked away here and there across my blogs. I started with 'writing from the heart' and am working on 'travels with my camera'. I will leave you with a few pics that I have posted on the textures and colours ofTuscany, here.



Best wishes to one and all during this last week of April. The big event is on Friday ( Royal Wedding)...who will be watching??

images~me

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

My Tuscan Bee


My Tuscan Bee
Up the garden path in Tuscany 

Since I am in the midst of change, I thought I might have another think about my blog header but alas, I could not do it. My blogging world would be incomplete without it. I realised that I never mentioned  the story behind my little bee. Actually, I like to think of her as Queen Bee (something I have long desired for myself ;) ). I found her up the garden path on a hot summers day in Tuscany,  tucked away in the heady aroma of a lavender bush.

Mr. and Mrs. H and the gang were celebrating a family reunion with other members 
of the H. family. We all travelled wide and far to reach this little slice of heaven. 
Our retreat was a beautiful home in Monticchiello outside of Siena. 
It was here that I befriended Queen Bee.  We had a lovely time together.


She fluttering here and there without a care in the world, me fluttering after her.


She had me scouring the countryside in hot pursuit....



She skimming over the the translucent pool, gently gliding above the surface of the water, while I
lay relaxingly, sunglasses perched, taking in her every move.


Time slipped away into the never never...


It was easy...it was heaven.


Come morning she would settle on more lavender 
and observe me sipping my morning tea.

Yes...we both had it pretty easy, my little Queen Bee and me.



She, doing what bee's do best,


me travelling, eating and writing my way around Tuscany.


So, can you see, why it is difficult for me to farewell Queen Bee?

I have her with me every day,
to remind me of a wonderful holiday.... in Tuscany.

( you can meet my other friend, English Bluebell Bee here)

With lavender thoughts....for you :)



Artist: Joshua Bell
Song: "Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra (from movie Ladies in Lavender)












Saturday, June 26, 2010

Bellissima Villa Bordoni




Cooking with Miss Claire yesterday brought back wonderful memories
 of a perfect summer lunch at Villa Bordoni in Tuscany.








We had all the ingredients for success.. 
family, great food, great wine, a perfect setting
and nothing but time to enjoy it all.

If you are planning a driving trip thru Tuscany
and plan to be between Siena and Florence,
you will find Villa Bordoni in Greve in Chianti,
right in between :)

Best wishes for a wonderful weekend !

images~me

Note: If you have difficulty accessing the website,
try googling 'Villa Bordoni'. My linking system is acting up.