FALL COLORS

How can anyone not fall in love with Fall?  The colors are so vibrant and every single day the view changes.  My favorite tree in our neighborhood (for Fall color) happens to be right next to my house. It turns a rich, red color and when the sun hits it just right, I can't help but take a moment to just stop and stare and appreciate the beauty of nature.  It doesn't cost a thing to be totally entertained......

I post this view of the tree from my Powder Room window for a few of my high school friends who now live in the South and really miss this glorious time of year.  

Four of us will soon be meeting in ASHEVILLE, NC for a few days to enjoy the breathtaking views from the BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY through the APPALACHIAN HIGHLANDS around Asheville. Naturally we'll drive only a portion of this 469 mile scenic road, but certainly enough of it for the Girls to "get their fix".

On the first morning Liz and I will wander around the RIVER ARTS DISTRICT, filled with artists actively painting, sculpting, glass-blowing, etc., while the other 2 "hike and bike". Asheville is not only an "artsy" town, but is also known for many wonderful restaurants. During a trip to Rome, Italy last year I took a "Walking Food Tour" in the Trastevere section and it actually turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip - not only for the tastings, but also for the historic and architectural tidbits our Guide shared. So, our first afternoon in Asheville we're taking a WALKING FOOD TOUR to sample the tastes of the town while learning a little something. Rumor has it there will be a Chocolate Tasting, but if not, you can bet the 4 of us will find one on our own. 

Marjie chose what looks to be a wonderful Bed & Breakfast - RED ROCKER INN - in a quaint town nearby called BLACK MOUNTAIN. Doesn't the B&B name sound inviting? A future post will have to include at least one photo of their breakfast, right?!    :)

Stay tuned for more FALL.........

Joan

I WAS SENT TO BOARDING SCHOOL and BOOK REVIEW - "THE YONAHLOSSEE RIDING CAMP FOR GIRLS"

In 1968 (age 16 - my 11th grade year), I was sent off to a Girl's Boarding School about an hour from home. And yeah, I defiantly put a blonde streak in my hair with bleach and pierced my ears within days (maybe it was hours??) of arriving!!

In the middle of the school year I told my mother that she needed to find me a co-ed school or I'd run away from home. Not only was I stunned to regularly walk in on girls making out with each other (at the time I had no idea this ever happened), but I was particularly disturbed by a teacher who was walking me down the hall with her arm around me (that wasn't the bad part), and she then moved her arm down my back and her hand landed on my butt. OH NO YOU DON'T!! 

Prior to that she had never bothered me. In fact, I was her star student in Algebra class, consistently scoring over 100% on my tests (thank you for the bonus questions). I had always been careful to lengthen my skirt as much as possible before entering her classroom, because we all had witnessed her inappropriately "feeling" our classmates' "crotches" when she measured with a yardstick, the length of their skirts from the crotch to the knees. Skirts had to be 3/4 long as you can see from me kneeling, far right. 

Gotta love my sourpuss face, PLUS I obviously "didn't get the memo to wear black and white" that day.

GLEE CLUB

 

I can't believe how skinny I was (standing, 3rd from the right). Gotta love age 16!!

 JV FIELD HOCKEY

Anyway, I share with you that I had a Boarding School experience (highlighting some of the "dirt" to get your interest to read more......) because I just finished reading "THE YONAHLOSSEE RIDING CAMP FOR GIRLS" by Anton Disclafani, set in rural Asheville, NC in the 1930's during the Great Depression. Also "a boy" involved - the main character, Thea was sent away from home to a "Girl's Summer Riding Camp" that served as a private boarding school during the year.

I can SO relate to the feelings Thea had about:

• being "sent away"
• immediately sizing up who was in "the in-crowd"
• high school girl jealousies
• craving independence
• the need to get away - for freedom
• feeling so grownup
• having strong sexual desires
• feeling unloved and misunderstood by her parents
• retaining guilt for past actions
• sleeping together in a large dorm room together
• wandering around after "lights out"
• the importance of receiving a letter from home
• realizing that some girls come from "big money"
• misreading and misunderstanding the actions of others

I enjoyed this book and it reads very quickly. I'm anxiously waiting for our "Book Club" discussion next month to hear if those who didn't have a boarding school experience, or who didn't go to college away from home had the same sense of intimacy with this story as I had.

Joan

THE IMPORTANCE OF SLEEP

I'm a sponge for knowledge and hope that this topic interests you enough that you'll listen to this short, 12-minute "TED TALK" video to learn some technical reasons for getting a good night's sleep. FASCINATING!! In fact, it shares the thought that SLEEP might be one of the solutions for the prevention of Alzheimer's Disease as the brain uses SLEEP TIME to clear itself of the proteins linked to Alzheimer's.  Imagine that!!

JEFF ILIFF - "ONE MORE REASON TO GET A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP"

• The brain never rests
• Sleep refreshes and clears the mind
• Every cell in the body produces waste and has to get rid of it
• The body uses the lymphatic system to clear the body of its "waste"
• However, the lymphatic system does NOT reach the brain
• The brain uses the cerebral spinal fluid to dump its "waste"
• This system operates ONLY when the brain is asleep
• Sleep may be critical for preventing and treating diseases of tomorrow

I love a good night's sleep - and am one of the fortunate ones who has no trouble getting to sleep. Often I am asleep within MINUTES of my head hitting the pillow. I believe it's because I've programmed myself to know that when I get into bed, "it's time to sleep" - so much so, that I can't read in bed because I fall asleep.  It's a great habit actually....... 


Joan

BOOK - "THE SECRET HISTORY" by DONNA TARTT

Happily enjoying my "retirement", the extra time allows me to be a member of 3 Book Clubs, one of which I host in my home monthly - 5 girls from High School (we graduated almost 45 years ago!!), 2 from my National Sorority Alumni Group (both are younger and bring a fresh viewpoint) and one good friend I worked with for over 25 years (who is 8 years older). I love that we span "generations" for our "intellectual discussions". It really adds so much perspective. 

Ok, so maybe the wine helps too........

Last month we read "THE GOLDFINCH" by Donna Tartt and we ALL REALLY loved it (afterall, the book IS a PULITZER PRIZE WINNER!!). I would have to say it's now one of my favorite books of all time - her writing style is truly remarkable. 

We unanimously decided our next book should be "THE SECRET HISTORY" (1992), Donna Tartt's first of 3 published books. She started writing it when she was a student at Bennington College in Vermont (studying the Classics), publishing it when she was only 28 years old (with a $450,000 advance). Incredible!!

                     

At first I just "liked" "THE SECRET HISTORY" - didn't "love" it and was giving it a "7 out of 10". But after our discussion last night and my thinking and reading more about it, I'm becoming even more intrigued with the story and would move that to an "8 out of 10".  I do LOVE her writing style. I marvel at her ability to draw you into the story, as if you are right there with the characters - all of whom were extremely well developed by the way. Her vocabulary is perfect - not over my head and not trite.

I found it kind of unbelievable however, that these college kids would get trashed for an ancient "ritual", would brutally kill an innocent bystander and would not think much of it, except for the fear of getting caught. They then turn around and push their friend off a cliff without serious remorse. How could (5) young people be that deranged together? It disturbed me. Interestingly, MANY 15-year-old students were reading the book when it was first published and it became almost a cult classic.

One of the Book Clubbers mentioned that she'd like to read it again, feeling that she might gain more from it the second-time-around. At that moment I didn't agree, but when I woke this morning I changed my mind.

Every one of us came away from "THE SECRET HISTORY" wanting to know more about the author, and why she wrote two books that are "on the dark side". Petite Donna Tartt, 50 yrs old, continues to live a very private life.  Just look at how stunning she is!  

I found an interview with Donna written by a friend of hers from Bennington College. Would you enjoy listening to an interview with Donna Tartt about this novel on the BBC? I loved it because it's nice to put a voice/energy with the face, isn't it? 

What follows are a few brief comments about "THE SECRET HISTORY" from members of this and another monthly Book Club that I attend at WELLINGTON SQUARE BOOKSHOP in Exton, PA.  I highly recommend this Bookshop AND their Book Clubs!!

• KAREN - "The Secret History is a very well-written book that is easy to read, yet complex enough to be interesting.  Donna Tartt uses such detailed descriptions of events and characters that they become real and vivid.  I felt immersed in the story and I felt that I knew the characters as real individuals. The story line was dark, disturbing, and almost without a ray of hope.  Yet, I feel that it was all believable, and I was intrigued enough to want to know more."

• MARY ANN - "I love the way she has such a wonderful command of the English language. The storyline kept my interest from the very first page."

• JOELLEN - "Character (Protagonist) seems to place himself in an untenable position, similar to protagonist in The Goldfinch.  Sleeping in a barn with a hole in the roof/almost dying as character in Goldfinch does with the drugs. Does not have a relationship with his family (this too parallels Goldfinch) however does have opportunities to be with people who appear to not live such dysfunctional lives, but chooses not to go there. Book however, keeps me very interested and not wanting to put it down. I appreciate her writing style and though at times the scenarios are frustrating they keep me interested." 

• KERRI - "I really enjoyed it.  It is dark and disturbing like The Goldfinch but I found myself not able to put it down."

• DONNA - "I thought it was interesting and I wanted to stay with it and see what happened.  I was impressed with how she wove in information on Greek literature, etc. (it made me think she was really smart!).  But overall, I didn't Love it.  I feel like her characters need to be taught a lesson and she never teaches them a lesson.

• JUDY - "I, too, found the characters to be morally bankrupt and had a really hard time relating. The whole crew just seemed too contrived. Love her writing, she puts things together so seamlessly but her characters leave me cold."

• LISA - "I gave this an eight out of ten because the writing was so good and the story kept me intrigued. That being said, I did think the whole thing was a little far fetched. Even if one could believe that the group of friends could kill and be so cavalier about it, I doubt they would all be on board to kill one of their own so easily. I also doubt that their teacher would keep their secret. I would read anything by this author because she writes so well, but I would not read this book again."

Joan

I CAN'T STAND CROOKS!!

After some quality time with my sister this weekend, at her urging, I spent the morning adding additional SignIn Security to my GMAIL account, my AOL account (yes I still have an AOL account for "nonsense items"), FACEBOOK, iCloud, CHASE VISA, etc etc.  And after watching a piece about increasing Internet Security Scams on 60 MINUTES last night, her advice was immediately reinforced.

It took me some time to log in, add 2-Step Verification for LogIn Security, improve my PASSWORD, log out, log back in again with my new Password for each website AND then to also log in with new Passwords on my iPhone and iPad. But I'm so glad that I did it all.  

Because GUESS WHAT?!!!!

This afternoon my STARBUCKS card was compromised.  My STARBUCKS card?  Are you kidding me? Who would want to compromise a STARBUCKS card?

Here's what happened.  I received a suspicious email from STARBUCKS this afternoon (I don't trust ANY vendor emails any more).  It was an EXACT COPY of a normal STARBUCKS email with all of the correct information on it . Even when hovering my trusty Mouse over the potentially COMPROMISED LINKS in that email, it showed that if I clicked on any, they were going to take me to a STARBUCKS website location. NOPE. Not so fast....... Hackers know how to make it LOOK like it will take you directly to the Vendor's' website, but it would really be directed elsewhere - not so friendly.

The CROOKS created a new Starbucks account in my name using a fake email address (cleverly using my name - j.kistler@aol.com - which is NOT one of my email addresses). Needless to say, Starbucks deleted and put a Starbucks ALERT on that email address in case the CROOKS try to use it again.

After the CROOKS created the account, they rather quickly deleted it, which the Starbucks guy thought was weird. But as I've heard, CROOKS do that just to see if it's an active account, which they confirm and then come back to it later from another angle.

Well, when you think about it, my credit card information is stored in my account, for the convenience of allowing Starbucks to automatically add money to my iPhone app/account when my balance gets too low...... Doesn't everyone enjoy just pulling up to the Drive-thru, taking out your iPhone, opening up the app and letting the cashier scan it?  FAST.  EASY.  Not so secure.........  BUT MINE IS NOW!!!

Oh, and the best part of the story.......... 

The credit card on my account WAS EXPIRED!! 

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!.  I got a really good laugh at that one.

And you ask me "What did I do with my day today"?!

Joan

THESE DREADED STINK BUGS!!!

STINK BUGS!!  These dreaded STINK BUGS!!  They really do get on my nerves.  

Where do they all come from?  I know, I know, CHINA.  But I mean why are they still here?   And why are they all over the back of MY house??  I leave the deck door open for only a little bit - Autumn fresh air and all that - and now they're skittering across the walls INSIDE the house.  YUK   EWWWW   YUK

So, I'll solve this problem......

I feel like a complete idiot, talking to myself (and Willow) as I pick up my broom and try to gently urge them off of my wall and back outside.  ZEN.  Don't kill anything.  Bugs deserve to live too, right?  

Did I tell you about the time last year when I caught one (after fighting with the herd for several weeks) and I promptly threw him/her/it into the garbage disposal and turned it on?!  HAVE THAT!  

Oh my..... WHAT IS THAT SMELL?   And it lingered......

So, back to the HUNT with ZEN in my heart........

But some STINK BUGS just don't want to leave - they take off in flight back into the house, I start swinging the broom over my head, trying to bat them out of the house - as if I had ANY batting skill - most of the time to no avail (I never would have made a good lacrosse player either).  Can you just picture this??

And just as I put the broom down, job done and "dust off my hands" after a successful "hunt", THERE'S ANOTHER ONE!!

ARGH..............

Joan

BOOK - "THE SIGNATURE OF ALL THINGS" by Elizabeth Gilbert

I just finished reading "THE SIGNATURE OF ALL THINGS" by Elizabeth Gilbert, who also wrote "EAT, PRAY, LOVE". It was published in 2013 (499 pages), and is highly rated (3.78 out of 5) on Goodreads.com. Although I didn't really care for this book (it was longer than it needed to be and was just "ok" for me), she penned a number of VERY special, thought-provoking passages, a few of which I'm inspired to share here.

"The old cobbler believed in something he called "the signature of all things" - namely, that God had hidden clues for humanity's betterment inside the design of every flower, leaf, fruit, and tree on earth. All the natural world was a divine code, Boehme claimed, containing proof of our Creator's love.  This is why so many medicinal plants resembled the diseases they were meant to cure, or the organs they were able to treat. Basil, with its liver-shaped leaves, is the obvious ministration for the ailments of the liver.  The celandine herb which produces a yellow sap, can be used to treat the yellow discoloration brought on by jaundice. Walnuts, shaped like brains, are helpful for headaches. Coltsfoot, which grows near cold streams, can cure the coughs and chills brought on by immersion in ice water. Polygonum, with its spattering of blood-red markings on the leaves, cures bleeding wounds of the flesh. And so on, ad infinitum."  (pg. 229)

"And yet Boehme said that God had pressed Himself into the world, and had left marks there for us to discover."  (pg. 230)

"As a child, I used to fall so deeply into prayer that my mother would shake me in church and punish me for sleeping during services, but I had not been sleeping. I had been... corresponding.  Now, after reading Jacob Boehme, I wanted to meet the divine even more intimately. That is why I gave up everything in the world, including sustenance."

"What happened?" Alma asked, once more dreading the answer.

"I met the divine," he said, eyes bright. "Or, I believed I did. I had the most magnificent thoughts. I could read the language hidden inside trees. I saw angels living inside orchids. I saw a new religion, spoken in a new botanical language. I heard its hymns. I cannot remember the music now, but it was exquisite."  

(pg. 231)

"If you ask me what I believe, I shall tell you this: the whole sphere of air that surrounds us, Alma, is alive with invisible attractions - electric, magnetic, fiery and thoughtful. There is a universal sympathy all around us. There is a hidden means of knowing. I am certain of this, for I have witnessed it myself. When I swung myself into the fire as a young man, I saw that the storehouses of the human mind are rarely ever fully opened. When we open them, nothing remains unrevealed. When we cease all argument and debate - both internal and external - our true questions can be heard and answered. That is the powerful mover. That is the book of nature, written neither in Greek nor in Latin.  That is the gathering of magic and it is a gathering that, I have always believed and wished, can be shared."  (pg.242)  

"Darwin wrote, "More individuals are born than can possibly survive. A grain in the balance will determine which individual shall live and which shall die"."  (pg. 473)

"Unfortunately, like your friend Mr. Darwin, I still seek the firmer answers of empirical science. It is my nature I'm afraid. But Mr. Lyell would have agreed with you. He argued that nothing short of a divine being could have created a human mind."  (pg. 494)

"Well, you are not alone in this world, Miss Whittaker, even if you have outlived everyone. I believe that we are surrounded by a host of unseen friends and loved ones, now passed away, who exert an influence upon our lives, and who never abandon us."  (pg. 496)

"I believe that we are all transient," she began. She thought for a while and added, "I believe that we are half-blind and full of errors. I believe that we understand very little, and what we do understand is mostly wrong. I believe that life cannot be survived - that is evident! - but if one is lucky, life can be endured for quite a long while. If one is both lucky and stubborn, life can sometimes even be enjoyed."  (pg 496)

Joan

"DOWN THE SHORE" AGAIN, but this time "THE JERSEY SHORE"

My high school Bestie, Dorri moved to Florida last year after retiring from her teaching career. She loves the heat, heat, heat (it's NOT for me.......). This past weekend she came "home" to Pennsylvania for a Reunion with her childhood Summer Camp friends and to visit with her 2 children in Philadelphia. 

Lucky for me she had a free afternoon for lunch. I picked her up at her son's restaurant (ZAVINO) in Philadelphia and we drove an hour to Ocean City, New Jersey for a walk on the BOARDWALK and lunch at one of her favorite spots.

Unfortunately, lunch was not as she had remembered (and was anxiously anticipating).

I hate when that happens, don't you?  But we made the best of it with lots of laughs.

Gotta love the SALES at the end of the season!!

SHRIVER'S SALT WATER TAFFY (since 1898)

Anyone who's been to the East Coast shoreline is familiar with SALT WATER TAFFY, but do my Aussie friends know about it?  Yummy, pully, sweet, soft, chewy things....... about 3" long, wrapped in paper and offered in every possible flavor you can imagine. I enjoyed one Vanilla and one Salted Caramel. What willpower I had (that day)!

Yes, that machine is "Pulling Taffy".

Of course you can find almost any kind of delicious junk food on the Boardwalk - 

French fries, funnel cake, KOHR BROS FROZEN CUSTARD (since 1917) and MANCO-MANCO PIZZA (since 1956), which boasts super LONG waiting lines during the summer season.

Naturally children (and adults) need ENTERTAINMENT - abundant and colorful.

Something new on the Boardwalk (to us) - COIN OPERATED BINOCULARS.

PLENTY of BICYCLES......... parked AND being ridden.

How cute is "Daddy's Little Girl" here - stylin' in her pink sunglasses!

It couldn't have been a more BEAUTIFUL, PICTURE-PERFECT DAY - sunny, blue skies, temperatures in the 70's with a nice breeze and NO CROWDS!!  Gotta love the shore in September.

It's always a GREAT DAY when you can spend it with a GREAT FRIEND, right?!!

Thanks Dorri.

xoxo
Joan

NAME CHOICE - "A ZESTY LIFE"

I just read a really LOVELY blog post by Shani Nottingham - RARE PEAR STUDIO. Check it out. Her Blog site is SO stylish and upbeat, I just had to share it with you. Her color choices are beautiful and what a talented artist she is! 

Shani's most recent post describes how she chose the name for her Blog. Which brings me to the question of how I came up with my name - "A Zesty Life"? 

OK, OK, those who know me are saying "Duh!" but seriously, it takes some time, effort and thoughtful moments/hours/days to come up with a name to represent yourself. I'm not promoting any business; this Blog is purely for my own personal enjoyment. It gives me an opportunity to share photos of my travels (so I don't monopolize friends' Facebook time, potentially, subliminally hearing them say - "Her again?!"). From time to time I'll also share books that I enjoy. In addition, I ALWAYS have SOMETHING to say, and this gives me a forum to let it out there --- encouraging your rebuttals of course.  :)

Back to the name choice - I started out planning to use "Living The Dream" (my Mantra) but it was already taken on Blogger (my hosting site).  How about "Livin' The Dream"?  Taken.  How about "A Zest for Life"?  Taken.  So my friend and fellow Blogger from Australia, Felicity MacQueen, was helping me with the mechanics of setting up my Blog (and she designed my heading!).  She suggested "A Zesty Life". Whoohoo!  Not taken!  Mine!!

Well, that's not all true - there IS another one named "A Zesty Life", hosted on WordPress since earlier this year. But I honestly didn't realize it until I was well underway and introduced to BLOGLOVIN' (an easy way to choose all of the Blogs you follow and receive just one email alert). 

I'm anticipating that both of "our zesty lives" will peacefully co-exist in the Big, Bad, Blogging World.........

Joan

BOOK - "THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES" by Sue Monk Kidd

I just finished reading "THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES" by Sue Monk Kidd (2002) (302 pgs). I know, I know, it was published over 10 years ago and I'm probably the last person on the planet to read it, but I'm really glad that I did - FINALLY.  

FANTASTIC. From a 14 year old's perspective in South Carolina in 1964, living with an abusive father and mother who recently accidentally died. Her circumstances lead this young girl on a journey of discovery, spending a period of time living with 3 sisters who are beekeepers and Rosalee, her housekeeper who came with her. Beautifully written - the way the author arranges words in a sentence to describe things in a simple way is masterful. I would recommend this book to anyone.

Rather than give away any more of the story (as if you haven't already read it - HA!), I wanted to share some passages that I thought were particularly well written - very descriptive - so creatively put together - that I hope will give you "warm fuzzies", will bring back memories of the story to you and/or will inspire YOU to read the book - FINALLY.

The story of 14 year-old Lily Owens, told by Lily Owens..............

"There had been a few times, though, just after I woke up, when I thought about my old house, and I would miss it for a second or two before I remembered kneeling on the kitchen floor with grits digging into my kneecaps or trying to step around a great big pile of T. Ray's nasty mood but usually landing right in it. I would remember him tearing into me, shouting Jesus H. Christ, Jesus H. Christ! The worst slap across the face I ever got was when I interrupted him to ask just what did the H. stand for anyway? One quick walk down memory land and the old-home feeling would blow right over." (Pg. 153)

"It was always a relief to empty your bladder.  Better than sex, that's what Rosaleen said. As good as it felt, though, I sincerely hopes she was wrong." (Pg. 163)

"If I ever managed to get to heaven after everything I'd done, I hoped I would get just a few minutes for a private conference with God. I wanted to say, Look, I know you meant well creating the world and all, but how could you let it get away from you like this? How come you couldn't stick with your original idea of paradise? People's lives were a mess." (Pg. 171)

"The last thing I expected was to fall asleep, but when there's a blow to the system, all the body wants to do is go to sleep and dream on it." (Pg. 174)

"Sometimes I didn't even feel like getting out of bed. I took to wearing my days-of-the-week panties out of order. It could be Monday and I'd have on underwear saying Thursday.  I just didn't care." (Pg. 215)

"I marched straight into August's room, a room filled with the smell of beeswax. I switched on a lamp and sat on the cedar chest at the end of her bed, where I folded and unfolded my hands eight or ten times. They were cool, damp, with a mind of their own. All they wanted to do was fidget and pop knuckles. I stuck them under my thighs." (Pg. 233)

"It is the peculiar nature of the world to go on spinning no matter what sort of heartbreak is happening." (Pg. 279)

"I'd heard August say more than once, "If you need something from somebody, always give that person a way to hand it to you." " (Pg. 298)

Joan

MY 2ND PHOTO COLLAGE (BRITTANY, FRANCE)

In 2008, I won a one-week stay in a Chateau in BRITTANY, FRANCE (the Northwest region)!!  Who ever wins something this fantastic?! I was able to invite 7 others to come along - my 2 sisters and 5 friends. 

So, when I was recently inspired to create a collage (and since I tend to over-do things), I made a second collage of photos just from this trip. It's not framed, but instead is adhered to foamboard and now hanging on my wall.  Scroll below the collage for enlarged images.

And once again, I'll share each photo (and a few extras) in full size, along with a little storyline........

We flew into Paris and did a whirlwind tour of the city.  The LOUVRE - what a spectacular building. Did you know that it was originally the King's Palace in the city of Paris (while Versailles was the "country Palace") and at the time it was a 4-sided building built around the open interior space.  But during the French Revolution, people stormed it in anger, set it on fire and destroyed one whole side.  Today, only 3 sides of the Palace remain, now in it's famous "U" shape.

We took an excursion to one of my treasured spots - AUVERS-SUR-OISE. My favorite artist, VINCENT VAN GOGH is buried next to his brother Theo there.  The town has made a small museum out of the building where Vincent spent his last nights in 1890, after his failed suicide attempt, called MAISON DE VAN GOGH.  It was shocking to see that this well-respected Master could only afford to live in a tiny room over a restaurant. During his short few month living there, VAN GOGH painted so many of the buildings in this town that they have a poster of his painting under glass in front of each spot.  I loved that.

While in Brittany we explored CARNAC STONES, megaliths dating back to around 3300 BC.  Amazing to think that they have been standing like this all these years, isn't it?  

We then stopped in QUIBERON along the coastline, walked along the beach and picked up a few stones and then drove back to the Chateau for dinner prepared by our chef, Anne Divitry and her assistant, Florence.  

• Appetizer of zucchini soup with a drizzle of olive oil and lavender on top  
• Delicious fish prepared whole, encrusted in salt and served with mushrooms in a cream sauce
• A side of roasted potatoes and green beans 
• Salad and local cheeses  
• Dessert - a really delicious apple tart (a Brittany specialty)
• LOTS of dancing and singing and drinking wine by the fire till bedtime (with hot water bottles for the foot of each bed, loving prepared by Anna each night)

Although these next 4 photos are not in the collage, I wanted to share what this evening's spectacular meal looked like.

The next day we drove to the fascinating island of Mont St Michel.  In the year 966 a group of Benedictines settled here and constructed a church.  For several hundred years it served as a Romanesque Monastery and then as a prison during the French Revolution.  In 1979 UNESCO named it a World Heritage Site and since 2001, Friars and Sisters have been maintaining it as a spiritual site.

On the way back to the Chateau we stopped for some picture-taking opportunities in SAINT-SULIAC, included in the list of "The Most Beautiful Villages in France".  It really is!

We left the Chateau for a visit to Normandy. I drove the lead car with 4 of us and my sister Jane drove the 2nd car with my other sister, Ellen, Betty and Pat.  But, there's no way their car had as much fun as our car did......  Anna was my "Navigator", "Precious" (Donna) cut up pears and bread and fed us, while Marian kept us entertained with her quick wit. 

On our way we stopped in VILLEDIEU-LES-POELLES for a private tour of a bell foundry at CORNILLE HAVARD.  In NORMANDY we had a very moving, historical, private, morning tour with Alain from OVERLORD TOURS.  

We stayed in a charming B&B called LA FERME DE RANCONNIERE in the tiny village of CREPON, near BAYEUX (I particularly LOVED the main church in Bayeux). I hesitate to sound boastful, but I truly think my photos of his Inn do it more justice than those on their website!  How about the view from my window?  Each room was unique.  We enjoyed a memorable dinner there and tried the local drink - "CALVADOS" - an "apple brandy"/"hard cider".  I liked it (......a little too much!).

On our way to the waterfront town of HONFLEUR (I LOVED this town and want to return someday), we made a quick stop in BEUVRON-EN-AUGE, included on the list of "Most Beautiful Villages in France", and I fell in love with its charm!!  My camera was busy at this stop.  Here are two photos that might give you a little flavor of it.

We shopped for lunch in the waterfront town of HONFLEUR......  yes, I WILL return someday!

Our final stop on this trip was in the town of GIVERNY, where we visited the home of Impressionist Painter, CLAUDE MONET.  His gardens were spectacular and to be inside his home was quite a thrill. The Impressionists are known to have traded paintings with each other when they gathered in Paris and his home showed his collection (although they are now reproductions).  Can't you see how the reflections and swirls in the water here (and the lily pads) inspired MONET to paint this?  He was the garden AND water designer, by the way.

Betty HAD to have an original painting from France.  This street artist in GIVERNY, by MONET'S home was just the right guy to fill the bill.

After visiting MONET'S gravesite, we had dinner at a very cute (and famous) restaurant down the street called L'ANCIEN HOTEL BAUDY. At this same restaurant, many Impressionists once dined, such as Cezanne, Renoir, Sisley, Rodin and Mary Cassatt. I loved the paintings hung on the walls inside - this one in particular (but not for sale......).  

I highly recommend the B&B where we stayed in GIVERNY, called LA RESERVE.  The rooms had the tallest ceilings, the breakfast was fresh/delicious and the decor was "oh so French"!!  I stayed in the SEPIA ROOM - decadent.

Oh what a trip that was!! Yes, I planned the itinerary and lodging myself, to give us a flavor of the region west and northwest of Paris. We had the perfect combination of 8 travelers, who all enjoyed the food, the wine, the sights, the late night chats (all in one room) in our jammies........ FUN!

Joan

FOR MY NEW (and my seasoned) BLOG READERS

I'm fairly new to the BLOG world.  Are you too?  I was fortunate enough to be introduced to a wonderful online course, that taught me the basics of Blogging and also introduced me to many other new (and seasoned) Bloggers.  

In case you feel inspired to also start a Blog, I highly recommend BLOG WITH PIP (or BWP).

One of my "classmates", LISA BERSON, from Western Australia, describes herself as ".......a freelance writer & blogger.  Writing like I mean it.  Sharing stories and experiences about life's random moments.  I love writing about motherhood, social injustice, woman's lifestyle issues, travel, career or corporate topics".  And Lisa's a midwife.

This week, Lisa's post included a link to the individual Blogs that each of my classmates created. In your spare time, you might be interested in checking them out AND if you find some that are "inspiring", you can follow them too!  Here is the link - LINK.  

To my avid reader friends, you'll enjoy Lisa's comments about what she is currently reading.  Another Blogger inspired this challenge to fellow Bloggers.........  gotta love the Internet!!

Joan
PS  Did I say "Blog" and/or "Blogger" enough for you here?  Yikes!