Pope Francis in New York City

My son and I left New York City the night before Pope Francis' arrival. We felt the tug and pull of being happy we flew out before the traffic became even more chaotic, and the desire to stay and experience the Pope's visit.
And like anyone who has a guest coming to visit, New York was no different in preparing for the arrival of the Holy Father - they worked diligently to ensure that everything was in place.
We visited St. Patrick's Cathedral a couple of days before the Pope's arrival to find the crews working around the clock putting finished touches on the restoration.

Altar of St Patrick's Cathedral two days before the Pope's visit.

  

Painting, polishing, drilling, and testing the miles of media feed - it was a beehive of activity as we quietly walked through the cathedral. The beauty of St. Patrick's Cathedral is gleaming from the $175 M renovation. My son Dallas and I took our time exploring and couldn't help but imagine that in a few days the Pope would be standing at the altar.

robert deutsch-pool/getty

polishing the brass for the Pope's arrival

St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York - two days prior to the Pope;s visit.

It was at Our Lady of Queen's school in Harlem that the Pope seemed the most glowing and excited. The Pope was beaming when he walked along the cheering crowd of children and generously stopped for selfie's with the students.

As the Pope entered the classroom the students broke out in song with a Make Me a Channel of Your Peace (the prayer of Saint Francis) and then skipped right into prayer reciting the Hail Mary with the Pope. Two young students guided the Pope to a interactive video screen to share a project the class had been working on. It was a new lesson for Pope Francis as the students guided him through the process of operating a touch screen. A young girl literally took the Pope's hand to help guide him through the exercise; you couldn't help but smile at the innocence and excitement of the children.

Speeches were detoured as Pope Francis spoke from his heart, eyes glowing back at the exited faces of the children and extended his time at the school. If he could stay and spend the rest of his time at the school, he would have. At Central Park there were 80,000 people waiting to capture a glimpse of the Pope before he leaves for mass at Madison Square Gardens.

Being in the city while New York prepared for the visit (and the UN at the same time) -  I have to say they deserve enormous applause. New York took it all in stride - preparing and welcoming the Pope.

As the journey continues with prayer and blessings for everyone, 

Pope Francis asks that we pray for him.

We lit candles & prayed at the altar during our visit.

  

A few days to play

I am off and running with my handsome son for a few days. We are spending some quality time together in New York City. 

Sightseeing, exploring, shopping, taking selfies, and having some crazy fun. 

There may be a few bevies involved.

That is the plan.

I promise to bring you home a souvenir, which will likely be in the form of many photo's to share here next week. 

But for now, I'm excited to have the days to play and explore. 

And so happy to have this time alone with my son.

A New Glass Slipper.

When you are one of the most famous ladies in the world, 38 million dollars for a face lift is a drop in the bucket. Yes, the biggest celebrity of all time - Eiffel Tower, has just unveiled her new face. I am happy to say that she really hasn't changed from the sexy silhouette and sleek curved lines that she first debut in 1889.

Can you believe that only 300 workers constructed the 18,038 pieces of wrought iron with 2.5 million rivets for this 10,000 ton, 984.25 foot lady.
So when you turn 125 years old what is a lady to do? For this well sculpted beauty she catches her breath from years of wear, a staggering number of pictures she posed for, war{s}, weather, and the ever changing environment. Then you get fitted for a new glass slipper.
Miss Eiffel started her 38 million dollar transition in 2012 and just this week revealed her 'face lift' that includes a glass floor at the first observation level.

Eiffel Tower green floor is charged up with wind and solar power.

during the face lift

When your facelift is 38 million dollars it can't be all just smoke and mirrors. The two year project includes a green floor that this charged up with wind and solar power, a new reception area, a 200 seat multipurpose theatre, a new conference room, the new visitor center, and an open air Museographic path that leads around the new setting.

And when you have your peak-a-view look on - well, the world of selfie photographers just can't contain themselves.

So beautiful is the lady that we cannot resist standing next to her for proof that we were there..........

My 50th birthday in Paris.

The view from the first observation deck prior to the new glass enclosure. via Glamour Begins At Home

Miss Eiffel is the one to wake up next too.....

Shangri la Hotel, Paris.

Fashion photo shoots, engagements, and tango dancing - this lovely lady has inspired us for 125 years.

via theonlinephotographer.typepad.com

Hauntingly beautiful .....................

via Glamour Begins At Home

Paris is always calling my name and this new glass slipper is a reason to celebrate.

Home for a Real Boy

Villa Garzoni, the five story Italian 'Villa delle Cento Finestre' {Villa of One Hundred Windows} is for sale. $28 million is the listed price for the 33,000 square foot, 40 bedroom estate which is located in Collodi - 65 kms outside of Florence, Italy.

The villa dates back to 1633, and is the birthplace of Pinnochio. It is this Italian villa that inspired the story of Pinnochio which was authored by Carlo Lorenzini. The fable - Le Avventure di Pinnochio was created by Lorenzini who spent his childhood in Collodi where his great grandfather was a gardener on the estate.

The Diodati grounds were a 170 year process of building and creating. Waterfalls and fountains create 'a theatre of water that rules the scene'. Lionard Luxury Real Estate holds the listing and feels there is opportunity for a foreign buyer who “understands the potential and invests in improving and increasing the tourism opportunities linked to the classic tale of Pinocchio.”

Richard Lasner Photography

Let's be honest - its Italy {sigh} ...... scenic, historical, iconic, beautiful. 

A home fit for a Real Boy.

via Sandra Davis

Richard Hart Jackson art.com

Pond in the Park

Post Cards from Paris

Vicki Archer from French Essence did a little shopping while in Paris at the beginning of November. The shopping included buying something special for her readers.....forty vintage post cards with various scene's from Paris.
It was HERE that Vicki generously offered to share the post cards and send them out to readers of French Essence.

I was very happy to receive an email from Vicki asking for my mailing address so that a card could be sent out to me. Today the carefully inked envelope arrived in the mail, inside was a pretty linen paper card with a watercolour painting of a home {Mas de Berard} that looks remarkably like Sharon Santoni's home on My French Country Home.

Inside is a quick note from Vicki {doesn't she have the prettiest handwriting?} and the vintage post card. The post card is marked PARIS - Parc des Buttes-Chaumont - La Passerelle - Le Lac - Le Belvedere - P. P. C. Paris and it has a 10 cent stamp.  
I  will need to have the assistance of one of my friends to read the message written in French, but I love the tightly scripted handwriting on the back of the card.

When I look at something like this with age, I can't help but envision someone sitting down to carefully write a note to a friend and then wandering across the cobbled streets of Paris to post it.

It will take a few more months until Cardinal House is ready for move in, but this little treasure already has a special spot waiting in our new home.

Vicki : Thank you for the lovely gift.

Tuscany : Birthplace of Renaissance

I have to admit that it was this image of the spa at Borgo Santo Pietro that captured my attention and sent me on a long search of luxury villas in Tuscany. 

What's not to love.

 

OK - I admit, I'm obsessed with their bathrooms.

Who am I kidding..... it's all so luxurious. 

Borgo Santo Pietro - reinstating the ruins to a long forgotten noble splendor. 

Just saying the word Tuscany makes me want to run and pack my luggage.

Wishing for a sunny day

Melenos Lindos, Greece                                         via: glamourbeginsathome

We've been teased by a few sunny days, so the cool rainy weather right now is making me dream about the warm patio days ahead. 

This pretty patio is at the Melenos Lindos Hotel in Rhodes........ and it really was the perfect spot to sit with a glass of wine and enjoy the warm days. 

Bring on the sun.

Scenic Travel

 

 

Admit it, the summer travel bug is biting at your heels. 

You yearn to throw some pretty things into a carry-on and then carry your pretty little self on out of town. Whether it's a road trip in the family van or a last minute sell-off flight to a city called 'fun', you just need to escape. 

Maybe it is the repetitive screening of 'Thomas the Train' episodes that my Granddaughter watches that has made me itch to climb aboard a train and role out of town. 

Travel by train offers beautiful scenery, elegant coaches, plus the opportunity to sit back and relax.

Grab your boarding pass and imagine the relaxing trip you could take via the train.

 

via Venice Simplon- Orient-Express

The journey by train gives travelers the opportunity to sit back and drink in the scenery. I think of the luxury and elegance of a train like the Orient-Express when I think of extensive train travel. The experience should be equivalent to that of a top rated luxury hotel.

source Venice Simplon Orient-Express

With the rail lines traveling through some of the most picturesque back yards around the world, you are guaranteed to enjoy a truly scenic journey.

Good Morning, Room Service!

Have you traveled by luxury train? or - does the idea of traveling by luxury train appeal to you?