Quebec

We are re-visiting Montreal for a weekend at the end of June when Diana Krall is playing at the Jazz Festival. It is a beautiful city, rich in culture and old world charm. The streets in Old Montreal are cobble and the old stone buildings create the feeling of Europe.

We continued our journey from Montreal to Quebec City when we visited a few years ago, and we enjoyed the 400th Anniversary celebration in one of the most romantic cities. If you are traveling in Canada take the time to explore Montreal and Quebec. You won't be disappointed.............. can't wait to go back.

 

Dinner at da Emma in Old Montreal

White Rabbit Day

My good friend Cyndi {@ Beyond The Psychic Veil blogspot} is the one who got me hooked on 'White Rabbit Day'. Visit her blog on the link above for all of the details.

Here's how it works....... be the first to shout out 'Happy White Rabbit Day' or 'Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit'. Good luck will come to you :: it may be something momentous and it may be something simple but truly wonderful.
On the first day of March I woke in the morning with my baby Granddaughter ~ Kya. She had stayed over the night with us because Mommy was not feeling well. I cuddled our little Angel up and said 'Happy White Rabbit Day, Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit'. I already knew that the month would be special as I snuggled Baby K up in my arms and spent the day enjoying her sunny little smile.

Snuggling with Baby K ~ it doesn't get better than that.

Happy White Rabbit Day .................. and 

Happy April Fool's Day. 

art print by darklingwoods on etsy

Glorious Greece :: Beautiful Buganvilia

Enhancing the glorious sites of Greece is the beauty of Buganvilia growing abundantly in vibrant colours. Here are few of the many pictures that I took of this pretty flowering vine. I can't wait for the flowers to bloom here.....

 

 

 

Glorious Greece .................visit OIA, Santorini .

Elizabeth Taylor

Several weeks ago I tucked images and details away in my files for upcoming 'to blog' articles; among those files is an outline of Legendary Actress Elizabeth Taylor. Sadly today the world mourns the loss of this beautiful lady.

Miss Taylor's beauty and talent are the two things she is most noted for. She starred in literally hundreds of films beginning at the tender age of nine when she appeared in 'There's One Born Every Minute'.  Miss Taylor's career developed with unforgettable screen performances in 'National Velvet', 'The Taming of the Shrew', 'Suddenly Last Summer', 'Cleopatra', 'Raintree County', and won two Best Actress Oscar Awards for 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf ' and  'Butterfield 8'.

Liz Taylor graced the cover of thousands of magazines throughout the world, Her stunning beauty could not be matched. Liz's parents were American's residing in England when she was born in Hampstead (February 1932). Ms. Taylor was born with a 'mutation' that caused double rows of eyelashes; this combined with violet coloured eyes only enhanced her beauty and is the envy of many women. Liz was beautiful, strong, elegant and Glamourous.

Of Miss Taylor's eight marriages to seven husband's, the most notorious were her marriages to Richard Burton (twice married to each other). Their dramatic and sometimes stormy romance was the hot topic of gossip news for many years. Burton presented Ms. Taylor with many exquisite gems throughout their years together; the most famous is the 69.42 carat pear shaped diamond known as the Burton-Taylor diamond.
In 1978 Ms. Taylor auctioned the diamond for $5M with monies from the sale used to build a hospital in Botswana.

Ms. Taylor's charitable donations and works continued throughout the years when she devoted her energy to AIDS related charities. She helped start the American Foundation for AIDS Research and continued with the creation of her own foundation : The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.
In addition to her iconic roles in legendary films and her obvious beauty, Elizabeth Taylor's real Glamour is in her charitable works and generous heart that helped so many people in need. 

Glorious Greece :: Mykonos

Dining at Katrin's

We were advised that one of the best spots to dine in Mykonos is Katrin's, it was good advise. Finding this little gem among the labyrinth of eateries and shops was no small feat; but we did find it and returned an additional two evenings for dinner.
The Matriarch Katherine, is in the restaurant daily assisting and instructing her grown Sons in the serving, prepping, and food selections. The 'boys' are let's say for good measure, the same age as us; so Katherine is a practiced restaurant owner for many years. Crisp white linen tablecloths and white wooden chairs are snugged along the restaurant windows and main entrance. Inside the ambiance continues with a subtle yet elegant decor woven around the dozen dinner tables.

KATRIN'S in Mykonos

The restaurant features a generous selection of appetizers that is longer than most main menus; fresh fish dishes are a specialty and the scrumptious desserts are not to me missed. We were introduced to new and wonderful wines each of the three nights we visited. By the end of our stay we were greeted like family and knew it is a spot that we will always yearn to visit again.

Dinner with Richard at Katrin's.

Our Host with a fresh lobster ready to cook.

Glorious Greece............... more here.

Glorious Greece :: Mykonos

The second island that we visited on our four island excursion in Greece was the island of Mykonos. Our stay at the Mykonos Grand was relaxed and luxurious; the resort is beautiful and the staff was great, we were well taken care of.
Typical buildings faced in crisp white stucco nestle among the rugged stone hillsides creating a juxtaposed effect. Everywhere you look out from the resort you see the beautiful Agean Sea water, a breathtaking mixture of turquoise blues and greens.

The water is always sparkling.

Mykonos Grand Luxury Resort

 

We enjoyed a massage by the sea :: so relaxing.

The view from our balcony was the perfect spot to enjoy the sunset and a glass of wine each night.

We rented a car and explored the island from end to end. On one rugged hillside we parked the car and walked up the ridge to explore. Small churches are everywhere in Greece :: on the hillsides and on home properties.

 

The Town of Chora is a popular tourist spot on Mykonos. The harbour sits at the base of Little Venice and provides direct access for cruise tenures and hydrofoil boats to dock. The narrow streets form a labyrinth where shops and beautiful architecture is waiting for the throngs of tourists to probe.

 

A rare moment of handing the camera over to Richard.

The Whitewashed Windmills and the incredible blue sky of Greece.

 

The best restaurant in Mykonos.........Katrin's.

Spring is in the Air

Finally the snow is washed away..... the temperature is rising....... the garden is starting to show signs of little green sprouts. Welcome Spring!

 

 

Re-purpose It

Take a look over at IKEA Hackers for a fabulous idea a'la country kitchen design. The design is the ingenuity of We Design Studios (David Elden and Laura Worrick) - visit them here for more creative ideas.

Re-purposing basic mason jars was never better.

A Reflection of Jean Shrimpton

'They' say we all have a twin somewhere in the world. To my twin look-a-like I'd like to say :: 'you are the prettier of the two of us'.

When I look at images of Anne Hathaway my thoughts reflect back to Jean Shrimpton. Back in 1960 at the young age of 17, Jean started modeling. Quickly she rose to notoriety as 'the it girl' and 'the face of the 60's'.
American Actress Anne Hathaway has already presented the same classic elegance that shaped Shrimpton's iconic look. At only 28 years of age, Anne provides an eloquent presence on the red carpet and a truly classic look.

Long legs, wide doe shaped eyes, pouty full lips, arched eyebrows, and a glowing fresh soft feminine overall look; both of these woman exemplify a natural beauty and a remarkable likeness.

Jean Shrimpton

Anne Hathaway