My biggest excuse is travel. My husband and I went to England and Ireland for a couple of weeks. I won't try to post a lot of pictures because, frankly, it's going to take me weeks to get them sorted and cataloged but I will share with you my very favorite place of the whole trip.
This is Anne Hathaway's family cottage. For those of you who have forgotten your history - like me - Anne Hathaway was William Shakespeare's wife. :) I honestly felt like I was standing inside a postcard here! The flowers were indescribable. The scent of lavender was so strong in the air I just wanted to sit among the flowers and breathe it in.
Sweetpeas, hydrangeas, roses, daisies....oh my goodness.
And vegetables happily grew right in the middle of it all. I'd never seen artichokes growing so that was a happy surprise for me. :)
Ireland was beautiful, just as I expected, but in my mind the English countryside was not only stunning but also comforting. That's an odd word I know but it was so neat and tidy and literally looked like a patchwork...a field of golden ripe wheat beside a a field of green oats beside a pasture of sheep. Loved...
And here's a picture of my husband and I having dinner in Dublin. Our 50th anniversary is this coming October so we were celebrating a bit early. :)
Unfortunately the day before we got home my sister had a second stroke so, of course, I immediately got in the car and came to Jefferson City, Missouri, where I am right now. She's doing fine...her speech is slow for her since she's usually a speed demon talking :) and she is weak and tired but we're so thankful that it wasn't worse. She assures me she didn't really have a stroke, despite the fact that she felt like a gun went off in her head, she couldn't talk, she couldn't see, etc. Her ER doc and the other two doctors she consulted tell her she had a stroke, she has all the symptoms of a stroke, but her philosophy is if she doesn't believe she had a stroke maybe the whole thing will go away!
Yesterday I drove her down in the country to the Mennonite store to pick up a few things and in the afternoon we canned 7 quarts of tomatoes and 4 pints of salsa. Today we'll can a few potatoes. The garden is about finished now and it's time to plant a few things for fall but she's fighting dizziness so that's going to have to be put off another week or so. She's a strong person, and strong willed too. :) So it will all get done even though it might be a bit slower than she likes. We work a little, rest a little, work a little. It's not a bad way to do things.
I'll just be here a few days before I head home to attend one of my grandson's wedding - I wouldn't miss that! And when I get there I'm going to be spending a lot of time in the sewing room getting ready for the next two blog hops!
24 comments:
Sure you had a lovely trip and blessings and prayers for your sister.
Your summer travels look wonderful. Early congrats to you and your hubby! You are a beautiful couple. Thanks for sharing the photos.
{{{Healing Prayers for your sister}}}
Blessings to your grandson and his bride for a long and happy life together ... <3
Enjoy your stitching and the rest of summer ... :) Pat
What a beautiful anniversary trip. It's so nice to be able to explore new and different parts of the world. Hope your sister continues to improve.
It looks like it was a fabulous trip. Stratford upon Avon is such a charming place to visit. It is right out of a picture book. The gardens look stunning.
I'm so sorry to hear about your sister, but glad to hear she is doing better.
Have fun at the wedding.
Love the picture of you and hubby! And what a great anniversary trip. We are also doing a trip for our 50th anniversary...which is also in October! We are heading to Alaska next weekend. And when we come back we have a grandson's wedding to attend! I pray your sister is improving each day and will soon be back to full strength. God bless!
Your trip sounds fantastic. I love your photos of the cottage. I'm sure that would be at the top of my favorites list, too. The picture of you and your hubby is great! Early anniversary wishes to you two. Sorry to hear about your sister. She has the will to make it - that's a good thing. I trust she will continue to get stronger every day.
~Adrienne~
Congratulations!! Fifty years and still liking each other says a lot about your character! What a perfect cottage and garden. It looks straight out of a book. I hope your sister continues to mend and you have a wonderful, relaxing time enjoying your grandson's wedding! May his marriage be as full as yours!
What beautiful pictures....you look so content in Irelqnd! Will send positive thoughts along for your sister...sounds like denial can work wonders! Love how you spent the day canning....and a wedding coming up too! How exciting! Congratulations on your anniversary!
Congratulations! Beautiful pictures.... looks like the trip of a lifetime! Prayers for your Sister's recovery. Maybe her idea of it not really happening will make her heal faster. ;)
Looks like a fun trip. Happy early anniversary. Hope your sister recovers quickly that strong will is sure to help.
Congratulations! What a great anniversary trip! I'm so glad you went and enjoyed. Praying your sister's recovery goes well. ~Jeanne
Lovely trip. Your pictures are beautiful. Happy Anniversary!
A trip to Ireland is on my wish list. The cottage is stunning. Get well wishes for your sister.
I love the beautiful garden but the beautiful couple is a prize photo. Sorry you had to return to a crisis. I hope your sister continues to improve.
Beautiful pictures, Don has always wanted to go to Ireland, if we ever get to travel that is where we will go. Sent up prayers for a full recovery for you sister. When our home burned down I lost all my canning recipes would you share your's for potatoes. I would like a tried and true one. Just when ever if you can.
First - fifty years how great is that! Congratulations.
Second- sending prayers for Sherrie.
Third- wish I was home that we could share a cup of tea together. We are in Florida visiting the daughter and family.
You girls enjoy each other's company
Congratulations on your Anniversary. The pic of you and your hubby is lovely. So sorry about your sisters health but it sounds like she is a real go getter and not much will hold her down.
That must have been a fun trip. The roof on that cottage is fascinating to me. Love the garden.
You two make a lovely couple. Congrats early in 50 years. That is awesome.
So sorry to hear about your sister. I pray she recovers quickly.
how did I miss this...ohhh your trip sounds delightful...photos lovely....sad to hear of your sister...how lucky that she has you in her life..one of those things I have missed in my life..siblings..
Aw!!!! Ireland looks so refreshing!!! Congrats on your anniversary!!!! Wonderful 50 years!!! I think sometimes an attitude like your sister has might be just the right thing!!! Keep on having fun!!!! Sending hugs and prayers!!!! Thank You
Oh, my! You have certainly been busy! The trip sounds like a dream trip to me! My favorite trip so far was to London, but I would love to retrace your steps!
My prayers go out for your sister. Thank goodness you were able to be there for her!
I'm so sorry to hear of your sister's illness. I hope she recovers quickly!
And oh my.....a trip to Ireland...be still my heart. It's always been my dream to visit Ireland and Scotland. The photos are breath taking!
Congratulations on your upcoming anniversary!! That's quite a milestone. I have about 12 more years to go for my 50th. :)
I live in Stratford Ontario Canada and I would love to go and see the first ever Stratford. Beautiful pictures that would be my dream trip. My husband and I celebrate our 50th next July. Congratulations on your 50th and Blessings for many more happy years..
Those pics of Anne Hathaway's cottage are gorgeous! And I agree with you (shhhh....!)there is something really settled and comforting and neat and tidy about the English countryside. I loved it too.
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