Saturday, August 25, 2007


Paint Class & More Princess Diana Memories

My first paint class was more of a private lesson and I'll share that pic with you on Wednesday of next week. We painted Tiger Lilies.


The second paint class today was hollyhocks. When we lived in England we had HUGE hollyhocks in our backyard. We lived in a 14th century coachhouse that was incredible and the gardens even more incredible than any kind of garden I've ever owned.

Mine






Barb ~ she won the drawing today and won the project piece I painted in class.



















Sharon



















Alice



















After painting hollyhocks I had tons of memories from living in England come flooding back to me today. I wanted to share the pics from my trip to Paris after Princess Diana passed away. Of course the two places I wanted to visit were the Ritz (why, I don't know ~ just had to ~ seeing that that was the last place she WAS last seen "publicly" before the horiffic accident).














Our tour director told us that
Princess Diana owned the top floor of this complex and stayed there when she came to Paris.




This is the infamous tunnel where the fatal accident occured. I really felt a sense of sadness when we visited this tunnel. There were many people there when we went and it just seemed weird. Weird that it was still open after PRINCESS DIANA died there. You know what I mean. BUT, I'm sure it's the way home for many Parisians, on to the way to work for many Parisians and yet it's the road that claimed the life of one of the most influential WOMEN of our time. Should it have been closed? I don't know but I remember asking that question when we were there.

We visited Pairs two months after the fatal accident happended and people were still laying flowers at the entry of the tunnel.



















I know that this "flame" monument was already in Paris for another reason and I'm embarassed to say I cannot remember - I just asked DH and he said isn't that the Princess Diana Memorial. It isn't but after the accident people made it the "Eternal Flame" monument for Princess Di. I belive it was for WW I or WWII or another battle. It was covered with markings ~spray paint with Princess Di and stuff on it and I remember the Parisians weren't too happy that the monument had been ruined with paint and such since it wasn't even built as a momument to her. Anyway, people came to see it and every time we passed it ~ there were lots of people there. It sits just above the tunnel where the accident happened.



I'll leave you with a few glimpses of ALTHORP ~ Princess Di's childhood home. I got to visit the first week it opened to the public in 1998 thanks to my friend Jill and her Aunt that provided tickets to all of us to visit. I took my youngest son with me and will share those pictures with you later next week. Next week marks the 10th year that Princess Diana passed away and again, it's really hard to believe it's been that long.
Have a great weekend!











Congratulations to TERRY ~ my very first OS painting student. She just completed her Certification program and I am so proud of her. I'll show you what she sent me on Monday!

10 comments:

Kim said...

Boy that Terry is sneaky, huh? I'm so excited for her and so wish I could have taken it with her. That'll just give me something to look forward to in the future. The Hollyhocks are gorgeous. I really enjoyed my private lesson this morning and am real happy with my Tiger Lilly I just wish I could have found a frame for it. Thanks for sharing your Paris pictures with us. Hugs ~ Kim

Terri Steffes said...

I loved your Paris pictures. It brought that whole tragedy back to me. My husband and I were vacationing in St Louis when we heard the news. It was unbelievable then and it still is now.

Unknown said...

Loving painting ladies! Thanks for sharing you photos from England and Paris! Yes it was a true saddeness that feel on England when Princess Diana died. I see her in her sons, though. I remember that day vividly. I called my mom to make sure she was ok, she is British and loves her country. When she answered she was sobbing...she was grief stricken, my poor mom. We watched the funeral together with about 15 other family members. And there wasn't a dry eye in the house!

Jill said...

I loved seeing the Princess Di photos...I was at home in Iowa visiting my mom getting ready to go on a 2 week travel tour for business. I was riveted to the TV the whole time I was traveling, watching the funeral, etc. Did you see the Di movie on TV a couple weeks ago? Also, there is a special on the E network tonight. I don't normally watch that channel but will tune in to see what it's all about.

Anonymous said...

Yep we have huge Hollyhocks here at Willow House, if we don't remember to tie tham up they crash down blocking gates and pathways, but they are so pretty.

Linda said...

Love the flowers they are so pretty. I remember your back yard and how beautiful it was but I don't remember these specifically.
Thanks for the pics about Princess Diana. It is so interesting to be able to remember right wear you were during different events in History.
Love ya

Sugar Bear said...

Such interesting and meaningful photos. I can't believe we are closing in on 10 years. Truly seems like yesterday.
Karla

Julie said...

Thank you so much for sharing all the Diana information. I have read quite a few books about her and enjoyed them - as I have enjoyed your pictures and stories.

Debra from Bungalow said...

One year I had a hollyhock that was nearly black. It was so pretty.


I enjoyed your pics and all the memories you shared.....perhaps one day I'll get to visit.

Susie Q said...

SO love your painting and SO wishing I could take this class.

I would also visit the places you did in Paris...I hope to actually get there in the next 2 years and will go to the Ritz and the tunnel. I just feel I must. Thank you for sharing your memories...I will never forget first hearing she was gone...

Just love your blog.

Hugs,Sue