Thursday, August 30, 2007

My trip to Althorp ~ one year after Princess Diana's death


In case you missed my posts from my trip to England on the Tuesday after Princess Diana passed away you can see those in one of my previous posts. Also, the other day I posted pictures from my trip to Paris months after she passed away a few days ago.
My friend Jill's Aunt (a very big Princess Diana fan) had gotten several tickets to go to Althrop the childhood home of Princess Diana. We went the first week if not the first day it was open cannot remember but know we went right after they opened the grounds for tours.


This is the church in the village where it is said that Princess Diana went to church when growing up.









When you drive along the road to get to the property you get this amazing view - a veiw of the back of the 16th century house. It's a 300 acre estate. It originally had red brick but was later changed (the surface was - to stone)

The gardens were amazing and why I have no pictures of them is depressing. They were layed out in a geometric French style and were designed by the gentlemen that designed the gardens at The Palace of Versailles. The house has been in the Spencer family for 500 years.































Here is a picture of my youngest son. He'll be 11 next month. He was such a trooper on the day and that just answered my question above about not having more pictures ~ I had a little one to watch over as well.

This coach greets you at the entry to the property where we entered to the coach houses that were renovated and basically turned into a Princess Diana Museum - we couldn't take pictures in there which was a shame. Many dresses to include her wedding dress were displayed on mannequins. Jewelry, letters, pictures, books, furniture, etc. that all belonged to her were displayed as well.
















The Stables
(when the property was acquired by the Spencers it was first used as a sheep farm)










The Saloon


What you cannot see is the amazing staircase that goes down into this room. This was originally the inner courtyard that was open to the elements. It was roofed in by one of the widows in 1662.


Notice the painting on the right corner ~







This painting was painted by the American artist ~


Nelson Shanks. He was commissioned by a group of London dealers in 1994. Amazing isn't it.














The Marlborough Room

This room was one of the last rooms to be furnished in the home and was completed in 1877. Before that it was divided by columns and used as a library and billiard room.



















You can only get to this burial site by boat as it's in the middle of the small pond.






























After walking around the pond you get to this amazing tribute to Princess Diana.























































Both of these plaques were mounted on either side of the middle plaque
with a silouette of Princess Diana.
















I remember going to every store after her death and getting all the newspapers and magazines I could. I also remember my mother in law sending this cartoon from the Augusta Chronical I believe.




















I know the anniversary isn't until tomorrow but I knew I wouldn't have time to post this tomorrow.

I wanted to thank all of you for your sweet comments. I've decided that if continue to worry about the house stuff I'm gonna miss the opportunities God has planned for me TODAY. So, with that said I'll keep you updated on the progress as stressfull as it may be sometimes and will most likely ramble on with the impending decisions but know that even when I ramble on about it all I've got it in perspective. Have a wonderful THURSDAY.

I've been tagged again by The Bunnies Bungalow
So this meme works this way (condensed version):
*You must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name.*If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.* At the end of your post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag.
Since I've already been tagged and did my middle name yesterday I will choose this name:
D~ Dedicated
I ~ Impressive
A ~ Ambitious
N ~ Naive (nieve)
A ~ Accepting
So now, I choose Jen at This is the Day, Sharon at Norah's , Julie at Equus Villa, and Molly at Miss Molly Cottage.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Wednesday paint class and more~


We painted Tiger Lilies









Barb


























Doriann









Brenda
(Nicole's mom)













Nicole






Alice













Alice also WON the August drawing and gets to come paint with me!!














Kim came and painted tiger lilies with me on Saturday.

Here are some tiles that I painted today as well ~ The tiles are mounted on a wood cabinet door front (repurposed of course) and a calla lily













Grapes









How cute are these?!?!

Nicole(above) brought these glasses she painted to paint class to show us. They are too cute and have the recipe for a drink on the bottom base of the glass.



Cherries








Palm Trees




















I've also been tagged by Sandi at Holding Patterns.

It's called the name game, and here are the rules for those that choose to follow them: Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had. When you are tagged you need to write your own blog post containing your own middle name game facts. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.So, here goes... (JANE)

J ~ Jesus Lives!

A ~ Absolutely LOVE my family!

N ~ Not able to stay off the computer

E ~ Eternally grateful to you for reading and leaving comments on my blog!

I'm tagging ~ Kim at Breathless Moments, Linda at Engraved in His Palms, Terry at Terry's Creations, and Alice and Alice's Art. Follow the rules above and have a fantastic day!

Tuesday, August 28, 2007


Happy Birthday OMA
Today is my mother in laws birthday and OMA we wish you the very best.
Have I told you all how blessed I am to have the in-laws that I do. They are both incredible people!

We hope you are feeling better after your little stumble down the stairs. Nothing broken thank goodness ~ just bruises and soreness.

OMA WE LOVE YOU!









Remember I told you Terry took her painting test to become a One Stroke Certified Painting Instructor? Well, as a thank you for me being her teacher she sent me these gorgeous roses! Thanks Terry.



HOW AWESOME IS THIS?!?!
The ladies at the frame shop at HL made this for the hometown heros! There is a parade going right through downtown Warner Robins on Saturday to celebrate their Little League Baseball victory! Congratulations WRALL!









It was an exciting game to watch and we all cheered when our hometown team WON the CHAMPIONSHIP!













Monday paint classes

I had two paint classes Monday. We paintd this landscape that we decided to call Summer Landscape.







Here are some pictures from the morning crew~



Melanie


















Nicole



















Mary































Jane



She won the drawing and took home the project piece I painted in class! Two times in a row now!







Alice
















Doriann

















Gladys


















My evening painting class crew ~




Connie











Ellen's painting

















Barb

























Lisa ~ Lisa won the project piece drawing in the evening class and took home the piece I painted.







Meeting with the builder today. Have prayed for days now for OPEN MINDEDNESS! I was disappointed to find that the house I really LOVE is no longer on the on the market. It has been in the family for 7 generations and although a contract was put on the house it was withdrawn because the family freaked at the prospect of it leaving the family - completely understand but am sad that it isn't an option any longer. Have a wonderful DAY!