Paris in September

I was really hoping to change the color of our front door before autumn arrived. It's time for a change from its current warm chestnut brown color to a nice shade of soft black. However, temperatures have plummeted here and for the past three weeks we've had rain or wet snow most days. My door painting project will have to wait.

We've just returned from our trip to Paris. Lots of walking and so many beautiful sights to behold. The people were lovely and so patient with my rudimentary school-taught French. Dinner on the Eiffel Tower was a distinct highlight. Some pretty images of this cultured city as we say farewell to summer and embrace autumn...

 

 

 

 

~ It's Canadian Thanksgiving next weekend and I can't wait! ~

 

 

Again to Lilford

 

It's usually this time of year when I think about retreating to the refreshing damp greenery of England. I admit I would rather be there sometimes than even the warmest of destinations. While we do have a winter warm-up break planned, I can't resist looking back at our stay in Northamptonshire in February last year. We travelled to Oundle, the ancient market town bordering on Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire. I am convinced the prestigious Oundle School was the inspiration for Harry Potter.

 

The highlight of our visit, was a drive through the countryside to see the Jacobean beauty, Lilford Hall (again).  As I have posted previously (see here), my great-great grandfather was the head gardener here. The current owners have been restoring the property and have made some excellent progress. Yes, I wish I lived in an English country manor house too!



 

~ Please visit Lilford Hall's website to learn more about its incredible history! ~

 



In the Mews!

 

 

It's been weeks since I've written a post! So much going on. We've been busy sprucing-up the garden and our deck, (more on that to come!), as well as planning a trip to Paris!

 

In the meantime, not sure if you are familiar with a 'mews' house. Essentially, the 'mews' house is where the chauffer used to live above the garage or 'carriage house' located behind the towering upper middle class to upper class townhouses of London.  I think this would be my preferred style of housing in London for many reasons: quiet back lane streets, privacy, and off-street parking - practically unheard of in London!  In my mind, the value is incredible. And for a cool 4 to 8 million GBP, one of these could be yours... :) Truly still a bargain in London.  

 

 

 

 

This last one is my favorite!!

A Touch of Red

 

Here in Calgary, most days are brilliant with sunshine - even in the winter! In this environment bright paint colors appear to be even more intense. Subdued colors seem to be the preferred tones. Alternatively, in an overcast climate as England typically experiences, bright colors, especially red, just pop out beautifully. What a gorgeous colour to offset stone buildings on cloudy days!

 

 

London Refresh

With a few things to celebrate, we returned to our favorite city for some greenery and a refreshing (and luxurious!) break. How lovely it was to be surrounded by daffodils, crocuses and cherry blossoms. The luxury of our South Kensington hotel was the icing on the cake. 

 

 

 

 

It is still winter at it's worst here in Calgary, so I am missing London already. Until next time!

 

~

Stockholm: A Magical Place

Before we left for Stockholm, Sweden, a friend of mine remarked, 'it sounds like such a magical place'. Magical indeed. We were so taken by Stockholm's beauty and how incredibly stylish its citizens are.  As two people who are always seemingly over-dressed, in Stockholm we actually felt under-dressed!

 

From the Strandvagen, to the Gamla Stan, to the lush and adventurous island of Djurgarden - I was captivated. The welcoming attitude of the locals was the icing on the cake and who knew that eighty percent of Swedes (of all ages) speak better English than Swedish!

~ A dream come true to experience Stockholm's magical beauty! ~