Monday, July 29, 2019

A Year


Isn't it incredible how quickly a year passes?
One year ago today I boarded a plane in Minneapolis. About eight hours later, I landed at Heathrow in London.
England. My happy place.

I want to do it again.
I just returned from a walk with hubby. The planning wheels are in motion. We have numerous ideas of where we wish to spend our next holidays. You can bet the UK is on that list.

Where are your ideal holiday destinations? 

Thursday, July 25, 2019

It's here!

My planner! It's here.
My last year's planner is only good until the end of the month. I've been scouting out new ones.

Not long ago I was asked, "Have you ever tried a Day Designer planner?"

"Never heard of it," I replied.

She proceeded to show me hers. Hooked me straight away. I went home and immediately ordered one.

Anyway...it's here! Just arrived a few hours ago!
Isn't it lovely?
Guess what I'm doing the rest of the night?
Goal setting, planning, using stickers. I'm going to mark it up good!  I can't wait to get started!

Do you use a planner?



Monday, July 22, 2019

Pottery

Off  to our next adventure. I tried to be helpful. Remember, we were driving on the wrong side of the road.
Hubby wonders if our next destination is worth all the roundabouts. Don't even get him started on all the traffic.  What he does for me and my big ideas!

I have to admit. It wasn't an easy drive getting there. A few times even I wanted to say, "You're right. Turn around." But I kept my mouth shut and helped him count all the exits on the roundabouts and we tootled our way to our next tour.
I'm so glad we pushed through the stress. So worth it. 

Where did we go?
Well, have you heard of Emma Bridgewater?
Here's a peek.
"Ask at the till." Don't you just love it. I love England. Just saying.
It was raining this day. We dashed inside, but I managed to snap a few photos of the entrance.
It may be a factory, but Emma sure does a lovely job of making it an inviting place to work.
Even the dogs are remembered.
The cafe inside uses the herbs grown here.
Off we go...
I'm hooked already.

Every single piece of pottery is made by hand. Every. Single. Piece. Oh the joy of watching a human make something out of a piece of clay and seeing the end result. It's so important to buy from a small company. The painstaking process of making something out of nothing. It's fascinating, to say the least.

See what I mean?
Here's the clay they use.
It's an art.
No computers here.
Hard work involved. Labor intensive.
Every design uses a sponge. The artists make them all individually. Isn't it just awe inspiring? I was speechless. Again. Labor intensive.
Remember. ALL with a sponge and individually painted.
Even Kate came for a tour!
I repeat. ALL individually painted.
We had lunch here. (Of course!)  I loved that they use only their pottery for plates and cups.  And the food was amazing.
Rain kept us inside, but isn't it a cute courtyard?
Even hubby had to admit it was worth the drive!
Don't miss a trip to Emma Bridgewater on your next holiday to the UK. You will love it.
Beware...you'll get hooked and soon will be buying the collection. Piece by piece.

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Favorite Author

While I was on holiday in Hawaii a few months back, I had the distinct privilege of meeting  my favorite author, Robin Jones Gunn.
Lovely doesn't begin to describe her. Our time together will be a forever treasured memory for me.
I've dreamed of a moment such as this for many years. It was more than I could have asked for. Such a delight.

Well, fast forward to last weekend. I attended a writers conference in which Robin was the keynote speaker, and guess what? (Insert squeals here!)
I GOT TO SEE HER AGAIN. Yep! AGAIN!

I love the verse in Ephesians 3:20 "....now to Him who is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to Him be the glory..."

I was able to spend some time with her alone on a few occasions throughout the conference. She is joy. She is real.
I still am processing all that I learned and  I realized while driving home after the conference that I hadn't taken one photo of her and I. 
Would I have liked to? Of course.
But, I have some of us from our time together in Hawaii. Mostly, I know in my soul what was said between two women who dare to ask God for the moon.

Thank you for obeying the call to write, Robin. The blessing is in the obedience and I have been so blessed because you obeyed.
  

Monday, July 15, 2019

Descriptive

Quaint
Whimsical
Olde
Picturesque
Charming

Descriptive words of Ironbridge.  But don't take my words for it. Sometimes pictures really are worth a thousand words.

A perfect cafe scene in a novel, don't you think?
I had a cuppa here.
Flowers hung in every nook and cranny.
Ever had a Pimm's?
An England favorite drink.  Ingredients include: Pimm's, lemonade, cucumber slices, strawberries, oranges, mint leaves...my mouth is watering. Consider trying one when you travel to England.
Floods. Refurbishments. This is one strong bridge. And now that it's no longer under wraps, the views will be spectacular from wherever you stand. Guaranteed.
English villages. My love for them will never be extinguished.







Monday, July 8, 2019

A bear's origination

Ironbridge=Paradise

Spotted this road sign as we ambled through the village. I giggled as I snapped the photo. Such a serendipitous moment for me.

England=Paradise

While preparing for this holiday, I happened to meet a literary agent at a conference.
You can read about her here.

https://www.booksandsuch.com/

Anyway, she told me I should go to Merrythought while in Ironbridge. Okay, twist my arm!

Found it!
Meet Millie.
She travels along with me in my Mini.
Fits perfectly in my cup holder.
She's a sweet reminder of my day in paradise.