One month from today, Brea and I will be flying to France to start a much needed mother-daughter art trip.
We have signed up for a week at Chateau Dumas with Kaari Meng of the French General. We will spend a week of sketching with Wendy Addison,
shopping the flea markets and brocantes, visiting local artisans and while living in a 18th century Chateau...
surrounded by sunflowers!
I have been dreaming about this trip since last winter!
Celtic crosses...
Beautiful...
Art Deco angel...
Why do these tombstones remind me the Disneyland's Haunted House...
Mournful angel...
Hopeful angel...
Great Epitaph.
The Squirrel Hunter drove down to Bradenton to have a sunset dinner at the Beach Bistro with Toni. her husband, Paul and me.
It was a spectacular sunset with the seagulls flying above the sea shore...
The food here is unbelievable and the atmosphere of eating right on the beach is such a delight!
Butter-Poached Lobster
Cold water tail poached in a butter broth, served with citrus grits, kissed with star anise...
Fresh Strawberry on arugula with a balsamic vinaigrette...
Baby Calimari stuffed with garlic and bread crumbs...What delectable food that just played on your palate.
It was a fabulous dinner with such wonderful friends...wish we didn't live so far from each other!
We went to a place that had antiques from the ocean...a great place for pictures...
Old floats...
more floats...
old ropes...
antique fish taxidermy...
Japanese glass floats...
old fishing nets...
an old pulley.
My BFF Toni took me out to Anna Maria Island today...
The sand here on the gulf side of Florida is so white! It almost hurts your eyes when the sun is shining on it...
We walked out onto the wharf...the water was such a beautiful blue...
We had lunch across the street from the wharf at the Waterfront Restaurant...
We had fresh stone crab claws...oh my! The claws were so sweet and the remoulade sauce and Orzo salad was a perfect compliment.
Toni has fresh fried oysters...
I had a wonderful scallop nicoise salad. There is nothing like fresh seafood on an island!
We drove around the beach side of the island and loved looking at all the adorable cottages...like this one called the "Wee Cottage."
There was this gorgeous house on the beach...loved the colors and all the gables...a perfect vacation house!
Toni and I went for a morning walk in the Hernando de Soto's park. Toni was amazed that I had never heard of de Soto.
He discovered Bradenton, Florida and lead the first European expedition deep into the territory of the modern-day United States. I asked Toni if she had ever heard of Junipero Serra. She didn't know who he was...Father Junipero Serra founded all the missions from San Diego to Monterey. I told her deSoto is an east coast thing where Serra is a west coast thing.
There is a recreation of an Uzitan village here in the park...
There are many picture cutouts of the natives throughout the park...
It's quite creepy to be walking along the beach trail and come upon one of these cutouts...
As Toni and I were walking in the park, a park ranger drove up to us and told us there were 16 manatees close to the shore on the east side of park.
We walked over and many people where there watching the manatees We were told that the manatees were engaged in a mating ritual. It was very interesting seeing the manatees so close to shore.
In 1831, this Victorian Park in Glasgow was converted to a necropolis.
There are many beautiful angel statues here...
and beautiful epitaphs...
The Necropolis is on a hilltop above the Glasgow Cathedral...with a view of Glasgow from the top.
It was a lovely day to take a stroll...
A Solitary Angel in a graceful pose....
The Scottish have the best epitaphs!
I travelled to Tampa with the Squirrel Hunter...he was playing in a couple of tournaments.
I finally got to spend some time with Bonnie and Toni...my BFF's that I have known for 20+ years. We have travelled many miles together...raising 7 children on the TOUR. We have seen many a zoo, museums and different countries together...oh the fun memories of those days...of kids...suitcases...airports...birthday parties and many, many adventures on TOUR! One could write a book. It was fun to catch up with my girlies!
Toni and I were going to spend a couple of days together to make more memories and see her family.
It was such a special day that ended with a beautiful Florida sunset!
My mom and me going for an adventure on the Santa Fe up to Los Angeles to visit my Auntie Rene in 1958. So many years have pass since those days...I miss my mom!
Happy Mother's Day Mom!
$195.00
This darling mermaid is created from a frozen charlotte doll that was unearthed from the ancient soil of Thuringia, Germany. Her tail and fins are hand fashioned from sterling silver wire and soldered to her body with silver solder.
Miss Rosetta 's dangles from a vintage rhinestone necklace enhanced with faceted ruby drops. Miss Rosetta has a beautiful vintage rhinestone earring at her waist.
To hold everything together there is my signature hand forged sterling silver “S” shaped clasp with more rhinestones.
Every element of Miss Rosetta has been antiqued and polished to a beautiful shine.
Miss Rosetta is one glitter girl that can add the sparkle element to any outfit…casual or dressy.
The necklace is 18" long and Miss Rosetta is a 2.5” drop.
This necklace can be lengthen up to 20" upon request.
