Christine's Home and Travel Adventures: July 2013

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Elegant in White, with a Touch of Green

Kathleen of "Let's Dish" is having a white challenge tablescape. Only 1 other color is allowed and I chose green. That's because I want to use my green jade plant in a green planter that is already on the table for my centerpiece. That will save my time thinking cause time is something I do not have right now, in fact, I am uploading pics in advance since I will be in FL during this challenge and the only white dishes I have there have turkeys on them.

I started with a lace table topper with fringes only on 2 sides so I placed them diagonally. Maybe it is supposed to be a shawl but it is big. I bought it from an antique shop downtown Natchez. Then I added ceramic white chargers that are made in Portugal. I used my oval off white or ivory "Baroque" for the dinnerware. I bought them from Horchow. I have oval plate chargers too but they are wooden brown so I did not use them.

I love this silver flatware set that I bought from Ebay a while back. I think they were made by William Rogers but I cannot remember the pattern name. Don't they look elegant and delicate?

Embroidered vintage napkins I bought from an antique shop downtown, wrapped in pearl napkin rings.

Ceramic place card holders from Southern Living at Home.

Ceramic candle holders with birds from Ross

I added my white peacock figurine for more whiteness.

The bigger stems are made by Waterford. The small wine crystals are from Ross.

Salt and pepper cellar from an antique shop in a neighboring town called St. Francisville.

Again, I thank you for visiting. Now, let's visit the other participants. But before doing that, I would like to thank our hostesses for more fun memes.

Centerpiece Wed

http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com

Paula's What's It Wed

http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/

Kathleen's Let's Dish

http://www.cuisinekathleen.com

Susan's Tablescape Thursday

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Kathy's Home and Garden Thursday

http://www.adelightsomelife.com/

Sarah's Homemaking Weekend Link Up party

http://bloggingwhilewaiting.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Camping at Jordanelle Park in Utah

John and I went to Utah for a week about 3 weeks ago. His daughter and her family bought a second home in Park City so we try to go every summer. I don't ski so that is the best time for me and the city is beautiful in the summer. John's daughter, Kerri and her family love the outdoors and are into all these health stuff so we get a lot of exercise when we go there. We usually begin by going to the gym and joining some kind of an exercise or stretching program. We also hike a lot.

One day, they took us camping at the Jordanelle Park. This sign scared me so I was always on a look out, but we did not see any rattlesnakes. Thank heavens!

We set up the tents. They put ours on the platform because they know I get scared easily. Actually, I don't think I am the only one who is scared. John and I both screamed so loud in the middle of the night because we could hear raccoons scratching and fighting right behind our tent. lol.

Kerri and family's tent is the one on the left. It is actually a lot bigger, just does not seem like it in the picture.

We grilled chicken kabobs, veggies and hotdogs for dinner.

S'mores for dessert.

Then we walked and explored.

So picturesque!

The grandkids had a great time.

This sweet robin posed for me.

Little Holden was so proud to pick up sticks to feed the fire.

They had a nice boardwalk and the view was just spectacular.

The wild flowers were gorgeous!

The next morning, John and I got up before the others rose and we hiked. We saw this deer who walked towards us, close enough for us to touch him.

Aren't those little antlers so cute? He is just a yearling.

Beautiful wild daisies!

Cottonwoods

See why they call them cottonwoods?

The highlight of this camping trip was spotting a family of bald eagles on a pole, as we were leaving the park. Of course, we had to turn around so we could take pictures.

I think there were 2 babies there too, just could not capture them but could see them stick their heads up every now and then.

Isn't he a beauty?

So majestic!!

Thank you so much for your visits. Thanks to all the hostesses too. I really appreciate all your hard work.

I am linking with

Susan's Outdoor Wednesday

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

Paula's What's It Wed

http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/

Nature Footstep, Water on Wed

http://nfmemes.blogspot.com/

Katherine's Favorite Things Thursday

http://katherinescorner.com/

Alma's Oh The Places I've Been

http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Sarah's Homemaking Weekend Link Up party

http://bloggingwhilewaiting.blogspot.com/

Skywatch Friday

http://skyley.blogspot.nl/

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Cypress Hills Vineyard and Winery, Canada

It was time again for my annual reunion with my College friends. This time, we all went to Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, where one of us resides. Three days out of the 7, we decided to wear the same color tops, that is why we are all wearing orange here.

We drove 4.5 hrs one way to visit Cypress Hills. We passed by these along the way, lots of farms particularly mustard seed, trains and livestock, overall, a very relaxing ride. We rented a 15 passenger van and I was one of the 2 designated drivers.