An Adventure North

 For those of you that followed along with me for awhile, you have seen this view before. Last week my "live-in-gardener" and I ventured north to visit my sister-in-law. This view always takes my breathe away when we step into her home. I sit mesmerized at times just watching the landscape and nature outside her windows. There are always many birds and if we are lucky we see river otters and eagles. This visit I was lucky to spot them. Boats sail by and the sun rises to enchant me.

It was a beautiful time to walk into Autumn and walking we did.

I will show more of this lovely location on another day.

We even took a little time to walk on the sand at a local beach. I love walking here. Sometimes you can find sea glass, but the tide was quite high; so no sea glass was found. Though "live-in-gardener" couldn't resist a bag of rocks. Now I ask, "what are you going to do with all those rocks?"

On the way home there was a stop at Point Defiance Zoo to see Thomas Dambo's four traveling trolls. The first one was easy to find, it greeted us at the entrance.

We had not been to this zoo before and it was fun just to see the zoo and get in a good walk too.

The three others were tucked in the trees in different parts of the zoo. 

Someone offered to take our picture with Troll #2.

Of course, there were animals at the zoo too. It was feeding time for the tiger.

Troll #3 found!

Troll #4 had a garbage container on his head. Silly troll!!!

We learned there are more traveling trolls in another location near Seattle, but we had to head home. Maybe another day. They are so  much fun to find.

How's your week going?

Have you been in nature or found a troll?

I am home now to enjoy Autumn and Winter in my own surroundings, but who knows what adventures might call me.

Sending love,

Marilyn

Day Seven - Final Day French Adventure

The final day took us to Cassis by the sea.

But first I just had to enjoy sitting at Corey's morning table in her kitchen one last time. Such a treat to sit there and sip my tea each morning.

The town fountain near her home.

And off we went for another day of adventure and shopping.

We stopped at this warehouse, flea market to do a little browsing.

I ended up with a small ceramic creamer and two pictures.

And then we arrived in Cassis. We stopped in at Cote Cassis, one of Corey's friend's shop.

Yes, in here I bought some Mariage Freres tea called Eros, a shopping bag, and a small gift for a friend.

In the background is their wall of tea.

And then we walked to the sea for lunch along the waterfront.

We sat under the red awning; so my pictures have a red cast.

The pate with apricot jam and the freshest bun I have ever had was amazing.

Passion fruit sorbet was a perfect final treat.

Some at the table had this lemon dessert, which they said was amazing. Isn't it pretty?

Just sitting by the sea was a delight to my heart for sure.

The drive each day through the countryside was pure joy. Many vineyards along the way.

I will just wrap it up by saying, I was well cared for all of the seven days. For me it was a dream come true that I never really thought I would do. I definitely recommend jumping when the opportunity comes along and grabbing hold of those dreams. Go for it.

After all of the travel I have done the past couple months you would think I would stay home. But a planned small adventure had been on the agenda for quite awhile to visit my sister-in-law next week; so I will return here in a week. Several have asked me to share pictures of some of my shopping, which I will do when I return.

Sending love,

Marilyn

Day Six - French Adventure

Breakfast each morning was sitting at this table.

The jars held granola and toasty nuts for our yogurt.

So very special to sit at her table.

Then a few more sights in her home.

Could I have carried an angel like this home on the airplane? Smiling!!

 

And off we went to Marseille.

A flea market near the sea in Marseille.

By now I was shopped out. There were some temptations, but I just looked.

My picture doesn't do the striped dress justice, but I was tempted to buy it for a friend that sells vintage clothing. It was quite beautiful.

This might sound silly, but I had been dreaming for months of once more having a nibble or two in a French patisserie and here it was. Oh the delights to the eyes!!! And then to the tummy!

Our group sharing this time together. What a special group of women.

And lunch was a French baguette, which was a dream come true with butter, thin slices of ham (jambon) and cheese. Why, oh why can't we get a baguette such as this in the US? Then a cream layered dessert just to top off the visit to the patisserie. I chose the most typical treats that represented France to me. They will always sit in my memory as delights to my heart.

Well after lunch comes dinner. This was a lasagna noodle with pesto, peas, and a creamy cheese. Now I am not a huge pea fan, but the way Corey cooked them and served them with the creamy cheese just made them delicious. Thanks, Corey, for the most gorgeous, amazing meals.

Tomorrow is the final day of my French adventure. In a future post I will share pictures of a few of my purchases.

Sending love,

Marilyn