Portofino, Italy

We sailed from Monaco...as we were leaving the port, 8 could not help but reflect on The day when Grace Kelly sailed into the Harbor before her wedding...can you imagine what she must have felt? She was about to marry her prince and begin a new life, not just as a wife, but a princess in a foreign country...albeit a magical mini kingdom.

















It was a beautiful sail away. poor Papa Joe, however, was sawing some serious logs in the cabin. I sat on deck with many others, while the band played and cocktails were served








And the above picture reminded Papa Joe of the Lake of the Ozarks, party cove... These sailboats were anchored for hours, enjoying the day. party Cove?? I think not!

breakfast today on deck looking over Portofino





We are now off to hike in Portofino!

Location:Shipboard

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Well, Papa Joe's sominex did not work...and he did not sleep at all on the flight...
But here we are...Monaco! We arrived in Nice, and the first thing Papa Joe did was..


Then, we decided on our means of transportation to Monaco...would it be


Alas, no. No helicopter ride...
Taxi?


No.....



Bus it was! We were so proud of ourselves for figuring it out. We roared into the darling principality and were dumped on the side of the road at the Port. So, looking like the totally exhausted tourists that we are, we hiked the long way to the ship, HOURS early. We were able to leave our luggage and off we went in search of Princess Caroline. We looked around the Port..


Surely she has friends on this yacht? Not there...


In the palace? Well, we were not invited in. Go figure!


Perhaps at the theatre?


The Casino? We looked high and low...














Until Papa Joe said ENOUGH! We wandered back around the port, bought some postcards, looked at the yachts...are you serious? The size of these things, unbelievable!!


Love the flowers...











And the street lamps!!
There is a car show in the Port...and look what we saw...


REALLY??? In Monaco??? The music we heard everywhere is American...Billy Joel, Rod Stewart and Bruno Mars... A tribute to Princess Grace's American roots perhaps?
I discovered something else...Monaco has graffiti....just like the United States!


I cannot believe we are here...it is beautiful, charming! Our ship has 220 passengers...and Papa Joe pointed something out to me...I appear to be the youngest passenger by far...and I am 52. Wow. Until later!

JFK, NYC

So what does one do with 4 hours in the airport? Well, if you are us, you eat...


You find great food, and talk about how we could make it...or how (this is for you Beth) the Three Legged Dog could serve it.


And the you do this....



No lie, awesome, perfect manicure for my attention span!!!
All the while waiting for this...



That says Nice, as in France!!!!

And, while we wait, here is what I have been reading lately...






Maeve Binchy is still a favorite!
And this is what I am reading now...LOVE it!


Next post...Monaco!!! Papa Joe has his sominex ready to go, me? Excited for the in-flight movies!!! Ciao!

Leaving on a jet plane

Papa Joe and I are on our way to the airport..
Papa Joe is sad to be leaving his chair and the puppies...
I will miss Henry and Finley...






And Madeline and Jake




So
ciao!! Stay tuned for our European Vacation!!!

Bookcases

When we remodeled our family room two years ago, we opened up a wall between
The kitchen and family room. In doing so, we lost the only bookcases in the house. Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love books. I love to read them, I love to hold them, I love the look of them. So, all my books were in boxes in the garage. One day I showed Papa Joe a picture in a magazine of some bookcases that I loved.

Six months later, I had bookcases!!! I now have a "library.". And I love it!!


They wrap around the corner, and are trimmed out beautifully!



My Grandfather's hood ornament...his initials..E.E.C. isn't it fantastic?









Old family books that I cherish, new books that I love...they all have a story, a history with me. They all mean something to me. My friend Chris is an editor with Simon and Schuster and periodically sends me a box, loaded to the gills with amazing books...best gifts ever!!!


I am slowly filling these bookcases, each book has a place of honor. Happy room for me!!!

Another very happy room, is our laundry/mudroom.... Just look at it...






I love doing laundry, can't explain it. I just do! Another happy room for me!!!

Location:W College Ave,Jacksonville,United States

Did you see it?

Did you watch the NCAA Dunk Contest? did you see Jacob Tucker's amazing show? Did you realize that he is a Senior at Illinois College, right here in lil ole Jacksonville?


This morning on my walk, as I cut through the beautiful campus, I saw this....



Yes, Honest Abe, in a Tuck Can Dunk shirt. pretty cool!
Then as I walked through Duncan Park, I saw the spring beauties in all their glory...





They look like snow almost, these sweet little flowers, that are indigenous to our town... What exactly are they? I do not know...all I know is that they are in every memory of springtime that I have. I love them...they say "home" to me in a way no other flower can or will. They say springtime in Jacksonville! LOVE them!!!

Porch Time

So, spring is here, well, it was today!



And that means porch time! Last year, Papa Joe and I had part of our porch screened in, and we love it! We eat breakfast out there as often as we can...it's a great way to start our day...


We found the table base in an old house that Papa Joe owns, so we had it rebuilt and had a Piece of corian cut for the top.


The old light was stashed in the attic here, so we cleaned it up and used it. We love this porch!


Papa Joe, Finley, Harry, Scout and Alex enjoying the swing after dinner.


Sweet Henry, home from the hospital, and dreaming of his time on the porch...


Enjoy your spring! The amazing bursts of color as the tulips explode, the magnolias, dogwoods, lilacs, and the gorgeous emerald green grass! Oh...I love it

Location:W College Ave,Jacksonville,United States