Being Tourists in Italy

Arriving in Venice by boat taxi.  It was a wild ride from the airport.

The water really is blue, I thought it would be more like the Mississippi (!)  A long view of the city.

A boat bus ride.

The city of Venice is made up of islands connected by beautiful bridges.

From the top of the Clock Tower in St. Marks Square.

Campari for your afternoon spritz.  Better than a stained glass window.

Just another square to sit and drink and watch.

What a wondrous place - no cars, take a boat or walk.  We didn't see any biking either.

Hamming it up on a side trip to Bologna, sampling some homemade pasta at a little restaurant.

One of the best pasta places we sampled.

On to Florence

The Douma or Cathedral of St. Maria of the Flowers.  The center of Florence.  What can you say, amazing architecture and decoration.

Ponte Vecchio on the river Arno.  Built in 1218.  Shops and residences along the bridge.

Pizza with the pigeons.

Pantheon

 The dome of St. Peter's Basilica

The Colosseum

On to the sites of Rome, so many ancient ruins, everywhere you look are ancient ruins, built centuries ago.  Humbling, all the life that has been lived in these places that still stand.  

Some Rome night life on the Spanish Steps.

To Eat:  Tiramisu  We shared that, 4 of us, we should have had more!  Sad.

Gelato!  I didn't get enough.

Roasted Artichoke flowers, we didn't get to try these.  They look pretty though.

Favorite place in the Testaccio neighborhood.

Espresso!

Cheers!

Ciao.

  

A Week at the Lake 2018

Like glass the first few days after arriving.  So unusual on this big lake.

The classic picture, always picturesque.

The Bluebird with the dahlias next to the side door.  This cabin used to be two cabins, now it's one and we filled it up with 8 people.  😍

Ready to eat fish!

Thanks to fisherman Phil, I helped too 😀 got lucky this year.

This willow is massive, been there along time, when you go around to the other side there's a big hollow hole you could climb into but still it lives on.  Good thing, it's a landmark tree.

Aidyn chasing the volley ball.

Ava

Entrance to Baby Lida

No one home at this island place this year.  

What about those yellow seats ??!  Cool!

This is also a classic from the lake.  Good morning.  Walk out on the dock and the sun is rising just over there in the east.  

May Fiber Gathering

Angie is on vacation, so I brought a camera to Carole's.  It was a beautiful day with blossoming trees, frogs croaking in the pond and conversation with lovely ladies.

Carole's Kitchen, parts of lunch

Blooming orchids in the sunroom, beauty.

OK, the chorus frog(s) were noisy but we know why they love this pond.

Pretty Lavender hat by Barb

Judith's rug handwoven with Marimekko scraps, bright and cheery, caught her  modeling her handwoven scarf too.

The rug, my 6-harness twill piece, on top of the Oriole Mill woven towels, Barb B's tea cozy started.

Finely woven hand towels from the Oriole Mill in Henderson, N.C.

Olga's shawl and shawl pattern.

Anne Marie modeling Olga's shawl.

Examining Rachel's knitting.  That baby was having a good time too, just happy, no fussing!

And then we walked down to the other pond, reflecting pool.

Carole's stone masterpiece inside the sauna.  

It was a perfect day.

  

Asheville Tripping and Beach Walking

Colleen's Window - Love

One of the Jacquard Looms at the Oriole Mill in Henderson, NC. Took the tour and saw the Jacquard working, mind-boggling process, mind-blowing designed product.

The sewing room at the mill.  Everything is designed, woven and sewn on site.

Go here The Oriole Mill and read about this terrific place.

Sewing Studio

Unfortunately this is a blurry photo but have to include.  Thread organization, beauty in itself.

Remnant diving.

Sitting Artfully.  In Daniel McClendon's Studio - The Lift.  

I love his work!!!!

Drifting sand and seashells everywhere on the beach near Ocracoke, NC

Live Oaks and a mossy roof down an alleyway in Ocracoke, NC.  Finally a sunny and (relatively) warmer day at the seashore.

April Beachwear  in North Carolina.  So happy I brought this coat along.😏

Nags Head, Waterfront Restaurant.  A bonus to sit and watch the sunset.