Hi everyone!
Hope all is well. These weeks are absolutely getting away from me! I am working hard on my writing and I also have a small contract for a not-for-profit organization which is taking a lot of my time. Add in yard work, reading, seeing friends and things I cannot even recall, it is hard to know where the time is going.
Over the last six weeks, I have been taking an online course: Revise Your Novel/Picture Book in a Month.
Taught by super agent Jill Corcoran and Martha Alderson, author of the Plot Whisperer, this 8 video series has been an amazing tool to both improve my abilities and to get things done. I learned so many things, so if any of you out there are sitting on a story, this is well worth the funds and you can revisit the videos for months afterwards. You can also access Jill and Martha afterwards on Facebook for help, so it is great!
Yesterday we went to the garden center and bought tons of geraniums. We hang baskets of them around the pool and they always make me so happy, from the scent to the bright flowers. They are also almost completely indestructible. This is a good thing, when the summer weather here can range from drought to torrential rains!
They also make me think of France, as it seems there is a pot of red geraniums everywhere.
Speaking of France, I have been enthralled by Habitually Chic's sojourn to Paris.
How fun would it be to move to Paris for the summer? Pretty fun, if you ask me...
However, what I would like even better would be to go back to a little stone cottage like we stayed at in 2008...
Or maybe Nyons, where I happily spent 2 hours and where I need to go back and spend at least a week:
It's funny how places get under our skin, isn't it? We drive through a place and make a mental note that we absolutely MUST go back there at some point...
OR
we read about a place and dream about it for years and then are surprised to find ourselves there.
There is something surreal about that kind of trip. I remember walking through The Tower of London and thinking again and again "I am walking through the Tower of London. I am REALLY walking through the Tower of London."
Those landmarks are familiar and yet utterly foreign to us. Especially the most iconic ones...
You can't be alive this weekend I think and not know about Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's wedding. There is something very Marie Antoinette-ish about these kinds of weddings, but I will not speak ill of them, as frankly it is a waste of energy and I hope that they, like everyone else whose wedding I am aware of, live a happy life together. There is enough negativity in this world without piling on.
But if got me to thinking. Next year is my 30th wedding anniversary. We went nowhere for our 25th, so perhaps a celebration is in order. Where would I renew my vows were I to do such a thing?
A destination wedding appears to be all the vogue now, though we got married in a little stone chapel here in Fredericton.
Would I pay Florence, like Kim and Kanye? Perhaps, I've not yet been to Italy and I wouldn't need a wall around me to shield me from the paps and would be content with field flowers...
Maybe Scotland at the old family homestead?
I also really need to go see Charleston and the other Bloomsbury haunts..
Would have to leave Barry at the local pubs for some of that...
I am also thinking of Bruges...
Or maybe I would beg Rosemary over at the amazing blog Share My Garden, to let me do the vows in her spectacular garden:
It's fun to wile away the hours while you are doing mundane tasks and dream of places to visit.
How about you? What would be your dream wedding destination?
Have a great day and stay safe out there!
xoxo wendy
Hope all is well. These weeks are absolutely getting away from me! I am working hard on my writing and I also have a small contract for a not-for-profit organization which is taking a lot of my time. Add in yard work, reading, seeing friends and things I cannot even recall, it is hard to know where the time is going.
Over the last six weeks, I have been taking an online course: Revise Your Novel/Picture Book in a Month.
Taught by super agent Jill Corcoran and Martha Alderson, author of the Plot Whisperer, this 8 video series has been an amazing tool to both improve my abilities and to get things done. I learned so many things, so if any of you out there are sitting on a story, this is well worth the funds and you can revisit the videos for months afterwards. You can also access Jill and Martha afterwards on Facebook for help, so it is great!
Yesterday we went to the garden center and bought tons of geraniums. We hang baskets of them around the pool and they always make me so happy, from the scent to the bright flowers. They are also almost completely indestructible. This is a good thing, when the summer weather here can range from drought to torrential rains!
They also make me think of France, as it seems there is a pot of red geraniums everywhere.
Speaking of France, I have been enthralled by Habitually Chic's sojourn to Paris.
How fun would it be to move to Paris for the summer? Pretty fun, if you ask me...
However, what I would like even better would be to go back to a little stone cottage like we stayed at in 2008...
Or maybe Nyons, where I happily spent 2 hours and where I need to go back and spend at least a week:
It's funny how places get under our skin, isn't it? We drive through a place and make a mental note that we absolutely MUST go back there at some point...
OR
we read about a place and dream about it for years and then are surprised to find ourselves there.
There is something surreal about that kind of trip. I remember walking through The Tower of London and thinking again and again "I am walking through the Tower of London. I am REALLY walking through the Tower of London."
Those landmarks are familiar and yet utterly foreign to us. Especially the most iconic ones...
You can't be alive this weekend I think and not know about Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's wedding. There is something very Marie Antoinette-ish about these kinds of weddings, but I will not speak ill of them, as frankly it is a waste of energy and I hope that they, like everyone else whose wedding I am aware of, live a happy life together. There is enough negativity in this world without piling on.
But if got me to thinking. Next year is my 30th wedding anniversary. We went nowhere for our 25th, so perhaps a celebration is in order. Where would I renew my vows were I to do such a thing?
A destination wedding appears to be all the vogue now, though we got married in a little stone chapel here in Fredericton.
Would I pay Florence, like Kim and Kanye? Perhaps, I've not yet been to Italy and I wouldn't need a wall around me to shield me from the paps and would be content with field flowers...
Maybe Scotland at the old family homestead?
I also really need to go see Charleston and the other Bloomsbury haunts..
Would have to leave Barry at the local pubs for some of that...
I am also thinking of Bruges...
Or maybe I would beg Rosemary over at the amazing blog Share My Garden, to let me do the vows in her spectacular garden:
It's fun to wile away the hours while you are doing mundane tasks and dream of places to visit.
How about you? What would be your dream wedding destination?
Have a great day and stay safe out there!
xoxo wendy
What a gorgeous cottage! So pretty. You should splash out a bit for your 30th. I'm always torn between somewhere new and Paris, which is always so lovely. Bruges looks gorgeous. Maybe both? But then you and Barry will need one of those combined names to match the glam factor of the holiday: Bardy? Wendry? So much to decide ;)
ReplyDeleteOh I like Wendry. YOur name is always getting combined: Bennifer...
DeleteI'm with Jen, I always think a new place would be fun but for a romantic retreat Paris is the place, it doesn't matter how many times you've been.
ReplyDelete30 years is a big anniversary, and you're such a wonderful loving couple, I'm happy to know you as you are an inspiration!
I'm thinking Scotland for the two of you, land of your people.:)
Yes, we could tromp in our willies and get free drinks wherever we went!
DeleteI have never understood the fascination with Paris, it's an American thing I think, Rome trumps it hands down, Florence is lovely too but a bit quiet for me personally. That little church where you got married is just beautiful too.
ReplyDeleteI think you are able to stay up later than me, Tabs. Rome is on the list though...
DeleteIt has to be Paris. I suggest go at Christmas time and you'll see a different magical Paris with the Christmas lights and markets. See a ballet at Palais Garnier or a Christmas concert at Ste Chapelle. Toast the new year and welcome the next 30 years with Eiffel twinkling out your window. Don't think the cold will be an issue with you and you're supposed to stay indoors anyway, wink, wink!
ReplyDeleteMarie, I think Paris is awful at Christmas time, it's such a secular country, and has none of he draw of the other parts of Europe which really celebrate it. I was crushed by it three years ago!
DeleteOh I don't think I could ever go away for Christmas! I am so attached to my Christmas things... On the other hand... Although I do have a fantasy of London at Christmas - Noel Streitfeild pantos, Shirley Hughes, children stories...
DeleteThere are so many wonderful places to see in the world. I love Italy, but I think Florence suffers from too many tourists--in and of themselves, not so bad, but half the reason to go somewhere else is to meet people, and perhaps you don't need to go to Italy to meet streams of American and Chinese tourists I think larger cities do a better job of absorbing tourists. But the Uffizi is amazing, and the view from the Ponte Vecchio is beautiful, so my advice would be to spend a couple of days in the city, time in one of the smaller hill towns to relax and eat, and go to Rome and spend time there. I really love Rome. (I'm also not such a big fan of Paris, and I have family friends there and stayed with them, so it's not that I've just seen the touristy things.)
ReplyDeleteAnon, I am with you on the Ponte Vecchio et al, out of season it is just wonderful.
DeleteThanks Anon - we would likely be going in the fall around the actual time, so perhaps not so bad then. We were in Paris in August and I really loved it.
DeleteI am not well travelled so I cannot chime in on any exotic locations for your 30th...but somewhere cozy where you can relax seems appropriate. We'll be spending our 40th on board our boat in the Gulf Islands.
ReplyDeleteThat church is lovely and congratulations on your upcoming celebration.
I agree about geraniums and red are especially nice planted up in pots and baskets as they last all summer long. Enjoy your Sunday whatever you get up to....
Thanks Hostess. A boat also sounds swell, though I do like a good tromp!
DeleteVegas baby! Renew your vows with Elvis officiating...I would be there to hold your hair back when riding the porcelain goddess. As you know, we are headed to Venice and Tuscany for our 25th. Never been to Europe, except the first six weeks of my life, and this just sounds terribly romantic. My second choice was Morroco.
ReplyDeleteBB - Morocco appeals too! Well I will wait to hear how you make out! I am glad you will hold my hair. Meanwhile Hunter will be introducing Barry to the "girls"
DeleteWhile I am not as enthusiastic about Paris as a lot are I am still very happy for HC's Heather to be somewhere she seems to have a passion for. I feel the same way about Charleston SC, New Orleans, Colorado and Sicily. I could easily spend a summer in those places.
ReplyDeleteI have to say I could see you in Scotland - first in Fife and then you could go to Ft William and Skye and celebrate everywhere!! You do remind me that I should go see the bloomsbury house which I still have never been...
Naomi - funny - Charleston is on my list as well, even before New Orleans! I can't wait to go to Scotland. I think I will see people like me up in Skye, but that could be pure romanticism on my part!
DeleteYou're thinking about it backwards. This is a moment in your most personal and private life, so don't interview candidates, don't take bids or request proposals. What have you and Barry always wanted to do? One thing, maybe two... And then do it right. Reserve the best dinner, the most luxurious breakfast, the loveliest view, the nicest time of year to go there - after all, if E II can have an "official" birthday, you guys can have an "official" wedding commemoration. Booking ahead is part of the fun.
ReplyDeleteOr, time and resources permitting, you can treat yourselves to a Jubilee Year and take a few trips, organize a catered dinner for friends and family, go up in a balloon...
Just say Yes!
Ha - do not worry Fred - just 'cause I ask for input doesn't mean it will have any impact on where we finally go!
DeleteI wouldn't go anywhere at the height of tourist season, but always found Avignon and Aix en Provence lovely. Florence is beautiful as is San Francisco. xoJennifer
ReplyDeletewe loved Avignon - never got to Aix! San Francisco sounds amazing!
DeleteOur 10 year anniversary is coming up in a few years but I kind of doubt we'll be doing anything special for it. If money were no object, it would be wonderful to go to Hawaii. For our honeymoon, we went to Maui during the off-season, and had a fantastic time.
ReplyDeleteLouise - have never been to Hawaii. I bet it is amazing! For our honeymoon we had no money or time and went to a friend's little cottage which was pretty lovely!
DeleteI'm not worldly enough to suggest a place but what fun to dream of a big to-do for your big 30! But no matter where you go, exotic or not, there will be much love and laughter with Wendry, I am certain!
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I loved our very small and charming wedding. Would you believe I'd want to go to Canada for a special anniversary?
TR - go west, then come east to us!
DeleteHello Wendy,
ReplyDeleteGosh, we are breathless from just reading this account of all your comings and goings. Still, it all sounds great fun amidst the work.
Pots of pelargoniums look so good throughout the summer, especially the lipstick red ones. They never seem to mind the vagaries of the weather and bloom profusely rain or shine.
As for your anniversary celebrations......well, Paris would not be our choice, not when there is Italy......of course, there is Budapest.....Paris of the East so they say! Whatever, enjoy!
Lance and Janet - I am still drooling over your trip to Madelief's garden! I would love to go back to the Netherlands.
DeleteReally, there are just so many places to visit, aren't there? That's what makes the world such a wonderful place...
Hi Wendy, somehow left my comment on the post below, story of my life. Your little chapel just sounds glorious and much more authentic. We just walked down the road to Marelybone Registry Office and that was that, so maybe we owe it to ourselves to repeat the ceremony in a far off land. Loads of people have weddings in Hawaii here though apparently it makes the bill five times higher and then many of your friends say they can't afford to come. Paris is always good with me for anything can there be a more perfect place in the world. Kevin and I have thought about renewing vows in the wine country then we think through logistics of renting a house and who exactly would stay in the house and this person doesn't really like that person and then we feel very tired.
ReplyDeleteI hear you! And to be truthful - if we ever renew our vows it would likely just be us anyhow. I am, for some, reason, completely uninterested in anniversary parties! Which is funny, because I like a good party!
DeleteScotland will call you at some point, whether now or for another trip; I know you will experience your "roots". Skye is just amazing, I think; I still have sweaters from hand-spun, herb-dyed- hand-knit Skye wool. You will have such fun finding your anniversary special place!
ReplyDeleteLane - my sister is going there in a few weeks and I can't wait to see the pictures. I am definitely going to Skye very soon!
DeleteI just was in Bruges last month - very charming and picturesque. My husband and I would differ in preferences for our anniversary. He would definitively pick Paris and Avignon. I love Italy. I know I am being sacrilegious but I will always chose Italian food and wine over French. I can't think of any places in Italy that I don' t enjoy but Florence and the Tuscany area are favorites for me. I am sure you will have a wonderful time wherever you choose. It will be wonderful to celebrate together!
ReplyDeleteGood point. I love Italian food more than French as well. Well, actually, I could eat anything!
DeleteParis is my favourite city but I would probably choose Venice for a dream wedding destination. To arrive at one's wedding by gondola and to make the vows on one of the bridges would be magical.
ReplyDeleteOkay - that sounds wonderful!!!
DeleteAny of these places sound good to me. I love WFF idea of a jubilee year! I would vote for a Caribbean vacation. How about St. Bart's. I loved it & it's much less of a plane ride than Hawaii!
ReplyDeleteNo need to beg, just come. I'll erect an awning, there's always the threat of rain!
ReplyDeleteLike many of the above I am in love with Venice. I was there last October with the family to celebrate my birthday and even a light drizzle fails to dampen my delight in this city.