memories…

Have you ever been lucky enough to be on a tropical beach vacation in the winter?  If you follow me on instagram you saw that we went this past Christmas break.   And within a few days back in this polar vortex it was hard to remember the warm breeze and sand between our toes.  So how to bring those warm, sunny, sandy memories back, and keep them around for awhile?   Here’s what Miss Personally did:  make a memory jar to preserve a piece of the holiday.

Three Unexpected Ways to Photograph Your Trips

Trips are awesome.  Trips are important.  Trips can change your life.

Photo Finish 23: Vintage New Orleans Jazz

Happy Friday bloggy friends! 

Guess what…I didn’t take this picture.  I’m letting Mr. P. show off his photography skills on today’s Photo Finish with a shot he took with his camera phone in New Orleans a week ago. 

Road Tripping: Montreal in Winter

The stereotypes are true.  It’s cold in Montreal in the winter.  Nevertheless we were looking for a few-day, road-trippable getaway and this is where we went.  It was just in the wake of our epic ice storm, so long hours of driving at least had this fairy-tale, coated-in-ice scenery to enjoy along the way.

I’m an Aquarium Junkie: Ripley's Aquarium

I love aquariums.  They provide a huge window into another world that most of us will never actually visit.  There’s an aura of mystery to life under the sea.  So many fascinating creatures on display…everything from the utterly ugly to the sublimely beautiful.  There are always some displays that compel you to sit and stare into them transfixed for ages. 

Aberfoyle Antique Market

Happy Monday bloggy friendsl!  How many of you are antique hunters?  Or wanna be antique hunters like me?  Are you usually driving right past all the charming antique shops with family in tow and looking wistfully out the window while they whine Are We There Yet?

Not this time.

Pack your suitcase...

This time my lovely friend invited me (just me...yay!) to go antiquing with her on the weekend and I was more than happy to accept.  So come with me on a little trip through the Aberfoyle Antique Mall to see what's fun and inspiring. 

Who wouldn’t want to go to Old Pond Circle?  It sounds absolutely perfect. Let's go check it out.  While both of us were on a quest for specific treasures, here is what we wandered through, sorted through and admired in our search…

Would anyone like to buy a vowel? 

Of course we were kind of there to stop and smell the roses…and the black-eyed susans too…

Here is one of the ladders that my friend considered.  What do you think?  Any use for a rustic ladder around your home?  And I loved the patina on those weathered old shutters.

I came home with a couple of awesome finds.  Some vintage keys ended up here as part of an IKEA hack. And a distressed tin letter H has yet to be photographed in it's new home...stay tuned. 

Did you see anything you liked? What would have come home with you? 

A Visit to Wine Country

Well let’s take a short break from productivity and busy-ness and just sit back and look at pretty pictures, shall we?  This past Labour Day weekend we were happy to accept an invitation from my siblings-in-law to visit Niagara’s wine country.  It was a perfect end-of-summer day, and these pictures are all from Trius Winery at Hillebrand.  We had a tour of the winery and took part in a tasting as well.  Gorgeous way to spend an afternoon.

The buildings are that perfect combination of charming, rustic and historic.  As we head out to the vineyards the views are lush, green and pastoral.

…and we have our wine-tasting right there in the vineyard!  One white, one red, and one icewine.  Mmmmm.  We are taught the correct wine-tasting etiquette, and hear about the geography required for grape growing around the world.

Then we head down inside the winery to see where the barrelling and bottling happen.  The scale of everything is so immense.  And the history behind wine-making is fascinating to hear.

Then back out of the wine cellars…

…and exit through the gift shop. 
 

Didn’t you love that little tour?  If you live near a wine country of your own, lucky you.  If not you should really make a point of visiting if you can.  I think I’ll pour myself a little taste of a wine we bought there right now….maybe a sliver of Asiago…and an olive or two…cheers!

Why Go Camping?

Hello again, everyone.  I took myself a little technology holiday and went camping.  Thank you for allowing me that leisure.  But today is Re-entry Day One.  Yikes, it’s a tough one.  Suddenly my hair looks pretty wild.  And when did my manicure start looking so ratty?  And what do I even wear besides sweats or a bathing suit?  Not pyjamas and flip flops, I guess…

Well, we managed to fly out of the house this morning in some semblance of civility.  Without blueberry pancakes, eggs and two cups of coffee, though.  But now there is an explosion of sandy, leafy, damp Stuff coming out of the utility trailer in the driveway.  I sense it creeping towards my front door.  I think I’ll just hide out here in the back yard for awhile and look at some of the pretty pictures I took.

Very soon, all this civilization will seem normal again, maybe even good.  And I might even wonder, why do we go camping?  And you might wonder too.  So here are some of the pictures that remind me why…

Well, of course there’s that…but really that’s not what it’s ALL about. 

It’s about the freedom.  From watches, schedules, technology, mirrors.  (See fashion photo, above.)  And the enormous space.  Space to be, and feel, and gain perspective, and run without agenda or destination.  These are luxuries not often afforded to me.  Maybe you too.

There is no other time when the important activities include finding frogs, getting buried in the sand, hiking along the shore for a picnic, catching the sunset.

And the last events of the day are stargazing and counting shooting stars before zippering everyone into sleeping bags and tents.  We are lulled to sleep by the sound of croaking frogs, calling loons, and the winds blowing through the treetops.

That’s why we go camping.

Daytrips and a New Camera

Hello, and hoping that all is well with you.  Here, we are winding down a weekend of good times, good food, gardening, with a little bit of the daily grind thrown in between.  As I have been sitting here editing and cataloguing photos from May…what??? it’s over already???…I thought I would share a few them here.  Because guess what.  I have a new cameraaaaaaah!  Yes, I am saying that in a very sing-song-y voice.  As I progress through my photography courses it was time to either upgrade or drop out.  Upgrade it was.

And with that new camera I have twice had the opportunity to sit in the passenger seat and take photos out the window as my driver heads out of Suburbia for a daytrip.  Bliss.  And this is what you see in our part of the world after driving out for not too long.  Lovely of that cute little red tractor to drive by to make for an interesting photo, don’t you think?

Feeling quite theatrical and literary driving through here.

And on this day we were actually coming to see live theatre in the gorgeous little town of Stratford.  Also filled with lots of cute shops and restaurants.

On this day we were buying organic poultry from a family business on this beautiful property.  And on the drive home, we were treated to an impromptu show by the Snowbirds.  What?  Yes, actually!  Here we are stopped at a green light watching them.

Never know what you’ll see when you head out on a daytrip.

Road Trip Ruminations

Road trips.  An opportunity to expand your horizons.  To be bold and adventurous and see what you can discover.

It all started with this musical being on the Bucket List for Teenaged Daughter and me.  Last chance to see it was in NYC last fall, and we decided on Mamma Mia instead.  So fun!  Then earlier this year, some internet browsing revealed that the Broadway tour of Wicked was coming to Rochester around the time we both have our birthdays.  Rochester…who knew?  Let’s get tickets and figure out the details later.  That’s how it works around here.  Road trip, here we come!

Along came the big weekend, and we had this poignant moment at the border.

Tragic events in Boston during the week made this border crossing a long and sombre one.

Once we were across and Teenaged Daughter had navigated us through a pit stop and into the right direction she quickly got bored and took hold of the camera.  Along with some crazy Selfies, she took this fantastic shot.

Ah, the open road.  Discovery and inspiration await us, and there is a feeling of solidarity as we navigate it together.

First stop, Wicked.  Fantastic.  If you haven’t yet seen it you must make an effort.  If you have, what was your favourite thing about it?  The costumes from the Emerald City were spectacular.  Check out some of the hats and gowns.

The story is a great exploration of finding your own path in life, and a tribute to real friendships.  Best line from a song…Because I knew you I’ve been changed For Good.  True words.

The next day, a walk around the neighbourhood of the theatre and our hotel was like this.

I wonder how my life would be more creative if I lived in a blue house?

And many more opportunities to take pretty pictures…can’t go wrong with an old tree, weathered fence and wildflowers.

A happy discovery…Rochester is home to the Eastman House!  George Eastman was the founder of Kodak and modern photography, and generous patron to the arts and sciences.  We made a visit to his historical home.

Now this is a civilized way to start and end your day.  So exquisite and beautiful.

Can you imagine having a conservatory like this in which to soak in the light…the space…the view…the elephant head?

And check out this library.  Music, writing, books, art, light, fireplace…all my favourite things.  I could live in a room like this.  Couldn’t you?

Ah yes, a good road trip.  We’ve expanded our horizons and deepened our relationship.  Happy Birthday, Teenaged Daughter.  What’s next on the Bucket List?

I leave the rest of you with some decorating inspiration.

Be bold.  Expand your horizons.