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Category: Beauty and wonder

THE PERSONALIZED WORLD OF…GEWGAWS, BAUBLES, TCHOTCHKES, TRINKETS, KNICK-KNACKS, BIBELOTS, AND DOODAHS.

Why do so many of us surround ourselves with personal little treasures? Look around and you’ll probably see a number of little odds and ends on your desk, the bookcase, night stand, or in the kitchen. There are many answers to this…along with many questions. For…

MY FAVORITE ENCOUNTERS WITH FLOWERS AND PLANTS IN 2025

I am from a long line of horticulturists. Marla’s plants do very well with her loving care. My grandfather had a large greenhouse and grew beautiful orchids. My Mom and grandmother knew the names of just about every flower and plant. But, alas, my talents are not at…

EARLY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION AT THE LAKE HOUSE IN TEXAS

Marla and I celebrated an early Christmas at Stacy and Stan’s lake house on Cedar Creek Lake in Texas. The family will be touring India during the Holidays so we were happy to join them for early Christmas festivities. Vaughan is home for Christmas break from Auburn University…

ROUEN…A FASCINATING AND BEAUTIFUL CITY IN NORMANDY

Our boat docked at the Quai de la Savonnerie in Rouen, the capital of the French region of Normandy. We heard the city was fascinating, but we not prepared for its’ beauty. We were ready to disembark with our Uniworld guides. This is the magnificent Cathédrale Notre-Dame…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STACY!

Happy Birthday Stacy! You are a beautiful light who brings wonderful happiness to Mom & Dad and your family. Two beauties! Dinner at Javier’s in Dallas. We all were missing Vaughan who was at Auburn University and Stan overseas for work. The glow of sunset at the Lake…

A LONG VAIL WEEKEND OF EXCITING DANCE PERFORMANCES, FINE CUISINE, AND A HIKE AT 10,330′

Marla and I were long overdo for a visit to Vail, Colorado, a true favorite of ours in the summer months. We had tickets for two evenings of dance performances during the Vail Dance Festival. We love staying at Manor Vail Lodge, within easy walking distance of Vail Village, Golden…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LISA! FABULOUS MEMORIES PAST TO PRESENT.

Happy Birthday to our wonderful daughter Lisa! You are beautiful inside and out, passionate about important causes, a talented business woman, a super Mom & Wife! We wish you a happy and healthy year. We love you so much! I’ll share Lisa’s visual story from earliest…

A RETURN TO THE MAGICAL ISLAND OF BALI…A STAY IN A FABULOUS RESORT HIGH IN THE JUNGLE

After our superb AHI “Essence of Southeast Asia” tour ended in Siem Reap, Cambodia Marla, daughter Lisa and husband Ray, and I flew to Bali for the last leg of our trip. We’ve stayed at many Bali hotels over the years and wanted something new this time. We chose…

SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA, THE GATEWAY TO THE AMAZING RUINS OF ANGKOR…part 1

Our wonderful AHI “Treasures of Southeast Asia” tour took us from Bangkok to Siem Reap, Cambodia. We stayed at the Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Resort. Our last visit to Siem Reap was in 2023 with two of our grandsons from Dallas. Our very first trip was in 1997 when…

AN AMAZING EXCURSION ON THE BELMOND EASTERN & ORIENT EXPRESS THROUGH THE JUNGLES OF MALAYSIA

Having a 3-night Belmond train excursion as a component of our AHI “Treasures of Southeast Asia” trip was a giant bonus and something I always wanted to do! Of course I was a huge fan of Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express.&#8221…