Christmas lights III

A very merry xmas to all the regular and occasional visitors to my blog(s). We are off on Tuesday for two weeks in bucolic Derbyshire, a very much deserved holiday after a pretty challenging year! I would like to thank you all for taking the time to visit my blog, it means a lot to me! I wish you and your loved ones a wonderful xmas and a new year full of joy, laughter, creativity, success and love! Paola XX

At the village post office

Horses and light bulbs III

At the fairground VI

Two steps away from the horse

Mumsy's birthday cake

This is the birthday cake I baked with Mom for her birthday while we were staying at the cottage during our break. It was the first time we baked a cake in an AGA, alas the Victoria sponge cake lost the top layer as it was too brown, not really edible. Once the bottom layer cooled down, we added sumptuous French raspberries jam, cream and sugary decorations and enjoyed the cake. I must add that at the second attempt to bake the cake we were successful and had a two layers sponge cake!

Horses and light bulbs

I was not in a particularly good mood this morning, fortunately in my errands I always find something that makes me want to reach for my camera and take a photograph. Thank goodness for photography, and all those who contributed to the invention of photography. By now photography is almost a compulsion for me, a way to keep my sanity! I only wish that I could have transformed one of these horses into a real one and ride away, far, far away!

The white chair

Sweet memories from Venice

My friend sent me some yummy biscuits from Venice, now that I have taken a photograph of the packaging, Mom and I can dive in!

White clouds on the curtains

The house inside the window

An afternoon spent in the garden III

An afternoon spent in the garden

Friday's shopping before xmas

Adorable granny with a very elegant broach is prpbably checking she has enough cash in her purse, utterly sweet!

At the fairground IV

At the fairground III

The fairground rides have arrived

The shadow on the wall I

Mumsy's birthday

Mom Giulia and I are off for a few days to celebrate her birthday. We will come back next week, in the meantime I am sure I will take trillions of photos! Have a wonderful weekend you all, regular and occasional visitors, I am glad to share my photos and thoughts with you! Ciao, Paola

Jam iced biscuits and smiling faces

I am developing a dangerous interest in xmas-themed cookies and biscuits, I'd better turn my camera towards other subjects...

The gingerbread snowman and the freaked out reindeers

I could not help giggling when I saw the gingerbread reindeers at the local baker yesterday: they look positively freaked out!

The ghost in the shop window

...along with strings of pearls and a white xmas tree!

60 minutes before the rain

Looking closer...

I wonder whether I am developing an obsession for hydrangeas...

Further down the road...

Petals against the sky

While I was walking into town this morning the petals of a forlorn hydrangea caught my eye...

Freshly baked...

Cascade of pearls

Another experimental shot of necklaces at Accessorize, I love the ethereal and almost "dream-like" sense I get from looking at them.

Blurred hearts

More blurred bling from Accessorize, I love the intricate hearts!

Blurred bling I

An experimental close up shot of necklaces at Accessorize

Bling and feathers at Accessorize

While I was browsing at Accessorize I thought it would be fun to take some snapshots of these necklaces and bracelets, but from an unusual angle,...it all seems to me like a surreal cascade of pearls and pendants.

While I was walking into town...

Happy Thanksgiving!

to all my friends and visitors of this blog who live in the USA!

At the Cini Foundation, Venice

Architectural details- Venice

Florentine cloisters

Mom's sewing pattern III

...published in the 1950s as an insert in the Italian fashion magazine "Lei"

Mom's sewing pattern I

Mom's sewing pattern

Hydrangea after the rain

Stars and stripes

Heading west

From the ground up

The butterfly has landed

Behind the magenta petals

A mistery to be solved

Puzzled and admirative of these flowers, I discovered them at a public garden in Bakewell, Derbyshire. I still don't know the name for these magenta flowers, anyone out there has the answer? Many thanks in advance!

Looking into the summerhouse

The summerhouse window I

Rain on the summerhouse window

Victorian details

...at the local museum on a rainy afternoon.