Friday, May 23, 2014

Happy Anniversary Beverly and Pink Saturday

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I was lucky enough to spend the first Saturday of May in France! That’s right FRANCE! It was a Pink Saturday for sure! Now I’m back home and lucky enough to celebrate  this special anniversary with Beverly and my Pink Saturday friends!

This shot was taken on May Day when flower vendors were on every corner selling little bunches of Lily of the Valley and other small bouquets. I purchased a handful from this lovely lady pushing a cart and a colorfully clad doll. May Day is the French Labor Day and it’s very political. She was talking excitedly with great passion, but  my French was sadly lacking and I never figured out her cause or agenda or her message…but her flowers lasted most of the week!

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The real Pink of the trip was out at Giverny, Monet’s home and gardens. They are breathtaking.

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My little tourist Kodak could not come close to capturing the Pinkness, but his artist’s eye was perfection! It was one of the most beautiful beautiful places I’ve ever been.

monet garden-path-at-giverny

The lilies in his ponds were not blooming yet, but you can see the colors in the mix of trees along the banks. He planned and planted the garden himself (along with a staff of gardeners because he, unlike so many painters of the era, was financially successful. in fact, he bought the extra land for the ponds with the sale of TWO Paintings!)2014-05-02 14.28.45

Again, Kodak vs. Monet’s eye…

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It still gives me goose bumpy shivers to realize that I was actually there walking in his footsteps and looking out his bedroom  window sharing the view he woke to every morning.

And by the way, our French guide really did say, “Ooh La La” repeatedly…so I guess that’s not just in the movies, unless she was hamming it up for better tips. Well, I’m headed out to visit Beverly and take the weekly Tour de Pink…Happy Anniversary to one and all. http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/pink balloons in paris

8 comments:

dana said...

What a wonderful trip, LaVerne!! I know you will remember it forever!!

I thank Nancy for pullin you into the land of BLOG. . .just so I could "meet" you!! You two are so very lucky to have maintained your special bond over these MANY years!! I love your posts and I love your creativity!! Thank you for being such a special part of Pink Saturday!!

L, Dana

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness, those images are spectacular. Thank you for sharing.
Happy pinks!

Bill said...

Okay. I'm jealous. I want to go to Paris! But I'm happy you got to visit there. Thanks for sharing your photos with us.

Alycia Nichols said...

The ULTIMATE Pink Saturday post!!! How great that you got to stroll those streets, see those views, take in all that culture and fun! What a beautiful way to spend time! I think we're ALL jealous!!! :-)

I love that last photo with the balloons! Like those balloons, I'll bet you're still floating from that fabulous trip!

Have a safe and relaxing holiday weekend!

Nancy said...

Amazing - I can't believe you were at those beautiful gardens either. It truly sounds like such a perfect trip and to see Monet's paintings...what a memory. We should go to Houston to the Art Museum there someday. Can't wait to see the rest of your pictures. I got your message but was working with Quentin on a biology project so I'm guessing you must have been able to fix being 12 years old!!! You should have put 112!!! Will call you tomorrow. xoxo Nancy

Rostrose said...

Giverny must be such a wonderful place! I hope I will see it with my own eyes one day!
Many hugs from Austria & Happy P.S.
Traude (^‿^)❀

jeanne, backyard neighbor said...

Hi LaVerne, Thank you for your sweet comment. I couldn't miss Beverly's 6th PS party. I have been on an extended Blog break.

I 'loved' your story and photos of France. How lucky you were to take such a wonderful trip. I have always admired all paintings by Monet' I would love to see his home and gardens as well. When we went on our riverboat cruise up the Rhine I bought my sister an umbrella with a Monet painting on it. Beautiful. We were in France in a small town on the Rhine River.

xo, Jeanne

Annesphamily said...

What a wonderful trip! I love the French Impressionists and enjoy seeing paintings in museums. Gorgeous images. HPS to you and thanks for sharing. I am new following you. Have a good week.



Limping Deer and the Twins

Limping Deer and the Twins
They are still spotted at this time.

Show and Tell Sunday June 15

Flea Market Finds...sounds like my whole house and yard...

Milk Glass Collection

Milk Glass Collection
Who knew that a 25 cent flea market find would unleash such a collecting frenzy? I never pay more than a dollar unless it's a really nice piece. They are great grouped with a single daisy in each.

These used to be inexpensive florist vases in the 50's and 60's. Everyone's Grandmother had bunches.

Mexicana Dishes

Mexicana Dishes
My sister found these for me at Bussy's Flea Market in San Antonio, Texas. I had seen pictures in her Fiesta reference book. Mexicana was also made by Homer Laughlin in the 30's. I had been looking for several years without ever finding even a single piece when she found the set...with a promise to hold it for us, she came running to find me and I bought the entire set...60+ pieces for $50.

Mexicana

Mexicana
I've added to the set over the years, but the price and experience will never match that first amazing find.

Vintage Kitchen Hutch

Vintage Kitchen Hutch
When my hubby found this hutch it was Pepto pink and I was not 100% sure about it. But with a new red back and fresh white paint and refurbished hardware, it became one of my favorite pieces.

Nancy made me save the vine

Nancy made me save the vine
The vine and flowers painted on the inside were in such bad shape that I was ready to remove it all. Nancy -My Crafty Little Page convinced me to keep it and after some touch-up work, I'm glad I listened to her. My husband restores vintage Cushman motorscooters and he tries to make everything "mint" condition again. The Shabby Chic movement came along just in time to keep me from making some terrible mistakes.