Exploring Africa

I've been asked to show the countries I'll be visiting during the safari trip in May. I'll be in South Africa, shown in yellow at the bottom, Botswana adjoining it to the north in green, Zambia north of Botswana in pink, and perhaps a quick side trip into Zimbabwe, shown in orange to the east of Botswana.

You all loved the book. The movie was magnificent. Out of Africa, one of my favorite books. Bringing it to the silver screen gave one the feeling of at last being there alongside Karen Blixen (who wrote under the name Isak Dinesan), sharing both her personal and business struggles to make a happy life so far from her home, in a country she loved so much.

Do you know what people say about Africa after they visit? I've heard the usual statements.........thrilling, exciting, different, beautiful, hot, cold at night, buggy, smiling faces, kind people, animals, animals, animals and more animals. Now and then I still hear it called "The Dark Continent". The statement that has touched me closer to the heart than any other, is the one my sister-in-law made. For her it was "a life-altering experience".

Animal photos from safari websites.

Vintage Travel

Last week, when DH saw me lift the suitcase out of the trunk he yelled from the front steps. "You know, you can't take that one to Africa".

It was a piece of real luggage. No wheels or zippers, probably lined with sturdy silk or crisp printed cotton - no keys so haven't been able to look inside. The kind tucked carefully into the hold of the Pan Am Boeing 707-123 Clipper America on October 26, 1958 when the airline inaugurated transatlantic jet service from New York to Paris. The elegant owner in her tailored sheath dress, swing-back jacket, seamed nylons and high heeled, peep-toed sling backs, tucked her soft leather clutch under her arm, adjusted her pill box hat, and climbed the steps to the cabin.

1951 advertisement for the same Crown brand luggage.

My first flight ever was from London to Washington, D.C. in 1962. Was I nervous, you bet! Was I excited, definitely. Those were the days when travel was truly a delight..............they certainly didn't toss the leather luggage about to be scratched, dented, scraped and worse.

Dear friend Vanessa offered me this vintage suitcase because she knew I'd love it being it was a faded French gray. It found a home on the armoire in the French inspired guest room, and on top, the pretty clock Vanessa gave me a year or so ago. Isn't it fabulous to have friends who know exactly what you love?

Edited 9:15 PM ~ After Marilyn at Delights of the Heart asked me if I was going to open the suitcase to see if there was anything inside.....I did! Nothing extra like $100,000 in cash, or a few pieces of diamond jewelry tucked in a pocket.................but look how pretty the lining fabric turned out to be, cream silky gathers and printed with the Tour Eiffel and Arc de Triomphe. Love it!!!!

St Valentine's Day

HEARTS and FLOWERS

on

ST. VALENTINE'S DAY

Wishing you a LOVELY day.

Pink Saturday

For today, another fun PINK SATURDAY with some Valentine related pretties. These below caught my eye last weekend at SuzAnna's Antiques, Valentines and general pink treasures for sale right now if you are in the area and can stop by.

Love this shepherdess in the pink dress and that's one gorgeous straw hat trimmed in pink ribbon - Easter bonnet anyone?

Vintage Valentines galore! Aren't they more romantic than today's often tacky cards?

Wouldn't it be fun going treasure hunting come Spring - wearing that straw hat - and filling this cute pink shopping basket?

Really pretty vintage tablecloths for a Valentine's Day luncheon.

I've decided I will not post red pics tomorrow..............if you can stop back I'll surprise you with my take on St. Valentine's Day.

Meanwhile, enjoy your weekend and may you be surrounded by love and loved ones. Be sure to stop by Beverly's blog How Sweet The Sound for the list of this week's Pink Saturday participants.

Saturday Morning

Edited: Warm hearts - cold snow!

We awoke to snow again - very pretty and just enough to not be much of a problem around here, thank goodness.

Degas

The Dancing Class ~ 1876

Collection Harry Payne Bingham, New York

Sunday afternoon, I discovered this beautiful portfolio of sixteen full color Degas prints at SuzAnna's Antiques for just $12.

The Dancing Class ~ 1880

Denver Art Museum, Colorado

Known as the painter of ballet subjects, Edgar-Hilaire-Germain Degas (1834~1917) was far more than that. He was a portraitist of great distinction, a draftsman and one of the most exciting sculptors of his century.

A Dancer at the Age of Fourteen (bronze, 1880)

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

The Tub ~ 1886

The Hill-Stead Museum, Farmington, Connecticut

Degas seldom personified women in the intimate confines of their boudoirs, their faces were often hidden by the poses he caught them in with often just a cheek line, an ear, a slight indication of profile.

I think this print will hang in my bathroom, perhaps framed later. The colors are beautiful.

SuzAnna's on Sunday

Sunday afternoon. Warmer temps., sunshine, snow and ice just about gone, good friends treasure hunting. I headed to SuzAnna's Antiques to meet Vanessa of Vanilla Lavender. Also arranged to meet another local blog pal Lisa of pupylov for the first time. She often visits the shop but we kept missing each other before. Can never have too many junk gypsy friends! It was a fun time and Susie and Jenny have been working hard changing displays, decorating and readying for...........you've guessed it, Spring!

The latest offerings at SuzAnna's Antiques are, as always, varied, interesting and often drop dead gorgeous!

Speaking of gorgeous.......................

I've been really bad about posting an updated photo of Susie and her daughter Jenny who together are the owners of the shop. Susie's former business partner, Anna of Chickens in the Basement 'retired' to spend more time with her young sons, but we often see her, thank goodness - she is one fun gal. This mom and daughter combo are two creative firecrackers who do a great job and make a visit to the shop always so much fun.

....................and I can't leave you without sharing Bruce............SUPER nice DH of Susie, daddy of Jenny...............and he's always helping the gals move stuff, build stuff, fix stuff, just as he was doing Sunday afternoon. You rock Bruce!!

You're framed Bruce!!

February Snow Days

Carolina Blue skies have returned and our snow of last week has just about gone. The kids missed three days of school and will have to make them up - no school for just 5" of snow sounds silly to the northerners - it's because school buses can't maneuver on the icy back roads - very little snow removal equipment in the south!

After DH shoveled the big stuff, I delicately swept the front steps with my lightweight broom - sorry but my back no longer does shoveling heavy snow as it did when we lived in New England all those many long ago winters.

Snow angels enjoyed frolicking or relaxing in the sunny winter wonderland.

Before the sun shone brilliantly and the rains came, the garden looked lovely dressed in white.

Candles and snow - at night they cast the prettiest glow.

It was my own fault.....................I left these grinning cuties out since Christmas. Guess Mother Nature stopped by, read the message and granted a wish!

We saw a few flurries yesterday but today sunshine and warmer temps. As for those of you in the East who were inundated by the huge snowfall and blizzard of the past 48 hours, all I can say is, hang in there, stay safe, be warm...............and let someone else shovel!!!