Hello,

I have news to share!I have just gotten back from a little trip aboard to spark my creativity and enhance my soul.I stepped on an airplane late September and headed for BORDEAUX,FRANCE and the surrounding countryside.I was chauffeured about by an AMERICAN who is fortunate enough to have a petite maison over yonder!Everyday, we were escorted through countryside spilling over with beauty.A lot of the sites were grapevines waiting to be harvested, which did start to happen the day we left. Castles,châteaux’s,cows,rivers,ruins and just dog gone beauty everywhere one looked!Daily lunches were a pleasure usually lasting no less than three hours.The Brocantes and markets awaited our arrival as we leaped from the car in hopes of finding treasure.This did take me a few days to find but I managed to stow away a few treasures in the luggage and ship some home.I enjoyed the hunt very much and found that all the dealers were delightful and kind.Even if I could not even understand the price!You see most items were not marked with a price tag so one needed to ask…………………so I got very good at asking and mimicking that they should draw the price in the air as I could not get a grasp of the gorgeous french language!One of my favorite buys was a small sign that says BUCKINGHAM PALACE!The lettering is a bit crooked!How much I needed to know?He was saying one price and I was trying to give him more than he was asking!Needless, to say I spent about $10.00 for that and it will remain in my CASA!!Which takes me to chandeliers…………………they are everywhere in FRANCE!Even the small 12th century church that was my view from my bedroom at the CHATEAUX CARSAC had an exquisite chandelier hanging at the alter.I must tell you about my experience there!On say the third morning maybe fourth I wandered over to the church and upon entering the lights went on.Mind you it was just me in the church but there was a sensor that lite up the alter……………very moving indeed.As I took in the scene in front of me and moved closer to the front of the church AVA MARIA started to play!!!!!!!!!That has to be one of my most favorite tunes………….I litterally had goose bumps and got tears in my eyes.It was a MOST MAGICAL experience.Upon exiting the  old ,very old stone church I walked the graveyard that too was my view from my window.Dates going back to the 1700’s, and much much older some with names such as BATCAVE for a lastname!My time there was most enjoyable especially after my luggage arrived!Only took those FRENCH AIR FRANCE folks four days to find the baggage in Paris and shuttle it out to the MARIE where the English neighbor Paul was so  kind to go and fetch!You can imagine how I felt after wearing the same travel clothes for four days!I truely was a new and refreshed CONTESSA!Next post CHATEAUX’s and CASTLES!Then a bit later my ITALIAN adventures with perhaps some shots of the LOOT I did buy for the HEN HOUSE!Anyone interested in that?!!