Texas Bluebonnets!

I have been wanting to see bluebonnets forever!

But our normal trips to visit relatives in Texas

usually happen in the summer

when the bluebonnets are long gone.

Well this year we had a change of plans

and went in April.

 



Our cousins knew I wanted to see

the bluebonnets, but most had already come and gone

and they weren't too hopeful.

But while driving past a shopping center

we turned to check out a previous bluebonnet "sighting"

and this is what we found!

 

 
 
 
 

A wonderful display!

 



 



Not only bluebonnets, but Indian Paintbrush...

all in full bloom.

 

 

An unexpected treat of nature's beauty...

 

and a long awaited wish come true!


Until next time ~

Terri

Delphi, Meteora and Athens

Our Greece travels continued on land.

 

The boat docked in Kalambaka and we boarded a motor coach

and headed north to Arachova.

This was the view from our room.

 

I love Greek food and enjoyed a cooking lesson

learning how to make traditional Mousaka.

(It was delicious)

 

The next morning we traveled to Delphi.

Delphi is known for the Oracle.

 

Dating back to 1400 BC, the Oracle of Delphi was the most important shrine in all Greece,

and in theory all Greeks respected its independence. Built around a sacred spring,

Delphi was considered to be the omphalos - the center (literally navel) of the world.

 

Throughout this trip we climbed hundreds upon hundreds of steps.

This was no exception.

Spending another night in Arachova

and enjoying dinner in one of the lovely outdoor restaurants

we next headed to Meteora.



 

The Metéora "middle of the sky", "suspended in the air" or "in the heavens above" 

is one of the largest and most important complexes of Greek Orthodox monasteries in Greece. 

The six monasteries are built on natural sandstone rock pillars, at the

northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly in central Greece.

The Metéora is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

 

 



 

We actually climbed (more steps!) to go in to

the monastery and were amazed at the amount of

architecture, artwork, and beauty in each.

The view from our room was again beautiful,

but the rock formations were a bit scary.

Can you see the eyes?

Our trip ended 15 days from the start in Athens.

We toured the museums, the Palatka

and of course, the Acropolis and Parthenon.

By now, the Captain had climbed enough steps to last a lifetime

and was glad we live in relatively flat Florida.

 



Thank you for letting me share just a glimpse of

our amazing journey with you.

Hope you enjoyed it!



Until next time~

Terri

 

Yarn Shopping in Syros

As all fellow knitters know...

no matter where we travel

we can never pass by a yarn shop.

 

Walking down the streets of Syros, one of the many

beautiful islands in Greece,

I stumbled upon a yarn shop!

 

My heart fluttered and hands began to sweat.

I called to my husband and traveling companions

and told them to go ahead. 

This could take a while.



The shop owner spoke not a word of English

and my Greek was limited to

good day and thank you.

 

Wanting a yarn made in Greece was my priority.

After much trial and error and laughing

(the shop owner had a good sense of humor)

she got my message and found some lovely cotton yarn

Made In Greece!

 

 

I'm not sure what I will make with this

soft as silk cotton yarn

in variegated shades of blues, greens, and pinks.

All ideas are welcome!

 

 

Until Next Time ~

Terri

Naxos, Delos, Mykonos and Syros

Our boat journey continued, arriving each day at a new island.

 

We hiked on Naxos,



 

finding hidden gems of marble,

 



 

and superb views with blue sea and sky in Mykonos.

We explored ancient sites on Delos

 

and breathtaking churches in Syros.



 



The beauty of the Greek islands is something that

should be experienced and savored.



 

 

The only regret is not being able to have spent even more time on each island.

 

It is said that all good things must come to an end and our boat journey ends in Athens,

where our land adventure awaits!

 

Until next time~

Terri

 





 

Patmos - Amorgos - Santorini

Our journey continued through the islands of Greece.

 

The first stop was Patmos.

 

I fell in love with Patmos.

Since cruise ships do not stop here the island has

managed to keep its charm and not be too tourist inspired.

Spectacular views!

 

Biblically, Patmos is the island where John was exiled.

We visited the cave where he received the Revelation.

This is a Holy place and photos were not permitted, but

the view prior to entering the cave gives a sense of the area.

Blue seas and sky, unspoiled beauty everywhere. 

 

~  ~  ~  ~  ~

 

The island of Amorgos was our next visit.

The highlight of this small island was a visit to a monastery

built on the side of a mountain.



Three hundred steps to reach the white-washed structure,

still inhabited by priests.

The clouds rolled in beneath us while we met the priest

which limited our view and photos, but not the sense of

peace and beauty that was experienced.

 

~  ~  ~  ~  ~

 



Santorini

 

Who has not heard of the bells of Santorini?

 

This picture perfect island is everything you'd imagine it to be.

White-washed buildings against a blue sky and sea, just too marvelous to comprehend.

(I think my selfies are getting better :-)

And yes, I did ride the donkey to the top!

 Next stops...the islands of Naxos, Delos, Mykonos and Syros.  Hope you'll join me!

 

 

 

Until next time~

Terri

 

 

Travels in Greece

Oh my friends, I am thrilled to share our most recent adventure with you!

We recently returned from a wonderful journey to

Turkey and Greece!

 

We explored many religious and historical sights

and experienced the food, culture and tradition of this marvelous area.

 

On this 15 day trip I managed to take over 1000 photos!  I am sharing only

a few highlights here with you and hope you will enjoy these excerpts over the next few days/weeks!

 

~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Our journey began in Istanbul.

 

Bright blue skies and hot weather greeted us as we visited

the Blue Mosque, the Haige Sophia and the Topkopi Museum.

 

 

Istanbul is one of the most populated cities in the world.

Over 15 million people reside here.  Houses reach out as far as the eye can see.

 

But calm and quiet can still be found along the shore.

 

Food is always an important part of experiencing the culture of a region.

Locmajun (Turkish pizza) and stuffed grape leaves!  Yum!!

 

One of my favorite things about the Mediterranean region is that everyone sits outside to eat!

No worries, no rushing...just enjoy the food and the company.

 

We did! 

 Our cousins joined us on this discovery. 

We enjoyed sharing this trip with fellow sojourners.

After only two days in Istanbul we flew to Ephesus, one of the highlights of the trip.

 

We walked in the footsteps of Paul.

 

 

It was amazing and almost incomprehensible to be here, among the ruins of

Biblical history.



An experience of a lifetime...

 

We visited the tomb of John.

 

Our hearts were lifted and our faith confirmed.

 

 

The journey continues.....

 

Until Next Time ~

 

Terri

 

 

Pebble Hill Plantation

 

Sometimes the best little treasures can be found

in your own backyard.

This happened to us when we discovered

Pebble Hill Plantation.

 





 

Meandering down the canopy road

of gracious live oak trees

a sense of calm is felt from the moment one enters the main gates.

The beautiful and expansive grounds offer many opportunities to enjoy quiet solitude.

 



  

The Main House, with its extensive collections and wonderful antiques captivates and amazes.  Hanna family furnishings and Hanna family portraits and photographs throughout the home create a warmth and a sense of understanding of this remarkable family.

Left untouched by the Civil War, the holdings of Pebble Hill Museum include collections of outstanding fine art, lovely decorative arts, and antique furniture and furnishings. 

 

Tours of the house are offered daily.  No photography is allowed in the premises but

the interior can be seen on the website at Pebble Hill Plantation.

 



The Main House is framed with numerous camellia bushes, dogwoods, magnolias, azaleas, tea olives, and Cherokee roses.  At the back of the House is an Arbor with a reflection pool, sundial, and camellias. 

 

 

Brick paths meander throughout the grounds



 

 

Unique decorations are discovered everywhere



 

 

 

Spanish moss hangs heavy on live oak trees

 

 

A shrubbery maze on the front lawn is a particular delight of youngsters

 and giant magnolias abound.

Trellis paths lead up to hidden doorways

 

 

and fountains



 

 

 

The Kitchen Garden is often ablaze with color from a variety of plantings

 

The plantation was known for it's heard of Jersey cows.

 



 

The barns and stables are as lovely

as the rest of the grounds.

 

There is a large collection of antique carriages in the carriage house.

 

Horses, polo, and fox hunting were the pastimes of the era.

 

 

Beautiful grounds and a look at history from a very different perspective are waiting.

 



Pebble Hill Plantation is located west of Thomasville, GA

and is well worth the trip.

 

 

A Short History of Pebble Hill Plantation

The history of Pebble Hill Plantation starts with the Georgia Land Lottery of 1820 and the opening of Southwest Georgia for European settlement.  The land that became the heart of the plantation was purchased by Thomas Jefferson Johnson in 1825.  Johnson became a typical Southern Planter, raising first cotton and then introducing rice farming to the area.  Upon Johnson’s death in 1847, the plantation passed to his daughter Julia Anne who managed the plantation along with her husband John Mitchell. In 1850 a lovely plantation home, designed by English architect John Wind, was built by the Johnsons.  “Pebble Hill” became the plantation’s name around this time. John Mitchell died in 1865 and Julia Anne struggled on with the property during the chaotic period of reconstruction until her death in 1881.  The history of Pebble Hill in the nineteenth century revolves around the Johnson family.

By the mid-1880’sThomasville was developing into a popular winter resort where wealthy northern industrialists hoped to escape the cold winters in cities likeNew York,ChicagoandCleveland. Many came for “the season” and stayed inThomasville’s elegant hotels; others purchased land and began yearly pilgrimages to the area.  Over the next twenty years or so, hundreds of thousands of acres of working farm land were transformed into “Shooting Plantations.” It was to these shooting plantations that the new owners came to hunt, ride, entertain, and relax during the winter months.
In 1896 Cleveland’s Howard Melville Hanna purchased Pebble Hill and the land passed into the hands of the plantation’s second great family. Three Hanna family members owned the property.  Howard Melville Hanna (Mel) gave the property to his daughter Kate in 1901.  Upon Kate’s death in 1936, Pebble Hill passed to her daughter Elisabeth (known to everyone as Miss Pansy).  Pansy was mistress of Pebble Hill until her death in 1978. Pansy decided around 1950 that she would like for Pebble Hill to become a museum open for all to enjoy.  To that end she formed a trust to receive the property upon her death and set aside an appropriate endowment. The museum opened in1983.

Museum boards restore historic properties to a particular time period and informational materials emphasis events of that period.  At Pebble Hill the restoration period covers approximately 1915 through 1960.  This period includes most of Kate’s major modern building projects and her establishing the lifestyle patterns, the grand entertaining and the traditions that were so much a part of Pebble Hill Plantation.  The period ends with Miss Pansy the sportswoman, her love of horses and dogs, and the planning for the museum.

Mel Hanna was drawn to Southwest Georgia and encouraged to put down roots by his brother Marc and his cousin, C.M. Chapin.  Chapin sold Melrose Plantation to Mel for $5 in1896.  Later that year Mel purchased the adjacent property, Pebble Hill.  Like much of the property in the area, Pebble Hill was in such a state of disrepair that Mel was required to begin a program of restoration immediately.  By 1901, when Mel gave the property to his daughter Kate Hanna Ireland, Pebble Hill was cleaned-up, spruced-up and looking like a proper Hanna property.  Mel began to build up a prize-winning herd of Jersey Cows and the stables were filled with “good” horse.

Kate loved the plantation and set about making it the perfect winter retreat.  Kate was the great builder at Pebble Hill. She secured the services of Cleveland architect Abram Garfield in 1911 to build the Plantation Store. Over the next 30 years Kate and Garfield worked together planning and building all the major structures on the plantation.  Their last major project was the spectacular Main House completed early in 1936. 

Kate set the tone. Life at Pebble Hill was gracious and comfortable, lived in beautifully appointed surroundings where good taste and social correctness were the norm. Hunting, picnicking, golfing, fishing and other outdoor activities were enjoyed along with afternoon tea, reading, sewing, elegant dining and good conversation. She loved the Jersey cows and improved the herd by going to the island of Jersey to select her stock.

Humanitarian Kate hired locals and provided job with on the job training, if needed, for folks in the economically depressed area.  She provided nursing service and well furnished housing for her employees along with a school for their children. Christmas and Easter celebrations were provided for all, with gifts and games surrounding large holiday dinners.
Miss Pansy continued the lifestyle and the traditions began by her mother.  Pansy was known far and wide for her largess, her community spirit, her amicable personality and her respect for the dignity of all people. When asked by a friend what she found most interesting and important at Pebble hill, her answer was “the people.”

Pansy was also one of the premier sportswomen of her day.  She loved horses and hounds and all of the events that revolved around them. She rode her hunter/jumper Showmaid at the Grand National Horseshow in 1929 winning 1^st place in her class.  Pansy was one of the first women to play polo and participated as a member of both women’s and men’s teams.  She bought Shawnee Farms inKentucky where she raised champion thoroughbred racehorses. Additionally, Pansy owned a breeding and training operation inIreland from which her horses won major races in theUnited Kingdom. She took her dogs to field trials here in theU.S. where she was an avid and winning participant.

Miss Pansy put in place all that was necessary for Pebble Hill to become a museum.  The art collections of both Kate and Pansy are highlighted in the exquisite Main House.  Additionally, Pebble Hill Museum contains splendid collections of antique furniture, china, equestrian paraphernalia and turn of the century carriages.  Members of the Board of Trustees and the staff at Pebble Hill invite you to visit the legacy Miss Pansy left for all to enjoy.

                                               

                                       Until next time ~
                                                Terri