Island time...................

The garden beneath out balcony at Surf Watch.

Hi gang...................

The meeting in Savannah was wonderful and I believe a good time was had by one and all.

I've started to share some pix from our 5 day event over on the QCI Blog so head over there to hear all about it.

Mr B doing a bit of bird watching overlooking the marsh.

Mr B & I arrived on Hilton Head Island on Thursday afternoon and we are starting to wind down nicely and enjoy some well earned R&R (even if I do say so myself!).

The weather is glorious, bright sunshine & blue skies.

We've enjoyed a couple of early morning beach walks, where we met up with this bunch of doggie pals. (Can you tell I'm missing Mr Ben?)

Linking to Shadow Shot Sunday #128, at Hey Harriet's place this weekend, bye y'all.

Georgia on my mind.

Hi y'all....................

greetings from Savannah where the weather is glorious and the QCI meeting is going very well.
(I plan to blog about the meeting over on the QCI blog later in the week).

We had a trouble free journey to Paris, no disruptions to our schedule. Mr B surprised me with a wedding anniversary upgrade to our flight arrangements and so we arrived in Charlotte, NC relaxed and refreshed.

Our suite here at the Hilton Savannah DeSoto is lovely and the staff have all been very welcoming.

On Friday evening Mr B & I decided to make the most of our last night of freedom before the madness began, by dining a deux at the Sixpence Pub across from the hotel.

Afterwards we wandered along Bull Street, through Madison Square to the SCAD (Savannah College of Art & Design) store and browsed through the eclectic art and crafts on sale before hailing a Savannah pedicab  a great fun way to get around town.

Christian was the name of our driver and he deposited us safely in Reynolds Square where we encountered Ruby (a fire truck with a difference) and the Guardians of the Ribbon who are in Savannah this week as part of the SE Georgia Pink Heals Tour. Click on the link to learn more about the wonderful work they do.

Later we strolled down Broughton Street, window shopping along the way, before returning to the hotel to catch up on our sleep.

E is for EXCITED!!!

As you probably already know, tomorrow Mr B & I are leaving on our long anticipated and planned for trip to the US, that is if the striking French workers allow us to travel.

First stop Charlotte, NC, where we will rest briefly after our trip, before driving down to Savannah, Georgia to co-host the 12th Annual meeting of the Quimper Club.



Savannah Square shaded by moss draped oaks.



We have a planned a fabulous 5 day extravaganza of tours, events with guest speakers, a ceramics restoration seminar, Riverboat cruise and delicious dinners in interesting and exciting restaurants.

Mrs Wilkes Dining Room

We're even throwing in a private Plantation Tour "a la Tara"!!

I think even Scarlett O'Hara would be impressed.

After all the madness.................two weeks R&R in our home from home on Hilton Head where days will be spent relaxing, reading and enjoying the wide empty beaches.

Building sand castles

There will also be plenty of  much needed retail therapy going on too.

My trusty pink laptop will be coming along for the trip, so I'll be able to visit your blogs, whenever I get 5 minutes and hopefully will also find time to blog about some of the Savannah activities over on the QCI blog and share some more magical Hilton Head shots here on this blog

Whilst we're off having fun, Mr Ben will not be neglected, not at all. His favourite sitters Leighton & June will be here to pamper him and make sure all is well in the home.

Beach boardwalk HHI

Joining Mrs Matlock once again this week for Alphabe-Thursday, click on the AT button on my sidebar to see all the amazing topics which begin with the letter E.
See you in Savannah!

Early morning shadows in quiet rooms.

Early morning sun streaming into the house earlier this week created some wonderful shadows in quiet downstairs rooms.
I quickly grabbed my Lumix to try and capture as many as I could.

A shadowy vignette atop the wood burning stove
 in the sitting room inglenook fireplace.

An antique pewter jug casts a mirror image shadow
 on the fireplace wall behind the stove

A double wall sconce in the dining room
 transformed into a quadruple wall sconce.

Light shining through the multipaned door and
 metal chain screen creates an intricate effect
 on the Breton repeater clock
 and wall cupboard in the kitchen.

Sharing these shadowy images with all the shadow shot fans gathered over at Hey Harriet's blog for Shadow Shot Sunday # 126 today.

Door push plates for Alphabe-Thursday

Every week I receive a lovely email newsletter from my friend Judy aka Brittany Byways.
She always has lots of lovely Quimper items for sale, antique, vintage and new pieces.

Recently she offered a pair of blue and white door push plates which I knew immediately were destined to be mine.
Luckily I was the first of her clients to email back about them and within days they arrived here in Normandy.
Here they are enhancing our pristine white bedroom door, don't they look the bees knees?
Knew they would!

FYI it's the door that isn't straight not Mr B's handiwork.

Close up of shell motif

Joining Jenny for Alphabe-Thursday this week where the letter D is in the spotlight, be sure to go over and see who else is participating today.

Fall in Savannah, GA.

I'm joining in with Hey Harriet's Shadow Shot Sunday #125 with shadow shots taken last autumn whilst walking through the Historic District of Savannah, GA.
A simple wreath adorned with faux flowers and a pretty ribbon.
The way the foliage shadows stand out against the grey/black door fascinated me.

The house next door was unadorned but still very interesting to me with dappled shadows on the old bricks of the pavement and walls.

This home is very close to Mrs Wilkes Dining Room where I shall be joining 87 other members of the Quimper Club International for dinner on Monday evening 25th October.

Fall Reading Challenge 2010 with a Southern Daydreamer.



My selection for the Fall Reading Challenge 2010 and the couch where I shall sit whilst reading them.

 You all know Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer gracious hostess of Outdoor Wednesday, right?
Well, did you also know that she has another great blog A Southern Daydreamer Reads, which she describes thus:
"my reading-friendly environment hoping to encourage and motivate people to read more".
On the 22nd September Susan launched the Fall Reading Challenge 2010 and it will run until 20th December.

Here are the rules:
1.Make a list of books you want to read this Fall.
2.Write a post with your list on your blog. (You can add to or change this list at any time during the challenge)
3.Please post the direct link to your Fall Reading Challenge 2010 post. (so that other participants can visit and see what you are reading)
4.You can write another post in December to let everyone know how you did.

Here's my list:

Historical Fiction

Tales Of Passion, Tales Of Woe - Sandra Gulland. (Book 2 in the Josephine Trilogy).
The White Queen - Phillipa Gregory. (Elizabeth Woodville -17th century Queen of England).


Holiday Reading

Some of these will be coming with me when we head to Hilton Head Island soon, for our annual two weeks of R&R.
Perfect holiday reads.
Getting Out of The House - Isla Dewar.
breaking her fall - Stephen Goodwin.
Mercy - Jodi Picoult.
Just Between Us - Cathy Kelly.
the Return - Victoria Hislop.
There's a copy of The Help - Katheryn Stockett waiting in HH for me. After hearing such good reviews it's a book I've been wanting to read for a long time.
also coming along..........Mr Jack Reacher of course!

Mr B will enjoy reading these too.

Reading either of these two books will be a pleasant way to spend an afternoon -sitting before a log fire with a hot cup of Yorkshire Tea and a scone.

Wild Comfort - Kathleen Dean Moore.

A Taste of My Life - Raymond Blanc.

These two come highly recommended by friends.

I can hardly wait to get started, how about you, are you going to sign up for the challenge?

Click here to take part.