Weekends

This week has passed by so fast, having family visiting makes the days go by much quicker...Last Sunday is still in my mind. We spend the afternoon at Wave Hill, a beautiful estate with wonderful gardens, well kept and of Botanical Garden quality.
A late summer concert was the highlight of the afternoon and listening to Mozart, looking outside the windows overlooking Hudson Valley and the Palisades was just what my heart desired.


It was such a lovely way to begin a new week.


A few days ago I had to pick up some paint and soil at a home improvement center, when I came by painter's drop cloth and my mind started working: Hmmm, I could perhaps use it as a table cloth? The investment was small ($ 9.00) and the effect could be quite charming. Certainly a great idea if you need to cover a larger area, let say for a party in the garden or to cover an unsightly piece for a while. I immediately thought of multiple ways to use it. Halloween is coming, you can paint it, print on it or decorate it otherwise! It is washable too...





Last night we came to the city for a night at the ballet, still a gift for my birthday and it has been wonderful. I love the gracefulness and elegance of dancers and the evening was simply unforgettable. Danced to music by Stravinsky, Prokofiev and Moretti.


The latter was the most impressive of the evening for me. A vibrant, cinematic score set the tone for bold movements, moonlike golden discs illuminated the dancers below, transforming them into exotic creatures, oriental and Egyptian influences could be felt.
It was mysterious and and mesmerizing! Standing ovations and many shouts of appreciation rewarded the fabulous cast!


This morning as the the sun comes up over the trees outside my window I am sitting here, writing this and I am still in awe by the impressions of the last night. This week has been framed by gorgeous art: Dance and music! It fills me with happiness and I am so grateful!

Have a wonderful weekend, fill it with beauty and grace!


XX
Victoria



Pictures by V.Zlotkowski, ballet image via google image,The Telegraph,UK not an image from last night.

The heat of the day

I love the languid feel of the heat of the day, the shades are drawn, the fan is humming and a soft warm breeze runs through the house. Windows are open and ever so often I hear some birds or occasional car passing by, otherwise it's still.


On my table sits a glass of ice cold lemonade waiting for me, pearls of water running down its sides. I will just finish this sentence!
Later we will prepare for an afternoon poolside, some good reading material, fresh cut fruits and lots of water...


My son turns into a fish and I must wait a while for him to transform back into the son I can take home with me.


Our girl has disappeared with her girlfriends, they share bedrooms and activities and we have not seen her since Saturday....
Oh the fun of being 13 and living in the embrace of the group...

School is out!

This morning I heard the crickets the first time and I love their noise! Our son picked one up yesterday, stranded on her back on the driveway. He was amazed at the size. We put her on a tree and hope she will survive!

image
Tomorrow begins the count down for our summer vacation, our son will spend his days until then in our local camp and I can begin to sort and pack and get ready to squeeze six weeks worth of travel into 50 lbs of luggage per head....


I love to prepare for this, it gives me a wonderful feeling of getting ready and in my mind I am already there, thinking my way into this summer life in Germany and Italy!

The Main river in Volkach, Bavaria where my parents celebrate 50 years of marriage with all of us!

We will visit the Alpen region near Bad Toelz. The town in southern Germany has thermal springs with a wonderful spa.


And eventually we will stay for some time in Tuscany in Italy! We can't wait!
I will try and post semi regularly from our travels, I might not comment on your lovely blogs, but I promise to read here and there my many favorites....

Summer is the time to re-coup and relax and we try to just do that! We fill our batteries with summer energy, warmth and impressions to last the coming year!
Wishing you all the same wonderful time over the next couple of weeks!

XX
Victoria



All pictures by Victoria Zlotkowski, cricket as indicated, trunk via etsy Topsydesign, landscapes via google images.

Saturday morning post

The Palisades on Hudson near Piermont, NY

The last few days were so busy with first summer vacation activities, it stunned me to see that there was no time left to even read my e-mails...
Instead of watching butterflies I run all over the place fixing what needs fixing before everybody is settled into summer mode!

DEEP BREATH!!!


Last minute prep for my youngest camper and the organization of our summer travels have left me without a minute to myself.


Every year I seem to get surprised by this moment, when school is suddenly out and my children expect an entertainment program.
A summer ritual is to go to the community pool and swim and splash and hold out as long as possible in waters, I hardly want to put my toes in...


A local town puts up an art fair every beginning of the summer, it was again a lovely but hot show and we saw many pretty sculptures and paintings.





We visit a nearby fun park and summer is upon us! We sit at night on our deck and marvel at the sounds and the stars, suddenly so much closer! We burn our torches and by a chilled glass of Chardonnay we count our blessings!



There are many firsts every summer, like walking barefoot in the sand and just let the sun give us the first sun kissed look!
Eating out on the deck and enjoying the garden season extends our living quarters for good six month of the year!



Now I am organized, forms are filled out, many checks have been paid, the summer rental is completed, we are ready to go, where ever this summer will take us!

What will this summer bring to you?

Wishing you all a summer sunshine filled weekend!

XX
Victoria


All pictures by V.Zlotkowski

Oh, joy

Yesterday was a beautiful Sunday, a little cloudy, not really warm, but just filled with joy!
Being Mother's day my children were excited since the day before and I had no idea why...
But came Sunday morning I slept in a little and was awoken with a wonderfully set table, gorgeous flowers, ready breakfast and a lovely gift waiting for me...
What a treat!


Many of you know how much I love to read, everything from novels to design books! You may also know that I collect books of special or first editions.

I had once contemplated to get an electronic reader to ease my book bills and keep the library contained to particular books, but felt the expense is perhaps too much!

Guess my endless joy upon receiving the wonderful gift of a NOOK! The children and hubby were not at all surprised to see me dance around the dining table...




What possibilities: Free book classics from B&N, no more schlepping of extra book pounds come summer and traveling, books for the children, husband and myself in one magical 'book' of comfortable proportions and size, color and weight?
I love the design, streamlined and easy to use!
Not only this: I can browse the web, check e-mails, shop, lend and preview books, magazines and newspapers...make a wish list of books to come, get free books from B&N every Friday, read books at the store for up to one hour without having to buy them! OH,JOY!

The day did not end there: we went out into nature, another thing I love to do and we had such fun time! Follow me into 'our' jungle just a few miles from home!











And later I skyped with one of the older boys, while the other had send a lovely mail to talk soon as well! YEAH!

Thank you, guys! We had such a wonderful, joyful day!


I so hope your Sunday was fun-filled too!

XX
Victoria



All pictures by V.ZLotkowski

A feminine touch

I adore feminine designs, delicate fabrics and silky patterns, glass and mirrors, stones and jewelry. I would love to have a boudoir, a room for myself, filled unabashedly with feminine touches...a dressing room/atelier/book nook/fireplace/garden room...a place to sit and write a letter, read a novel, drink a cup of tea, chat with my girlfriends on the phone, try on a new outfit or dream a little dream!


I'd have colors and cushions like that...




And some lovely chairs like these...



And a chandelier like one of them...



There would be a soft carpet...


And delicate glass and china...





There are books...



And lovely dresses...



A scent like that...


And a view into the garden...



Did I forget anything? Fill in the rest and there it is...



As Mother's Day approaches I feel we need to think of mothers as woman first and then we remember what makes them special and what keeps them full-filled with their motherly energy...
To my mother and my mother-in-law: A million thanks for your love, guidance and friendship! And I thank my children who have made me a happy Mama for more then 20 years! I love you, darlings!

Happy Mother's Day to all moms at heart out there!


XX
Victoria



Pictures by V.Zlotkowski taken at ABC store, Anthropologie and at home, pretty girl with lace from Dior's lace spring collection.