Happy winter weekends

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Christmas seems so long ago and spring so far ahead, nothing better then to seize the moment and to enjoy the winter, which present itself so pleasantly these days around here!


Sledding and skiing is on our agenda and we will take full advantage of the near by mountains in the Berkshires and Upstate New York.


We will be returning to our beloved skiing designation in Woodstock, Vermont. We have grown so accustomed to spending some days in this picturesque village, it is nothing short of the perfect place to spend a few wholesome winter vacation days.


The homey, yet elegant Woodstock Inn resides on the Green, small artsy shops line Main Street and lovely cafes and restaurants offer delicious great American and International cuisine.




I love it to walk there, explore the neighborhoods and take advantage of the quiet afternoons I can spend reading near the fireplace in our hotel. A brand new spa has opened it's doors last autumn and I will try the chocolate wrap....
Still a couple of weeks away, but I can't wait!
In the meantime we will practice our turns closer to home and enjoy hot drinks and familiar winter joys!


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A happy winter weekend to you around the winter "hemisphere".... : )

xx
Victoria



All pictures by V.Zlotkowski and as indicated!

Sunday morning

There is simply nothing nicer than to begin a Sunday morning with a leisurely breakfast, reading the Times and making plans for the deliciously vacant hours of the afternoon!

No need to be somewhere, not need to do something, apart from taking the dog for a walk in the nearby park.

This morning the sun was shining bright and feeling the temperature outside it seemed a tad warmer. Picking up the newspaper from the driveway I hear dripping.... the icicles are melting away. I know, it's just an interlude, winter will still be here for a few more weeks, but it is nice to feel that warm sunshine on my face, not the icy winds and clouds overhead.

Wishing you all a wonderful long weekend and sunshine along the way!

xx
Victoria


All pictures by V.Zlotkowski

Look!

Natures glory!

I can never be bored with it or unmoved...

After the last winter storm blasted through the Northeast, it left behind sunshine and icicles, mountains of snow roadsides and the most picturesque winter landscape imaginable!

Happy weekend, my friends!

And if you have a moment, please go over to the other blog side and read my "detective"story!

xx

Victoria

All images by V.Zlotkowski

My Narnia moment

Entering the magic wardrobe and this is what I found...


A lamp post lit and showing the way...


To a lovely house.


And a garden shrouded in white lace.


Magic flowers peaking at the guest...


A boy enjoying the snow...


A bench undisturbed.


White blossoming.


Like a sugary confection.


I need not to go back, I arrived.


And the Christmas wreath waving good bye...


To last year!

xx
Victoria




All pictures by V.Zlotkowski, Narnia image via google image

Last night at the movies

I saw The King's Speech.


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Long awaited, I finally saw it yesterday. The movie tells the story of the rise of King George VI at the time of the onset of WWII. His ascending to the throne was a uncommon one. Never meant for it, he succeeded his brother Edward VIII after he decided to abdicate the throne. The new king's ability to rise above his speech impediment and his mental and emotionally difficulties due to his rather cruel upbringing made me aware again of how it is possible to overcome shear overwhelming hurdles. This rather lonely man found a friend under the most unlikely circumstances and he kept his nation sane in times, when they needed it the most! It left me with an unspeakable feeling of being moved and elated, yet again horrified by the terrors of war, that war which changed so much, left so much sorrow and unimaginable hardship in it's wake.
To believe finally in ones own strength and see it succeeding is a wonderfully uplifting thing. I thought about so many unnamed people who fight with this disability daily and how much courage it must take to overcome it. Speech represents us!
Colin Firth plays the role Oscar worthy and the emotional range in his face and acting was astounding. Likewise Geoffrey Rush as the speech therapist gave an incredible performance.


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At times I had a feeling of watching a Shakespeare play!
Helena Bonham Carter was a delight to watch in this supporting role as the king's wife. Behind every successful man stands a woman....She persevered in finding the help he needed!

What a great movie!!!

Read here in The Telegraph some more interesting details about the historical origins of the movie. Really, go read it, it is incredibly interesting! Especially the correspondence between Lionel, the speech therapist and Bertie, the king.

To quote London's Guardian: The King's Speech proves there's fizzing life in old-school British period dramas – it's acted and directed with such sweep, verve, darting lightness.
I couldn't agree more.


xx
V.



All images as indicated!

Merry Christmas!

This year is coming to an end and with Christmas approaching I will not post much more in the coming days!
We have so much to be grateful for: A happy family, health, peace and prosperity have been with us this last year! We do not take it for granted!

To all of my lovely blog friends, may you all have a peaceful and relaxing holiday time! May the next year bring you what you need and hope for! May life be good!

Wishing you all the best!
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

XX
Victoria

* Winter * wonder * land

Places I often visit in my mind, 'my son's city' Berlin and Munich in subzero temperatures and a thick blanket of snow!

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Reichstag -The seat of the German Parliament.

A Train near Brocken mountain in eastern Germany.
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Typical street scene in Berlin.

Knut, the famous Polar bear from the Berlin Zoo! Happy at last!!!
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This travel blog photo's source is TravelPod page: Munching Our Way Through München

Munich, where my parents live and my sisters near by!


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The Christmas market at the main square in Munich! Foreground the beautiful city hall!

I am thinking of you all, my loves! My boys, parents, siblings, friends...far away in wintery Germany! I miss you all!

XX
Victoria


Pictures see sources!