Red, White and Blue weekend

What could represent the American spirit better then a bundle of antique quilts?


Happy Independence Day weekend!


Some images from our travels through the United States, our second home and the country we love for it's freedom and truly endless possibilities!



Enjoy this weekend!



XX
Victoria



Picture top via amazon.com, next via raisedincotton.typepad.com, third via roomenvy.wordpress.com, next two via etsy greenhomeroad, then Domino mag, last via Country Living, all others by V.Zlotkowski

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.

Summer reading

When I think of summer reading, not matter where I am, I think of a garden spot, a bench in a park, overlooking water or perhaps a mountain range. I want to submerge myself in the story and when I look up I am going to dream!
I imagine myself curling up here...


Looking out to there...


Reading this...



Or that...

And that bench invites me to indulge a little in English reading...




While that chair reminds me of these books:




And these must be read here:





I just started my summer reading off with Elizabeth Goudge's Scent of Water! Oh, what a delight!
And may these books and all your reading desire last for a whole wonderful long summer!
Wishing you hours under a tree in a shady spot for reading, napping and... what ever else you like doing on a bench...


XX
Victoria




Pictures all books via V.Zlotkowski and amazon.com, art work via angelpig.net, woodengardensheds.org.uk, gardenoutdoorfurniture.net, indonesiateakfurniture.com, remaining linen chair via etsy seller sydg, and post card -I do not remember, but I do not take credit!

Singing in the bathroom

This morning I woke earlier then usual. The sun was shining into our bedroom and I heard a concert of different voices outside my windows. Nobody stirred in the house and out I went, with my camera, stalking some birds and flowers in my garden...
She was grooming herself while singing happily along. I video taped her, but I could not upload the clip... :(



There was more then this as I slowly made my round along the well worn path along bushes and hedges. Mama or Papa bird tending the eggs...


The chipmunks running busily among the roses and peonies...


I love the picket fence across the street...and the lovely house behind!

And then this little guy caught my eye:
And I hear a "Good morning busy bee!" My husband calling out the window...Good morning, love!

And a good morning to you all!

XX
Victoria


All pictures and video 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