Winter in Connecticut

SInce we are enjoying an El Nino winter, at least so far, in Connecticut, I thought I would put up some photos of winter over the last few years just as a reminder of what we are missing. 

I don't know about you, but I think I can live without a White Christmas. Merry Christmas everyone.

Christmas in the Hudson River Valley

This past week, my husband and I drove to Hype Park, New York to visit the FDR Historic Site and the Vanderbilt Mansion. Here are a few of the photo from that trip. The houses have both been decorated for Christmas. 

The Visitor Center decoration at FDR site

Decor at Springwood the FDR Home

FDR's Office

Vanderbilt Mansion

Poinsettias

Stairway at Vanderbilt Mansion

 

One of my favorite photos

I took this photo a few years ago in Dublin.

It is of Oscar Wilde reclining on a rock in Merrion Square.  

Not only is it in color, which when one considers Oscar Wilde’s rather colorful life is totally appropriate but he just looks so relaxed. The sculpture was placed in this position so that Oscar is looking at the address where he lived at Number 1 Merrion Square.

Danny Osborne is the sculptor and the model for the head was Wilde’s own grandson. It is a true to life-size, Wilde was 6 feet 3 inches in life. Known as “The quare in the square” or the “fag on the crag” it is really a must see for any visitor to Dublin given that Oscar Wilde is one of Ireland’s most popular literary figures.

  

A Visit to Gettysburg Battlefield

We took a tour of the Gettysburg Battlefield last week. It was the site of three days of amazing carnage and when you consider the beautiful pastoral setting it is hard to imagine the number of men who died here, on both sides, defending their beliefs. 

A monument on Seminary Ridge

Confederate canon facing Cemetery Ridge

General Lee surveying the battlefield

What Pickett saw before his famous charge

View of the battlefield from Round Top Mountain

 

A Visit to the Clark Art Institute

Located in Williamstown, Mass. The Clark Art Institute has an outstanding collection of European and American art. We stopped there on our recent trip to the Berkshires. 

If you have never been here, I am going to suggest you rectify that as soon as you can. Their collection of Impressionists is exceptional and you will never regret a visit. Here are a few pics to tempt you. 

To see more info visit their website.

Driving the Mohawk Trail

The Berkshires are awash in color at this time of the year. Even though the foliage was a little past its peak, there was enough color to please us. 

 

It's Fall at the Lake in Mount Cobb, Penn.

We have a small lake front home in Mount Cobb, Penn. that we love. At this time of year it is drop dead gorgeous and when you see it you will understand why we love it so much. I took these pictures when we were down there 10 days ago. 

Fall Flower Photos

Last week at church I shot these wonderful photos of the flowers that are decorating the front of St. Johns.

A Pictorial Visit to Tideswell Derbyshire

In 2008 we spent two and a half weeks touring around England. We spent one very full week in Derbyshire which turned out to be one of our very favorite counties. We spent the entire day on Saturday visiting villages and village churches. Welcome to Tideswell. As you can see, even in January, England is not all rain and gloom.

Photos at the Farnum Estate Cavan, Ireland

We spent 5 nights at the Radisson Blu Farnum Estate in Cavan, Ireland. It is a gorgeous Georgian building with extensive grounds. While walking one evening I took some pictures of the flowers that were blooming and I thought I would share them with my viewers. 

Scenes From our Travels in Ireland

We began our trip in Dublin where one of the most poignant places we visited was Kilmainham Goal (jail). This was the site of the execution of the leaders of the Easter Rising in 1916 and the Civil War of 1922/23. You learn a lot of Irish history here and also a lot about how violent the past was and that the English were not the only ones killing Irish men. 

Our last night in Dublin we enjoyed an evening of food, song and dancing called The Irish House Party.

From there we drove into Meath and then to Cavan where we stayed the night in Virginia. Here are just a taste of the things we saw and enjoyed. 

The Irish House Party

Memorial to those executed in the Easter Rising.

Lough Romar in Virginia, Cavan a lovely spot for a hotel

A scone and a spot of tea at the Mason's Apron in Virginia

Stone in the cemetery at St. Kilian's in Mullagh