Fascinating Book

Destiny of the Republic

A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President

When I started this book, I only knew that James Garfield was a past President and nothing else about him.  This is an amazing story of popular man turned President who suffers a gunshot wound and the horrific medical decisions that were made to "save" him.  So many interesting details of the times (1880-1881).

I couldn't put this book down.  If you love history, you will love this book. 

Mini Carnations

I have four little carnation plants and they are finally blooming!

Books I Couldn't Put Down

I know I'm reading a good book when I find myself not being able to put it down after my allotted "1 hour before bedtime" reading slot.  I look up and all of a sudden it is 11:30 or so and I have to force myself to put down the book and go to sleep. 

 An oldie, but a goodie; a little scary and a thriller.  Graphic descriptions, not too many, but be ready for it.

 Very interesting and sad, but ends well.  It's amazing how a "mob" mentality can take over a country and some people will turn on others, friend or foe and some people will risk their lives for total strangers to do what's right.  I liked the perspective, a story from someone who actually lived it.

 Great historical fiction series.  If you travel to Europe a lot and go in various castles and palaces, these books help you to know who and what they are talking about.

 Incredible story, what a summer!  If only they taught history in school the way some of these books are written.  

 Very interesting.  Just goes to show you that you can't judge a book by it's cover! (Speaking of the women in the book!)

 Great book, if things in this book are true and I think they are based on facts - I'm a little scared!

 Very good book.  Keep your iPad handy so you can look up the paintings they talk about.

 Great book, good ending!

 This book made me sick to my stomach.  So disgusted with politicians putting themselves first before our country. But what's new?

Great book.  I have liked all the "Killing" books, but my favorite was "Killing Lincoln".  Fascinated historical facts about all the major players.  

Family Masquerade Dinner

So for something different and something fun, we decided to do a Masquerade Family Dinner.  We bought masks, set the table, played "Heads Up" and had a lot of fun.  We got totally dressed up, we had cocktails, had a fancy dinner and an awesome homemade dessert.  Yep-we had a lot of FUN!   This is our serious pic because its hard to look good smiling in a mask. Boy, was my mask hot too, I couldn't wear it for long.  Funny, no one else had that problem...

 Alyssa and Katie

 Alyssa and Greg. 

 Ok, we are a little more relaxed in this pic.  We tried to get dogs in our pics, but we didn't have a whole lot of cooperation.  Especially from Daisy.

Me and the Handsome Husband.  I like this picture a lot, but I feel it gives off a "Love Boat" vibe. 

 On to the table,  I made these place card holders with little scrapbooking flowers and halloween bits and pieces picked up at Michaels.

This mask was suppose to be for HH, but when he saw it, he refused to wear it, saying it was for girls! Haha.  Delaney ended up liking this one more than the one I originally got for her (the leopard mask) and Katie wore it also, so we call it the favorite?

 We started off the night with a cocktail called a "Frenchy".  It is delicious.  It is:

1.5 ounces Pear Vodka (which smells heavenly BTW)

3 ounces pineapple juice

1 ounce cranberry juice

Everyone loved them.  

 This is the only pic I have of my bar tray.  I forgot to take a pic after I added the fruit juices, added my orange straw swizzle sticks and removed my little recipe by the ice bucket.  See that cake in the corner.  That is a homemade carrot cake, made by HH and it was to die for!  Soooo Good.  The recipe can be found here. It was so moist and flavorful.

I hope everyone has a great Halloween and a fun time celebrating. 

For more fun tablescapes go to Between Naps on the Porch

Halloween Decorations

 I've always been a cutesy Halloween decorator.  I don't really go for the scary stuff and I didn't want to scare all the little kids, including my own. Recently, I was going through pinterest and came across decorated skeletons and I thought it would be fun to jazz up a couple of my own.

 I made them fancy collars, a party hat and a stylish headband and sat them on the pumpkin as a centerpiece for my table...and they bothered me.  I didn't like looking at them.  They were unsettling, especially in the house.

 I also made this little guy.  A crow with a skeleton head, all dressed up to party.  Creepy. 

 So, I lived with them for about 2 weeks.  Then finally, I couldn't take it anymore and I put them in the garage.  I've decided to put them outside for Halloween.  Too scary for the house.

 I found this little owl at Michaels and I put him in my chandelier.  I like him there. 

This is what I have outside so far, the partying pair of skeletons will join this headless greeter later this week, when I feel brave enough to have those two welcome guests at the door.   It also took me a long time to add these photos to my blog because I didn't relish the idea of seeing them everyday  when I opened my blog.  EEEKKKK!!!!

In The Garden

 I bought a new David Austin Tree Rose called Mayflower last spring.  It is suppose to be "completely" resistant to blackspot, rust and mildew which I have a problem with in my backyard.  It has been flowering all summer and so far no rose diseases have shown up.   I love it.

Chanteloup Pagoda

Chanteloup Pagoda

Amboise, France

The ‘Duke of Choiseul’s Folly’ or ‘Friendship monument’ was built in 1775 after his exile from King Louis XV’s court as a token of his gratitude towards his loyal friends who stood by him.

 Famous for its beauty and element of surprise, the Pagode is a monument which measures 44m high and is held up by a ring of 16 columns and 16 pillars. Each of its seven storeys is constructed as a dome. Each dome is accessed by a steep, narrow staircase which goes right to the top. This staircase is made from mahogany except for the first floor where it is made of stone. It has a cast iron banister which is decorated with interlocking double C gilded bronze initials of Choiseul and his wife Crozat.

From the top, enjoy a glorious panoramic view of the forest of Amboise and the Loire Valley. Its utility was to follow the hunting’s parties from the Pagode.  (description via Lonely Planet). 

There used to be a beautiful Chateau here that rivaled Versaille, but the heirs could not afford it and it went into disrepair and the French government didn't want it and it was leveled.  Sad.  We climbed to the top and went out on the balconies and each room was slightly different.    In the summer, picnic baskets are available and you can rent row boats on the little lake. 

Loire Valley Recap

The fortress and town of Loches

Joan of Arc met with Charles VII here to discuss her winning a huge battle.

Chateau de Villandry

Beautiful gardens of all kinds

Azay le Rideau

Pretty little Chateau with fully furnished inside and beautiful staircase.

Chateau d'Ussés

The Chateau on which Sleepy Beauty is based.

Fortress and town of Chinon

Joan of Arc met with Charles VII and convinced him to give her an army.  Beautiful little medieval town to wander through.

Chambord

The most impressive in size and the roof top is amazing.

Chenonceau

The most beautiful

The town and Chateau of Amboise.

Based our adventures from here.  Nice size town right in the middle of the Loire Valley.

Chateau de Clos Lucé

Fascinating  and beautiful home of Leonardo Da Vinci

Town of Chednigy

Le Vieux Manior

Wonderful Bed and Breakfast in Amboise. 

Map of our adventures.