About Me

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Delta, British Columbia, Canada
I took very early retirement from teaching in '06 and did some traveling in Europe and the UK before settling down to do some private tutoring. As a voracious reader, I have many books waiting in line for me to read. Tell me I shouldn't read something, and I will. I'm a happy, optimistic person and I love to travel and through that believe that life can be a continuous learning experience. I'm looking forward to traveling more some day. I enjoy walking, cycling, water aerobics & and sports like tennis, volleyball, and fastpitch/baseball. I'm just getting into photography as a hobby and I'm enjoying learning all the bits and bobs of my digital camera. My family is everything to me and I'm delighted to be the mother of two girls and the Gramma of a boy and a girl. I may be a Gramma, but I'm at heart just a girl who wants to have fun.

Monday, November 01, 2010

P is for Photography and Painting

My first night in Italy at the Piazza Navona (Rome) having pizza for dinner

Here I am with the group in Tuscany!

I'd love to go back to Italy and take a course in Tuscany to learn how to paint the cypress trees dotting the hillsides. (my photo)

It would be paradise to stay in this little piece of heaven on earth.
(rest of photos courtesy of Yahoo images)

The views there are pastoral.

I'd stay in a palatial villa.

I know I'm passionate about the country, but I wonder if I'd meet any passionate Italian gentlemen. (I think this one has passed away, though)

Even if I didn't do well with the painting, I'd take a lot of photographs.
I'd choose the best of the photos and have the pictures framed to hang in my house.

Maybe later I could pop over to Provence to do the same thing in France.

Can you tell what I've been pondering for my next holiday? Thanks to Mrs. Nesbitt and the team at ABCW for this phenomenal meme.

40 comments:

Beverley Baird said...

Love it! Your photos are gorgeous! I haven't been to Italy (or France for that matter!) but my daughter has. She loved every second there. Her pictures were wonderful.
I have yet to see EAT Pray Love - would love to see it just for the scenery!

Kay L. Davies said...

Some of your photographs are just like paintings, Leslie. SO beautiful. I love the pastoral one with the mist.
We're going to Europe in the spring and I'm hoping my husband will buy me a new camera for my birthday next month so I can be familiar with it before then.
-- Kay

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Chris said...

Hi Leslie

I absolutely love Italy, it is my favourite place to have a holiday..
And when you come to UK you'd be very welcome to stay with us in Billericay it is just a 35 min train from London..
It woule be lovely to show you round my little town and the surrounding area. I mean that... come and stay!

Chris x

Carver said...

Fantastic post for the letter P. I love all the photographs and paintings you included as well as the narrative. Good luck painting !

Sylvia K said...

Fantastic photos of a gorgeous place and one of my favorites, too! I'd love to be able to visit again! Terrific post for the P Day, Leslie! Hope your week is going well!

Sylvia

Cezar and Léia said...

So lovely pictures and great energy in this post!The first picture is so beautiful, adorable smiles! :)
Also romantic landscapes, perfect symmetry and precious subjects here, very well done!
Léia :)

photowannabe said...

Wow, the pictures are (P)antastic!
Makes me want to go there too. Your pastoral scenes must be produced for your wall.

Amy said...

I love this post Leslie - very upbeat and I share your desire to visit that beautiful country. Have you seen Letters to Juliet? It was like driving through your photos with a very romantic story line as well!

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

Me too! Me too! I want to go! It is on my 'list', that's for sure! Thank you for the vicarious trip! It is simply lovely.

Reader Wil said...

Stunning photography! My favourite one is the last one. I love the colours! What a great idea to do such a holiday! Thanks for sharing!

Mara said...

I once had a romantic Italian man to call mine. He was jealous! Sooooo jealous! I had to break it off.

He was nice though...

Sara Katt said...

Love this! I have actually been to Rome! I love Italy! When I see your lovely photos I wish I was there.

Painting and photography are also two of my favourite things.

Thank you for your kind words about my 'P is for Pirate Wedding-post. I was a little worried how some people might take it. I see only children's and adventure films with the children. They love these films, inspite of the fact that the age limit is 12 years old. (They are 6 and 8) I sit with them and explain that there are stunt men who do all of those crazy jumps and leaps, so they don't get the idea that they can jump off the balcony or something like that.

I apologise for not having an Amazon-widget for Canada. I could probably get one, because Amazon is in Canada too. But you probably can rent or borrow the Pirate movies from the public library.

It may seem extravigant that I have purchased DVDs for my children. But each film gets seen so many times. I don't know how many times we have seen Snow White or Cinderella. And I've seen these pirate films several times even if we don't view them as often as Angelina the Ballerina Mouse or Harry Potter.

Purrs,
Sara Cat

Penelope Notes said...

I just got back from Italy where I enjoyed seeing many wonderful things. What a fantastic country seeping in history. I did not go to Tuscany, however. The folks that took this option said the sunset during their evening meal was stunning. Like you, maybe I’ll go back some day. Meanwhile, it’s nice to meet someone close to home in Delta. :)

Gigi Ann said...

I can dream... you look like you had a wonderful time on your trips. Great variety of photos for the P day today. Loved them all.

Francesca Di Leo said...

your views of tuscany are gorgeous. i too would love to learn to paint the tuscan shy and trees. how beautiful that would be.

EG CameraGirl said...

Tuscany sounds like a wonderful place to ponder returning to!

Margaret's Miscellany said...

Perfect. I'm passionate about Italy too.

Roger Owen Green said...

While PASTORAL shots are PRETTY, I was PARTICULARLY fond of the one with your PALS.

ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Roger Owen Green said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Gayle said...

Italy is one of my favorite places and now you have me dreaming of going there again! Agree - it would be an awesome place for painting and taking photographs.

Teresa said...

Great p'S . LOOKS LIKE A WONDERFUL TRIP

Rajesh said...

Wonderful choice of words and beautiful shots.

Wanda said...

Oh I want to go!!! You would be a wonderful tour guide.

Tumblewords: said...

Profoundly perfect! Wouldn't that be a wonderful trip? Send postcards when you go, please!

nancygrayce said...

So beautiful. Never been but would love to. I think I'm getting a new camera for our anniversary and I love taking all kinds of pictures.

Dr. Pratibha Singh said...

wow ! what a great collection of P pictures.

MaR said...

What perfect post for P!! enjoyable and wonderful pictures.

P is for poncho

Sara Katt said...

I forgot to leave a link!

Purrs,
Sara Cat

For the benefit of other readers:

Sara Cat's abcWED-round-7-P

Shrinky said...

Ah Leslie, you are such a romantic at heart! I love those photo's of you on holiday - I can see everyone is having such a wonderful time.. you look beautiful!

jabblog said...

Wonderful post - lovely bright colours on this dull British day.

Self Sagacity said...

The photos are amazing! So wonderful to see all the gorgeous images.

Unknown said...

You've captured some amazing views and now I want to go there! Both to Italy and to Provence.

For us, Amsterdam and Copenhagen are next but both Italy and France are on the list!

Ciao,
Gina
My ABC Wednesday

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