The Ups and Downs of Life

Beautiful Colledimezzo

COVID is messing with my head and I’m sure I’m not alone.
The English strain of the virus is becoming a problem in Abruzzo, particularly in the province of Chieti, where I live. This means we’re back in the red zone, and I can only leave my village with a self certification form, and a good reason. I understand but wish people would follow the rules and be a little more cautious. We need to beat this virus and get back to a normal way of life.
My surroundings make confinement bearable. I had a beautiful walk today. The view lifted my spirits.
Yesterday my daughter told me she’s booking her flights for the end of the year. Not safe to consider international travel until Christmas at the earliest, but it gives me a whole year to look forward to seeing her.
Who’d have thought we’d still be battling this? I have a bottle of Champagne in the fridge which I’m keeping for the day we’re all free again. I may drink it all to myself.
Stay safe everyone!

Hotels – Love the Grandeur

I love to travel and stay in Grand hotels. My favorite Hotels are the older ones, the Hotels with history. The Grand Flora in Rome is one of my favorites and I will go back one day. From its grand marble staircases, to it’s incredibly friendly staff, my vacation was complete. I was in Rome staying in a beautiful hotel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My home is the colorful state of Colorado, and Colorado has its own hotels. I have stayed in a few, but none compare with ‘The Brown Palace’ in Denver.

I had the pleasure of spending a night there this past weekend.

My only daughter is getting Married so we had an appointment at Best Designer Wedding Dresses in Denver — anna bé bridal boutique

We met in the Brown Palace and enjoyed a glass of champagne before visiting the beautiful Bridal Boutique, where we were greeted by Michael, the senior stylist. My daughter, myself and four of our closet friend enjoyed more champagne, whilst perusing the wonderful designer dresses. With Michael’s help we found a gorgeous dress, veil and belt. We celebrated with more champagne of course.

After another celebratory drink in a local bar, we made our way to Linger, where we had dinner reservations. Fabulous restaurant, fabulous dinner. We saved room for dessert at ‘Little Man Ice Cream’ and sat in the park enjoying a glorious August eventing.

Exhausted, I took a cab back to the Brown Palace to enjoy the peace, tranquility and Luxury of this historical landmark.

 

Do you think it looks haunted? It is of course.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gorgeous stained glass ceiling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The bed was so comfortable, that I wouldn’t have heard a ghost had one visited my room. I slept like a log. The following morning I enjoyed a wonderful complimentary breakfast at my window table, and then lingered for a while to take photographs.

Even though this gorgeous hotel is only forty minutes from my home, I felt as though I had stepped into a different world, or maybe a different era. Next time my crazy hectic life stresses me out, I will remember this little haven of tranquility and escape to it. Maybe it will inspire one of my future stories.

If you are in the Denver area, give it a try. You won’t regret it.

 

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A Very Fine Restaurant and Wine Bar – Sketch

 

Last night I tried this restaurant for the first time, but it won’t be the last. It was a very friendly, European style restaurant. It was extremely busy, even at six o clock. The food was excellent. We started with a shared platter of antipasto, deliciously fresh olives, prosciutto, aged gouda as well as many other tasty treats. A great way to start the meal.

The Service was a little on the slow side, but I believe they were training new staff, and did I mention how busy it was? We were in no rush, and ate a leisurely dinner, enjoying each others company.

For my main course, I had home-made gnocchi. It was to die for. The tagliatelle also looked good, as did the risotto. We shared a salad of shredded brussel sprouts. Everything was cooked simply and to perfection.

I can’t believe we drank two bottles of champagne. It was one of those nights. We wanted to celebrate life. I highly recommend this casual, friendly restaurant. If you are in the area, give it a try. If it is a Saturday night, I suggest making a reservation.

http://sketch-restaurant.com/

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Bride or Movie Star?

I am in the early stages of planning the wedding of the century….well it is for our family anyway. Our lovely daughter is getting married in 2014.

Hair stylist booked, venue booked, flower artist booked. I know it’s early but it means I can relax and enjoy myself as the wedding gets closer.

I did smile earlier today as my daughter emailed with a quote I think I will treasure.

“I can just sit and drink champagne and eat strawberries and have people get me ready 😮 like a movie star!That’s how I imagine movie stars get ready”

 

 

I think that is a truly fabulous idea.

It’s the Wine talking!

I love wine! I am prompted to write about it right now, because I am enjoying a glass of extremely good Cabernet Sauvignon from the Lodi region of the Napa Valley. It is called ‘Freakshow’ and is from Michael David Winery. Red wine helps me relax, it helps me sleep. I believe it’s good for my soul.

Very good wine

Red wine tastes better when poured into a beautiful tulip shaped crystal glass. My husband spoils and buys Irish Crystal glasses for birthdays and Christmas, and I really appreciate them. I am drinking from one now.

Collecting lovely glasses has become a hobby for me (as well as photography and writing). I have Champagne flutes, Champagne bowls (did I mention champagne is my favorite tipple), red wine goblets, crystal glasses for white wine, and I use every single one of them. Life is too short not to drink good wine from beautiful glasses.

I prefer dry wines, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, and sometimes a good Pinot Grigio, but if I had to choose a wine that both my husband (who prefers sweet wines) and I could drink, it would have to be this one. We discovered it whilst having dinner in Cafe Diva in Steamboat Springs. We asked for a wine sweet enough for my husband to enjoy, but not to sweet for me. The owner of the restaurant got it just right!

If you venture to Steamboat Springs, you absolutely must enjoy dinner in Cafe Diva, one of the best restaurants in Colorado.

So this really has been a wine ramble, but it’s my blog and I am allowed to ramble if I so desire.

I will take another sip of my wonderful ‘Freakshow’ and then maybe go to bed.

Cheers!

Escape to the Mountains

 

I survived a long tiring week. A week with so much going on it was hard to keep up. It was my birthday on Thursday. I reached the ripe old age of 56. Hard to believe as I feel at least twenty years younger. Maybe I got the dates wrong. I had a lovely day, made special by friends and family. Beautiful roses from my daughter.

The week ended with a relaxing day in Keystone. After riding two gondola’s to get to the highest mountain peak, we arrived at the AlpenGlow Stube, where we shared a very special lunch with friends and family. After sipping champagne, I felt my troubles slip away.

We all enjoyed a gourmet meal in wonderful surroundings. You can’t beat a glass of Champagne at 12,000 feet.

 

The views from the top of the mountain are breath-taking and I didn’t want to leave, but all good things have to come to and end.

 

Next time I visit Keystone, I will take my snowboard and enjoy the beautiful mountain the way it should be enjoyed. I am NOT the fastest snowboarder on the mountain, but I certainly enjoy the ride.

 

I wish this was me, but it’s not. I am NOT quite that agile.

Monday tomorrow! Not ready for it, but the money has to be earned so I can enjoy my little weekend trips. I intend to visit the mountains a lot more in 2013. We don’t have the Ocean here in Colorado, but I think the mountains are the next best thing.

Keystone Ski Resort |Colorado Ski Vacations | http://www …