Greetings!
I hope you are all doing well! I understand there is quite a bit of heat happening throughout the US and the same has been true throughout my travels here. For those of you who love it, enjoy it; for those of you who don't, may it cool off soon!
After our fun adventure in Liverpool, Shirley and I enjoyed a quiet and delicious dinner at the hotel. We turned in early as the next day dawned with a well-planned and delightfully well-attended soirée to allow even more bloggie friends to meet me and each other:
I hope you are all doing well! I understand there is quite a bit of heat happening throughout the US and the same has been true throughout my travels here. For those of you who love it, enjoy it; for those of you who don't, may it cool off soon!
After our fun adventure in Liverpool, Shirley and I enjoyed a quiet and delicious dinner at the hotel. We turned in early as the next day dawned with a well-planned and delightfully well-attended soirée to allow even more bloggie friends to meet me and each other:
I must have asked them to say "knickers!"
Don't strain your peas, I've got lovely closeups for you!
Left to right: Carole Dixon, Sammy Stevenson, and Andrea Connell
Carol Steedman, Cara Gregory, Kath Scholefield, and Victoria Jefferies
And last, but not least:
Me, with Victoria's daughter Alexa, Blogland's youngest card artist
who is quite serious about (and quite excellent at) color arrangements!
I had such a lovely day meeting all these talented and beautiful ladies up close and personal. My only complaint was that the lunch ended too soon!
Lottie and her husband Jim stayed over at the hotel and joined me for dinner along with Anne and her husband David.
Thank you, Lottie and Jim! It was wonderful to be able to have extra time with you to get to know you even better. It was another amazing jam-packed day!
~~~
The next afternoon, David returned to go with me to the Gauntlet Birds of Prey. Long-time friends will know I love most birds and have a special love for the wee-est hummingbirds and the huge-est raptors. In this case, raptors were aplenty, including the most beautiful eagles, kites, and owls, and even (inexplicably) a small exhibit of meerkats! We also saw a thrilling flying exhibit!
Lottie and her husband Jim stayed over at the hotel and joined me for dinner along with Anne and her husband David.
~~~
The next afternoon, David returned to go with me to the Gauntlet Birds of Prey. Long-time friends will know I love most birds and have a special love for the wee-est hummingbirds and the huge-est raptors. In this case, raptors were aplenty, including the most beautiful eagles, kites, and owls, and even (inexplicably) a small exhibit of meerkats! We also saw a thrilling flying exhibit!
Afterward, David and I drove through a beautiful valley to Anne and David's home where Anne made me her specialty: beef and potato pie!
Am I a lucky woman or what?! Thank you to Annie and David for the many, many ways you went out of your way to make my time in your neck of the woods so memorable and heart-warming! I will cherish our time together!
I'm lucky in friends and I lucky in weather. This day marked the twelfth straight day of some sunshine!
I'm lucky in friends and I lucky in weather. This day marked the twelfth straight day of some sunshine!
Sometimes it took until late afternoon, but the sun has been out part of every day! A Guinness record, perhaps?!
To be continued ...
~~~
Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!*
As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse and special thanks to you if you take the time to join as a follower! Please let me know you came by, so I can be sure and return the flavor!
As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse and special thanks to you if you take the time to join as a follower! Please let me know you came by, so I can be sure and return the flavor!
*Life is too short!
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Click the Home tab under my blog banner which resets the post.
Click Page Down to reach the end of the post.
Click Comments and a pop-up box opens.
Click "Jump to Comment Form" and walla, no more car pool tunnel!
Mwah!
If you ask me a question in your comment, please remember to leave me
your email address so I can respond. Thank you!
So many card making artists gathered around one table!!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying so hard not to be exceedingly jealous--haha! Actually it's so much fun going along with you via pictures! Wishing you lots more fun..& sunshine!!..before you head home! Hugs, Greta
ReplyDeleteBeef and potato pie sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI'm so enjoying your trip in pictures!!! Thanks for sharing and I'm so envious of you having such a wonderful time meeting everyone :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you're enjoying your visit with all these lovely talented ladies. I'm pea green with jealousy! One day......
ReplyDeleteThis is so delightful to be able to peek in on your adventures. Continue with the safe travels, and enjoy!
ReplyDeleteAs in the drinkable Guinness??! Hahaha. Another wonderful day filled with IRL meetings, delicious food, and friends whom most of us here on this side of the pond can only dream of meeting. How wonderful for you. I look forward to your travelog every day. Can't wait to hear more about it!! Have more fun, be a bit safe, and enjoy yourself!! xoxo Bev
ReplyDeleteI'm so enjoying meeting all the bloggie friends Dolly. And they have taken such good care of you. Crafters are the most generous and caring people. The fun continues, and you must have brought the sunshine with you, my friend. Because that's what you are ... pure sunshine! :) Looking forward to seeing the rest of your trip. It's been spectacular so far. Lolly xx
ReplyDeleteIt really looks like you are having the best time and so happy for you! It's so neat to be meeting fellow bloggers especially the cute one who seems a bit camera shy:) I love the bird pics and the meerkats....they always put a smile on my face
ReplyDeleteWow, look at you with all your wonderful crafty friends! Hope every one of your days brings sunshine and fun! Stay safe!!
ReplyDeleteOooh Darnell I cant help but feel a wee bit envious of you....so lucky to meet so many wonderful crafter friends!! Sooo happy for you...cherish the wonderful memories
ReplyDeleteCheers
Dr Sonia
Totally enjoying all your posts. Not commenting on all but reading all. You must be the most popular crafter I know. So many people to catch up with, amazing. So good to see your keeping yourself well fed and seeing lots. Keep enjoying and posting.
ReplyDeleteOh thanks for sharing your glorious fun with all the rest of us. It was delightful to see some familiar faces and I'm SO excited (um, becited!) to read that you got to meet Our Anne! I know it was such a wonderful meeting of 2 great talents, and boy, did that pie look so yummy. The pictures are wonderful (good photography, girl). I'm happy reading that you're getting to see all these beautiful places, and even though it's hot, at least you have sunshine, not dreary rain to be slogging around in. And thanks so much for the p/card. How kind you are to think of us, when you've got so much activity going on! Big hugs - to you and to the friends you are meeting. Hope you're getting a good rest at night.
ReplyDeleteI'm just so happy for you, Darnell! Your trip looks amazing, and the opportunity to meet so many blogland friends must be the thrill of a lifetime. Safe travels as you journey on (or home).
ReplyDeleteSunshine for that many days, must be a record!!!! Well done you for bringing the California sunshine with you for your holiday. The birds would have been fabulous to see and love those little meerkats. Everyone has been so wonderful welcoming you into their homes, you are certainly well loved!!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of your latest instalment. can't wait to see where you go next!
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying your roadshow, Darnell, so nice to put faces to names out there in blogland. Privileged to have been part of your roadshow too.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for your take on the HLS retreat mate - such fun!
Enjoy the last few days of the roadshow and safe journey homeward.
Kathyk
Am loving these diary entries of your trip around our country Darnell. Losing track of all the wonderful people you've met along the way! And there's more to come! Yay!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Di xx
I am so glad you are enjoying yourself and meeting all these wonderful people AND getting some good weather :-D
ReplyDeleteHugz
IKE xx
WOW you sure are getting to meet a lot of bloggers.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are having so much fun and the weather is being good for you.
You take care. Sue
W|hat a lovely gathering of 'bloggers' Darnell....love the birds of prey and Anne's pie looks delicious...Keep the photographs coming...
ReplyDeleteAnne x
What a wonderful time you are having Darnell - so glad the weather is co-operating for you!! I must have knowed you were coming.
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Maxine
Darnell I see you stil enjoying your trip !!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat and have fun !!!!!
Ineke X
You are having a wonderful trip!!
ReplyDeleteReally enjoying reading about your fantastic trip. Also love seeing the photos and putting crafty names to faces. You sure look like you are having fun and being well taken care of...bring on the next installment x
ReplyDeleteSuch a great pic-filled post with all of these sweet crafters! What a wonderful time to enjoy and cherish. We are so lucky that you are sharing ❤️😘
ReplyDeleteDo take care in your travels and continue to enjoy! XOX
Super photo's again Darnell and l truly wished l'd been there to meet you as you know other plans where in force l'm loving all of the photo's and when and where you go next your sure packing in plenty and hope to continue to do so enjoy the remaining time you have here sending lots of love. XX
ReplyDeleteIt's so fun to see faces attached to names I see on linkys. Glad you are having a good time and the weather is cooperating.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a fantastic group of stampers you got to have lunch with. AND a brand new little stamper too! She looks so serious about her crafting. I'm so glad you got to visit the Gauntlet Birds of Prey. I did go look it up after you told me about it. Being able to have authentic homemade food from Anne's kitchen was a lovely gesture and such a treat. I believe you are the new "queen" over there, certainly they treated you like one.
ReplyDeleteWow, how neat to meet so many of your blogger friends! I am enjoying your posts as you travel. Hope you continue to have a wonderful trip!
ReplyDeleteJust look how popular you are. What a terrific turn-out for your visit. You must have been so pleased. And they look like a group that likes to laugh, always a good thing. Did you eat all of Anne's beautiful pie? I only ask because you mentioned there has been a great deal of food and that pie looks fabulous. So glad you enjoying yourself and that the weather is being kind to you.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're having an amazing time! :)
ReplyDeleteSuch happy photos...thanks for sharing!
The party continues. You're such a blessing, Darnell!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Em xxx
WOW! Did we have fun today or what??? Sure did!!! I'm so glad that you are faithfully sharing your trip with us! Favorite today is the darling little 'mirror kitty' (channeling my inner Darnell)....with the beef & potato pie coming in as a close second!
ReplyDeleteGood grief Darnell!!! One would think you were a visiting head of state with all that attention, and the fancy luncheons! What a wonderful trip you're having...and with such warm and enthusiastic hosts and tour guides. When you first talked about going on this UK tour of crafty bloggers I had imagined you parked in one spot, attending a craft expo or something. I had no idea you would be on a real adventure. leaving your mark in all corners of England (and even Wales). Hmm, that makes it sound like you're a dog or cat laying claim to a new neighborhood, doesn't it? I hope you are having as much fun sharing your trip as we are following you along!
ReplyDeleteIf I'd known there were meerkats, I might have taken myself there for a look! Looking forward to your next instalment :)
ReplyDeleteI've been enjoying your travels and photos. All this from my seat and no luggage fees!
ReplyDeleteSuch an adventure!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! So many crafters that are on my list to meet. So jealous!
ReplyDeleteAhh, it seems like just yesterday since we were together! So glad you got a picture of my favourite rusty skeleton when David drove you here too, he is pretty impressive (the skeleton is not bad either - lol!!). Hope you are still enjoying your time with crafty friends and that you have a safe journey home my dear friend!! Big hugs from us both, Annie and David xxxx
ReplyDeleteI soooo enjoy your travel diary--so much fun you're having, and wishing you more. Thank you for sharing your experiences with all those fine people and country!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you are having a wonderful tour of England. Thanks for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous that you are doing this fun trip!! LOVE that you are able to meet up with so many fun bloggers. I would love to do this sometime!! Thank you for all the fun photos!!
ReplyDeleteHow sweet of you to let us join you vicariously! Thanks for sharing all these wonderful memories and great pics. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Darnell. What an amazing time you are having - I just wish I could have caught up with you whilst you have been over here. But... there we go... You sound as if you have now done this part of the land - are you coming to North Wales at all? or are you staying in England? I've been so enjoying looking at all your photos.
ReplyDeleteTake care. God bless.
Margaret (WOYWW - glitterandglue)
Oh this tour is working out splendidly! I'm so glad that you are having fun and meeting so many Brits along the way ... Love the photos and that meerkat is so cute! Enjoy your next stop!
ReplyDeleteOoh another wonderful batch of photos! It all looks such fun! Alexa is so sweet, bless her and Anne's pie looks absolutely yummy! You look so happy - you deserve to be having the best time ever my friend! xxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteGreat post Darnell and love all the pictures.
ReplyDeleteLovely to meet you at the weekend,
Lilian
Let me just say: I WANT THE PIE!!! I'm enjoying your journey, D!!
ReplyDelete=]
Glad to see your UK tour is still going strong. I've been on one of my own the past five days, which included meeting another blogger all the way from the US of A!
ReplyDeleteI am so enjoying your trip in pictures, pure pleasure! So glad that you are having a great time! And I think you brought sunshine with you. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHi Darnell
ReplyDeleteWhat a popular gal you are and rightly so. I know you're somewhere over Canada now making your way back home and you will be missed on this side of the Atlantic.
It was a joy to meet you and hope you get to come back soon.
Best wishes.
Ang x
What an amazing adventure you've had, Darnell! It's been lovely to read about your travels, especially being able to put blogger faces to names. But....... I wish you'd left the good weather here. The last few days in Devon an Ark would have been a better bet than a caravan! 😉 xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a joy to have seen every installment of your Big Adventure (so far) in one delicious sitting, Darnell ... looks like all that planning and charting helped to make it all go smoothly!! You took such a glorious tour, met up with so many lovely, warm, generous people (and they got to meet up with lovely, warm, generous you!), and ate and drank your way round England like a trooper!! Sorry I wasn't able to follow every day ... it's been crazy here and I've hardly been near the computer for weeks! What a catch up though ... each of your posts was well worth waiting for ... your energy and enthusiasm shines through every word and picture! Looking forward to hearing more details when the opportunity arises!!! LYAMYMCA! Big hugs and bisous, bisous, Anita :)
ReplyDeleteStill catching up on my commenting Auntie! I love this days adventures! What fun to meet up with all those talented ladies, I love the pictures of them and you. How cute is the youngest creator?!!! Adorable! I also love the birds and meercats, that sounds like a fun place to go and yes, how lucky for you to have supper at Anne and David's house, and boy does the beef and potato pie look yummy!!! So glad you had sunshine everyday! The sky looks so beautiful. Hugs, Brenda
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to meet so many talented crafters! Great bird pics! Just wondering if the meerkats are serving as raptor food....
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful lunch you had with SO many stamping friends! How lovely that you met Anne and Jenny - two that I know well as they are on the A Vintage Journey Team with me - would love to travel to England to meet them! Julia xx
ReplyDeletehow wonderful!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are meeting so many people Darnell! And not only that, but their husbands too - and all of them so generous with their hospitality! That pie looked yummy... and it's lovely to see our craft grabs the imagination of even the youngest people.
ReplyDeleteIt was fantastic to finally meet up with you and all the ladies in Cheshire! Thank you for organising such a wonderful get together and for my Hammie - he's sitting keeping an eye on the action chez Marples ;) So glad you've had such a fabulous trip to the UK xx
ReplyDeleteYour luck with the sunshine was amazing! I lived in London many years ago for a year. In that year I think there were about 3 days with blue skies. I even took a photo of it one day so that I could keep it on my wall and remember what it looked like!
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful that through your visit you've brought so many blogland friends together. It's lovely to be able to put faces to names and I've really enjoyed reading about your travels. You've certainly done lots of eating and I have to comment on Anne's pie which looks absolutely delicious. Barbxx
ReplyDelete