Welcome to my blog!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I believe that everyone can have a beautiful home without spending a fortune! One of my favorite things to do is find creative ways to re-purpose things I already have on hand, or have picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Join me as I share with you some of my favorite ideas for crafting and decorating, as well as travel adventures, and fun things that I pick up on my treasure hunts! Much of my work is influenced by my love all things French, nature, and of course shabby chic! I have gotten so many creative ideas from you very talented bloggers out there, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you as well!

Thursday, September 7, 2017

From Fairy Tale Villages to Fairy Gardens

Hi everyone,
It's hard to believe that September is already here!
Summer always seems to go by way to quickly, and I'm usually a bit sad to see it go!
We did manage to pack alot into the season though.
Camping, swimming, gardening, and even an impromptu trip to Germany and Austria!
Long story, but we'd planned for months to visit Ireland this summer (I was super excited, as I am Irish!).
Well, we fly standby, thanks to hubby's many years of working at the airlines. So that means that if there's a seat open on the plane, we make it on.  If not, no luck!
Anyway, all of the flights and connections were way oversold, and we knew that we'd never make it on.  So we made  a last minute decision (the night before!) to instead go to Germany and Austria!
We'd been there years ago and loved both countries.
It was a bit difficult going spur of the moment with no plans, no guide book, nothing.  Like, where will we go, what will we see??

I did remember recently reading about the "Top 10" quaint villages in Europe,  one of which was Hallstatt, Austria.
We spent one afternoon there, and fell in love with it.
It is truly a magical place, and feels straight out of a fairy tale!
 Postcard perfect Hallstatt!
 Actually, my pictures don't do justice to how beautiful it was here!
 Typical Bavarian style architecture.  Aren't those flowers gorgeous?
I loved the aqua shutters, too!
 Check out this amazing castle on the other side of the lake! Someone actually lives there!
 I would love to visit again some day.  Oh, notice the swans in the photo above?


Thankfully we went later in the day, as I'd read that unfortunately everyone else seems to have discovered this beautiful village, meaning it's over run by tourists and tour busses!
I really feel for the people who live there and have to deal with throngs of crowds!
Let me tell you, this village is literally jaw dropping, it's hard to believe a place like this really exists!
There are no cars allowed in the village, making it even more quaint.
It's very popular to rent small electric boats and view the village from the lake, which is what we did.  What a different perspective you get from the water.  It was just magical!
I'll share more pictures of our trip in upcoming posts.

Also this summer I planted my very first fairy garden!



I'd been wanting to do this forever, and had so much fun with the project!  My handy hubby built me a wood planter box, complete with chunky spindle "feet".  Of course I had to paint it bright aqua and add a French themed stencil!
I just love it, but had a few challenges along the way, including not so cute little chipmunks who liked to dig in the planter!

Miss Molly is doing great, and turned 1 1/2 this summer!
She loves camping  (we took our motor home to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan earlier this summer), and swimming on our lake.  She can hardly stand still long enough for me to put her little doggie life vest on, before she dives in the water!




With cooler days and nights, I think our swimming days are over for the season.  Not too crazy about swimming in cold water!

That's it for today. Sure have missed you all, look forward to catching up with everyone!
Have a great rest of the week!

7 comments:

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Oh my gosh, what a most stunning town. Wouldn't you love to live there, but I bet it's really cold in the winter. Thanks so much for taking me along on the tour.

Little Miss Molly is sure cute and she looks great in her flotees.

It's so good seeing your post again, you were really missed. Take care dear friend.

Hugs to Miss Molly. I told Waldo and Lili all about Miss Molly going swimming. Lili, not so much, but Waldo love the sprinklers. Have to lock him inside when the back yard is on, as he will try to tear them up LOL.

Enjoy your weekend.

Hugs,
Nary

Rose L said...

It looks like a magical place to visit!

EL RINCON DE CHELO said...

Que precios lugar, maravillosas fotos, besos

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Donna, So great to see you here in blogland again. You have really been missed. Love your beautiful photos from your trip. Such a gorgeous place and so charming. Just look at sweet Molly. She is adorable in her swim jacket. Love your fairy garden in the awesome garden box. Have a great weekend ahead. xo

Susie said...

Donna, You know how to live in the moment. What a beautiful place to visit. I loved how the town just seemed to hang on the side of the mountains. Your fairy garden is so pretty. Hey, a doggie life vest is smart. Blessings to you, xoxo, Susie

Debbie said...

Hello Donna!!! How wonderful to see a post from you! and what a neat one at that!! Such a great place to visit! you are right, it looks like something right out of a fairy tale! LOVE it!! Your puppy sure grew up...she's a sweetie. I like that cute fairy garden...fun.
I'm sad to see the end of summer here at the lake. Not ready for the cold weather just yet.
Hope you are well, dear one.
Happy Autumn to you.
Debbie
xoxo

Linda @ A La Carte said...

What a fun trip! I envy you your spontaneous travel! I keep thinking I'll do a fairy garden but haven't. Maybe next year when Scout will be 3 and help me!