Saturday, January 30, 2016

Our Recent Travels and Wintertime Tea

Hello, friends!  How have you been enjoying 2016?  I am finally assimilating back to my normal schedule after a busy holiday season of travel, work, and family fun.  A tiny bit before Christmas, the hubby and I took a quick excursion to Seattle, returned, celebrated the holidays, and then we were off again with the whole family to Solvang, back for the Mission Inn Festival of lights, and to the California mountains for some much needed fun in the snow.  Today I am sharing a few of the highlights of our travels.


Seattle
The mountains of Washington were quite beautiful....


lots of trees with a smattering of snow....


Charming little structures amidst nature in all her glory.


A shot of the space needle.


A few shots of our view from the space needle looking over the city.












At the original Starbucks...







I was so excited to attend an exhibit showcasing the art of Dale Chihuly...his beautiful blown-glass creations are just spectacular, and even better in person.

Gorgeous color!









I really loved the garden...





Overall, I had such fun in Seattle!

Solvang


Have you ever been to the charming town of Solvang?  I was enamored with the sweet, quaint architecture...reminiscent of a time long ago.





Such a pretty little Inn!












We visited a darling bakery





quite a few vintage shops (of course)





and took in the sights.





 

Mission Inn
The Mission Inn Festival of Lights is in almost its twenty-fifth year and was voted by USA Today as #1 in the nation as a readers' favorite must-see attraction (for holiday/lighting attractions).  We try to go every year.  

Beautiful lights.  Over 4 million....you must go to appreciate it fully!







Boarding a magical horse-driven carriage ride...my daughters love this.  :)



A few weeks ago, during the first week of January, as I bade farewell to all of the Christmas décor, I treated myself to a sweet wintertime tea.  I can't bring the charm of the snow-capped mountains home with me to southern California, but I can certainly reminisce. 


A simple tea in winter white,















a cozy throw to snuggle under


as I peruse the pages of a new cookbook I found at that cute little bakery in Solvang.


How is your winter?


Until next we meet---

From my collection:
Teacup and saucers, Haviland France Limoges Ranson and Marseille Collections
Teapot, antique Godinger
Spoon, antique Wallace Silversmiths
Throw, Ralph Lauren


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28 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing these fun photos from your trips! I also enjoyed your elegant winter white tea setting.

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  2. Glad you were able to go to such wonderful places! Seattle is one of my favorite cities and I never tire of visiting it. I would love to go back to the Chihuly exhibit. The garden area was amazing! I haven't been to Solvang in years. It's worth going there just for the bakeries. :)
    Thanks for sharing about the Mission Inn Festival of Lights. I've never heard of it before. Looks like a scene from Disneyland.
    Even though I love traveling, it's always nice to come home to a familiar teacup and favorite tea.
    Happy Belated New Year,
    Nora

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    1. I really, really loved Seattle, I had never been, just adored the vibe there...I hope to return very soon! Thank you so much for popping by!

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  3. Well that was fabulous! Thanks for taking us along. Who would have thought the original Stabuck's logo had tea in it! There has been so much to do about tea ever taking off in the US. Great post!

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    1. Thank you, Sheila...I never knew that either. Starbucks has recently acquired Teavana, and they are opening stores all over, think Starbucks but with a selection of tea rather than coffee. One just opened near me, and I have been planning to try it out because I've been a fan of the Starbucks teas and Teavana as well for a while. Thank you for visiting!

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  4. What a wonderful trip you had. Your pictures are terrific and I'm sure you've made some wonderful memories. Your winter white tea is simply lovely too. Thank you for sharing with us.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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    1. Thank you, Sandi, and again, thank you for the post about Blogger and Google!

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  5. Love your pictures! I lived in Seattle for 5 years and loved it! Then I lived in So Cal and we would visit Mission Inn every year, aren't those lights just spectacular! And of course Solvang is so fun, love the bakeries there!

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    1. I loved, loved Seattle, so much so that the hubby was contemplating taking a position locally. We will see what the future holds...
      Mission Inn is a spectacular sight to see in its own right, and during Christmas, it's just magical, I agree! Thank you for stopping by!

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  6. What a lovely trip- Your photography is beautiful! Love the Danish village and of course anything coffee or tea!
    I've never been to Seattle but this would make a great travel guide

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    1. Thank you, Christina! Seattle is a great city, you'd really enjoy it! Thank you for visiting!

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  7. What wonderful travels you have been on. Enjoyed your photos. I was in Seattle and Vancouver last fall and enjoyed some of the places you visited. Of course the space needle and the glass museum was awesome. Thanks for sharing your photos……….

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  8. What an incredible trip you shared and all the places you visited were wonderful. I know you had a great time. We have traveled this week too as we closed on our retirement house in Missouri on Friday and return to Colorado tomorrow to 12" of snow! Thank you for linking - I am responding to you from the coffee shop at the grocery store!!!!

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    1. Thank you, Bernideen! Congrats on your closing, you must be so excited! I love Colorado, we have visited quite a few times, but never with that much snow! Have fun, and safe travels!

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  9. Beautiful photos! Some of them looked very familiar to me! We visited Seattle last summer for our vacation and went up into the Space Needle. We also went through and saw the glass museum. And the mountains!! So breathtaking! Sounds like you had a lovely Christmas and finished the season off with a relaxing winter teatime!! Thanks for sharing.
    Ann @ Cairn Cottage - http://cairncottage.blogspot.com/

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  10. Hi,
    I enjoyed seeing your pics of your travels and would like to visit Solvang since my hubby is Danish. I am going to google to see where it is located. Such a pretty tea set too! Have a Wonderful Week! Karen

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    1. Thank you, Karen...the central Californian coast is a gem, you'll enjoy it!

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  11. Oh my goodness, how beautiful Seattle is. Every person who's visited has raved about it's beauty.
    Hope some day I can go and visit too.
    Thanks for sharing pretty girl and thanks much for your sweet visit.
    FABBY

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  12. I love your pictures. What a gorgeous place to visit. It has such a European feel. How wonderful to see you enjoying this pretty place.

    Wishing you a wonderful Valentine's day.

    Janet

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    1. I agree, Janet! It is so charming there, and the pastries are delish! Thank you for visiting, and have a Happy Valentine's Day!

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  13. It all looks like such fun! That bakery would have been the end for me lol Thanks for joining in over at Vintage Charm! Hope to see you there again tomorrow! xo Kathleen

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  14. I love seeing new places through a bloggers eyes, your photos are wonderful.
    Thanks for sharing on the Oh My Heartsie Girls Friday Features this week!!
    Hope you have a great weekend, Happy Valentines!!
    Karren
    #OMHGFF

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  15. Our winter has been so warm, I missed the actual cold! Beautiful pix and inspiring as usual!!

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