Lady Traveler ~ No place like home for Christmas

Lady Traveler is home for the holydays!  

I'm re-posting this blog from last year (2016) because the message is the same.  

Enjoy, and I'll chat with you next year.  2018!

Christmas in our first South Carolina home in Fort Mill, 2006
The mural painting was in the house when we bought it.
The canal reminded us of when we lived in Uppsala, Sweden in 1991-92
so I kept it and created a little cafe where the Le aRtist's Studio
met each month to share our dreams. 

There's no place like home for the holidays,

No matter how far away you roam...

Fa-la-la-la-la, la la la la!


On the other hand...
For a few moments while we were on the road

traveling cross country in Moon River, our 40-foot motor home,

the thought came to me,

I could do this...full-time.

Everyone is so busy at home...

No one would miss me.

Everywhere Moon River took us,

the wide open roads seemed to be 

beckoning me,

from Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri

across I-70 through Kansas and Colorado.

Even on the I-15 from Utah to California,

the desert, the hills, the blue Pacific

I heard them calling...

Come, stay with us.

Like my Daddy, I have a spirit of wanderlust.

I'm a happy wanderer.

A gilded gypsy.

A vagabond.
A sojourner.

I've traveled the USA by bus, bike, train, plane, car and RV

HOWEVER, like my sweet southern Mama,

I'm a homebody.

I love to nest.

I adore my little treasures

from around the world.

Russia, Siberia. Latvia. Estonia.
Turkey. Greece.

Sweden. Norway. Finland.

England. France. Spain. Italy. Germany.

Israel.

There are more countries but I can't seem to remember.

That's what treasures are for, 

to remind us of those places where we first saw them, brought them home, and 

found a special place for each one.

beLeaf in your dreams and they will come true.
Believe.

Some day I might have to part with these treasures, but not today.
And the highways and byways will have to wait.
Because for now, I'm singing ...


There's no place like home for the holydays,
where
family and friends gather
to celebrate
the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.


No matter what you believe,
I wish you oceans of holyday blessings!


And she (Mary) shall bring forth a son,
and thou shall call his name JESUS:
for he shall save his people
from their sins.
Matthew 1:21


and He still does.

Lady on the Sea is available:

www.amazon.com/author/www.sharonleaf.com

sharonleaf.com

Lady Traveler in Spain... Barcelona! Part 4

Spain in the Fall



Most new discoveries are suddenly-seen things that were always there.

Part 4
Our European Trip September 2017

Famous church. Amazing architecture

I've slowed down on my blogging due to
Life happenings.
I'm sure you understand.


I want to begin where I left off on our last European journey ...


The train from Valencia to Barcelona was scenic and very enjoyable.

Ticket included a nice little breakfast and COFFEE!

Once we arrived in Barcelona,
it was easy to travel to our hotel via taxi.

The hotel was nice. Hot breakfast was available in their cafe.

Our days were filled with touring the beautiful city

and hanging out near the port and the beach.

Beautiful architecture abounds in Barcelona!

Of course, Rob found an authentic Tex Mex restaurant just around the corner.

The owners were from Texas and had moved to Barcelona many years ago.

The food was delicious and the atmosphere was welcoming,
so we returned again before leaving for Sweden.

Little Tex Mex restaurant around the corner from our hotel.

I was determined to walk Las Ramblas
where the terrorist attack happened last August 17th.

I spoke with a young man who made his living by
transporting tourists in his bicycle-buggy.

He still feared driving up and down the walkway

so I encouraged him to take it slow.

"By you just showing up here daily shows that you are

overcoming your fear a step at a time."

He smiled at my encouraging words.

The famous walking street, Las Ramblas, 
where the terrorist attack occurred.

From Las Ramblas, we walked the bridge to the beautiful port of Barcelona,
ate lunch, and sat on a bench to 'people watch',
one of my favorite pastimes.

Port of Barcelona.  Yachts galore!

We spent two days basking in the warmth of the Mediterranean Sea.

We had perfect weather in Italy and Spain.
Our next stop will be Sweden.
Cloudy, rainy, and cold,
but oh so nice after many days of very warm weather.

Can you see why we love to travel?

I have details of this journey on my Facebook page.
(Food, places to stay, etc.)



Our next stop will be Sweden.
We'll be flying to Stockholm to visit friends for 10 days.
Until then,

Wherever you travel, 
take time to smell the roses, the salt air, the pine trees
and most important,
stop to chat with the people that God has placed in your path.



I wish you oceans of travel blessings,
wherever you are!



For God so loved the world that he gave his
only begotten Son.
that whoever believes in Him
shall not perish
but have everlasting life.
John 3:16

sharonleaf.com

Lady Traveler says Ciao! from Italy ... Part 2

Italy in the Fall


When you're traveling, you are what you are right then and there.

People don't have your past to hold against you.

No yesterdays on the road.  Enjoy that luxury.

Part 2
Our European Trip September 2017

On a hill overlooking Florence, Italy

After arriving in Rome--smooth flights, by the way--
we hopped a train and two hours later we arrived in Florence.


Although we were now on Italian time--6 hours ahead of South Carolina time--
I was all eyes from the moment I stepped off the plane until we
arrived in Florence.



I cannot describe my love for this city.

Pictures cannot capture the beauty of the architecture.
The people.  The food.

The land.

Eleven days in wonderful Tuscany. 

Rob and I made each moment count.

Whether we were strolling cobblestone streets,

savoring the food in outdoor cafes (the best spaghetti I've ever tasted),

or touring the hills of Tuscany in our 1972 Fiats,

we soaked in the glory of each day.

Due to circumstances beyond my control,
I couldn't log into my blog so I was six weeks without blogging.
But I did write in my journal.  Whew!

Sometimes less is more, so this blog is focused more on the visual and less on words.

The street where we lived for eleven days.
Our flat was just above the Gucci Store.
"Temptation, get away!"

Three flights of stairs brought us to our one bedroom flat,
complete with kitchen and washer/dryer,
and a lovely balcony for basking in the late afternoon sun.

A day in the hills of Tuscany in our 1972 Fiats
with son Jason and Xyla.

Our Fiats took us to a hill where we dined el fresco!

Did I mention the out-of-this-world Italian cuisine?
(Did I mention that I gained 10 pounds?)

Who's leaning, me or the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

Another day in the Tuscany hills.
Dining at a local farm/winery.
Another day of delightful dry red wine!

Dining at a Tuscany farm/winery.
Jason, do not touch my pasta!
Xyla, do not touch my wine!

Too much food to post on one blog.
This is one of Xyla's favorites.
It should have been mine, but I just could not resist the spagetti!

The famous bridge across the Florence canal.
Diamonds galore in blocks of jewelry shops.
Xyla, Rob, and me sharing a cozy moment.

We had the luxury of taking our time to enjoy each day.

Coffee and light breakfast in our flat.

Morning touring at our own pace.

Stopping for a relaxing outdoor lunch.

Home for a shower and afternoon siesta (the perfect way to deal with jet lag).

Then venturing out in the evening for a late dinner 'cause

that's what they do in Europe ... dine late, and stay late!

Now, my suggestion:
Go make your own memories.

Discover new territory.

Learn from your own experiences.

Whether in a foreign country, or in your own neighborhood,

gather pictures to look back on when you're

relaxing in your rocking chair on the front porch,
or, like me, chilling on my backyard screened portch.

See you next blog in ...

SPAIN!

The heavens declare the glory of God,

and the skies announce what His hands have made.

Psalm 19:1



Thank you, Jason and Xyla

www.sharonleaf.com

Lady Traveler returns home! ... Part 1

Like all great travelers, I have seen more than I remember,
and remember more than I have seen.


Part 1
Our European Trip September 2017

Rob and son Jason having fun in Berlin, Germany

I've been in Europe for the past six weeks,

and for some strange reason that I cannot figure out,

I wasn't able to write or edit my blog.

Go figure.

Quite frustrating.

However, I'm back in the good ol' USA and back to blogging.

This blog will be short,
but soon I'll be writing a few blogs on our latest travels to

Italy.

Spain.

Sweden.

and Germany.

Food.  People.  Customs.

Beautiful Scenery galore.

Familial Church in Barcelona, Spain

I love traveling to different countries,
but as I mentioned in my last blog,
after traveling to 15+ countries,
Rob and I had no plans to travel international again.




But then out of nowhere, our son, Jason, called Rob
and announced that he wanted to take us to Europe
for his "70th Birthday."



So after the shock wore off,
Rob gave him a big, "Yes!"
How could we refuse?
So away we flew, for six weeks.



Thank you, Jason and Xyla,
for a wonderful birthday gift that your Dad will always remember.



And for the most valuable gift of all ...
... spending time with you on a journey we will always remember.

Jason and his mean stepmother

Xyla, Rob, and son Jason
Berlin, Germany

Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.
However many years we may live,
let us enjoy them all.
Ecclesiastes 11:7-8

Lady and the Sea and Lady on the Run are available at

www.amazon.com/author/www.sharonleaf.com

www.sharonleaf.com

Lady Traveler is flying away!

Savor little glimpses of God's goodness and His majesty,

thankful for the gift of them:

winding pathways through cobbled streets,

a bright green canopy of vineyards,

and dappled sunshine falling all around.

Ciao!
(hot air balloon in Paris 2014)

We had no longer unpacked our motor home, took a few deep breaths,

kicked off our shoes ...

when the phone rang.

"Who was it?" I asked.

"Jason"

"What did our California son have to say?"

Rob smiled. "You're not going to believe this."

"Try me," I said.

"For my 70th birthday he wants to take us to ..."

"Where?"

"Italy, Spain, Germany ..."

"What??"

From left: my brother John, me, Rob, Xyla (Jason's sweetheart), and son Jason
Zion, Utah 2016

We were caught completely off guard.

Well, it has finally sunk in ...

We're flying to Europe for six weeks!

In a nutshell:

Flying to Rome, Italy.

Hop a train to Florence.

Bicycle through the city.

Spend days in Tuscany.

Wine, food, sunshine, and

quality time with Jason and Xyla.

I haven't been to Italy, but here's a photo of our trip to Istanbul, Turkey 2008

Fly to Valencia, Spain.

Spend days biking around the seaside city.

Wine, food, sunshine, Jason and Xyla.

Take a train to Barcelona.

Spend days biking along the sea; more wine, food, sunshine.

I haven't been to Spain to see the magnificent churches, but here's a photo of a
beautiful church in Istanbul, Turkey

Fly to Stockholm, Sweden.

Stay with our Swedish friends for 10 days.

We hooked up with our Swedish friends in Paris 2014

We fly to Berlin, Germany.

Stay a few days sightseeing with Jason and Xyla,

then

Fly HOME.

No matter where we're traveling, 

we look forward to

meeting new friends along the way,
listening to their stories,
and sharing our testimony and God's love.

We are leaving in two weeks.

Jason has reserved lovely, cozy apartments,

made flight arrangements.

Motor home is in storage.

House sitter arranged.

Popcorn will be house-hopping ...

We are feeling very thankful and blessed.

Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God.

I Peter 1:18  The Message

www.sharonleaf.com

Lady Traveler is safe at home ... for now.

To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive.

Home sweet home

We all like to travel.

Whether through a movie,

a book,

a song,

or through the eyes of another.

Travel takes us a
way from reality.

But at the end of a movie, a book, and a song,

we have to come to reality.

No matter what your reality is,

know there is Someone who is

watching over you.

He wants the best for you.

Know that it's okay to make mistakes.

He doesn't keep score.

Don't be concerned about meeting others 

expectations.

He doesn't put those expectations on you.

Others do.

And you.

Stop it.

Get a grip.

Say a prayer.

Take a deep breath.

And begin living the life that God has for you.

I'm back home now.

Slowly putting things back in its place.

Laundry.  Food.  Clothes.  Stuff.

Back home to write.  And play.

I love to travel,

but it's so nice to be back home

where I can kick off my shoes and be free!

Until next time,

I wish you oceans of summer's end blessings!

Stand at the crossroads and look ...

ask where the good way is, and walk in it,

and you will find rest for your soul.

Jeremiah 6:16

www.sharonleaf.com

Lady Traveler singing, "My Old Kentucky Home"

Kentucky is noted for horses and bourbon
so after a morning at The Old Friends Horse Farm,
we drove a few miles east to Kentucky's oldest distillery.

Woodford Reserve, the first Kentucky distillery

Cozy lounge with large leather chairs and sofas.
and shelves and shelves of bourbon in all shapes and sizes.

We met our new RV rowdy roadies at the distillery lounge.
And we are sober!  Honest!  

Beautiful rolling hills on the distillery grounds.

We don't drink bourbon, so we didn't take the tour.

Well, I did order a mint julep a few years ago in Savannah, Georgia,
in celebration of the Kentucky Derby.
But after two sips, I couldn't finish it -- way too strong for this lady.

so ...

A long, windy, narrow road led us to my kind of hangout ...

Prodigy Winery and Vineyards

Prodigy Winery and Vineyards is the perfect place to relax, kick off your shoes and
do some wine tasting.

Lots of extravagant lady's Kentucky derby hats,
gifts, and wine!

A complimentary wine glass with wine tasting.
Because I'm such a good girl, Robinski bought me a bottle of dry red wine.

Calm serenity overlooking the vineyards (a pond is to the right)

Travel Tip:  Try not to cram too much into one day.

After such a full day of touring, its always nice to come home
to our home-on-wheels, Moon River and have a glass of vino.

Inside our motor home, Moon River
Photo by Shawn Watson Photography

Rob and I thank the Lord every day for the opportunity to
travel across this beautiful land,
and to meet kind and generous people who want the best for our country.

Let us continue to pray for our country,
for our men and women who are serving our country,
and for our President.



Before the mountains were brought forth, 
or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world,
even from everlasting to everlasting,
thou art GOD
Psalm 90:2


I wish you oceans of summer travel blessings!

www.sharonleaf.com

www.prodigywinery.com

Lady Traveler getting her Kicks on Route 66!

Lady Traveler is getting her kicks on Route 66!

A Route 66 sign outside our restaurant window in
Evansville, IN

Our coach, Moon River, happily camouflaged at
the Waldorf Walmart in Evansville, Indiana 

Route 66 in Indiana

Our journey takes us through
the bluegrass hills of Kentucky.

I'm just scratching the surface of this beautiful state,
but remember, a picture can be worth a thousand words.

My old Kentucky Home

Staying at Whispering Hill RV Park in Georgetown, Kentucky was a welcome 6-day stop.

Whispering Hills 

A fishing pond

A swimming hole
An hour swim in an empty pool is a tranquil delight

Our first day: we bought tickets online to the Ark Encounter

Noah's Ark in Williamsburg KY

I had some questions answered about

The Ice Age.  Dinosaurs.  Etc.

Make sure you stop by.  There is a nice restaurant and

seniors can eat a nice buffet for $9.00 while overlooking the hills of Kentucky.

The next day we drove to The Creation Museum,

forty-five minutes northeast of the Ark.

Well worth the drive to walk through this very informative museum.

Do you have questions about creation?
I did.

Come and find your answers at The Creation Museum.
I did.

Main Street in Georgetown is a quaint and inviting.
Lots of antique shops and eateries.

Needing a place to relax? We found this great little place, Fava's Diner of Georgetown.

All the catfish you can eat!  Delicious!

Our third day in Kentucky was a hum-dinger!

After breakfast, we drove a few miles west of Georgetown to

The Old Friends Horse Farm,

one of my favorite places in Kentucky.

My favorite book when growing up: "Old Bones"
the true story of Exterminator, a Kentucky Derby winner.

After spending time with over a hundred retired, and many famous, thoroughbreds,
I have hope for my retirement years!


I loved feeding them all the carrots they could eat.

After leaving our old friends,
we had a great afternoon, so
stay tuned for a wine tasting tour and a distillery visit -- next time!

Until then ...

Wherever your car takes you, I wish you oceans of Route 66 blessings!

For by Him were all things created,

that are in heaven, and that are in earth,

visible and invisible,

whether they be thrones, or dominions, or

principalities, or powers:

all things were created by Him, and for Him.

Colossians 1:16

www.sharonleaf.com
www.thearkencounter.com
www.oldfriendsequine.org
www.favasdiner.com
www.whisperinghillsrv.com
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