pRepaRing to tRavel to ...

pRepaRing to tRavel to ...

The view never gets old.

I've downsized. I've simplified.

Now I'm Ready ... to Travel.

Next week I'll be taking a shoRt Trip to

the CaRolina ChRistian wRiteRs ConfeRence in

SpaRtanburg, South CaRolina.

I love spending time with fellow wRiters

and listening to talented, gifted authoRs, editoRs, and otheR

renowned guest speakeRs.

Lady's Loft ... my office. My  iMac is behind closed shutters.
Artwork, books, photos ... all my dear-to-my-heart treasures.

I'm enjoying each and every day for what it has given me.

The lazy, balmy ones,

sunny and waRming to the heaRt and soul.

And oh, the cold, rainy, windy ones

that cause my body to shiver

when I step outside to walk little Miss PRincess PopcoRn 

on the boaRdwalk by the lake.

It's on those 30-degree days that I welcome

the warmth of our cozy condo.

These past weeks have given me much to warm my heart.

Having our son Shawn here for three days lit a fiRe inside me

that has kept me peaceful and somewhat melancholy.

I have many memories to cheRish until we're together again.

Thank you, LoRd, for giving me a very special birthday gift.

I always look forward to the times I can spend with daughteR Jacquie.
She drops by whenever she can,
for hot tea and hot conveRsation.

They're in the midst of building a house.

(Oh, the patience they have shown during this process).

Makes my heart happy to see my book in the Lexington Library
(it was checked out the next day)

Knowing daughter CaRRie (in North Carolina)

and son Jason (in SoutheRn CalifoRnia and Spain)

are happy and doing well

keeps the ambeRs glowing.

Yes, I'm a blessed lady,

thankful to God for allowing me to live anotheR day.

So, what can I give back?
A smile at the marRket.
A hug to a neighboR.
A phone call to a fRiend.
An encouRaging word to someone who is
waiting for good...or disappointing...news.

After reading what authoR/fRiend StaRR(light) AyeRs

shared about me in her inteRview with me yesterday,

I Realized once more how blessed I am to be living my life in full technicoloR!

Please Read when you have a few minutes:

www.starrayers.org/2019/02/23/sharonleaf

And the peace of God,
which passes all undeRstanding,
shall keep your heaRts and minds
thRough Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6

I wish you oceans of daily blessings!

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

Lady Traveler in Spain: Welcome to Valencia! ... Part 3

Spain in the Fall



No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until
he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.

Part 3
Our European Trip September 2017

One of many beautiful cathedrals in Valencia, Spain

Welcome to Spain!

Inviting.  Friendly.  Festive.  Loud.

Hot (even in September).

Arriving at the Valencia airport, we hailed a taxi.

Driver didn't speak the English and was not clear 

where our flat was located.

I called the flat's owner, Lauren, and handed her over to the driver.

Luckily, my iPhone was working.

(didn't work in Italy...long story)

And luckily, Lauren spoke the English and the Spanish.

  After 20 minutes of wandering through the lovely

city of Valencia, he pulled over on a busy street

and motioned us to get out.

"Where do we go from here?" I asked Rob.

"Quick, call the landlord," he responded. 

Lauren gave me directions and met us halfway down

the cobblestone path that led to our adorable flat.

The courtyard below our flat

UNICEF building steps in the courtyard of our flat.

Brunch with Jason and Xyla at the cafe around the corner from our flat.
Did I mention the food is absolutely out of this world?

I love churches, cathedrals, and museums

A warm and windy day by the Mediterranean Sea.
Beautiful sand art of The Last Supper

Beauty abounds in the cathedrals

Bustling streets of Valencia, Spain

We met warm and friendly people along our journey
from all over the world.
Those who spoke the English, we talked and made friends,
and will keep in touch, thanks to Facebook.




Now, lets hop a train to
Barcelona!

Our 2-hour train ride from Valencia to Barcelona along the Mediterranean Sea



See you in Barcelona on my next blog!



May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people
grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows.
I Thessalonians 3:12

I wish you oceans of travel blessings!

www.sharonleaf.com

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