Ronda Palazzari Designs

Days in Spain

Ellen, Susana, Me, & Sandra

like i said before, simply an amazing time.  I had more pictures to share of my time there.  I did a layout workshop twice in both stores on Friday.  I met a lot of great women and they were very patient with my spanish.  On Saturday, the workshops were held at a hotel.  It was a day to celebrate us as individuals.  My Album, I AM, is meant to celebrate all of who you are as an individual and the roles you play in life. There was an opportunity to take pictures in between the workshops.  It was really cool of Ellen & Sandra to think of this for everyone.  I love chatting & hanging out with all the girls.  I would so do it again.  I have more to say about the other instructor (whom i adore) Susana but i want to dedicate a whole post to her!

A big Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making these days so special!

Bambola Casa Creativa

Simply put.  The most amazing time in Spain at Bambola, Casa Creativa with Sandra, Ellen, Susana, and the fabulous women of Madrid.  I had so much fun teaching the workshops, chatting with everyone (my Spanish is limited but the more i am here, the more it comes back), and playing, painting, & drawing.  More pictures to come but it's late & i have a plane to catch tomorrow. Ciao!

Buenos Dias

I arrived safe & sound in Madrid a couple days ago.  The first day was hard to get adjusted so i am very thankful i arrived early.  Yesterday i got to play around a little bit in the city center of Madrid.  It is a lovely city, one that i hope to come back to explore a bit more.  The city has many art museums and everyone has their favorite.  Ellen highly recommended the Reina Sofia and i am so glad she did.  It was quite moving and i learned a few things about me there.  There was quite a bit of cubist artists.  i freely admit it isn't my favorite art movement but after seeing some in person, i began to understand more.  I found some pieces that i really loved.  I love getting up close and exploring the art works.  The brush strokes amaze me along with the depth the artists creates with color.  Completely fasinated.  Here are few photos i will share today.  More to come later.

Love

Vacay, pt 2

After the family cruise, Andy & I headed to Orlando

it was his suggestion that we extend our trip so we could go to

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal's Islands of Adventure

it was a really fun day & i am so happy we took the time

here's a peek into the magical world

(click on pictures for larger images)

spoiler alert: my thoughts on the park at at the bottom of the post

 

It was a magical visit.  I would totally recommend the park & yes it is worth the trip.  Overall it was a great experience.  

The Forbidden Journey was one of the coolest rides i have ever been on.  it was quite a wait, 90 minutes, even at 9 am.  I think it was totally worth it.  You wonder through the greenhouse & castle to get to the ride.  You can do a walking tour without riding the ride which is cool because you might miss some stuff while waiting in line. 

The line for the butterbeer (non alcoholic) was unbelivable.  I went into the three broomsticks & had it for lunch.  It comes in cold & frozen varieties.  I had both and while i like them both, the cold was my favorite.  It tastes like cream soda & butterscotch... really really yummy. 

The look of Hogmeads was incredible.  The fake store fronts were really well done.  I just wished they were real.  There were a few real stores and we waited in lines to get in.  Sounds funny right?  That's how crazy busy it was.  I bought a few things that i totally love. 

Being me, i wanted more.   I cannot fathom why they didn't consult me when building it ;) I think a whole park could be created around the books.  I wanted the Weasley home, the Leaky Caldron, Gringots, Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes,etc.  I wanted more in the castle too....the dormitories, the potions classrooms, filches office. etc.  I think there could have been some more rides too...the knight bus, the hogwarts train, gringots.  Having said that, i really did have a blast there. 

Muggle Love

3 Rs

refreshed, relaxed, and rejuvenated

it was good to have some time with Andy

and my family

here are a few of the pictures from the trip to Jamaica & Grand Cayman

(if you click on the pictures, they will enlarge)

 

back into the Muggle World

A quick posts because i miss my blog.  I am sneaking a picture of where i was today.  Tomorrow i journey home again.  And should remain there for quite some time... i think.  Today was magical.  Of course there is more to tell and i will share lots with you.  My head is swimming with posts but right now i need some sleep.

Amortentia Love (be careful though...it's extremely powerful love!!!)

Mother Mother Ocean

I have heard your call....

Just a quick photo post because i have a beach chair calling my name

 

One Love, One Heart

5 Favs, Grecian Style

It was a fabulous trip in so many ways.  Its almost sensory overload right now reflecting back on the trip.  I walked away with so many good things that i feel hugely blessed.  Good things being not only new friendships but also learning some positive things about myself.  I must write down some thoughts before i forget them all.  I am also trying to get over the jet-lag.  It seems coming back to altitude (the mile high Denver) is quite an adjustment after spending 11 days in Greece.  

Observations

White: the buildings are all white.  if you would tell me to paint my rooms white at home i probably would laugh at you.  But now i have a new appreciation for white.  White really allows the other colors to pop.  Seeing the blue (and some green, yellow, red) doors & shutters against the white really makes those colors stand out.  Absolutely gorgeous. 

Doors:  You know i love doors.  They seem like the gateway to a whole new adventure.  And these doors here really stand out.  I went in search of rebel doors.  Those people who ventured away from the traditional colors and infuse their own. 

Old:  Delos Island.  The birth place of Apollo & Artemis.  Standing in ruins of a city built before Pompeii and seeing their ingenuity was incredible.  The columns, the mosaics, the market place.  I was just in awe of how resourceful the community was.

Wet:  Mykonos is the island of the winds so the boat ride from Delos was a little rough.  Up & down with sea spray hitting us.  My sunglasses were covered in salt.  There were a few who get motion sickness and they were feeling those waves.  I felt so sorry for them.  For me it was another adventure.  And this has been an amazing adventure.

Stuffed.  Eating here isn't just a meal, it's more of experience of gastronomic proportions.  A sensory explosion.  The food just keeps coming.  One of the things i absolutely love is that salads are for the table, a family style of sharing food.  Lots of cheese, feta.  A few surprises in the salad like candy figs...yum.

a few more days left and then home.  I miss my little family.  I wish they were here with me.  I will have to bring them back here one day.

destination: Greece

i am so excited, i can hardly stand it.  

registration goes live midnight CDT time tonight (Oct. 26th) for subscribers

Tomorrow Midnight CDT time (Oct. 27th) for non-subscribers.

want more details?  More information can be found here: Mykonos 2010

and while you are there, you might notice some things.  1) a sneak at the new website for Cocoa Daisy.  It is so so beautiful.  We can't wait for the complete reveal.  and 2) little ole me on one of the pages.  Hope to see you there!!!