~One year ago today~

One year ago today, April 29, 2011

 BFF and I were up at 4:00 am wrapped in blankets on her couch awaiting the beginning of

THE WEDDING OF THE CENTURY

We had a sleepover (while both hubbies shook their heads in disbelief ) 

that began with pizza and goodies

 while we watched

"The Kings Speech"  
hmmm....somehow I've managed to slip my long time love Colin Firth in here.

Then we went to bed early so we would be bright eyed for the first images 

beamed from across the pond.

Do you remember?

Did you watch it?

I must say, we were not disappointed in the least.

It was beautiful from start to finish.

Elegant and Regal....but not pompous

Every touch was JUST RIGHT.

As a die hard Anglophile, I love the Royals.

Well not all of them, mind you. Mostly just Will and now his Kate of course. I loved Diana and vividly remember watching her wedding on TV all those years ago. 

 And I have
 always loved my dear Queen Elizabeth.

But Will, who is one year younger than my son, has a special place in my heart. I've watched him grow along with my own son and I was so excited when I heard the news

that there would be a  wedding.

The only thing I like better than a wedding ( other than wedding cake, ha ha)

is a ROYAL WEDDING.

And you know NO ONE does pomp and circumstance better than the Brits.
So needless to say, I was giddy for months before the big event. Driving everyone crazy with each new little detail I uncovered in my endless research.

You can imagine I was over the moon when I received my own invitation in the mail.

But in the end, Gail and I decided to stay home and watch it on TV.

Of course I brought a few little touches along to make our watch party extra fun.

 I made these little cupcake picks, aren't they cute?

So let the show begin. The pre-game:

Hats on Parade

(oh well, every family has one or two.)

Like everyone else we waited breathlessly for the first glimpse of ....that dress

Exactly what a future Queen should look like.

I especially loved the trees lining the aisle of the church,wasn't that a beautiful choice?
I wonder how many people have tried to copy that look since.

 So after the long march toward the sanctuary

Kate finally meets her prince.

 And there Will leans over with his shy Diana smile and greets his Bride.

We did it !!!!!

The Hat Conclave

Lovely

Of course every good fairy tale  starts with a Prince Charming
and ends with a kiss.

For me

the day ended all too soon.

all wedding photos courtesy of AP or  Getty Images

So tonight, in honor of their anniversary I will snuggle up and watch my DVD

 ( of course I have a DVD ) of the Wedding.

and I will love it all over again.

Happy Anniversary

my own personal motto

~Eureka !!~

Springs, that is. Eureka Springs, Arkansas. A wonderful little jewel of a town, nestled into the very hills, deep in the Ozarks.

This gem has been a favorite of best friend and I for years. We never get tired of the place. We have been on countless girlfriends weekends here, staying at various bed and breakfasts, and other times we jut take day trips.

This particular excursion was one of those day trips. I tagged along with best friend and her parents and her aunt, for a lovely day of shopping and lunching and soaking up the laid back atmosphere.

Eureka Springs is a haven for weddings, and honeymoons, and great escapes.There is something for everyone..... art and architecture on every corner.

Notice the beautiful detail work and the stained glass on this building.

 The buildings of the past housing the trendy and eclectic items of  today.

There is always entertainment in the park.

I'm awed by the beautiful bluff surrounding this little park

 And then there are the parades for any reason at all.

Eureka Springs is pet friendly too. Good thing, since BFF's parents take their 'babies' everywhere.

Meet Star

And Cagney

Best friend and I have stayed at the famous Crescent Hotel on the top of a hill overlooking the valley below. Breathtaking views.

The hotel built in 1886, is made of beautiful brown Arkansas stone, surrounded by lush gardens , a charming chapel

...........and GHOSTS.  But of course.  If you were a ghost, this is exactly where you would want to be. The TV show "Ghost Hunters" even filmed an episode here, but BFF and I didn't run into any on our stay, though we looked.  Well wait a minute, what's this????

The tiny winding streets take you through tree lined neighborhoods full of Bed & Breakfasts. Houses and cottages perched precariously on the hillsides, all dressed up in their rainbow of colors.  Each one trying to outdo the one before.
Here is one we stayed at 'Sinclair House'

And here is our favorite , 'The Arbor Glen'. We have stayed here 3 times, although it's been several years now, so I cannot vouch for the current establishment.

But we loved having breakfast out on this beautiful porch which felt like you were in a tree house.

Time for lunch. And we opt for one of our all time favorites. The Mud Street Cafe

It's a darling little town, and I am happy to come back again and again. 

If you come, bring your appetite for a good time ( and don't forget your walking shoes) and let Eureka Springs whisper to you.

You have got to love a place where the staff wears T-Shirts that say:

"Our servers are heavily medicated for your protection."

Oh yeah, the food is great too. Ha ha