Monets Garden and Moulin Bechet part 2

Here are some more pics of Monets house and gardens and Moulin Bechet the place we stayed near Giverny,

Moulin Bechet  - the part we stayed in.

Monet' house and Garden and Moulin Buchet

Yesterday Shanes nerves were shot as we drove in our hire car out of Paris- once on the motor way it all settled down and we headed to beautiful Giverny. First stop a little place near Vernon where I was able to practice my French in a charcuterie and a boulangerie to buy some gorgeous salami, pate, salads, baguette and tarts for our picnic. I could surprisingliy converse with people and I was very proud. Then to Giverny and I was in such awe of the place- the images speak for them selves. It was a balmy 27 degrees with perfect blue skies. We then arrived at Moulin Buchet (an ancient mill converted to guest accomodation with resturant. We sampled our first real french dinner as up until now we have crashed to early to eat dinner. Did I say I don't want to come home??? We tasted a series of dishes from aperitf to desert, each mouthful was a sensory pleaseure. xxCorrina.

More pics to come......  All images copyright Corrina Tough 2012

Paris- Saint Germain first 2 days

Our first two days have already been extraordinary. Arrived 6.30 am Wed 5th Sep and after getting to our hotel and having a small rest we walked for only 2 mins to the gorgeous Jardin du Luxembourg. How devine a place like an oasis in a city, where it seemed all of France were here eating, jogging, conversing and enjoying the serenity. Here where children play with antique wooden sail boats on the large pond as they have done for many years- I recall a photo by Henri- Cartier Bresson of a boy leaning in to push his boat and I think its dated 1930. To see our children run with French children as they try to catch their boats and push with sticks. The gardens and palace- what can I say? Our second day we walked to Jardin du Plantes- again wow! We walked the parc and visited the small zoo that resides in the parc and then headed to the turn of the century building that houses a natural museum and childrens museum, to see huge dinsour bones, preserved animals and much about the environment. Just the building alone was mind boggling. We also walked the narrow cobbled streets and discovered a wonderful toy shop and every step of the way is like something our of a movie or novel. If we weren't in love before we are truly smitten now. Below are a sample of pics from our first two days. Tune in next time for todays adventure- we're off to Giverny to visit Monet's house and garden. xxCorrina

Vive la France

Were off to France follow the Toughs as they journey arround - keep the comments coming. follow me, and subscribe by email so you get the posts sent toyu lods of love Corrina.

A tribute to the late great Norman Lindsay

 

 

 

 

A true Australian artist and genious, Norman Lindsays work included painting, sculpture, prints and story writing. His infatuation with the female form is clearly seen in most of his work except the children's books of course. His house in the Blue Mountains has a wonderful gallery and garden to explore in an outstanding setting. xxCorrina.

Oh what a feeling!!

Hi All, sorry about my absence but life has just been dealing me a few doozies! I am having a little blog-cation while I spend time with my family and attending to their needs. The above image was taken a couple of months ago when my gorgeous daughter Phoebe got her "p" licence, after quite a few attempts and fails, she has also just finished her first semester of a Visual Arts  degree at University which I have spent many hours helping her with assignments (how to tackle those dreaded essays that are so ambiguous!!) She has done extremely well and is getting some great marks especially for her artworks. The next week or so she finishes her final artworks and hands them in and then this semester is done and dusted. My 5 yr old Curtis started drum lessons and both Curtis and Ruby are doing weekly swimming lessons. Our house has been a little neglected the last few years so my husband is madly re-painting timber work and looking at those overgrown gardens, while I work on tackling all the inside stuff and doing a major spring clean - in winter!! We have had so much rain this year in Australia and I have noticed a bit of mould appearing around the place- apparently oil of cloves mixed with water kills mould spores so that is my goal next week. I will be slowing down on the blogging while we attend to a few things and so far have enjoyed a blog-cation. Keep those lovely comments coming I love to know you're out there- reading me and I'll check in again soon xxxCorrina.

Homage to mothers

With mothersday fast approaching I thought I'd share some portraits I have done of some beautiful mums and their kids. Each mum so unique and stunning in their own way. What else can I say the images speak for themselves. Being a mum myself I always  reflect on the birth of each of my children and all the joyful moments that I have had with each of them. So here's to all you gorgeous mums and to all the kids out there- spoil your mum rotten. xxCorrina.

Farewell to summer part 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mulberries found must be shared! I captured my niece Scarlett sharing her booty with my son Curtis. This is the stuff of summer memories that kids never forget. I always get a little sentimental when one season ends and the next one begins- then I feel I can embrace the next thing! So Hip Hip horray to those long summer days and sharing mulberries with your cousin!   What are your summer memories? Let me know xxCorrina

Goodbye summer part one

It is well and truly into Autumn now in Australia and I am feeling sad to say goodbye to summer. Summer is so special in my part of the world. I took the above pic of my gorgeous neice taking a dive into the pool on a family Christmas get together we take every year. Our family is too big now to spend xmas day together, so we rent a farm in Kangaroo Valley (NSW). The property boasts two houses with in ground pools, farm animals on about 250 acres. Our claim to fame is that Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman stayed here to train to ride horses for the movie "Australia" how cool is that! It is getting cold now- the dressing gown is on at night and in the morning and I am seriously thinking we need an extra blanket on the bed. I do like the fire though and the cozy clothes and furnishings that come with Autumn and winter. See more pics of summer in part 2 coming soon xxCorrina.