As The Year Comes to a Close.......

As 2014 comes to a close I was thinking of what I would write in the final blog post of the year.  At first I thought I would  post one picture which represented my favorite of the year and then wax philosophical about my hopes and dreams.  While looking for the perfect, one of a kind photo, to represent 2014 I realized that there were many that I loved and that they could tell the story much better than I could.  Below are my favorite photo's of the year.

Favorite Photo's - 2014

Fruit at the Farmer's Market in Venice

Boats on the Canal in Burano, Italy

Painting from Class with Judy Wise

Man copied using the upside down process

First ever painting on a large Canvas with Katy Kendrick

Another painting from Judy Wise Class - love her expression

Original Painting done for an Auction

Duschetes River in Bend, Oregon

Sitting with David in Florence, Italy

I can never get enough of the Eiffel Tower

The Mountains in Zion, Utah

Drive through the marvels of Zion National Park

I had a wonderful year.  Starting with An Artful Journey at the end of February and ending with a Women's Retreat in the Zion National Park area in Utah in November.  I had the pleasure of spending my 65th birthday with 66 other women discussing the joys of Advent.  In between I spent 11 days with my Art retreat and travel friends winding our way through Florence, Venice and Paris.  I also went on a retreat in Three Rivers, CA discussing the comparison between St. Francis Assisi and Pope Francis.

I am most thankful for all that I experienced and accomplished....there is still more to do, but today - December 31, 2014- I am just going to relish these beautiful pictures as they remind me of a year well lived.

Until next year........Happy New Year my friends, pilgrim.

Traveling Through Europe - Final Destination - Paris

Arc De Triumphe

Eiffel Tower

Walking through park on the way to Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower at Night from Cruise boat

Flea Market in Paris

More flea market finds

Colorful bits and bobbles at the Market

Spire of Notre Dame, taken from Tour Bus

Doorway in Paris - love the color

5 pm,  Sunday Mass is over

More flea market finds

Took me a while, dear reader, but here is the last post of my trip to Italy and France in September.  It was a blessing and a pleasure to be able to return to Paris.  I do love that city.  Getting to tour the various areas of the city and not just limit the visit to the regular touristy areas was a real treat.

However, the best part was traveling with friends.  Maryann, Earl, Tracie, Jessica and Debbie have become family to me.  We have so many adventures and laughs when we are together. We should write a collaborative book about our travels or at a minimum create a collaborative art journal documenting our thoughts and why we travel so well together.

As I write this post, I realize that travel is good for my spirit.  I can marvel at the culture, the architecture and the everyday life of the city/country I happen to be visiting.  Then I can come home and appreciate just how blessed I truly am.  So I look forward to more adventures, more friendships and more opportunities to write posts such as this, so that you, dear reader, can share in my blessings.

until next time....pilgrim

Feel free to leave a comment, it makes me happy.