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Artists who paints in oil en plein aire. Member of the three member Plein Aire Cottage Artists. Members: Mary Rose Holmes, Violetta Chandler and Helen Tilston

Sunday, October 30, 2011

"The Way" and sometimes known as "The Road to Campostella"




Emilio Estevez’s latest film is “The Way,” an inspirational, poignant film, beautifully written and directed, and stars Martin Sheen (his father) as Tom, an ophthalmologist who lives a very cushy, insulated California life.  While playing golf, Tom receives a call that his son has been killed in the French Pyrenees while attempting the famous walk - The Camino de Santiago. Tom goes to Spain to claim his son’s body, (played by Estevez) but instead of returning home, decides to honor his memory by doing the trek, leaving his son’s ashes along the way. Estevez assembled a wonderful cast including Deborah Kara Unger, James Nesbitt, and a most delightful Yorick van Wageningen.



The Camino de Santiago de Compostela, also known in English as The Way of St James, is a collection of old pilgrimage routes which cover all Europe.

It is a movie which has us talking and asking questions.

Have you walked the road to Campostella?

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Winners: Hattatt's & Castles Crowns and Cottages


The Academy would like to thank all the beautiful, kind, thoughtful and intelligent followers who kindly left a comment on my last post.
The ballots were certified by Price Waterhouse and the envelopes  sealed.  Spice Girl please step up to the podium and select a winner.

Spice Girl is the white dog - she was here this past Sunday in Virginia, walking out with her cousins two Irish wolfehounds, a greyhound and a wolfehoundmix


The  2 winners are:


The Hattatts 

castlescrownscottages.blogspot.


The prize:  2012 Plein Aire Cottage Artists Calendar and a copy of the duPont REGISTRY




Congratulations to Jane & Lance Hattatt and Anita at Castles Crowns and Cottages

Have you won a prize?




Monday, October 17, 2011

duPont Registry features Artist Helen Tilston and Friends Plus Giveaway

The duPont Registry is a magazine that is hoarded and collected by many.  This past Summer the Editor interviewed "The Plein Aire Cottage Artists" .  The  3 members being, Violetta, Mary Rose Homes and Helen Tilston.  



  

duPont REGISTRY  click to see image in larger size

We are giving away 1 copy of the Dupont Registry and one copy of the Plein Aire Cottage Artists 2012 calendar.  Please leave a comment and a winner will be chosen Sunday 20th October 2012.


Thursday, October 6, 2011

Irish Country Houses-Ballymaloe House and Bellinter House



 Irish Country Houses capture my heart.  The architecture, textures and patina of years of love and sorrow are embedded in their walls.  Ballymaloe Country House Hotel and Cookery School  in Co.Cork is a favourite of ours.  Many great chefs have graduated from the cookery school and  boasts being the only cookery school in the world with its own 100 acre organic farm.  We spent time here and enjoyed a delicious lunch.

Ballymaloe House - in the rain




Ballymaloe
My brothers - Thomas & Bertie at Ballymaloe- I don't know why they are being serious, I think they are mimicking Victoria Beckham!! honestly they are two happy boys

The after photo of a delicious morning tea - fresh scones still warm were served
Ballymaloe - so long till we meet again

Bellinter House Hotel welcomes us
 Bellinter House preserves its classic Georgian heritage. Located in County Meath on the banks of the River Boyne. 
Helen in Library at Bellinter House

The Perfect couch to plan the day at Bellinter House

Washroom at Bellinter House

Bellinter House

Wellingtons ready for a walk following a read at Bellinter House

Tree on grounds at Bellinter House
View from room at Bellinter

Historic Church at Batterstown, Co Meath Ireland

Do you like historic houses and what are your most memorable visits?