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| Helen painting by Mirror Lake, Lake Placid |
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| Mary Rose painting outside our home away from home |
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| Violetta paints in early morning light |
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| Helen and Violetta enjoying the open fire |
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| Mirror Lake - Lake Placid |
Lake Placid, home to the Winter Olympics in 1980 sits on Mirror Lake. Many athletes train here.
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| Helen painting at Atea's Garden |
There is magic in the light that surrounds Lake Champlain and Essex. Our friend Atea invited us to paint at her home and her gardens are tended with love.
There more than eight variety of peony ploom.
Each day commences with a delicious breakfast. Violetta is an excellent cook and today it is crepes.
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| Violetta flipping crepes |
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| Mary Rose built this great fire |
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| Each morning the deer assemble to greet us. |
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| Violetta paints by Mirror Lake |
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| Atea's Garden - Mary Rose painting |
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| Atea presented us with this bouquet of peony |
I must rush we are headed to a town called Essex to paint some more. Wishing you a delightful week.
Have you been to the Adirondacks? Have you visited an Olympic village?
We stayed in the Olympic village in the early 1980s at a strangely named motel called Father Christmas Motel. We crossed Lake Champlain on the car ferry and had a meal in the Ice House Restaurant in Burlington. We also went to hear the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Eugene Ormandy in Saratoga Springs. That is about all I can remember of my time there apart from the wonderful trees and water.
ReplyDeleteHello Rosemary
DeleteHow wonderful that you have travelled to this part of the world and covered so much when there. I did not notice a hotel by this name. We did laugh when someone referred to Lake Placid as Lake Plastic. While Mirror Lake is quite stunning we are discovering more and more great spots as we drive the back roads.
Wishing you a great week
Helenxx
It all looks so wonderfully pretty and peaceful, and sounds like you've all had a welcoming and hospitable painting break. The lake and scenery look beautiful.
ReplyDeleteNo to both questions, but of course we in the UK are greatly looking forward to hosting the Olympics this year in London!!
Happy painting Helen!
Gill xx
Hello Gill
DeleteOur days are filled in awe of the beautiful scenery and the hospitable people were unexpected. How exciting for England this year with so much to celebrate with the Olympics and the Jubilee celebrations. Enjoy every moment
Helen xx
Helen, the occasional or even regular visitor to your blog has such a lovely impression of your life as a gifted painter, floating around the world visiting the most beautiful places. Always well dressed, always serene always having fun.
ReplyDeleteThese pictures are no exception!
best wishes
Sharon
xx
Hello Sharon
DeleteThank you for this kind and beautiful compliment. This trip is just spectacular and we have had a lot of laughs. The black flies are biting and one day we neglected to bring our repellent, so have some souvenir bites.
I also love reading and seeing your images as you drive through the French countryside.
Fondest wishes
Helen xx
You all look so perfectly happy and serene.. who would'nt be in such magnificent surrounds.
ReplyDeleteI have only seen Lake Placid in books. It looks so calm.
Wonderul garden that your hostess has ..a great get together . The peonies look divine.
Happy painting times in Essex.. It all sounds so perfect Helen.
lovely post . I enjoy reading about where your travels take you.
val xx
Hello Val
DeletePainting makes one forget about all their troubles, as you so well know. Once in the right brain, we are in "la la land" The garden belongs to a Atea, a friend of a friend - it was our first time meeting her and she is an absolute gem.
Hope you have a wonderful week and hope the foal is growing and kicking his heels
Helen xx
What a wonderful place Helen and full of inspiration for some lovely work from you all..........I'm sure that you all have a lot of fun too, and some lovely food.
ReplyDelete.......... and, MaryRose looks as if she has just stepped out of Downton Abbey ! XXXX
Hello Jacqueline
DeleteIt is indeed wonderful and so much to paint (an so little time!). Lots of nonsense and frivolity happening. Now that you say it I can see Mary Rose as a Downton Abbey star. She would fit right in, with her soft Southern accent.
To a brilliant week
Helen xx
How beautiful! I love reading about your painting adventures. Bonnie
ReplyDeleteHello Bonnie and thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment.
DeleteWishing you a delightful week
Helenxx
Hello Helen:
ReplyDeleteWhat a marvellously generous invitation, and how wonderful that you were all able to accept. We have no knowledge of the Adirondacks but, from your photographs, we are certain that you will all find much to inspire and get the creative juices flowing.
And, between the three of you, you seem to have all bases covered. Fire building, cooking.....it is rather reminiscent of Enid Blyton's Famous Five, but now there is the Plein Air Three. What fun!!
Enjoy, enjoy!!
Hello Jane and Lance
DeleteYou have made me laugh when you reminded me of Enid Blyton's Famous Five and sometimes our maturity level equals those five and not at all how three mature women should act.
When painting Atea's garden I was thinking of you and your garden. While spectacular to admire it is a never ending job and Atea while not realizing it was constantly weeding and working.
Wishing you a week of joy
Helen xx
What a wonderful place, and how generous of your friend. That house by the lake is so unusual and beautiful, and of course I adore the garden. I'm sure such a wonderful setting must have been very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteHello Mrs Exeter
DeleteIt was indeed most generous of our friends to offer their house and so unexpected. That our schedules permitted travelling on short notice was also a bonus.
Hope you have a week full of goodness
Helen xx
Oh, lucky you, Helen. What a beautiful setting. It must be quite inspirational for your painting. And the peonies! Oh my, they are gorgeous!. Happy creative time to you!
ReplyDeleteSanda
Hello Sanda
DeleteIndeed we are all very lucky to be guests in this beautiful corner of the world and it was so unexpected.
The peony were just spectacular. Many flowers are blooming and is an added bonus
Thanks for your good wishes and wishing you a spectacular week
Helenxx
How well you three live when you are on your painting travels! The rest of us are standing in front of the artists' supplies section in our nearest stationery shop, wondering whether a few sable brushes would entitle us to a crepe and a seat by that lovely fire.
ReplyDeleteHello Mise
DeleteYou are always welcome to join us and we will gladly share whatever morsel we have with you. We might just ask you to bake us some scones and if you can sneak a pot of jam on the flight, it too would be welcomed.
Helen xx
Oh Helen, what a treasured invitation to receive! To go to the marvelous Mirror lake with dear friends and paint! Well, not too many things could be better, I say, except maybe being invited to a friend's chåteau in France, maybe! :))) My daddy was a disk Jockey on a radio station in Lake Placid waaaay back in the day, and Kate Smith took a fancy to him, so he took her out for a moonlight boat ride on Mirror lake, and she ended up doing a few songs live for him on his show!! We live not very far from the Adirondacks and it is so beautiful. I look forward to seeing the gorgeous paintings that you will come away with. Have a fabulous time with your muti-talented girlfriends!!
ReplyDeleteHello Dawne
DeleteWhat a marvelous story about your father and Kate Smith sailing on Mirror Lake. How romantic and I can visualize it.He knew how to swoon her!! Hee Hee.
Our stay here is spectacular. Our accommodation is just perfect and the birds start singing before 5 a.m.
You live in a beautiful corner of the world.
Incidentally we are also open to travelling to a chateau in France or Tuscany or Venice or or or
Have a glorious week Dawne
Helenxx
Dear Helen, scrolling through this post is reminiscent of some idyllic scene from the last century....the lovely scenery and the ladies with their easels, painting and lost in their creative reverie....so peaceful. How fortunate to be able to experience this with kindred spirits that are also friends....looks like you are all so well suited to each other, and your generous host and her lovely garden. Looking forward to viewing more.....N.xo
ReplyDeleteHello Nella
DeleteThank you for your beautiful words. You are so right when you say it is like travelling to the last century. We did feel this way about the Adirondacks. Many established towns and homes in mature settings.
We just love it here and the light is wonderful
Hope you have a beautiful week
Helen xx
What fun to be with your friends painting new scenes and sights and smells! I have been to the Adirondacks, though not an Olympic village.
ReplyDeleteHello Jen
DeleteYou are right it is a lot of fun being with friends and painting and exploring the area. The weather is wonderful.
Hope you have a great week
Helen xx
It looks like the idyllic place to rest and paint and enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. It is idyllic and so much to see and do. I think we shall all need to rest when we return home but there will be lots of time to sleep!
Deletehave a glorious week
Helenxx
Helen,
ReplyDeleteWhat fun it is to gather with like/light minded artists no egos to dampen the spirits. Have paints, canvas, good company and will to travel. How grand...you need to plan a palnt-around-the-world excursion...how wonderful would that be. Your work would set hearts on fire upon your return from a magical trip like it...write it down...make it happen.
Bette
Hello Bette
DeleteOh what a wonderful suggestion you have and I would go in a heart beat - You are so right when you say write it down-make it happen. I will definitely write it in large letters in my notebook. Travelling and seeing the world, I cannot think of what is better.
Hope your week is spectacular, Bette
Helen xx
You all look like you're having the best of times...what a perfectly beautiful location to let your creative juices flow.
ReplyDeleteThe home and garden look lovely, and the lake...spectacular, it must be heaven!
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy dear Helen...and friends!
xoxo J~
(And thank you for stopping by and offering such comforting and encouraging words Helen...it's friends like you in this wonderful community of kindred spirits that keeps me going...truly a blessing!)
Hello Jessica
DeleteWe are indeed having a marvelous time and the location and everyone we have met have been wonderful, warm and generous. It must be difficult driving in winter with such steep mountains.
Thanks for your good wishes and it is always a joy to visit your beautiful blog.
Helen xx
This looks like the perfect summer party. I have been to the Lake Champlain area and must say it is an artist's playground. And the Adirondacks just ooze beauty! Sitting here, in an arid and hot Indian metropolis, how you tickle my nostalgia with your delightful pictures.
ReplyDeleteP.S. The peonies are beautiful!
Hello Suman
DeleteI have been thinking of you and wondering how life is in India. It seems like you have visited many States and Lake Champlain is just beautiful and we are in love with Essex.
The scent from the peonies is intoxicating.
Hope you have a great week
Helen xx
Hello Helen, it looks like you and your friends are having a ball. How kind of your friend to invite you all. Her home and garden look wonderful, not to mention the surrounding countryside. I shall look forward to seeing your work.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting and leaving such lovely comments, it is good to be back in touch. Much love to you, Linda x
Hello Linda
DeleteIt was most generous of our hosts L & M to give us their incredible home. Everyone is friendly and helpful. It reminds me of Ireland in that people are all connected and "did you meet so and so- oh you must stop in and say hello to them, tell them I sent you".
Glad you are back blogging Linda.
Have a wonderful week
Helenx
What an ideal place to paint. I would have snapped up the invitation too.
ReplyDeleteWe have a Mirror Lake near us in Highlands, NC where we spent one summer. It's not nearly as sophisticated as the one you've shown.
Sam
Hello Sam
DeleteWe did not need much persuading and they have called us and suggested we extend our stay and also want us to return again next year. How to repay friends like that?
I love the Carolinas and I am sure Highlands and Mirror Lake has some magic too.
Thanks for visiting and have a glorious week.
Helen xx
My dearest Helen, what a beautiful location, most charming friends and wonderful creativity. I can't think of a better way to send the week. Your posts are a joy to read. They are like roses in the heart of blogsphere. Your sensibility, talent and artistic eye for beauty touch me and inspire me every time I step into your orbit. With best wishes, ASD
ReplyDeleteDearest ASD
DeleteI know you would love this area too. It is very different.
Thank you for such wonderful kind and generous compliments on my blog. You have made my day.
You know I miss you terribly when you take a break. I know this is selfish of me, as you certainly deserve a break now and them. You absence takes a large measure of joy from blogtopia.
Wishing you a week full of joy.
Helen xx
Why oh why oh why am I not a follower???? duh!!! I thought I was... I was wondering why you hadn't posted...
ReplyDeleteWell! All's well that.... you know! =]
xo
Hello Katy
DeleteA big warm welcome Katy and thanks for following. I understand.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend
Helenxx
Dear Helen,
ReplyDeleteI have not been there but have always loved the name. Seeing these sights I really must. You do have the right kind of friends. : )
xx
Hello Mona
DeleteYes it is a beautiful name. You must go.
I treasure Mary Rose and Violetta. We have been painting together for twelve years. We travel well together and there is always lots of fun and adventures. We sometimes find ourselves in tight corners sort of like your two beautiful cats
Helen xx
This is such a beautiful place to be, and your photographs are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy every moment there my friend!
xo.
Hello Lisa
DeleteThank you for your gracious compliment.
We are having a blast. Thanks for your good wishes
Helen xx
My goodness you are very lucky women.
ReplyDeleteI have never been but my need is growing.
Enjoy.
xo Jane
Hello Jane
DeleteWE are indeed truly blessed and the generous offer of the house was totally unexpected.
I feel you would be very inspired by the scenery
Helen xx
What a lucky woman you are! Such a beautiful place to be! No wonder you are enjoying yourselves! I am sure there are a few wonderful paintings coming out... yes, I have visited for instance St. Moritz here in Switzerland where the Olympic games were held in 1948... Christa
ReplyDeleteHello Christa
DeleteIt is such a wonderful feeling being here in the Adirondacks and with comfortable and spacious accommodation.
I am sure St. Moritz is beautiful.
I have not been to that part of beautiful Switzerland.
Hope you have a great weekend
Helen xx
Helen-
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are painting in a little corner of heaven!
ENJOY!
Hello Ann
DeleteIt is indeed heavenly and thanks for your kind wishes
Helenxx
Helen what a beautiful place to paint it looks idyllic and you all look like your having a wonderful time to boot.
ReplyDeleteXXX
Hello Dash
DeleteIt is just delightful being here. All the right ingredients are in place and we are in seventh heaven
Hope you have a great weekend.
Helen xx
What a wonderful life you lead!!!
ReplyDeleteI've wanted to visit the Adirondacks...
Imagine as the seasons change...how your paintings
would as well.
Hello Auntie Bliss
DeleteI think you will love it when you visit here. There is such diverse scenery, lakes, mountains, flora and fauna.
Being in the mountains it is cooler.
Have a wonderful weekend
Helenxx
Oh I have never been here, but living in New England for many years, I did get a chance to see Stowe Vermont and other great spaces in the area. How fun it is to be with good friends and other creative souls in such a place, Helen!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you dear one for coming to Paris with us. Enjoy the creativity that you possess! Anita
Hello Anita
DeleteIt is indeed wonderful to be in Violetta and Mary Rose's company and there is never a dull moment. We have long days of painting and the beautiful scenery and long days are so special
Hope your weekend is beautiful
Helen xx
Wow Helen...what a fabulous spot. I have never been to the Adirondacks. This is the sort of trip that books and movies are made from. I think an Bloggers Artist Retreat is in order, don't you? Can you imagine!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun...writers, photographers, painters, crafts...anything that requires a special spot to create. Oh dear...I am getting excited about this idea, that is not a good sign. I must focus on the moment...but when I have passed the upcoming hurdle, let's come back to that thought.
Best wishes Helen and a special thank you for being such a thoughtful Facebook friend... :)
Jeanne xx
Hello Jeanne
DeleteIt is just beautiful here. That is a novel idea of a Bloggers Artist Retreat. Can you just imagine the creativity and joy and chatter!!! Yippee. As someone recently said to me "Write it down: Make it Happen"
I shall hold that beautiful thought too
Wishing you a weekend of joy. It is great being connected on FB
Helen xx
On my list for sure!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping
DeleteYou will love it.
Helen xx
What a lovely post. I grew up in New York state and New England so I am very familiar with the Adirondacks. I have
ReplyDeletenot been back in several years(living in California now)but the area holds a very special place in my heart. Truly beautiful. Enjoy your visit.
helen,
ReplyDeletethis looks like a marvelous time...open air and the good smell of flowers and paint! thanks for stopping by...i have my feet up, as you suggest:)
becky
Dear Helen, Thank you very much for your comment! I hope you are having a sunny and happy Sunday! Ours is nearly over - it is 9 pm. We had warm sunshine and went for a long and lovely walk in a summery and green landscape. Christa
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful part of the country to visit and be inspired! I have been in that area a few times in the Fall and the colors are amazing. I would love to travel there in the Spring. I hope you'll share some of your art. It's such a treat to see your art, my friend! Enjoy the week ahead! It's hot here in Florida but I'm loving it!
ReplyDeleteWe've not ventured to Lake Placid, but I have long wanted to go. A visit would be surpreme no matter what the activity! Hope you're enjoying summer.
ReplyDelete