Land of the Free… Home of the Brave

Washington DC

When Francis Scott Key penned those words he was not vacationing with family and staying in luxury hotels. Quite the opposite. He was inspired by the nation's flag flying victoriously after the Battle of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812. A flag not yet as iconic as it was destined to become, and words that were not yet as well recognised as they are today. My trip to The United States of America has opened my eyes to much of it's history, it's spirit and it's breathtaking beauty. Forgive me peoples but an indulgent (oh so very indulgent) vacation calls for an indulgent blog post. So here goes…

The National Cherry Tree Festival

MoMa

Soho NYC

The Highline

Brooklyn NYC

New York - outer suburbs

Central Park

Central Park - the pond

Manhattan Brownstones

American Museum of Natural History 

NYC - fire escapes

Top of the Rock

Rockerfeller Center

Grand Central Station

The Waldorf Astoria

The Bellevue Mansions - Rhode Island

Harvard University,  Boston Massachusetts

The Washington Nationals - Nationals Park

Cookie Monster at the American History Smithsonian

Boston,  Massachusetts

Adirondacks overlooking Newport Harbour 

Newport Rhode Island

Salem Massachusetts

Kangamagus Highway

If only these images could convey the epic nature of a family vacation that maximised every waking second of every day. I have edited well beyond my level of comfort and I have decided to leave a few highlights out since they deserve a post of their own. What these images surely will convey is the impressive diversity in our experience. We enjoyed history, architecture, scenery, sports, food, tourist hot spots, "off the beaten track" gems, nature and last but not least *luxury accommodation. 

America you are fabulous. A land of contrast, contradiction, charm and diversity. Your history is impressive and sobering, your cities are bustling and vibrant, your hospitality is gracious and your food is um… how to put this politely… FULL ON! You do nothing by halves and you have the balls to prove it whenever given the chance. You are familiar through popular culture yet elusive in your history and politics. You stand up for that basic human right  - freedom - and you don't mind being ostentatious whenever the moment allows. You can be bright, bold and belligerent as well as calm, cooperative and clandestine. I have only scratched your surface and yet I feel full to the brim with inspiration and awe. Thank you. We will be back! 

Thank you to those who followed my adventures on Instagram. It was exciting to think that I was actually only a train or bus ride away from some of my favourite fellow bloggers. I felt utterly spoilt and quite emotional at times. My boys took such great care of me and watching them bond was an added bonus. Seeing the USA through the eyes of a teenager is quite an education let me tell you. We returned grateful for our spacious and sparsely populated city. We returned richer within our souls, inspired and if at all possible closer as a family. Travel imparts a treasure unlike any and for this experience we are truly grateful. This is not the last you'll be hearing about my EPIC adventure and for your patience I thank you in advance. Til then I'll stop nattering and leave you with one of my favourite  images …

 * can you imagine my reaction when Hubby and Young Prince take me to the Waldorf Astoria and pretend that we are only staying for a fancy high tea, only to surprise me by telling me that we are booked to stay there for the last week of our trip. The WALDORF ASTORIA!! Needless to say it was a fabulous treat and a memory I'll cherish forever. 

♥♥♥To both my dudes… Thank you guys. I love you to the moon and back. Always. ♥♥♥

PS - I still have to tell you about the Chelsea Flower District (swoon), the Mount Washington Hotel (swoon & faint) and The National Cherry Tree Festival (swoon, faint and drool)  and The Museum Of Modern Art (swoon, faint, drool and cuss) … like I said. EPIC.

Oh and one last thing… I've captioned & provided links to all but one photo. So that you can read and explore these amazing places as well. If I were to even try I'm sure my tongues would fall off. 

A little more … a little less...

There's a rhythm in rush these days

Where the lights don't move and the colours don't fade

Leaves you empty with nothing but dreams

In a world gone shallow 

In a world gone lean

Sometimes there's things a man cannot know

Gears won't turn and the leaves won't grow

There's no place to run and no gasoline

Engine won't turn

And the train won't leave

I will stay with you tonight

Hold you close 'til the morning light

In the morning watch a new day rise

We'll do whatever just to stay alive

We'll do whatever just to stay alive 

Well the way I feel is the way I write 

It isn't like the thought of a man who lies

There is a truth and it's on our side

Dawn is coming

Open your eyes

Look into the sun as the new days rise

And I will wait for you tonight

You're here forever and you're by my side

I've been waiting all my life

I can hear your heart as it's keeping time

We'll do whatever just to stay alive

Dawn is coming open your eyes

Dawn is coming open your eyes

Dawn is coming open your eyes

(Music and words by Jose Gonzales)

*****

Happy New Year to all of you lovely wonderful people!

Welcome to new followers and thank you from my core

for taking the time to read my humble "secret garden"

I have yet to collect myself and begin with my own words

so I decided to let these inspiring lyrics say it for me

What I can say for sure though is this:

I'd like my now, my tomorrow and my forever to have just 

a little more play and little less doubt 

a little more hope and a little less stress

a little more fun and a little less pushing

a little more Yessss! and a little less Noooo!

Maybe if I can just tip the scales slightly

I'll slide in the right direction

You?

Your new year?

What would you like a little more of and a little less of?

♥♥♥

Moss Garden love....♥♥♥

What do you need?

Moss

Clear Glass Bottles, Jars, Ornate Containers, Terrariums

Good quality potting mix

Sand

Muslin

Miniature ornaments, rocks, pebbles etc

Small plants suitable for indoor conditions

What I did?

Cleaned & disinfected the jars - germs + moisture = mould

(So this is am important step)

Placed a layer of pebbles at the base of each jar

Next a piece of muslin to stop soil & sand settling too far down

Next a mixture of the sand and soil

Next the moss

Next a few small plants and an ornament or two

Please note - I read THIS FABULOUS BOOK and

found a lot of helpful info, gorgeous ideas 

(for both dry and wet terrariums)

as well as helpful hints and to-do's

I made one for myself and one each for my nieces

(a small garden for a Fairy in need of a place to rest)

This is actually a great activity to do with kids 

Once complete they need to be kept moist

(a spray/mist bottle is handy)

Avoid direct sunlight and open the lid form time to time

(to avoid too much condensation)

I've made many different kinds in the past - wet and dry

The most successful have been those containing succulents

There's a lot of info online or if you have any queries feel free to email me

Hope this inspires a miniature world that suits your home!