WISH I WERE.......................

                                                                                                                                                              here  in Waikiki sitting on the veranda at the Moana Hotel.  But since I'm not - and like everyone else caught up in the Polar Vortex - I think I will make a cup of hot cocoa with some dark chocolate and cinnamon and put on another layer...............

Photos By: Ryannan Bryer de Hickman

Paris Market

Great place to shop in Savannah.



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VERO BEACH, PALM COAST & FERNANDINA

On our way back to Savannah from Palm Beach, we checked out a few more places along the Florida coastline. We went through Vero Beach during a rainstorm, it was very beautiful. I could easily live there.
Came across some interesting architecture and beaches along the way..............................



to Palm Coast, were we spent a couple of nights.....................................
This lot was for sale on the Intercoastal Waterway........................................

On this street.........................across from this house............which I love............but it's NFS..........


On to Fernandina..............it has the sweetest historical downtown..........................

This lot looked promising.........................................and a bit like a jungle.......................
On this street.............................................
Not too far from this beach.............................................................
Cheers!

Jim & Ry

WHERE ARE YOU?

I receive a lot of these queries in my inbox. Truth be told, sometimes when I wake up in the morning, I have to ask myself that same question. Where am I? Lately we have been living in three different places with numerous cross country road trips and plane flights in between. I'm either packing or unpacking.

When I started this blog, I thought it would be a great way to keep family and friends apprised of our whereabouts. Clearly, I have failed miserably! So, in an attempt to keep up, this is where we have been in the last couple of months:

Palm Beach Florida

We have been exploring the east coast of Florida to look for our own little spot in the tropical sun for the winter months. We love living by the ocean and are looking for the warmest climate we can on the mainland. That means Florida. After having lived along California coastline, we both agree, it's just not warm enough! We hadn't ever really considered buying in Florida, but now, with the price of real estate down so much, it's time to take a look.

A nice place to stay? The Breakers. Total Lux!

In many ways, Palm Beach reminded us of Montecito. Lush and tropical with beautiful Mediterranean style homes..........................................................................................

And, much to my frustration, just like Montecito, they are largely hidden behind gates and hedgerows.

The difference being that the water is warm enough here to actually swim in and there is less of a marine layer. More sunshine!


I've never seen so many empty boat slips in the Marina. A sign of the economic climate, no doubt.
My darling beach combing husband enjoying the warm white sand and turquoise sea.

Photos: Ryannan Bryer de Hickman

Sotto Il Monte Vineyards

TRAVELING SHOES - BACK AT THE BEACH

The last year and a half has been a blur. Family commitments, work, the vineyard, winemaking, and the ongoing house renovation has left us in need of a long vacation. And while we still can't carve out time for that, we have lucked into the next best thing. A work assignment on the South Atlantic Coastline will give us the opportunity to explore the beaches and communities of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. We left the kids in charge of the casa and headed East..................................
Found a nice little Pied-á-Terre with a cool beach vibe (and the all important screened in terrace) in Myrtle Beach, SC. ...............Plenty of beach for me and golf galore for Jim. Our furniture arrived after a lengthy stay in storage. I finally have my computer back and can blog again!
The Grand Strand has 60 miles of white sand beaches. Most days I'm out trying to cover as many of those as possible.
In early morning, people start to filter out on to the beach, some walking (like me)...........................
The more ambitious....running .................................................
Rows of beach umbrellas and empty chairs looking out to sea.............all of which will be occupied in a couple of hours..........................

Photographs By: Ryannan Bryer de Hickman

Sotto Il Monte Vineyards

IN TRANSITION

Sadly, our time in Houston is up and we have to bid "Adieu" to our little Pied-á-Terre overlooking the water. For the last three weeks, we have been at our new location, staying at the Marriott during the week and spending the weekends at Sotto Il Monte. I miss checking in on my favorite blog sites! As of yet - I've not mastered the art of blogging from my Black Berry.

Hotel living? - Not so much fun - that is unless of course - I was staying at La Villa Gallici!
I could order room service or dine out on the tranquil terrace.....................................

Located in Aix en Provence, La Villa Gallici offers up a quintessential Provencal experience. This cozy room would make me feel pampered................................................

As long as it was attached to this bathroom....................................Ooh la la...........
This one would work as well....................................

I can always dream...................................................Adieu!

Photograhy: La Gallici Villa

TRAVELING SHOES.....SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO

September has been a month of travel for Moi. No sooner do my feet touch the ground in one location then I'm off to another. This past week I found myself in Santa Fe covering the Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta. A perfect pairing for me - Wine & Photography. Can't show those images though - as they await publication. I always look forward to this event and the opportunity to spend time with some of my dear friends. I lived and worked in Santa Fe for 18 years and have taken thousands of photographs there. These images are just a scratch on the surface.
Above - Cover image I shot for this years Wine & Chile magazine published by The Santa Fe New Mexican. I always have a great time at the SF Wine and Chile Fiesta. Not only do I get to sample some great wines, but the food is phenomenal! Santa Fe has some of the best restaurants in the country and some of the most talented chefs. The 3,000 tickets to the event sold out in the first week they were available. Vintner's Dinners and numerous other wine and food events take place in the days before the Grand Tasting.
Gate & lilacs on Camino del Monte Sol. The weather was perfect for this time of year. Warm days and cool crisp nights. The foliage up on the mountains is just starting to turn.
Creating a beautiful tapestry against the deep blue sky.
New Mexico is a land of mesas,mountains, and rivers that cut through the valley floors.

Summer time invites alfresco dining..................................
Even the Hotel food is amazing - Wild Boar - from The Inn of the Anasazi
The architecture in New Mexico is like none other. Unique in design and always a fireplace to burn pinon in on chilly nights.

The people there are proud of their heritage - and tradition takes precedence.................

And of course the art - Santa Fe is all about art.............................

Fashion is whatever you feel like wearing. No one ever blinks an eye.................



So wear anything you want - and don't forget to take your boots.............................
Photography By: Ryannan Bryer de Hickman

Sotto Il Monte Vineyards