New Places

So today the plan is to either go on to Turkish city of Konya.  , There's lots of amazing things to see in Konya particularly the whirling dervishes, the UNESCO World Heritage sites Catalhoyuk and a Hittite site out of the city plus Killistra which is thought to be where St Paul went at one time.  Keep an eye out as if I go there, I'll be sure and share photos on my Facebook.

Enjoy the ride

Today is my last full day in Eskisehir, this city is also famous for having a waterway in the center of it, much like, well, I don't wanna compare it, but just to give you an idea, think of Amsterdam.  Now, reduce the size tremendously. and think of only one water way, not a grouping of waterways like Amsterdam has.  Suppose I could take a gondola ride or just have a lovely lunch sitting aside the water and enjoying the cool air.

Pretty as a picture

 Still enjoying things in Eskisehir, the other things I hope to see are the various museums and the whole thing that got my attention about this city in the first place was their renowned glass museum.  I can't wait to see that and several other lovely little museums, then perhaps get some wonderful lace shopping done.

Eskesehir today

 Life is short, roam far and wander wide....so I am still in Eskisehir and wishing to see so many things in this city.  One thing I am looking forward to is called the Midas wall, or Midas Monument in the Phrygian valley.   I will post my own photos on FB later, but check out this you tube (NOT BY ME) video that shows it 2025 LZ Phil #1 9x16 Full Length

Adventure Awaits

 Hello, day one of Eskisehir.  There was a lot of things I am hoping to see in this city including the old houses, of which I am staying in one as a Boutique hotel.  I can't wait to see the Meerschaum, which is this white substance that kind of looks like ivory, that is carved ornately into things like pipes and mini statuettes. I have a huge list for this city.  I will share photos on my FB hopefully, you can find me there at Holley Tondre Barnhart.

Here's a little card for today

Adventure is out there

 Happy June 16th.  So happy to be here having fun.  Trying to keep my lace shopping under control, lol.  That can be hard here when there is just SO much beautiful lace.  And sometimes I find NEW stores.  Can you believe that?  after coming year after year, every once in a while I stumble into a building or down and alley or in a totally different area of town and SURPRISE.....

Today is the day that I scheduled to go to Eskisehir, which is a city about 2 hours train ride away.  I have never been on a high speed train before.  We don't really have that where I live in Texas.  I certainly have not traveled city to city before by train.

Guest Designer, Turkish Kiddos

 Here's some lovely cards made by my dear friend Dilek's class in Istanbul.  Her kiddos are just so sweet.  LAST summer, they made me these artworks when I visited her classroom, you all KNOW I especially LOVE the COFFEE one.

Walking on Sunshine

 Happy Saturday everyone! I hope you have plans for a great weekend.  I am on day 9 in Turkiye now.  WOW. I am finally acclimated and enjoying the cooler weather that they have compared to Texas.  But I am happy on days of the sunshine because June can be a rainy month in Istanbul.  I have bought more umbrellas that I care to admit....

Happy Birthday Dad

 Happy Birthday Dad, have a great day.  I hope you do something special today.  I will find you something good in Turkiye.

Welcome Sweet Summertime

I say summertime, but I don't think it's technically Summer yet....in Istanbul it's around mid to upper 70s most early days of June then in the low 80s (F)  By late June, we will hit the 100s (F).  That's super hot because there is a fair amount of humidity and there's no air conditioning.  Though, if my Airbnb doesn't have a fan, I will buy one.  

Summer Bliss

 Well, it's been almost a week already since i have been in Turkiye.  Aren't I spoiled?  I guess many people don't even get a week of vacation.  I am so blessed to be here for almost two months this summer.  I am thankful.  

did I mention that the temperature in Istanbul is often cooler than Texas.  that's another thing that I really appreciate.

You totally rock!

Here's the cutest elephant from Doodlebug, it says, You totally rock!  I have to send another shout out to my dear DH and tell him THANK YOU SO MUCH for the plane tickets that got me here.  You are the very best husband ever.  Love you so.

 

Grand Adventure

Well I am here, and a Grand Adventure is starting!!  Can  you believe it?  Y'all have been listening to my count down all year long!  Thanks so much for being so patient with me.  I really appreciate it.  I am so thankful to be here and ready to just relax and enjoy each day.

 

Guest Designer Becca

Sharing a lovely card to you from Becca. I just love this layout and the gorgeous die cut flower she used.  Great job!!

 

I'm here!

 Wow I am in Turkiye.  Albeit I am a little jet lagged, I just can't sleep in a strange bed without my husband, I mean eventually my body will take over and I will just sleep, but for now I am like a walking zombie, lol  Make that and excited happy walking zombie

Blessed

 Hmmm, second day in Istanbul and it's a Friday (which also means everything shuts down for several hours in the afternoon for prayer time), What should I do?  hmmmm, Lace Shopping?  I am thinking so. 

arrival in Istanbul

So my flight time is actually less than 24 hours, but there is airport layover time, time change,....so I don't get to Turkiye until MIDNIGHT Thursday.   (basically Wednesday late night--I had to book a room for June 4th).  Will be more than relieved when I arrive and super exhausted as I don't sleep at the airport or the on the plane, so at this point I am deliriously tired.  But also, SO excited that I just can't sleep.  How weird is that?  it will be a while before I am on regular sleep.

SO let me say Merhaba!  or Hello in turkish.

Flying today

 So today I am just in the sky and at the airport in London.  I hope the time for the flight is accurate and that the flight exchange goes smoothly.  Good thing is that I am business class so if I have excess time once through security I can goto the business class lounge if I want to.

Off I go

 Today is the day I get on the plane (later this evening) and will spend like 21+ hours getting to Istanbul from Texas.  I am super excited and can't believe my trip is already here.  WOO HOO.  I thought this card was just perfect for the occasion.  All packed up and ready to go!

Oh....the places you will go

 Happy Monday everyone!  just one more day.  I am so ready to go, or am I?  i might be spending the day stressing about what I have and what I have forgotten....making lists of what I need to remember to bring at the last minute lol;  then again, I have all of tuesday morning and afternoon to be doing that too.  Maybe I should just go out somewhere today to try and stay busy.

I am so looking forward to going a few places this summer, mostly I hope to get a chance to visit a city called Eskisehir as well as a city called Konya.

Guest Designer Kids of Turkiye

 Thought I would share a project from the school kids in Turkiye.  Usually i take art supplies that we do together OR I show up and kids surprise me with art that they did for me. It's so very sweet.  They are lovely, well behaved, bright-eyed, and so friendly to the guests.  I really appreciate that.  They have a good teacher, one of my dear friends from a LONG time ago now, back in 90....wow, doesn't that make me feel old.

Love you Most!

 Happy Saturday all!  so happy to be done with school for the year and looking forward to traveling in just THREE days now.  I can't believe so much changed this year.  I am so very thankful for that.   Most especially for my DH who made most of the changes possible and was super supportive (and bought me tickets to Turkiye).

Celebrate, it's the last day!

 Happy Friday everyone. It's the last day at FUMP today.  We are having a teacher in-service day. I don't really know what we will be doing. Like AISD, it's supposed to be a training day, but usually involves a lot of clean up and readiness for summer.  Though I know our classrooms get used in the summer time for several classes.  I am getting pretty excited...just FOUR days to go.

Have you check out my lace store, I sell wonderful packages of lace in every color and beautiful embellishments too!  https://laceplacebyholley.etsy.com

Last call for lace before summer....

 Hi all, it's the last week before I go to Turkiye so I am closing the lace store for the summer, please if you want anything, grab it now, else I won't be able to fill orders until August when I return.  I look forward to seeing what they have in the lace stores in Turkiye this year.

Have you check out my lace store, I sell wonderful packages of lace in every color and beautiful embellishments too!  https://laceplacebyholley.etsy.com

Sending special thoughts to all the kiddos.

Today is my last day with the kids.  Tomorrow is the last day of school and Friday is a teacher in service day.  Now it's just SIX days to go.....unreal now, I am sure to my friends and family that i am insufferable in my readiness to go on vacation, lol.  Wishing all the kiddos at my school a wonderful summer and if they don't come back next year, I wish them a wonderful life!!

Have you check out my lace store, I sell wonderful packages of lace in every color and beautiful embellishments too!  https://laceplacebyholley.etsy.com