Happy Birthday Hamide

Wishing a very Happy Birthday to one of my friends here in Istanbul!  Hamide, best wishes my Friend. I hope you have a wonderful day and blessed year ahead.  

Peace and Love

 Happy Monday!  I can't believe we are at the end of June already.  WOW.  How quickly time has passed.  I have 28 wonderful days left to enjoy.  what would you all like to see in Istanbul?  i have to say the Hagia Sofia is under reconstruction now so going by it on the train everyday is nice but not the same as before. (Dont' get me wrong, this is very necessary work, I am so happy they are doing necessary repairs.)  BUT, I miss that amazing site that it used to be.  I imagine it will now be this way (reconstruction) for YEARS and years.  Plus, for tourists like me, you can't even go into the base floor of the Hagia Sofia inside anymore.  Sigh.  The Hagia Sofia is mostly just a memory.  Sending everyone Peace and love today

Guest Desiner Mine Fiore

 Happy Sunday everyone, here's a little card that I got from a store here in Turkiye on Istikal street in Istanbul.  Istikal street is an iconic shopping area that I will visit every summer at least once or twice.  It starts at Taksim square and continues down to the Galata tower.  This card shows Famous Turkish Leader Ataturk.

Summer time memories

 Happy Saturday everyone!  My favorite thing to do on Saturday is to go to one of the largest street pazaars in Istanbul.  Pazaar because it's just a one day thing, as opposed to a bazaar which is typically a structurally built location and daily.  On Saturday one of the biggest pazaars is in Barkirkoy.  This pazaar is particularly important because it is very near the textile district so there's tons of things to find for me.  Pre-covid, you wouldn't believe the amount of lace, now, it's hit or miss.

Rejoice!

 Happy Friday everyone.  Well today I should be back in Istanbul.  I have a lovely 11 days in Eskisehir and Konya.  I can't believe I am at the end of three weeks in Turkiye now.  WOW.  What a blessing I have been given.

Life is sweet with you!

Taking the train from Konya back to Istanbul.  It's a long ride, but then I think how long would it be if I was going to the airport, waiting around, getting to IST, taking an hour long expensive ride back to the city.....might as well just take the train....I really hope they have WIFI. lol, man I am spoiled, lol

for you DH

Love you dear

Hoping to enjoy my last day in Konya walking around, shopping, looking for lace, etc.  Just taking in the city center for the most part.  I will take the train tomorrow back to Istanbul. In the meantime, here's a card I made for my DH, i'll ride the waves with you babe!

Day in Konya

While in Konya the other things I would like to see are the Whirling Dervishes and their gorgeous museums.  I made a huge list of what to see, they also have a huge and famous butterflly garden from what I hear, there is also a UNESCO world heritage site (I think) nearby that was built by the Hittites.

Explore More

Hello, happy Monday, I can't believe I have been in Turkiye for several weeks now!  WOW. Am I just blessed or what?  if I am lucky and following my schedule then I am in Konya now.  I wish to see an important UNESCO World Heritiage site called Catalhoyuk which is one of the earliest human settlements ever. It's in central Turkiye near Konya.

Guest Designer

Here's a cool card that I bought in Turkiye.  I bought this card in Istanbul on the Asian side near some of the art stores.  It makes me think of the fancy sultan like outfits that you might see (not in the current day but in old photos)

 

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