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To live and enjoy every day to its fullest, use my gifts to help others, I travel to wherever passion finds me.

What Will She Paint?

So many friends I met here...!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

ON TOP OF THE LIST

Wow, look out, a big fast one coming!
My brother and wife from Holland were here for two weeks, and had a grand time visiting some of the sites in California. Some of their major impressions: the sky is always SO BLUE!


For Watery Wednesday, and Weekend Reflections, scroll down to the end of post! 
I'm selecting this blue sky with an occasional big cloud for Midweek Blues, hosted by Rebecca. For more Blue Scenes http://thedustycellar.blogspot.com 

and Skywatch on Friday   For Skywatch, click on Skyley,blogspot.com

My brother was a photo buff long before I started taking pics! Hubby got the same passion a few years ago, so we stopped at every nook and cranny:) And we got updated on the news in Europe. The fashion color this year there is gray, gray, gray!

Some sites got more oooh and aahs than others. It sounded like San Francisco and Yosemite National park were in the top five of their list.
Even though Holland has a lot of water, they don't see waterfalls or fast moving water coming from the mountains! (since the country is flat).
Nothing is more refreshing than water, mirroring the sky, the trees, as well as the sun when it shines. To see more Watery Wednesday, hosted by 2sweetnsaxy at http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com and 
For Weekend Reflections, enjoy other scenes from Friday to Sunday at
  Click to see the rules and to take a badge for yourself.newtowndailyphoto.blogspot.com hosted by James.

53 comments:

Lesley said...

But, your Dutch relatives don't have to travel very far to get to the wondrous Alps...

Chubskulit Rose said...

Simply beautiful!

My Watery Wednesday

rainfield61 said...

Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder

crochet lady said...

There is nothing like spending time with family, so nice there were able to come visit and enjoy California too.

I've seen a lot of gray in fashions lately and never thought I could wear that color but I've tried it and I can, so I've recently bought a few items to add to my closet.

Anonymous said...

I hope they like the state enough to merit a return visit and hopefully some others with them. The state could use all the tourism dollars it can get.

eileeninmd said...

Wonderful shot, I love the scene. California is a beautiful state.

Stephanie V said...

It's so much fun to have visitors and see your home through their eyes. There's always so much more than we usually see.

Gray? Oh, I must get some new stuff. I love gray but shy away since our winters can give all the shades of gray that we could ever imagine - or want.

Kerry said...

Oh gee, just north of you we have had rare moments of blue. This past week has been quite grey. But that was a beautiful blue sky and dramatic cloud that you saw there in CA.

Clytie said...

What a wonderful time with your brother and his wife, and it looked like the weather cooperated! Yosemite is definitely one of my fave places in California to visit as well.

That cloud shot against the blue sky is stunning!

Jim said...

California has some very pretty scenery, even prettier than Texas in its own way. I know your company from Holland were impressed. Holland is very flat, the parts I've been too.
Our Texas has very pretty blue skies too, as do the midwest states.
..
BTW, Adi is the beagle and she is still on her first life at 14. Doggie Duke (blue) is about 35 and is starting his third life now in London.
Oh yes, I've had several lives myself. I didn't die but I sure have enjoyed all but one of them!
..

Jeannette StG said...

Lesley,
They love to travel, so they WANT to go to far away places:) - but we're not all made the same way:);)

Chubskulit,
Thanks for visiting! having all your blogs and a child - how do you do it??

Rainfield,
how have you been doing? Must visit your blog soon! Anywhere on this globe are some beautiful things to see!

Jen,
Enjoyed every minute of it, since we only see each other once in a few years (this time it was 4 years). The same with me, I guess it depends on where one combines gray with...

Ewok,
Yeah, we (several of the states) are not out of the woods yet
economically...(sigh) - I still keep hearing around me of people losing their job.

My brother thinks in terms of which countries he has not been yet!

Eileen,
Thank you! And also for your visit:) Now I've seen your blog, I know you would come up with some stunning pics here!

Stephanie,
Had to laugh when sis-in-law said, "Now I understand why you don't need a vacation. It's every day a vacation here!"
And I have to say, Californians are pretty spoiled with beautiful weather, beaches, mountains, nature, national parks...

I agree, with something light or bright on in the winter I feel more "up."

Kerry,
Thanks for visiting! I remember I read Jessica's story a long time ago, and I've been in contact with a lot of people who came back from another country and left their heart there!
One of them is my son is now for the 4th school year in China teaching English, and visited us for the 2nd time. Saying goodbye is always sad, but I know his best place is there right now.

Clytie,
Yes, it was really nice to have my brother here, but my kids and grand kids are here, so... and it is the same with them! But it's better like this and have a good relationship than living around the corner from each other and have no relationship!

Jim,
Lived in Texas for 1 1/2 years, and there are very nice parts, and I love the Texan hospitality!

Oops, I confused the two -I meant the blue doggie!
I don't know if I could handle more than one life (smile)

RNSANE said...

Travel is so wonderful. One can get all over Europe so easily by train. Flying from Holland to CA is quite a lengthy trip, though! I am glad they enjoyed their visit.

Jeannette StG said...

RNSane,
Thanks for your visit! Enjoyed perusing your blog:) Actually, From LA to Holland is not as bad as from LA to China (15 hrs.).
Hope you'll recover soon and completely!

Irene said...

Jeannette, just a little point I want to make. We don't call our country Holland. We call it the Netherlands and never anything else. Holland is just the west of the country and does not refer to the rest of it. No Dutchman calls his country Holland.

Suburban Girl said...

Oh, enjoy your visitors. I love that you have blue skies, ours are so often whitish...like today. :(

Kim, USA said...

Wow awesome capture! Thanks for the visit!
Watery Wednesday

Dianne said...

that cloud is amazing!!

Rudee said...

That's a beautiful photo of the sky. I love the painting of the angels at the top of your blog.

EG CameraGirl said...

I bet it was tons of fun to show them around your beautiful state. :)

Jeannette StG said...

Irene,
I know...but let me be the first Dutchman then:)
No one here in my neck of the woods knows that there are 2 provinces are called "Holland" and everyone here refers to Holland as the whole country, also called the Netherlands.

Rebecca,
We have a friend in your state who calls hubby every week, so I feel for you in the winter. But in the summer you can feel for me, because of the incredible heat:)

Kim.
Thank you Kim! Your blog is always interesting:)

Diane,
And that cloud was in reality moving fast!

Rudee,
Thank you! In one of the next weeks, I tell a kinda funny story connected to this painting.

J_on_tour said...

That first picture is one amazing scene with that cloud.

SouthernSass said...

Nice big blue sky and I love the cloud coming up over the mountain!

Shirley said...

This looks like a great place to cool off, wading through the water, on a hot summer day!

Anonymous said...

The cloud provides depth to the picture, which indeed is beautiful. Please have you all a wonderful Thursday.


daily athens

NitWit1 said...

Even though your friends marvelled at your beautiful area, they don't realize how many of us marvel at their land of windmills like we have never seen

Our planet is so full of beauty in people and places we'll never see not comprehend it all.

young-eclectic-encounters said...

Beautiful photos and how nice to have visitors. Looks like you enjoyed the visit both of your friends and the local beauty.
Thank you for sharing. Johnina :^A

Christie describeHappy said...

Very pretty shots!! Looks like a wonderful day with family!

Anonymous said...

I marvel at your beautiful photos. My brother recently moved from GA to CA and he loves the weather there!

Jeannette StG said...

J on Tour,
Thanks for visiting -yeah, love that cloud!

Southern Sass,
What is so nice about blogging is that one can see what's going on at different locations of the globe!

Shirley,
i could not agree more! That's what the rest of the family was doing (in June) while I was painting this scene:)

Daily Athens,
Athens is lovely, but so is California. Thanks for the visit!

Nitwit1,
It's always greener on the other side of the fence!Hope you geo the problem of accessing my blog resolved?

Johnina,
Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed it and thanks for the compliment )on the right, that's me)

Christie,
Since everyone lives so far away, I always would like MORE!

Mildred,
I could not agree with your brother more -hope everything is/goes well with your hubby!

Jossie said...

How wonderful your brother and his wife were able to visit you. I have never been to California but if it looks like in your pictures and in the movies it must be beautiful. I live in the higher part of the Netherlands with many little streams and we see an occasional waterfall of about maybe 2 feet :-))

Yoshi said...

Hi Jeannette,
Thanks for commenting on my Skywatch entry.
It appears you guys had a great fun visiting CA. Unlike Holland, likewise CA, we have plenty of waterfalls in Japan. Maybe your next destination is Japan???
Have a wonderful weekend.

jabblog said...

Beautiful shots - blue sky and wonderful mountain streams - what a treat!

James said...

I used to wonder what it was like being a tourist who rarely sees or sees California for the first time. After being away for awhile I'm even more aware of it's natural beauty. I'm glad to see that you all had a wonderful time.

It rained almost every day in Paris but there were a few times when it stopped and the sky was blue. Of course the gypsies, African hustlers and winos were a pest but it was a great trip. After five times in Paris I've still never been up in the Eiffel tower. :)

Have a great weekend!

DUTA said...

When family gets together it's always time to rejoice.
California has much to offer its visitors besides a blue sky, but to people used to a grey one, blue is a revelation.

'Tsuki said...

You had quite a light on that very day ! Your pic are just lovely...

Nefertiti said...

j adore la derniere photo quel coin magnifique !

James said...

I didn't go to the Musee de Picasso this time but I've been there a few times before and I always have street vender crepes. Nutella and banana is my favorite. :)

Diane AZ said...

Oh what an amazing cloud! Sounds like the weather was pleasant and a wonderful time was had by all.

Cezar and Léia said...

Bonjour sweet friend!
This time with family is so precious!Glad that you enjoy this trip, and your pictures are adorable!
Hugs and a lovely weekend,
Léia

isabella kramer - veredit said...

This is so wonderful, you have a wonderful feeling for the beauty of nature. I love your pictures!!

Hugs from
isabella

Shaista said...

Hi Jeannette!! Wow it looks like you are so busy - so many artistic and family things on the go! Wonderful to visit this creative outpouring of yours - happy November to you dear one!

Jeannette StG said...

Jossie,
Do you realize I am from Holland? In 1985 we came to the USA for me to study, but we stayed...so all of our relatives are still there -that's the part I miss!

Y. Ikeda,
I love the art and artsyness of Japan, so who knows I'll get the opportunity someday:) Have a great weekend!

Jabblog,
I read several blogs from the UK and have good friends living in Southampton, so I know you have great landscaping too (but I could miss the weather there, like in Holland);)

James, 2x!
Every so often I go to Holland to visit relatives and one time we discovered that it is only 5 hrs. away from Paris! My 14y.old son wanted to climb the Eiffel tower, and fortunately my hubby was there-climbing towers is not my favorite thing to do,LOL
Went there specifically to investigate about St. Germain (my mother's background) -they looked at city hall for 4 hrs. but without results.

Duta,
So true, Duta! When the sky is cloudy for a few days, people here start to complain (I know: spoiled, spoiled, spoiled here!). Good to hear from you!

'Tsuki,
We have that light on most days of the year! So everyone who has lived here for a long time, walks in the shade (to avoid too much ultra-violet rays). Have a great weekend!

Jeannette StG said...

Neferti,
Hope you don't mind that I reply in English (my French is horrible:) ). Thank you for the compliment!

James,
I replied already above:)

Diane,
It couldn't have been better, hi 70ties - so they also loved the beaches!

Leia,
Thank you so much Leia! Hope there's a trip to Brazil for you, not to far from now!! Hugs.

Veredit,
I love your name Isabella -so regal! Thank you, glad you like the pics, and for visiting! Have a great weekend:)

Shaista,
Good to hear from you, Friend! Thank you, and I must visit your blog soon!

Ebie said...

Those clouds are beautiful! I could only guess, they were taken in the Eastern Sierras.

California is always a tourist haven and I am glad your family enjoyed their vacation!

arabesque said...

such a tremendous sky and a beautiful scene you've captured.
i should say it's really captivating. ^0^

btw, xiamen is in east of china. ^0^
i wish your son is doing well in shenzen, one of the busiest city so far.

happy weekend.

Chez Madeleine said...

Merci de ta gentille visite.
Je regrette de ne pas parler anglais.
Pour la technique d'image c'est une des fonction d'un logiciel de retouche d'image (PSP X3).
Bon Weekend.

Thank you for your nice visit.
I regret not speak English.
For the image technique is a function of an image editing software (PSP X 3).
Good Weekend.

Dani said...

those clouds are awesome. and I do like the water reflection. Lovely photos.

Thank you for the visit.Happy weekend.

Ruth said...

I find it very interesting when European friends come to visit the U.S., mostly because they are surprised when all is not quite as close as it might seem on this big expansive terrain of ours. :)

knittingdragonflies said...

Beautiful photos! Thanks for all of the input with my painting attempts!
Vicki

Springman said...

I just scroled through so many comments I forgot what the photo was!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Cloud looks great coming over that hill! It must be fun to take your relatives on a tour! Kind of like seeing it with fresh eyes yourself I suspect.

Pat Tillett said...

Really nice photos! I especially like the first one...

Linnea said...

How nice to have company from so far away! Sounds like they had a good time. California is so different from the Netherlands. I visited Holland once and found it to be like a storybook land...so pretty, clean, and charming! Thanks for stopping by @ my WW. Enjoy the week.