Friday, September 23, 2011

All Things British

DSC06139_edited-1 

Although I’m eternally grateful that my colonial ancestors won their independence from Mother England, I always have—and always will—LOVE all things British…

DSC06136_edited-1 {a couple of images of British coins featuring Queen Victoria, found online}

Being about 3/4 British myself, it’s no wonder, I suppose…most of my ancestors came here from England in the early part of the 1600’s…the rest in the mid-1800’s…

  hpqscan0001_edited-1

{a pub we visited for dinner on night…built LONG before my ancestors came to America!}

I have only been to England once in my life, but it was a dream come true…during my college years, just two weeks after meeting my husband-to-be on our college campus…I flew of to Jolly Old England with my roommate and her very kind parents…

DSC06144_edited-1  {Stamps from Artistic Outpost’s “London Underground” set}

I’ll never forget our first night in London.  We’d just arrived that afternoon…still a little wonky time-wise…

DSC06145_edited-1 {vintage stamp images found online}

Being later on a Sunday night, the city was relatively quiet…not to many people out and about…we felt like we had the place to ourselves…

 DSC06141_edited-1

{found this adorable toy bus image online, too—don’t you just love it?!}

…we decided to take a ride on the Underground to see where it would take us…

DSC06135_edited-1 {it’s partly because of my love for England that my oldest daughter is Chelsea…sets used: “Loverly London” & “London Underground”}

…as we exited the tunnel in the center of London, my first wish was to see Big Ben…how would we find it?, I wondered…

hpqscan0009_edited-1 {the picture I took of Big Ben right at that moment of discovery…a bit grainy, but what a memory!}

…then, I looked up—right in front of my nose—Big Ben, in all it’s late night splendor! 

hpqscan0007_edited-1 {me on the tour bus…my roommate was always laughing at me because I was constantly taking notes!}

We visited so many wonderful places during our stay…the Cotswolds, the Lake District…

Julie at Windemere, England, 1986

hpqscan0008_edited-1

…Bath, Stonehenge, Shakespeare’s home town…

hpqscan0002_edited-1 {another moment I will never forget…Stonehenge was sufficiently gray, gloomy & mysterious that day…perfect!}

hpqscan0005_edited-1 {in front of Shakespeare’s birth house…my, what a poser I was!}

hpqscan0003_edited-1 {Anne Hathaway’s lovely cottage…}

…but your first time in London is really special…

hpqscan0004_edited-1

{of course, being women…the very first visit we made on our very first day in London…Harrod’s, of course!}

…a scrapbook page made this week—a fabulous jumble of iconic British images…all in remembrance of that wonderful time in my life…

DSC06132_edited-1

Stamps FINALLY purchased from Artistic Outpost…I’ve long admired them, but hadn’t purchased any until now…it won’t be my last purchase!

DSC06153_edited-1

{Just about my favorite sign of all times—so glad to have it in stamp form! From “London Underground” set}

And just as a little extra…a small card to remind a friend in need—if needed—to KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON…

DSC06155_edited-1

Someday, I'll visit that magical place again…this time with my husband and three daughters…someday…

hpqscan0006_edited-1

{Windsor Castle…the Queen was “at home” that day…see the flag flying?}

See you soon with something new.

Julie

LiveJournal Tags: ,,

20 comments:

  1. What a lovely layout, and I never forget the beauty of London, and every time I visit, and it's only about 45 minutes by train, im always blown away by it :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a great British Mood board Julie and even though I am British, I never take those images for granted, and you have posted such an atmospheric set if images!
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great pictures and memories Julie! I've only ever had a layover in London, but have good friends in Newcastle, so would like to get to England one day. Hope you are having a good day. Tammy

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Julie,
    Love your post today, as London is my favorite city in the world. If I could move there tomorrow, I would in an instant. After visiting a few dozen times, your right, I still can remember my very first time there...so very special. You took wonderful photographs, and now you have such precious memories. Love what you did with the scrap page too. I'm not surprised you fell in love with London! ;) I too, hope to someday get there with my whole family, as I was very single and working for British Airways on my many trips there. Thanks for sharing these memories with us. Have a wonderful day!
    Maureen

    ReplyDelete
  5. how awesome that you were able to make that trip! and that you took notes and pictures. Did you know at the time you would be such a scrapper? Youre always inspiring over here Julie!
    and what a cutie you were.. adn STILL are!
    xoxo
    vivian

    ReplyDelete
  6. Julie these are wonderful. I have a stack of books that I need to go back and do. I am waiting for the day I am completely ahead instead of behind. Never going to happen is it? You are an inspiration...smiles...Renee

    ReplyDelete
  7. Julie, what an adorable picture of you (on the train?) Looks like you and your girlfriend had a trip of a life time. I hope you DO go back with your hubby and your girls.
    I'm part "british" too. My ancestors came from Bath! My Parents went back. I have yet to make a trip "across the pond". But would love to...one day.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love this post as do I love all your posts. My husband served his mission to England. Manchester area, so it was up north. I faithfully waited for him and did a scrapbook back in the late 70's of his two years in England. I feel like I was there too. We wrote every week and then 8 weeks after he got home we were married. We have always wanted to go back, but having all those kids kept us from it. I am glad you liked England so much and love your layout about it. By the way we are celebrating our 33rd wedding anniversary today. So 33 years pluse eight weeks ago, he returned to me from England. I was just looking over some of his mission pictures early this morning. Thankyou for another wonderful post. You make me smile big every time I read a post on your blog. Thank you friend.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I was just writing about London two days ago.. I love that city! Something special in the air there ;)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love your post my sweet friend...my grandfather was British...and had so many British traditions...thank you for the memories this find Friday morning...happy weekend to you. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow, it's almost like deja vu.......your first trip was almost exactly like my second trip. The first time I went, I was actually just passing through from Germany. I felt I had to come back and do it right, so in 1996 my sister and I took a tour. It gave us all the information we needed to come back on our own two more times and drive ourselves around the island. I can proudly say I've driven "successfully" over 3,000 miles in and around England, Scotland and Wales. Thanks for the memories.

    Hugs,
    Meri

    ReplyDelete
  12. I really enjoyed this post Julie!
    I also love the little bus...so cute!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Julie, dear- such sweet photoes of you and the family with whom you traveled- and such dear memories for you, to keep. They are beautifully representet in your sweet collage.
    Hugs,Dorthe

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh my gosh--I LOVE this post!! Such amazing British flavor--WOW! and I adore those pics of you...You were writing because you were getting ready for blogging! lol
    XO
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  15. how fun, julie!

    i would like to go someday for a first visit with my husband and sons. i would need to keep them occupied while i fainted at cath kidston and cabbages & roses, of course!

    happy weekend ... cheerio!

    xo
    elyse

    ReplyDelete
  16. Julie, What a fun moment in your life you have shared with us. Your memory book will be such a keepsake for your own daughters to look back on. Thanks for sharing it with us! Elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  17. SO glad you enjoyed England!! fun that you have so much British blood in you! I have a Keep Calm and Carry On sign in my kitchen!
    Mary x

    ReplyDelete
  18. How amazing! I love the history that England has =) just lovely! Xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  19. Julie,
    You were and are adorable! Love the picture of you taking notes! This was a great post. Beautiful verbally and pictorially!
    Big hugs, my friend,
    Suz

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a wonderful experience that must have been for you Julie! If you ever get this way again, you had better stop by and spend some time with me!! My door is always open wide for you and your lovely family! xxoo

    ReplyDelete