Sandi is blogging from the WhistleStop Cafe kitchen. It's all about good home cooking; food, family and fun. Thousands of posts . . .

~In the south and around the world.



Friday, June 06, 2008

Up Up and Away~






Click to play Ballooning in Tuscany
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This was one of the highlights of our trip. The hot air balloon ride with Robert Etherington across the hills and valleys of Tuscany. His wife and assistant Liz, is an artist and author of children's books. They live in an authentic 13th century farm home, just outside of Montisi.


I planned this as a celebration of my 50th birthday year~ and what a commemoration it was. The chance to glide over the Tuscan countryside was magical. The greens of the hills and valleys, the poppy fields and the mustard yellows. We had such a wonderful day...Starting with the inflation of the huge balloon and ending with a champagne toast.

Bella, bella!

Sandi


16 comments:

PAT said...

Sandi, that had to be so much fun! I love the scrapbook!

Have a wonderful weekend!
Pat

Anonymous said...

Hello and thanks for coming by my blog!What I would give for a ride in a hot air ballon,I see hundreds of them flying over Ottawa and I always wanted to try one but to do it over Tuscany, holy cow... that's sublime!!
Lucky lady I am jealous.
Take care,
Diane
http://dianobe.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Amazing Smilebox Sandi . . . do I detect Holly's hand there? LOL

Paolo and I were honoured to spend your 50th birthday flight with you. Now if only we could have convinced a few others to have come along.

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

Sigh, what fun. (don't know why you wouldn't let me come along and carry your bags...)

(())

Sally said...

Oh, Sandi! That was truly magical. All of it - the balloon ride, your beautiful pictures and the way you put together the Smile Box. Thank you sooo much for sharing such a wonderful memory.

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

Jerry~ Do you imply Holly is the artistic sister? I taught her everything she knows.
Sally~ I love that smilebox!

Tonja said...

What a wonderful time you must have had! I can't imagine the feeling! Wow! life gets better at 50, huh?

Loved the smile box, too!

Have a good weekend!

Nnairda's said...

What a wonderful adventure! I love the music to the slideshow. Thanks for sharing!!

Adriann

Sandi McBride said...

How lovely Mother Nature's patchwork quilt! That's the beauty of it, the birds eye view! Happy 50th year...you've made it special!
Sandi

Anonymous said...

How lovely! I've always wanted to go on a balloon ride, but never have. They do have them close by and we often see them in the summertime. The artist's work is gorgeous. How wonderful that you had the opportunity to meet them on your trip. Can't wait to see what our travels will bring...

windycorner said...

It's been so wonderful seeing your pictures and following your trip...thanks for sharing. Happy, happy 50th!
Holley

Anonymous said...

This was FABULOUS Sandi! I loved the smile box and all photos!

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

Tonja~ We 'warriors' are hard at work this weekend. Thanks for stopping in.
Sandi~ the colors were amazing!
Kelly~ I can't imagine a better place than Tuscany to fly in a hot air balloon.
Holley~ I am celebrating all year, this is the Big one
Thanks GiGi!

Anonymous said...

I just loved your smilebox creation. Did it take you a long time to make? The pictures were amazing. You are very brave to go up in that balloon!

Anonymous said...

I can't even begin to imagine what an incredible experience that was. Amazing!

Anonymous said...

Hi Sandi, Great hot air balloon photos. We did that last year for my DH's 60th birthday. What a ride! My sister in law, for her 50th birthday last week, skydived from an airplane. Now...I don't think I could do that! ~ Lynn

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