Food...

Hendrick's Gin...

 The Colonel enjoys the G&T made with Hendrick's Gin and embellished with cucumber slices.  This set of scales was a gift to him for his 60th birthday from good friends.  The bottles are black and the amount of gin in the bottle can not be determined by sight. So, a scale is required to read exactly how much is left in the bottle.

It seems this bottle is nearly 3/4 full.

Beautiful brass features. 

More on Hendrick's gin here. 

The Last Runaway

Yet another fetching historical fictional novel by Tray Chevalier : The Last Runaway.

A story of immigration, Quakers, The Underground Railroad and slavery, quilts, bonnets, The Last Runaway stars a very strong, young, religious woman, Honor Bright who finds herself alone in a new country and facing surroundings and situations that she is very unfamiliar with.  

 Here is the cover should the book be purchased overseas. 

Be sure to have a look at Ms. Chevalier's pinterest page as well.

Worth a read, for sure.

Whistler...

Just returned from a visit to a winter wonderland, Whistler, British Columbia.

I spent some time snowshoeing through the woods. Snowshoes can be seen in the header.

Some selections from a lunch wonderful buffet in the Fairmont Whistler Chateau.

Sea planes landing in Vancouver.

Seaplane taking off

Moss and snowy covered rock formation

Dessert at the Fairmont

Rumbling ravine 

The Colonel and the son spent a day heli-skiing.

Old man's beard lichen

 Scenery along the way while snowshoeing

Cora's gals...

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Love this pic of the Crawley gals. 

Happy Valentine's Day...

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I wish...

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Mrs Queen takes the Train

A refreshing fictional tale of Queen Elizabeth, Mrs Queen takes the Train is worth a read as I have just completed it myself.  Somewhat bored, slightly unhappy, disappointed and suffering from a bit of melancholy, Mrs Queen escapes the royal scene on a whim. Donning a hoodie bearing a cross and skull bones and a Hermes scarf, off she goes causing an alarming kerfluffle as those in service to her are baffled as to her whereabouts.

And the adventure begins for Mrs Queen and many other vivid characters. Pleased with the interaction she encounters with those she meets along the way, she returns with a renewed spirit and awareness of worth and understanding of others.

I wonder if the Queen herself was pleased with the writing of this book?

Loved the book cover also in its cartouche format.

Worth a read, for sure.