Finn | Sasha Shangri-La

Heaven in England – Part 3

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On Thursday, May 12th, Gertie and I were in Janet’s kitchen about to begin the making of the “cake pops” for the Sasha Celebration weekend. Gertie is wearing a newly made outfit that I had asked Janet to make for her arrival. I love it! 🙂

My camera for the trip was my cell phone camera. The lighting is not the best but you can see Janet diligently working on the cake pops. Janet had a mold formed to make many tiny ball-like shapes and she placed cake batter into the mold and baked it until done and then she put all of the cake balls into the freezer until time to frost them.

A much better photo of Janet and Gertie with the cake pops. We put sticks into each cake ball and placed them on the cardboard rings you see in the photo. The blue frosting was first, then the white and last, the red frosting. I thought it was brilliant idea for the SCW! 🙂

Gertie was a tremendous help that morning. 🙂

What a fun time we all had in Janet’s kitchen with tea breaks of course! 🙂

Next, we walked from Janet’s house to the seaside to enjoy the view of the North Sea and to go to lunch! 🙂

I took a few photos along the way. We walked above and along the beach that you can see in the distance. So beautiful.

North Sea with Janet

A lovely view of the King Edward’s Bay and you can see a ship in the distance. 🙂

North Sea

I never tire of views of the sea though that day was brisk and overcast, it did not rain. It was wonderful to walk and look and just take it all in. Only a 10 minute walk from Janet’s house. 🙂

We found our way and walked down to see the restaurant straight ahead neatly tucked in the hillside at King Edward’s Bay in Tynemouth. 🙂

The view overhead was very impressive. I think it is the Tynemouth Priory and Castle imposing upon the skyline.

But we pressed onward to our luncheon destination. 🙂

Here we are! It is Riley’s Fish Shack where we ordered mackerel that came with tasty side dishes. I did not photograph the meal this time. I think it was because we were actually sharing our table with others since it was crowded that day. Most of the people dining were eating indoors rather than in the outside area due to the cool winds. The view was fabulous and the meal was delicious! ❤

A map to show that we were in the Newcastle-upon-Tyne area that day. The previous day we visited Northumberland area and visited Alnwick Castle. You can see how very close we were to the Scottish borders.

We returned home after lunch and spent some dolly time with Janet’s lovely and varied doll collection. Later we began our packing and preparation to leave the next day to join many friends at the Sasha Celebration Weekend in Nottingham.

There was a small package for me waiting at Janet’s house. A dear friend who lives in Spain had made gifts for Gertie and for Finn and posted them. She knew that I was going to make a day trip to Paris during my England stay and voila, wonderful french outfits for my happy pair. How very thoughtful to send gifts. ❤

Gertie loves her new dress which has Eiffel Towers in many colors, ric rac, and wonderful buttons! It fits her perfectly. 🙂

I love her dress too! Her sandals were made by Janet. 🙂

Thank you dear friend for such a lovely gift. ❤

Finn loves his wonderful France shirt! 🙂

I love it too! A perfect fit and a perfect boy’s shirt. Thank you my friend for your thoughtfulness. ❤ xxx

I had the best time with Janet in her part of England. Her hospitality was warm and kind and wonderful. I love this part of England so very much and I was just captivated by every aspect during my stay. I will always be grateful to have had this time with Janet and her husband Billy in their home in England. ❤

Thank you for visiting Sasha Shangri-La today and the next post will finally be the Sasha Celebration Weekend. 🙂 xxx

Heaven in England – Part 2

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Picking up where I left off on my last post as I had met Janet to be her guest for a few days. Janet drove us to visit Alnwick Castle and Garden and it was just spectacular! We really enjoyed the day spent there and the weather was perfect. Visitor maps were provided and the gift bag was from the gift shop where I picked up a couple of souvenirs. 🙂

The Duke and Duchess of Northumberland do reside in part of the very large castle. I will be sharing photos taken outdoors and photos were not allowed to be taken inside of the castle. I can understand that decision and will say that it was all very wonderful inside of the Castle. ❤

The water garden was so impressive and this photo shows a cascading water display area that is constructed on a noticeable grade up the hillside but also, the water displays came forth in unexpected and delightful patterns. The next few photos try to capture some of this water wonder. 🙂

Finn came along with us on the tour and was very impressed with the water garden. 😉

It was a lovely, beautiful day. 🙂

There is something very calming about the sound of water flowing and it is so soothing to hear and to see. 🙂

You could feel the mist in the air and the air smelled fresh and clean. Walking through the water garden was a delight to the senses and I could easily see myself happily repeating my walk daily if it were possible. ❤

It was wonderful to take time and experience the water garden.

It is important to allow ourselves to be refreshed and renewed. ❤

I really enjoyed the varied art forms designed to be in the water garden. 🙂

Janet fits well within this water display without getting wet! We also made our way through a bamboo maze which was a lot of fun to do.

This garden area is devoted solely to the poisonous plants. It is located beyond the locked gate and you can see the skull and crossbones plainly attached to the gates and thus ensuring we all “beware”. If you look at the hillside beyond, you can see the cherry trees in bloom. What a contrast!

This is the door to the hut where the tour guide resided. She was very knowledgeable about the plants and she emphasized the dire and often fatal consequences of encountering the plants in an unadvisable manner…..

Janet and I walked among the cherry trees which was much more friendly to see than the very interesting but macabre poison plants.

On a brighter note, you can see in the distance the fantastic Treehouse Restaurant. Janet made reservations and we had the best time there having lunch. 🙂

Walking up to the restaurant, Finn stopped to enjoy the beautiful scenery. 🙂

Finn is wearing a wonderful outfit made by the talented Sarah Williams and his black leather boots were made by Jean Jensen. 🙂

Lunch was a generous plate of fish and chips with tarter sauce and mushy peas. It was delicious and the atmosphere inside was pleasingly rustic. You felt like you were inside a treehouse. Even the chairs were made of thick wood boards aligned in an unfinished and asymmetrical configuration and they were surprisingly comfortable. It felt like you were in another world entirely…..magical. It was truly a wonderful experience. 🙂

Janet and I made our way to the imposing Alnwick Castle. The aged trees seemed to guide us toward the amazing Castle which was so very massive and solid and so firmly planted on the landscape. The word that came to me immediately was “Grand”. ❤

Photo of the lovely surrounding grounds.

So beautiful and so grand. I remember my excitement as we approached the Castle. 🙂

A closer view of the Castle walls.

Just inside the walls, you can see a tent in the distance where archery activities are offered to children. 🙂

More views of the Castle.

Janet capturing the grandness of the Castle. We went inside and made our way through the interior touring areas. We visited a gift shop and we saw many displays of historical significance and it was fascinating though a lot of time would be needed to fully participate and absorb the richness of Alnwick Castle. 🙂

Finn found an aged, stone friend tucked away in a corner. 🙂

I think Finn was a bit overwhelmed at how “larger than life” everything was at the Castle. 😉

A view of the grounds taken from the top of the wall. Janet and I saw peacocks in the distance and it was a very peaceful and serene view.

castle grounds

As we left, we noticed these gray colored birds just beyond the edge of the daffodils. The man seen on the left side of the photo was watching and following these interesting birds.

I hope you enjoyed this post, Part 2 of “Heaven in England” and thank you for visiting. It was a very, very lovely and unforgettable day spent with Janet at Alynwick Castle and Garden. I was blessed to be able to visit and I would love to return one day. ❤ xxx

A Fun, Fine Day with Finn

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Yesterday was simply a glorious day here on Cow Creek Road, the Lost Horizon Farm, and also known as Sasha Shangri-La. ❤

Beautiful blue skies and wonderful stately trees that have yet to produce this year’s leaves. Look, do you see something unexpected in this strong and sturdy tree?

Upon closer inspection, I see my dear boy Finn climbing to new heights! What a brave boy. 🙂

Yes, it is indeed Finn and look at how well dressed he is. This outfit includes the sweater, overalls, hat, scarf and socks and they were Finn’s wonderful Christmas swap gifts. 🙂

Hi Finn, what’s up??? “I am up Mommy, look at me! I love to climb and play outdoors. Oh, what a happy day!” With that proclamation, Finn lowered himself down the tree….

“Look Mommy, I am here now!” Hold still Finn, let Mommy take a couple of photos of you! 🙂

This is a really big tree Finn, you look so small when I zoom out!

Wow, a nice photo of Finn basking in the sunlight but just for moment or two…Finn is off and running again….

“Look Mommy, a turkey feather!!! It is so big, isn’t it? It must have been a very big turkey!!” Again, Finn is off and running. 🙂

“Mommy, look…a birdhouse….I wonder if any birdies live here now?”

I think that birds may be starting to build their nests Finn. This birdhouse stays on the porch of the cabin and not many people come this way….it is a good place for birds to build their nests. 🙂

Finn stared inside with wonder and he shared…”I sure hope I get to see the baby birds one day.” I hope you do too Finn. ❤

Look Finn, this old pot is another place where the birds are building a nest. Isn’t this so nice to see? Finn agreed with me 🙂

“Oh Mommy, can we light the lantern now…please?” Not just now dear Finn, but let’s return and stay until dark and Daddy will light the lantern for you plus he will build a campfire for all of us to enjoy. S’mores for everyone as we sit around the campfire! 🙂

Next Finn went into the cabin for a few photos. 🙂

Finn really loves his Daddy’s tin poster of John Wayne. Finn loves to watch John Wayne on TV and Finn has said many times that he wants to be a hero one day. I told him that he has already captured that title in his Mommy’s storybook! 😉