Thursday, January 7, 2016

Good Fences Mississippi

Hi Friends
and 
Happy New Year!

Hope you all enjoyed a great Christmas and New Year.

I sure missed everyone
while away from my desk
and missed 


We had a great holiday and did some traveling 
from
Texas 
to
Mississippi.
Don't you love to spell Mississippi?
M i crooked letter, crooked letter i, crooked letter, crooked letter, i,  hump back, hump back i.
Do you remember this from grade school??

Anyway, it took 10 hours in pouring rain to reach my dear friend Marie.


We had the best time and saw a few 
Good Fences too.

That is before my camera decided to take it's last photo.



I was able to grab a few from the camera card, but the rest were a total  blur.

Marie and her hubby live in a beautiful woodsy setting
with
19 peacocks,
13 chickens,
a beautiful koi pond,
and
 a sweetheart Austrian Sheepdog, Hobie.
So sorry I couldn't salvage any of the pics of sweet Hobie.

No pics of the chicks  either with the camera's demise,
but here is some photos, 
that will show the peace, calm and serene atmosphere all around
this beautiful home front.

This setting and the days spent here,
really were comfort for my soul 
and of course
 being with a dear friend
was a highlight of Christmas.


The long drive in towards the house.


Marie calls this the "ugly time" when the trees are bare and no flowers in full bloom and color.

But I found it to be perfect with nature in all her glory.


Peaceful and serene like this white albino peacock.

So proud to pose for the camera.


Strutting proudly for me.


A wishing well standing in the distance.


The Koi pond a lovely place to walk  and reflect.


Marie's beautiful gazebo in the woods.
The fence around it is a good fence too.


Another fence separating the wooded area.

A beautiful setting approaching and driving away.


It poured down rain most of the time
so I was really glad I did get these few photos before my camera
died.


The barn in the distance. You may see a few chickens between the trees.
Marie sent us home with fresh eggs straight from the chickens.
Oh they are so good!!



Along the lane a pasture with another good fence.


The best gift ever, don't you think?

and
The highlight was to see Marie's
Christmas village in her town for all to enjoy.

All my photos were a blur, but I did get this one
sharing sweet Marie standing with her famous village.

It's called
 "WhitmanVille"
and measures
124 feet long and 3 foot deep.

Seeing this was amazing and just takes you back to a simpler time and place.

Marie has shown and collected her village for 24 years.
Her town opens a building on Main street each year for visitors to come and enjoy.
It takes Marie over a week to set up.
Each piece is displayed perfectly and so life like.

Young and old alike marvel at the wonderful buildings.
It is truly spectacular at night with all the lights glowing
and
 the music playing in the miniature village of
WhitmanVille!

Marie designs and creates Theater dolls among other French inspired dolls and designs.
You can find her on etsy

Her BLOG  Creations by Marie Antoinette and Edie Marie is co authored with Sherry from Edie Marie's Attic also on etsy
Sherry designs and creates upcycled treasures
along with offering vintage items from the 30's.
Stop by and say hello!

Thank you for visiting today.
I am working each day to get by to see each of you.
I missed you bunches while away
but
taking some time off to regroup
and
reconnect with life unplugged
was
just what I needed.

Now it's back to reality 
and
routines.
However I am approaching the new year
with more simplicity.
De-cluttering the busyness of life,
setting new priorities for creativity
and
most important
Letting Go and Letting God.

Along with a few room redos too. 
You didn't think I wouldn't have decorating to do, did you??

Oh it feels so good to start anew.

Thanks for stopping by 
Good Fences.

See you next time with lots more!!

Joining






Celeste
xo

***Just a note about the google thingy***
Here is what I read on several blogs along with the report on line from blogspot.
You may remember I included this in a post several weeks ago
about followers disappearing from our google friends connect gadget.
More will fall off as of Jan 11th google friends will be dropped for anyone with
followers not having a google account or certain email addresses.
Time to add bloglovin or just go with google plus I suppose.
You can always follow by email but that may mean a clogged inbox.

Anyway,
Here is the info. below.

We announced the retirement of Google Friend Connect for all non-Blogger sites. We made an exception for Blogger to give readers an easy way to follow blogs using a variety of accounts. Yet over time, we’ve seen that most people sign into Friend Connect with a Google Account. So, in an effort to streamline, in the next few weeks we’ll be making some changes that will eventually require readers to have a Google Account to sign into Friend Connect and follow blogs.


As part of the plan starting the week of Jan.11th, 2016 we’ll remove the ability for people with Twitter, Yahoo, Orkut or other OpenId providers to sign in to Google Friend Connect and follow blogs. At the same time, we’ll remove non-Google Account profiles so you may see a decrease in your blog follower count.


We encourage you to tell affected readers (perhaps via a blog post), that if they use a non-Google Account to follow your blog, they need to sign up for a Google Account, and re-follow your blog. With a Google Account, they’ll get blogs added to their Reading List, making it easier for them to see the latest posts and activity of the blogs they follow.

We know how important followers are to all bloggers, but we believe this change will improve the experience for both you and your readers.

Posted by Michael Goddard, Software Engineer




65 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

Glad you had such a fun time with your friend, he lives in a magical place. Hugs, Valerie

Andrea Ostapovitch said...

Your friend has such a wonderful place, it really is incredibly beautiful. That albino peacock is amazing. Oh, and I should mention that I'm quite envious of that village.
I lost an enter camera full of photos as well. Our entire Christmas Eve and Day was completely erased. Very sad. There will be less pages in the 2015 scrapbook.

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

What a beautiful place your friend and her husband live in. So peaceful and natural. Glad you had such a wonderful time together.

FlowerLdy

Sue Kosec said...

Lucky you. Lucky Marie.

Glad your travels were safe - even in nasty weather.

Happy New Year
xo
SuZeQ

Jan Hermann said...

Sounds like you had a terrific time away...visiting your friend and finding fences. I love Marie's Village!

I learned M-I-double S-I-double S-I-double P-I. I like your saying better, it's cuter.

Enjoy getting into the swing of things in 2016!

Hugs,
Jan ♥

ps...I don't want to get back into using Google Plus...actually I'm not using it at all! So if Connect falls off...I already have BlogLovin' on my sidebar...and I have my Blog List. My Blog List is the way I follow everyone I really want to follow anyways. :)

Anonymous said...

Hello Celestina! Welcome back it's good to see you again! It looks like you had a wonderful vacation. The peacocks are just marvelous!! How I would love to see them in person. I'm sure they were just beautiful to admire. Best wishes for a Happy New Year!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

How wonderful to spend the holidays with this sweet lady. I would love to see her Christmas village. Happy New year my friend. Hugs, Diane PS hope you got a new camera from Santa!

Sherry @ Thrift My House said...

Looks like you had a nice visit. It sounds like you were visiting me... we have a similar set up with peacocks, chickens and such... The Christmas village is amazing! I set one up and it takes me a long time with just a few houses; I couldn't imagine setting that one up! I'm sorry for the death of your camera.. does that mean a new one? I can relate to all of your new year goals! They sound like mine. Happy Thursday!

Ana Love Craft said...

Beautiful photos!! Peacful place!
Wishing you a year full of creativity and fun projects!
Hugs and love from Portugal,
Ana Love Craft
www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

What a wondeful time for you and your hubby to get away, Celeste! Marie's property looks so peaceful and serene, and I always see beauty in leafless trees because of their sillouettes. It sounds like you had a relaxing time to refresh. Marie's Christmas village must've been such a delight to see in person. I loved seeing your pic with Marie and with your sweetheart. Happy New Year, sweet friend. xxoo

Claudia said...

Hi Celeste,
lovely, you are back with wonderful Fences :O))
and glad, you had such a lovely time with your friend!
Sending love, hugs and blessings for a wonderful weekend ahead, my sweet friend!
Claudia xo

Anonymous said...

What a great way to start the year off. Seems like the perfect holiday trip.
Love to see pictures of friends.
I'm right there with you, off to simplifying yet again...and creating...and decorating. :)
Happy New Year again, friend.
xo

Julie's Lifestyle said...

Hello Celestina,
I'm so glad you went away and had a great time away visiting with you friend during the holidays. I enjoyed looking at the photos you were able to take. Wishing a nice weekend.
Julie xo

Dorthe said...

Such a very beautiful visit Celeste, your friend lives in a most beautiful spot, and her surroundings are very lovely.
Everything there looks big and majestic !!
Thank you for the Google report about blogging and Friends Connect , I`m a google Crome, but have many friends whom are not googler`s and they might not be able to visit me anymore, of which I`m sad. Sometimes I understand that many are leaving blog-land to only post on FB.
Sending you winter wishes, and hugs.
Dorthe

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year Celeste !
Mary's property looks great and beautiful with all these trees and birds. I visited her etsy shop. She also makes amazing creations.
Have a nice day. Helene

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

How so very beautiful...can't imagine living on a gorgeous piece of property like that and seeing those fabulous peacocks every day!....So glad you had a wonderful visit with Marie!! Happy New Year!

Kim said...

It sounds like you had a wonderful holiday break and a lovely visit. We had a friend who owned peacocks long ago and I always thought they were the neatest animals! How fun!

Unknown said...

Celestina Marie, What a mesmerizing and inspirational trip!
Happy New Year!
LJ

Breathtaking said...

Hello Celeste!:) Looks like you and I are in the same boat with our lifeless cameras, but you managed to take some lovely photos of your friends place.It's gorgeous, and I'm glad you got to spend quality time with her. She is a very talented lady,...love the village, and the photo of her, and the one of you and your hubby.:)

Curtains in My Tree said...


Oh I have seen Marie's theater dolls before and her blog.
She has so much great talent
I love seeing her peacocks, I think they are the most beautiful bird and love their tail feathers LOL

Lisa said...

It's always fun to spend time with a cherished friend! And what a gorgeous place to spend time in! So fun!

craftyles said...

Such a beautiful place and lucky you to get to visit. I'm so glad you had a great time and made it home safe and sound. Great picture of both of you. I love the white peacock. Happy New Year, Dear!

Christine said...

Welcome back, Celeste, it's great to hear & see that you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with loved ones!
You friend lives in a very pretty spot with all those animals it must be so good!
The village is incredible & how fantastic that it is open for all to admire!
Happy new year!

Rose L said...

Looks like a wonderful place and you so enjoyed it. I do remember the Mississippi spelling rhyme!!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Glad you had a a wonderful time away. Thanks for info,I did not know that.

Karen@Southern Gal Meets Midwest said...

So glad you & your hubby got time away with your dear friend. What a fabulous piece of property they have! I remember the Mississippi rhyme very well :) Thanks for sharing your pics with us and have a
Happy New Year!
Karen

Alessandra said...

Beautiful pictures and what a peaceful place to live! Marie's village is fabulous. Thanks for the info.
Hugs
Alessandra

Roosterhead Designs said...

Oh my Celeste, I am So Glad you got to have that Christmas gift of a visit to your friends property! What a blessing and how fun too! Loved the pics you were able to post~
Thanks for sharing! Blessings to you, Karen O

Row homes and Cobblestones said...

Celeste beautiful, beautiful photos and WOW a 10 hour drive, but it seems to was to a magical place embraced by loving friendship. The miniature town scape which BTW is amazing reminded me of a scene in Beetlejuice. I fixated on the minature town and the hanging grain wheat bulbs - just magical.

Confession time, I have turned to only using my iPhone for photographs. John used to a photo nut and we have incrediable camera's but I find I am content with my iPhone with Bunny ears case. Ya know Celeste the bunny ears give you better reception. OK so I'm in a goofy funny mood today,

Welcome back to posting sweet friend - you've been missed.
xoxo,
Vera

TexWisGirl said...

her place is divine! love the gazebo and oriental pagoda, especially! sorry your camera decided to expire during your trip! your friend looks like a sweetheart and her village is really neat.

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

Wow what a wonderful place to visit! I love seeing peacocks though I can do without the noise they make! Too bad about your camera.
I'm sitting here scratching my head trying to understand Bloggers logic behind this new move. I wonder if this is some kind of security thing. It just seems like they're trying to corner the market and get more people signed up with Google.

Creations by Marie Antoinette and Edie Marie said...

Thank you Celeste, for the most wonderful post. And thank you to all of Your friends in Blog land for the most wonderful comments...Bill laid down new gravel after ya'll left. It was such a muddy mess...We loved your visit and wish you both to come back any time. I know the village took a lot of time ,but it sure was a joy to share the last nite it was opened with my new family. I was sooo happy that you were here. It seems unreal that Sherry was here for the grand opening and you were here for the closing...WOW !!!You can tell your friends you can Google or Face Book WhitmanVille, for more pics. of the village, and any info. .
Thank you all again,
May this New Year bring all of you peace, Love, and Happiness,
Marie Antoinette

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Dearest Celeste, good afternoon! I am very late....back to school this week you know! I am SO EXCITED to see that you know and visited MARIE! YES! Do you know that Edie Marie and Marie Antoinette were my first two blogger friends way back eight years ago now? What a joy to meet up with individuals with whom you correspond and share. I am glad to hear you had a great time! Batten down the hatches my friend...I hope the El Niño doesn't effect your area...MUCH LOVE!

Anonymous said...

Hi Celeste! Oh, I'm sure you had such a wonderful visit to your friend's place. Such a lovely place and to see those peacocks! Her village looks amazing and she looks so sweet.
Hope you're doing well and Happy New Year.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Ida said...

Wow your visit with your friend Marie looked wonderful. They live in such a lovely area with yes, lots of good fences. I also loved the peacocks. - She does have an amazing Christmas Village and that is so cool that she shares it with the entire town. - So very sorry to hear of your camera's demise. I hope it gets fixed soon or you get a new one as I'd hate to miss your lovely photos. - Happy New Year.

White Lace and Promises said...

I'm sure you found a bit of peace and tranquility here. What a lovely place.

Rose said...

I'll say that is the perfect place to live! And I bet that 'village' is amazing to see.

Creations by Marie Antoinette and Edie Marie said...

My favorite fences are Marie's fences! Her place is so wonderful isn't it? I'm so happy you had a great time, I knew you would! Her village is so amazing!! I was in awe. She's so generous to display it for her town to enjoy. Love your pics Celeste and you & your sweet hubby look so fabulous. And what a great photo of Marie with her village! Happy New Year to you and yours -
Love, Edie

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Your friend lives in a beautiful place! So nice to see the pretty grounds and beautiful peacocks. Her Christmas village must have been amazing to see! Lovely to spend the holiday with a treasured friend. Hope your New Year is off to a wonderful start, filled with blessings. Hugs xo Karen

Donna said...

Hi Celestina
Wow, what a wonderful trip you both had! I am so glad you were able to visit with Marie (love the photo of you two!!). Her home and property sounds amazing! Just look at all of those pretty peacocks! What a shame your camera decided to die!! Marie sounds like alot of fun, and must be so creative. Loved the pic of you and Larry, too! Geez, why won't Google just leave well enough alone? Seems like they are always changing what was once a good thing. Nothing like adding to our confusion and frustration with Blogger, right?! Looking forward to all of your projects in the works!!

Cynthia said...

Celeste where to begin with this? The Peacocks, gazebo, wishing well, the beautiful fence. Then you take us to see that amazing village that Marie shares with her town. What a wonderful thing and amazing collection. Love it!!

Cindy

Jill said...

So many great pictures here! Looks like you had an amazing time with a very talented friend :-) Happy new year!!

Blessings,
Jill

Createology said...

This post is a wealth of goodness and beauty and serenity. Marie's Village is amazing and what a generous gift to share it with the entire town and people. Lovely landscape and fences and Koi Pond and gazebo. I LOVE Peacocks and have seen the white ones in full fan display looking like ethereal Peacock Angels. Great beginning to 2016 and it will be an amazing year dear...

decorayadora said...

HolaCelestona , tu amiga vive en un hermoso lugar , preciosas fotos ,,espera que tenga un buen resto del dĂ­a
Cariños

Anna said...

Marie lives in a beautiful place !!!
Happy New year for you, your family and her !!!
Big Hug !!!
Anna

Conniecrafter said...

So good to hear you had such a wonderful time away and visiting with friends. It looks like a fun place to get away too and watching all the wild life, how fun!! Sorry you had problems with your camera but you still manage to get some great pics! That Christmas village is just amazing and what a wonderful thing for your friend to share with her community, I can only imagine what that must be like.
Wishing you all the best in the year ahead!!

quakerhillfarm said...

Hugs to you for the new year! What a beautiful post with so many pretty pictures! It is so nice to reconnect with friends. Have a great week, Lynn

handmade by amalia said...

A happy post, Celeste. I enjoyed catching up with all your news. Happy 2016, hope it's a good one.
Amalia
xo

Daniela said...

Hi joyful Celeste !
This place is truly amazing and wonderful to live in, isn't it ?
I'm charmed by Mary's village too, it's really big and incredibly special, thank you for sharing so many beautiful things, not last the photographs of you together with your dear ones, my lovely lady!
Have a blessed end of your week,
sending dear love to you
Daniela

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

So glad that you had a wonderful visit with your friend Marie. Everything is so beautiful there and all the lovely fences she has.

Her Village is stunning - WOW, It takes me a good day just to do my little one.

Great picture of you and your honey.
Have a wonder 2016, looking forward to all your wonderful posts.
Hae a terrific weekend.
Hugs dear friend,
Mary

Crissi said...

Your friends living in an idyllic spot - beautifully.
Have a blessed wonderful weekend
Hug Crissi

Cathy @ My 1929 Charmer said...

Glad to see you back and it sound/looks like you had a wonderful time. Loved the photo of you and your hubs....Happy New Year may it be a blessed one!

Joy Junktion said...

What lovely fences and open spaces in Mississippi! It sounds as though you truly enjoyed your time away. It is something we all need from time to time. The holidays are the perfect time to do just that! Enjoy a wonderful weekend! Blessings, Cindy xo

Feral Turtle said...

What a wonderful place to be!!! You really did get some gorgeous pics of her place. Looking forward to a wonderful 2016 with you and your fences!!! Happy New Year.

Debbie said...

It looks like you had a wonderful trip, and such a fun time with your friend, Celestina. She is a talented lady!!!
Looking forward to 2016 and what's in store for us in the coming days.
Blessings.
Debbie
xo

Tina said...

Hi Celestina,
What a beautiful place to get away too, and live; your friend is very blessed. Maries' Christmas village is wonderful! Thank you for sharing and for stopping by.

Happy New Year!

AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNa said...

What a beautiful place to get away to! If that is the ugly time I wonder what the beautiful time looks like!! Going over to visit the links. Thanks for the info on Google too!

Red Rose Alley said...

Yes, I remember that funny little saying in school. What a fun time you had in Mississippi. You saw a dear friend, and got to spend some time with nature at the same time. I really like this picture of your friend standing next to her Christmas village. And what a grand village it is. You look so cute in this picture with your husband, Celestina.

I hope the new year is being good to you so far. Oh, thanks for the heads up about google friend connect. I was wondering, can someone still follow our blogs if they have a gmail acct? It all sounds so complicated.

love, ~Sheri

Mrs. W. said...

Hello,

What a lovely place your friend has. It is nice that you were able to enjoy the peace and quiet of the country for Christmas.

What a treat for all those people who get to enjoy Marie's Christmas village!

Marie has some spectacular doll creations! It must keep her very busy.

I am sorry to see Google making it so that friend connect is not available to everyone. I really do not like Google plus. I hope that they don't make it so that you have to have Google plus to keep blogging.

Loved seeing all your pictures of your holiday at your friend's home. Thanks for sharing them.

:)Hope

Red Rose Alley said...

Oh Celestina, I didn't realize this was Marie from blog land. Marie and Edie have been sweet blog friends for years. They are both such talented ladies. Isn't it fun to see our blog friends in person? I've met only one. She owned a vintage shop in So Cal and I used to go in there all the time.

love, ~Sheri

Art and Sand said...

Marie lives in a gorgeous setting even if she thinks it's the ugly time.

Thanks for the info about google friends changes.

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

Dearest Friend,
So wonderful to catch up with you again-Christmas and all of the comings and goings seems to have accelerated time!
Oh goodness, but what a joy to see you back, looking wonderful and vibrant as always.
What a joyful journey you had on this outing and the scenery is lovely.
My husband is from Mississippi and I always love to visit his family and walk among the Cypress Trees, Tall pines and enjoy some of the great food too!
Happy New Year, dear one!
xo
Jemma

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Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

Spending time with friends is always precious, and what a beautiful time you had! Enjoyed the pictures of Marie's home, such joy to have such beautiful surroundings to enjoy! How sad about your camera! Have a blessed and wonderful day! :)

romance-of-roses said...

So glad I stopped by today, I so enjoyed your trip to visit your friend Marie. What a lovely place, so peaceful and so beautiful. Friends are special in our lives and I know you left part of your heart with her. Blessings

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Celestina Marie
Celestina Marie

Welcome To Rose Garden Market from Celestina Marie Design. It is so nice to meet you. My name is Celestina Marie named after my grandmother and my friends call me Celeste.My creative journey extends over 30 years enjoying the love of painting and redesigning vintage and new treasures. I love to go treasure hunting and the fun of finding great vintage pieces to redesign..