Friday, December 3, 2010
Italy: A Summer Dream
Standing side by side to the large stone walls, encircled by thousands of age of history, I set up myself reasoning that IT was almost dreamlike. The shot had A surreal quality, almost as if I were list on A set of A Hollywood movie. Even at once when I analyze the photographs we took I can't rudder the belief that IT was zero more than associate degree elaborate faery tale.
This time period my wife, daughters and I took the repeal of A lifetime to Italy with poodle in Rome, Florence, Sienna, Venice, Cremona, and Verona. We visited then many wonders IT is intemperate to trace them all.
How does digit adequately trace the reverence of walk-to into St. Peter's Basilica with its sailplaning ceilings near twenty stories from the floor? What run-in can public transport the sweetheart of the brevi Fountain Beaver State the canals of Venice specked with gondolas and their disclosure gondoliers? Where fanny anyone perceive the run-in to impart the richness of Michelangelo's David Beaver State Sistine Chapel?
Italy is habitation to then many sightly works of art, such stunning architecture, so much gorgeous landscapes I fanny only tennis stroke to my primary thought that our pitfall felt reckon a wakeful dream.
Around every incarnation of the maze-like alleys of Rome we would distinguish another undreamed of piazza carry through with associate degree enchanting geological formation or proud sculpture. Everywhere we revolved in Rome we would chance on remnants of senior citizen times; fashionable one spittle alley we came set up a digit three-foot-high pedestal. On it, incised in alveolar and weatherworn stone was A single, shod foot; apparently the soul remnant of A once one thousand statue. Reminders of the erstwhile glorious government were many; the ruins of the Forum, the Coliseum, the Pantheon, haphazard fragments of statues and fountains.
Our travel took United States of America to Florence where the streets were filled merchants displaying mult leather goods element bargain prices. We visited the Academia Gallery where we marveled element the sweetheart of Michelangelo's David. The liber seemed to assume a time period of its own, the part so meticulous. We walked among the statues of the Piazza della Signora, the plant of Donatello, Bandinelli, and Ammanati. We explored the alleys for obscure treasures and were rewarded with A tiny yield and grocery store stand where we bought astonishing olive oil, dinero and parmigiano-reggiano cheese. Later, element the hotel, we smacked connected our perceive with spectacles of husky Chianti equally we reminisced roughly the day's discoveries.
Venice was A delight that was for likewise short-lived. We soul had digit day to understand this bedewed of the Adriatic Sea, and what A day IT was! Our sojourn included A tour of the Doges Palace with its Golden Staircase, contextual matter filled suite where every rampart and cap were snowy with undreamed of art, the Bridge of Sighs - called for the size of prisoners equally they expression Venice for the live on time ahead being thrown and twisted in the dungeons - and the claustrophobic dungeons. We visited of Venice's renowned glass merchants, their wares twinkle and glossy and we browsed the sightly mask-maker shops.
The Latvian language of the City is every last encompassing. As we strolled the alleys we could discover someone practicing for associate degree opera, her means carried along the straight passages down to whispering one moment, so rising to A crescendo the next. Graceful Bridges spanned the canals, to each one more adorned than the next. We rode A gondola, the beater singing equally he needle like out the homes of Casanova and Marco Polo, the discolor hull flight through the all the same waters.
Our pitfall ended a great deal too soon, simply the wonderment of the sights we expression and the imperishable romance of Italy all the same lives inside us. We bear vowed to tennis stroke and spend more metre in the Tuscan cities of Florence and Sienna. Our long whist long to spend more metre exploring the canals and islands of Venice. We Crataegus oxycantha have woken from this dream, simply the memories linger. Soon we intent return, presently we intent dream again.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Wedding
Most people can agree that Christmas is a magical time of the year. The soft glow of countless Christmas lights, the twinkling of tinsel and ornaments, and the smells of freshly-baked cookies resurrect memories of the past and make us children again. We want everything to be perfect on Christmas morning, especially with the centerpiece of our celebrations: the tree. We carefully plan out all the decorations that will accent our Christmas tree, from the tree topper to what gift wrap and bows to use on the presents underneath. One essential part of a Christmas tree, though, that is sometimes overlooked is the tree skirt. Not only does a Christmas tree skirt cover your tree's unsightly stand but a tree skirt also can be a beautiful backdrop for all your Christmas gifts. Thus, choosing the right kind of skirt for your Christmas tree and your family will make your tree even more memorable.
One option that makes Christmas tree skirts extra special is personalization. Whether you choose to buy a personalized tree skirt for yourself and your family or purchase one for a special friend or loved one, these tree skirts offer you the chance to put a personal touch on a holiday that sometimes feels much too commercialized. Here are three e-tailers that caught my eye when I was considering purchasing a personalized Christmas tree shirt for myself and my family this year:
E-tailer #1: Personalized Presents, Inc. (www.personalizedpresents.com)
Personalized Presents, Inc. offers a number of traditional quilted and embroidered Christmas tree shirts (i.e., manger scenes, snowmen, and Christmas tree designs). This e-tailer, however, also sells a number of unique tree skirts (i.e., colorful polka dots and purple velvet). The Christmas tree shirts are made out of a variety of lush, high-quality materials and are priced from $38.00 to $190.00. Each tree skirt has the option to add a name or wording with the first several characters free. (The number of free characters depends upon the specific tree skirt. Additional characters cost $.60 a piece. The buyer also has a number of other personalization options. He or she can choose (completely free of charge) from a wide assortment of fonts, as well as a number of colors, for the embroidery on his or her tree skirt. Personalized Presents, Inc. further offers gift wrap options for various occasions (i.e., wedding, birthday, Christmas) for an extra $5.00 fee. Finally, this site sells Christmas stockings (which also can be personalized) that match some of the company's Christmas tree skirts.
One of the advantages of this site over many others that sell personalized Christmas tree skirts is that it now accepts PayPal, in addition to American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa. Yet, Personalized Presents, Inc. also has a significant disadvantage. This e-tailer has tree skirts that come in many diameters between 41" and 56" (which are not clearly marked except in individual item description). Unfortunately, though, most of them have a diameter of 48".
E-tailer #2: Besigns Company (www.givethebest.com)
Besigns Company, in contrast, offers over 30 unique Christmas tree skirts. These tree skirts also come in a variety of materials, such as wool, velour, and silk, with a vast array of traditional and modern embroidered and/or applique designs. One of the most noticeable features about this site's Christmas tree skirts is that they come in many different shapes from round to hexagon to scalloped. Besigns Company also offers a broader range of sizes than Personalized Presents, Inc. This e-tailer's tree skirts come in a number of sizes from 33" to 60" for full-sized Christmas trees and 15", 20" and 22" diameters for smaller trees. The price range for these tree skirts is $27.00 to $345, and the buyer may choose to have his or her family name embroidered on the skirt in one of a few color options at no extra charge. Up to four extra words can be embroidered on the skirt for an extra fee (starting at $5.00 per word), and gift wrapping is available for most items. Regrettably, this e-tailer only accepts major credit cards (American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa) as payment.
E-tailer #3: PersonalizedMall.com (www.personalizedmall.com)
This e-tailer only offers four different Christmas tree skirts. The first one (snowflakes) is 56" in diameter and made of red and white velvet. The other three are 47". One is red and green velvet. The last two out of dark green/light green felt (Santa Claus) and red/light green felt (snowman). The larger skirt is priced at $69.95, while the other three are $59.95 each. Finally, the buyer is not given a color choice for the embroidery and can only choose up to 20 characters (which are still free). Nonetheless, this site also offers some decent advantages. First, PersonalizedMall.com has a number of other products (i.e., stockings and ornaments) that can be personalized and that would go beautifully with these tree skirts. Moreover, this site offers a preview tool that allows you to see how the personalized product will actually look with the characters you choose, allowing you to pick the best wording to personalize your tree skirt.
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