The stories of my life on a little island in the middle of the Mediterranean sea ... and my occasional adventures beyond these shores.

Wednesday 19 August 2015

A chat with La Contessa

Blogging is a strange thing. It starts as a solitary pursuit but, over time, connections are made and friendships develop. It is the 21st century’s version of pen-pals. So it was a pleasant surprise when Elizabeth, aka La Contessa, contacted me while I was on vacation in the US.
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Anybody who reads Elizabeth’s blog, The Vintage Contessa, knows that she is exuberant and larger than life. But she is also one of the sweetest people in the blogosphere and always leaves the nicest comments. She also has the most soft-spoken, sing-song voice that I’ve ever heard. Those that know me well will tell you that I am quite shy, but speaking to Elizabeth about the adorable Banksy (her son’s miniature pig), soon  put me at ease. So thank you Contessa, for taking the time to have a chat with me. I am sure that one day we will make it to California, especially since visiting all fifty US states is on my bucket list, and I’ve only made it to eight.
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Now those of you that live in the area would do well to visit Blue Door Antiques as our favourite Contessa has set up shop there and she has a plethora of lovely, vintage items for sale. I fell in love with some white wicker chairs but, alas, it would be too expensive to ship them half way across the world.
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Speaking of US states, Missouri is the one I get to visit most, since my husband is from the northern part of that state, from a sleepy little town in the middle of vast cornfields at the edge of the seemingly endless Mississippi – the river that goes on forever. It is quiet, peaceful and relaxing here – the perfect getaway.
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This is Mark Twain country, just 45 minutes away from Hannibal, the author’s boyhood home. I find it fascinating to wake up in the morning and find humming birds hovering at the bird-feeder. And, although many people consider them to be pests, I love the cheekiness of the wild rabbits hopping around peoples’ yards and getting up to mischief.
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There’s not much to do around here – which is just as well – because there are times when I feel an overwhelming need to shut down and forget everything. Forget that in this overwhelmingly huge country there are cities teeming with millions of people. Forget that thing called work. Forget, forget and fall into a pleasant reverie, until the distant rumble of the freight train carrying coal to some destination unknown gently nudges me out of my dream-like state to the calming serenity of  rural America.
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P.S THE BLUE DOOR ANTIQUE SHOP is located at 321 N.L Street,
Livermore, California 94551.
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Location: Canton, Missouri, USA

17 comments:

  1. I took a really long long break from blogging too and it took a bit of coaxing from a far away friend for me to just get back in it.

    Glad to see your beautiful pictures and read your thoughts again!

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    1. Glad you're back Icy. I miss your beautiful photos.

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  2. Love your post Loree - the scenes look very relaxing - sounds like you had a great holiday! How nice to have the American connection. I have yet to visit America but I am looking forward to it!

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  3. There are some beautiful places in the midwest!

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  4. CANTON, MISSOURI!!!!
    I was in CANTON, OHIO this summer!!!!!!!!!
    What a LOVELY POST ALL ABOUT ME!IT was so much fun to connect with you by phone........and YES YOU must come to CALIFORNIA!I am a MOTHER of TWO grown BOYS but I adore little ones.......bring him to SAN FRANCISCO and you guys could do the MISSIONS up and down the coast!Also, LAKE TAHOE would be a special place to see.North of me three hours.Then there is YOSEMITE 3 hours EAST!Something to ponder.................over the next year or two!
    You must come meet BANKSY In person.........my SONS TEA CUP piggy is now 40 pounds.............how big will he grow is the question now!THANK YOU for writing about me!One of your readers came over and left a lovely comment so I knew something was UP over there in MALTA on the blog!!!!!This is FUN stuff.........having friends through the blogsphere and finally connecting!!!I can only imagine how it would be in person!BEWARE I Tend to shriek a tad and then a few tears will pop out!!!ALL for the JOY of meeting up!MALTA is on my BUCKET LIST .............so there is a good chance WE will meet!XX

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    1. It seems like there are lots of Cantons in the US :) Yes I really do think we need to visit California some day. Or maybe we can meet up here if you visit Malta one day.

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  5. I forgot to tell YOU that the white wicker chairs SOLD on TUESDAY!AS well as TWO of the THREE BATMAN BUTTONS!!!!!!!SO< NOT Meant to BE!I will continue shopping and sharing as I find the good STUFF!XX

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  6. Loree - I will check out La Contessa's site. Your pictures of our country are awesome. It must seem like when you leave your lovely Island of Malta that you have come to such a different place here. That is so wonderful that you and your blogging friend were able to chat. Hopefully I will get that opportunity with you as well when you visit again. I would so love it. Have a great day. Hugs!

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    1. I would enjoy chatting with you too Debbie.

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  7. Isn't La Contessa beyond wonderful? I consider her a very good friend - and I am very fortunate to be able to do so - even though we have never met!! She has brought so much happiness into my life and her kindness, her generosity is something I never take for granted. If I know her, you will be getting some sort of little gift even on the other side of the earth in Malte!
    And I loved seeing these soothing photos that reminded me of parts of Ohio where I grew up. I could feel the quiet.
    Gros Bisous,
    Heather

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    1. Yes she IS. It is so easy to make friends with her. I did not know that you grew up in Ohio. I've never visited that state yet.

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  8. Oh, I love La Contessa. I also met her through blogging. Her voice is a beautiful happy tinkle. I'ts always so much fun when she calls. She's my Auntie Mame! So you live in Malta. I know nothing about Malta so I will have to read more of your blog. I love your photos of Missouri. That's real America. Nice to meet you. Sandra Sallin

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    1. Hi Sandra, nice to meet you too. I love Missouri because it's very green in summer - unlike Malta.

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  9. I live in the midwest US and find it fascinating that someone from Malta would find it appealing - but then again, why not? - we always think somewhere else in the world is more interesting than where we live! Lovely photos as always, Loree xoxo

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Thanks for stopping by. I read and appreciate every one of your comments. I will do my best to reply whenever I can.

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