Stampin Stresss Away with Carole'Anne

A happy new year wish from Mexico

Good morning to you all my blogging friends
I realize its been a while!
Christmas came and went - it certainly was a memorable one for us!
Then Boxing Day which is December 26 we got to leave the cold and all of our worries behind to spend some family time together in Mexico
It's been an amazing week thus far
Doing a lot of nothing. Just what this chick needed
A recharge if you may
The Internet has been a hit and miss here and so I was not able to post for you!
However let me take this moment with Internet - my IPad and a warm deck with the sound of the ocean in the background to wish you all a very happy new year!
As I sit here at 3:55am on this beautiful Thursday I look forward to a new year!
I have included just a few photos here today!
The first photo is of Woody and Renée enjoying a fresh coconut
The second photo is cute
It's Evan Renée and Woody as they pull her out of the sand after Evan Kayla and Woody had made her into a sand mermaid he he
The third photo is of myself with Evan and Kayla on our first day here
The 4 th photo is New Years dinner
Always hard to get a photo of all of us he he!
The last photo I am sharing is of Renée Woody and Kayla enjoying pool time
The resort is very beautiful as is the beach and grounds!
Even yoga at 7:oo am that I have had the pleasure to attend!
Most of all though to be honest it's really the gift of time I have with my very precious family that really counts
It's really just so special to me!
I am truly grateful to get to spend true quality time together!
I am goin to close this post with a very thankful happy heart and extend a wish for you all to have the best year ever!
I thank u for hanging with me thru these past few months of missed posts
Ill be making a new announcement come Tuesday January 8th!
I am sending you all a big embossed hug
From me
Carole'Anne Sluchinski
AKA Stampin Stressaway

last day for Blog Candy and highlights from Italy

Good day to you all

it's Friday

ouh la la what a week it has been

whow it flew by and I will say it was a GREAT week

I loved being back at work and how busy my little office is

so super duper HAPPY

I cannot ask for more

I managed to get all my work accomplished

I managed to be the camp cook with a fair amount of planning (yhe for me lol)

I managed to do all the laundry from holidays and house

 I have been able to live in the renovation process house (yhikes this is not that easy for me he he)

soooooo yes the week was a success

now the weekend is upon us

I look forward to playing catch up on the house stuff

and YOGA (woop woop)

so for today I will be posting the last of my highlights from Italy

and you will not have to read about this again LOL

sorry about yesterday friends

but we have internet now and we are off and running yhahhooooo

(goodness my post just dissapeared - I had like 10 photos posted and details of each - sigh)

I don't even remember what I all had

deep yoga breath

here we go friends I am trying this again

so what I think I mentioned was that It's your last chance to win my

special gift from Italy

as BLOG CANDY Today

so please do post a comment

okay here is another start to my details that I share wtih you in my first go around in my post that just dissapeared

this is an hour later from the original post I started he he

I had started whith a photo of our hotel (the second one after our first attempt in Tuscany YHIKES scary lol)

but oh boy this hotel was just beautiful inside and out

we had two bedrooms and two bathrooms

how perfect for us three girls uh?

I just loved the shutters in our room

one of our two rooms

one of two bathrooms

We travelled to Florence and to Ciante for the Wine tasting day

both days amazing

I loved the experience at the Vineyard

even if I am not a wine drinker

ouh la la driving we are driving he he

loved the autostrada

so fun no speed limit woop woop

Walking into the vineyard so beautiful and enviting

We walked the grounds

and it was so breath taking

loved and savoured it all

Renee and I

Kayla and I goofing off he he

Table for three awaits

and so did Oscar he he

too adorable

and let me close off this day with this photo

oh yes it's olive tree

that was a first for me

well so were the grapevines too

he he

on Friday we travelled from Tuscany back to Venice

and we did a stop in Modena to visit a balsamic farm

again way to cool

loved it ( I know I loved it all - I am just super duper excited and honoured to have had this oppertunity)

the entrance to our balsamic experience!

the two oldest vinegars that they make

one take 15 years and the other is 25

they are stored in these barrels and they rotated the the vinegar every year from one barrel to the other

The barrels

one of the barrels she showed us was 150 years old

so neat to see

this is painted in the tasting room

so beautiful

I never knew that they cooked the grapes for two days to make the balsamic vinegar

and that it could be aged for 25 years

and our lunch experience

truly was an experience right Kayla lol

Renee - just looking forward to leaving this restaurant lol

we did not drag our lunch out I'll say

but the building was really neat

so that was cool

the food was good too

he he

This cute little fellow was at the scary restaurant just as you walked in

funny uh?

after lunch we drove the rest of the way back to Venice

we found this fun restaurant for dinner

in Mestre

very good food

and loved their logo too

yhum I could eat that bread with balsmic vinegar and olive oil right now lol

We then headed back to our room for the last night in Mestre

the few hours we had left we strolled the streets

it was neat we came across this market

and it was just so cool to see

the girls were in a hurry to get some last minute gifts lol

our last meal in Mestre before heading to return our rental car and getting on a plane to France

it was a great little restaurant we chose and the food was great

and so was the service

even got to take photos of the pizza making

really really sweeetttt

then we boarded one of many flights

Air France from Venice to Marsaille France

Girls are carrying my bag

they are too cute uh?

we were only in france for less then 24 hours

the view from our room in France

one last photo of France you can see the ocean

soooooooooooooo friends

I have one last photo I will share with you and that will be the closing of Italy

it's the three of us in Venice

and I just love this photo

very few of us three

so I thought I would close with this

and I wanta to thank you for taking the time to share this experience with me

I appreciate all your beautiful comments

and good luck with blog candy friends

I wish you all the BEST weekend ever

and I'll be back Monday woop woop

embossed hug from me

Carole'Anne Sluchinski
AKA Stampin Stressaway

 

Part 1 of a Two day Highlight Italy Post

Good day y'all

so I am thrilled to be back home and back at work

I know I am beyond weird hey??? LOL
But totally love my work and I missed it - I love love love travelling - don't get me wrong - but feels good to be home and working

I got to sleep last night woop woop

I was up for a total of 49 hours by the time I hit the pillow last night at 7:30pm (which was really 3:30am to me)

and boy it Felt GREAT

I slept till 2:00am and got up and started hard at it

you see on top of coming home to a lot of work (thank you Work Angels I love it soooooo)

I am also being a camp cordinator - yhap I am boarding 5 men at my house

while the boys are working locally (ooh la la did I mention thank you Work Angels - yes BOYS ARE WORKING yhahoooooooo)

so yesterday morning by 4:30am (remember on no sleep lol)

I had meatball soup on the stove (oh yes homemade of course he he)

and a Terriyaki roast cooking in the oven

this Morning I have  a huge batch of Italian Spaghettie sauce ready to serve for supper tonight

I cooked 10 pounds of ground beef for my sauce - smells yhummy (oh but I gotta get some groceries)

he he

and I was at my desk cutting decals for 3 trucks that we are decalling on Friday - by 4:30am - hair washed and all oh and that felt great too lol

Oh I know I am way over the top with happiness lol

hey no lack of smiles here and no lack of appreciation for my every moment -

life is good and I savor it all woop woop

okay so today will be part one of two parts for my Italy Highlight posts

I hope you all don't mind

but you know I took 780 photos and only shared like 25 with you

and I missed some special moments that I would like to share with you

and this means that I have extended my deadline for blog candy

you have till Friday now

how sweet is that

oh yes

an ITALIAN BLOG CANDY GIVE WAY YHEEEE!!!!

SOOOOOO

having said that let's get started

This photo is Kayla and I

Renee took the photo as we arrived in Venice

I still feel the excitement as I type this

It was such a precious moment

this is us arriving near Mestre driving in Italy for the first time

oh yes it was an experience

boy did I have fun woop woop

our very firs meal in Mestre Italy

yhum yhum PIZZZAAAAAA

Ahw the beautiful city of Venice

funny story in this city

our Kayla wore beautiful high heels

oh she looked hot but boy oh boy did she have sore feet

especially since we were totally lost - thank you Toronto couple who helped us find our car - so super kind of them

ouh the spaghettie in Venice was so so so gooooddddd

the girls just loved it

After our shopping on Sunday in the city of Venice

we strolled the Mestre area to find a place to have dinner

that was not easy lol

but we did come across this Food Festival and we later found out that it only happens once a year

how cool we got to experience it uh?

oh and Yes Miss Kayla changed her choose (poor girl)

we walked around for at least 1 hour and half

and you will laugh but we ended up eating a Japanese Restaurant LOL
we did sit at a Cafe/bar but they only had snacky foods and we were very hungry as it was like 9:00pm by this time and lunch had been a long ways away

anyways take a look at this next photo and you can giggle along with me hehe

oh yes chop sticks and all in Italy

are you laughing cause I sure am lol

the next day we headed to do some shopping and then took our road trip to Tuscany

the girls had their first taste of Ice Caps in Italy

they were called Coffee cold cream he he

ready to explore the shopping outlet mall

oh my Kayla and Renee loved the Lindt chocolate store

look at this store

whowzers he he

I will leave this post with three photos from our favorite destination

in Tuscany Italy

the hotel and little town of Monticanni and the views were just spectacular

so until Thursday morning I will leave you with

this photo of the 3 of us

not too many of these he he

so friends that will do for me today

I have been at work and doing my post this is why it's so late coming your way

I am on high multi tasking mode lol

been cutting decals out for several hours all ready

hope you have enjoyed by 14 chosen photos for you

hard to decide what to post you know

so many beautiful moments

but sure tried to highlight the best that I could

so for today this is it

gotta leave the office here in about 30min so I have to hurry

I wish you all a very wonderful day

until Thursday keep well and enjoy the day

Embossed hug from me

Carole'Anne Sluchinski

AKA Stampin Stressaway

 

 

 

 

Heading home from our trip today

Good Sunday morning to you my friends
Hope you have all had a great weekend so far
We are on our final leg home today
Yesterday we had a few hours left savour Mestre Venice Italy before we boarded our air France flight to Marsaille France
This will be a short post as I have to get ready and take our first if three flights today
We will leave here arrive in Montreal and then take a second flight to Toronto and off to our final flight to our home province if Alberta
Whow I tell you it's been an adventure that I will forever and ever hold very dear to my heart!
I feel very honoured to have shared these ten days with Renée and Kayla
No words could ever begin to described how very happy this time spent with them travelling has made me sigh
Sorry here's a bit if a description of the photos
After leaving the hotel we went try to get a few last minute gifts
We walked thru a super neat market
Loved that
The girls loved fish smell lol
Kiddin :-))))
We power shopped and Renée did get one gift and so did Kayla
We were super hungry as we had not eaten breakfast yet and it was all ready lunch time so we found a great little place to eat lunch at photo three is the restaurant and a woof doggy bowl did I mention I think this is so adorable?
It was funny
Look at us in photo 3 lol
Good times he he
The 4th photo is the dough they make for the pizza too cool uh
The last photo makes me giggle
The girls had to get one last ice cream at their favourite ice cream shop
Look how cute they are all happy with their cones lol
Anyways I best be getting ready for our 22 hour travel day
I look forward to reading your comments when I arrive in Montreal where we will have free Internet woooooooppppp woooopppp
So please be sure to get your comments in and you may just win some blog candy!!!!
I will not be posting tomorrow friends it will be a very big day to get back in the swing and things and although we gain 8 hours we will have been travelling a super long time and I am sure we will be mighty tired
Soooo until Tuesday when I post my favourite moments of our trip and you will get a last chance to enter my blog candy contest
I wish you all a super happy Sunday
Embossed hug from me
Carole'Anne Sluchinski
Aka Stampin Stressaway

Last day here in Mestre Venice Italy

Good morning
I know it's a late post
Trying to get organized and leave the hotel here in Mestre
We had another super fabulous day yesterday we did a lot if travelling but we did great with Renée's navigation skills and our trusty GPS!!!
We left our hotel yesterday in Montecatini
And headed to modena where they make balsamic vinegar
It was super interesting
Never knew that they made balsamic vinegar from cooked grapes
How cool is that? Also never knew that they age some of the vinegar for 25 years
They also never clean the barrels
It was a great experience to visit the modena balsamic vinegar farm
We then went for lunch ill explain that shortly lol
After that we headed back to Venice
It was about 7:30ish when we found a place to have supper
Another wonderful meal shared with the girls
Special moments right here ill say
Then checked back into Mestre hotel
That was our day
We did over 350 km of travelling
Most on the autostrada and we did alot of tole stations they must make a pile of money
He he
Kayla was in charge of the tole tickets and paying at the stations
Soooooo today we head out to Marsaille France
Then home tomorrow
It's been a dream come true for me to do this trip
I am super happy grateful and appreciative for this special holiday sigh tear joy
Let me give you a quick run down of the photos
The first made me think of baby max
They have these cute little doggy bars in many areas. People here love there dogs much like we do he he
The second photo is at the balsamic farm
Third is in the barrel room where they store the vinegar
One barrel was as old as 150 years old
The fourth photo is me outside the creepy funny ristorante we ate lunch at
More funny stories there the man in there was so a tad scary lol
As per the last photo of Kayla
She was scaaarrrreeeddsd can u tell lol
Shocked up another story lol
Wishing you all a super Saturday
Embossed huge from me
Carole'Anne Sluchinski
Aka stampin Stressaway

Yoga on the beach our own fun Italy

Goooooodddddd morning it's Friday
Usually I am excited for the weekend and always look forward to spending time at home
This weekend I am excited to be here in Italy for one more day then off to France and the home
It's been beyond fun!!!!
We have explored so many different things - such a pleasure to have been here
Yesterday we drove about an hour to the beach
It was a sleepy little town compared to this Tuscan area
But we sure made our own fun!
Nothing like some good belly laughs to make your day memorable lol
That's what we did
Sooooooo at the beach in Italy we did yoga
Oh yes own yoga I believe our instructors may have laughed a ton to watch us
I'll have to share more great photos when we get back - I can only post 5 photos at a time here on my iPad and Internet at this hotel is not free
So for now ill share 5 preview photos
But the fun really started after my camera died - no fear though cause we had a back up plan we used Renée's phone to finish our silly yoga photo shoot
Let me give you a quick description of the pictures
1st photo is our feet on the beach
2nd photo is me trying to do dancers post
3rd photo is Kayla doing the tree pose
4th photo is Renee doing track 4 dancers pose lol yha she is a tad good lol
The last photo is of Renée and Kayla just looking beautiful on west coast beach if Italy
I love this photo!
While on the beach we seen lightning and then it started to rain lol
We ran as fast we can ( and yes them girls are faster then this forty something chick- but I kept up pretty good hehe)
We looked like drowned rats
We made it to a little cafe and had cappuccinos and water and watched the rain come down
We drove back to our hotel area
Oh but we could not quite get into the parking of our hotel
Yet we have done this route for three days now
It seems that we were goin down a one way and well the polizia did not approve lol
Did you know that they gave blue lights lol
He just turned them beautiful blue lights on at me and rolled down my window and he let me know to turn around lol
Then we did several circles to try to make into our parking lot he he
Oh it yes we did - yhap several more giggles right haha
And at this point its still raining so we thought once in the Parking lot (finally) we should go eat lol
So yes after several attempts back to the hotel we drove out to a very neat little cafe near by
We had a beautiful dinner
Sorry will share photos next week
The presentation of the food was so photo worthy
After dinner found our hotel uneventfully and we packed to be ready to head out this morning back to Venice
But on our way we are going to a balsamic vinegar farm really looking forward to that
We have certainly tried many different balsamic vinegar while here and we have discovered our favourites
Today will be fun to see how they make it and what makes that balsamic vinegar so good!!
Sooooooo friends for now ill leave you with a happy Friday wish
Lovin your comments and I thank you for that
Don't forget about my blog candy that ill be giving away next week
Embossed hug from me
Carole'Anne Sluchinski
Aka Stampin Stressaway

Tuscany country side and grapevines

Good Thursday morning to you all
Soooo it's our last full day here in the Tuscany region
We will be driving back to Venice tomorrow on the Autostrada!
This morning I'd like share our wine tasting and vineyard visit
First let me say that it was surreal to be there
Such a beautiful area and amazing experience
The food was fantastic oh of course right lol
Can't go wrong with food here ill tell you
The scenery and the atmosphere was just like you'd see in a movie
We weren't too from from the vineyard to the hotel so that was good
We did not get lost - we did do a bit of a little country side detour lol but our wonderful GSP put us right back on track woop woop
Great navigations Renée!
We are really just having such a out of this world experience with so much laughter and a bunch of fun!!!
Memorable That's for sure
I will always treasure these moments
So now for photo explanation
1 st photo is taken at the entrance of the vineyard - breath taking uh?
The 2nd photo is of the grapevines on the hill side. Their harvest was just over a week ago but we did see some grapes on the vines
3rd photo the grapes so cool uh
So exciting to see that we even seen olive trees just too sweet to experience!!!
I know I am a tad over enthusiastic lol
Always so enthused with everything lol
That's just that crazy side of me love life savour every moment
So thankful grateful and very appreciative for my life!
Oops off track sorry
4th photo is of the three of us Renée Kayla and moi!
We don't have many of those as we have to ask people to take photos of us lol
I do love this one and think its just such a pretty setting
The last photo is Renée and I enjoying the moment you can see all the wine on the table
Let say we did not cost them much for wine lol
We only had like a sip of each kind he he
We are not huge wine drinkers but we just so enjoyed our half day there at the vineyard
Soooo friends goin to sign off
Not sure how much posting the next few days will bring but I'll try
We travel back in our rental car tomorrow to Venice
Saturday we travel by plane to Marsaille France
Sunday we fly from Marsaille to Montreal then Montreal to Toronto and the home
It's going to be a long long day but we gain back our 8 hours we gave up
It's funny cause we leave France at 1:00pm and then arrive in Montreal 3:00pm lol
So for us it will fell like its 9;00pm
We arrive home at 12:00 midnight that will feel like 8:00 am
I'll be ready for work lol
So friends don't forget about my blog candy that I will be giving away next week
Please leave a comment and you could be the winner of a gift from me to you from the beautiful country if Italy
So I wish you a terrific Thursday
Embossed hug from me
Carole'Anne Sluchinski
Aka Stampin Stressaway

Tuscany region beautiful day in Italy

Yesterday was a calmer day!
Much more relaxed
We let Renée sleep in for a while
After all - Monday was quite a day lol
This little town called Montecatini Terme is truly the most quaint area I have yet to visit!
Very very special for me to visit this beautiful country! (Did I ever mention in my blog how very thankful and blessed I feel every day for all the experiences I am given? Let me say I feel utterly grateful )
So after our leisurely morning
We went for lunch a the cutest little cafe(we sat outside and savoured the feel)
Food was out of this world. They make their own pasta and it was just delicious
We got to taste some very yhummy Italian wine. I don't drink but this wine was very very good
We also had a few cappuccinos of course lol
We then drove the county side so we could explore a bit more
We ate at another restaurant for supper and that too was super good as well!
Such amazing food here in Italy lovin it woop woop
I am so enjoying tasting food and trying to think how can I do this at home? Oh I will be coming home with some ideas
Let me me explain the photos real quick as I have to get ready -we are heading to a winery today
I am so looking forward to that
So the first photo is the view from our room window
The second photo is the wine we tried
The third photo is of Renée and Kayla tasting the wine and enjoying the wonderful food we had lots of giggles and just enjoyed our time not rushing about whow so many many special treasured moments
The 4th photo is the big tunnels that I tried to share yesterday lol
The last photo is of Renée- you see even if we are travelling somehow work always comes back into play ( true workaholics lol)
Renée and I are really impressed with the branding of the business logos here in Italy
So we are taking photos of the logos and designs and collecting lots of cool business cards for inspiration
Very very neat
Well friends I better get ready to set out on our tour to the Famous region of Chianti to a local winery and visit its cellars. We will have a light lunch and taste unique wines
I think then we will get back on the road and visit Siena and walk the streets and take in the historic Center
Looking forward to another day of exploring
So friends will leave you for now
Wishing you all a super wonderful day
Thank you for all your comments sorry cannot email back we have to pay for Internet at this hotel so I only am on the internet long enough to post
Buuuuuttttt I AM GOING TO OFFER BLOG CANDY A LITTLE SOMETHING FROM ITALY
So please keep them comments coming!!!
Happy Wednesday
Embossed hug
From me
Carole'Anne Sluchinski
Aka Stampin Stressaway

Tuscany Italy and the adventure continues

Good morning from the Tuscany region of Italy
We sure had an adventure yesterday
We started we a fun little shopping trip to an outlet store - sweet stuff
Then we looked for a lunch restaurant that was a challenge it was there closing time
The ice cream shop owners were fabulous and phoned his buddies down the road and we walked over to his pizzeria
He stayed open late for us
Yhummy bruschetta, pizza lunch and cappuccino- now our tummies were full we were ready to head the road. Our documents said 284 km to our hotel less then 3 hours right oh yha lol
Maybe not he he it was more like a fun 5 hr adventure!!!!! (Just savouring it all truly)
From Venice to Tuscany region
Oh yes it was a ride I'll tell yha many many switch backs and numerous tunnels thru the mountains very very cool experience
We arrived at the Ferrari museum 15 min before they closed sigh
Soooo we thought okay let's see how far our hotel is - oh perfect it's 0km
uh yha don't think that was very accurate lol
Let see this was at 5:45pm
We arrived at our hotel region about 8:40pm
We could not find our hotel we did a little up the mountain and down the mountain detour
All in the adventure right lol we are all really enjoying our Italy trip -the girls took this rather long adventure really well and they were so supportive and we all just worked it( liked what Kayla said good thing we are fairly smart and that Renée navigates that GPS like a pro) lol
Oh wait the story doesn't end here( k we are a tad tired and pretty hungry by this time oh & we needed a washroom real bad lol- cause we hadn't stopped for a bathroom break since Venice he he)
So we finally found our hotel
And well ( remember we have been on the road since 3:15pm) - (we are ready to eat and relax- and holly molly that hotel -hum??? How do I say this nicely-hum??? He he
Oh yes that hotel would not be on top of my list of places to stay lol
It was less then desirable
Thank goodness for a travel agent - thank you Michelle
A phone call and a few texts later we were able to get another hotel
We did have another amazing dinner
Whow food in Italy is so delicious we may come home 12 pounds heavier lol this may be true but we have been doin tones of walking so I guess we are walking off the calories always good right he he
Soooooooooooo
That was Monday
Wonder what Tuesday will bring us uh?
Should be another fun day spent with Renée and Kayla
Have I said how much I love this?!
What beautiful memories that I will treasure forever! So blessed that I have a good business and that I have been able to work my buns off to earn such special moments (my 21 hour day Thursday before I left is truly paying off!)
So i will sign off for the day
Wishing you all a fabulous Tuesday
Embossed hug from me
Carole'Anne Sluchinski
AKA Stampin Stessaway

Second morning and our day 3 from Venice

Good mornin well for me anyways it's 5;47am on Monday mornin
Today we are heading out shopping and the we travel 274km to Tuscany region
We had an amazing day yesterday we walked the many little streets of Venice for hours(all day-so fun)oh yes loved it he he
Poor Kayla wore high heels and she has some very very sore feet
We sure loved exploring this beautiful city
Cute little shops many cafe restaurants just such unique buildings and architecture whowzers!
So surreal
This is just such a beautiful amazing experience so very blessed
Let me just explain the photos real quick and then I must get ready
The first two photos are of the girls and I enjoying the real Italian pizza (our first night here in Mestre)
Sooooo very delicious
Third photo is of the many canals that run in and out Venice so pretty and we had such beautiful weather as well!!
The 4th photo is Renée and Kayla walking over one of numerous bridges over looking the canals
The last photo is taken at a cute little restaurant along the canal that we had lunch at. Real yhum Italian pasta
So far I have to say this trip surpasses any expectations I had of what Italy would be like
So today we shall explore more of this fabulous country
I will try to post tomorrow again
for you all!
To my Canadian friends I wish you a happy thanksgiving monday to the rest of you Happy Monday
Embossed hug from me
Carole'Anne Sluchinski
Aka Stampin Stressaway