It's Show & Tell Friday!

Hello my friends...welcome to "Show & Tell" Friday!

This fun filled Friday event is hosted by Kelli over at There Is No Place Like Home! Thank you, Kelli...for being such a sweet hostess and giving us the opportunity to "Show & Tell" our goodies!

Please go over to Kelli's and see what she has going today and while you're there you can check out all of the other Show & Tell participants!

~~AND~~

It's Pink Saturday!

I didn't think I was going to be able to participate for Pink Saturday this week...until I realized that there is some pretty pink to show in today's post!

Beverly over at How Sweet The Sound hosts this pretty-n-pink Saturday event. Thank you, Beverly! Please stop by Beverly's and see what pink she has goin' on for this Pink Saturday! You will find a list of pink participants over there as well! Don't miss out!!!

European Honeymoon

On June 4th, my honey and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary. I started thinking about the wonderful gift that my husband gave me for a wedding present...a honeymoon in Europe! I haven't really shared much of our European honeymoon on my blog and I have some wonderful photos that I thought you might enjoy!

The first trek of our journey was spent in Switzerland. We spent several days in Zurich and then traveled south into the Central Oberland region of Switzerland through the Swiss Alps...it was absolutely amazing!!! After spending several days in Switzerland, we decided to drive into Germany...into the region known as Bavaria.

2nd Trek of our Journey...

Bavaria and the German Castles

Our destination was the small town of Fussen, Germany. I circled it on the map below. Two very famous German castles are located only about 10 miles from Fussen...

Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles

The drive from Switzerland into Germany was so beautiful! The rolling hills of the German countryside were so lush and green...and so well MANICURED!!! It just amazed me! All of the pasture land seemed to be freshly mowed...it all looked so neat and tidy! In fact, Germany was probably the most tidy country that I've ever seen (as well as Switzerland). We actually saw an elderly German woman down on her hands and knees trimming her grass with a pair of scissors! Can you believe it? Litter was nowhere to be found!!! Bavaria is just breathtakingly beautiful!!!

Another interesting tidbit...

Nearly every roof in Germany or at least in Bavaria where we traveled...was red! I found that to be very interesting. Also, after traveling several days through Switzerland and Germany...I began to notice that there were NO small houses! That's right! They were all really big, multi story homes! It was awesome!!!

The lush green, rolling hills of the Bavarian countryside.


Fussen, Germany

I just loved the quaint little German town of Fussen. It's a bit "touristy" since the famous castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau are nearby, but it was such a pretty little town! The large, steep roofed, multi-story buildings are all painted in pretty pastel colors! Look...pink buildings!!! Happy Pink Saturday!!!


Little ol' me...standing in the town square of Fussen, Germany.

The local pharmacy.

Just look at the Trompe L'Oeil painting on the store front of this old pharmacy...isn't it fabulous? Ooooh...and the colors are so beautiful...peach, blue, and lavender! I would have loved to watch the artist paint this!!!

The Hotel Hirsch

This was probably my favorite hotel that we stayed in while in Europe! It was everything that this little ol' American girl expected a European hotel to be! I believe that the building was quite old...or it appeared to be. Our room was on the second floor. Ohhh, you should have seen the beautiful carved wooden staircase...it was gorgeous! Big wide halls that were filled with numerous German antiques....such as this pretty handpainted armoire that you see below. We found the hotels of Europe to be very accomidating...Hotel Hirsch cost about $90 for a night's stay. Oh my, they really put out a spread for breakfast too...not just a donut and cup of coffee like American motel/hotels do!

A beautiful antique German armoire.

Schloss (Castle) Hohenschwangau

Hohenschwangau was the first castle that we toured. Hohenschwangau means "home of the swan"! Just look at that beautiful yellow ochre color! This castle is fairly new as far as castles go. It was built in the 19th century by King Maximilian II. Hohenschwangau was the official summer and hunting residence of Maximilian, his wife Marie of Prussia and their two sons Ludwig (the later King Ludwig II of Bavaria) and Otto (the later King Otto I of Bavaria).

If you're interested in the history of Hohenschwangau you can click HERE.

*

Just lil' ol' me again. Hehe! Taking a little break from the serious uphill climb.

*

The inner courtyard.

Honey and I at one of the beautiful fountains of Hohenschwangau.

One of the rooms at Hohenschwangau.

I took got this photo off of the internet...we were not allowed to take photos inside the castle. Isn't this beautiful? Look at all of the deep rich colors...very lavish!!! Our tour lasted about an hour...we were able to tour much of this fabulous castle. It was simply divine!!!

The famous Swan Lake...

After touring Hohenschwangau, we took a tour car just up the hill to Neuschwanstein Castle. These two castles are situated very close to one another. Hohenschwangau was the "family" castle. Neuschwanstein was built by Ludwig, the son of Maximilian. Ludwig didn't get very far from his childhood home. Hehe! Of course, we could only ride so far...and there was another long climb to get to Neuschwanstein. I took this photo on our way up to the castle...the view was absolutely breathtaking!!!

In this photo...you can see the yellow ochre colored Hohenschwangau. Swan Lake is located to the left of Hohenschwangau. And yes...this is the very same lake that the famous ballet "Swan Lake" was written about! Isn't that awesome?

*

A view from Neuschwanstein. The famous Swan Lake is on the left side of the photo.

Neuschwanstein Castle

Lots of walking/climbing...whew...we're almost there!

Honey and I stopped at this "look-out" for a photo with Neuschwanstein in the background.

Ahhh...we made it! The front entrance to Neuschwanstein Castle!

*

Ahhh...isn't this regal? Does it look a bit familiar? Sleeping Beauty's castle at Disney was modeled after Neuschwanstein, also the classic children's movie, "Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang" was filmed at this castle!

*

Neuschwanstein means "new swan palace". It was built by Ludwig II (the mad king) in the late 1800's as a retreat and as an homage to the famous composer Richard Wagner, the king's muse! The story is...that the king, after having this magnificent castle built, only lived in it for a few short years before moving back to his childhood home of Hohenschwangau. Ludwig had mental illness and was later declared mentally insane by the government of Bavaria.

*

For more (very interesting) history of Neuschwanstein Castle you can click HERE.

The inner courtyard of Neuschwanstein Castle.

Ohhh my...just lil' ol' me again...I think I'm becoming a nuisance! Hehe!

The following photos have all been taken from the internet. Once again, we were not allowed to take photos inside Neuschwanstein....but I really wanted you to see just how beautiful and regal that this castle is.

Just one of the many waiting rooms.

*

The wall murals and paintings, tapestries, etc. of Neuschwanstein pays homage to the German legends of Lohengrin, the Swan Knight.

Singers Hall.

Another waiting room...you can really see the Legends of the Swan Knights portrayed on the walls in this room.

*

The magnificent...awe inspiring...Castle of Neuschwanstein!!!

Well my friends...I hope you enjoyed the tour through Bavaria and the castles Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein! See...fairy tales do come true!!! I married my "Knight in Shining Armor" and he took me on a honeymoon trip to the castles!!! I'll never forget it for as long as I live!!!

*

I'm so glad that you came by today! Please leave me a comment and let me know that you were here...I love our visits!!!

*

Love ya'll,

Chari

*

*

Tagged...A Trip to the Swiss Alps!


Hello all my blogger friends....I've just been "Photo Tagged" by my dear friend Lynne over at Lynne's Gifts From the Heart! Ooooh...what fun!!! Thank you Lynne for including me in the fun! Okay, here are the rules....

The object of the photo tag are;

1) Choose the 4th folder where you store your pictures on your computer.
2) Select the 4th picture in the folder.
3) Explain the picture.
4) Tag 4 people to do the same.No Cheating! (cropping, editing, etc)!

A Fairytale Come True

In May of 2004, Russell asked me to marry him....we had been together for three years and we decided to make it "official"...hehe! I'm tellin' ya...our story is a "love story" come true!!! One evening after Russell proposed, he asked me if there was any place in Europe that I could go...where would that be? Immediately I replied, "Switzerland"! A girl has to act fast on these kind of matters (wink!)...hehe!!! So, the honeymoon trip was planned and booked! We had the time of our lives planning this trip...where would we go...and what did we want to see? Ohhhh my...there was so much to do and so much to look forward to!!! There was luggage to buy...a wardrobe to plan for....


At last, we were married June 4th, 2005!!! With the "I Do's" behind us, one week later we boarded the plane in Denver and we were on our way to Zurich, Switzerland for our European honeymoon!!! We really wanted to see Europe...to get off of the "touristy beaten path" so we rented a car. We had two weeks in Europe and we wanted to see and do as much as we could! We drove through the countryside of Switzerland, Austria, Germany, France, and Italy! I really do think that I am a woman blessed among women...not only did I marry the love of my life but we were honeymooning in Europe!!! It just doesn't get any better than that!!!

Okay...back to the purpose of this post...hehe!!!
Here is the 4th photo in the 4th photo file in our pictures.

Lil' ol' me in Horw, Switzerland

The first "trek" of our journey:

After playing in Zurich for a couple of days, we decided to take a drive through the Swiss Alps. We drove from Zurich into central Switzerland known as the Oberland. While in Europe, we seen some of the most beautiful scenery but this drive through the Swiss Alps was my favorite!!! It was breathtaking...so picturesque!!! As long as I live, I'll never forget it!!!

As we drove the winding roads...we could see all of these quaint little Alpine villages nestled into the mountainsides. I just couldn't stand it any longer and asked Russell to take me up to one of the little villages...and being the wonderful husband he is...he did just that! The photo above was taken in the village of Horw. We parked the car and walked up the little cobblestone road...all the while I was thinking, how in the world did these people drive this road in the winter when it was covered with feet of snow? Just look at the beautiful homes....the home in the background with it's pretty red shutters was glorious!!!

Below is another photo of one of the homes in Horw. Now this is just how I pictured a home to look in the Swiss Alps...didn't you?

Of course, everything is built on the hillside....just look at the little vineyard that is planted in someone's backyard!

As you can see...the quaint little village of Horw is really built in a valley. It surrounds this beautiful lake! Do you see the sheep in the backyard of this home?

Well, it was time to be on our way! Back to the highway for us...but just look at the picturesque scenery! We were at such a high elevation that the clouds were beside and below us...ohhh my! And just look at the waterfall!!!

*****

***

Another quaint little Alpine Swiss village! This is the village of Diesselbach! Just look at that beautiful blue water! These Alpine lakes were amazing...each of them were the most beautiful shade of blue/green that you could ever imagine! And look at how green the grass is! The Swiss Alps were covered in velvety green grass! If you enlarge this photo, you can see that this little village was built on the edge of a cliff...just look at the lake...everything seems to just disappear behind it!

Our final destination was Interlocken, Switzerland! This town sits right in the middle of the Alps and is very well known for it's skiing! I'll save those photos for another day! I do hope that you enjoyed your little trip through the Swiss Alps! I would love to go back...ahhhh...maybe some day!!!

Now it's time to play "Tag"! As part of the "Photo Tag" rules, I am to tag four more people. Let's play...."Tag, Now you're it!"

1. Mary at Mary's Meanderings

2. Gloria over at Happy To Be

3. Ann at Lifeatannsplace

4. Melissa at Melissa's Heart and Home

Have fun my friends!!!

Love ya'll,

Christmas Greetings from the Lamberts!

Ho...Ho...Ho...and Merry Christmas!!! As the days go by...it's beginning to feel alot like Christmas! Here in Colorful Colorado the weather is cold...there is a skiff of snow on the ground and the cold blustery winds are blowing! I almost hated to open our back door to get this photo...hehe! This was one of those wooden door plaques...I bought it unfinished so I could "customize" the paint treatment...hehe!!! Actually...I really bought it because I love to paint and do crafts! So I guess I customized it after all...hehe!!! I fell in love with it the moment I saw it because of the dangling stockings...there were three...just enough for our names!!! I always hang this little Christmas plaque on our back door for the Holiday season!

~~~The Three Nutcrackers~~~

Hehehe...I love my little nutcrackers...I've always found something very whimsical about them! These three very proud fellows are sitting atop our frig! I really do have a little story about them. Three years ago, Russell & I went to Europe for our honeymoon...we traveled through five countries...Switzerland, Austria, Germany, France, and Italy. So when I found these little nutcrackers...I just had to have em'! They reminded me of our trip and the beautiful countries that we visited! As you can see...one of the nutcrackers is German, one is French, and the last one is Italian...hehe!!!

*

Nutcracker Klaus

First of all, I'd like to introduce you to Klaus! Oh...he said to tell you Guten Tag! (Hello) Klaus is from Bavaria. Bravaria is a region in southern Germany! Klaus loves his pretzels and beer...hehe!!!

*

Okay...I have to show you a photo of Russell and I while we were in Bavaria. In the background is Schloss Neuschwanstein (Neuschwanstein Castle). It may look familiar to some of you...Disney's castle was modeled after it! It was also used in the movie, "Chitty, Chitty...Bang, Bang"! I just loved that movie...hehe! We spent several days traveling through Bavaria...the countryside was so beautiful!!!





Nutcracker Jean Claude
*

May I introduce you to Jean Claude. Jean Claude is from Paris, France! Oh my, watch out for Jean Claude...he's quite the ladies man. What is that you said, Jean Claude? Oh...Jean Claude said, "Bonjour Mademoiselle...Enchante!" (Hello Miss...pleased to meet you!) Did you notice Jean Claude's little Napoleon-like vest?

*

Here is a photo of lil' ol' me...at the Louvre in Paris, France! I loved, loved, loved the Louvre!!! It really was a dream come true for me! Why just look at the fabulous architecture! I have to tell you that I probably spent more time studying the grand buildings...inside & out...than I did the great masterpieces!

Nutcracker Benito

*

And last but not least...Please meet Benito...Benito is from Venice, Italy! He is a gondolier. Oh, oh okay...Benito says, "Buon giorno, Signorina! Piacere! Mi chiamo Beni." (Hello Miss...I'm pleased to meet you...I am Beni!) His nickname is Beni...short for Benito!

*

This photo was taken of Russell & I in Venice, Italy. Venice is truly amazing! We only spent a couple of days there...I want to go back! I loved the shopping in Venice. Let me remind you that Murano glass is made on a nearby island...and the Venetians are also know for their fine lace and linens!

Well my friends...it's been fun! I hope that you enjoyed meeting my three little Nutcrackers! Thank you for letting me share a few photos of Russell & I in Europe! Have a wonderful day and Merry Christmas! What Klaus? Oh Klaus would like to wish you a Frohliche Weihnachten....Jean Claude says, "Joyeux Noel" too...and Beni chimes in..."Buon Natale!"

Merry Christmas!!!

Love ya'll,