Showing posts with label destination: Italy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label destination: Italy. Show all posts

Sunday, June 28, 2026

Poppies and Paintings

I love the joyful exuberance of poppy flowers, so I was thrilled to see this field of poppies in Italy on May 19, 2025. I pulled over in the car and stopped to admire the view.  


Field of Poppies in Tuscany Italy by Jeanne Selep
Image 1: Field of Poppies somewhere in Tuscany, Italy

There weren't many breaks in the roadside foliage for me to photograph through. I am standing on my tip-toes to hold the camera over the weeds at the edge of the road. The road I was on had a shoulder and then a steep drop off at the edge; and the grasses were thick and tall.  I wanted to descend down into the field, and get a better angle with my camera, but I couldn't even see where the ground was and how steep the drop off was.


Field of Poppies in Tuscany Italy by Jeanne Selep
Image 2: Poppies Landscape somewhere in Tuscany, Italy

As a visitor in a foreign country, I didn't want to trespass; and I also didn't want to twist an ankle, or fall and break bones or my camera. I pictured tumbling down and/or falling into some watery ditch I could not see, so I opted to stay safely by the side of the road for my photos.  You should believe me when I tell you I wanted to get close enough to touch the poppies.
But these photos were the best I was willing to attempt that day.


Mosaic Flowering tree no 2 by Jeanne Selep
Image 3: Field of Poppies somewhere in Tuscany, Italy

I also love the image of the field alone, the pattern of grasses and flowers.


Mosaic Flowering tree no 2 by Jeanne Selep
Image 4: Over exposed Field of Poppies , Italy

I accidentally over-exposed the photo above, but I like the ethereal enchanted look it has, so I decided to include it here.  

I'm not the only person who has loved poppies in a field.  Some of my favorite artists have painted poppy fields. 

Claude Monet painted poppy fields more than 12 times.


Claude Monet Poppy Field Paintings
Image 5: Claude Monet Poppy Field Paintings

Sometimes Monet's paintings were nearly identical with minor coloration and cloud changes. 


Claude Monet Poppy Field Paintings
Image 6: Claude Monet Poppy Field Paintings

Considering poppy fields are only in bloom for a week or two a year, Monet obviously enjoyed poppy fields as well.


Claude Monet Poppy Field Paintings
Image 7: Claude Monet Poppy Field Paintings

Mary Cassatt painted the lovely poppy field painting below.


Mary Cassatt Field Painting
Image 8: Mary Cassatt Poppy field painting

John Singer Sargent concentrated more on the poppy flowers.


John Singer Sargent Poppy Painting
Image 9: John Singer Sargent Poppies

And I'll end this artist tangent with two poppy fields and a beautiful bouquet of poppies painted by Van Gogh.


Van Gogh Poppy Paintings
Image 10: Van Gogh Poppy Paintings

Spring and Summer are busy months for me.  The weather is great - I go outside more instead of posting.  This year I've gardened more than in most years!  



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"I must have flowers.  
Always and always."


                                                -  Claude Monet

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I hope you are enjoying your summer.

 

Have a Wonderful Summer
and a Great 4th of July!

 


Click on the images to see them enlarged!


I blog for fun and my blog is ad free.  Comments encourage me, and sometimes I  need encouragement. Please leave a comment if you have time.  

 

I have three large categories of posts: 
Travel, China and China hutches, and Mosaics.  

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See other travel posts here...
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Recent Posts ...

Mosaic Tree #2
Mosaic Easter Egg
Cafe Central Vienna
Journaling
Lemon Trees
Christmas Hutch


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If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy (travel)...

Summer Sunsets
Summer Vacation
Japan Blossoms
Japan Memories
Canadian Hike
Italian Garden
German Castle
Paris Museum
Yellowstone
Canadian Lake
NYC Easter
Paris Reflections
Nankoweap Granaries
Gr Canyon Ruins
Lotus Garden

Vienna Cafe
Country Roads





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I am linking up to these parties:
Lisa Howeler: Weekend Traffic Jam Thur (Entry 35 of 66.)
Sticky mud+Belly Laughs: Mon Morn (Entry 2 of 17.)
Mostly blogging: Inspire me 571 (Entry 1 of 22.)
My Random: Anything Goes 481 (Entry 2 of 26.)
*BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 6a (s Entry 19x of 20x.)
Holly pinklady: Hello Mon (l Entry 11 of 20.)
Loulougirls: Fabulous-party Mon 637 (l Entry 8 of 37.)
Keeping it Real: Party 517 (Entry 9 of 36.)
Mersad photography: Thru my Lens (Entry 1 of 15.)
Kristin-Uncommon Slice: Inspire Me Mon 344 (m Entry 11 of 47.)
Nicholasjv: Travel Tuesday 556 (Entry 3 of 11.)
My slices of life: Talk About It Tue 127 (Entry 1 of 87.)
Jenerally informed: Happy-now Link-up 535 (m Entry 6 of 28.)
Flusterbuster: Creative Muster 5p 677 (l Entry 38x of 67x.)
Studio27 - Jennifer: Wed Studio 74 (Entry 17 of 24.)
Ducks n a Row: Wonderful Wed 217 (m Entry 3r of 80r.)
Grandmas house: Grandmas house Wed 511 (m Entry 9 of 31.)
Artsy mama: Artsy Party Wed 10a (Entry 19 of 33gone.)
Our Hopeful Home: Vintage Charm 546 (m Entry 22 of 69.)
Simple Life Mom: Homestead Blog Hop Wed (Entry 14 of 52.)
Pennys Passion: Thinking out Loud Thur (Entry 28 of 49.)

French Ethereal: Share Your Style Wed 508 (b Entry 10 of **)
Try It Like It: Creatively Crafty Th 453 (Entry 9 of 23.)
KatherinesCorner: Th Fav Things 10a (Entry 14 of 101.)
Its a small town life: Thankful Th 24 (Entry 5 of 16.)
Modern on Monticello: Home matters Fri 582 (s Entry 66r of 83r.)
Answer is choco: BFF open house Thur (Entry 4 of 77.)
Coastal Bohemian: Funtastic Thur 600! (i Entry 1 of 104.)   600!!!
Pieced Pastimes.gr: Saturday Sparks Fr 8a (L Entry 8 of 68.)     I was featured here!
Countyroad 407: Farmhouse Fri 450 (Entry 19 of 40.)  450!!
Bosworth Life: PoCoLo (Entry 9 of 12.)
Momfessionals: Fri Favorites (Entry 27 of 32.)
Cottagemarket: A morning cup of Joe 257 (L Entry 25 of 42.)
Shabby Art boutique: Create-grow-gather 737 (L Entry 2r of 77r.)
Crazy Little Love Birds: Link party Fri 142 (Entry 18 of 40.)
Pams Party: Dare to share (m Entry 23 of 33.)
Huisvlijt: Huisvlijt Party Sun (Entry 11 of 21.)
Nixpixmix: Sunday Best 488 (l Entry 10 of 13.)
The house on Silverado: Sun on Silverado 309 (Entry 4 of 85.)
Life and Linda: Dishing it Digging it Sun 364 (l Entry 20 of 89.)   I was featured here!

A pinch of joy: Busy Sun 6p (l Entry ***)
Jaipur Gardening: Garden Affair Sun (Entry 4 of 6.)
Sew can do: Craftastic Mon Su (Entry ***)
A Labour of Love: Happiness is Homemade 645 (Entry 11 of 93.)
Esmesalon: Salon Pit Stop 417 (Entry 49 of 150.)
Pienilintu Finland: Wed around the World (monthly)
Life tales books: Will blog for Comments Mon (bi-week)
Create with Joy: Inspire me Sun-Mon (monthly)
Weekend reflection: Weekend (Entry 12 of 13.)

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Saturday, June 28, 2025

Summer Vacations

Cinque Terre Italy by Jeanne Selep
Image 1: Cinque Terre near sunset, Italy

This post features photos from past summer vacations while answering ten questions about summer vacations.  Compare answers with me!  (Question list below). 


Wisconsin River Overlook by Jeanne Selep
Image 2: Overlook at Ferry Bluff Natural area, Wisconsin.
View of Wisconsin River with Sandbar
Notice the tiny canoes at the bottom edge in the river

1.  Share your summer trips for 2025!  

(2024 trips would be easier!)  Summer trips in 2025 should consist of (2) weekend in-state camping trips, (weather permitting).  One is a canoeing trip where you camp on a sandbar in a large river, water levels permitting.  


Wisconsin River from Overlook
Image 3: Overlook at Ferry Bluff Natural area, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin River view with my kids and nephew, 2023

I hope to add in a visit to Door County, and possibly (a day trip? or two??) to Chicago.  This summer is a good time to stay home and enjoy Wisconsin in it's best season, especially when money and vacation days were used for the spring trip to Japan.  Someone has work on the 4th of July this year, so no July 4th mini-vacation to Door County or Michigan, both destinations I've enjoyed in the past.


Canoeing on Wisconsin River by Jeanne Selep
Image 4: Canoeing on the Wisconsin River with three adult  children

2.  How do you manage the post vacation laundry?

I try to wash vacation laundry almost right away once home - within a day or two.  It might have sand or bugs or whatever from afar. 


tent campsite on sand bar
Image 5: Sandbar Camping on the Wisconsin River

3.  What are your most memorable summer vacations.  

My most memorable summer vacation (post pandemic) was a trip to Italy including Venice and Cinque Terre.  Hot but wonderful!    


Rialto Bridge at night Venice Italy by Jeanne Selep
Image 6: Rialto Bridge at night, Venice, Italy

Another special summer vacation was a road trip from Wisconsin to Charleston South Carolina which included three National Parks (Smoky Mountains!)  I discovered driving trips could be fun, and I set a goal of visiting all of/(most of) the National Parks !  


Angel Oak Tree by Jeanne Selep
Image 7: Angel Oak Tree, Charleston, South Carolina

4.  Do you cook or eat out on vacation?  

We eat out on vacation because of places we stay (mostly hotels).  We have camped out and cooked, but I am not great at it.


High tea in Tokyo by Jeanne Selep
Image 8: High Tea in Tokyo

5.  Do you over pack, under pack, or are you just right?   

If I'm driving, I way over pack and that car is filled!  Even flying - It's so hard to not over pack.  Especially if there will be cold weather (gloves and heavy coats needed.)  Doing laundry on vacation isn't fun, and extra shoes are a must. (If it rains, I am not wearing wet shoes.  In Japan we had to buy my daughter new shoes because hers got soaked...)  


Spring in Japan in Rain
Image 9: Spring in Tokyo, Japan - with wet shoes in the rain

6.  Beach, Lake or Mountains?  

Where do I want to go? or what's close? (particularly for summer).  For me it is sights.  I'd prefer mountains and beaches, but this summer, near Wisconsin, no Mountains, so Lake.  Beaches can be rocky around here, like in Door County.  

Door County wisconsin cairn Beach by Jeanne Selep
Image 10: Door County Beach, Wisconsin
Notice that the rock Cairns can be taller than the kids*

7.  Road trip or Fly? 

Road trips for small things (Weddings, camping), flying for "real" trips, and then rent a car once there if needed.  If you only get X days of vacation, I want to get to a spot fast and enjoy the location.  Except for that road trip to Charleston...

Bridge from car at sunset South Carolina by Jeanne Selep
Image 11: Unknown bridge from car at sunset, South Carolina

8.  My favorite vacation activities are... many things!  Seeing sights and museums, dining at great restaurants, exploring new places and cultures, hiking in beautiful locations, and shopping!  


Oak tree on Wisconsin Hillside by Jeanne Selep
Image 12: Oak tree on Wisconsin Hillside

9.  Best packing tips?  

Packing cubes, but not black ones.  (which is what I have)  Looking for adapters and power cords in black packing cubes tucked in with black clothes is a pain.  Having all socks and undies and technology extras in neat flexible packages, magic! 


Kids watching sunset Door County
Image 13: Kids Watching Sunset, Door County, Wisconsin, USA

10.  Favorite road trip songs?  

With multiple people we take turns selecting songs.  My daughter has incredible musical tastes, and I like hearing new tunes, .  When I pick a song it could be Billy Joel, Greatest Showman tunes, and Josh Groban's Oceano, and Canto Alle Vita.  I like peppy, upbeat and beautiful music.  


Summer vacation Questions
Image 14: The list of questions from Pinklady

This is a new kind of post for me.  I am participating in a link party where the questions above were posted (by Holly and Patty) with a link party where people answer these questions.  I hope you enjoyed my answers.  Thinking about the responses and writing this post took such a long time, but allowed me to organize vacation photos to find photos to share.  Feel free to post your answers or ideas on some or all of the questions below!


I hope your summer includes fun vacations
with friends and family!
...and a lot of beautiful sunsets!
 


Click on the images to see them enlarged!


Let me know any thoughts you have on the questions above in the comments!  Anonymous comment are welcome!

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See other FANTASTIC travel posts here...
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If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy...

Summer Sunsets
Glass Garden
Italian Garden
Lotus Garden
Winter Garden
God's Garden
Spring Blossoms
Yellowstone
flower mirror
Flower Mirror

Bluebirds
Travel Memories

Rock Window
Bonsai in Bloom

Orchids
Lilies of Valley




Orchid Peacock

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I am linking up to these parties:
Holly pinklady: Monthly Musings Summer Vacation (Entry 27 of 27.)
Bosworth Life*: POCO Love (Entry 14 of 14.)
Esmesalon: Salon Pit Stop 367 Mon 4a (Entry 14 of 173.)
Rachel Swirl*: Sunday Snapshot (Entry 2 of 6.)
Mostly blogging: Inspire me Mon 523 (Entry 6 of 41.)
My Random: Anything Goes 450 (Entry 3 of 56.)
Good Random Fun: Good Fun Mon 4a (m Entry 8 of 39.)
*BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 6a (s Entry 17x of 33x.)
Holly pinklady: Hello Mon (l Entry 10 of 25.)
Loulougirls: Fabulous-party Mon 586 (l Entry 4 of 54.)
Keeping it Real: Party 469 (Entry 2 of 49.)
Wisdoms+Wrinkles: Wisdoms Party Tue (Entry 9 of 15.)
Mersad photography: Thru my Lens (Entry 1 of 16.)
Kristin at Uncommon Slice: Inspire Me Mon 333 (m Entry 10 of 127**monthly)
* Marty at Stroll Life: Inspire Me Mon 783 (l Entry 1 of 107.)
Karins Kottage: Linky Party (Entry 4
 of 108.)
Image-in-ing: Weekly link up (Entry 7 of 36.)
Nicholasjv: Travel Tuesday (Entry 4 of 13.)
Jenerally informed: Happy-now 483 Tues (m Entry 
42 of 79.)
Altered book lover: T Tuesday (Entry 4
 of 13.)
My Wee Abode: Tuesday Turn About (s Entry 44r of 118r.)
Stonecottageadventures: You're the star (l Entry 9 of 86**)
Flusterbuster: Creative Muster 643 (l Entry 4x of 107x.)
Studio27 - Jennifer: Wed Studio 16 (Entry 19x of 29x.)
Artsy Mama: Team Creative Crafts (Entry 17 of gone.)
Eclectic Red Barn: Wonderful Wed (Entry 3r of 142r.)
Grandmas house: Grandmas house 459 Wed (m Entry 20 of 70.)
My world Thru My Lens: My Corner Wed (Entry 10r of 35r.)
Fifth Sparrow No More: Whimsy Home 141 (Entry 4r of 78r.)
Our Hopeful Home: Vintage Charm 497 Wed (m Entry 11 of 46.)
Simple Life Mom: Homestead Blog Hop 555 (Entry 
10 of 73.)
Lisa Howeler: Weekend Traffic Jam Thur (Entry
2 of 70.)
Karins Kottage: Linky Party (Entry 4 of 108.)
Pennys Passion: Thinking out Loud Thur (Entry 2 of 42.)
French Ethereal: Share Your Style Wed 459 (b Entry 19 of 28.)
KatherinesCorner: Th Fav Things 498 (Entry 36
of 84.)
Also Our Hopeful Home: TFT 498 (Entry 36 of 84.)
Its a small town life: Thankful Th 24 (Entry 12 of 15.)
Modern on Monticello: Home matters 537 (s Entry 1 of 119.)
Answer is choco: BFF open house Thur (Entry 4 of 95.)
Coastal Bohemian: Funtastic Thur 549 (Entry 7 of 120.)
Pieced Pastimes.gr: Saturday Sparks Fr 679 (L Entry 10)
Countyroad 407: Farmhouse Fri 405 (Entry 3 of 103.)
Shoreline Journeys: Time to Travel July (Entry 4x of 5x.)
Skyley: Skywatch Fri (Entry 40r of 40r.)
Momfessionals: Fri Favorites (Entry 21 of 22.)
** Cottagemarket: A morning cup of Joe (L Entry 29 of 55.)    I was featured here!
Shabby Art boutique: Create-grow-gather 682 (L Entry 64x.)
Crazy Little Love Birds: Link party 96 Fri (Entry 15 of 48.)
Rambling Woods2: Nature Notes Fri (Entry 5 of ?6.)
Pams Party: Dare to share 456 Fri 11p (m Entry 16 of 59.)
Weekend Reflection: reflections (Entry 6 of 14.)
Huisvlijt: Huisvlijt Party Sun (Entry 10 of 32.)
Nixpixmix: Sunday Best 440 (l Entry 4 of 11.)
The house on Silverado: Sun on Silverado 255 (Entry 1 of 107.)
Eclectic Red Barn: Happiness is Homemade Sun a (Entry 6 of 121.)
Life and Linda: Dishing it Digging it Sun 315 (l Entry 7 of 114.)
A pinch of joy: Busy Sun 681 (l Entry 24 of 111.)
Jaipur Gardening: Garden Affair Sun (Entry 3 of 7.)
A Labour of Love: Happiness is Homemade 497 (Entry 6 of 121.)
Pienilintu Finland: Wed around the World (monthly)
Life tales books: Will blog for Comments Mon (25 of 50.
)
Create with Joy: Inspire me Sun-Mon (monthly
)
Grace filled moments: Sweet Tea Friends (monthly Entry 5 of 150.
)
April Harris: Hearth and Soul Sun 10p (Entry 20 of 50monthly)

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