My Love Affair With The Cascades

Hello everyone and hello to the new week :) Hope your weekend was nice. My kids are out of school for the summer and I have family visiting from India so its been busy at MDC :) One of the reasons why I love where I live is because of its proximity to the mountains. We are a few hours away from the Cascade mountains range. Every time I see the jagged peaks I am mesmerized by their beauty.



This weekend we drove two hours to a German village called Leavenworth which is nestled in the foothills of the Cascades.

Leavenworth is a replica of a German village. Its touristy, its crowded and yet there is something fun and magical about this place. I have seen this picturesque town in every season and its pretty anytime of the year. However, this weekend the place looked happier as the streets were lined with flowering baskets in a myriad hues. Wherever I looked, these swaying baskets where vying for my attention :) Leavenworth is a place filled with laughter and smiles and I too caught the bug :) It was nice to get away from the humdrum of everyday life. Here are a few pictures.......



I did stop at a great home store and managed to take a few pictures. Stay tuned for a post about this lovely little place filled with delightful treasures!





A short stop for coffee en route....

The pretty flowering baskets......

The town.....

A family enjoying a carriage ride......

Chocolates.....yum yum....

We spotted some pear and apple orchards on our drive back home....

Images: Copyright My Dream Canvas and taken by Me.





Joining Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style.

Joining Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life.

Coffee Table Books as Travel Souvenirs

I love to travel :) To see the world, to explore the unknown, to taste different cuisines, to wander aimlessly.......yes I love it all!! Do you shop a lot on vacation? I used to be the person in the souvenir shop picking up the cute and sometimes tacky knick-knacks and now I don't! The reason is simple, I hope to see more of the world and I don't have the space in my home to display all my finds :) I have nothing against shopping on a trip, I love it too. However I do stop myself from picking up random things!

Somehow the souvenirs that I find in multiple stores when I am on vacation don't tempt me anymore. Instead I have a new passion. I collect coffee table books from the places/ countries that I have visited!

These books are slowly filling up my book shelves at home but I do not mind.



I recently got these two cute little books from my brother and sister in law while we were holidaying in England. They lived in Leicester at the time, hence the book :) I am a student of English literature so you can understand my passion for poetry. My brother bought me this book on Wordsworth while we were sitting in a pub on our trip to the Lake district.




I smile every time I look at these books and the many others that I have collected. I date them so years later I can remember when we were there. I have also started writing a few lines in the book itself about our trip!
A quick snapshot of our vacation :)



So what about you......do you shop on vacations and what do you love to buy?

I took this shot from the car while driving through the Lake District on a cloudy day!

Images : Anu@MyDreamCanvas.

My Journey Through The Cotswolds

“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” – Lao Tzu. This pretty much sums up my drive through the Cotswolds earlier this year :) We got into the car and just drove off. I picked the towns based on how quaint and pretty the names sounded :)



The day started out dark and cloudy. It was my first encounter with the typical English weather as the previous few days had been bright and sunny! However, I could completely relate to it as the the weather in the Pacific Northwest is very similar. 



The Cotswolds area is one of England's favorite destinations. I was fortunate that one of its most famous little villages Chipping Camden was less than an hour away from my brother's house. These towns are famous for their honey-colored limestone homes with thatched roofs in a beautiful rural setting. I was not disappointed! We meandered through narrow lanes and rolling hills. At every turn there was something that caught my eye. I loved every minute of it. 



I took thousands of pictures that day. The first picture shows the first of the many limestone colored homes we encountered. I wish I could have looked inside :)

Driving through the tiny villages, there were numerous inns and pubs waiting for the weary traveler!

This is a picture I took of the 17th-century Market Hall in Chipping Camden. "Chipping" means market or market place from the old English "Ceping". Chipping Camden was one of the most important medieval wool towns and was famous throughout Europe. I fell in love with the town's High Street which curved like an arc. The street had a series of charming old homes.

There were so many quaint and charming tea rooms and I had a hard time picking one. Luckily, my kids behaved and we enjoyed drinking tea the British way :) I loved the variety of scones and the clotted cream that was served with the tea. My husband loved the assortment of jams. Sitting in a tea room is such a lovely way to spend an afternoon in England. The quaint village setting completes the experience.  I could get used to it :)

We drove through to Moreton-in-Marsh, Chipping Camden, Broadway, and Stow-on-the-Wold. All the towns had picturesque streets lined with interesting shops like the one below. Unfortunately, the airline baggage limitations have made "vacation shopping" a wee bit problematic :) I could have bought tons of stuff but I was a good girl. I admired all the lovely stuff from afar:)

I loved the buildings and the striking architecture!

Oh dear! These were very very tempting :)  It was all I could do restrain myself.

Last, but certainly not the least, was this very mysterious building we stumbled upon during the drive. This turned out to be Snowshill Manor.  The manor is a dark and mysterious old palace filled with the lifetime collection of Charles Paget Wade. I quickly tried to read more about this home in my guide book as I sat in the car while hubby tried to see if we could get in. Alas, the manor was closed to visitors at the time. We met up with a few people outside who were part of a film crew. They were shooting a movie right outside the manor.  It was all very exciting :) I came away wondering what it would be like inside. The manor is definitely on my list of places to visit when I am back in England.

I hope you have enjoyed my journey through the Cotswolds :) I shall miss the lovely homes, the picturesque lanes, the winding roads and the sheep :)

Images : Anu@MyDreamCanvas and subject to copyright.

My Dream Canvas Goes To London!

Some vacations are so perfect that the vacation hangover lasts for months and years :) Though I have been to London many times before, this trip was really special. I think it was due to the fact that this was much more personal. Having my brother and sister-in-law living there, made all the difference.



I stayed with my college room-mate in London. This only added to the fun. I met up with a few cousins as well.  They humored me as I dragged them around London.  This was a family vacation and I loved the fact that I could show my kids a city as vibrant and fun as London. The history is staggering and it was fun to see that they enjoyed every bit of it.  UK has always had a special significance for me. Having studied English Literature and British History in college, I was delighted to experience it in person.  I feel very comfortable in England.  My Grandfather went to school in the UK so I have endless stories of the time he spent here. He left for England when he was in his teens in the early 1900's.



Hubby and I have always enjoyed London on our previous visits. We saw wonderful plays and loved the restaurants and bars in Covent Garden. I enjoyed walking around the city and soaking in the atmosphere! 



Now, our trips with the kids are very different. However, we still had an amazing time. I felt  proud when I saw that my seven year old enjoyed all the major sights in London. He loved the history and had endless questions. Of course, my four year old daughter was always on the look out for Princesses whenever we vistied castles :)



I am grateful to my friends and family for making this trip special. I truly believe that the gift of travel is a great tradition to pass down to your children!

Images: My Dream Canvas and subject to copyright.



Joining The Open House Party at No Mnimalist Here

Bamburgh Castle (A Fairytale Come True)

I  recently wrote an article about a Castle I visited in UK for iDiva.com and thought of sharing it with you!  I warn you that this is a lengthy post :)

I was swept off my feet by the charm and majesty of Bamburgh
Castle in England.  Bamburgh is the
quintessential fairy tale castle. Visiting the castle, I felt as if my
childhood dreams had come alive J I have had the good fortune of
travelling extensively in Europe, so I have seen quite a few castles.  However, this one is my favorite. I am
completely besotted by it J 

An imposing
setting, this castle sits proudly on a rocky plateau high above the
Northumberland coastline.  The vast
expanse of the sea below adds to the drama and beauty of this stunning castle.  The beautiful beach below with soft golden
sands looks heavenly and the nearby quaint lighthouse completes the picture
perfect illusion. The gorgeous architecture, the exquisite location, the rich history, and
the glamorous interiors make Bamburgh enchanting and romantic.  Bamburgh was
the royal seat of the Kings of Northumbria and a family home since 1894. The
castle is still inhabited by the Armstrong family. Bamburgh is one of the most
important Anglo Saxon archaeological sites in the world today!

For the history buff and the
design enthusiast in me, this castle was a dream come true! Design has
evolved over the years. Today the design world has all the modern technology it
needs to create that perfect look. Yet standing in that castle and admiring the
interiors, I was reminded of Tate Linden’s famous quote “Design is an
opportunity to continue telling the story, not just to sum everything up.”

I could
relive the story. I could visualize the bygone eras. Every piece of artifact in
the castle had a story to tell and I was ready to absorb it all!  I believe that well designed interiors should be able to stand the test of time. I really did feel that the
interiors at Bamburgh had a look that appealed to me even in the present day. I have realized
what attracts me to Bamburgh. The secret ingredient is that the interiors have
been furnished so that they are livable. There is a warmth that is
prevalent. Unlike a beautiful sculpture in a museum that needs to be
appreciated from a distance, Bamburgh’s interiors can be experienced from
within.  It is easy to imagine living
there, raising a family there, and entertaining there.  The key lesson here is to not give your
design a museum like quality.  It is easy
to fall into that trap.  The objects in
your home should allow for an interactive experience.  Incorporate pieces that stimulate all the
senses.  Just as a scented candle appeals
to our visual and olfactory sensibilities, the warm caress of a beautiful silk
cushion cover can also augment your experience. 
Incorporate multiple dimensions in your design palette.

For me, good design is suggestive. Even when I read books, I really enjoy stories that make you
envision the scene for yourself. I felt the same way at Bamburgh. I felt that I
could make up my own story about each of the rooms and feel very much at home J

I am hosting a fabulous Giveaway to celebrate my blog's four year anniversary. So make sure you enter. You can win a 50 dollar gift card to shop at Pottery Barn, World Market or Pier 1 Imports!!

 

A few pictures I took of the interiors of the Castle!

The exterior of the castle. I scanned this image from a card I bought at the castle store!

Images: My Dream Canvas. Taken by me and Subject to Copyright.



Joining the Party at Homemaker On A Dime.

I've Got Wales On My Mind

Here are a few postcards from my recent trip to Wales. We were six of us in one car. My husband, my kids, my brother and sister in law. It was special.... it was beautiful and so much fun :)





Here are some words I live by " “To travel is to live.” ― Hans Christian Andersen.

A gorgeous spot to watch the sunset after a long day of driving. This place is called Holyhead on the Island of Anglesey in North Wales.

Images: Mine and subject to copyright.

March Madness

I am back and jet lagged. It is 6.30 am and I am writing this post :) My trip to the UK was fantastic. This month I shall take you on a journey with me to all the places I visited. Spring is around the corner......I have some spring themed posts lined up for you. MDC and I both celebrate birthdays this month. Birthday's mean Giveaways!! One for my readers in the United States and another open to the world :)
Fun, fun ....fun!



It is going to be a busy month here at MDC and I hope you will be with me every step of the way :) Happy Monday my friends and have a great week ahead!



The view of Mt Rainier peeking through the clouds as we landed.............

Anyone thinking spring?

 

 

Image 1 : Mine, Image 2 : via

Goodbye England

Happy Friday to all of you! I am getting ready to head back to reality after a fabulous vacation. I shall miss everything and everyone. It has been a wonderful experience especially for my kids. While, I am always in awe of London, having been there a few times before, I was so glad to head out into the countryside. I love London. I always will :) However, driving through the country roads, stopping at a quaint little tea shop for scones and tea, and stepping into little stores along the way was the highlight of my trip. My vacation also included a visit to Scotland and Wales. There is so much more to tell you.........that I shall save it for another post :)







I shall miss my family, its always hard to say goodbye and I shall miss this beautiful country!! February was supposed to be cold and miserable here but as you can clearly see it was sunny and glorious :)
My camera and I both were delighted :)

 

 

Images : MDC 2013 and Subject to copyright.

 

 

 

 

Travel Journal : The United Kingdom

Hello there! I know I have been missing in action for a while now :) I am on vacation in the United Kingdom and popping by to say a quick hello. We have rented a car and are driving around England, Scotland and Wales. I have been to London a few times before but this is the first time we are actually exploring the entire country.



My brother and sister in law live here. Its been a fabulous vacation spending time with them and seeing all the places I have been wanting to see for years.



I shall be back with numerous posts about my vacation :) For now I am sharing a few snapshots of my visit to Notting Hill and Portobello Market in London.



How have you all been? I would love to hear from you. I hope you have missed me??

Images: Mine and subject to copyright.

Sunday Happiness

Here's wishing you a beautiful Sunday :)

Image : From my trip to the Oregon Coast.

The Oregon Coast

I read somewhere that we must embark on adventures to know where we truly belong! I for one, am happiest travelling and seeing the world through my camera lens :)

We make a good team! My husband and my two little kids. The kids sit for hours in the car while we go on long road trips. I do believe that they are growing up sharing this passion with us :)





Here are a few more snapshots from our recent trip to the Oregon Coast! Picturesque seaside towns, an ancient lighthouse, the churning sea, country roads, a quaint church and so much more......




Have a Happy Friday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Images: Anuradha Varma and subject to copyright

Happy New Year and My Dream Canvas

My Dream Canvas is an integral part of me. I cannot believe that I am now entering my fourth year of blogging :) You all have made it so special and I want to thank each and every one of you. You make me smile a wee bit more :) For all of you who stop by My Dream Canvas, I hope you continue to do so. This is my happy place. I have a simple plan for MDC. I want you to come here and smile, unwind a little ,and share my passion for design, decor, and travel. Life can get complicated and we all need a place to escape:) So please do continue to drop by and remember to smile a little when you do :)



We ended 2012 with a family road trip. I love such trips and the memories of the happy times  will linger in my mind forever! We spent New Year's eve with close friends. I feel so blessed to have them in my life!





I hope you have a fantastic 2013. Happy New Year and see you around! 



Here is a postcard from my trip to the Oregon coast!

Image: Mine and subject to copyright.

Welcoming The New Year and A Road Trip

Hello there! I hope you have missed me :) I know I disappeared for a few days. We as a family love road trips, and so we decided to take off for a few days! We drove down to a cute little fishing village on the Oregon coast called Yachats.  The churning seas made for some spectacular scenery. It was cold, it was misty, it was cloudy but it was beautiful. Here are a few pictures that I took from in front of our hotel room!

The Pacific Northwest is known for its winter sea storms and I was thrilled that I got to see it :)





I would like to wish you all a Very Happy New Year. I hope the New Year brings you everything you wish for and more!



Happy 2013!!

I could spend a lifetime here!

Images: Mine and subject to copyright.