Friday, April 28, 2017

A Magical Mystery Tour to Spain and Portugal


What a perfect theme for me this month at Art Journal Journey.  Thank you Hazel.  What a surprise I had in March!  My son called me and said "Mom, do you want to go to Spain and Portugal with Daphene and me?"   YES!!!!  The magical part is the part where I tell you that Scott and Daphene treated my husband and me to the whole two week whirlwind including airfare!  Wow!  I haven't been with my son this long since he left home for college some 34(?) years ago.  The whole journey was indeed shear magic.  The mystery part?  Daphene planned everything.  All we knew was that we would land in Barcelona and drive through Spain to Portugal. We never knew where we would stay or for how long.  Basically it was a business trip for Scott and Daphene.  They own a company which is growing by leaps and bounds.  So we went to two manufacturing companies, one in Madrid and one in Porto, Portugal.   I can't begin to tell you how much fun we had together.  I really want to go back to Spain and Portugal to stay longer in a couple of the places we visited.  


This is my son Scott on the right and  Jose who lives in Madrid.  Jose was our host in Madrid and Portugal and I mean to tell you we had such a wonderful time with him.  Thanks Jose for happy memories!  Jose is younger than my son and took to calling me Mama.  He also teased me every bit as much as Scott does.  One night we had dinner with Jose and his beautiful wife Maria.  What a pleasure and the restaurant was so elegant.   I am indeed a lucky Mama!


This is my handsome son Scott and his beautiful wife Daphene.  Thank you kids, you make me so proud and happy!!


This was one fantastic meal in Madrid and I enjoyed every mouth full!

I want to start handwriting in my journal but had a hard time  -- maybe y'all can give me some pointers as to the best pens to use.  My quote says "We travel not to escape life but for life not to escape us .."   unknown.

I hope everyone is well and happy.  I so appreciate your comments and it does encourage me.  I know I have a long way to go!

My best to you and yours - Sandy


 I am posting this to Art Journal Journey

59 comments:

cotnob said...

Your journal page is gorgeous Sandy - such a wonderful surprise for you, you have a very thoughtful son, it sounds like a wonderful trip.
Pauline - Crafting with Cotnob
x

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful journal page Sandy, and your trip sounds really magical - glad you were able to have such a great vacation. My fave pens are the ones from Uniball Signo, they write on all surfaces and come in a lot of colours. Hugs, Valerie

Rainey's Craft Room said...

Sorry I haven't visited earlier Sandy, life here has been rather hectic and commenting time has gone by the wayside. Thank you for your lovely comments on my blog recently, it is a tradition to give the bride and groom a horseshoe for good luck and by all events they will need all the luck they can get, bless them.
Your beautiful journal page caught my eye with it's gorgeous colours and imagery. You sound like you had the most marvelous time, something to certainly journal about. I have had a journal for ages and never dared to make a mark in it yet so well done you for creating such a lovely memory page.
Lorraine

Christine Harrop said...

Sounds like you had a fabulous trip Sandy. Lucky you. And how generous of your son and his wife!! Hugs Christine xx

My name is Erika. said...

Wow Sandy. I am jealous. This sounds like a fantastic trip, even more so that your son asked you to come. Hope you have some photos to show us soon. Hugs-Erika

dutchess said...

How wonderful Sandy....trip of a lifetime and with your lovely son and daughter in law...I love Portugal but have only been briefly over the border into Spain for tapas one evening.What a perfect trip to journal and scrap book all those wonderful memories to treasure xxxxx

Sarn said...

Oh WOW Sandy - what a wonderful blog post. How terrific of your son and daughter-in-law to treat to such a marvellous trip. Good to hear their business is doing so well too.

On to your art journal page . . . lovely and colourful and much to look at. As to pens . . . I like to use Posca pens to write over the ink and paint. Hope this helps. Tim Holtz also has some pens out by Ranger Ink. I've only tried out the Fude Ball 1.5 in black - it worked well.

Hugs, Sarn xxx

froebelsternchen said...

It really sounds like you had a fabulous trip Sandy and you seem to you have a very thoughtful son ! ♥♥♥
I am in aweo of your wonderful journal pages - they are so wonderful!
Thank you very much to be with us again at Art Journal Journey, what a pleasure to see you at the challenge !
Thank you for your always so lovely visits and commets you leave for me on my blog, this is such a delight!
Happy weekend and a good start into the new month!
oxo Susi

Ruth Ann Hunter said...

Sandy I love your art journal from your trip to Spain and Portugal! What a wonderful son to invite you and your husband on such a beautiful adventure. You will cherish these memories forever, not only did you get to visit these beautiful countries but the best thing of all you got to spend time with your son and his wife. What a blessing! Thank you for sharing it with us all. Hugs, Ruth Ann

Marilyn said...

Love your journal page Sandy. I wouldn't know where to begin with something like that but it's so gorgeous we'd all love to do them.
What a great trip your son and daughter in law treated you and hubs too... memories for you to treasure forever!

Redanne said...

Wow, what a lovely surprise for you both, how lovely of your son to treat you to such a fantastic trip! Your photos are lovely too.

Your journal page is a real beauty and a wonderful start to your journalling all about Spain and Portugal! I don't do a lot of journalling but when I do I use Sakura Pigma Micon pens, they come in lots of different sizes. Hope you are having a good weekend. Hugs, Anne xx

Neesie said...

Oh my goodness, what a fantastic surprise and treat.
You are indeed lucky, but I have a suspicion that you have earned a little payback for all the wonderful things you've done for your family over the years.
I love to use Micon pens for both drawing and written work. I love that quote by the way. Perfect. Great photo's and artwork too.
So much to see and appreciate here in this post Sandy.
Thank you for sharing. Hugs Neesie xoxo

Sue said...

What a wonderful trip Sandy, and to do it with family makes it even better. I'm dreading the day my son leaves home for good, though I know it can't be long away now. I love your journal page, a fabulous reminder of your holiday. I like Posca pens they really do write on any surface as long as your paint is dry. Have a fab weekend xx

pam said...

What a wonderful journal page Sandy! beautiful colours and mementos, love the perfect quote.
How wonderful for you and your husband to get away with your Son and Daughter -in-law on a surprise trip, sounds you had a fabulous time, lovely photos you have shared.
Hugs Pam x

hazel said...

What a wonderful surprise for you and your husband, your page is beautiful and thank you for sharing your lovely photos.
xxx Hazel.

cuilliesocks said...

Wonderful journal page Sandy, beautiful rich colours and very apt as you find these colours used a lot in Moorish designs.
S pleased you enjoyed your trip, I loved Madrid when we went ages ago, the museums and art galleries are wonderful, hope you got to see some fabulous art, Kate x

Astrid Maclean said...

Oh wow Sandy, that sounds like the trip of a lifetime and such super photos!!! Lovely to get to see you and your lovely son and wife all in one post!!

Your journal page looks wonderful!! I found the Tombow Fudenosuke brush pens work really well for writing. Good luck, I always struggle writing in my journals, but I am practising like crazy!

quakerhillfarm said...

Wow, what a wonderful surprise! It sounds like it was an absolutely memory packed trip. What great children you have. Also wonderful to see pictures of you and your family. The tile work in the background of your pic is also very pretty. Thanks for sharing in this fun filled adventure!

cathylynn said...

Welcome Home Sandy! What a blessing for you from you son and daughter in law. That would be like a dream come true. I love your journal pages. Makes me want to got to Spain and Portugal. I am so happy for you that you have these treasured memories and can express them through your journal. Great techniques on the background and your layout is beautiful! As always you created another masterpiece. Love with hugs sent you way my dear friend.

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Sandy
What a wonderful trip you had. I love Madrid and my dream is to live near Barcelona as I adore it. Fab beaches and beautiful mountains on your doorstep, yes please lol! We have travelled through Spain by train and loved it. We also travelled from Southern Spain to home in the UK by train too. It was an adventure lol!
I think it was you who asked what my tissue paper technique was. I showed it on this blog post here http://theducksdoodahs.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/johns-language-of-flowers.html

Best wishes
Ang x

Mrs.B said...

Hi Sandy, how fabulous of your Son and DIL to want to take you and treat you to this wonderful trip and it does look as though you had a fabulous time - many precious memories for you too.
Love the journal page and the colours you've used are just perfect with the colourful images of Spain.
Hugs, Avril xx

Gibby Frogett said...

What a beautiful page you have created for the amazing trip you had Sandy - and what a lovely surprise it must have been :)
I chicken out a lot on writing so now I'm on a mission myself at present trying fathom out pens and what work over paint and don't smear/rub off etc and finding the right size nibs.
Have a great week... Gill x

Lori said...

Wow! Your journal pages are gorgeous and what an amazing trip! How wonderful to spend time with your son and daughter-in-law and visit such amazing places. So glad you had such a great time!

Paula said...

WOW!!! I think you have the Son of the Year! That is so sweet of them to include in you in this trip. I can't imagine how you woke up every morning not knowing where you were going or what you were doing. That is just so awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I am so jealous!! (Does your son need a sister?)
And your journal is fantastic. I just love seeing you dabble in so many different mediums.

Words and Pictures said...

What a fantastic trip - and how amazingly lovely of Scott and Daphene to treat you. Still I expect you were quite good to him too over the course of his life!!

Sounds like you had a brilliant time - two fantastic countries, and yes, so much more to see. I hope you saw some of the astounding Gaudi architecture in Barcelona - and the Boqueria (the food market hall - I could stay there all day!). I've never been to Madrid, but I have spent a wonderful holiday in the Andalucian hills. I've been only to the coast so far in Portugal - stunning - but I'd love to go back for more.

For the journal, if you don't want to mess around with an actual ink pen (that's when my handwriting looks best is if I use a proper cartridge pen with a good nib), I think a good gel pen is the next best option for a good flow. Definitely beats a Bic!
Alison x

Words and Pictures said...

Oh dear - that huge long comment and I didn't get around to saying how gorgeous your page is - full of vivid colours and memories.
Axx

sarascloset said...

Sandy, these are my favorite types of posts, filled with photos of family and travels-love seeing the food, too! I love seeing your inspired journal page and your handwritten quote is perfect for this! I have no advice on pens, other than I find the Recollections (Michael's brand) is the best white pen I have found so far. I rarely put my own writing on things as I have the world's worst handwriting-all those years writing in medical charts, I suppose.

What an amazing gift from your son and lovely daughter (in law)! And I know it must have made them very happy to be able to do that for you and your husband. They are beautiful, inside and out! I loved seeing you enjoying your meal (the tile on those walls is gorgeous!) and can't wait to see and read more about your trip (hint, hint!)! Hugs to you, sweetie!

Let's Art Journal said...

Wow, what a wonderful journal page you created, I love the images you used and it looks full of happy memories - perfect! If it helps, the pens I would use to write on my jounral pages are a black 0.5 mm Uni Pin Fine Line marker and a white Uniball Signo gel pen. I really enjoyed reading about your travels, how lovely of your son and his wife to treat you to such a magical trip, that is so kind of them! The food looks so yummy, I can see why you enjoyed it so much :-) . Enjoy the rest of the week and wishing you happiness! J :-)

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

What an amazing surprise and gift, Sandy! It must have been a fantastic trip and it sounds like you had a lot of fun. Your journal page looks lovely and will always remind you of the wonderful time you spent in Spain and Portugal.
Have a great weekend!
xo Julia

Stephanie said...

Oooooh, what fun for you and your family! And speaking of family, your son and daughter-in-law make such a charming couple. And you....you are simply beautiful, my friend!

Happy weekend to you. Hugs!

SewPaperPaint said...

Sounds wonderful Sandy! What an amazing trip and gorgeous journal spread to remember it by. Thanks for sharing, as I never leave home and really enjoyed it! Hugs, Autumn

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Hi Sandy, Gorgeous journal page and photographs. What a wonderful surprise from your handsome son and beautiful daughter-in-law :) Sounds like a wonderful time, you look great, thanks for sharing. Thank you for your kind words at my blog - I'm sorry about the loss of your kitty, it is difficult isn't it? Over the years we've been owned by 5 cats, at times 3 at once as well, but sadly they've all went to kitty heaven. Take good care, Shirleyxx

Candy C said...

Sandy...your art journal pages commemorating your trip to Spain and Portugal are beautiful! What a fabulous trip to be able to take with your son and daughter-in-law. You have a definite right to be proud of them… Very good looking couple.

Craftychris said...

Your journal page is gorgeous! What a wonderful way to remember your awesome trip and how lovely of your son and daughter in law to treat you! The photos are fabulous - you can tell it was lots of fun! xxx

May said...

Sandy you little globetrotter...what a wonderful surprize from your lovely family... the photos are amazing as is your wonderful journal page.. that food looked so yummy!!.. keep up with knitting... I trying my hand these days at sewing and knitting...It's a slow process as I don't know what I'm doing at times...lol... thank goodness for you-tube...Have a happy weekend ahead... May x x x x

Bonnie said...

I don't know how I missed this, but what a fabulous trip! You have a very special son and daughter-in-law!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I keep thinking I'll drop by and thank you for all your lovely comments. Then time gets away from me and two weeks have passed, then three. I apologize and wish I had visited sooner.

You really ARE a lucky mother. What an amazing journey and looks like lots of great food, too. Apparently, you raised your son right!

Again, thanks for stopping by my blog so often. BTW, I have NO idea what the best pen is. Seems all the ones I use die when I try to write over paint.

Dortesjs said...

Absolutely adore your page ;O)

MaryH said...

Hey Sandy, Just saw a comment at Bonnie's blog, about all the health trials you are dealing with at the moment. I know we've lost touch (sadly!) but wanted to take time to say good wishes and prayers coming your way that all these health issues can get settled and out of your way. Think all of us are facing some of these kinds of things, but hope you can get things sorted and back to having sunny fun! I miss you being in NC, and hope we can get back 'visiting' now & again, if you have time! Big hugs. (I've been MIA from Blogland for a few months now myself, due to family health issues).

Lori said...

Just dropping by again to say "HI!" Take good care of yourself!

Stephanie said...

Sweet Sandy, you have been on my mind a lot lately so I thought I would drop in and say hi. I just read from MaryH's comment that you are dealing with some health issues. Dear friend, I am sorry to learn of this. I hope you are okay and recovering from the struggles that are ailing you. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I miss you..... HUGS!

R's Rue said...

Praying.

maj. said...

Great journal page!!!!!

Candy C said...

Hi Sandy! Just checking out your blog. Love your art journal pages! Isn't Spain just beautiful? We were there a few years ago and I adored it. What a fabulous surprise for you. I know you had the time of your life.

Words and Pictures said...

Wanted to drop by to say a quick hello, and thank you for your recent comments. Hope you're enjoying spring wherever you are and whatever you're up to!
Hugs,
Alison x

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Clipping Path said...

Beautiful card, I love the image and the design.

R's Rue said...

Beautiful photos.

Babs said...

Hi Sandy, thank you for your lovely comment on my blog. your art Journal is so lovely. It sounds like you had a wonderful trip, Portugal is really a beautiful place and the Portuguese people are just wonderful people ..
Babs x

Mac Mable said...

I just wanted to pop in and say a big thank you for visiting my blog and leaving such a kind comment x. I enjoyed reading this post, which now must seem a lifetime away? How generous of you son and his wife and what fabulous memories you must have? x.

Viv said...

Thanks for the lovely comments, lovely photos and memories for you here too. Viv xx

Brenda said...

Wow, wow, wow! What a trip! How sweet of you son and DIL to take you and hubby on this wonderful trip, even if it was a business trip, it sounded like lots of fun Sandy! Loved seeing the photos of your son and Jose as well as Scott and Daphene. Then there was you! Loved that photo of you enjoying that amazing meal! You have lots to journal about for sure in your journal. That is a beautiful page(s) you have created. I love the blues and greens and the art work. The sentiment is so true too! You want your handwriting to stay vibrant so make sure and use an archival pen/marker. There are lots out these, so just look for one as you don't want your words fading over time. Hugs, Brenda

R's Rue said...

Wow.
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Anonymous said...

تتم عمليات شد البطن عن طريق عمل شق جراحي في أسفل البطن وغالباً ما يكون ممتداً من عظمة الحوض إلى عظمة الحوض الأخرى يقوم الطبيب بسحب الجلد فوق البطن للأسفل لاستئصال الزائد منه بسهولة، ويتم بعد ذلك تحديد موقع جديد للسرة بشق فتحة في الجلد المشدود وتثبيتها فيه في حين يستخدم أنبوب طبي في تصريف أي سوائل زائدة من أسفل الجرح بعد عملية شد البطن إلا أنه لا يشكل ألم للمريض تتعدد المراكز الطبية التي تجرى بها عمليات شد ترهلات الجسم والبطن بالليزر في مصر وكذلك المستشفيات التي تضم قسما خاصا لشفط الدهون وتنسيق القوام فيكفي القول بأن أغلب المراكز الطبية التي توفر خدمات شفط الدهون ونحت القوام في مصر فإنها بالتبعية تُجرى بها عملية شد البطن وهو ما يضمن لك العثور على خيارات أماكن متعددة لإجراء عمليتك

Words and Pictures said...

Thank you for your lovely comments over at Words and Pictures... and especially for the amazing card which arrived in the post. I hope you got my thank you email? Sending you all good wishes for the festive season.
Alison xx

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تعد شركات تركيب شبكات ومضخات الحريق أحد الجوانب الأساسية في أي منشأة تجارية أو صناعية. فهي تلعب دورًا حاسمًا في الحفاظ على السلامة وحماية الأرواح والممتلكات من أخطار الحرائق. وتعتبر شركات تركيب شبكات ومضخات الحريق المتخصصة في هذا المجال شريكًا حيويًا للشركات والمنشآت لضمان الحماية الفعالة والاستجابة السريعة في حالة نشوب الحرائق.