Rosemary, North Bay Village, FL, USA

marina


Posted Oct 12, 2007, 5:54 am
Hello, how are you? It’s very nice to meet you. My name is Rosemary and I’m a little girl skunk.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/zroing/ToyVoyagers/rosemary_polaroid.jpg

I just became a Toy Voyager and will be traveling to France soon, where I will meet Mistigree.

I live with Robito, Trapito and Palmito.

My hobby is collecting cute or interesting buttons. I also like Victorian postcards and hope to be able to find at least a couple to give to my Mom, since she likes them a lot too. I also love reading and writing letters to friends.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/zroing/ToyVoyagers/readingperri.jpg
I’ve arrived at my new home recently. There are many books here, so I’m quite happy.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/zroing/ToyVoyagers/writingletter.jpg
The best thing about a good hardcover book is that it doubles as a great table, don’t you think? :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/zroing/ToyVoyagers/dominoes1.jpg
I thought it’d make a perfect table to play dominoes on, so I invited Budd to play with me.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/zroing/ToyVoyagers/dominoes2.jpg
So far, it looks like I’m winning!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/zroing/ToyVoyagers/dominoes3.jpg
It's your turn, Budd.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/zroing/ToyVoyagers/dominoes4.jpg
Hmmmm…

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/zroing/ToyVoyagers/dominoes5.jpg
Oh, it’s a draw. :p
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/zroing/ToyVoyagers/readingtogether.jpg
Later we read together. We ended up falling asleep!

I haven't yet decided where I’ll go when I come back from France. If you’d like to host me, please let my Mom know. I'll be delighted to meet you. I'd also love to see your garden if you happen to have one, as I just love pretty flowers and plants.
Mistigree


Posted Oct 27, 2007, 10:25 pm
I am a skunk, but a GIRL skunk, and I wanted to travel in an appropriate envelope, therefore it is in this beautiful pink flowered envelope that I arrived in France today !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2203/1780003340_bf7af25505.jpg?v=0

I gave my travelbook to Mistigree so that she can write something on it later. I decided to collect my hosts' signatures and bought this butterflies decorated notebook in this aim.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2040/1780023202_06500249e6.jpg?v=0

As I said before, I like to write letters, and for a skunk who never went to school, look how nice my writing is!!!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2299/1780023174_195ba5be63.jpg?v=0

Mistigree knew I would be hungry after several days without eating anything and she prepared a garden peas soup with garlic croûtons for me !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2251/1780003408_5b94fb15a6.jpg?v=0

I even played with the croûtons in making a smiling face on the soup !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2314/1780003418_b7c0d1bee5.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Oct 27, 2007, 10:52 pm
This afternoon I went to the cinema. It is a cinema called 'UTOPIA" that usually doesn't play general public movies, but rather less unknown films. I read the different programs with much attention but couldn't decide which film to watch !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2347/1780003386_b6a1f954f5.jpg?v=0

So Mistigree decided for me... Let's go to see "This is England" that won the British Film Awards 2007 !! The scene takes place during the Thatcher goverment and deals with a skinhead band...!! Some characters scared me a lot :o
It was not a movie for a poor girl skunk I'm afraid !!!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2264/1780003370_ed6f9a21a8.jpg?v=0

This is me in the cinema but Mistigree doesn't know how to use her camera when it is dark (it is a brand new camera and she did not read the whole instructions for use yet !!)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2332/1780003354_3f20b9c00b.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Nov 8, 2007, 11:08 pm
Today I took the bus to go to the train station.
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It was long waiting for it because we are Sunday and it is not as frequent as during the week. I looked after Mistigree’s luggage while she was buying something to eat.
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This is the map of the bus itinerary. It seems so complicated for me who never took the bus before ! ! We have to go to «Marengo SNCF» (the name of the bus stop) told me Mistigree, it is about 20 minutes from Mistigree's flat.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2191/1923785984_b7cb08bf49.jpg?v=0

Here we are in the train waiting for the departure… By the way, I didn’t tell you : we’re going to visit Mistigree’s parents for some days because Mistigree is on holiday.
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The train has started and we are now leaving Toulouse ! !
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First I looked through the window, but I got bored soon and I decided to read to spend time. That was not a problem for Mistigree to lend me a book because she had 5 books in her bag !! (She loves reading as well as I do !)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2380/1923786078_a79b9b859d.jpg?v=0

The problem is that I was not sitting facing the engine, and I rapidly caught a headache ! Therefore I finally finished the journey wisely on my seat !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2280/1923786048_96ed69be25.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Nov 9, 2007, 8:44 pm
We arrived in Ger, the village where Mistigree's parents are living, 2 hours later. What I first saw when I entered the house is that cat who was sleeping on the kitchen table.
I decided to introduce myself to her : "Hi, I'm Rosemary from the USA". No answer. "Hi I'm Rosmary from the USA" . No answer. "Hi, I'm Rosemary from the USA" . Still no answer. "Hi, I'm Rosemary from the USA"... Silence...
It is only later that Mistigree told me that this cat was old and quite deaf !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2198/1923806286_b76917b260.jpg?v=0

Outside, there is a big garden, see how green the grass is !! Greener than in an English garden !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2234/1923043369_b40ff4caf7.jpg?v=0

Usually there are plenty of flowers around, but now, we are in autumn and most of the flowers already faded. The only ones that I saw were the following ones.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2022/1922999117_9b7ebc2f68.jpg?v=0

No lavender field here :O(
But some nice daisies instead !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2007/1923043361_419333bdf1.jpg?v=0

Look how beautiful I am !! It is in case I meet a French skunk...!! Who knows ???
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Then I had a look at the vegetable garden where I found some cabbage.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2128/1922999097_4767635ea2.jpg?v=0

There were also green peppers that Mistigree likes a lot, but I prefer the yellow peppers that are milder to the taste.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2121/1922999091_a6c3cdf8e1.jpg?v=0

What is this strange vegetable with long leaves ??? Mistigree thinks it is beet, but she's not sure and nor am I !
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And finally, I saw 4 pumpkins that were waiting to be cooked !!
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We ate them the day after indeed !! There was a soup, a cake and a tart !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2357/1923125215_13020f95b6.jpg?v=0

Look how strange the inside of a pumpkin is !!! It looks like a grotto with stalactites and stalagmites !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2251/1923125211_3c7f375f37.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Nov 9, 2007, 9:38 pm
It is the countryside here, there are only trees and fields around.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2383/1923850326_f3355a8dc2.jpg?v=0

I was happy when I saw some of the trees were oaks, because oaks mean acorns, and acorns mean delicious meal for a skunk !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2380/1923850272_871f49788f.jpg?v=0

As there were many dead leaves on the grass, I helped gathering them with a rake.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2132/1923043409_450e856a49.jpg?v=0

This work was hard, but I was rewarded by a full bucket of chesnuts !!
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I could not resist to jump into the bucket and to eat some of them immediately !! I had a slap-up meal I must say !
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Then I went on the swing because I wanted to play before coming back into the house !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2054/1923043387_db8664b1c2.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Nov 11, 2007, 2:17 pm
Today it was raining and we stayed inside. I decided to cook an apple cake as apples are my favourite fruits. Mistigree gave me a recipe of a cake called "quatre-quart aux pommes" ("pound cake" seems to be the translation for it)
First I had to cut pieces of 3 apples.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2013/1923088759_7dc59b5bde.jpg?v=0

Then I tried to do some caramel with sugar and water but it would have been better with cane sugar !
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I spread the caramel on the bottom and the sides of a dish and then placed the pieces of apples on it.
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Then I made some butter melt and mixed it with sugar.
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2 farm eggs added and let's mix again !
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The last step is to add flour and baking powder.
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The cake is ready to bake !
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While waiting for it to be baked, I explored a cupboard in Mistigree's parents'bedroom and found a very interesting box with "buttons" written on it !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2076/1923088747_5afad84728.jpg?v=0

When I opened it, my heart was beating a lot !! You know how much I'm fond of buttons !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2249/1923064177_3a22b65a69.jpg?v=0

I immediately jumped into the box !! It was as if I took a buttons bath !! Imagine how happy I was !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2166/1923064203_56d3b37081.jpg?v=0

I sorted some nice buttons for my collection and I will send them to Marina so that she kept them until my return home.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2357/1936684714_b2a5bd6775.jpg?v=0

Then it was time to check if the cake had baked correctly, and it had indeed !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2069/1923108403_739cd05e78.jpg?v=0

Look, the result is as on the recipe's picture !! I'm proud !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2255/1923108417_8d2758d270.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Nov 11, 2007, 3:29 pm
Mood who’s a friend of Mistigree is now hosting (Playmo)Bill whose aim is to surf anywhere else than its sink, so today Mood drove us to the beach, Mistigree, Bill and I ! ! We went in a region called "Landes", which has numerous pines forests.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2237/1923322253_32c765c5d8.jpg?v=0

The little town we went is Vieux-Boucau, and is situated near the Atlantic Ocean.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2212/1923125233_e1b6b98f45.jpg?v=0

I looked at the map and the sea seemed not too far, so let's go by foot !
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Behind me is the parking just in front of the sea. Usually it is full of cars, but as we are in November, there were not much people this time !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2239/1923125253_3bfbc1ac24.jpg?v=0

Those flats are flats for tourists who come here during summer. These are quite nice but there are others than are not very beautiful and that spoil the lanscape !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2409/1923125277_20edb97e80.jpg?v=0

Most of the shops were closed, so I could only watch the windowshop with beach articles inside ! There was a funny turtle buoy, maybe I'll buy it another time so that I could learn swimming !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2391/1923145295_4a9a480215.jpg?v=0

I saw a nice Betty Boop towel ! It aroused my attention because she was dressed with the US flag pattern ! !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2243/1923145303_cbf2398abc.jpg?v=0

By approaching the sea, we passed along this hotel/restaurant called « hôtel de la pomme de pin » (pine cone hotel), who’s got a typical architecture from here.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2420/1923145331_20ed7cdff0.jpg?v=0

I went to see the menu, thinking they had a speciality of pine cones...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2095/1923145341_e20cb2bd0f.jpg?v=0

...but there were only sea food !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2362/1923145359_7872342c64.jpg?v=0

In front of a bar near the sea, I found amusing to see this toutou’s bar here ! ! (although they have less drink choice than human, only water is served in the toutou’s bar !). By the way, "toutou" is the French word for "doggie" !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2338/1924021290_43cfc2dbb6.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Nov 11, 2007, 4:33 pm
Here we are, in front of the sea !! As I came from Miami, I already knew what a beach looked like of course, but I felt a bit nervous nevertheles because I realized that Marina should be just in front on me, on the American coast !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2188/1924021376_b1fe8b9530.jpg?v=0

I approached the water, or more exactly Mistigree approached the water hanging me in her hands because I was afraid !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2046/1923209673_d0ae8b7625.jpg?v=0

At a moment, we bent down to gather shells to send to Marina as a souvenir...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2224/1923209745_981e1928b6.jpg?v=0

...and here is the result !!! We were so wrapped up in selecting a nice shell that we did not see the water coming !! I'm so sorry for Mistigree shoes and trousers !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2095/1923209687_ed74a42c99.jpg?v=0

Then I went to see if I could find some crabs under those rocks, but I did not find any.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2265/1923225373_260e7346f8.jpg?v=0

Instead of crabs, I saw (Playmo)Bill who found this not too deep place to surf !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2211/1923225397_c40884c92d.jpg?v=0

I left him surfing and wandered a little farther on the dunes.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2059/1923225465_12d9d3de3c.jpg?v=0

I arrived at a lake where there were some anglers fishing.
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I saw a sign then that indicates what kind of fishes we can catch here.
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One of the fishermen who certainly had forgotten his glasses took me for a fish and threw a net on me ! ! !
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HELP ! ! ! I’m prisonner ! ! ! !
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I managed to escape outside the net and ran on the sand to move away from this silly fisherman !
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I arrived at a place that sounds nice with little boats waiting for me on the sand.
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I jumped into one of the boat, but then realized that I couldn't row because I have no arms !!
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So I decided to drive a pedalo that only needs to have feet.
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But unfortunately the pedalos were padlocked ! ! !
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Then it began to be cold and late, so we left the sea for now, but not before having seen the sun going down !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2286/1923209653_f0fa89000f.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Nov 11, 2007, 6:00 pm
This morning, I went in the town center (hum...  "town" is not a very appropriate word, Vieux-Boucau is rather a little village !). This engraving is on the townhall's wall.
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I went to visit the church (hum the fact is that there is nothing else to visit around !)
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This is the inside. There were some nice flowers near the altar however.
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And a very comfortable chair  too !
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I saw candles that made a nice filtered light. Mistigree was surprised because candles for prayers are usually smaller than these ones (usually they are more like plate warmers candles).
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There was even a ship model in the church !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2261/1924122214_b9be77f38d.jpg?v=0

I saw some fishmonger's then, whose windowshops I liked very much because they were drawn as a cartoon. But as I had a bad experience with a fisher man the day before, I did not stay there !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2312/1923255239_16d7ef5856.jpg?v=0 http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2161/1923255231_91c598a15d.jpg?v=0

I chose a postcard to send to Marina as a souvenir of my trip here. The choice was hard !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2004/1923255253_e4a0371663.jpg?v=0

What a surprise when I saw a postcard (or it is rather a bookmark I think) with a blooming lavender field on it ! ! I pestered Mistigree until she bought it to me ! !
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I was hungry and we decided to go to the Captain'Bar, a bar/restaurant in front of the sea.
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I ate French fries with a really yummy kebab flavoured panini !
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Then I had a last glance at the sea... Goodbye Vieux-Boucau !
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Mistigree


Posted Nov 11, 2007, 6:47 pm
As (Playmo)Bill wanted to go to Hossegor, which is a famous surf town here in France, we went there for a while before returning home.
The beach was not as desert as in Vieux-Boucau because there was a competition. I don't know exactly what it was but I guess it was a rescuer competition.
Look at those boys !! They are waiting for the race departure !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2252/1923322211_8b2afce53a.jpg?v=0

I think before we arrived, they had raced on these kayak !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2304/1923322197_8d9e8554b8.jpg?v=0

I saw some typical houses, they are most of the time claret-coloured, but sometimes blue or green too.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2178/1923304491_ad1e55f979.jpg?v=0

There was this thing on one of the house. It is written "les pieds rouges" which means "red feet", but I don't know what are the birds represented here ?? Do the seagulls have red feet ?
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2322/1923304449_4d074a0784.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Nov 20, 2007, 9:36 pm
The sun was shining today and it was just perfect for wandering in a park ! So Mistigree and I went to "Le Jardin des Plantes", the most important park in Toulouse.
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This is one of the entrance. In fact this wall is part of the previous townhall's walls that has been carried here when the new townhall was built.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2419/2040939363_81c68008c9.jpg?v=0

It is open until 18 pm in autumn and winter, and I read on the note here that the mayor of the city allowed people to walk on the grass, but that they have to respect the flowers and the animals. Of course I agree with him as I'm fond of plants and flowers.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2213/2040939381_5136770b75.jpg?v=0

Let's enter now !
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This sign made me laugh because it says the park is forbidden to dogs and to two-wheeled vehicles ("deux-roues" in French)... but because of the way it is made, it seems to tell that the dogs wo have 2 wheels are forbidden !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2243/2040939387_ec1ed582ac.jpg?v=0

First, I went to see the little river, it was so quiet ! We were very early and we were almost alone in the park !
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I said hello to the ducks, they are not wild because they used to be fed with bread by people.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2191/2040942825_3873ad35d9.jpg?v=0

Then I met 2 gooses, but I must confess that they scared me a little, they have a strange and loud cry !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2280/2040942829_84b0541c5f.jpg?v=0

I did not dare to enter in their house, because Mistigree told me that when a goose is angry, it can be agressive (Mistigree's mother had a bad experience with a goose when she was a child !)
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I prefered to go and see the birds house but it was empty !
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There weren't much flowers as we are already in autumn and they have all  already faded, but I found those ones very colourful however.
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Usually there are yellow roses here, that surround the statue in the back.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2213/2041742170_92048c3188.jpg?v=0

A very beautiful statue by the way, but who looked sad !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2125/2041742178_d1a6143e43.jpg?v=0

Here are two naked lovers !! If only I could find a nice French skunk around, but there seems to be only winged creatures here... Mistigree told me there were also bears, monkeys and seals until 1976 (of course they were in a cage...which was not a very nice house for them I must say)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2069/2041745728_624bb3f804.jpg?v=0

Besides this is a fountain especially for birds. You can not see it, but the water pours in the middle.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2013/2041745730_eebb654f3d.jpg?v=0

That statue seems to be a Roman or Greek godess, but I can be mistaken ?!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2213/2040942811_3c54d13986.jpg?v=0

In the middle of the garden, there is a wall all alone ! Mistigree doesn't know where it comes from, but she will look on the internet because I told her it was a pitty that she lived here without knowing such things about her town !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2247/2041742186_fa9d7e00b8.jpg?v=0

What I prefered in the garden are those swings called "Escarpolettes", what a funny French word !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2365/2041742188_7f65ec33ed.jpg?v=0

I also liked the little train, but the driver was not here (maybe he was sleeping or on strike ?!)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2414/2041745726_1eefcfd203.jpg?v=0

Soon, there will be a natural history museum here (in fact it already exists but has been closed for years because it needed to be restored). It will be the second greater natural history museum of France. We can already see this dinosaur skeleton.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2395/2041742196_2d158af4f1.jpg?v=0

We went out by another door on the other side of the park.
I enjoyed the garden very much but it should be even more nice in spring or summer !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2201/2041749208_a2ff972df9.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Nov 25, 2007, 5:20 pm
The same day, but in the afternoon, Mistigree showed me some interesting shops. The one I prefered is called "Mes aïeux" (which means "My ancestors"). The blue windowshop is lovely...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2297/2062832440_cad8da911f.jpg?v=0

And what we can find inside is all that I like !! Victorian things... Unfortunately there were no postcards, what you can see here are just perfumed bags with victorian pictures.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2051/2062832436_ca9c25e093.jpg?v=0

Mistigree told me she will certainly buy those tags for her pictures albums... I'm a little jealous because I like stationery too !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2189/2062832438_2a9285a28a.jpg?v=0

Besides here is another stationery shop with many tempting writing items !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2302/2062832426_ccb0703dcf.jpg?v=0

Oh and this one is called "Violettes et pastels" and we can find different violet products inside (candies, soaps, perfumes...) because Toulouse is famous in France for its violets.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2071/2062051541_14a61e40e9.jpg?v=0

In a little street we found this cartoon shop with Mickey Mouse in front of it. It made me think of Marina my mentor who's drawing nice cartoon characters too !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2227/2062051539_01c51d34db.jpg?v=0

And do you know "Tintin et Milou" ?? It is a Belgian cartoon, but it has been translated in many languages.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2349/2062051557_69d86c7acf.jpg?v=0

I was amused to see that Tintin has his own shop here !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2163/2062051549_e9d44aa8b0.jpg?v=0

At the end, Mistigree showed me a French tea shop, but unfortunately, she's not fond of tea, she prefers coffee ! It is written "The French art of tea"...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2139/2062832422_c0dbcba0e2.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Dec 9, 2007, 10:55 am
A ToyVoyager arrived at Mistigree's house. It is Seamus, a little lion who comes from Finland.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2108/1990149728_03ccb28744.jpg?v=0

He was persuaded that his tail was bigger than mine, so Snegovik measured our tails to make sure.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2343/1990113730_1153b0a950.jpg?v=0

I'm afraid dear Seamus, but it seems the tail of the king of the animals is smaller than a skunk's tail !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2201/1990113710_69568719c8.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Dec 9, 2007, 11:57 am
As Seamus is fond of board games, we played to some games to please him. The first one is a game about French blazons, where we have to search and put the same blazons together.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2051/1990113612_560c77ff42.jpg?v=0

It was terrific ! Seamus won so rapidly that Snegovik and I wondered if he hasn't cheated...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2307/1990113634_b2251b7475.jpg?v=0

Nevertheless, we agreed to play another game with him. It is "La bonne paye" a money game.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2350/1990149750_0b41634847.jpg?v=0

I lost to that game, I had so many bills to pay (doctor, garage...) that I was rapidly ruined.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2165/2062917915_a369553ede.jpg?v=0

To conclude we played Monopoly. As I know and like reading, I read the rules to Seamus and Snegovik.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2389/2040639785_d03c5a97f5.jpg?v=0

It is a Monopoly about Europe and I chose "the House of Parliament" of London as a piece as England makes me think of Victorian things that I  like so much.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2340/2062917613_ffc2808fd7.jpg?v=0

Unfortunately, Seamus had a lot of houses and hotels and each time, I came across his squares full of hotels. I had to mortgage all my properties and of course, I lost once again.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2394/2063711334_bdaddcdd60.jpg?v=0

To comfort me in my grief because I had lost 3 times, Mistigree brought me a nice bag with apples drawn on it.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2031/2063712728_49ec8b37e4.jpg?v=0

I was curious to see what I was going to find inside of it...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2301/2062918547_e65a8bb035.jpg?v=0

"Miam-miam" as they say in French (it means "yum-yum"), 2 parts of apple croustade !! I immediately ate the 2 parts... I thought that Snegovik was already too well-padded to eat croustade...but don't tell him that I ate his part please !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2148/2063712264_d2828df806.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Dec 9, 2007, 2:14 pm
This morning, we went to the organic market that is held every Saturday on the main place of Toulouse.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2193/2062920173_c32654a635.jpg?v=0

Oh, all those apples !!! I was so excited as it is one of my favourite fruits !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2066/2063713196_ff6204d792.jpg?v=0

Once back home, I read a book about apples that I found in Mistigree's kitchen.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2200/2062918325_cf3b4061a8.jpg?v=0

I learnt about the different kinds of apples that exist.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2286/2062919221_70f392a5f6.jpg?v=0

And I dreamt when I saw this apple clafoutis in a heart shaped plate !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2004/2062919675_e8b92d6d9e.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Dec 9, 2007, 3:22 pm
Today, Mistigree showed me a strange notebook...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2391/2098043188_fdf020b95b.jpg?v=0

She explained me that she has been cutting and sticking  for years TV series pictures in this notebook as a souvenir of what she was watching on TV when she was younger !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2122/2097265153_79d8af3e0d.jpg?v=0

So I found pictures of Laura Ingalls and her family !! I really wish one day someone could take me to visit their house in South-Dakota (of course the real house, not the TV one !)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2235/2097265499_685ebf1f8e.jpg?v=0

Then she showed me a book of Candy, do you know this young blond girl ??
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2150/2062920655_2bb452e2d4.jpg?v=0

I enjoyed the story a lot (so romantic !), moreover there is a raccoon in it. He's called Capucin, I don't know what his name is in the English version ?!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2102/2063713652_ee3e609f3a.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Dec 9, 2007, 4:24 pm
Today is my last day in France... and it is also... my birthday !!
All my friends prepared me a funny apple cake with apples and clementines pieces sprinkled with chocolate powder !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2059/2098185364_eecb70c454.jpg?v=0

It is my first bithday abroad and it was quite touching !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2233/2097407501_c123970b33.jpg?v=0

Snegovik even gave me a present... I was so embarrassed because I did not expect anything !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2283/2098185676_470385afc3.jpg?v=0

It is a metallic sheet with an old French parfumerie illustration on it !! How nice it is !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2377/2098185212_6953244cf5.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Dec 9, 2007, 7:27 pm
Mistigree has just written some words in my travel notebook... It's time for me to leave France...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2331/2098683352_277e51e486.jpg?v=0

I'm going to travel in this box... It is a washing powder box, so it smells the washing powder, I hope I won't have an allergy...
Steve & Helly, I'm coming right now !!!!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2191/2098683536_41f280c5d6.jpg?v=0
Steve & Helly


Posted Dec 17, 2007, 8:07 pm
How glad am I to have arrived safely!

Mistigree wrapped me up very well.

But what a shock, it's 'FREEZING' here in England at the moment. I warmed up in Helly's office.

I arrived just in time to join in the office party. Pierre Bear was there and he helped me to pull a cracker.
Steve & Helly


Posted Dec 18, 2007, 5:07 pm
I'm off tomorrow with Helly & Steve to spend Christmas in Normandie. Elephonse and Pierre Bearare coming too and Elephonse has been telling me all about the blue elephants!

Helly tells me she won't be able to add any photos for the next two weeks but will take lots of my adventures whilst I'm away.

Wow, USA, France, England, France and then back to England, what a lucky skunk I am!
Steve & Helly


Posted Dec 31, 2007, 9:12 am
I'm so excited. Today I'm off to France for Christmas.

First stop Dover, to catch a boat. I sat on the dashboard of the car and looked at the ferries while I was waiting to get on board. The port's not very pretty! There's not a flower in sight.
Steve & Helly


Posted Dec 31, 2007, 9:17 am
'Bonjour France' - Pierre Bear taught me that! It's so nice to be back in France, so soon after leaving. I must admit I prefer seeing where I'm going, rather than travelling through the post.

The ferry crossing was only short and it wasn't long before I arrived.

Next stop, Abbeville for the night.
Steve & Helly


Posted Dec 31, 2007, 1:09 pm
I stopped the night in a hotel at Abbeville. It was very warm inside so I was surprised just how cold and icy it was when I got up.

I wore my nice warm scarf and watched from inside the car whilst Steve de-iced.
Steve & Helly


Posted Jan 2, 2008, 6:01 pm
On our journey towards Ste. Colombe we crossed an amazing bridge, the Pont De Tancarville. The bridge crosses the River Seine and it's a fantastic sight.
Steve & Helly


Posted Jan 2, 2008, 6:04 pm
Wow, what a pretty place I saw today. It's Portbail on the west coast of the Cotentin peninsula in Normandy.

I stopped here to have my lunch and gazed out over the bay.
Steve & Helly


Posted Jan 2, 2008, 6:08 pm
Ohh, it's nearly Christmas day, I'm so excited.

I went for a long walk along Utah Beach today. It was virtually deserted, apart from a few people collecting moules along the shore.
Steve & Helly


Posted Jan 3, 2008, 5:45 pm
I stopped at Honfleur for the night. Honfleur is such a pretty place, it has an old harbour, houses and other buildings. There was a Christmas market and lots of lovely decorations.

Unfortunately I didn't get a photo taken of me by the harbour but I did look at the town from a distance.
Steve & Helly


Posted Jan 3, 2008, 5:48 pm
Wow, I usually prefer pretty flowers and gardens but this bridge was amazing, even more amazing than the Pont De Tancarville I crossed over a week ago. This bridge also crosses the Seine.
Steve & Helly


Posted Jan 3, 2008, 5:53 pm
Hurrah, back in England.

Well, I didn't get to go carolling. I intended to but my French translation wasn't good and I got the dates wrong and missed it! Still, there's always next year. Helly & Steve have a couple of plans for me before I carry on with my travels. I can't wait.
Steve & Helly


Posted Jan 6, 2008, 3:44 pm
I trevelled to Winchester with Pierre Bear today to ride on old buses. I wasn't impressed! I'll leave the buses to Pierre to tell you about!

However, later in the day I walked around the outside of Winchester cathedral and through the lanes behind the cathedral looking at the old buildings. This was much more interesting than buses.
Tess


Posted Mar 16, 2008, 11:10 am
 

Guess what I arrived in the Netherlands last week. :p
My host (Tessa) has not had a chance to update the logbook , but I was welcomed with open arms.

So far I met the family and the pets of the family.
I also went to doggy-school with Tessa and watched the obedience class from the side line.

At first I was very scared cause I noticed some LIONS as well but thank goodness it happened
to be just BIG friendly dogs and they were very kind.
I took care of the little dog-snack shop in between classes and did some catering.

Next week we might go for a goat visit, hope they
are friendly as well.


Skunk {{hugs}}
Your Rosemary
Tess


Posted Mar 16, 2008, 11:23 am
Some people like to play with the dogs and throw a ball...

Guess what this ONE was missing..and everyone did a search party for the tennis ball of the dog of my host. :cyclops:

She is the black and white one.

She is even laying flat on her face..to find.

Humans are strange people (I think)

Oh and Marina...I have a ball :p here in this country...
marina


Posted Jul 17, 2008, 8:42 pm
My dear Rosemary,

How are you doing? Please tell your host that I miss you very, very much, and really want you back. It would make me very sad to lose you. Your host knows how sad that is, as it happened to Vince and Vinnie too. :(

Please, please tell her to send you back, it has been forever, and Robito and Palmito miss you dearly.

Love,

-Marina
marina


Posted Apr 5, 2009, 4:12 am
Rosemary has finally returned! Robito, Palmito and I are very grateful to Tess for sending her back. We missed her so much!!

Rosemary wasn't alone on the way home: Tess and Wendy gave her a shy, darling little bunny called Grace to keep her company.

Also, a big thank-you goes to every kind host who not only took good care of Rosemary, but also filled her travel diary with notes, collages, photos and all sorts of interesting things from the places she visited. It was so much fun to read and look at it all! :stare:

For now, I don't plan to send Rosemary or my other TV's to stay with hosts. I get a little too attached to them, I now realize.  :rolleyes: But from time to time I will still take them places on my own. Rosemary will want an extended break, however!

Anyway, it's great to have her back. Thanks for sending her, Tess, and for Grace and the nice postcard too!

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