Paris 2010

Paris 2010
Garden at Versailles

Friday, June 21, 2013

Fun on Twitter

I've been having a good time on Twitter since I joined awhile ago. I've actually learned a lot about current events there. I first read about the death of the late, great James Gandolfini on Twitter. At first I thought it had to be a hoax but unfortunately it was true.

I think Twitter is a great place for people with similar interests to connect. I have made quite a few connections with other Mad Men addicts or "Maddicts" as true fans have come to be known.

If you would like to follow me on Twitter, I am Joy@joyfulng on www.twitter.com. Currently, my account is in protected status so you have to request to follow me. You can participate as little or as much as you would like. Hope to see you there!

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Rest in Peace James Gandolfini

I was shocked and saddened yesterday when I heard the news that James Gandolfini had suddenly died in Italy at the age of 51.  If you look back at this blog, you'll see I have several posts about how much I loved "The Sopranos."  I've seen every season on DVD and also watched it on A&E even though it was edited for network TV. I don't think you'll find a bigger fan of the show or of James Gandolfini. I looked for his movies when they came out after the series ended in 2007.

Ironically, I had just picked up a movie of his from last year called "Down the Shore." It takes place on the Jersey shore and concerns Gandolfini's character's sister who had died in Paris. It's another wonderful performance by Mr. Gandolfini. I watched it last night as a tribute to him. 

I just recently had a chance to see two episodes of "The Sopranos" on HBO and they were two of the best. When Carmela told Tony that she didn't love him anymore, the look in Tony's sad eyes was heartbreaking.

My thoughts and prayers go out to James Gandolfini's wife and children and the rest of his family and friends. He is an actor I will truly never forget.

Here is one of my favorite scenes from the show -

 http://youtu.be/uMhop8-gAPU

And here is the last scene from the series when everything fades to black. Focus on the good times -

http://youtu.be/rnT7nYbCSvM


Tony and Carmela Soprano



Sunday, June 2, 2013

A Walk in the Park

I recently read a great book called A Walk in the Park by British author Jill Mansell. This is the second book of hers that I have read; the first was To the Moon and Back. I enjoyed that one but I loved A Walk in the Park and recommended it highly to my friends at www.goodreads.com. One of the reasons I liked it so much was that it takes place in Bath, England and I have been there.

Here is the description from www.goodreads.com -

It's been a while, but Lara Carson's back in Bath and lives are set to change as a result. Because Lara left her family and boyfriend Flynn eighteen years ago without a word to anyone. Why has no one heard from her since? Her childhood best friend Evie is thrilled Lara's back and able to share her happiness. Evie's about to walk down the aisle with her dream man, Joel. Or so she thinks... Then there's Flynn Erskine, even more attractive now and stunned to see Lara again. The spark between them is as strong as ever, but how's Flynn going to react when he discovers the secret she's been keeping from him? Oh yes, there's a lot of catching up to be done.

If you enjoy British chick lit, you will love this book!

Bath, England



Garden

Garden
Versailles

The Louvre

The Louvre
Paris

Paris

Paris
The Seine

Arc de Triomphe

Arc de Triomphe
Paris

Paris in May

Paris in May
Paris

The Louvre

The Louvre
Paris

Chihuly glass sculpture

Chihuly glass sculpture
Victoria & Albert Museum, London

Monet's Water Lilies

Monet's Water Lilies
Orangerie Museum, Paris

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey
London

Bruges

Bruges
View from our hotel window

Amsterdam

Amsterdam
canal

Arc de Triomphe

Arc de Triomphe
Paris

Lilacs in London

Lilacs in London
St. Paul's Cathedral

The Royal Guard

The Royal Guard
London

Music man

Music man
Bruges

Joy at the Palace

Joy at the Palace
London

Guard

Guard
Tower of London

Jackson in Bruges

Jackson in Bruges
Belgium

Canal bridge

Canal bridge
Amsterdam

Houseboat

Houseboat
Amsterdam

British police

British police
London

Oscar Wilde's Grave

Oscar Wilde's Grave
Paris

Rhododendrons in the park

Rhododendrons in the park
Amsterdam

Versailles

Versailles
Joy in the palace

Winter scene

Winter scene
wow!

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year
dragon

Sweet peas

Sweet peas
love 'em

Pretty bouquet

Pretty bouquet

Princess Diana Fountain

Princess Diana Fountain
Hyde Park

Gardens

Gardens
Versailles

End of summer daisies

End of summer daisies
Our yard

Cool art

Cool art
Tate Modern, London

Penguin party

Penguin party
penguins

Pretty kitty

Pretty kitty
My sister's cat

Jon Hamm

Jon Hamm
Is he a great looking guy or what?

Mad about Don

Mad about Don
Mad Men

Love Monk!!

Love Monk!!
Love To Tony

January and Jon

January and Jon
Beautiful people

Jon and January

Jon and January
Mad Men actors

Mona Lisa

Mona Lisa
The Louvre

Royal Crescent

Royal Crescent
Bath

British phone booth

British phone booth
London

Harrod's Department Store

Harrod's Department Store
London

Versailles

Versailles
bedroom

Trafalger Square

Trafalger Square
London

Tower of London

Tower of London
London

Seattle Public Library

Seattle Public Library
Seattle

Lavender

Lavender

Lighthouse

Lighthouse

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas
beautiful

Coffee love

Coffee love
yummy