castles and abbeys

Places like this are so fascinating to me. To just think about how people lived their lives, and how at one point all the dusty furniture and peeling walls were brand new. To think of the parties and dinners and lives lived in places like this is very peculiar and wonderful.

We visited Hearst Castle over spring break, and besides getting a very sore throat from some sort of allergy to a plant there, I was in love with the place. It's perched up on a mountain in California surrounded by exotic animals that William Randolph Hearst had brought up, like zebras, and elephants!

The pools are dreamy, insanely dreamy. And they told us all about the parties and dinners and stars that would come! Seriously, my mom and I were in heaven as we walked through there, just in heaven. There is so much about it that was fabulous, and I think everyone should go there if they are ever in that area. I think I am definitely needing to go back.

note: my elementary school in California was named after this William Randolph Hearst's mother, fancy that!

and then there is Calke Abbey. I have never been there, but she has, and after looking it up, I just might have to make it a stop when I go to Europe someday. It's really fascinating, just how old it is and the things that are there, and to see how it declined is so intriguing.

Do you know of any other intriguing estates that are open for touring? I always want to go to the plantations and old houses in Georgia that Rhiannon at Liebemarlene always posts about. Or maybe I just want to live past eras. I try my best.

xo, Rosie

PS birthday party pictures are in the works! We all had such a wonderful time, it was quite a perfect birthday!