News & Updates from Wanda Lipski · Page 19

The village where I live is steeped in the history of silk weavers, and there are still many companies in and around the village that weave silk.

We were known as the tie capital of the world.

Back in the 1960s 80% of all the ties sold WORLDWIDE came from here. Our oldest company is Tassineri & Chatel and you can admire much of their work should you visit the palace of Versailles.

The photo is of a chair back in the villages one hotel that reopened, completely refurbished and under new management for the Easter weekend.

These chairs (and there are several animal designs but this was the only photo that came out well) have all been produced by a local company and really are something quite different.

Just thought I should share our local know how rather than wax lyrical about an excellent meal ! All my products will be on designer discount from this weekend, so please Enjoy...

I met this lovely young lady and her cameraman partner outside my house. She was looking in the kitchen window where I always display my latest creations ... a popular attraction with the children, not for the cards, but for my waving Queen.

When I explained that this was what I did, she asked if you could come back in the afternoon and interview me.

We had tea, spent a delightful moment and then we waited, and waited and waited.

We missed it on the television, but someone told us they had seen it and thanks to the Internet, we were able to watch it AND I was able to post it to my Facebook page.

I will NEVER open my mouth again. My accent ... Yukkk! I wasnt able to take a still with me in it from the video, but the presenter is far better looking than me.

She is in Panissières, about 20 metres from the house.

Ive been chronically busy this week, translating recipes, but have managed one or two new designs, that Im delighted to share with me.

Have a good week, and ENJOY!

As we were returning from our anniversary weekend we came across this little grotto and stopped to take a closer look.

The story behind it is worth sharing.

It was built (no doubt with a little help from his friends) by an 88-year old man towards the end of the 19th century, in memory of his father who was imprisoned during the Terror during the French Revolution in our nearby town of Feurs for having hidden priests.

Destined to the guillotined in Lyon, he was released when the tide turned and Robespierre was executed. Without this, the builder, a certain Mr LAFFAY would not have been born, since he was the youngest of 13 children, 6 of whom were born after their fathers miraculous release.

The family went to Lourdes to give thanks and the grotto is a reminder of that visit. There is a natural spring in the grotto, that although it had dry years before the construction has never dried up since.

I just love these stories of unsung heroes ....

And talking of heroes, Ive been busy adding to my celebrity series, so please feel free to have a browse ... and ENJOY!

We may only have been away from home for 24 hours to celebrating this 5th anniversary, but what a lovely 24 hours.

We spent the night in a little (chateau) hosted by a really charming couple who literally welcomed us with open arms and two adorable labradors ...And who doesnt want to sleep in such a pretty bed, under a goosedown quilt.

The highlight for me - the bathroom.... Let me explain. From the moment I had my first child, I was always being pestered when in the bathroom , and often had a bath with one or other of them when they were small.

I remember my son once clambered into the bath with me ... fully clothed! At the time my hubby said that for my birthday, he would look after the children while I had a bath.

Well champagne glass in hand, it became a birthday tradition, and although the children grew up, we exchanged baths for showers so luxuriating in a bubble bath retained all its magic.

Since we were on a barge for my birthday, no bath, so I made the most of the occasion and had a delicious wallow.

Like Elizabeth I I bathe on my birthday whether I need it or not !

Ive been very busy playing with celebrities and have added quite a few this week, so laugh, be happy and ENJOY!

Yesterday was our 5th wedding anniversary, and Im sharing a photo of that lovely day 5 years ago. Were un-conventional couple for modern times. We never lived together beforehand, although it was 14 years before he popped the question.

He sort of mused aloud one day ... what difference would it make if we got married? Romantic eh !

Well, my best friend thought that this was not on, so about a month later, after she and I had closed up at a craft market we all went out to eat in a steak house, one of those chains with no class, no character and steak and chips with a selection of sauces on the menu.

I think you have something to ask Wanda, she said to him. Oh dont be silly, he replies, she knows.

No she doesnt, insists my darling Dany, you havent actually asked her and so, rather like a dentist pulling teeth, she dragged from him the famous WILL YOU ... ? question.

I said yes. We got married in March but only started living together after we bought the house we moved into at the end of July that year.

Ive sometimes wanted to throttle him, but never, not once have I regretted it.

Its only five years, in light of our ages, well never see a golden wedding, so I just enjoy every day as it comes.

And he supports my crafting and loves my latest celebrity cards that will become a series. So stay married, stay as happy as we are and ENJOY!