She's Lady of the Manor: What's with the name?

 

No, I'm not so pretentious to think I'm some high society lady with a title!  The fact is, when I was considering beginning this blogging journey, one of the hardest parts was deciding on a name.  I wanted it to convey the idea that, as I was retiring from the working world, how excited I was about all the new things there were to learn and adventures to experience.  Easy enough, huh?  That's when I realized how many bloggers there were in the world!  Every name I thought of was already taken!!  I can't tell you how many I tried.

One evening as I was working in my Picasa photo program, I came across this picture I'd take while playing with my camera.  It's of a pillow Precious Daughter brought me from a trip to London.  The image jumped out at me and I realized it was just the right light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek title I was looking for!  One that was on the whimsical side.  One that shared whatever interested me at the time or showed a new skill or hobby I was trying out.  ... because I'm the boss now!  "Lady of the Manor" seemed to fit the bill! 

Someone had already snatched up the actual Lady of the Manor user name so I altered it a bit, adding "She's" to it, and my blog was born!  She's Lady of the Manor!

I hope you'll stop by now and then to see what I've been learning and what adventures I've had.  I'll try to include some interesting info on Wonderful Hubby, Precious Daughter and Favorite Son, too.  They make my life so special!  I am one lucky Lady of the Manor!

The memories made along the journey

make the destination even better!


 

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis

Early in December of last year, Wonderful Hubby and I took a Christmas tour of restored homes in the Soulard Neighborhood of South St. Louis City.  While in the city, we also went to Mass at the Cathedral Basilica. 

The Cathedral was completed in 1914 and was designated a basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1997 in recognition of its beauty and historical significance.



The exterior of the Cathedral Basilica is designed in the Romanesque style. 



The interior is decorated in the Byzantine tradition with soaring domes and beautiful arches. 

The Cathedral is known for it's incredible mosaic art depicting stories of Christian faith and history.

  

The mosaics are made with over 41,000,000 glass tesserae tiles using over 8,000 shades of color.



The nave and altar areas are quite impressive not only in size but color.

There is also a Mosaic Museum in the lower level which shares information about the construction of the building and the creation of the mosaics. We didn't tour it during this visit but will the next time we're there. The mosaics are truly amazing! I would love to learn how they were created!


Cathedral Basilica is located in the Central West End of St. Louis, Missouri, at 4431 Lindell Boulevard.

Linking to:

Oh, the PLACES I've Been!

Spring Is Almost Here

In my part of the country that's sometimes a tricky thing to predict.  Just 2 weeks ago, we had 12 inches of snow.  And last week, we enjoyed temperatures in the 70's.  I've been out and about in my yard this weekend trying to find tangible signs of the new season and  I may have just captured a few bits of evidence.

  

Daffodils (or Jonquils, as my mother used to call them) are blooming behind our shed. You have to know they're there to enjoy them!

 

Pansies from Precious Daughter.  I think there are a few violets peeking through, too.

Grape Hyacinths around the old pin oak in the front yard. 

  

The crab apple is starting to leaf out.  And look at that beautiful blue sky!

I've even found a little spring inside!   

Hoping you're finding a little spring in your backyard soon, too.

 

 

 

Linking to:

 

Seasonal Sunday