FLYING OVER ANNAPOLIS, MD

I DON'T TRAVEL WITHOUT MY CAMERA AND LOVE TAKING PHOTOS OUT OF A PLANE WINDOW - I TOOK THESE A FEW WEEKS AGO FLYING OVER MY HOMETOWN OF LOVELY HISTORIC LITTLE ANNAPOLIS, MD - TO BWI (BALTIMORE WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL) AIRPORT NEARBY.

THE CHESAPEAKE BAY - KENT ISLAND ON THE LEFT ACROSS THE BAY BRIDGE - A 4-MILE CROSSING FROM THE WESTERN SHORE TO THE EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLAND.

LOOKING ACROSS CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM BROADNECK PENINSULA, WHITEHALL CREEK SNAKING UP THE MIDDLE.  I LIVE ALMOST IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PHOTO - WHERE??????  LOOKS LIKE IT WOULD HAVE TO BE IN A TREE HOUSE.

BROADNECK PENINSULA WITH WHITEHALL CREEK ON THE LEFT OFF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY, AND THE START OF MILL CREEK ON THE RIGHT.  HUGE CONTAINER SHIPS COMING UP THE CHESAPEAKE BAY TO THE PORT OF BALTIMORE.  

THE SEVERN RIVER FLOWS INTO THE CHESAPEAKE BAY, TWO BRIDGES CROSSING FROM THE BROADNECK PENINSULA, AND THAT'S ANNAPOLIS DOWNTOWN AND TOWN CENTRE ALONG THAT PIECE OF LAND.  IF YOU COULD ONLY SEE ALL THE HOMES NESTLED AMONGST THESE TREES!!

THE SEVERN RIVER, THE BRIDGE ON THE LEFT IS THE NAVY BRIDGE WHICH LEADS TO THE US NAVAL ACADEMY ON THE FAR SIDE, ON THE WATER AND OUR LOVELY LITTLE HISTORIC "CITY" HIDING SOMEWHERE OUT THERE.

WATER, WATER AND TREES EVERYWHERE.  WHAT A BEAUTIFUL PLACE.

GOOD MORNING ANNAPOLIS

Oh, you are so beautiful on this wintery morning - looking out of my office, view of the towering white and grey Capitol Dome that sits atop the Maryland State House, newly refurbished and spruced up, the largest wooden dome built without any nails in the United States.  In the same skyline is the US Naval Academy's exquisite copper dome that sits atop the magnificent Chapel, dating back to 1908, open to the public in the grounds of the US Naval Academy.

Historic Annapolis dressed in festive finery

I drive past these three houses in the historic district every day, had to stop and happy snap.  Driving home tonight was as pretty with all the white fairy lights ablaze, but no parking spot, so maybe tomorrow.....

STILLRIDGE FARMS at the Harbor Center

I first visited Stillridge Farms way back in the days when I was still living in South Africa and came over on a look-see, probably 16 years ago.  I remembered the recycled wood furniture, the rustic decorations, the exquisite embroidered cushions and beautiful smell of natural soaps, cinnamon and dried orange.  At the back they have a collection of delicious sauces and chutneys, lots of adorable pottery bowls filled with samples to taste.  I was delighted when I returned to find it has survived the years - I stopped by this evening while Christmas shopping in the Harbor Center - that smell of cinnamon is still there.

The storefront from outside

Storefront closeup - so inspiring as always.......

HOMESTEAD at CHRISTMAS

Baubles, jingles and beads, reindeer, glitter and trees, poinsettias, paperwhites and elves, snowmen, cardinals and fairy lights by the gazillion - beautiful decorations - and I remember the reason for the season.  Just 15 minutes from Annapolis on Rt. 214 in Davidsonville, MD - Homestead Gardens is an all-season trip to gawk and stare and desire and want and hyperventilate and shop.  And get inspired to come home and decorate.