Harvey Travel Arts

A couple weekends ago, Brian and I decided to visit the Loire Valley in France, which is rich with culture. Our first stop was the Leonardo da Vinci house, where he spent the last three years of his life. There was a tunnel down in the basement with a cardboard cutout of da Vinci...this tunnel took him to the King. The gardens are beautifully maintained, and a rich history including working models of da Vinci's inventions lined the grounds. I can understand why Leonardo was so inspired... More to follow on the valley next week.

Most of the photos from our travels are to far away places that we only see once or twice in a lifetime. This, however is the stained glass from the church I grew up in. I've seen elaborate cathedrals and temples, but the stained glass dove at the first church I remember and the church I accepted Christ at is perhaps my favorite stained glass illustration. I love its simplicity and meaning. I was baptized just below this window in the baptistry. We were in Texas for a family wedding, and took many photos. I wanted to share something with my readers without posting family or friends for privacy reasons. I chose this photo and leave you with this verse: John 1:32-34 KJV And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Gh

I was absent from posting last week. Brian and I went back to Texas for my cousin's wedding! We had a wonderful time and got to spend a lot of time with family that we rarely get to see. We arrived back home yesterday and I thought of my blog. In my jet-lag, I didn't feel up to posting anything. Today I decided to go through some vacation photos and find something random to post. This dragon caught my eye. We were in Worms this past fall when we saw a few odd statues, this being one of them. I really don't have words to go along with the dragon, and don't even know his point in being there. But I thought he made a fun blog photo at a time when I'm trying to get back into the swing of things.

...isn't where you've been but what you've tried/done. I have been afraid of making yeast breads and that has dictated what I haven't made in the kitchen. Then I saw the chocolate chip Challah bread in the back of my Food Network Magazine (Courtesy of Aliza Schwartz) this past month. Something about this recipe inspired me and I decided I would try it on New Year's Eve. Everything worked fairly well, except that my lack of braiding skills caused the bread to come undone at one end (it was pinched together, but not tight enough, I suppose). I'll know for next time. But the taste was delicious! Brian and I enjoyed it and it lasted several days before it was ready to be retired. Now that I'm not scared of yeast breads (what was my deal, anyway?) I'm thinking of trying out another recipe. Homemade bagels, anyone? To try the recipe, click on the link below that will take you to the Food Network site: Chocolate Chip Challah Bread Recipe--Food Ne