Summer Getaway {Camping Les Ormes}

I've mentioned before that I like tents, and I've also shared how much I enjoy stealing away for a day in a fabric "fort," so, as you might imagine, when I spotted this image on Cote Maison I was completely smitten.

Cote Maison

After visiting the property's website, Camping Les Ormes, located in the French countryside, immediately joined the list of luxury camping (or perhaps I should say glamping,) locales I've bookmarked over the past couple years.

This and all remaining photos from Camping Les Ormes' website

Situated on 25 acres, Camping Les Ormes is open from late-April until mid-September. It offers 100 campsites, as well as a number of luxury "desert tents." The grounds, including open fields, forest, an animal farm, and a lake with a white sandy beach, allow for activities such as biking, hiking, and fishing.


For those who prefer more of the luxury side of the experience, a pool, tennis courts, a restaurant and bar, a small boutique, and on site masseuses are sure to please. While my family's luck with camping has never been the best, surely this is "camping" even my mom could get behind!


During high season, a breakfast of fresh bread and croissants is delivered directly to your tent, and during the rest of the season, you can enjoy the breakfast buffet served on the restaurant's terrace five days a week.


The food at Camping Les Ormes is not quite standard camping fare; consider this sample menu for a typical summer day--

*Bread with homemade hummus
*Gazpacho of watermelon and pineapple
*Duck breast with honey thyme sauce accompanied with a puff pastry tart with fresh tomatoes, goat cheese, and basil and a Roquette salad with fresh summer fruit, parmesan and pine-tree grains.
*Swiss nut cake with orange and maple syrup.

While I'd pass on the duck, to everything else I'd say, "Yes, please!!"


Beyond the activities available at on the grounds, nearby villages offer the opportunity for shopping local markets, antiquing, wine tasting, visiting historic chateaus, and playing a round of golf.


Gorgeous views. Activities aplenty. Gourmet food. Close proximity to historic villages. Sounds like a pretty perfect summer getaway to me. There is only one thing I am left wondering about Camping Les Ormes-- how soon can we go?

Tagel is Ubud's Tattoo Artist

Art talent can be obtained from the descendants of the family or self-taught. However, if already basically have art talent, make a creation will feel easy. To move the field of art direction is also not too difficult. As Tagel that at this time a tattoo artist.

Can you describe how to be tattoo artist?
Previously I was originally a traditional painter in Ubud. Then after I graduated from junior high school study and had a tattoo studio in the house. After that I moved to Kuta.

What makes you interested in the tattoo world?
Because the money hahaha .. if painting after we have made and sell them around will not necessarily behavior, but I sure with tattoo, I will get the money

Who the first person to tattoo you?
Yaa .. I own because I'm still learning, so the people can not to make tattoo by me. But now already a lot of people request to me for make tattoo for them.

From the many types of tattoo style, you tend to be in what category?
hmm .. more to Black and Gray, but not possibility to make another style of tattoo.

The body where you'd like to tattoo on?
Back and arms. Because a lot of empty land and knowledgeable there.

What trouble you for a tattoo artist?
ya .. nothing. But perhaps if clients much time in the rocking tattoo, so it difficult. And when we make an appointment with customer and the customer late then make me boring.

Where you get a tattoo equipment at this time?
For the needle and ink I order from my friend in Bandung.

If you are back again to paint you want to do?
I'm not, more comfortable in the art of tattoo..

Ok .. hope for the art of tattoo?
I hope the tattoo art good and advanced. And more tattoo contest was held.

Down the Road

I've had a bit of weakness for pickup trucks-- specifically older, slightly worn ones-- since my early teen years. My major crush in high school drove a little red one, and looking back, I am certain his vehicle played a bit into my infatuation with him! While my love interests moved on, my adoration of vintage pickups never waned.

Coliena Rentmeester

Something about warm, summer evenings makes me want to set off in an old truck with E by my side, venturing down a dusty, dirt road to a place that feels unexplored. With blankets thrown in the bed of the pickup, I'd stretch out and watch as each star showed up for its nightly appearance.

Paul Whicheloe Photography

There's a dusty, dirt road near our house in central Texas; we first ventured along it's path in E's Jeep Wrangler with the top down on a sunny afternoon soon after we began dating. That day, it held the thrill of feeling undiscovered and unexplored, but it soon became familiar as we returned time and again. It is the spot where E proposed and one that holds an important place in our memories.

We're heading that way tonight, and part of me can't help but wish we'd be passing by in a rusty, old truck. Blankets in the back. Watching stars appear in the night sky.

Navy's in charge, now

So, after the official change of command parade, Commodore Truelove is now the RMC Commandant.

As MGen Gosselin said, it's a bittersweet moment. BGen Lawson was a great commandant and a great leader, but I'm sure Cmdre Truelove will be just as great, only different. After all, we're going from a fighter pilot, which is pretty cool, to a MARS officer, which is awesome. I look forward to having him as Commandant.

Simple Summer Dressing

I love dresses year-round, as you may have gathered before. In a couple months, I'll be excitedly waiting for temperatures to cool so I can throw on boots and tights with them, but, in summer, I absolutely love the ease of throwing on a dress with a pair of sandals and being ready to go.

Since it had been a while since I'd last visited Butter by Nadia, I decided to pop over to their website and have a look, and, when I did, I felt like saying, "I'll take one of each!!" I fell head over heels for their entire Spring/Summer 09 collection.

One dress...

Miss Saturn

Multiple ways...

What could be easier?

Some more of the limited edition dresses from the Spring/Summer 09 collection that I would love to have in my wardrobe.

L to R: Mimi, Fleur Top, Signature Jersey Wrap in Candy Store Stripe.

L to R: Jersey Ball Gown in Variegated Stripes, Jersey Wrap Gown, Luna Gown.

While I've been a fan of the idea behind this style of dress since I first saw them, never before have I been struck by the urge to own so many and for everyday wear. Because each dress offers so much variety, I could easily see myself living in one or more of these numbers.

I'm certain they would become my go-to summer uniform, not to mention that they would certainly help me become more efficient at packing for trips as one or two dresses= multiple outfits! Absolutely perfect for the over-packer in me!

The Story

So.

I disappeared for a while.

Unfortunately, I am not writing this from beautiful British Columbia or from the quarterdeck of a ship.

I am still at RMC.

I had a steering gear breakdown on the way to graduation and, though I did my best, I was so far off-track by the time I could maneuver that I crossed the reduced clearing bearing. I am thus showing three red lights and sounding three separate and distinct strokes on the bell immediately before and after the rapid ringing of the bell. (In non-MARS terms: I screwed up.)

I am trying to convince the chain of command that although I messed up, I am still worth keeping around for another semester to finish my degree, and then go on with MARS IV and actually be a junior, qualified, MARS officer. The academic side has, so far, supported me--as the head of the history department said, an extra semester of university really isn't that big a deal--but the military side has, understandably, been less accommodating.

In any case, I am still alive, still not an A/Slt, and still not where I belong, but I'm doing my best to get there somehow, and I'll attempt to go back to writing about naval and leadership issues.

Summer Soup {Farmstand Gazpacho}

A few weeks ago, I shared a recipe for Green Gazpacho, and, as promised, I would also like to share a slightly more traditional take on this cold soup. This version quickly become a summer staple for us last year; with relatively few ingredients, many of which always seem to be on hand, this is a simple and easy meal to make.



Farmstand Gazpacho- 6 to 8 servings (recipe easily doubles)
Slightly adapted from original Parade Magazine recipe

Ingredients
2 cups cucumber- peeled, seeded & diced (into 1/4" cubes)
2 cups bell peppers- red or red & yellow- diced (1/4" cubes)
2 cups ripe tomatoes- diced (1/4" cubes)
1/2 cup red onion- diced
2 cups V8 juice (or tomato juice)
1/2 cup red-wine vinegar
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2-3 dashes of Tobasco or other hot sauce

Directions
1. Place all vegetables in a large bowl. Add V8 juice, vinegar, oil and Tobasco. Season well with freshly ground salt and pepper. Toss.
2. Transfer portions at a time to food processor and pulse to puree; half can be left chunky if desired.
3. Combine portions. Refrigerate at least 4-6 hours before serving (although, as I mentioned with the Green Gazpacho, a lot of times we can't wait to eat it and do so right away!)