THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE AREN'T THINGS ~ ONCE UPON A SKETCH CHALLENGE

Good afternoon where it is a brisk 6 degrees here at the moment brrrrr.
The prompt at Once Upon A Sketch this month is the saying ~ "The Best thing in Life Aren't things " and my take on this is ~ the Best things in Life are the people you care about , being together and creating good memories.
This is the sketch to give inspiration

and here is my take on the challenge

I have typed out my journalling which is quite long and adhere to the back. First a close up .
The "Happy" vellum file tab is from StudioFourteen40, they are so versatile!

I have used the 7dotsStudio "Cold Country" range of PP, which I just love ,along with "Nature Walk" Embellies, also love. 2 Crafty chippy which I have rubbed gesso over. Flowers and satin seam binding from Craftqueen. A bit of  Stamping, rubons, misting , water paint , a bit of everything and a lot of fun. Sometimes when I start a layout & I am not liking it  I keep telling myself ,"just keep going" and like the quote from the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel ~ " It will be alright in the end, and if it's not alright ~ it's not the end " LOVE that quote.

Anyway I digress 
Now I have left the journalling till last , as it is quite long, so if you want to know the story behind the photo read on , if not don't worry

The Best Things in Life aren’t things

The best things in life to me are not things, but the people you care about, being together and creating good memories.

This photo was taken At Pievescola Tuscany in 2008.

It was a trip of a life time for us. It was always a dream of mine to go to Tuscany.

We could have renovated our bathroom, but it could never have given us the memories travelling gave.

We still have our old bathroom, but we have seen amazing and beautiful places and created fabulous memories with wonderful people along the way.

This picture is a memory ~ In the little village of Pievescola , we would stop every afternoon after our daily travels at a little cafe/restaurant/ bar/ place for the men to meet and play cards (it was a little bit of everything in one place). The boss who spoke no English would have a long neck beer ready for the boys , and me and Leanne would have a cappuchino. The girl who worked there Elona spoke English which was a great help for us. This particular day she asked us would we like to come back that night as the World Cup was on and Italy was playing Holland and they were having the equivalent to a Aussie Barbie . So in we went, we were ushered to a table in the middle of the hall surrounded all sides by passionate Italians watching the world cup.

The Pasta, Pizza and wine kept coming. The Italians are very well know for being passionate and they are quite passionate about their soccer.

It was fun for us watching them being very loud and demonstrative . Unfortunately Italy did not win, so they became quiet and left with their heads down after the game.

At this time Elona’s boss brought the Grappa out, I declined my glass, it smelt rather strong. We spent the rest of the night talking with Elona and her husband , who also spoke English and with her boss that just smiled big smiles and trying to give the boys more Grappa.

It was a fun night, an experience and a memory I will also think about with a smile and I hope to visit them again one day.

Thank you for stopping by and if you managed to get to the end !

Wishing you many wonderful memories , spent with people you care about.

Love and peace 

Mary x