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AND SO…….the LAST STORY!

RHODE ISLAND made my HEART SING.

I LOVED THE PEOPLE,history, charming OLD homes, the ocean and especially the SALVAGE YARD as one enters NEWPORT!

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This made me think of THE ITALIAN!

Only because we have a similar version in our HOME!

I also LOVE BLOGGING as it is a way to meet other people in distant lands.

SO, when I knew I would be traveling due EAST I contacted this BLOGGER EXTORDINAIRE.

A PREPPY EMPTY NESTER

asking her if she would be able to meet up.

I was delighted she would come to me and we could go to one of the restaurants another INSTAGRAMMER(Bette Bearden Pardee) had suggested for me to visit.

……..

HONEST TO GOD

WE HAD THE BEST TIME

CHATTING

ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT OTHER BLOGGERS!

COMPARING

BLOG STUFF

LIFE

and

HUSBANDS TOO!

As we left to part ways WE both REALIZED we needed a PHOTO!

SO we gave it a GO!

It was a bit windy!

CONTESSA & KATIE

TWO BLOGGERS!

KATIE & ME

AS YOU can see these areNOT THE BEST photos of either one of us BUT we were having FUN TRYING!

WE ended up going back inside for a REAL PERSON to SNAP our PHOTO.

CONTESSA & KATIE

THE GIRLS

AFTER A FEW TAKES……………

THE BEAUTIES!

WE GOT THIS ONE!

KATIE writes a VERY DIFFERENT BLOG from mine.

SHE has a GRAND sense of HUMOR and reads BOOKS like no one else I know!

SHE NEVER has TO COOK DINNER!

WHY

you ask?

HER HUSBAND

is

ON TASK!!!

“I am a 40 “ish,” give or take a decade or two, Massachusetts empty nester.  My  #1 graduated from Texas Christian University and is working (yeah!) in Dallas in the marketing field. My #2 is a senior at a college in Virginia and is proud to be a General.
I am a very humble trophy/ super model wife of a former professional chef who now works as an executive in the hotel biz.   We have added a hyperactive Goldendoodle puppy to our nest named Chowdah (Boston speak for chowder).  A rescued Maltipoo named Chili is our most recent addition.”
KATIE I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE UPDATED!!!!!
NUMBER TWO IS DONE WITH COLLEGE and on to GRADUATE SCHOOL!
TO FOLLOW MADAME KATIE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
I PROMISE YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!
OUR MEET UP was the PERFECT TOPPING to MY TRIP!
THANK YOU
KATIE
XX

 

AS I was traveling around and INSTAGRAMMING my surroundings a FOLLOWER of mine informed me that MY GREAT GRAND DADDY times 4 BIRTH HOME was not far from where I was staying.SHE also, mentioned she would LOVE to have a cup of TEA with me!

As I needed to make my way in the direction of the AIRPORT I asked her for the address so I could DO A DRIVE BY!

SHE delivered address into my private messages and told me an ancestor still lived in the HOUSE!

She also told me it was  A VERY BUCOLIC SETTING!

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Note the REFLECTION on the HOOD of MY RENT -A-CAR!

This is the HOME where GENERAL NATHANAEL GREENE was born and raised.

I found the house after making a wrong turn

AND

meeting a man who’s SON lives in MILL VALLEY!img_1359

This man who is related to me holds the GUN that was smuggled out of BOSTON in a horse drawn wagon filled with hay.

IN the 1700’s.

He had MANY stories to share with ME!

I was there for over two hours and I should have been recording .

YES,

I drove right up to the HOUSE and his dog let him know I was THERE!

There were many fascinating things he told me and showed me.

I canNOT THANK

A LOVELY INCONSEQUENCE

(DONNA)

enough for directing me to MORE of my HISTORY.

NOT ONLY did I get to meet a relative

I also had the lovely experience of meeting up with DONNA for a glass of wine!

CONTESSA & DONNA

SHE writes a BLOG as well

http://alovelyinconsequence.blogspot.com

and SHE couldNOT have been SWEETER to turn around and get dressed to come back OUT after WORKING ALL DAY TO MEET ME!

AS YOU CAN SEE I HAD A

WONDERFUL

ADVENTURE BACK EAST.

I canNOT wait to GO BACK.

TOM GREENE & CONTESSA

DESCENDANTS of GENERAL NATHANAEL GREENE

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Oh it was grand to meet you too! And I am so glad to unite you with your cuz! The house has captured my imagination for years as I drive over its petite bridge each and every day. Come back soon! There is so much more!

    Reply

  4. What fun! To Madame Katie: The French have a funny thing with numbers: 70 is sixty-ten. 80 is four-twenties. 90 is four-twenties-ten. So, getting in the spirit, I decided at a certain birthday that I would be forty-ten, but pronounced FORTY-ten (in a whisper). Because why not? Sixty might have to be ((three)) 20s. Or should it be Forty ((twenty))?

    Reply

  5. OH, this is wonderful, you all look adorable….I so enjoyed seeing how much fun you
    were having ~ just love this ~ I’ll take a visit to Katie and Donna’s blogs ~ merci for
    your share ~ XO

    Reply

  8. Elizabeth, Lovely photos of you all. How great you got to meet Preppy Katie and Donna! I have to go check out their blog. I think I already follow Katie on Instagram. This trip was something and to think you got to meet a cousin you didn’t even know. So cool! x Kim p.s. By the way thanks for the comment on the blog and I’m up for a trip to Walnut Creek if you want to meet up for lunch and checking out the new Anthro Home store soon!

    Reply

  9. What a great trip you had! Love the story about your ancestor. And regarding salvage yards: two of my favorites are right in your backyard, in Berkeley — Urban Ore and Omega Salvage. Who doesn’t love a good salvage yard?

    Reply

  14. So many connections for you on the East coast! You definitely must return. Does Nicholas plan to continue his summer food truck business on the Cape?
    Love the photo of you and Katie on the sofa – East meets West.

    Reply

    • EAST MEETS WEST!!!
      NOW THATS A SAYING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
      YES! MY SON will be in year FOUR Next summer with the JOEY”s FOOD TRUCKS in CAPE COD.I may just have to COME BACK.
      XX

      Reply

  16. Elizabeth. What a great family story you have! That gun! And from the 1700s too…I’m such a history buff this is so exciting to me. Also I love Katie Empty Nester’s sense of humor ..been a follower of hers for awhile, and love looking at those delicious dishes her hubby makes! I didn’t realize he is a former chef…now I’m really jealous. How fun that you guys got to meet up.

    Reply

    • I enjoyed it SO much!
      Yes,he has the BIG GUN and a FORMAL SWORD and I have the DUELING PISTOLS!!!!!!
      THE MAN CAN COOK from what I can see from the BLOG and IG………….and he loves to go OUT TO LUNCH!MY ITALIAN will NEVER GO OUT TO LUNCH…….as he likes his own FOOD.That’s another story for another day………….when are we going to meet?!!XX

      Reply

  17. NOOOOOOOO!! NOT the last STORY!!!
    Please we beg you…….there are more stories from the EAstern trip! (I cannot copy Elizbaeth….I just make a mess!!!)

    That shot of the salvage place (I have been going to Newport…..home of my closest friend and my daughter’s godmother) for 45 years.) Did I ever spy it???? NOOOOOOOO!! Missed it entirely!

    That front thing……the cherubs…..the basket……I may need to go! Lordy!!!
    MOre stories……absolutely….you have more. Do tell!!!!

    Reply

    • It is REALLY AN ANTIQUE SHOP!RIGHT AFTER THE BRIDGE by the OLD CEMETERY.I bet it has been there for about 20 years………but I really do not know.I recognized his logo from SOUTHERN ACCENTS magazine I think or even VERANDA.I called it SALVAGE as ALL YOU See when you drive by are HUGE IRON GATES………….that just made my HEAD spin!I STOPPED on my way OUT of TOWN………..couldNOT HELP MYSELF.
      YOU and I could have BUILT ourselves each a FOLLY with FINDS from HERE………….
      WATCH OUT……. ELMS FOLLIES here comes PENELOPE’s & ELIZABETH’s vision of what should be in OUR GARDENS with chickens………..XO

      Reply

  18. I have an opinion on the immense and immediate success Of La Contessa; in the blog world. I am not a scientist….(HA!); nor a mathematician (HA!). However, I think I have the answer.

    La Contessa…..aka “the Vintage Contessa”; Is “FUN”!!! She is many more things….beautiful, talented, funny, loving, caring, has great stories……she is a complete “STAR”. I just think that at the core of her tremendous appeal…..there is this amazing streak of “FUN”!

    “Fun” is becoming an endangered species…..Grab it whenever you can.
    La Contessa is a lot of beautiful and wonderful things! Fun is one of them!!!
    Aren’t we so lucky for her blog….and instagram……and lucky me to know her! Yikes!!!
    Not too many of these walking around!

    Blogland is a magical place!!! Lucky us!!!

    Reply

    • “Fun” is becoming an endangered species…”……..I THINK YOU ARE RIGHT!
      VERY FEW PEOPLE Now a days have FUN in their day.WE ARE ALL SO BUSY running around WE forget to SEIZE the MOMENT, GRAB a COFFEE with a friend, pick up the HOUSE PHONE and call a FRIEND(Mine you can still hear so MUCH better then the cell phones!)I DO TRY and PUT FUN into each and every DAY!MY FUN today is going to get my NEW prescription reading glasses……..they are PURPLE!My FUN yesterday after doing my MOTHER’s laundry and ironing her shirts and making the DELIVERY was to sit in the GARDEN on a chaise lounge with my CORGI and turn page by Page of a book I bought myself way back in the SPRING time called CECIL BEATON.
      PENELOPE…………..I SAID YOUR LINE TO MYSELF YESTERDAY!MY GOD THESE PEOPLE KNEW HOW TO HAVE FUN!THE COSTUMES and THE POSING was incredible not to be FORGOTTEN the PARTIES where one REALLY DRESSED and had a GOOD TIME.
      XO

      Reply

  19. Nooooooo! Not the last story! We want more!!!! Please take another trip and take us along in your blog! ??????????
    Thank you Contessa for the beautiful pictures and story!

    Reply

  21. Oh Elizabeth, you do get around …. makes my life seem very mundane !! We have been to Newport though … we had a house on the beach !!
    How exciting to find some family history and what a beautiful house.
    …. and, isn’t it great meeting up with bloggers … I’ve only met two but we had such a lovely time. XXXX

    Reply

  22. that sounded like such a fun trip!
    i’ve been reading katie’s blog on and off now for weeks and SO love laughing at the way she writes!
    i love what you were wearing!
    stephanie thonet

    Reply

  23. Hello dear CONTESSA! I LOVE seeing our pics of our lovely LUNCHEON in NEWPORT! Hopefully, you can come for a VISIT next summer. I mentioned YOU in my HODGEPODGE post today. Hope your week is a ROYAL one!!

    Reply

    • I SAW.
      YOU ARE SO KIND and SO HUGELY FUN I CANNOT STAND IT!CAN you believe I had been to THREE of those places that magazine called DESERTS!!!!!!!!!
      Typing with MY new readers…………NOT SURE YET if I will ADORE THESE SPECTACLES.
      MY week is rather LOW KEY………………but I will try to make some ROYAL MOVES!!!
      XX

      Reply

    • GO to HOME page and click under LA CONTESSA.If you click on that photo it will take YOU on the journey with CARLA the photographer and MYSELF with SONS in TOW cruising the TULLIERES and the LOUVRE with chickens in TOW!!!!!!GOOD~LUCK and YES that was one of the BEST things I EVER DID WITH MY BOYS!!!!!!!!!!
      I canNOT THANK CARLA COULSON ENOUGH for the experience!
      XX

      Reply

  25. Just joined my local chapter DAR, Henry Walton in Madison, GA. Loved how the paperwork referred to my ancestor/s as, PATRIOT.

    If you’re ever slow (ha) revisit this post and at least quadruple all the stories.

    1st outfit, divine. But they all are !

    XO T

    Reply

    • GOT IT and THANK YOU!
      Now, I must google HENRY!!!!!!!MY GRAT GRAND DADDY died and is buried in GA.
      IN SAVANNAH…………perhaps they KNEW EACH OTHER???
      Have to go LOOK at FIRST OUTFIT!
      XO

      Reply

  26. Love that house!! Looks like they have some nice antiques in there too! New England is magical. Have you ever been in the fall? I think it’s best in October or even November. I think part of my Thanksgiving obsession is that I was in Massachusetts in late October once when I was little and my bedroom overlooked a cranberry bog. Absolutely inspiring! The house’s driveway snaked around the bog so I would just walk up and down observing how they harvested and how stunning the cranberry looked against the misty grey and the placid water.

    Reply

    • YEP!
      The house is from the 1700’s and the original wallpaper is still in the Master bedroom!
      BUT he had recently been robbed so did not want any photos up………he did allow me to take him and the GUN which had a name which I cannot recall…MUSKET?I had read about the GUN being smuggled out of BOSTON years ago so when he told me THAT I nearly fell over.
      I would have LOVED that experience TOO a CRANBERRY BOG, I almost wrote BLOG!
      Beautiful Memories……….XX

      Reply

  27. What a wonderful meeting with blogger friends, this is the true beauty in blogging that one can not find anywhere but blogger…maybe perhaps a I.G meet up! yet blogging is where the true strength of ones story begins. Contessa, you never looked better and this travel did you well. It’s always great to meet family and the history that connects one to family roots.
    Your photos are great they truly tell of your visit, as for the salvage yard how exciting and treasured finds always excite.

    I know you have many more stories tucked away ready to be told, until then we shall wait.
    Contessa my dear you are a force to reckon with and a wealth of entertainment in all you do and write about.
    I am sure you will treasure your visit, as they will treasure yours.

    A beautiful month of October to look forward to.
    Xx
    Dore

    Reply

  28. So happy you got to take this trip. It looks like you covered a lot of area, saw your beautiful son, met some great folks, and had a fun time. What more do we hope for when we travel?

    My mother would’ve said about you that “you never met a stranger”. People are drawn to you, and with great results! Thanks, again, for bringing us along! <3

    Reply

    • OH MARY MARY………thank you for reading and commenting EVERY SINGLE POST!
      ONE DAY I WILL MEET YOU!
      IT MAYBE in the MIDWEST for a wedding??!!!!!!!!!!!
      Now, that is something to LOOK forward too!!!!!!
      XX

      Reply

  30. I am sneaking in here in the cover of darkness because I am so ashamed of not having been around for so long! I have no excuse(s). Well, even if I had, they would all be so boring, and I am having way more fun catching up with your serious fun up EAST! (Excuse me for stealing the Upper Case Letters.)
    Abbraccione, hugs,
    Merisi

    Reply

  31. Your stories and photos are such a delight to read and see. You’re also so funny! Love the laughing photos. You’re really full of energy… so much vibrant and inspiring plus positive energy. We need more people like you in the world!

    Love,

    Karenxoxx

    Reply

  32. Dear Contessa,
    I just discovered your blog and am binge reading your posts! Your style I love! Your writing style as well! I have a question which may be too personal to respond to so please excuse me if that is the case. There is a photo of you holding your ‘grand dog’ in your ‘Trip back east’. Your makeup in that photo is the creamy look I adore but can never achieve. If this is something you can divulge to this humble reader I would be most grateful. And yet one more question. Have you taken your readers on a tour of your house in any of your post? Talk about personal questions! So I shall end…for now! Thank you for sharing your unique style!
    A new and delighted follower, Peg Burke

    Reply

    • HELLOO………PEG!
      SO HAPPY YOU FOUND ME!TO answer your question YES, I think I did a post on my CASA and it was NOT a BIG HIT!I have been told I am a GREAT SELFIE PHOTO taker but MY photos of my HOME areNOT SO GOOD!!!!
      Another BLOGGER did take some photos of my HOME which are HERE http://lostinarles.blogspot.com/2016/07/casa-kirkpatrick-interiors-chez-la.html
      Not the complete HOUSE but well………YOU WILL GET THE IDEA!
      Are you on INSTAGRAM?My CODE NAME there is antiquegoddess.
      TOMORROW I will give you a SHOT of my BATHROOM!!!In case you are not on IG you can go to HOME here on MY BLOG and see it on the LEFT SIDEBAR.

      MY MAKE UP SECRET is a GAL NAMED IGA!SHE IS POLISH and PERFORMS HER MAGIC HANDS ALL OVER MY FACE once a month………….she is in CALIFORNIA where are YOU?!!
      She has me using a product called GERMAINE DE CAPUCCINI.It hails from SPAIN and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!Been using it for the last THREE YEARS.I too have seen a BIG DIFFERENCE in my SKIN!

      THANK YOU THANK YOU for finding me and COMMENTING!!!I will answer ANY QUESTION if I CAN……….WE are ALL in this AGING process TOGETHER!!WE MUST HELP EACH OTHER and have FUN DOING IT!!!!!!!!

      XX

      Reply

      • LORD HAVE MERCY! THAT IS WHAT MY GRANNY WOULD SAY!

        CHARISMA……NOT ONE MORE WORD IS NECESSARY…..THIS WOMAN IS GOING TO TAKE OVER THE BLOGOSPHERE…..AND SHE SHOULD. POSITIVE, LOVING, SMART..CREATIVE, ENTHUSIASTIC, LOVING, DID I ALREADY SAY SMART?….THIS GIRL HAS IT ALL…….

        I AM TRYING TO STILL SUBSCRIBE TO ALL HER COMMENTS…..BUT MY EMAIL IS DROWNING……

        WHAT A STAR@ (SHE SAYS SHE ISN’T…..BUT WE KNOW HER!) SHE WOULD NEVER SAY SHE WAS……….BUT SHE IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

        LA CONTESSA! BRAVA!!!!

        Reply

  33. You really made the most of every minute on your last trip Elizabeth.
    New places, new people………a huge adventure.
    So where to next Sunshine???
    A trip to Highgrove???
    I believe the chap who owns the place has a lovely garden……hehehehe.
    You know how to embrass fun, and fun just seems to keep finding you.
    Ciao Bella
    Neat xx

    Reply

    • I have NO IDEA where to NEXT……….for the moment HERE at HOME with THE ITALIAN.
      DO you think CHARLIE would let me in if I just show UP one day!?I wonder what will happen to that HOUSE………will they keep it in the family?Maybe HARRY will take it over……………..time will tell and HOPEFULLY WE will be around to see it ALL HAPPEN!
      HAVE YOU SEEN PHOTOS OF KATE IN RED IN CANADA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
      SHE IS ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!
      I CANNOT GET ENOUGH OF HER………did I tell you I sent her an engagement GIFT to her parents HOME!Of course, I never heard BACK………………but I know she GOT IT!
      XO

      Reply

    • You are so right! Elizabeth embraces fun! And if you are open to it, you want it, and you embrace it! It fine too!! And just read her blog say all of them from the very first one it’s all about fun!! Fantasy creativity and making magic everywhere she goes! I’m going to see her house in the next month and I will report! And I know I will practically stop breathing when I get in the front door! I knew her aunt here in Montecito and she was one of my biggest idols! I’m way older than ELIZABETH!

      Reply

  35. Hello Contessa,

    I just love your joy for life and enthusiasm. As my father would say “the grass will never grow at your feet” That is meant as a great compliment. The Gaelic language does not always translate well. The entire series of coincidences and connections on this trip is marvellous an no doubt you were accompanied by a choir of angels. You are delightful and I love how you loved Ellie who recently died. Don’t ever change.

    Reply

    • OH HELEN!
      I had NO IDEA you were FOLLOWING ME!YEARS and YEARS I have seen your comments on OTHER BIG BLOGS and to see YOU HERE TODAY has given me great JOY!Millie Grazie as they say in THAT boot country I am VERY fond of……………..AS FOR MADAME ELLIE I have her cookbook’s OUT and am starting my list………..do YOU know I had NEVER made CHILI until ELLIE TOLD ME HOW!She is in MY HEART………….ALWAYS.
      XX

      Reply

  36. Everyone looks so happy, comfortable, and at ease with each other in the photos. You look like you were with old friends. What a delight!

    Reply

  38. Wait a second. Where’s my comment? I know I read this and commented. How could I not? But instead of writing about this post I want to commend @PennyBianchi. Right on woman. Elizabeth is both a force of nature and Auntie Mame all wrapped up in a ribbon of joy! Love all of your posts and Instagrams and adventures!

    Reply

  41. Same here I know I commented but can no longer see it. Just wanted you to know that Indid read it and enjoyed it immensely.

    Reply

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