TIS I at AGE 15 in a SOLO dance at the MILL VALLEY WOMEN’S CLUB.
This was my last time to preform as I had to get on with REAL LIFE.
A LIFE where I could support MYSELF.
You see I wasNOT GOOD enough to be a PROFESSIONAL DANCER.
But Life is odd in the fact A REAL PRIMA BALLERINA ABSOLUTE entered my LIFE as a DEAR FRIEND
YEARS LATER.
I cherish that and her QUALITIES have been engraved in my memory ever since WE lost HER to CANCER.
I weighted about 115 pounds at the time……..
Stand about 5 foot 11 inches tall.
I can REMEMBER this as a PASSE and DEVLOPE.
I was HOLDING MY BREATH!
(FRENCH ladies did I spell that correctly?)
Villa CORA…………
THE ITALIAN and I on our wedding DAY 31 years ago!
IN FLORENCE, ITALY.
Do you think this AFFECTED WHO IAM TODAY!!!!!!!!!?
I DO ADORE BUSTS, BALUSTRADES and SHUTTERS!
MOTHERHOOD arrives on NOVEMBER 12th 1987.
This PHOTO had to be about a month later……….
This arrived about TWO YEARS LATER on OCTOBER FIRST 1989.
This was OUR CHRISTMAS CARD in 1990!
I am wearing ESCADA!
I worked in the COLLECTORS DEPARTMENT at NORDSTROM and we were privileged to receive clothing at COST.
I still recall my employee number!
48105-7
I still have this outfit TOO!
Can I slip into it?
THAT’S A NEGATIVE!
SO, why am I keeping it?
MEMORIES!
Life moves FORWARD and I close my ANTIQUE/VINTAGE shop and what do I do with the EXTRA CASH hanging out in a bank account?
I head to PARIS with MY TWO SONS.
WHY?
Because THE ITALIAN wouldn’t GO
AND
Because these TWO had NEVER BEEN!
AND
I Needed to meet CARLA COULSON!
The PHOTOGRAPHER behind these AMAZING PHOTOS!
YEP!
TIS I AGAIN in front of THE LOUVRE in PARIS in the TUILERIES GARDEN
feeding THE HENS.
AND That was about FOUR YEARS AGO………and HERE IAM TODAY!
FLOUNDERING on what it is I should BE DOING with MYSELF!
You see THE ITALIAN he LOVES TO WORK.
The BOYS are DONE with ME and doing their own THING.
SO, here I sit.
WITH my COW MUG
thinking how we can BUY some land and PLOP a COW, a few sheep and loads of chickens on it.
WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO BE DOING?
THIS IS SO ME I couldNOT leave the shop window without taking a SNAP!
SOME people have been known to call me a QUEEN which I dislike.
A CONTESSA fits me just FINE.
NOT TOO HIGH UP
STILL playing with animals
and having a mighty fine time!
Not taking MYSELF too seriously!
SPEAKING OF QUEENS have you seen THE CROWN?
RUN
DON’T SKIP
RUN.
YOU will have SO much respect for HER even MORE THAN BEFORE!
INSTAGRAM is where I spend A good part of my day……..cruising the PHOTOS and liking and commenting!
IT HAPPENS TO BE MY THEATRE OF LIFE.
I feel as if WE are another LITTLE FAMILY of people who like the same things!
I was DRAWN by ANNE M BRAY who lives and works in LOS ANGELES.
HER BLOG is called
SPYGIRL-amb.blogspot.com
She took a photo I had posted and recreated THIS DRAWING ABOVE!
A TOTAL SURPRISE FOR ME!
THIS is WHAT I CALL FUN FUN FUN!!!
Just YESTERDAY this came through my PHONE……………
A WORK IN PROGRESS by the LOVELY KAREN PERSSON who hails from PALO ALTO , CALIFORNIA but lives in HOLLAND now and has for YEARS from what I have picked up on.
It is INTERESTING how MUCH you can learn from THE PHOTOS!
To see my instagram photos head to the HOME PAGE on this BLOG.
Take a meander down the LEFT SIDE BAR………….
BEWARE,
there are A LOT of SELFIES.
I did a STUDY…………BELIEVE IT OR NOT!
MY FOLLOWERS want to SEE ME and my ACCESSORIES……..MORE THAN MY CAT THEODORE with the EXCEPTION Of MADAME LIBODZA!!!!!!!!SHE caNOT get ENOUGH of THEODORABLE as SARAH C. named HIM many years ago!MY GARDEN, MY SONS PIG my TABLE SETTINGS ALL come in SECOND and THIRD to little OLD ME!
CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?
SO,I guess THAT is MY JOB for the moment.
CREATING MY kind of ART on a DAILY basis and tossing in a BIT of HUMOR to BOOT!!!!!!!
AS I spent the month of NOVEMBER cleaning OUT and organizing……..NO I did not TOSS MUCH OF ANYTHING!I ran across this book.DO YOU HAVE IT BY CHANCE……… this is the COVER of the BOOK which happens to be my BEDROOM years ago!
………….SAME FLOOR.
LOVE SEAT in the KITCHEN NOW with a brown velvet cover.
Floral love seat at foot of bed so WINSTON can ACCESS…………..MOLTO IMPORTANTE!!!!!!
BLUE DESK I SOLD at my SHOP………….SIGH……..
RED GARDEN VESSEL I SOLD back to SHOP; YEARS after owning…… to the GAL I purchased it from!
ALL the other STUFF I still have.
The room does not look like this anymore……….WOULD YOU BELIEVE A ROLLING RACK HAS TAKEN UP RESIDENCE IN MY BOUDOIR!!!I would like to MOVE IT OUT!!!!!!!!!!However, I do not see that happening in the NEAR FUTURE!
DO YOU HAVE THIS BOOK LINGERING In YOUR COOKBOOK COLLECTION?
I DO!
Only because FIFI O’NEILL and MARK LOHMAN
came to SHOOT MY HOUSE for a magazine one morning and stayed until DINNER.
From that DINNER we ended up in HER COOKBOOK!!!!!
I LEARNED HOW TO MAKE MASHED POTATOES FROM THIS BOOK!
I KNOW!
I couldNOT get them RIGHT because I was using a mixer!!
I NEEDED A MASHER and a few other DELECTABLES!
So,
this BOOK means A LOT to me!
A BASIC EVERYONE NEEDS in their FOOD REPERTOIRE.
BEFORE THAT I made the magazine WHERE WOMAN COOK!
I WAS BRAVE AND WORE VELVET.
Here IAM in MY GARDEN with THE PENNY ROYAL creeping about with MEIDILAND ROSES in white in my stone walls.The umbrella you see in the DISTANCE is the TWO STORY CHICKEN COOP.MY GARDEN is BUILT on a HILLSIDE.
The ITALIAN had VISION to TERRACE IT.
I had vision to make it a ROMANTIC ~ FRAGRANT Hillside.
STILL A WORK in PROGRESS as well.
But
Truth be told A GARDEN is NEVER DONE.
IS IT?
Here is a SAMPLING Of some of the FEEDBACK I receive……………it makes me SMILE!
WHAT MEMORIES DO you CHERISH?
ARE YOU STILL MAKING A FEW?
If you have a few minutes can you leave me a COMMENT in the comment section and tell me what YOU would like me to SHARE with YOU?
As you can see I am FLOUNDERING in that AREA as well.
I NEED YOUR HELP!
Otherwise, I might bore you with MORE PHOTOS of ME as THE KING MOUSE in a ballet PRODUCTION in the 1970’s.
SEE BELOW!
XO
Anita @ Vue at Jindivick says
Good morning Bella,
Your life in pictures.
Ballerina, Wife, Mother, Blogger, Gardener.
All equally wonderful.
You know I love the photo of you as a gardener………in your wildflower meadow.
Find that farm………..let Giampy know after you’ve signed off on the deal.
Neat xx
LA CONTESSA says
Could be a GOOD way to SPEND my TIME!!!!!!!!
I am planting the WHITE FLOWERS TODAY!!!!
MORE MEADOW……..MORE FLOWERS………….
A WIN WIN situation.
XO
Jen says
Oh I do love a peek into people’s pasts! Thank you for letting us be nosy. xo
LA CONTESSA says
And to think I thought this POST would BORE YOU ALL………….
It has been FUN finding these old photos…………HAPPY TO SHARE!
XX
Lola Martínez Iniesta says
CARISSIMA CONTESSA,
I DO think YOU could have been the MUSE that inspired Fernando García Morcillo who wrote the BOLERO “MARÍA DOLORES”. Paraphrasing him, I say: “DIOS TE HA DADO LA GRACIA DEL CIELO, DIVINA CONTESSA… ”
I LOOOOVE YOUR BLOG; I LOOOOVE READING ABOUT YOUR LIFE AND FAMILY ; I LOOOVE YOUR ESTILAZO (the Spanish augmantative form for “estilo”; YOU ARE MORE THAN CLASSY… In Spain we say “tiene CLASÓN” (augmentative for “clase”), so… ¡¡¡QUÉ CLASÓN TIENES, CONTESSA!!!
YOU SYMBOLIZE “LA JOIE DE VIVRE”… THE ZEST FOR LIFE…
LA FLOR DE LA CANELA, which means YOU ARE THE BEST.
HUGS AND BESITOS,
Lola.
P.S. You could write a book about your life telling about all the interesting/fantastic people you met, the places you have been to, your likes and dislikes…
LA CONTESSA says
A BOOK!!!!!!!!
It would have to be OVERSIZED………
I fear I do not have enough to write about.I could tell the STORIES of HOW I acquired certain pieces……..Like TRADING OLIVE OIL for RUSTED BROKEN SCONCES!Or sending my husband and his sitters to PICK UP a discarded STONE KITCHEN SINK that has to be 300 years old………….or the BEST is passing an OXEN drawn cart in the OLIVE fields where ELIZABETH BARRET BROWNING supposedly stayed back in THE DAY and asking THE FARMER if HE would SELL it to ME!DO you think that is something people would want to READ about!?
I DO HAVE STORIES……….
Food For Thought HERE………….XX
Penelope Bianchi says
YES YOU MUST WRITE A BOOK!! YES YES YES!
PS BY THE WAY, HUTTON, OUR FRIEND, WRITES ALL HIS EMAILS JUST LIKE THIS…ALL CAPS. JUST SO YOU KNOW, CONTESSA!
A BOOK!!! YES YES YES!!!
Amie Rikke says
HI contessa!
I just want to see what you are up to.
What you are thinking about. How you are.
You never disappoint.
Even though your life is 180 degrees from mine, I see lots we share and I’m just fascinated.
I tried to be a ballerina once. Remember I’m 5’11” also but never did I weigh 115. Ok maybe 2nd grade. My older cousin was a wonderful ballerina who became a principal dancer in our city’s troupe. Well I wanted to be like her. I took lessons, was famous for my ability to do saddle splits! I can still do regular splits at a momment’s notice to impress friends, but back to my point. I was not a dancer to be. They kept telling me to tuck my rear in and it was! I was too curvy.
I had great experiences trying to be a dancer, then I moved on.
You inspire. I see you as creative and open. You are not afraid.
You are on your course.
LA CONTESSA says
AMIE…………millie GRAZIE for the ENCOURAGEMENT!
I think I will keep THAT line in the back of my mind.
“YOU ARE ON COURSE!”
VERY Positive and Up Lifting.
There are VERY few that make it to the TOP in the BALLET WORLD…………we must be HAPPY that we were apart of that LIFE.I think it was a WONDERFUL FOUNDATION.
Thank You for Checking IN!
XX
RebeccaNYC says
hmmm…what should be next for you? Your life just oozes theater and art, your home is the most scrumptious Zeffirelli set, your wardrobe the most wonderful kind of costuming…self expression! Whatever is next for you, I am IN! Onward, and upward!
LA CONTESSA says
OKAY!
AS you can IMAGINE I LOVED this DESCRIPTION……..ONWARD!!!!
XX
Katie Clooney says
I like you to share anything and everything, dear Contessa. Love the pics from way back when. You haven’t changed! Adore your cow cup too. I can’t get enough of farm animals. Hope you have a wonderful weekend with you handsome Italian Hubby!!
Lynda Stansberry says
Certainly beautiful enough to be a dancer.
Wonderful pictures of you and your family.
Lola Martínez Iniesta says
THAT’ S IT, CONTESSA!!!
Write about all YOUR FANTASTIC ANECDOTES.
YOU DO have TALENT for COMMUNICATING.
YOU CAN TELL your FEELINGS and LIFE in a NATURAL WAY, and, in my opinion, what is MORE IMPORTANT: YOU CAN WRITE SO WELL that when I am reading YOUR POSTS I really feel I am LIVING YOUR LIFE, your presence vanishes because YOU NEEEVER SHOW OFF and thanks to your your MAGIC, I become THE CONTESSA.
Good writers are those who tell stories for the reader TO LIVE forgetting the presence of the AUTHOR.
So, DIVINE CONTESSA, PLEASE, be a MODERN SCHEHERAZADE and narrate YOUR LIFE with your SENSITIVITY, your KINDNESS, your GENEROSITY, your INTELLIGENCE and your GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR… because YOU PASS your JOIE DE VIVRE on EVERYBODY.
BESITOS,
Lola.
linda says
Thank you for your posts and a peek into your life! I find you vivacious, creative and filled with great energy. In your comment of others calling you a Queen, I hope it is meant in the best sense of the archetype. A queen archetype is to be lauded and applauded since she represents the best of a woman who knows her Self and moves accordingly in her life. A regal, but warm heart who watches over and cares for her family and friends. One who knows that without judgment of those in her life she grants the opportunity to share her wisdom she has gathered through living a full and joyous life. So, embrace the Queen archetype within you. I say this to all women also. The queen archetype has been denigrated for too long.
LA CONTESSA says
I DO BELIEVE IT was meant in a GOOD WAY………….MOST TIMES.I thank YOU for your lovely comment and YOUR wonderful EXPLANATION!XX
Lola Martínez Iniesta says
BRAAAAAVAAAA, Linda!!!
BESITOS,
Lola.
Jeanne Henriques says
Wonderful photos Elizabeth, as always. I can’t believe it has been four years since our Paris shoot with Carla…time flies! I think you should just keep doing what you are doing…loved by all! xx
LA CONTESSA says
I THINK YOU ARE PROBABLY ON TRACK!
THANKS……….XX
Diana Amato says
Hello Hello,
I am finally sitting down! Feels like ages since I’ve seen you!;-) What a wonderful time capsule you’ve shared here. I love the intrinsic thread of family, food and home that always bring it all together so seamlessly. Stunning photos you have here. It’s the stories the come with the photos that always intrigue me. Otherwise, they would be just pretty pictures. Sending you lots of love today, a gorgeous Sunday for sure!
Baci,
Diana
LA CONTESSA says
BACI A TE……………….THE STORIES!!
OKAY………lets see if I can keep them coming!
XX
Penelope Bianchi says
FANTASTIC POST!! Yes a book!! All those stories!!!!!
Robin Fink says
What a wonderful post and so interesting! Beautiful photos to be sure. I can see how your ballet background shines thru in your grace and posture. You have gorgeous hands and feet. I also think a book would be so fascinating! You live with such joie de vivre. I look forward to everything you write about, and love to see pictures of your home and garden. xoxo Robin
LA CONTESSA says
HOME & GARDEN……….seems to be on THE LIST!I will start to share a bit MORE of all that as it warms up here………………..THANKS for sitting down in UMBRIA and SCRIVENDO UN PO!!!
XX
meason miller says
i LOVE this post!!!! all of it! do a book oui oui oui, SI!!!
xoox
Meason
Jacqueline says
A wonderful pictorial history of your life Elizabeth … such beautiful photographs … what a graceful ballerina you were { and still so graceful !! } Such a lovely family.
I can’t help you with what to write …. I struggle more than you do !!!! XXXX
Doré @ Burlap Luxe says
Contessa my dear, you need not worry what you should do with the rest of your life. Just sitting and listening to your stories is what you were meant to follow up with. Yes to everything here, and your life is full of beauty captured enough for a life time.
Life moves on…I have often thought what will I do when I am alone, with seeing and reading this post of yours answered my thought. I will just take the time to listen to the past and be open to the future. You grace our lives with amazing photos journaled in a life well lived, and all I can say is that those who follow you, and personally know you, and have had the pleasure of phone conversations (Me!) know that you will continue to inspire a brave course through life.
Yes, oh yes I had that book and the cover foto of your bedroom I drooled over, WHAT happened to that BOOK I ask ?
Who didn’t have this BOOK…. for the cover alone? I wanted that stone red garden bench style planter, I think I would still have it today if chance I had it, and it may be the second only red thing I would own. That sweet euro-chic metal table for sure would still rest somewhere in my home.
As for Fifi, we talked years ago on your visit with Fifi and Marks in your home shoot, and I too have had this pleasure of their company from early until dinner with the outcome of several features here and there. Fifi and Mark are nothing short of a force of a creative team. AGAIN what did I do with that BOOK ? so wish I had it to again sigh over your timeless living beauty.
Elizabeth….you sitting cow cup filled and your sweet sentiment on what next touched my heart, i feel your same sentiment with life?
I can answer this for you…..A BOOK of your OWN! yes dear find yourself sorting through a life well lived with your wonderment and put it to pages in a book that is sure to be a best seller.
Xx
Bisous
Your friend,
Who looks forward to what ever you have to say…. And for those who only find you their favorite postings…. I find the beauty of your home life eaqual to all.
Xx
Dore
Doré @ Burlap Luxe says
KEEP Dancing my DEAR !
as for your theatre mouse? Had you notice my Cartapesta creation I created for this years holiday production on a few postings back on my blog site…. I think our two mice should get together for a dance and performance. (Smiling)
See you and your beauty soon.
Xx
Dore
Lillian Plummer says
Great post, such an interesting and fun filled life where the ordinary becomes extraordinary. Go find that acreage and fill it with animals and flowers and all the things you love……and write that book.
kim says
Contessa, Sorry I’m terribly late reading. Loved this!! What a gorgeous photo at the top of you in your ballerina garb. I can so see you dancing. The Christmas Card is awesome. I know that Escada jacket! I swear I had a photo from Vogue with Linda Evangelista wearing it. You look amazing in it. I worked at Nordstrom too. What a fun start and right now I think they are still doing the right things.. Love them. As far as your blog, I love it all- your tips, your home, the pets and seeing you and how your live beautifully! Adore you and hope we get together soon. xo It’s been almost 2 years exactly now! We need to do lunch. xo Kim
LA CONTESSA says
I THINK I REMEMBER THAT PHOTO WITH LINDA!!!!!!!!!XX
Karen Tandy says
Today is the first day I’ve read your blog, but it won’t be my last! You are a heavenly spirit that that makes us laugh and smile. When I saw the book cover…..I went right away and found mine!!! I’ve kept it all these years, as I’m a Country Gardener on a small lot with LOTs of plants everywhere!!! I always wanted your garden room on that book cover! I love being out with nature, insects, birds, sun and my plants. Yes, I talk to them!! It’s a spiritual place for me. I go out with a cup of COFFEE just to see what is happening today in the garden, and sometimes I’m there three or four hours. Sometimes in my PJ’s! Makes my heart happy.
I love all your stories and hints for Italian cooking. I’ll start using rock salt right away. Love the Italians romantic ways. The flowers in the garage made me happy!!! You have a fun life and laughing is the best medicine!!! Hugs are needed everyday too! I also am 5’11” and took dance lessons. Thanks to my parents to seeing I needed a little gracefulness in my young years. I loved toe dancing and I felt like a Queen as I danced. Thanks for bringing sunshine into my days! Big Hugs.
LA CONTESSA says
AND YOU HAVE MADE MY DAY!!!!!!!!
WELCOME TO MY BLOG and I hope I can continue to LAUGH and SMILE!!!
XX
Rebecca Burgess says
Contessa, are you ok? Have you found out what the problem is with your heart? I thought the mayo clinic would be a great idea, it sounded so easy and their reputation is the best. Please take care of yourself and let us know what you decide, we are all thinking of you.
LA CONTESSA says
WILL DO!
XX
Sabine says
Reading your life story just makes me so happy! Thank you for sharing. You are a gorgeous woman of indomitable spirit and I adore you and am SO HAPPY WE FOUND EACH OTHER AGAIN after all those years! AND I LOVE THE WRITING IN ALL CAPS! Must adopt. xoxo
LA CONTESSA says
YOU MUST!!!!
I AM NOT SHOUTING I AM LIVING!!!!!!!!!!!!
XX