The Texas Tree Farm and Christmas Village

By Gemma Cleanslate

Though it seems early,  not even Thanksgiving in the USA yet , it really is time to start thinking of the next big holiday in second life.. Christmas!!! If you own a region or part of one I am sure you will be decorating for this special holiday. SL has the decorations, from huge to tiny.  I love traveling all around   checking out some special places  not only for shopping but for photos, fun and frolic over the season. Some creators plan on closing their sites right after Christmas, some plan for the first month of the New Year. That is why we need to get going now. I am going to try so hard not to spend too many Lindens!!! But....

My first stop was at the Christmas Under the Tree shop area and Texas Tree Farm on Larsen. Not only is there a marvelous shop with both gachas and non gachas but right outside the door is a wonderful Christmas tree farm.I found Tex Humby in the barn.

Here you can chop down  tree with the axe they provide and get a great photo.

I checked out the trees then, exhausted and hungry, stopped into the Cafe on the property. I picked up a wonderful sandwich and rested a bit. Then promising myself I would not spend any lindens roamed the shop admiring the gachas in there and keeping my hands in my pockets. I ventured into the non gacha area and already picked up a bread for my Thanksgiving table... sigh.

There are some items upstairs that you may like for your parties. The decor is delightful. I am afraid I may have to go back for the new candy giver. The shop has the wares created by  Summer Humby (DarkSummerSun Resident)  from trees to toys to all kinds of decor and trees. I met two little kiddies who were there looking for Santa and we exchanged landmarks I sent them off to a place I knew where he is already hanging out and they sent me to their home Christmas market which I will add to my list to visit.

My next venture was to check out the items of Alzahra Ames . Her place is called Christmas Village 2019. Again my hands came out of my pocket to grab a very lovely period  gown that I will wear when I go over to Dickens event. Here there are large decor items . If you are planning on many parties there are tableaux  especially for that , or a village area for shops if you need it, or snow falling areas of different rates of snow and other wonderful landscapes. Get items of large decoration for big areas. Check out the vendors on the walls of the shop.

I love the shop that contains Christmas decoration  . It is filled with many Santas in various scenes for your region or home. Have dinner with Santa. I wish I had a place for all these wonderful tableaux .

 I always wondered where people found the large Nativity scenes that graced their regions. Walk  into the .small cathedral  to see some examples. There are vendors on the wall there too.They are lovely. This is not a large area but if you peak out down the road there is  new market being filled up, May’s Place . It is a short walk across the street.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Larsen/50/189/109


Gemma Cleanslate

Ville de Coeur

From Gemma Cleanslate

Tealcie  sent out a notice that the Second Life Regional - Search And Rescue  had opened a small station office in the Ville de Coeur . I was reminded that I had not been over there in a long time so off I went to visit the new station and the revisit the regions. No one was home so I looked around the office and then went off to explore.

Seven regions make up the Ville de Coeur micro-continent. These are:  Coeur d’Azur, Aquitaine Coeur Nord, Poitou Coeur, Normandie Coeur , Coeur de Bourgogne, Coeur Franche Comte, Coeur d’Alsace and some of these regions are monuments to the  actual  places.

Luckily right outside the office is a “Call a carriage “. A lovely antique 1934 car picked me up and took me off through the  narrow streets by shops and homes.This is a rich area with six regions of venues and activities. The fall foliage is still in bloom getting ready to drop but stunning.  One can hop out to see a site and there are more signs to call the carriage back again.

I stopped off at the Chapel de St Luc to visit  the quaint little village church, hopped a passing trolley and rode it back to the performing Arts Center.

I walked into a Liquers shop which also offered delicious snacks for your parties . I tried a cheese tartlette while I was there and a glass of  Panacek Vodka (yum). The shops are so diverse. lovely women’s clothing shops, furniture, decor, cars and more. One thing I noticed I saw several gentlemen’s clothing shops that had very stylish outfits. Some men complain about not finding clothes. This is a good place to look. Stop in at the Art Galleries where you will find some lovely art for your walls.

I  teleported over to check out the Bergson Bowling and sure enough it is still there and working!! I had an invite to have a game and did not have the time but fully intend to go bck soon. Next I visited the beach area by way of another ride in the 1934 car. When you call a carriage you get many destinations  for a visit. Choose one and have a lovely ride on the way.

At the little beach you have a choice of relaxing and taking in the view or riding a surfboard from the rezzer, swimming, or having a game of volleyball with friends. Jetskis are available too. Tai chi for exercise and peace if you want by hopping on the tai chi ball. If you walk down to the end of the beach there is  a Beach Bar -Bistro restaurant where you can relax with your friends. Have one of Tara’s ice creams before you leave. The trolley runs by to take you to another venue. Many modes of transportation are along the roads and streets of the towns.The residential areas have beautiful homes of various styles , some very opulent and others in the style of French cottages. Though there are French countryside regions they are English speaking.  If you are looking for a French countryside place as a home  check out the homes available and those for sale to take with you if you like.

While I was there a call to service came so I went along.

”The bells of L'Eglise de Bourgogne are ringing to call us to join Reverend Brody to commemorate those who sacrificed all in the World Wars of the Twentieth Century. Please join us today.A service of Contemplation, Prayer, Bible Readings and Hymns, Choralled by the Rt Rev Magnus Brody, Bishop de Ville de Coeur,a SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE FOR ARMISTICE DAY"

Seated behind me in the church were the owners of the regions , Bedrich Panacek-Guisse (Bedrich Panacek) Ayla Panacek-Guisse (Ayla Guisse). Bedrich told me there have been many changes since the old days and I did see them in my travels. After a short prayer in the church we moved outside to a Monument to the fallen where the service continued. I am glad I got to stay for part of it.

Each of the six regions has its own ambiance . The best way to experience that aspect is to stay on the trolley and you get to see each. I recommend taking your honey or a friend to do that ride.It takes time but is so enjoyable. I had forgotten how lovely and inviting these regions are and saw new ones too .There are horseback riding trails and you can rezz a horse if you do not have one. A long walking tour is also available and I took part of that too.. would be more fun with a friend.There are an assortment of events during the week .

I stopped in at a party in the square with DJ Nando for a while that was fun!

Put it on your list to visit and perhaps stay. At a Kiosk you are able to pick up lots of information . Another way to do that is to visit the website.   https://villedecoeur.online/events-calendar/  You are invited to join the group as a tourista to receive notices and get to enjoy the many activities and events.

Get started here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Aquitaine%20Coeur%20Nord/173/35/35

Gemma Cleanslate