Craving Seafood

One of the nice things about living on the coast is "seafood." The "Snow Birds" (tourist affectionately known by this) are here from the north and all the restaurants in the area are showing off with all varieties of local seafood. Popular with the locals and the tourist are Grouper, Snow Crab and of course Florida Lobster. I am so craving seafood this evening and hopefully I will find satisfaction tomorrow while dining on my favorite "Grouper".....shown in pic. Have a great weekend everyone!

"Struck My Fancy"

Spring is here in our part of the world, and don't ask me why, but I brought home salmon colored roses today. Typically I enjoy these colors in the autumn or around Thanksgiving. I suppose they just "struck my fancy!" (Meaning...made a sudden impression on....that idea just struck me or I thought the idea was very good.) Have you ever used that expression, or even heard it before? It's probably one of those old fashioned expressions that seem to just pop out of my mouth more often than I like to think. I use words like this often and now and then I wonder how they all came about. Ah well, nevertheless, the flowers are here in my home and just because..."they struck my fancy."

"Card Lady"

Seems as though I've been sending out a lot of cards lately. I'm a "card lady" so that's not a bad thing, I enjoy it. I send the usual greeting cards such as birthday cards and holiday cards but my favorite time to send cards is for no reason at all. Lately the cards have been of condolence or get well and in today's mail, one of encouragement to a sweet friend and another to a thirteen year old teenager battling cancer. More and more friends are finding that they have serious illnesses and it hurts my heart when I hear this. I try to stay in touch through all the treatment period, knowing how much it means to hear a kind word or words of encouragement. A while back I discovered a place to purchase my cards. Family Christian Stores have the best. One of my favorites are cards by Rose Mary Harris. I hope some of you have found them, they are easily recognizable with tiny little woolly sheep on them. The designer name is "Really Woolly," perfectly named as Julie Sawyer paints the Shepherd's woolly flock to life. Ms Harris has a sweet testimony on the back of her cards and the envelopes have verses from the Holy Bible. The card shown, one of my favorites, is just beautifully written as a letter from the Lord to encourage the one receiving it. The ending words ....know that you are loved, and let that love fill you with peace this day. I'm here for you now and always. Your Savior and Shepherd, Jesus. Ah yes...it is true what James Barrie once said "Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."

Inspiration

I've been poking around on the Internet again. Christopher Wray of London, has captured my interest in a mighty way. I'm absolutely inspired by all that I've seen. It's about composition and everything in this room has been beautifully placed. I'm usually not a contemporary kind of gal, but with those magnificent windows and fabulous lighting....hmmmm click on photos..

"Think Flowers"

I've been out in the garden today and just had to share some of this glorious Florida sunshine. With all of you living in colder climates, hang in there...spring is not far away and before you know it, the cold and the snow will be only chilly memories. Until then...."think flowers!"

Wall E

Wall E cleaning up waste....Wall E and Eve.....

Don't ask why, but Wall-E just popped into my mind this evening. What is it about this little robot anyway? Pixar's Wall-E is designed to clean up a waste covered Earth far in the future. What does that mean exactly? Has man somehow moved on to other planets and comes back to Earth to dump their trash? I don't think I thought of this while watching the movie. At first I felt sorry for Wall-E. Not only did he have an endless unapreciative job to do, he was lonely. His only friend was a roach.....now that is lonely. Young and old alike have enjoyed watching Wall-E's efforts to make the best of his purpose. I really liked Wall-E. I laughed a little and maybe shed a tear or two. What a sweet time and a relief when he finds, and falls in love with Eve. If you haven't seen the movie, I recommend it ....better yet see it with a child.

Getting A Lot Of Attention

I pushed my loaded cart up to the cashier's counter, and she smiled and said, "So you like pink, do you?" I really hadn't noticed, but every flower arrangement I had selected had different shades of pink. I had a gorgeous hanging basket of fuschia Geraniums, a mixed bowl of Impatiens, more pink Geraniums, Begonias and Petunias.....you guessed it...all pinks. The prize, I held in my hand. I had found a sweet delicate little Bromeliad, with pretty light greens and "hot pink!" I had the most perfect container in mind for the Bromeliad, and could hardly wait to get it home. Ah yes, it worked for me. I have it setting on a table in the family room, where it's easily enjoyed by all. Hmmm... seems to be getting a lot of attention.

We May As Well Enjoy The View

While tidying up the kitchen tonight, I began thinking of the minutes, hours, days and years I've spent in that location, doing the same ritual. Oddly enough, I've quite enjoyed it and still do. Does that sound peculiar or somewhat strange? When cleaning the kitchen, my routine is so repetitive that I can mindlessly and without any effort at all, finish the task while thinking and planning something entirely different. Some of my best plans have been thought of and carried out at the kitchen sink, like balancing the whole motherhood thing, potty training ideas ....preparing formula, my wifely duties... calling out vocabulary words and packing school lunches. I've planned graduation celebrations, weddings, birthday parties and baby showers there. Now days, the space has taken on a different meaning to me. My life is more simplified and I'm finding contentment in this place at the sink. I'm still preparing foods, thinking and planning. I'm still tidying up, but I have company now. I'm with my favorite guy of many many years, and it's just the two of us. We're there each day, talking, laughing and sometimes making plans. I've decorated that small window sill over the kitchen sink.... I'm thinking as many hours as we spend there, we may as well enjoy the view........

chaff and grain together....

George Eliot 1819-1880

Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person: having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but to pour them out. Just as they are-chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness, blow the rest away.

Never more beautifully said of true friendship.

GREEN

I thought of Betsy over at My Five Men, when I popped over to the website of Williams Sonoma furniture recently. I love when she does colors. She would call this post GREEN. Williams Sonoma's line of home decor is exquisite. I'm not a green lover normally when it comes to home decor, as a matter of fact, I have nothing green in my home. I did have Hunter green appliances when we bought our home back in the 80s....they are no longer...we have white appliances now. When poking around on the Internet, lingering much too long at designer decorating sites, I get interesting ideas, some I really like and some I don't. I'm most attracted, it seems, to decor that I would never have the courage to put in my home...but if I did, I would have bold fuchsia and aqua colors on French designed furniture with fabrics of brocaded velvet. If I could, I would live in a home with tall French windows, having miles of bright colored flowing fabric curtains. I would have mountains of bold colored pillows lying about. I would have a Harpsichord in the room with these bold colors, and I would learn to play it! Where did that come from? So you can see now why I found the green in these designer rooms to my liking. I'm imagining me on the sofa with a good book and I can visualize me in that very green bed, sleeping and dreaming in very vivid colors....all night long. I showed the pics to the mister. Hoping his reaction to be the same as mine, his response was somewhat expected ....."I don't think so Honey," and he walked away. I suppose the palette in my home will continue on with lovely whites for a while longer.....hmmmm

An Unexpected Visitor

One of the things I really like about living on the coast, is the wildlife. Today we were visited by a young Blue Heron. What a sweet little guy. The mister noticed him just as he flew inside the pool area and motioned for me to come quickly. No doubt the bird had spotted the water during flight. I ran for the camera and by the time I came to the window, he was walking down the pavers and into the courtyard. Being careful not to make a noise and frighten him, I slowing peeked through the curtains just as he flew upwards and landed on the fence. What an amazing creature I thought as I examined how beautifully made he was. I snapped off as many shots as was possible, before he flew away. No sooner was he here, and he was gone. Hmmm....I don't know, we kind of hoped our unexpected visitor might have stayed a while longer.click on photos...

Incentive

Photo Google Image

Seeing a photo of myself today, was all the incentive I needed to begin diet and exercise. I'm thinking I have that "Oprah yo yo" thing going on. No Thyroid problems here...just plain ole loving to eat good food. I have all the excuses in the world as to why I tire of eating the proper foods. My favorite is, I'm an old fashioned southern cook. I was raised on home grown vegetables, fried chicken, pork roast, roast beef and fried fish. These foods were always served along with mashed potatoes, fried potatoes, boiled potatoes or potato salad. We lived on a farm in Pennsylvania and vegetables of all kinds were served as well. Lets not forget Italian night once a week when pasta was served with salad and garlic toast. Breakfast at our home meant home made biscuits, fried bacon, eggs and gravy. My mother lived through the depression and made sure we never went hungry. We learned at a young age, it was only polite to clean your plate....and so we did. I'm much to old to blame childhood eating habits on my dilemma today, however. I learned long ago that pretty much anything white can do a number on your body, and I know portion control and exercise are key to a healthy diet. Tomorrow I shop for healthy foods and begin walking. I fully expect that for my efforts, I will in no time look like the young lady in the photo.

Love Poems & Love Letters

A book of poems and love letters....the poems are familiar, "How Do I Love Thee" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.... the love letters a bit too private. In today's world these may have been seen in the tabloids. I would not buy a tabloid, but I am reading very private thoughts of a seemingly tormented gentlemen, Napoleon Bonaparte. Poor Napoleon should have known better than to marry a lady with such a colorful past. In this letter he seems somewhat desperate and lovelorn....I don't love you, not at all; on the contrary, I detest you-You're a naughty, gawky, foolish Cinderella. You never write me; you don't love your husband; you know what pleasure your letters give him, and yet you haven't written him six lines, dashed off casually! What do you do all day, Madam? What is the affair so important as to leave you no time to write to your devoted lover? What affection stifles and puts to one side the love, the tender and constant love you promised him? Of what sort can be that marvelous being, that new lover who absorbs every moment, tyrannizes over your days, and prevents your giving any attention to your husband? Josephine take care! Some fine night, the doors will be broken open, and there I'll be. Indeed, I am very uneasy, my love, at receiving no news of you; write me quickly four pages, pages full of agreeable things which shall fill my heart with the pleasantest feelings. I hope before long to crush you in my arms and cover you with a million kisses burning as though beneath the equator.

Eventually and despite Bonaparte's love for her, the emperor's need for children of his own to secure succession to the crown saw him divorce Josephine in 1809. He never got over having to divorce her and his last words were, "France, The Army, Josephine." Hmmm....love letter ....Ludwig Van Beethoven to the "Immortal Beloved"....Good morning. Though still in bed my thoughts go out to you.... sigh......he ends the letter.....your beloved L.

ever thine....ever mine...ever for each other.

A Better Attitude

When all is said and done, I suppose we really shouldn't grumble so much, but we all do. This time of year the tall oak tree in our front yard is shedding zillions of tiny leaves, so many you can hardly see the grass. The "lawn man" just cuts right through them, leaving the remains as mulch, a good thing. However, it seems the cool sea breezes are carrying an abundance of these oak leaves over the roof and into the pool...the reason for the grumble. This morning I determined to have a better attitude toward the leaf problem, and I actually found it somewhat invigorating to be outside in the sunshine and fresh air. I worked hard and fast and eventually finished. All proud of my efforts, I found this bit of exercise, skimming the leaves from the pool and cleaning up the deck area, actually rewarding. Although messy now, in a few days the oak tree will have new leaves and provide much needed shade from the hot Florida sun. I'm reminded of something once said by Dolly Parton....."The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you got to put up with the rain." So, no more grumbling!

White Bird Of Paradise

The White Bird of Paradise plants, out around the pool are putting on quite a show these cool winter days. I've noticed a few blooms recently, so today I took my camera out, to have a closer look and just maybe take a few photos. Wow! Blooms were everywhere. I squeezed through the small palms and the Nandinas, being careful to look for monstrous tropical spiders .....and managed to get in behind these massive White Bird plants. Well worth the effort, I found the view from behind to be quite spectacular. Is nature fascinating? I think so....Notice how they tower over the fence.... Click on photos...

Thinking That Opens The Windows Of The Soul

I purchased two new books today both by Jan Karon. One is titled A Continual Feast.....Words of comfort and celebration, collected by Father Tim. The other one is titled Patches of Godlight...Father Tim's Favorite Quotes. I have selected this for reading this evening. In Jan Karon's bestselling Mitford Years series, Father Tim Kavanaugh is more than the local rector. He's a friend and counselor to nearly everyone in the village. For his comfort he turns to favorite books. When a particular passage strikes him, he jots it down in this "quote book." It is filled with the wisdom of poets, humorists, clerics, and philosophers such as St Paul and C. S. Lewis. These are words that speak to the heart, and thinking that opens the windows of the soul. It's a small book and handwritten.

A favorite quote of Father Tim's by Winston Churchill....

If you cannot read all your books, at any rate..peer into them, let them fall open where they will, read from the first sentence that arrests the eye, set them back on the shelves with your own hands, arrange them on your own plan so that you at least know where they are. Let them be your friends; let them be your acquaintances.

I continue to read....

A Sweet Day

My Valentine was quite generous with his romantic intentions today. We dined by candlelight at Casa Tina's in the village. The restaurant was recommended by our children and it was everything they had promised. Casa Tina's had awesome atmosphere (love that music), friendly staff, healthy fresh Mexican and vegetarian foods on the menu. It all sounded devine and we selected delicious Fluentes served with freshly made guacamole, wonderful salsa, Mexican rice and beans. His gift to me came in a little Macy's box...a Fossil bracelet with a variety of small hearts. We have candles burning and chocolates this evening...a nice finishing touch to a "sweet day."

Happy Valentine's Day!

Enjoying Lisa Hannigan....

I'm having a leisure afternoon. The sky has been overcast and sort of gloomy all day. Kind of a listening to good music day ......Irish singer Lisa Hannigan's "Lille"....enjoy....

Tatting

I'm wrapping things up for Valentine gifts and hopefully everyone will be pleased with my efforts. Tonight I finished the last little heart pillow. While looking through my bag of lace(found at an estate sale), I was very happy to find a bit of antique tatting lace. Tatting dates to the early l9th century. The term for tatting in most European languages is derived from French frivolite' , which refers to the purely decorative nature of the textiles produced by this technique. It is a technique for handcrafting a particularly durable lace constructed by a series of knots and loops. I love it when something old and something new come together for a pretty decorative effect. It's a nice thought that long ago efforts to create lovely lace tatting, along with my meager efforts today, came together in this time to make something quite beautiful.........

"The Morning Walk"

I have a small book titled People In Art. It combines masterpieces from the Natinal Gallery, London, with literature from around the world in a unique portrayal of humanity through the eyes of the artist. The painting here, titled "The Morning Walk" is by Thomas Gainsborough, an English painter. Words selected for this painting are taken from The Ring, by Isak Dinesen, 1958.

On a summer morning a hundred and fifty years ago a young Danish squire and his wife went for a walk on their land. They had been married a week. It had not been easy for them to get married, for the wife's family was high in rank and wealthier than the husband's..They were wonderfully happy. The stolen meetings and secret, tearful love letters were now things of the past. To God and man they were one; they could walk arm in arm in broad daylight and drive in the same carriage, and they would walk and drive so till the end of their days. Their distant paradise had descended to earth and had proved surprisingly, to be filled with the things of everyday life; with jesting and railleries, with breakfasts and suppers, with dogs, haymaking and sheep. Sigismund, the young husband, had promised himself that from now there should be no stone in his bride's path, nor should any shadow fall across it.....(the story comes to an end)......It was a lovely July morning. Little woolly clouds drifted high up in the sky, the air was full of sweet scents. Lise had on a white muslin frock and a large Italian straw hat. She and her husband took a path through the park; it wound on across the meadows, between small groves and groups of trees, to the sheep field. Sigismund was going to show his wife his sheep.......

I'm happy we have Valentine's Day to celebrate romance and love.....the conflicts of young lovers to finally the companionship of old age.

Congratulations Stump!

A 10 year old comes out of retirement only last week to take the biggest prize. The Westminster Kennel Club 2009 Best In Show is a Sussex Spaniel named Stump. "Good Boy!"

Having Fun With Vintage Paper

Sandra Evertson's Fanciful Paper Projects..... Vintage papers are the focus of the eclectic projects.

From early childhood, I have enjoyed working with paper. Sitting for hours, cutting paper dolls were a favorite form of entertainment. I've never outgrown the enjoyment of cutting paper things, and it may sound odd to some, but one of the attractions for me in Home Companion's magazine, has always been the paper dolls. When the new magazine arrives I can hardly wait to tear out the treasured page and begin cutting. All this is leading up to the "Ah Hah" moment I had a few days ago at the craft store. While looking at craft books, I was completely surprised to find one titled Fanciful Paper Projects...Making Your Own Posh Little Follies. A bandbox on the cover, caught my attention. I opened the book and began turning the pages. Let's just say I was at a loss for words. Beautiful vintage style follies, with instructions, patterns and list of materials needed. Things from a theatrical shadowbox to an elegant ballerina. I am gratiously pleased that Sandra Evertson and I have lots in common. Well, it's almost heavenly planning a project and I'm quite enjoying once again being surrounded by paper dolls....

Sweet sweet pink roses.....I brought them home days ago, as budding roses and placed them in a crystal vase. A few days later they opened completely and were the most beautiful presentation ever...gorgeous full blooms. Bright pink color eventually faded somewhat, but even then they were so pretty.....even when they drooped and fell over they were even yet, lovely dried roses. My intentions were to throw them away. When I picked up the vase, I could not do this deed, for they still had life left in them. A piece of antique lace held the stems together as they lay on the old settee. The morning sun found them and I planned that they should live on, for they had been created for admiration and so they were .....by me.

A good place to read.....

There's no end to the possibilities and pleasures one can receive from a good book. I've found that where I choose to read, whether sitting in a comfortable chair, lying in bed or curled up on the sofa can actually influence my enjoyment. There's just something almost perfect about an all white room with the sun shining through white curtains on a cool winter day.

Hyacinth Blooms....

I posted on this pretty Hyacinth a couple of days ago... Walking into the family room this morning, I noticed the sun shining directly on the blooms....so pretty I had to share...Happy Saturday to all!

"spread the love"......

It is true that love and romance are all around us during the month of February. I suppose it could be my age, but I have a tendency to hang on to those old poems and pretty dainty things, when it comes to romance. I would most likely be thought of as a bit old fashioned, a dreamer or a romantic. I read poetry, create lovely gifts, make pretty Valentine cards and "spread the love" wherever I like. St. Valentine's day is a grand excuse for sending out expressions of "I care about you" love......

Beauty by: Alfred Tennyson

Oh, Beauty, passing beauty! sweetest Sweet!

How canst thou let me wast my youth in sighs;

I only ask to sit beside thy feet.

Thou knowest I dare not look into thine eyes,

Might I but kiss thy hand! I dare not fold

My arms about thee-scarcely dare to speak.

And nothing seems to me so wild and bold,

As with one kiss to touch thy blessed cheek.

Methinks if I should kiss thee, no control

Within the thrilling brain could keep afloat

The subtle spirit. Even while I spoke,

The bare word KISS hath made my inner soul

To tremble like a lutestring, ere the note

Hath melted in the silence that it broke.

Hyacinth-Hyacinthus

Hyacinthus is a genus of bulbous flowering plants......Well, I had to look that up and found it all so scientifically interesting. I also found it interesting that the plant originally came from the middle east, around Iran. What brought the Hyacinth to my home today, began with admiration of all those wonderful blogs located in the Netherlands, France and Italy. I visit some daily and love how they decorate, in the dead of winter, using all sorts of beautiful flowering bulbs along beside lovely candles. I'm also quite impressed with their great IKEA style home decor....hmmm... So, back to my favorite shop I went today and there they were....Hyacinths, and all colors....just beautiful. Of course I selected the white one, brought it home and placed it in my old heart shaped galvanized basket. I opened the front door, letting in some of that afternoon winter sunshine, cold air and all, placed it by the door, and began clicking off some photos. Oh sweet Hyacinth, you have made my heart feel happy today....

UNCOMMON by Tony Dungy

"Success is uncommon, therefore not to be enjoyed by the common man. I'm looking for uncommon people." When Coach Cal Stoll spoke these words to Tony Dungy and the rest of the freshman football team at the University Of Minnesota, he likely had no idea how they would be remembered. Dungy carried them with him through his days as a student, as an NFL player, and as the first African American coach to win the Super Bowl. Today, he thinks they are words that the world needs to hear more than ever before. Oh yes, we know all about Tony Dungy in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. He was the coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a while, he still lives in Tampa with his family, and he is very active in his community. Dungy has been involved in a wide variety of charitable organizations, including the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Athletes in Action, Mentors for Life, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the Prison Crusade Ministry and All Pro Dad. The list goes on... To know Tony Dungy, is to admire him...he is a true man of faith. He was on Fox recently, and I heard him say one of the best things that ever happened to him was meeting Cal Stoll at the University Of Minnesota. Coach Stoll was a Christian and the team were all men of Christian faith. Tony said that in a culture that defines success by the size of your salary, he can offer insights on achieving uncommon success and real significance in life. Tony Dungy believed his primary job as a coach was to build men of character, integrity, and courage. Men with both confidence and humility who know the value of family and faith as well as career. I do so encourage everyone to read his book UNCOMMON.

A Sweet Sweet Memory

Do you have items or collectibles in your home that stir up emotions or sweet memories? One of my most cherished possessions, is a beautiful pink depression glass bowl that belonged to my grandmother. I remember as a child, standing at her curio cabinet, completely enthralled at all her "pretties." She would always remind me that one day some of them would belong to me. Several years ago, my mother-in-law and I shopped for accessories to decorate her new home. She had beautiful antique Victorian style furnishings and our shopping led us to a small shop that promised to have what we were looking for. Together we decided upon a crystal candle holder. I remember how pleased she was as we placed it in her living room that day. As the years passed, it remained in it's place and each visit, I would notice the crystals and think back on our special shopping day. It has a place in my home now. Every now and then I look upon the old candle holder with the beautiful crystals and I'm reminded of her. It brings on a few sad emotions, but then, I pause just long enough to think back on that day....a sweet sweet memory......