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......

Cool Winter Afternoon

I just couldn't resist taking photos of the pool as the late afternoon sun seems to be casting shadows in all the right spots. It's different now that winter is here...it's nice and the water looks cold. We're thankful that the Nandina, with it's red berries, are doing their job of adding a bit of color to the garden. Long ago have the flowering plants of summer gone dormant.......click on photos

Love Made With Scraps

It has been raining for two days now....but I'm not complaining. Instead of getting out and about, I'm quite contented to find things to do inside. While going through a box of fabric I came across some scrap pieces I had saved in hopes of finding usage for them at a later time. I found fabric I had used to recover the bottom of an old French chair. Another scrap piece I had covered a small foot stool. I have neither the chair or the foot stool in my home now, so when I found the fabrics, I began reflecting back on my Shabby Chic days. What fun I had with that concept. My daughter and I were dashing about going to estate sales, flea markets and wonderful little antique shops. So, all morning long I have been going through fabrics and cutting out. Still working on Valentine gifts, I've even made some of the hearts in the "shabby chic" style for old times sake.

It's Time For Sweets

Yumm...Chocolixir.... Chocolate hearts....

White Chocolate....

Making little hearts....

It's Sunday evening, the Super Bowl is on (the mister is watching), and I am making hearts and thinking of chocolate Valentine candy, Godiva to be exact, and the traditions that go with the whole "day of romance" celebration. Dinner and flowers....very nice, but... I've been thinking...... as far back as I can remember, I've never quite felt that I should receive a box of chocolates on Valentine's day or any other day during the year, for that matter. Even when I was very young and thin, I still felt that tug of guilt. How could I possibly indulge in something so...so...off my diet? So...with the holiday so soon to happen, I've decided and quite matter of fact.."I am worthy...I can have chocolate if I like and I will have no guilt!" There.....I'm feeling better already...hmmmm

The Lord's Blessing

A beautiful painting by Kathy Lawrence, titled "The Lord's Blessing."

One of the most beautiful things in life is listening to a child talk to the Lord. Nothing is more precious or sincere. The words spoken are heartfelt with expectations that the Lord hears and answers their request. I've heard things like "and God, please help my Daddy's head to stop hurting, it has been hurting him pretty bad, so could you please make it better?...and God please help me to get over this bad cold...and God thank you for the sunshine and God bless my brothers and Mommy." I've also heard things like "and God thank you for all the cars and trucks and Thomas the train...and...and....