most lovely

I am hoping you are enjoying, a most lovely and peaceful day.
; )

rain and "in your own sweet way"

reading cookbooks on rainy days... and words by jamaica kincade
it's a blue day as in rain and jazz blue
with wet light posts and railings
chicken pot pie out of the oven with extra thick crust on the bottom and top- a silver spoon waits patiently beside the dish
laughter during long distance phone calls
eating m&m's in between laughs
your lover stopping in his tracks to kiss you on the forehead even though his hands are full
wine out of little jelly jars
the light of an incense
crisp leaves being stopped in their tracks by the rain- as miles davis blows "in your own sweet way"
letter reading swings my moods back and forth- higher i say higher
the trumpet comes to halt to allow the rain to beat it's drum on our rooftop
peace

slow

Taking a moment to enjoy the mornings. Taking a moment to enjoy the evenings.
Slow, slowing it down.
writing thank you notes
visiting you
revisiting the dying art of cursive writing~ swoon
sipping life slowly
smiling at strangers
softly taking in the browns in my son and daughters eyes
allowing love to seep through my lens
have a wonderful week ; )
one love~

then a purple sky opened

i am filled with hope tonight that the opening sky is speaking to me
to my heart
i wrote an letter with a purple pen
i never do that
besides all the other words i wrote
i wrote i love you
scribbled shakily and purple
then a purple sky opened
i needed to step on the wet concrete to feel it's glow
i feel caribbean breezes on nights like this
gently calling my name
soon come
my heart beating to the poets of yesterday
Jah running with the color purple filled me
i am a dreamer a believer ya know
have i ever told you that?
dream up big dats what me do
i couldn't help but raise my hands toward the sky
palms dripping with rain drops
eyes closed
gently i whisper...
i am here
still standing
i am here
grateful
: )

won't you join me please

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Each Thursday, of October, I will place a pink photo here, with a few thoughts.
for those who lost their battle
for those who continue to fight the battle
for those who research day and night for a cure
for those who keep the awareness going
for those who think they have been forgotten
I send love to my husband because, no matter the weather, no matter the time... he finishes the run. This Saturday, my husband will run for the cure for cancer~ in memory of his mama, and for all the people whose stories, he has yet to hear. I love you my friend, I love you, with all my heart : )
Please leave a comment in this post, if you would like to join me, in posting pink, on Thursdays, in October. No rules, no nothing special, come as you are, post one Thursday or all five : )
Feel free to use the pink thoughts badge, on the sidebar of my blog.
One love~

what we have

A trip to the farmers market, just makes all the difference in a day. The farmers, the community gardners, the soap makers, the children by their sides, watching. As I stroll up and down the rows of freshness, it is a sheer form of art to me. Art that touches me deep, in my soul. A stroll to the farmers market, opens my thoughts, brings me to the sweetest paths, on my journey. I tend to look at the hands of these artist... They fascinate me. I respect these people, immensely.
Deep inside, I know that my truth is to grow my own food, make my own soaps, sew, and create for my family. Our little family lives off the motto use what you have. Don't get me wrong, I love to indulge every once in a while... Oh, yes I do. Uhem... camera equipment, books. : ) For me, the simple things, make me feel closer to what's real ; )
Could it be, Autumn is arriving...the leaves, the rain, the evenings becoming darker, earlier. It just made sense, to make eggplant parmesan. It made the perfect meal, to have on the stoop. Of course I thought of you, and ran for my camera. Wink~
How are you, this Monday? ; )
Peace~

thank you for playing

You all just blow me away, with your kindness. Such sweet and giving comments, on the pay it forward, post.
So I will be sending, a little parcel to these 5, rays of sunshine.
kim living life
sherry lee
leau
tabitha@ i choose bliss
meredith
Congratulations! I will be mailing your parcels out, later next week. Sprinkled with love, of course. : )
Please email me, your addresses. Thank you so much, for playing it forward.
Happy Sunday, my friends.

stop in pay it forward and hello

A while back, the lovely Hanna, had a pay it forward deal, on her blog. She chose 5 people to send a package to, then in return those 5 people would pay it forward, and send a package to another 5 people. I happen to be one of the lucky ones. I received Hanna's, beautiful parcel in the mail. She sent me a sweet note pad, shared a bread recipe, made me the most glorious bread bag, and a sweet pin, for me to wear. Oh it was a envelope, filled with kindness. Thank you, Hanna!
It's now time for me, to pay it forward. ; )
Would you like to play along? I can't wait to send you a parcel!
I will gladly pick, 5 people out of the comments section, on this post, to send a package to. If you are chosen, you will need to send five people a little package~ pay if forward. ; )
There is no pressure, in the gift giving. The gifts can be small. You don't have to rush, to get them out. Just send them with a sprinkle of love. No pressure~ Let me know if you want your name, to go in the pot. And of course, you can always just stop in and say hello, on this post. I always, dig that ; ~ )
Peace~

all the lovliness

I devoured a peach, early in the morning. It was way, over ripe, and had begun to wrinkle. It was one of the sweetest peaches, I have ever had. Oh, yes it was. : )
The early mornings, bring me joy, the silence allows me to take a deep sigh, for beauty. ; )
I thought about the great customer service, this art supply store gave me, when I called them crazy and distraught, because my art journal arrived damaged. lol Oh, they know how to deal with artists/ eccentric personalities/melt downs, with the greatest of ease. I had a perfect journal replaced, at my door, the next day. Big up, Phyllis. Thank you. : ) Phyllis, understood that I was trying to create a journal, inspired by this lovely lady. Geninne's journals, make me want to hula~ hoop, lay in the grass, and recite poetry, all at the same time. Yes, that yummy! Swoon~ I swear as soon as I get the hang of it, I will find my own style. : )
I can't help but notice, all the lovliness, around the blog neighborhoods.
I have seen the simple act, of placing a stamp on an envelope, filled with caring words, change someone's day...
The sheer happiness, when a new found blog, brings a squeal of joy.
How a smiley face, along with a few words in a comment box, light our paths.
Women are coming together, building friendships and bonds, at ages we thought our lives were full enough, or a friendship in blog land, couldn't be real. Oh, but our hearts beg to differ... We shake our heads in amazement, that we can be touched by the words or realities of women, who share photos and stories, on their blogs. Women who accept us, in the warm nooks and crannies, of their open arms and lives. Women who realize, when the beauty of friendship knocks on our doors, we open our hands, palms gently extended and we embrace.
One love~

in the moment deal

I really don't think we need an excuse to make brownies, but after reading this post, from Shell. I just think a sweet batch, were in order : )
The other day, I was in the kitchen, folding our table cloth. My daughter came in and gathered an end, to help me. As we began folding together, no words were needed. As we brought our corners together, our hands touched. It was beautiful, electric, kind and loving. I looked up at her, and she smiled. I can't tell you, how grateful I am to know this kind of love. Each one of these moments with my children, help me to understand what I have gone through (sadly) with my own mother. Each one of these moments, allow me to let go of the past; to not put too much, into the future... To know, all we have is now.
As we set the table, and placed a simple meal of, baked chicken and yams down. I watched them. I watched my small family, sit down to dinner, talk about their day, and look forward to these brownies, I put love and whispered prayers, into : ) It was a misty eyed, in the moment deal. And I couldn't be more grateful.
One love~

don't forget

I just wanted to stop in and remind you, that you are intelligent and beautiful...
Yes, you.
One love~

10 and sunday

The most lovely, Mari, tagged me. She would like me to tell you 10 things about me. : ) I am kind of wondering what I could tell you, you don't already know. : ) Hi Mari! I love ya, Mari!

1. i adore, early mornings. It's my time to breath, find peace for my day, and have complete silence. Bliss~
2. you might not know this about me, but i adore getting mail. : ) the card above, was sent to me from Bee, she warms my heart. And she has the coolest, blog name. pay her a visit, and see what i mean. i send you a hug, my friend. follow your dreams, my new card reads. thank you se'lah, for hosting the gift of jewels.
3. when i am having a meeting with someone and the sunlight begins to hit items or faces, just right. I can't focus on our meeting anymore. i begin to cringe, that i am not capturing the light through, my lens. i can't understand another word, out of that persons mouth. sorry hubby! lol
4. i am a loner.
5. i could watch the movie "you've got mail" everyday.
6. i find Malcolm X, to be SO very handsome. His words inspire me, to keep an open mind.
7. when i am out to dinner, i ask the people at other tables, what they ordered and if they like it. Oh, yes I do. lol
8. i wish daily, that my family photographs, were in albums with dates and notes. where do is begin? i must find the time to do this, for my children.
9. i love bars. Uhem... No, I am not speaking of, getting my tilt on : ) I mean dessert/cookie bars. Magic bars, key lime bars, m&m bars, pumpkin bars, banana bars... brownies. you get the idea. : )
10. on days im not working, i could stay in the house a week straight~ writing in journals, reading and shuffling around the house. My husband has to tell me~ "it's time to leave the house, my dear."
Blah, blah... Enough about me.
How are you, on this Sunday?
One love~

here and there and sangria is in order

I am wanting to hang my bed sheets, on the clothes line. It really is a beautiful day, today. I would also like to paint my nails, purple. A deep purple, would make me smile. I found the sweetest peaches, at the market yesterday. Sangria is in order, for this weekend. : ) I have wanted to set a table outside all summer long, filled with grilled vegetables, white wine, peach sangria, assorted pastas, mixed matched chairs... Along with strung lanterns and the laughter of friends. Oh, how I would love to pull that off, but there is a construction zone, in our back yard. The trees, are being made happy. lol If the food is good enough, maybe no one will notice. : )
I had a blast, ordering some books this a.m, while sipping my coffee. I will start giving the mail man, the once over, starting next week, until my box of books arrive. Oh, that mail man, he knows I love me some mail. He walks especially slow, when he spots me peeking, his way. Damn him! lol
Speaking of mail... Char is my cinnamon lover, winner! So send me your snail mail address, my sweet.
Have a wonderful friday, my friends.
: )

cinnamon lover

I loved reading your comments on my last post. Mexican food is such a personal thing, isn't it? So is cinnamon, huh? I know, it's a matter of taste : ) Shh... I add a pinch of cinnamon, to my black beans. : ) I really loved making this meal... a couple of spoonfuls of the slow roasted chicken, mexican rice and black beans in your bowl~ nice. Add a few, warm tortillas off the flame, and your ready to scoop. Messy and good. Corona and a lime, by your side of course. It was a, sweet night.
Oh yes, I would love to send someone a bottle of the saigon cinnamon, I am so fond of. Deep sigh, for the taste of it in apple pies. The shop I purchase it from, has the most beautiful spices. Oh, yes they do. : ) I just know, you will think it is the best. Leave me a comment, and I will pick a cinnamon lover, out of the comment section, tomorrow.
Peace
: )

share the beautiful light

I walked through the grocery store tonight, and realized I wanted to make mexican food, this week. It hits me like that, sometimes. In the cart, went the sazone', limes and corona. : ) Oh, yes they did. : )
I have written out my spice list, for the Autumn season. My list includes, saigon cinnamon. A pinch of that, in baked apple pie, can be divine.
Oh yes, I wanted to share the beautiful light, that found my flowers, today. I dig that! Thank you, sunshine.
It's funny, sometimes when a overwhelming photo project, comes to an end. I'm really unable, to pick up my camera for weeks. I loved a few things I saw today, as I shuffled around the house, finding my way out of the slump, of hiding from my lens.
I really need to fold the rest of my laundry, and head to bed, with hopes of falling to sleep, to some beautiful, glossies.
One love~

in the wind

In the morning, our first day of school will begin. What a lazy and beautiful summer, we have had. Some ups and some downs, but oh so blessed, we are.
I loved seeing cotton candy skies, walking along the beach, picking fresh berries, and spending time in many backyards, including our own. : )
I really do, look forward to opening the books tomorrow.
How has your summer been?
One love~

memories and today

It has been, a lovely Sunday. I headed out of the house with my daughter this morning, to see Julie and Julia. Oh yes, I did! Wasn't that a glorious movie?! I laughed, and I cried. I cheered when Julia, was chopping the onions! Oh, I SO understood! What strong, beautiful, women. Nora Ephron, I love you. I always, love you.
No movie would be complete with out stopping to get, red swedish fish, to snack on. And yes, we got the Jumbo popcorn ; ) I wish you all, could have been there : )
At one point in the movie, my daughter and I held hands. I dig that! The love I have for my daughter, makes me think of how broken my relationship is, with my own mother. Sad.
As we walked out of the mall, the William Sonoma store, called our name. Inside, there were aprons and apple peelers and graters, that spoke to my soul. I didn't buy anything, but oh I was in heaven. They have non-stick, madeleine pans! Non- stick! Imagine that! Not the pans, I learned on. Back in the day, my cooking teacher, made me make madeleines, seven times in one day, until the cookies were perfect. I found my teacher to be, cruel that day. I found him to be a genius, by the end of that year. I will go back, for those pans this week. Warm madeleines for breakfast, is sheer love.

Happy day, my friends.
: )

where i live

I know some of you have seen this photo already, but it's a photograph I comfortably turn to, when describing my love of my community.
It was a Sunday morning, when I snapped this photo. The beautiful man on the bike, was collecting cans and stopped to buy bread in the bakery, I was shopping at. He had a friendly smile. I could have photographed him from the front, but chose to let the people who see the photo, place their own, face on him... maybe someone you wave at from a distance; your abuelo, who sells, caliente chocolate, from his cart. This man, is my city.
There are times, when my city breaks my heart, making me feel like a stranger, and within a moments time, the city of Milwaukee, takes me by the hand, reminding me I am one of its children. Milwaukee is the 8th most impoverished cities in the nation... that stays within me, always.
The neighborhoods are where our kids played for caribbean soccer teams, where candy is sold door to door, where we shake our head in confusion, as another foreclosure sign goes up... Where we dance to the vibrant colored, dragon, that arrives for chinese new year... It's where I live. : )

Won't you join me, in taking a look through the lens, over at Lens. Us.Together.
One love~

afternoon

A lovely, slow afternoon, here... I am enjoying a fruit cup, with extra pineapple. Deep sigh, for beauty. I am flipping through the pages of a catalog, it's filled with choices of calendars and planners. I need a new planner for fall. Yes indeed, fall will be on it's way. Hello to September. I am lusting after a- ball canning book, as well. I so want to learn, how to can : ) In between this lazy day, I am trying to make nice to my new monitor; getting used to the calibration of colors. Sorry if my photos, look way off. : ) I adore black and white photographs, they slow me down, take me back, bring me home.
I received the sweetest of emails, from a blogger this past weekend. She is sweet... like sugar. I dig that : ) Hello new friend~
Speaking of sweetness. I dipped my chocolate chunk and cinnamon cookie, way too long in my coffee this morning...So the cookie kind of melted, in the coffee. SWOON~ I feel like it should become a ritual. Oh yes, I do.

How are you today?
Happy Wednesday~

sprinkles on the regular

Getting some cards made and packages sealed... Yay! I adore stamps, the smell of scotch tape and new school supplies. Swoon~
My son was looking at his stitches this morning, with a small mirror. He has now decided to use the mirror, to bounce reflections off of my forehead and off my computer screen. Oh yeah, he is feeling much better. My husband went out and purchased a little bell, for the son. Hubby told him to ring it today, whenever he needed me. Eh naw, da poor bwoy- hem gwan and misplaced da bell, bout hour after getten it. I assure hem, twill turn up one day, neva. : )
Oh, I am loving regular life.

Hope you all, like sprinkles : )

One love~