shhh.... who said that?

sometimes one just has to pull the fryer out! shh... who said that? ; )

enjoy the homemade pommes frites and spicy, curry mayo.

couldn't you picture us, talking and laughing the day away, over these? yes mam!

happy monday!

ps: joanna jenkins, my son picked your name, out of the comments yesterday. please email me your snail mail addy, so i can mail your sweet blue flower. xo

one love~

sunday and moody skies and "feeling good"

it's sunday. the skies are still dark and moody from our storms, which it seems like we have had nightly. but i don't mind the rain. the rain is a poets friend, sheltering but saturating to ones words.

i photographed my peony petals atop the book " the principals of uncertainty". a way to pay tribute to the petals, the pages, the author.  thank you maira kalman. artists are constant gift givers.

i am still working on that closet of mine. i got caught up with sitting on the floor with books and old drawings surrounding me. where did the time go? did i draw that? this is a good read. lol

are you sipping your favorite drink this morning? taking it easy?

hazelnut coffee

lots of magazines

and bless her heart. ; ) love love, thank you.

homemade, pomme frites, with curry ketchup or spicy mayo.

and a giveaway from my shop... maybe a print? ; ) do you have a favorite? leave a comment letting me know.  or just stop in and say hello, let me know how you are. ; )

being lazy with the intention of getting so much done today. but it's sunday, most stuff can wait. you know what i mean... right?

"dragonfly out in the sun you know what i mean, don't you
butterflies all havin' fun you know what i mean
sleep in peace when day is done
that's what i mean"

....because it's sunday, nina, must sing to me... to us. ; )


one love~

about the light

it's really about the light isn't it? the love of what we do, and the light.
the way we light our own path, means so much. the beauty we project to the world is good for something, but mostly the beauty we present to ourselves, means the world. for me it's important to find beauty, in the smallest most simple things. but you know me well, so in a sense, im preaching to the choir. ; )

i thought a lot about life this week...
as i found a moment of alone time( last night) the sun began to set. i picked up my camera and instantly, i began to relax. i found the sweetest joy, in these grocery store daisies. i find flowers are like prayer in a vase...
this light i witnessed, warmed my soul. i trusted this light that took me by the hand. i began taking small steps toward the ordinary. feeling the poetry of water on my hands, as i did the dishes. listening to the worlds motions outside my window. i dig that.

kick fear in the ass this weekend and do something you love... then share it with the world.

happy weekend, my friends!

one love~

longer days

the sun was shinning so bright this morning. it's brightness deceived me, into believing i had over slept. when in reality, it was only a bit past six. such a beautiful gift, of a longer day.

i started reading this book today ; )

wearing this. camera + flower charms = love. i adore etsy.

i am looking forward to summer. the longer days, the lazy schedule, getting a few things finished.

oh how i  would love to get my photos in order. my kids baby photos are in boxes. sad. archival safe boxes but, in boxes. there are old photos that aren't even dated. what happened? when did i let this slip by the wayside? i am a stickler about photos, i even used to scrapbook, i just lost the love for that. there are duplicate photos, that need to be thrown away, when no one is looking. and memories to be filed for my children. this is a project i will work on, slowly and patiently this summer.  it's important to me. if you have a system, that seems to have helped you keep your photos in order, please share. ; )

happy day

one love~

rambling and doughnuts

thank you. thank you from the bottom of my heart, for the love and friendship you showed my family, in yesterday's post+ always. you mean the world to me. we are doing good. very good.

i found these doughnuts to be pretty. i could easily see a few of them as prints, hanging in my kitchen ; )
i remember  from my childhood, how special bakeries were. it seemed family owned bakeries, were on every corner, as i skipped to school. baking is a true art. and i admire each of you, who create this art.

question~ do i buy tart or sweet cherries(darker color) to make a cherry pie? it's on my to do list, and i SO want to do this. i need a pit remover as well huh? i can get that______?? ; ) i am trying! lol

******************

do you remember the pasta salad i was going to throw together?  the one i stopped and bought the smoked applewood gouda + the gruyere for. it turned out lovely. i began with orecchiette pasta, then added sun dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, red bell peppers, onions and of course the cheese.  a perfect dinner, for a warm evening. add a glass of sangria and it officially summer. ; )

i read this on saturday. i have had the book for a while, but wanted the right time, to take it in. i really loved it. i honestly can say, i had fun flipping these pages, and nodding my head yes, and running my hands over the pages. bravo for books like this.

...sipping a cup of tea and taking it slow my friends, taking it slow. ; )

how are you today?

one love~

letting go

it's early. we received the call this morning, that my husbands grandmother, passed away.

my husband was late yesterday, coming home from work. he stopped to see his grandma. they talked. when he came through the door, i asked how she seemed. "at peace" was his response. i dig that. ; ) i am glad he went to see her.

and today~

our kids are sleeping, safely tucked inside of their beds. so far, to them, life is still a continuation of the ice cream we said yes to, last night. and that's a good thing, kids should be kids, in that way. great-grandma lived a good, long life. we as adults, understand those type of things. sometimes. kids, not so much. i can't tell you how many times, i have stood over them watching them sleep, this morning.

i made coffee and a bagel for my husband, this morning. i don't normally do this.  we laughed and held back tears. she was his life. and he was so good to her.

i think the death of an older person, is to show us young, smart asses, to get on the ball. live that life we have wanted. go after our dreams.

death is a reminder, to quit talking shit about all the things we are going to do, and do them. at least try.

oh, and the zig zagging that is going through my mind, at this moment... do i have clothes to wear to a funeral? selfish of me, huh?
this is wisconsin, it's either 35 below zero or 100 degrees. that leaves me with a turtleneck and a short sleeve turtle neck. : )
i know my son is not going to be able to get into a 2 year old suit. he is almost 6 feet tall now. uncle Nigel tells me- nooooo worries, jus let dem dahm pants cuff down for da bwoy... had ya bought da suit fa hem, me told ya, da bwoy would have been set for hez wedding, ten years from naw!
lol
ah yep, we are that family. lmao!

she lived a good life.

she said what was on her mind.

she taught my husband to be brave, be presentable, be accountable . i am in debt to this woman. she handed me a good, hard working man. ; )

i ask nothing for myself in prayer today, i will work on letting go, surrendering to His plan, suchness and acceptance.
i pray that grandma makes it home to glory, and meets Gods arms, open wide. no more pain, no more suffering, the end of the storm.

cheers my friend, we will meet again.

all praise to The Most High, for the gift of this blessed day.

one love~

summer

hello, my friends. happy summer.

today is cleaning closets out, changing bed linens and lemonade breaks...
many lemonade breaks.

summer is here. it brings with it, warmth+ showers to officially wash winter out of my soul.
used books + lavender.

pillow cases on the clothes line and fresh cut grass.
and poetry. the poetry of the city, floating from back yards to stoops, through screens of thawed windowsills.

oh, and strawberry bread. nice thick slices, to go with the lemonade.

happy summer!

and there were peonies

i was out and about today. i made a stop at whole foods, for some ingredients to create a pasta salad, for the weekend. i couldn't decided on a smoked gouda or a nice, gruyere~ so i bought a small chunk of both. ;  )

and there were peonies. yes, the poetry of flowers. they called my name, in such a sweet whisper. ; )

and pomegranate lemonade... i couldn't leave without a cup of that. it's hot outside. yikes.

i beamed ; ) all the way down the escalator and on my way home. people smiled and i smiled back. it was the flowers ( i tell ya) they just made people smile, the way a cute puppy does or a newborn baby.

it is a wonderful friday.

i am thinking this smoked gouda, would go nicely over a grilled chicken + avocado + tomato sandwich  as well. ... roast corn? hmm... wink.

"to be overcome by the fragrance of flowers is a delectable defeat."
Beverly Nichols

oh, i am dipping my feet into more brave waters, by adding a few prints to my shop. a few of you asked, so i will do that later today/tonight. thank you, for asking ; )

happy weekend, my dear friends.

one love~

in tones of blue

i am SO loving, that these photos are singing, in the tones of blue. blue allows me to rest my eyes, it comforts me.
...the sea, a stripe in a flag, the sky, a mood, a song.

today, i have a very important date with my kiddos, we are making flowers out of tissue paper. and drawing funny faces. yep they are both teenagers, and that is the part that warms my heart, the most. : )

one love~

ps: i forgot to mention, that i am just not (always) as nice as i can be, in certain situations. and that SO sucks on my part. ; ( i try though. i am human. i am allowed to be frustrated and mumble really bad words under my breath. blame it on me being a chef. kitchen pressure, ya know. lol besides in the kitchen, i will continue to learn and try my best, on this life journey.
palms clutched to the most high, for loving me through good and bad.
; )

a saint in the window

such beautiful light this morning, after such an equally beautiful rain yesterday.
i saw a photo using a sugar flower, on the "bake it pretty" site and thought i
would try it. credit for the inspiration of the tea cup to them - it sweetened my morning ; )

and daisies they always bring along a soft type of love. the petals turned inward, as though they are carefully guarding, it's pale yellow center. it's sheer poetry, i believe.

how can i go wrong with a saint in the window... bringing a glow into my kitchen. i sat in silence, gently sipping the moment... gratefulness in a cup.

hello there my friends. how are you today?

peace

catching up and shuffling

how is your monday going?

i am loving the (new to my area) "cooking channel". uhem... if you loved "jamie at home", the way i did. you can get your fix, from the reruns on there. swoon! jamie, i so wish you were my neighbor... with that big ole garden of yours. ; )

im just catching up on some reading and shuffling around the house today.

i have a nice brisket in the crock pot, i filled it to the brim with veggies, to finish it off.

this steady mist of rain, is setting the stage for a nice nap, on my day off. ; )

i am thankful to be here~ vicki hangs the moon in photography to me, so i blush in my cupped palms today... tomorrow : ) thank you.

peace

it's sunday

e e cummings wrote about carrying a heart...
"i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear...

it's sunday...
the windows are open and poetry is by my side
i had the most lovely cup of coffee with steamed milk this morning
i rolled my eyes at a doughnut that wouldn't stop calling my name...
oh i played hard to get as long as i could. : )

beautiful mail came my way this week, and it was filled with the scent of
jasmine, friendship and paprika. love love.

my baby girl is no longer a grade schooler~ deep sigh for love.

and then there is a favorite, miles davis~ kind of blue, making it's way through the house.

"here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart"


e e cummings~


it's sunday and my soul appreciates it, so very much. ; )


one love~

kindness

the past few weeks have been sweet indeed. if i told you all the kindness that has come my way, you might not believe me : ) wink.

i see you kindness, i feel you, and would love to pass you along. : ) 

is there someone you know, who would love to get a little card in the mail? someone who doesn't get mail too often, or just swoons when they see their name on a stamped envelope? let me know... if you could use a bit of mail, then by all means, say so. : )

if you would like to play along, just head to my new shop, take a look see, and come back here to the comment section and let me know which card, you would want me to send, to you or a friend.

i will pick a name or two tonight, email you for this person's address and head to the post office, with a stamped act of kindness. Swoon!
or
just stop in and say hello. i would love to hear how you are doing, what you are reading, weekend plans?
did you like the macarons? they are the cartwheels of cookies, aren't they? lol  yes mam!

"There must be millions of people all over the world who never get any love letters... I could be their leader." ~Charlie Brown


Happy weekend!
Update~
Se'lah
Tabitha~ got it!
Dylan
make sure i have the addy's to send cards out. 
thank you!

from my soul and flower magazine

this morning, i barely shook the sleep from my soul, when i found out
my photo was here.
thank you so very much, flower magazine!
waving to josie ; )
what a lovely way, to start the day~
if you haven't read flower magazine, you SO have to pick up a copy. i  have spent many an afternoon with this magazine and a cup of tea, just dreaming away.
...deep sigh, for beauty and dreaming. : )

one love~

raindrops dance

another rainy morning. which i don't mind. i adore rain... could this be the end of the peonies? sigh.
the smell of peonies + rain drops, reminds me there is more good in the world, than bad. ; ) deeper sigh.

i am listening to the raindrops dance on the rooftop and wrapping the sweetest ribbons around orders, from my new shop. i just can't thank you enough, for your orders and words or encouragement.

i found this cutie + had to have it. i am telling you, the whole family, loves it. : ) i don't think i have had the honor of turning it yet. lol i dig that.

this article is still with me. you all shared that book with me, and forever it will sit beside, my heart. and my kiddos loved it too.

...and the rain causes me to bake + i had raspberries and blueberries in the house, that needed to be used. i must have used the peel of a whole meyer lemon, in them. love love.

are you enjoying your day? i hope so.
slow
slow

one love~