flowers wrapped in paper

what a morning. sigh. there are just some mornings, that one can barely have their eyes open, and "it" begins. glad that part of the day is over. ; ) ova, fin, done. lol
so i come here to place peace, soften the journey, see how you all are doing.

today is filled with...
steinbeck... my daughter reads- "a few miles south of soledad, the salinas river drops in close to the hillside bank and runs deep and green..."
i run my hand over the page, gently pressing the spine. smiling to myself, thinking, yes this read is a requirement, but this time with them, is just an incredible feeling.

the photo above was on a roll of film, from this past spring. flowers wrapped in yellow paper. it was  a bit blown out. i placed a texture over it, and it somehow touches my soul. ; )

a song~ la vie en rose, anyone? the photo of louis, sitting in the road, at sunset... deep sigh, for love. it's on repeat on my i pod today. ; )

happy day, my friends.

evening

a night time photo of my desk. it seems the darkness, came so early, this evening.

the autumn air, entered our lungs rapidly, on this sunday.
playing
raking
more playing
take and bake pizza- yep!
grandfather hands on the clock chiming
a few christmas decorations finding their way to the mantel
christmas magazines in laps for idea sharing
i'm looking for a english, christmas/steamed pudding recipe. do you have one? i have wanted to make one of these sticky delights, for many a christmas, this may be the year.
jazz in the background
football lots of football on the screen
thank you for the kind emails on the shop~ how about this... a new coupon code, good until friday, for 15% off any order. HOLIDAY15

how are you, my friends?
have a most lovely evening.
; )

of gray

it's slow here today. blocks of sun, with the most beautiful shades of gray + cold, cold.
i'm hiding under quilts today, only coming out when necessary...
warm bowls of pasta, with extra parmesan.
refills of warm cider
i watched the movie ondine today~ deep sigh for such beauty... colin farrell. yes mam! the story, the grays of the sea, the character, annie. ireland, we will meet, someday. ; )

staying warm~
flipping the pages of a book, on roses.

hoping you are well.

enjoy your day, my friends.
xo

this time of year

hey there!
was your day a good one? it was a lovely day here, the sun even came out for a bit. : ) and the turkey dinner, turned out just fine. i thought about you all, how thankful i am for each one of you, that come here to say hello. love

are you headed out to brave the crowds, in the morning? i think i will stay in and shop a bit on line, for some yarn. ...sip a nice, warm latte, finish washing the table linens. maybe even, dare i say, dust off some christmas decorations. i warned you, i am such a christmas geek, i just love this time of year.

but first comes sleep.

the photos above, are the christmas cards, i created. they are now in my etsy shop + i am so very proud of them. ; )
oh, this cupcake was dressed up and loved. ...chocolate, ribbon, peppermint candy, set inside an old bell jar top, then placed on a swedish psalm book- i found in an antique store. extra powdered sugar, made it so yummy. ; )
for you my blog readers+ flickr peeps, i am giving 15% off of any order in my shop. i would love for you to stop by, the sale. ; ) coupon code:15TODAY

happy day, my friends.

happy thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends.
have a beautiful week.
i send you love + blessings.

monday came so soon, and with it came the rain + happiness.

happiness~

receiving the warmest and kindest email about sharing~ thank you, janet.

books to read

faces to kiss

cinnamon walnut raisin bread + butter

a sweet yellow email from minnesota ; ) xo
watercolor paint
knitting
pretty packages to mail
homemade chop suey for dinner
the sun coming out
and because when yo-yo ma plays i listen~ sigh
; )

so very early this morning, my soul met with autumn.
i entered into her branches and fog, as a lost daughter, a tired wife, a worried mother and invisible friend.
the trees made me feel small. their massive trunks, inviting me to lay any burdens i may have, down by their sides.
the mist between the branches, the fog rising from the earth, my breath from the cold, the drizzle of rain.
how could i possibly, see my way clearly.

slow
slow

autumns colors becoming more vibrant with each step

november and december can be crazy i pleaded
nature wrapping me in it's insides calming me
welcoming me
accepting me as i am
gently swaying me
refilling me with hope

nature tends to set the perfect stage
no matter how lost the daughter
no matter if there are burdens
no matter the hand of time

the wealth of autumn is undeniable~

happy sunday, my dear friends.
waving to you ; )

one love~

thank goodness for weekends. ; )

thinking of adding this to the simple thanksgiving meal, we are planning.
i bookmarked this, but i apologize for not remembering, the blog i initially saw it on.

i kind of SO had to had these, vintage beauties. i have loved you long time(lol) and have plans for you to be a part of our, christmas mantel. sigh.

and here, a favorite suite indeed.

another week has been accomplished
the gift of another day arrived
a sunrise has been witnessed
a sunset was enjoyed
beds were made and unmade
food on our table
a roof over our heads
life was lived
faith was tested
love prevailed

happy weekend, my friends.

it's a new day. and it's beautiful.
the washing machine is going
coffee is poured
prayers said
anger replaced by love
kids are bickering
the dog is rolling on the carpet trying to remove his sweater
sink is filled with dirty dishes
history lessons wait to be taught
a beautifully hand written letter arrived in the mail
sigh
life is good

happy thursday, my friends~
; )

sometimes a stranger can be your best friend
sometimes being angry is the best mood
sometimes seeing you feel good makes me feel better
sometimes hunger is the best food
cee-lo

working away creating, to fill the shop for next week, with lots of pretty.; )
i really do love the holidays. please try not to hate me, but i am a Christmas geek, to the fullest. lol
today is making cards, swirling ribbons + geometry.

my son is dealing with a fake friend bully. i shouldn't call this young man fake, sorry, i'm just speaking out of anger, on that one. ; (
our son asked me last night, if he felt he should stop speaking to this young man, that keeps hurting his feelings, in front of others. sigh. being a teenager isn't easy. being a parent isn't easy.
slow
breath deep
...our children don't attend regular school, don't facebook, cell phone, twitter, sit in front of video games or tv all day. our two children are happy... they bake and laugh, sew, read, dream, paint, speak of edward and bella, kobe, and richard wright.
we have put prayer first, but along with seeking His grace, my husband is ready to speak to this young mans, parents.

i have an oldie but goodie, simmering away today for dinner. a pot roast in the crock pot, with onions, potatoes + carrots + a splash of leftover port. a dessert of homemade chocolate chip cookies + a overdue game of scrabble. yes mam! a bit of comfort in our home, will do us good.

i send you love~

i'm wishing you a pretty + sweet tuesday
with a lovely cup of hot coffee or tea
lots of books
warm quilts for this cool autumn day
+
extra frosting on your cupcake
; )

i find the apples that have fallen on the ground of the orchard, make the best sauce and pies. i find a sense of solace walking in the orchard, that i might not find anywhere else.
the autumn ground beneath my feet
basket at my side
capturing apples on film
stumbling upon this book
the smell of rain
listening to mirah
apple wine with a rustic cracker and chunk of cheddar
i will be working late into the night on the sweetest cards and photos my heart could create for my etsy shop.
i am thinking of you~
love
love
; )

it's a gray and cold sunday outside
i thought buttery colored flowers would be nice upon the old farm table
i missed kindness yesterday, due to a power outage. sigh. i didn't miss taking a casserole to our neighbors ; )
nina simone + jaffa is my poetry for this autumn day
sunday dinner is being prepped
chicken is in brine and pan gravy is on the menu...
i rarely ever fry chicken, it's a true labor of love.
a lived in home
the tea kettle is whistling
i am right where i belong

let us be like

two falling stars in the day sky

let no one know of our sublime beauty

as we hold hands with god

hafiz

happy sunday, my friends. 

i have me time inscribed into my calendar this weekend
the words jumping out toward me
in a way taunting me that i won't keep that appointment
but i must
it's vital to my soul that i make time to do things
that may have no rhyme or reason to the next person
but put my soul back in tact once more

i also have an appointment with prayer which will come first
a moment to feel the breath of god
spending time walking beside faith
asking for nothing
just stillness in prayer

on to
chalk
and crayons
and old books
coffee to warm my insides
a new recipe of onion and mushroom soup
trying my hand at baking bread
welcoming the gray skies as i would the sunny ones
and teenage fingers pressing on our bedroom door
making time to snuggle in the mornings still

have a wonderful weekend, my friends.
do something you love~

bless~

an alter look about the hills;
a tyrian light of village fills;
a wider sunrise in the dawn;
a deeper twilight on the lawn;
a print of vermillion foot;
a purple finger on slope;
a flippant fly upon the pane;
a spider at his trade again;
an added strut in chanticleer;
a flower expected everywhere...
emily dickenson


last night a soft light shone from all four rooms in the house
words from pages arrived within each of us
these words taking different routes
but arriving safely all the same

this made me smile.

this morning is~
emily dickenson
stale toasted italian bread with warm olive oil and sea salt
grateful for what i have
less focus on what i don't have

happy days, my friends.

i just wanted to stop in and say hello. i'm working over time today, but am happy to say i will be home in time for dinner, with my family. deep sigh for love + leftover spaghetti. ; )

may i take a few seconds, to answer some questions, that i received after yesterday's post?  please? ; )

yes, i love old buildings/street photog! long before i could see the beauty in a flower, my first love was/is urban photography. i am proud to say, i work as a photographer of mostly, urban and historic areas, in the inner city. my blog is a soft place, i come to even things out, a bit ; )


i have been a chef forever... and ever. ; ) sometimes i think about, going to pastry school. hmm...


i am old school! 


i use a canon camera. i also use an old canon film camera, for some of my fall and winter shots. i really like the look, when the light changes during those seasons. 


yes i do calibrate my computer, to match the pro lab i use. and yes, i needed a drink after i was done doing so. computers, huh? i believe it was tequila, with a lime twist. ; ) 

there are so many talented photographers in this blog neighborhood. i honestly, respect each one of these lovelies and their style. i learn from you all everyday. But if ever i can help, don't hesitate, we can pour the tequila chocolate malts and figure it out together.

you all warm me to the core, with your kindness.
won't you please leave a light on for me? i will be around to visit soon. ; )

one love~
ps: yes i will have a holiday update in my shop soon.

i took this photo two years ago. it was a harsh november, that year.
i vividly remember the sun and it's failing attempt, to warm something, anything... it's rays, slow dancing across my lens.

more than the weather that day, i remember the desperation of those who pushed carts of cans, metal and hope, to be weighed, days before thanksgiving.
i lost focus on my photo assignment that day, but gained a compassion for my community of brothers and sisters, that might have otherwise gone, unnoticed.

it's good to be able to look back, through photos. it's as though the day reappears, ascending within us, until the memory does it's job.
i dig that.
*

may the beauty we love be what we do.
there are a thousand ways to kiss the ground.
rumi


one love~

i had alone time, this morning. sigh. how beautiful.
i took my time, reading the sunday paper, stirring my jam gently.

coffee from a favorite cup.

at one point the only sound in the house, was the bubbling of the cranberries and apples. love.

cranberry apple jam

there is something sacred, about canning food for the winter months. i remember this, as a child. my grandmother did this often. i wasn't able to appreciate it as a young girl, but i do now.


i have a roast in the crock pot
later acorn squash will go in the oven, with butter and brown sugar, + black pepper.

im still in my pj's and doubt that will change today. ; )

bird feeder filled
folding laundry
bills written out and mailed
leftover clover honey for tea

sinking into this sunday as the leaves fall outside, and football is on the t.v.

life is good.
how are you today?

love~

our home is lived in, that's for sure. : ) there are mountains of laundry, calling my name, mail to be opened, and lots of other stuff. . + miles has to be at the groomer.

i have taco fillings in the crock pot. i added tomatoes, poblanos, and onions to the mixture.
all i have to do is stir up brown rice, sofrito and black beans, and i have a side.
... + limes and corona, you say? yes indeed! i couldn't think of a better way, to end the week.

happy weekend, my friends! do something you absolutely love. be selfish, do something just for you. : )

one love~

you know that moment in the evening, where family heads to bed and there is that moment of silence?
my breathing changes
i sink a bit deeper into the comfortable chair
knitting needles in hand
recipes come to mind
a cup of tea beside me
sleep arrives
that moment was just what i needed.

happy wednesday, my friends.

i believe no matter how busy, or how hectic life gets, there must be time, for finger painting. ; ) i know, right! my kids are teens, and they still dip their finger tips, as though they were five years old, again. i cherish this time, with them.

november, you snuck up on me. i welcome you with the heat on low, and extra quilts on our beds.
chicken soup with wild rice on the menu. a nice homemade chutney, on crusty bread, will make the meal complete.

slow

i have an aching for this book. im SO adding it, to my bookshelf. aren't polaroids, just amazing? the outcome can be strong, yet soft and mysterious. you can pre-order your copy now. waving to the two, jens ; )

your emails and comments about the artful blogging feature, has just warmed me to the core. i have even had a visit or two here on the blog, from bookshop owners. welcome + thank you, so very much.
hello jamaica! your copies are on the way.

as tired and sniffly from bronchitis as i am, i must say, i am over the moon with coming here to visit with you.
how have you been, my friends?

one love~