Rainy Thursday

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There is something special about rainy days. One walks about the house lulled by the sound of raindrops softly falling on the windows and roof. A perfect soundtrack for a morning meditation.

But...meditating is tricky. There you are, eyes closed, sitting perfectly still, trying to free the mind from anything mundane, breathing gets slower, you float away, your soul travels to a distant shore and you arrive at the Rithang Monastery when suddenly, leaping out of nowhere, uninvited thoughts arrive.  Loud-mouthed ruffians clad in black leather pants...frightful! The lovely vision shatters and you rush about trying to pick up and hold on to the remaining pieces...sigh...

Those horrid ruffians refuse to go away, so for now I'll just stand by the window and listen to the rain... 

Wishing you all a "ruffian free" day :0)

Love and light...

Bedtime wishes

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It's bedtime, the quiet, silent hour when the house finally settles. The shimmering fairy lights guide my way as I make my "rounds" to make sure everything is right.







One last cup of tea, plumping a cushion on the sofa, making sure all candles are out, running a warm, bubbly bath. These rituals, performed almost absentmindedly comfort and reassure me. They are the very essence of being home and fill my heart with peace.

I love to open a window and look up to the sky, whisper a prayer, make a wish or two, and listen to the beat of my own heart. Worries are shed as the peaceful darkness wraps around me like a soft, magical Mantra, and I feel a Divine presence stand right by my side...

Love and light always,



PS. Been back since Thursday but have been suffering with SEVERE allergies. I've missed you all and can't wait to visit and catch up on your latest news. Progress on the screened porch has been made, will be sharing Before and After photos quite soon. Here's a sneak preview of one of the doors :0)



XO

From England with love

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A wet and windy day was magically transformed into a sunny, bright one when I received a most special gift from my dear friend Olive.

All the way from England (land of  my dreams :0)

A beautiful bag and a photograph of Penny Lane's sign!

"Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes..."

Abby refused to be left out :0)

The fact that Olive thought of me when she saw the bag and that she remembered my huge love for The Beatles fill my heart. Thank you Olive, you are the best! XO!

I can't wait to use my gorgeous bag this weekend when we finally return to our Purple Caravan. My husband went out this past week and with the help of our friends pulled out the wall to wall carpet. We now must decide on the type of wood flooring to be installed. I  love the wider planks (but they are so much more expensive)

The caravan came with one bigger bedroom and two small sleeping quarters furnished with two bunk beds each. They were way too small (even for someone as short as me :0) so we decided to knock down the dividing wall and make just one room.

A platform was built to place mattresses and big fluffly pillows.

It's now a cozier, more private area in which our friends can actually sleep and stretch their legs.

Needless to say my mind is just swimming in pools of colors. I lay awake at night planning and imagining how it will look once it's done.



We will be building a screened porch (hopefully soon) and then I will be able to garden and decorate to my heart's content. I will, of course, keep you posted and would love to hear your thoughts and ideas.

And speaking of ideas, I am totally obssessed with this butterfly bench I saw on the Internet. I can't stop thinking about it!

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Wedding plans are moving along. We have already made arrangements for the venue and photographer, but best of all, the gown has been selected! It was quite a moment to see my little girl stand in front of me with her cheeks aglow with excitement and a sparkle in her eyes. She really took my breath away! I promised her not to show any photos of her gown until "the big day" but it looks somewhat like this...oh, to be young and slim and have all our body parts in their proper places... sigh

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And so, life goes on, another week is about to close, another month has started. Tiny buds are getting bigger and stronger, the cycle continues. Hope you are full of exciting plans and innovative ideas!

Love and light, always...

A month to remember

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March did turn out to be quite an interesting month, not only weather wise (we've had very warm days as well as snow)  but also full of important events. My mother's passing, an incredible full moon,  frantic planning to re-open the Purple Caravan and begin the renovations/additions, and now to make this month even more memorable, our dear, sweet daughter Adriana is engaged! 

Adriana met Mitch while they were both attending the university. After five years of being inseparable he finally "popped" the question. The wedding will be October 7, 2012. We couldn't be happier for them, we truly believe they are great together.

A wedding on the horizon and already our home's energy has changed. Tons of magazines are already piling up, lists and plans are being made. We are hoping to find (soon) what we feel are the most difficult: the banquet hall and of course, the gown. Needless to say, we will be busy for a while.

My dear Abby can feel the excitement and is acting "nuttier" than usual, but she is a good girl and has patiently allowed me to take this photo sporting her new Spring bonnet :0) I love her!

Due to all these events I had been unable to thank my dear friend Rosa Phoenix for giving me this:

Thank you Rosa!!

According to the rules of this Award I must share seven things about myself.

Here they go:

1- I can't stand people who constantly praise themselves.

2- When amongst strangers, I may seem a bit aloof.

3- I never really knew the love one can feel for a dog until I got Abby. I had heard about it but the actual experience can't be described!

4- I love the sound of water, whether it's a fountain, a bubbling brook, or rain falling on a tin roof.

5- I adore foggy days. Give me fog and all at once I feel am a mystical creature, mysterious and elusive :0)

6- I love, love Peter Sellers. No matter how many times I watch his movies I will laugh until my sides hurt.

7- I am not interested in celebrities or their lifestyle, nor do I care about designer names or tags at all.

 Answering seven questions is easy, the tricky part is choosing who will get it next! So, as I've done in the past, I dedicate this Award to everyone. Your Blogs are not only Stylish, but they are simply perfect. So, please don't be shy, just grab the button, have fun, and pass it on! After all, that's what Blogging is all about, right?

I must go now, have a hairdresser's appointment  (I hate sitting there but one must pay the price of beauty :=)

Love and light, always...

Moon Child

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I step outside with a heavy heart, worried about another possible war. So lost in my thoughts it takes me a couple of minutes to notice the extraordinary light illuminating the garden. Then I remember, tonight's the night when the Moon would be at it's fullest. 

I look up and there she was, the grand dame, the royal queen of the sky. It's beauty takes my breath away. Something warm and wonderful wraps itself around my shoulders. I can feel the magic and I cry.  

Oblivious to the troubles of the world and just for a little while, the Moon and I become one...

Happy St. Patrick's Day



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"May flowers always line your path and sunshine light your day,

May songbird serenade you every step along the way,

May a rainbow run beside you in a sky that's always blue,

And may happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through."

Irish Blessing

Beautiful, isn't it?