Christmas Rush

Are you rushing, rushing?

Shopping, shopping...

Wrapping, wrapping...

Cooking, cooking...

Cleaning, cleaning...

Soon, real soon,

I am going to sit down and enjoy the holiday season.

I am almost finished!!

Blessings

Yaya

A Festive Holiday Dinner

The Christmas china has been placed on the table...

The menu has been chosen...

Smoked ham

Smoked turkey

Sweet potato casserole

Creamed potatoes....yes, we have both kinds...some like sweet, and some do not.

Green bean casserole

Corn casserole

Broccoli and wild rice

Squash casserole

Spinach salad

Baked macaroni and cheese

Chicken and dressing with gravy

Cranberry sauce

Yeast rolls

Bread pudding

Banana pudding

Carrot cake

Pecan pie

Chocolate pie

Everyone's favorite dessert and favorite casserole

will be on the buffet

for our big Christmas Eve supper...

It's a tradition and it never changes...

Blessings

Yaya

My Lights of Many Colors

The twinkling lights of many colors...

How I remember being a child in the 50s & 60s,

and every Christmas tree in the south was aglow with color.

I will always remember the feeling that came from seeing the first tree of the season...

I love an old fashioned Christmas.

And how about some old fashioned copper?...

Yes, I think I love it.

Blessings

Yaya

In The Country Kitchen

In our country kitchen,

arrangements are made...

Ingredients are piled on top of the old Irish bar,

and cutting board table.

Everything becomes dappled with flour.

The oven is warmed and ready to bake our time-honored recipes...

Family recipes handed down through our family.

There is always bowls of nuts and fruits.

On Christmas Eve we have our great family supper,

with traditional desserts in front of a warm fire.

Our family country house is the only place I want to be

at

Christmas time...

Blessings

Yaya

Christmas Magic

It's happening...

That ol' Christmas magic...

I love our old family country house at Christmas time...

I love the peace and quiet...

The remoteness from all the traffic,

and hussle and bustling city life.

This place is a glimpse of days gone by...

Days when my grandparents lived here,

and as children,

we all gathered here for the holiday dinners.

Ribbons and the scent of fresh pine..

Candle light...

The gathering of family and friends...

Oranges and cloves,

Cinnamon and more spice...

I love bringing in the greens, red berries...

Adding silk and old lace...

Candles and ribbon...

Yards and yards of ribbon...

Trailing across table tops.

We are all abustle,

preparing for the celebration to come.

Noel, noel, noel...

Blessings of Noel

Yaya

Paris and Coco Chanel...Together Forever

And so it is that my French state of mind,

and my wish list

put me in a Chanel state of mind...

Can you imagine being invited up to her Paris apartment,

above her shop?!!

Hearing her say, "Come in, my dear."

She made her own world.

It appeared to be of a fairy tale kingdom.

Such enduring mystique,

this "something" that creates legends.

She is a classic,

and in a world of her own.

We are captivated.

What was her secret?

The splendor of this woman

could stop a crowd.

I believe fragrance dresses a dream...

Adding Chanel # 5 to my wish list.

Beauty can reward the senses

and move the soul.

Remembering Coco...

Blessings

Yaya

Wish List

Ou La La...

I'm still in a Parisian state of mind...

Dreaming...

Making my list,

and checking it twice.

Blessings

Yaya

Country French Comfort

Potato Leek Soup

A few splashes of olive oil into the skillet...

Wash and rough cut three leeks (white end),

and about two pounds of golden potatoes...

Toss into hot olive oil,

and slightly brown.

Add several pinches of Herbs de Provence...

After potatoes and leeks have slightly browned,

add enough good vegetable or chicken stock to cover.

Place lid on skillet and simmer until potatoes are soft and done.

Add a cup or so of cream or milk, and puree or mash.

A rustic loaf of country bread is perfect with this soup...

Serve with a nice glass of wine...

I love the comforts of France...

Merci...

Bon appetite...

Blessings

Yaya

Paris Lights

It's December 1...

Time to string the lights,

and hang the mistletoe...

Somehow,

I'm not quiet ready...

I think I prefer to visit Paris,

and dream

from the comfort of my armchair

by the fire.

Blessings

Yaya

A French State of Mind

A cozy splendor...

Beautiful boudoir...

Ritz Paris...

A tribute to our dreams...

These are the ingredients for a room

that takes one under its spell...

Just to be in this atmosphere,

to be part of it,

is intoxicating...

Even if only from my very comfortable over-stuffed armchair,

by the fire.

somewhere beneath a southern sky...

Dreaming of Paris...

French Blessings

Yaya

Putting on the Ritz

Yes,

we'll take it.

Wouldn't you?

I'm in a Paris state of mind...

I'm going to stay here,

if only for a few days...

Dreaming...

Relaxing...

Dreaming...

Dreaming...

Armchair trips are really a wonderful way to unwind...

Don't you agree?!!

Blessings

Yaya

Yesteryear

Once upon a time,

with the hectic world clamoring for their attention,

they needed time for rejuvenation.

Imagine arriving in Paris,

snow covered, glistening like diamonds...

All dressed for Christmas.

The most enchanting city in the world...

Deep in the heart of Paris,

their hotel was old, elegant, and cozy.

Their room had a gas fireplace,

overstuffed chairs,

books...

The gas fireplace was blazing away when they arrived,

casting a golden glow on the beautiful ornate bed

of down comforters, and pillows.

There was a French vanity table,

matching chintz drapes and spread...

A balcony window,

french doors...

Such a dreamy, French room...

And the view!!

Paris....glistening in the snow....dressed for Christmas.

"How beautiful to be in love with someone,

and some place,

and to have them both."

Paris.

Yesteryear.

Blessings

Yaya

Colors of the Season

Evenings in autumn...

Kissed with amber golden light...

Hues of russet, and spice...

Dancing fire light...

Motoring through the countryside,

stopping at old inns along the way.

A trip to the mountains,

transporting me into a few days of solitude...

Curling up with a good book,

an old cashmere throw,

and a glass of burgundy by the fire...

I want to slow down for just a day or two,

holding on to autumn...

This "in-between" time...

Just after Thanksgiving,

but weeks before Christmas.

Once recharged,

how good it will be,

to

dress the old country house

in

Christmas Time colors...

Red and green..

Plaids and burlap...

Sugarplums and candy canes...

Old-fashioned colors of the season..

That is what I will use this year.

Blessings

Yaya

Pleasures And Gratitude

Early morning light dancing across the old wood floors...

The smell of coffee drifting throughout the country house...

Bedrooms filled with family...

Bacon, German sausage balls, skillet fried potatoes,

and freshly baked bread...

A tiny breakfast table placed in front of the fireplace...

Rain...

We sit, sipping coffee, talking, watching the weather...

A plane to catch...bags to pack...a chance of snow...

So many pleasures...

So much gratitude...

Blessings

Yaya

Flower Child

An Iris in bloom...

Our beautiful Iris Zalea...

One of a kind.

Blessings

Yaya

A Sunday With Sophia

Where you go

My heart goes with you...

One Sunday

On an island

Beneath a southern sky

There was a little girl

Standing in the mist

Hearing stories of mermaids

Far far away...

"I would be a mermaid

I would sing to myself

The whole of the day

With a comb of pearl

I would comb my hair

And catch the sun

From rocks

Splashed in sea mist"

Blessings

Yaya

By the Sea Shore

Where dreams are dreamed,

and memories are made.

Blessings

Yaya