A Touch of Beauty

It doesn't have to be much,

or expensive...

Just a touch...

One candle...

One crystal vase...

The ambience of the room is immediately changed.

Just a touch of beauty,

And the extraordinary is there...

Waiting just around the corner...

Only a candle and a vase away...

Oh so pretty,

Just a touch of beauty.

Beautiful blessings

Yaya

God's Artwork

Autumn in all of its glory...

Inspiring us...

How I love this time of year.

The air is now crisp,

the holidays are almost upon us,

and it's time to decorate the old country house.

One last look at our serene lake view,

before heading to the countryside

and

full speed into the holidays.

Let's get to baking and decorating!!

Autumn Blessings

Yaya

A Perfect Moment

One with Mother Nature

and

man's best friend.

That does make

A perfect moment...

May you be blessed

with many of life's

perfect moments.

Yaya

A Country Lane

A country lane will take you to a place

where

songs of birds

and gentle breeze are all around...

With little kids climbing trees

and getting scrapes on knees...

Popsicles and lemonaide...

Iron skillet fried potatos

and front porch rockers...

All of this

and

more

will be waiting at the end

of

a country lane.

It's called

home.

Country Blessings

Yaya

Through A Garden Gate...

Everyone needs a garden gate...

And a beautiful place

filled

with blooms and butterflies

and

the sweet scent of summer...

A fountain...

The peaceful sound of trickling water...

A chair in the coolness of a shade tree...

A place to sit

and

ponder upon life...

A place to renew the spirt.

Blessings

Yaya

A Summer Afternoon

If only once...

Just one

afternoon,

out of the whole entire summer,

YOU

should spend it

like this...

Doing nothing...

Nothing,

but listening to summer birdsong,

and

silence.

Renewing your soul...

Sleeping...

Reading...

Sleeping...

Bliss,

on a summer afternoon.

Summer Blessings

Yaya

Not As I Planned...

But oh so beautiful...

Like life.

Take each day as it comes,

And find the beauty and joy.

Beautiful Blessings

Yaya

Beauty Is Everywhere

Even in the tangled webs we weave...

It is there,

if only we look.

Blessings

Yaya

Escape

Close your eyes,
and in your mind's eye,
see your perfect place of beauty and tranquility.
See every little detail...
Feel the heat from the sun...
Smell the sea...
Hear the fountain in the courtyard...
Create your perfect place of escape.
Keep it locked in your mind's eye,
and go there when you need to remove yourself from the world.
Step through the gate
and close it behind you.
The ugly, harshness of the world cannot come here.
Only beauty, kindness, peace, love, gentleness.
This is my place of peace.
My hideaway.
My escape.



Blessings
Yaya

Simple Summer Supper

Summertime in the south...

Refreshing ocean breeze...

Golden sunsets...

Pasta Salad...

Cool watermelon...

Vine ripe tomatos...

Mix spirl vegetable pasta

with bacon, eggs, tomatos, and black olives...


Roasted red pepper Italian dressing...
Mix...
Serve with a cold, elegant Sauvignon Blanc...





Take a walk along a narrow island lane...
Along the bay...
Passed the marsh...
and into the golden sunset...
A perfect ending to a beautiful day.




Blessings
Yaya

Black Tide

The southern sky

hanging out there

clear as crystal

suspended over a summer beach...

My island in the sun...

Catch me in the sunlight

standing by the sea,

thinking,

thinking...There isn't a sound...

There are no seagulls here today...

Oh maybe...just one...

Only one.

There are no fishermen...

No, not one...

We feel let down.

I know what's happening to us

and I know why.

Outside myself I stand

looking back in amazement...

Parts of the writings are Rod McKuen...

"Seasons in the Sun"

Parts are me...

Standing in the sand,

at sunset...

Thinking...

Knowing what has happened to our mother ocean,

looking back in amazement.

As I return back to the island cottage,

I keep imagining my island in the sun,

whole,

pure,

healing...

The way she was...

Out beyond my window,
the fan palms move in the island breeze,
and the oleander puts on a colorful show...
I saw a falling star last night,
as I sat out under the night sky.
The birds were singing this morning,
and everything seemed normal...
Everything,
that is,
but
the
black tide...




Yaya

Is It Here Yet?

No, son, the oil isn't here yet...

It's just a matter of time...

Just a matter of time...

Rambling thoughts from the island cottage...

Use candle light instead of electric...

A candlelight dinner...

A candlelight bath...

Movie by candlelight...

Wine by candlelight...

Linedry clothes...

Use fans instead of airconditioning...Open the windows...

Hand wash dishes...

Just one hour a week , or...

one hour a month, or...

one hour a day...

At the end of the year,

YOU

have made a difference...

Don't drive if you can walk or ride a bike...

Drive a scooter...Making a difference can be fun!

Blessings

Yaya

Little Treasures

The Gypsy Junk Queen,

always on the hunt...

Looking, looking...

Looking for treasures.

Today I felt a 'calling'...

'Come to the lil' flea market'

I love that feeling of excitement as you arrive,

and get armed and ready.

Much like a fox hunt, I suppose.

And then you spot something!

A French style wire basket!!

ONE DOLLAR!!!

GASP!

It's mine.

A chunky silver bracelet laying among plastic beads!!

ONE DOLLAR!!!

GASP!

It's mine.

After the hunt, I bring it home,

sit it where I can see it,

and feel elated!

The only thing missing from the chunky silver bracelet is the safety chain.

One day in the future,

Sophia and Stella can serve tea from the pretty little tea set,

also a 'find' from today's hunt.

Sixteen pieces,

all perfect!

OouLaLa

Bargin Blessings

Yaya

The Language of Love...Puppy Love

Sugahbear (we're in the deep South and that's how we talk...*wink*)...

Big dreamy brown eyes...

Silky black curls...

The sweetest breath...

Kisses on the nose...

Be still my heart...

Winston, I am smitten with you!

Rambling thoughts from the country house...

Peace begins at home.

When I come from a place of inner peace,

I see peace around me.

Blessings

Yaya

Sunday Stroll

Okay, sweet Stella Donna, come with Yaya...

Let's go for a Sunday stroll.

Such happiness in simple pleasures...

Family, grandangels, springtime walks.
Strolling along...

Look, Yaya!

What was that!?

Why it's a butterfly, my dear.

Sunshine and a butterfly on your shoulder.

We are so blessed with springtime blessings.

Two roses, lots of little rose buds,

a few jasmine blooms,

and one ladybug.

Celebrating spring.

Rambling thoughts from the country house...

Earth Wisdom...

"Speak to the earth,

and it shall teach thee."

The Book of Job 12.8

Blessings

Yaya

A Southern Sunday Afternoon

The sun beams down and kisses the earth...

The songbirds sing...

The azaleas burst into bloom,

and the jasmine and honeysuckle fill the air with the sweet scent of spring.

Our front porch of the country house has been cleaned,

the old floor planks, rocking chairs and columns have a fresh coat of paint.

How I love my South in the springtime.

Rambling thoughts from the country house...

Each of us have a wealth of knowledge and intuition to tap.

Time spent in quiet contemplation allows these

inner riches to emerge.

Sit in your front porch rocking chair,

or any peaceful place outside,

listen to the music of spring,

and allow your inner riches to shine.

Blessings

Yaya

A Very Special Rose

Our special little Rose...

Sophia Rose...

She's one of a kind...

There isn't another like her in all of the world...

She's so beautiful,

Just like a baby rosebud...

Spring is around the corner,

The birds are singing,

And the flowers are about to bloom...

Wake up, wake up, sweet little rosebud...

Spring is almost here!

Blessings

*****Yaya*****

Party Time!

Pretty baby girl...

Has it really been a year?!!

It seems like only yesterday that you were born...

And now,

Here you are

ONE!!!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Little Princess Stella

We Love You Sooo Much!!!

Birthday Blessings

*****Yaya*****

Tranquility In A Sunset

I am in need of a sunset...

The peace and tranquility that it brings to the soul...

Life has been so busy...

Sometimes we need to just slow down,

and go in search of a sunset.

Stop...

Look...

Feel...

Listen...

Relax...

Slow down...

Just taking a Sunday afternoon drive

along our narrow and quaint island roads

fills me with peace.

The old fort,

in all of its glory,

welcomes each sunrise...

Peace?

I think so...

but,

oh so many ghost...or so they say.

I always feel peace in the beauty...

Breathe....

There is nothing more soothing than salt air...

Salt air on a crisp winter day awakens the senses...

The sun is beginning to dip low in the western sky...

I think of another place on the island,

Known for its sunsets...

High on a dune,

over looking the Gulf of Mexico...

Come...

I will take you there...

One last look as the sun sets over the old fort,

and the east end of the island...

Not a sound...

Silence...

Just what I needed after such a lively Mardi Gras beginning...

Now, to the top of the dune...

Balance...

Yin...

Yang...

Pleasure...

Peace...

One without the other is not enough...

We need both...

Blessings

*****Yaya*****

Laissez Les Bons Temp Rouler!

Mardi Gras

in

Full swing.....

Come one, come all...

Don't miss the parade...

Dancing in the street...

Beignets...

Beads...

Moon Pies...

Balls...

Eat, drink, and be merry...

Blessings

*****Yaya*****