Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez

Let the good times roll!

Happy Mardi Gras,

from deep in the southland,

beneath my southern sky.

Blessings

Yaya

Run Away to an Island

And, "Lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach-

waiting for a gift from the sea."

Anne Morrow Lindbergh

"Gift from the Sea"

The perfect book for island time.

Blessings

Yaya

Speaking to the Mountain

Do you have a mountain?

Life can give us 'mountains'...

Sickness...

Relationships...

Financial problems...

The list of 'mountains' can be long.

We are instructed to speak to the mountain.

"Whoever says to this mountain,

Be removed and be cast into the sea,

and does not doubt in his heart,

but believes that those things he says will be done,

he will have whatever he says.

Therefore I say to you,

whatever things you ask when you pray,

believe that you receive them,

and you will have them.

Mark 11; 23-24

Blessings

Yaya

January Blessings

An island beyond the lowlands...

Across the causeway, and out into the Gulf...

The rain falls...

The smell of the marsh rides in on the salty mist,

and I feel blessed in the January rain.

And so it is

that

a little island time

soothes the soul,

even on a rainy January day.

Maybe even more so.

January Blessings

Yaya

My Cousin's Country Home

This home has such wonderful memories for me,

as I spent much time here as a 'child of the 60s'...

I sat at this table and enjoyed so many happy times,

and delicious food...

I remember being 16,

and having her spaghetti,

and the delicious homemade sauce...

Dessert...

Lemon Sawdust Pudding...

Memories,

etched in my mind forever...

38 years ago,

she gave me a wooden box filled with her favorite recipes...

All from scratch.

A collection I have used, and treasured, down through the years,

and will pass on to my daughters, and grand daughters...

On this winter evening,

we sat at the same table,

looked at pictures of long ago,

reminiscently,

sharing thoughts of days gone by...

It's supper time, y'all...

Her menu on this cold January night of the new year, 2012...

Crockpot Porkchops

Baked Potatos

Stuffed Deviled Eggs

Crisp Garden Salad

Homemade Biscuits, and Yeast Rolls

Homemade Chocolate Cobbler

A soul soothing country home,

with that special feeling of tranquility,

that can only be found in the countryside.

A happy house filled with family...

Enter the door,

and you find a blend of elegant,

graceful living

mingled with simplicity and country freshness.

Anyone who visits,

always has a desire to return.

When your home has a 'feel' of its own,

that is success!

Blessings

Yaya

A New Year...A New Beginning

After the festive holiday season has come and gone,

we are left with the cold days of winter.

The time of year to sit by the fire,

and read, knit, write, bake, think...

As the snow falls.

Pondering thoughts from the country house...

Note:

Many of my 'thoughts' that I post here,

come from my journals of long ago.

A place where I collected 'thoughts' that belonged to someone else...

or,

a collection of my own words,

attempting to inspire myself,

becoming a combination of both.

Words....belonging to all...but woven together by seekers...

Seekers of wisdom, inspiration, expression...

As I journey into the new year, a new beginning,

I want to focus upon this thought...

"Nothing would really threaten us if we totally accepted

that we are of GOD.

Each event happens according to what is necessary for the soul."

Winter Blessings

Yaya

A Winter's Day

You smile and the world changes...

Blessings

Yaya

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