Fresh Country Air, Morning Coffe and Books to Inspire...

Morning coffee on the deck...

Fresh country air with a hint of autumn...

Leaves falling, drifting on the morning breeze...

Singing birds...

Beautiful,  soft zen music...barely there,

coming from inside the country house.

Old farmhouse love...

Alfresco dining...

What a peaceful, beautiful start

for an amazing day...

Add to that,

yoga...

Prayer...

Perfection...

"The only way to peace is peace."

Start your day with a peaceful, and beautiful energy...

Resonate with peace...

Beauty...

Rise above any and all dark negative...

Put on the full armor of God...

Now I am ready for the day...

The weekend menu is planned...

The armchair trip was fabulous!

Thank you,

Jamie!

Old country houses have a magic...

You feel their wonderful energy...

Like a beautiful escape retreat...

Somewhere far away,

at the end of a county lane...

Cows and cotton fields as far as the eyes can see...

Somewhere in the deep south...

It is late summer...

There is a country house gathering...

The ladies are still tan from the summer sun...

They are well dressed in linens,

and beautiful slide sandals.

Bangles on the arms

and perfumes from European vacations...

This gorgeous, enchanting and inspiring book says it all..

"The Art of Living"

A home dedicated to the art of living...

"A home resonates with such soul

when filled with life's collections

from travel, 

and living and loving - 

Those things of beauty represent your life,

and gives character, warmth,

and pure soul to the room...

Love the rooms you live in...

"They are just so innately artistic

that the way they live their life

is art itself."

Blessings,
Yaya

New Orleans State of Mind...

Oil paintings tell stories...

They are moments in time,

captured on canvas.

Napoleon House...

The true essence of old New Orleans...

The French Quarter...

The buildings...

The food...

The music...

It stays with you forever.

Jazz music throughout the country house...

The strong smell of good organic coffee...

Rustic Country House Bread baking...

It's cleaning day...

There is a scent of orange and lemon oil left behind in the old wood floors and furniture...

A few rambling thoughts from some old journals...

"The life-changing magic of tidying up."

Autumn in the countryside...

Home is where memories are made,

and traditions are created...

The country house...

It's not so much a place,

as it is a state of mind...

Rooms that have a soul,

and character -

Rooms that feel so warm and comforting -

Rooms that resonate with travel,

and lives well-lived...

Live well, and enjoy life,

for one day,

you may run out of time.

Blessings,

Yaya

Sand Castle Dreams

Lingering...

That summer state of mind,

and sand castle dreams.

Unforgettable moments etched into my memory box...

Memories that will last a lifetime.

Take every chance you get in life,

for some things only come once...

Stay close to what keeps you feeling alive.

Let all that you do,

be done in love...

Bring a dream to life.

It has been a summer full of dreams...

Living dreams...

A summer full of love,

and happy times.

Never forget that happiness

looks gorgeous on you...

Never let go of your sand castle dreams...

And always remember,

"I can!  I will!  Watch me!"

Blessings,

Yaya

Today is Life

Today is life...
The only life you are sure of
is this moment...
Make the most of it...
Get up.
Get out.
Dress up.
Live.
Love.
Let the winds of inspiration
sweep through you,
and feel your soul soaring to new places.
Dare to live.
Dare to try.
Sometimes one small gesture 
can give us the strength to do 
tremendous things.
Sometimes we are enduring
without expecting.
Expect that miracle...
Create a beautiful day,
everyday!!

Blessings,
Yaya

Running to Love

Running to Love

We all do it,
don't we?...
We run to love...
Everything comes running to where it is loved...

Be love...
Be the love that someone can run to...

It's a beautiful day to start.
When we love each other,
beautiful things happen.
The magic of the soul unfolds,
and blooms in all its glory.

Be the love you want to receive.
If you can't find the sunshine,
be the sunshine.
Be the one
someone 
runs to...

Let your love, and your light shine so brightly,
that others can find their way
out of the dark.

Be love,
and love comes running to you.

Blessings,
Yaya

Summer

Summer

Savoring those last days of summer...

Misty ocean spray,

and sun rays kiss the skin...

Golden tan feet in the sand,

a sarong wrap blowing in the breeze...

The gulls and sandpipers calling...

Beautiful shells, and sea glass jewelry...

 Sandals and straw hats...

Wine, and a walk at sunset...

Morning coffee and a sunrise...

That special cottage on an island,

and the scent of lemon trees,

and orange trees.

My beautiful southern sunsets,

locked in my memory forever...

As summer fades away...

"For her, the ocean was more than a dream.

It was a place she needed to visit to find herself.

And when she returned to the city,

you could see the sun in her eyes,

the wind in her hair,

and taste the infinite salt on her lips."

-Jose Chaves

Make a difference -

Touch a heart - 

Encourage a mind - 

Inspire a soul -

Blessings,

Yaya

Sun Kisses Dancing in the Wind...

Dapples of sun

kissing the skin

through the salty gulf air...

The song of the sea gulls,

and the dancing wind and splashing waves

are music for the soul...

Peace, love and sandy feet...

Blessings,

Yaya

Somewhere on an Island

       Somewhere on an island

they built 

a 

girls camp...

and memories

for

a 

lifetime...

Spring Blessings...
Yaya

HE AROSE!

I Hope You Hear Music...

May all that has been reduced to noise in you,

become music again...

Peace be with you...

Blessings,

Yaya

Lip Stick and Eye Liner

What is it that makes you so drawn to someone?

A complete stranger...

They didn't speak a word, but yet they resonated with the most beautiful energy.

This beautiful stranger was elderly.

Probably a young late 70s...

She was gorgeous, and stunning, but in a simple way.

She made her style look easy, yet elegant,

but a simple elegant.

Her hair was extremely long,

and

she wore it up in a 1960s Bardot messy French twist...

Not tight and sleek,

but tossed up quickly...

She wore the 1960s Bardot eyeliner.

The fabric of her blouse appeared to be baby-skin soft...

It was long, loose and flowing.

Her sandals were loaded with sparkle...covered in glimmering stones.

They spoke elegance, but with casual flip flop comfort.

Her shopping basket was loaded with beautiful TJMaxx treasures.

Everything about this older woman spoke beauty.

Her energy was beautiful.

The kind of energy that says her world is beautiful.

You just know it.

You feel it.

She resonates beauty.

I wasn't dressed to go shopping,

nor did I plan to be in this store. 

It just happened...You know how it is.

The Mercedes automatically stops there.

I had on work jeans, and a beach tee-shirt.

My trip into town was strictly to pick up herbs at Osa's Garden.

My lesson today...

It takes the same amount of time to put on 'simple elegance',

as it does dumpy work jeans...mom jeans...yaya jeans...granny jeans.

It takes only a minute to clip up long hair.

It takes only two minutes to line the eyes, blush the cheeks, add a dab of mascara,

and paint the lips...

It's a five minute fix from dumpy work jeans, to simple elegance...

And do not forget that 'simple elegance' can be pajama comfortable...

Certainly not pajamas, but as comfortable...

Silky and flowing palazzo pants with a baby soft and flowing top is magical...

Beautiful...quick...easy...comfortable.

Five minute elegance.

Note to self:  Line the eyes, and paint the lips...don't leave home without it,

and a mist of Bath and Body...

You look great...

You smell great...

You feel great...

Today I felt, well, dumpy...dumpy with unfixed hair.

Life is too short to feel dumpy.

Dress up...Feel good...

Your life is your stage...

Paint those lips!

Put on those sparkling shoes..

Make life beautiful!!

Blessings,

Yaya

Your People...

Set up a beautiful life,

and tribe

that lifts you up,

inspires you to soar,

and loves you

whether you fly or fall...

Those that will help dust you off,

and encourage you to try again -

Those that celebrate you...

For you...with you...

As you do the same for them...

Those that celebrate your beauty,

and greatness,

your uniqueness and imperfections...

We are all perfect in our imperfect way...

Those people are your tribe...

Your people!

They allow you to be you,

and love you just the way you are...

Those that do not allow this,

are not your people...

Never stop being you,

because someone else says you're wrong...

Grandstand the essence of you...
Be true to your unique self...
Do it,
and life will be beautiful...
And remember to always sprinkle kindness everywhere you go...

Blessings,
Yaya

The Porch

A late summer afternoon

on a southern porch

conjures up dreams...

There is no better place than the porch...

Problems are solved here...

Books are read here...

Friends sit here, sip iced tea and visit...

Grandangels play here...

Memories are made here...

The smell of cornbread baking is in the southern air...

Okra frying...

Pinto beans simmering...

Iron skillet fried potatoes crisp and brown on the outside,

soft on the inside...

Macaroni and cheese baking...

Blackberry cobbler is ready...

Slices of sweet onion, and Big Boy tomatoes...

Homemade bread and butter pickles...

Oh the smells of my mother's kitchen...

How I miss that...those loved ones of yesteryear,

and bygone days..

Time spent on my grandmother's porch,

this same porch,

but a different time...

I was the child...

Now I am the grandmother,

but the porch is the same...

Summertime,

and livin' is easy...

Fish are jumpin'

and the cotton is high...

Blessings

-Yaya

Fields of Gold, Light and Love

Finding beauty in the small things...

Smell the air, and feel the sky...

Let your soul and spirit fly...

Wild gypsy soul...

Stop thinking,

and let God rush in...

HE will fill you up with more

love

than you know what to do with...

Soak it in...feel it...

Send it to them...

Light and love...

Create beauty...

Pray...Send out more love...

Pray...

Feel God rush in...

Be one with nature...the universal power...

Meditate...

Be still and know that I am God.

A lesson in the art of living...

Blessings

-Yaya

Summer's End is Nearing

Capturing every last moment of those precious summer days...

Picnics under the old peach tree...

Barefoot in the soft grass...

Lightening bugs in a jar...

Mud pies...

Peaches ripened and warm from the summer sun...

Peaches and cream...

Peach cobbler...

Baseball in the back yard...

Chase...

Butterflies and flowers...

Sitting in a tree...dreaming...

Ice cream...

Swimming...

Fresh country air...

Sunkissed faces...

Freckles placed there by angel kisses...

Thinking...

Dreaming...

Rocking chairs and porch time...

Water fountains splashing...

The sound of a tractor...a bumble bee...

Tomato Pies...

Cornbread Salad...

A southern sunset...

Twilight in the country...

Serenaded by the night orchestra...crickets...bull frogs...

Open windows, and screen doors that bang...

The problems of the world seem far away

from this tranquil country setting...

When I enter the driveway gates,

I feel such a sense of peaceful relaxation...

Summertime in the country is God's medicine for the soul...

The perfect place for that morning cup of coffee,

and bird song...

Or moon and stargazing

with a glass of wine...

Inspiring thoughts from the country house...

Bring a dream to life...

Be inspired...look for it...pass it on...

Blessings...

-Yaya

First Kiss of Spring

For a moment

I am seven years old,

climbing in fragrant trees

with gorgeous blooms...

The sky is deep blue...

It is almost twilight,

and a full moon is rising...

Spring is coming...

Spring is coming...

Fairies are dancing in the daffodillies...

Joy is everywhere...

A season of new beginnings...

Blessings...

Yaya

My Haven...My Retreat...

Our little countryside community

must be one of the most serene...

My beloved country house...

We've traveled the world,

but we always return here for a lifetime...

Home to me... my grandmother...

My mother was born on this property in the 1920s,

and before my mother and my grandmother,

my great-grandmother.

I love the country lane that takes me home...

A day in January can bring the occasional snow storm...

It is enchanting...

The firelight...

The candlelight...

Delicious coffee...

Flannel pajamas...

A book, and a lambs wool blanket...

I believe winter becomes us.

It provides the peace I need.

Serene within...

My refuge...my home...enchanted cottage...

A world away.

It is good to be home,

and it is good to have time to write again.

In creative writing they insist you write

EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

I haven't written in days...weeks...months...

But,

never stop.

Write when you can, and when you must.

Never, ever stop dreaming...

you can change your dreams a thousand times,

but never stop dreaming...

And never stop writing.

Blessings,

Yaya

An Island Out of Time...

An island out of time...

Where time has almost stood still...

Sea washed island of mine...

Are you a shell seeker?

Looking for a gift from the sea?

Could you spend a year by the sea?

Would you come away a changed spirit?

Sea washed and sun kissed...

My beautiful seagulls...

Their song is as soothing to me as the rushing of the waves...

The splash of ocean spray...

A foghorn beckons...

Or is it a ship leaving port?

It is time to return to the island cottage...

I will be greeted by the aroma of slow roasted chicken,

and vegetables...

Rosemary and lemon blossoms...

A sea fog settles over the island,

like a soft moist cloud.

A warm fire,

and a glass of wine...

Flannel pajamas,

some reading, and a little writing...

Peaceful bliss,

and soul renewal...

Teach us to number our days aright,

that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12 NIV

Blessings,

Yaya

Sea Walk

The winter has been mild on the island...

Cool and misty,

but not cold.

Soft cotton clam-diggers, and a heavy cotton sweater is enough to keep you warm...

A basket is packed with the most delicious sandwiches from the island bakery...

A bottle of wine...

A cloth is spread,

and canvas beach chairs are open.

Soak it in...

The salty air, and sea spray...

The song of the sea birds...

Such peace...a kind of peace that can only be found by the sea shore.

Go.

It is bliss...

It is tranquility.

Go somewhere undeveloped...not full of tourist.

An island cottage at the end of a narrow lane...

A Hemingway state of mind.

If ever you sleep on an island,

a piece of your heart will stay.

Pssst...do you see the mermaid?

Rambling thoughts from the island cottage...

The mighty one,

God the Lord,

speaks and summons the earth

from the rising of the sun to its setting.

Out of Zion,

the perfection of beauty,

God shines forth.

Psalm 50: 1-2

The Lord is my rock...

In the shadow of your wings...

Your life is your greatest work of art...

Give God your weakness,

and He will give you His strength...

Blessings,

Yaya

Hello Beautiful. I Love You.

Love yourself...

Do your best...

There may be days when your best is just a little...

That is okay...

All is perfect, whole and complete in this moment.

You are one with the power that created you.

You are beautiful.

Rejoice...

You are a child of the most high God...

Your Father is King of kings...

You are beautiful in his spirit.

Look in the mirror...

You will see God's creation....

Hello beautiful...

You are wonderful...I love you...

This is the best days of your life...

Everything is working for your highest good...

Whatever you need to know is revealed to you...

Whatever you need comes to you...

All is well...

-Louise Hay

Open wide the windows of your soul

and let God's love fly right out.

Perhaps someone near may catch

a bit of your song...hope...joy...

Walk in peace, and without fear...

The angels walk with us.

Remember, you are one of God's masterpieces...

Hello, Beautiful...

Blessings,

Yaya

Rambling Thoughts From the Country House...

Did I offer peace today?

Did I bring a smile to someone's face?

Did I say words of healing?

Did I let go of my anger and resentment?

Did I forgive?

Did I love?

These are the real questions.

I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now,

Will bring forth many fruits,

Here in this world and life to come...

-Henri Douwen

Blessings...

Yaya

Spring Cleaning List...

Spring cleaning, and spring fever go hand in hand...

With the warmer weather,

I want to clean,

and clean,

and clean...

As we pack up the Nashville house,

and prepare to return to the country house,

I'm ready to get home and start spring cleaning...

I was reviewing our tenant agreement for the rental house in Nashville,

and thought its move-out list was a good beginning for any spring cleaning list...

All cabinets, kitchen and bathroom, thoroughly cleaned...inside and out.

Thoroughly clean stove eyes, stove hood, inside oven, dishwasher,

and refrigerator...inside and out, including top and underneath...

All ceiling fans cleaned...top and bottom of fan.

All light bulbs in working order.

Bathrooms thoroughly cleaned including commode base, and mirrors...

Baseboards, window seals, mini blinds, doors, and walls thoroughly wiped down,

and cleaned...

Carpets shampooed and all floors thoroughly cleaned...

Fireplace cleaned...

All air conditioner unit vent area cleaned and filter changed...

Must have new filter.

Water heater cleaned...top and bottom.

All glass storm doors, and mirrors cleaned.

I thought it was a good list to use for the beginning of home spring cleaning...

along with my own personal list...

Windows washed...

Decks washed...

Porches and outside furniture painted...

Thresholds scrubbed...

Closets organized and cleaned...

The list could go on and on and on...

Do you ever get it ALL finished?

Do you ever find yourself with absolutely nothing to do?

Food for thought...

Make home life a priority...

The power of order...being organized, and clean.

An extraordinary life begins at home...

It's so much easier to keep a neat and tidy house clean.

Don't put it down, put it away.

Chaos does not invite peace.

30 days of cleaning...

It will be Monday through Friday.

I need weekends off.

Happy Cleaning...

Blessings,

Yaya

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Packing for a New Adventure

"I want to help, Yaya."  

"I love the beautiful paintings, Yaya."

"Are we leaving the Nashville house forever,Yaya?"

And so it is that another project is finished...

Another adventure to remember,

and a future adventure to look forward to...

We travel with work,

and we have learned to make the best of it...

It isn't for everyone, that's for sure,

but it has worked for us...

I have always chosen to see the travel as a blessing...

A gift...

A new adventure.

Everywhere we go, 

we collect...

and collect...

and collect some more.

Oil paintings,

books,

Italian dishes,

English china,

table linens...

Antiques...

Chandeliers...

The list goes on and on.

It is always exciting to load the trailer,

and the big Ford truck,

and the suburban,

with all our collected treasures from each trip...

Each project...

Each new adventure...

We are not sure what direction the next adventure will take us,

but for now,

we will spend time at the lake house,

the island house,

and the old family country house.

That, within itself, is a huge blessing,

and one I'm looking forward to.

I'm ready to get back to the countryside, and plant hundreds of buttercups,

Irises, Knockout Roses...a million flower seeds...blooming shrubs...

The list goes on and on...

A few thoughts for the day...

Celebrate beauty in everyday living...

"I want everything in my world to be beautiful,

and resonate with love,

and God,

and angels...

Peace...

Kindness...

Tranquility...

Passion and an excitement for life...

And travel...

And adventure."

Blessings,

Yaya

The Island in Winter

It was snowing in the north Alabama countryside...and Nashville...

Several inches of winter wonderland snow expected...

Schools were closing...

Oh, it was falling, falling, falling...

Big beautiful flakes...

But it did not stop her...No...

She got into her Mercedes and drove, and the snow fell...

Beautiful, enchanting snowfall...

And she drove on...

South...

Toward her island...

There is a point when you reach the salt air...

Six hours of driving south, and it is in the air...

Salt air and sea mist...

Upon arrival,

One must quickly bundle up and go to the shore...

Breathe...Just breath it in.

Ahhhh.....Island time.

Winter island time...

And so it is that she is a sunset chaser...

Every single day...by the shore,

listening to the sea birds,

and breathing in the salt air...

Sea mist in her long, blonde, wavy hair...

Wrapped in cashmere,

sipping hot mulled wine,

soaking in the beauty,

and capturing every moment with her beloved camera...

And always...

Always...

The seabirds embrace the beauty...

The peace...

The tranquility...

The love...

I think they know her...

I think they say, "We have missed you."

"Where have you been?"

"You've been away for such a long time."

"Welcome home."

Back at the island cottage,

potatoes are roasted in olive oil, and Herbs de Provence...

A tray of cheese, grapes and New Orleans French Bread are prepared...

 Italian wine is poured into crystal glasses with sail boat etchings...

The Sandpiper is in the DVD player...

Bedside books are...

"The Old Man and the Sea"...Ernest Hemingway,

and "Islands in the Stream"...

"Shell Seekers"...

Sail into the Mystic...

Dreaming...

Somewhere on an island,

wrapped in cashmere by a warm fire and candle glow...

Blessings,

Yaya