Company At The Country House

Hello!!! Oh Look Who Is Here!!
Pretty lil' Gracie.....sittin' pretty, if only for a moment

Beautiful little child of the universe, no less than the moon and the stars.

Isn't she love - ly - ee........Isn't she beau - ti - fulll!

A few rambling thoughts for the day....

As you become aware of the beauty of your soul, you will know how special, unique, and perfect you are....

Under the mysterious spell of magical energy, universal power - God - faith, the ordinary shimmers. Life and every little thing in it becomes miraculous. The daily sunrise and sunset are a call to celebration.....

Open yourself to the universe and allow that creative energy to move through you....

****Yaya****

Party In The Park

Oh you beautiful child....there is magic in those eyes...
Happy little birthday girl....kisseskisseskisses

An ELMO cake!!!!!!......look at the pretty little starfish...

There is just nothing better than an afternoon party in the park on a springtime afternoon......and with a view of the river...

Isn't she beautiful?!! Our very own real-life Nancy Drew detective AND foster mom to two beautiful and precious foster angels. (This is our lovely daughter)...Yes, I am bragging! I'm a mom and bragging is my right.

Happy birthday to you....

Happy birthday to you....

Happy birthday dear Gracie....

Happy birthday to you....

WOW! What a party!

A few rambling thoughts for the day....

Every relationship is a gift. What great gifts I have been given by each of the people I have encountered on my journey through life....

I have met some amazing souls, and their light fills me....

If God brings you to it, he will bring you through it....

It takes commitment to live in beauty, love and tranquility every day but it is worth it....

****Yaya****

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Happy Mother's Day

to

Mothers who gave birth

Mothers who adopted

and

Mothers who are foster moms...

Thank you to my wonderful husband for the beautiful flowers and a big thank you to our two beautiful daughters, our two grandsons and two foster grandangels for a lovely Mother's Day.

****Yaya****

California Dreaming

While the thunder rolls and the rain pours down upon the country house, come and take a cozy armchair trip with me. We all have a special place that we just can't help but love....One that speaks to our heart and calls to us from time to time. One of my favorite places is the Northern California coast. There is nothing to compare to it's beauty....

Sunrise and fresh ocean air...

Remember to embrace beautiful moments and capture them in keepsake books.

These are some of my treasured keepsake moments and I love them all.

Just looking at the raw beauty is good for the soul.

The very air here makes you deeply content.

Such a tranquil garden setting. Doing Yoga here, surrounded in such peacefulness and beauty, would fill one with absolute bliss.

Unforgettable!

Isn't life such an extraordinary journey............

****Yaya****

More Gardening Thoughts

I just LOVE this garden. Several years ago we were living in California and one of our favorite places to visit, as a weekend getaway, was Greenwood Pier Inn in Elk, California. I took this garden picture there. If you notice, the center forms a circle and each bed comes from an area of the center circle, creating the shape of the sun / sunrays. It is a complete circular garden with rock paths between each bed. This is just a wonderful idea for a small 'kitchen garden' and something I would like to do. If you ate at the Inn, which we always did, and ordered a fresh garden salad, it came straight from the garden just that morning. Today's ramblings are short because there is much work to do in the country yard before the rain gets here tomorrow.

*A Few Thoughts To Ponder For The Day*

Eat God-made food...Fruits, vegetables and whole grains...

Keep moving and eat right...

No more excuses...

Sucess is a wonderful feeling...

Keep a journal of all the beautiful things that inspire you...

Be in pursuit of daily joy and small pleasures...

Basic Pesto Recipe

1 cup of fresh basil leaves

1/4 cup olive oil

1 TBS pinenuts

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 - 1/2 ts salt

Mix in blender......Serve with fresh homemade bread......Freeze leftovers

****Yaya****

More Rambling Thoughts From The Country House

The spring air makes you want to get outside and plant a garden or flowers or maybe a new shrub bed...An herb garden would be nice. I started one inside the back courtyard several years ago but haven't had time to care for it and add to it. Tomorrow I am making a trip into town and I plan on stopping at the nursery to see what I can find. Today I must finish cutting the grass....Yesterdayit crossed my mind that I could probably walk off five pounds while pushing the push mower and I could also get some sun and work on my tan. Well that is exactly what I did but I only cut half of the yard so today I must finish. Don't you just love the smell of fresh cut grass? Lately, I have been reading a gardening book looking for ideas and inspiration. I think I have found it! Small gardens here and there...like rooms...and each little garden has a different meaning.

The Love Garden

Roses

Yarrow

Vervain

Violets

Lavender

Rosemary

Basil

Lemon Balm

Lovage

The Pizza Garden

Oregano

Basil

Thyme

Roma or cherry tomatos in hanging baskets

Garlic

Small onions

Kitchen Herb Garden

Garlic

Basil

Chives

Dill

Lemon Verbena

Mint

Parsley

Rosemary

Tarragon

Thyme

Fennel

Lovage

Cilantro

A moonlight garden would be wonderful also. Plant only flowers and flowering shrubs and small trees that have all white blooms. Can you imagine the beauty of a moonlight garden under the light of a full moon?!

I just know the two cute little rabbits in the front yard would LOVE a nice garden.

Thought For The Day

We have the power to design the world in which we live, and the strength to remake ourselves in the image of our dreams.

****Yaya****

Body And Soul

Create beauty that feeds your soul....The loudest noise is the cry of a bird...For each reason you find to be happy, the universe provides you with two more...Each spring, gardens quietly recount the stories of their past and of the poeple who planted them....Tranquility is the gift that can help you find real and lasting beauty in your life...The very air of spring is magical...

Dinner is served...I am always working toward eating healthy...

Heart Healthy Healing Salad

Spinach

Red & yellow peppers

Cherry tomatos

Red grapes

Broccoli

Walunts

Dried cranberries

Onion slices

Black beans

Cottage cheese

Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette (light)

Serve with fresh home baked bread, baked sweet potato and a Burgundy wine.

Improving one's life and health one day at a time.

****Yaya****

A Walk Around The Country House

It's a springtime Sunday afternoon

The sun is shinning

The birds are singing

It is a beautiful day in the old South

What a lovely day for a country walk.........

Oh look! A yellow rose in the garden waiting just for me!



Along the path of pretty roses.

Oh pretty lady of the garden, what might you tell me? "Yes, I know about the weeds," said I.

Lovely Azalea blooms making their final show.

Come along...come along.

This is the true meaning of, "a long row to hoe".

......and winding and winding along....

.....and along the old field road we go. I had a few brown paper bag lunches under that tree when Grandaddy had those fields full of cotton.

Did you hear that?

Hold up! I think I'm on to something here....it is the scent of a strange dog!

Little Prince Jagello (Jag for short) smelling the ivy.

Would you hurry please! I need to get to the water bowl!

Good Housekeeping 1903 Edition

Not so long ago, I was out on a treasure hunt and came across this wonderful reproduction of the original 1903 edition of the Good Housekeeping Everyday Cook Book.



If I should follow the rules of the fine housekeeper, it's time to clean the pantry.

Care of the Pantry

It tells me that neatness and order in my pantry will depend in great measure upon the way my table is cleared. It also tells me if I look upon the pantry as a dumping ground, then dirt and disorder will be inevitable, but if on the contrary I consider it a workshop to be kept shipshape I will avoid these dangers!

Not only is it time to do the spring cleaning and re-organizing, but this wonderful little book tells me when I have finished washing my dishes, always leave the pan or sink perfectly clean. Once a week I am even expected to wash down the pipes with a strong solution of salsoda and water that is actually boiling, not simply hot.



I have also been told that I am to make up my mind in the beginning where to lay the knives. I do have a drawer for that as well......so far so good.

Did it say organize by items? Okay, there is work to be done.

And more work to be done........

And all of the pantry shelves must be wiped and dusted.....now that's almost reason enough to stop collecting......but not quiet!

And more dishes to wash and more shelves to clean and I have only just started....Looks as if the spring cleaning of the pantry will carry into next week.

Miss Downing also says: "I have found in my teaching that only pupils who do not know how to wash them properly dislike the washing of dishes."

Merciful heavens.....so that has been my problem all along.

Thought For The Day...

Will it be easy? Of course not. The worthwhile, the best never is.

ClingCling the crystal rings.....a toast to spring cleaning.