Friday, April 10, 2009

Art & Musings


I love this painting!
This is 'Sandy's Art'...
I have a dear friend who is so talented, creative,
and
such a good artist.

More of 'Sandy's Art'...


And more...



How cute is this!?!


Here he is...
in real life...
sitting for his painting.
Ohhh so cute.
He is as sweet as he is cute and handsome!





She leaves her beautiful old country house,
and goes to the river...
living by the water
and
paints...






Musings of a far away trip...
Oh, it was a far away land,
across the ocean and desert.
We arrived and crossed most of Syria.
There is a point where one can stand,
and look upon the Tigris River,
Iraq and the mountains of Turkey.
It is from here,
a far away village,
that is the home of the artist who painted the above picture and
the one below.





Sometimes one accquires treasures
that are truly irreplaceable.
I so love our Syrian treasures,
and I treasure our time there.








An old European painting from 1-1-1953
takes me away to another time and place.







Wanderlust grabs hold,
never to let go.
Another trip, more treasures, pleasures and blessings.
Chart your travels on an old antique map.
Each tiny stone represents where we have journeyed.
Sometimes I gaze at the old map,
always grateful for every trip,
and always longing for another.
Some far away place yet without a stone on our antique map.








Once upon a time,
there was a young girl who left the country house
and lived in the big city.
She studied fashion design and art.
This is one of her drawings.











And another...











And if you get the chance,
I hope you dance.












Or paint,
or write,
or love & laugh,
or travel.
Live in a happy and beautiful place,
and appreciate the joy of each passing moment.

Blessings
*****Yaya*****












Saturday, April 4, 2009

Sacred Space


Welcome to my 'Sacred Space'...
Walk through the old painted door
and enter into a place of peace.
We need that space where we can go
and listen to silence or beautiful music
or our heart's desire.
A place to 'be'...


Country silence...


The trickle of water in the fountain...


Your home can become an island of peace in time and space,
radiating these qualities out into the universe.
It's energy can touch the soul of all who visit.




Become aware of the power of space...
Clean...
Clear...
Create beauty...
Music...
Paintings...
Beautiful books...
Candels...
Flowers...
Animals...a dog, cat, birds, fish...
It doesn't need to cost a fortune.
Shop for things of beauty that speaks to your soul.
Go to thrift stores, yard sales, flea markets...and on and on.
Create that sacred space that speaks to your soul,
and feel the healing power.





A beautiful rug placed near the fountain...
What a wonderful spot for yoga.
Everyday I come to this small sacred space,
and everyday, after yoga, I feel renewed.




Blessings
Yaya





Sunday, March 22, 2009

What A Wonderful Weekend In The Countryside!


Ohhh, the magic of being a child,
and having a visit to the country house...
So many adventures...
So much to do...

The magical bliss of climbing a tree,
and looking at all the land, far and wide...
Oh, I could live in a tree...
I could, I could...
Way up high among the leaves and Southern breeze...
Kissed by the sun and butterflies.





And walk in the fields of clover...



And smell the sweetness of the fresh country air...




And run and play...
And run and play...
A little boy,
and another lil' boy...
and a beautiful springtime day,
spent in the countryside
at the old country house...












When little legs grow tired,
there is always a porch nearby...
Sit a spell...
listen to the birdsong
and day dream...







Watch out for ANTS!!!








Don't forget to chase your dreams...
Always...
Live in the moment...
Capture them if you can,
and keep them locked in your memory box forever and ever.

Country Blessings
*****Yaya*****







Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Photo Session With Our Princess


Our lil' angel...
Our lil' princess...
Princess Stella Donna
Photos by Heather Mitchell Photography
I can't say enough about Heather!
She is an eclectic, Bohemian style artist of photography.
If you are in North Alabama and want a fabulous,
and artistic photographer,
call Heather.
She also does beach sessions in
Destin, Flordia.
Thank you, Heather! You capture the magic!!!
Blessings
*****Yaya*****

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

"Kiss Me...I'm Cute"


Irish kisseskisseskisses!
Lil' Stella Donna and her mommy visited Yaya, today!
Lucky stars above you,
Sunshine on your way,
Many friends to love you,
Joy in work and play -
Laughter to outweigh each care,
In your heart a song -
And gladness waiting everywhere
All your wholelife long.
It has been a blessed and happy St. Patricks Day at the country house.
Blessings
*****Yaya*****

Let's Go Shamrock Hunting!


May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.



How about some fresh baked bread?!?!
Yaya's Irish Soda Bread
1 TB soda
4 C all-purpose flour
1 TB sugar
21/2 ts salt
1/4 ts cream of tartar
2 C buttermilk
1 TB butter
Combine soda, flour, sugar, salt, and cream of tartar in
large mixing bowl; mix throughly. Add buttermilk, and
with mixing fork stir this mixture until moist.
Turn out onto a lightly floured board and knead through
one verse of " Mother Machree." Shape into a ball, place
on a greased baking stone or sheet, flatten a bit, then, with a sharp
knife, slash the bloomin' top fourrrr times.
Bake in a 375 degree oven for nearly 45 minutes. Remove
to wire rack, brush top with butter, eat and enjoy!

Happy St. Patricks Day
Go mbeannai Dia duit
(May God Bless You)

IRISH BLESSINGS
*****Yaya*****

Sunday, March 15, 2009

A Sunday Sunset Toast

From the front porch of the country house,
I capture a Southern sunset,
and raise a glass
to honor Fats and all of our dear island friends.
From time to time,
we gather on our barrier island
and make a toast to the man,
Arkansas Fats, who brought us all together,
and to friendship.
We couldn't join them tonight,
but I raise my glass
into a beautiful sunset
in honor of our friends.
Laughter is the sunshine of the soul...
Friends are the flowers in the garden of life.

Blessings
*****Yaya*****

A Southern Porch


Welcome to my country porch, my friend.
Old Southern porches
have been and still are,
places of laughter, family visits,
singing and dancing.
Here, deep in the South,
where yellow flowers bloom
and exotic fruit trees grow.
At my grandmother's house,
the peacefulness was extraordinary.
The wooden front porch,
stretching across the front...
The tin roof during a spring rain...
The flowers...
The birdsong...
The old ones sitting out on the porch,
on a Sunday afternoon...
We still use it just as the old ones did...

I have just finished reading
"A Bit Of Velvet & A Dash Of Lace"...
The fabulous interiors of Magnolia Pearls
old country home.
I love her Bohemian style.
It caused me to drag out old wool rugs
and place them on the porch.




As I walk across the porch,
I feel the warmth in the planks,
from the springtime sunshine.
I feel the breeze and smell wonderful smells coming from the kitchen.
I see her smiling...
Wearing an apron.
Chaos cannot reach me here.









Sitting in an outdoor space
bathed with pure breezes,
sunshine and moonbeams,
one can feel the universal power in every thing.
Create your outdoor space and connect with the peace of the universe.
Blessings
*****Yaya*****






Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Throughout The Countryside


The beauty of spring is here,
waiting to be rediscovered.
When I think of early spring,
I think of yellow and freshness.
It is such a delight to visit an old, gracious country home.
Especially if a friend is there to greet you
and offer a cup of tea.
I have many friends who have
lovely, old, gracious country houses
and I am going to make time to visit their lovely homes
and walk in their gardens.
I hope I remember to take the camera!
Our lives are infused
with
buttercups and birdsong.
Don't miss it!
Slow down and have a cup of tea or a glass of wine on the porch.
Amble down a country lane...
Fill the window boxes with flowers and ivy.
Turn your front porch into a wonderful and inviting place...
A place to sit a spell
and
watch the world go by.

Blessings
*****Yaya*****

Monday, March 9, 2009

A Touch Of Spring

I welcome in the renewed season
and enjoy it's beauty.
Through the fluffy white blooms,
I gaze at the old barn
and I am inspired with images
and reminders of bygone days.
The birds are singing the song of spring,
and winter's gray skies brighten with sunshine
and the landscapes burst with color.
The air smells of freshness so I open the windows and let it fill the country house.
As the sun sets and night falls,
the early spring air is cool.
It's time to come inside,
light the scented candles
and snuggle into my soft flannel pajamas.
Slow down and enjoy the splendor of springtime.
Blessings
*****Yaya*****

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Island Delights

Just being here is a delight...
Looking at my beloved paintings is a delight...
The feel of this tiny little house,
full of tropical whimsy,
is a delight...



My cats in the window
are a delight,
especially to the grandangels...




And this cute lil' thing
speaks of tropical times,
and tropical times
on an island
are always such a delight...
The birds are singing
and the lemon trees are in bloom.
The oyster shells crunch under foot as we take long walks...
The Spanish moss drapes from the goat trees
as we ride our bikes along their shaded paths...
I am always so island-smitten.
Tonight we will have homemade French Onion Soup
served with fresh French bread from the Light House Bakery.
We have come to the island for a few lazy, slow days,
but,
tomorrow we shall take the boat across the bay
and shop until we drop,
then have a glass of wine
and dine on the beach at Bahama Bob's.
I smell deeply and enhale the scent of island perfume
drifting through an open window.
These are just a few of my
'Island Delights'.





Blessings
*****Yaya*****



Tuesday, March 3, 2009

The Joys of Life


The tiny island cottage feels so wonderful...
When I have been away from our island,
a salty piece of land, a spit of a sand bar,
off the coast of Alabama,
it starts to call my soul...
I long for it...
for the humid, salty air in my hair...
I long for the feel of the green and white strip, cotton sheets,
crisp and ironed...
The smell of Shrimp Strada baking in the oven...
The smell of the lemon tree blossems...
My books...
My paintings...
Chasing sunsets...
The dogs stretched out on throw rugs...
Windows thrown open...
Windchimes dancing in the Southern breeze...
The smell of the rosemary...
Good coffee, good wine, good conversation...
Simple pleasures
are
the joys of life...
Blessings
*****Yaya*****

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Little Valentine Blessing


Such a beautiful lil' princess...
All dressed up for the 'Season of Love'...
Our new valentine...



A true blessing of love!

Blessings
*****Yaya*****

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Nautical...


is doing another photo search, soo...
once again, I decided to play.
Today's theme is
'nautical'....
This photo is just a few blocks from our lil' island cottage.
This is our island fish camp.
Does it give you
spring fever?
I'm ready for some island time!!!
Blessings
*****Yaya*****