Friday, January 28, 2011

My Beachy Things


We are on an island...
When I walk into our tiny island house,
I want everything to say
BEACH.











































































































































































Beachy Blessings
Yaya

















Wednesday, January 19, 2011

A Summer Place in Winter









Touched by the beauty of a child...

Blessings
Yaya

Salt Air, Sea Birds, and Sunsets


Listen...
Sea Birds calling...
Soaring high out over the bay.
I stand in my garden,
and listen to their music...
Breathing in the salt air.



A sea fog settles over the bridge to paradise.


And the gulls cry...














The sea is calm as the sun sweeps low in the western sky...
A full moon about to rise up out of the water.
Do you believe in beautiful mermaids?
Look!
Far out on the rock...













Misty island dreams...
No, it isn't a dream...
It is real,
this island paradise in the misty sea fog...



































































































For the moon never beams,
without bringing me dreams...


















Bliss. God's perfect bliss...


































There are those who would not notice God's sunsets.
I am not one of those, thank you, Lord.
Six years ago,
on a January day
at sunset,
Daddy journeyed into heaven...
What a gift he gave me...
With every setting sun,
I look upon its beauty,
and feel the spirit of someone who thought I hung the moon...

Blessings
Yaya


















Tuesday, January 18, 2011

A Place in the Sun

Our tiny cottage...
deep in the southland,
through the lowlands,
across the causeway,
out into the Gulf,
there sits a tiny island...
Our place in the sun...
A place to slow down...
Rest...
Read...
Think,
and ponder life...



When I am away,
I dream of being here....
Soaking up the salt air...
Renewing the soul.


Walk...
Breathe...













































































Thank you, Lord, for this place in the sun.
Ramblings from the island cottage...
Listen, alone beside the sea...
Gather a shell from the strewn beach...
The echo of the whole sea's speech...
Sheer miracles of loveliness...
And round the sandy beach far and wide...
The rushing of the sea-tides of the soul,
and inspirations that we deem our own.

Blessings
Yaya










Thursday, December 9, 2010

A Winterscape

A frosty winter's day...
A cup of hot chocolate...
The country house glowing from the inside with warmth...
Memories of childhood Christmases gone by...
Carols filling the winter air with the sound of holiday...
The magic of the season
can take us to Christmases of yesteryear,
thinking of loved ones
and
blissful reminiscences...
All on a frosty winter's day
while sipping my hot chocolate.
Snow is on the way,
and I can't wait to experience the magic of a true
winter wonderland...
May you have blessings of a beautiful winterscape...
Yaya

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Home and Hearth at Christmas Time



Welcome Home...
Oh how I love those words
when we return from far away...
After a busy day of shopping,
wrapping presents,
it's time to slow down and relax...
Christmas music fills the air...
Hot mulled wine in hand,
candle light,
a warm fire...
It feels so go to be home by the hearth,
getting ready for Christmas
and family
to arrive at the old country house.
Blessings
Yaya

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Home For Christmas


No matter where you are
out there in the big beautiful world...
Paris...
London...
Old New York...
There is no place like home at Christmas time.
Merry Christmas Blessings
Yaya

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Harvest Blessings



Welcome!
It's harvest time at the country house...
I love the autumn fruits and vegetables,
and many of them will be used in our country kitchen
as Thanksgiving dinner is prepared.
Of course,
the quintessential autumn main course is roasted turkey.
Bliss is going to the Farmers Market
and coming home with baskets,
and baskets,
of sweet potatos, squash, apples, pears, pumpkins,
cabbages, brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower,
eggplant...
And don't forget to pick your persimmons,
if you should be so lucky to have a tree.
Yes, the country house does have a persimmon tree...
Don't you love picking fresh sage for your dressing?!!
Ohhh so good.
May you all have a blessing of plentiful harvest!
Yaya

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Savouring Autumn

Mornings start slowly, but early,
with coffee and conversation...
Country life has a rhythm and heart all its own.
Some thirty miles out of town...
I love having a place to retreat from the hectic world.
Music fills the rooms,
and flows out onto the porch.
Sounds of Mozart or Chopin,
and so much more...music from around the world.
We play Rook...we read...sip hot mulled wine.




A home is where one puts all one's favorite things...
A home is where family gathers together for the holidays...
There is no place I would rather be,
than in the countryside
savouring autumn,
and waiting on the arrival of family
and
Thanksgiving.

Blessings
Yaya