Friendship

When you are fortunate to meet some of your blogger friends in person it can be a really fun time......and even more special if you can hang out with them at a favorite place!

On Saturday I met up with Deborah from Pictures, Pots & Pens, and Vanessa from Vanilla Lavender - we three have been known to hunt often at SuzAnna's Antiques - and we were thrilled to welcome Jeanne from Backyard Neighbor who came down from her beautiful home in the North Carolina mountains to spend time with us. We enjoyed a great lunch at Cafe Capistrano and then headed across the road to SuzAnna's. Jeanne is an expert treasure hunter, having been in the antiques business for many years with her sisters. I was so impressed at her knowledge of items she picked out. We all had a great time together - hope we can do this again soon.

Deborah, Mary, Vanessa and Jeanne

Sometimes you pick your friends, sometimes they pick you.

~ Anonymous ~

A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be.

~ Douglas Pagels ~

The Dance Class

My granddaughter Jasmin spent two hours a day last week in a wonderful class named "Art & Dance Extravaganza". The small group of participants built a village of clay, painted and collaged several pieces of colorful art, and choreographed and performed an amazing dance. All the elements came together in a celebration of life. What made it special was that some children were physically handicapped and yet they joyfully joined in. How touching it was to see a loving mother carry her son with Down Syndrome on her back to enable him "to dance".

At the end of the class the teacher and her assistant sat the children in a circle and allowed them to reach into a bag and take out a gift wrapped in tissue paper. Each gift was a smooth pebble with one word carved into surface - Jasmin's word was HOPE. This incredibly patient and talented teacher told the class that this dance was "their dance". Never performed by anyone else, at any other time, or in any other place, it belonged only to each of them. Those words truly touched my soul....................these are words that make a difference in a child's life. The world needs more teachers like this.

Pink Saturday

I didn't get to enjoy this 'sweet evening finale'.....however last Friday

I was able to visit

SuzAnna's Antiques for HOT SUMMER NIGHTS.......

...............and was it ever hot, with temps. still hovering in the nineties at 6 o'clock. I met up with sweet Vanessa from Vanilla Lavender and we enjoyed checking out the gals' newest finds for the shop, catching up with the news from vintage land, and swiping at the tiny black flies who decided to make an evening meal of our tender ankles! Thanks Anna for the Penny royal oil - it seemed to help! Vanessa and I then headed to Starbucks for iced coffee and a cool slice of iced lemon pound cake...with two forks. We were so good!

Another sweet pink framed vintage print - one of many for sale at SuzAnna's.

Now these gals definitely had the right idea for a hot Summer evening, "Romping on the sunny shore" in their modesty skirted swimsuits - anyone out there remember them? Come on, own up, some of you are (almost) as old as me!

As always, hostess Beverly at How Sweet The Sound will have the complete, ever-growing list of Pink Saturday participants ~ be sure to visit and join in the fun.

Looking back

As a child I climbed to peer through the telescope focused on the English Channel and beyond to the mighty Atlantic Ocean. This rusting relic with blurred and scratched lens no longer clearly shows the white caps and the waves slapping against the sandstone cliffs. As you slowly swing it around, the large rocks, Thatcher and Ore Stone are just visible, but now clearer with the naked eye. Little sailboats and occasional fishing boats crossing Tor Bay appear as murky blobs.

Perhaps, when I was a child, the lens was new and bright, unscathed by salt air and time. Maybe this was when, with clear views of endless blue water and large ships visible on the horizon, my heart skipped a beat and it was the start of my desire to 'cross the pond'.

The Ore Stone and Thatcher Rock viewed from Meadfoot Beach.


The morning sun following a squall ~ Meadfoot Beach.


Early morning tide going out at Meadfoot Beach.


All photographs taken on my trip home in October 2007

A Traveling Life

Today, just easy thoughts. This past weekend was quiet, nothing exciting, definitely nothing sensational. Too hot to spend time outside, but comfortable in the house planning an Autumn trip to France.

Do you travel? Enjoy it? Which part is the most difficult for you? The planning process, or the actual going? Do you plan a long time ahead or are you a last minute traveler, up and running when an opportunity or a bargain fare suddenly appears?

Where in this world have you been? Which city, town or village was such a thrill to visit, the memories are etched on your mind in permanent ink?

I hope to share some of my favorite places soon.

One hot Summer's day I'll sit at the dining room table and pen a list. The room feels cool and I can just hear the water dripping in the fountain beyond the front porch. Then I'll search for photographs. Some will be old, perhaps blurred and faded, but each will hold a travel memory.
~~~~~~~

August in the Garden

I haven't posted much about the garden lately. Gardening in the South can be a struggle. Just keeping things alive, green and blooming to provide some color in these 'dog days' of Summer becomes a full time job. Daytime temperatures hover around 100, nights stay hot, and the humidity envelopes me like a damp blanket as I step out the cottage door. Water restrictions still apply - only two days a week for a few hours - and we have had very little rain.

I smiled and gave thanks when a few welcome beauties greeted me yesterday morning as I took my garden walk.

Morning Glories climbing the front porch.

Lantana and sweet potato vine in the kitchen window box.

The surprise re-bloom of the clematis on the mailbox post.

Pretty veined petunia, wide awake, while the angel still snoozes through the heat of another Summer day ~ and I surrender to the beauty.

Pink Saturday

The A to Z of dreaming in pale pink.

Sometimes life can be sweet when viewed through rose colored glasses.

Today we are daydreaming in shades of palest pink.............the pink that almost feels as cool as blue on a hot Summer's day.

Do visit Beverly today, our all shades of pink hostess, at How Sweet The Sound. There you will find many friends in the pink today.

Friday's Favorite Family Foto

NOTHER FAVORITE FAMILY PHOTOGRAPH.

This is me with mother in the Summer of 1944 in my home town of Torquay in Devon. This park is still there and the flat grassy area behind us is still used for lawn bowling - one of those traditional English pastimes enjoyed by mostly retired gentleman and ladies. They are usually outfitted in cream flannel trousers and blazers, the ladies in white pleated skirts or dresses - and straw Panama hats or nifty caps are the classic headgear.

Lymington Gardens, Torquay

I know my mother, being an accomplished seamstress, made the blankets and pillows for my pram. Don't you love the basket strapped to the handle - vintage diaper bag most likely! I love how she looks so happy here.

We lived with my grandmother in her flat in an older house back in those trees - as my father was still serving in the Royal Air Force. Grandmother was evacuated from London to Devon to escape WWII bombing, however several bombs fell not far from this very area, being jettisoned by enemy planes before returning across the English Channel.

Be sure to visit Deborah at Pictures, Pots and Pens who hosts fun Friday's Favorite Family Foto where she will have the list of all today's participants.

Pistoulet.......sharing secrets

Remember, it's all about fantasy....................

.......................................and perhaps being a child at heart helps.

In The Secrets of Pistoulet you will share not only the sweet story of Mademoiselle J. but special soups (potages) printed on cards one pulls from their envelopes, along with other recipes woven into the story.

I can't resist sharing a few excerpts from the recipes................................

Potage of Strength - Strong is the hand that lifts the soul.

Go to the nearest fishing port and acquire moules (mussels) from the fisherman with the largest pecs and most tattoos...........................

Potage of the Heart - Compassion nourishes the wilted heart.

Go to the farmers' market and find the most robust farmer with the rosiest complexion. With tender loving care pick out the deepest purple, firmest beets........................

Potage of Passion - Passionate choices have potent consequences.

Go to the market and find a farmer with a twinkle in his eye. Buy a large quantity of big ripe tomatoes...................

I think you're beginning to understand how charming this book is, aren't you?

The colorful book slides into a sleeve, so pretty I'm delaying hiding it in between all these other recipe books - perhaps it will stay on the coffee table for a while................then I'll be more likely to take out my large pot and start cooking a special soup.

................the introduction to the Heart-Awakening Potion - For those whose hearts have shrunk and shriveled......................

On the twilight of a blue moon go to a fruit-bearing pear tree where witches once danced. You will see a faint circle in the grass surrounding it.............................
Caution: One taste of this potion and the heart of the afflicted will swell with compassion and generosity. There is no return. Happy feelings are often a side effect.

Perhaps Pistoulet can work its wonders on you.

A French Fantasy

How could one resist a book such as this?

The opening paragraph starts thus.........

Far away in the remote, untraveled southwestern French countryside, en route from the enchanting old city with an ancient cathedral to the mystical Pyrenees which appear like a mirage at the most unanticipated moments, there is a small village which contains two homes, an eleventh century church, and a very special farm known as Pistoulet.

"Everyone who passes through Pistoulet has a story which unfolds.

All who spend time there leave with their hearts and minds transformed.

Some never leave."
Do these pictures pique your interest? Are you ready for more?

If you are a Nick Bantock fan (The Griffin & Sabine chronicles, The Forgetting Room etc.) and enjoy books with hidden treasures such as envelopes to open, maps and cards, this little book can work its wonders on you............especially if you love to make soup and enjoy a little light-hearted fantasy in your life

THE SECRETS OF PISTOULET

An Enchanted Fable of Food, Magic, and Love.

Written & Illustrated by Jana Fayne Kolpen

Designed by Mary Tiegreen

More on this sweet book soon.......fantasy takes time!

Ice House

Icy glass in my cottage front door.

While doing the best to stay cool in the heat of July in the Southeast, I looked around the cottage for icy treasures. Skipping the obvious, such as the trays of ice cubes in the 'frig, I found these items that have a cooling effect when the temperature climbs to 100 degrees or more.

Crystal decorations too pretty to hide away.

The shimmery bowl from Homegoods.

Painted LINEN sign.............................

..........to remind me that linen is the coolest Summer fabric ~ just have to learn to love wrinkles!


White ceramics, etched glass, cool grey zinc lids.

More cool creamware veggies and frosty artichokes.

Take down the heavy window coverings ~ let cool shaded light flood in.

Chilly breakfast ~ Greek yogurt and refreshing raspberries.

The beautiful book cover ~ thoughts of taking a cool dip in a pond with freshwater birds!

All photos, except linen clothing, taken around my home.