Thursday, February 28, 2013

SAINT

Think On This

A little child on a summer morning
stood in a great Cathedral Church.
The sunlight streamed through the 
beautiful stained glass windows and
the figures in them of the servants of
God were bright with brilliant color.
A little later the question was asked,
'What is a saint?'
and the child replied. "A saint is a person
who lets the light shine through."
~Anonymous

Have a blessed day!  Dee Dee
Image borrowed from Google Images

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Rainy Day Meal

Today's been a sweet time,
beginning with an early 
morning rain that signaled
certain kinds of foods were
in order.
Rewarded with generous smiles,
during the evening meal,
I served  generous portions
of slow cooked pot roast to
the man of the house.
 Mashed potatoes were 
ladled with brown 
onion and bay leaf flavored broth,
 and the buttered green beans
were steaming hot.


For desert, miniature cheesecakes
and rich roasted coffee.

Life is good!  Have a blessed day.....Dee Dee

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

A Souvenir Mug

What do you do with that
thoughtful souvenir 
mug gift?
Do you use them, 
or do you store them on
a shelf in your cupboard? 
Or are you someone who
considers souvenir mugs
a bit of rubbish,  and toss
them in the trash bin?

A dear friend of mine,
once visited
the Atlantis resort, in the
Bahamas....
and she thoughtfully
 brought me a "souvenir mug." 
Cobalt blue with raised gold
letters, probably made an
 impression on me back then.
Not your ordinary souvenir
mug, it was "fancy smancy,"
so I stored it away on a
top shelf in the cupboard.
While spring
cleaning today, I discovered the
mug again, gave it a good
washing and made me a nice
"cuppa."
For a good stir, I used an
antique twisted silver spoon, also
discovered while sorting 
through my odds and ends 
silverware drawer.....
more spring cleaning.
Holding that warm
souvenir mug 
of coffee in my hands,
I thought of my friend and
the good times we had back
when.  I was glad I'd saved her gift,
and just maybe I'll hold on to
the "souvenir mug" a while longer
as a reminder of those sweet days.

Have a beautiful day, everyone.  Dee Dee


Monday, February 25, 2013

More Signs Of Spring in Florida

Having seen the dormant stems....
the Mandevilla
seemingly lifeless, all winter long....

.....it was good to see pink
buds earlier in the month.
"Welcome back to life
sweet Mandevilla."
One of the first blooming plants
in the spring.....and last to sleep
in late fall.
Our potted Mandevilla is
pretty much neglected and yet
survives beautifully.....due to 
the habits of the plant.
It likes a well drained soil,
and does not like wet feet. 
Properly fed with 8-8-8 fertilizer,
mulched and watered, we should
have beautiful pink blooms all
spring and summer long.

I'm glad you stopped by!  
Have a sweet ole' day, everyone.  Dee Dee 

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Diane von Furstenberg's Artististic Efforts

I suppose one would call it
"impulse shopping"
and they would be right.


I paid $2.99 for each bottle
of Evian water and the
longer I look at them, the
more excuses I'm finding
for having made my purchase.

The cashier at the Fresh Market
was seemingly more pleased than
I was.  She insisted on reading the
message on the bottle, finding
it all too clever and lovely
 for a bottle of water. 
 Sharing the writing  with the "bag
boy" brought the eyes of other
shoppers....they too wondering
what Evian's message for the 
world might be.

We all confirmed the idea noble......

"Life is water is life is love is life is 
water is life is love........"

The world has Diane von Furstenberg's 
artistic efforts to thank  for such  
pretty Evian bottle images.
I'm pleased and planning
to use them as vases for my
cottage white Roses.

Have a blessed Lord's day!  Dee Dee

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Jonquils and Daffodils

                                                       

The shops have lots
of potted spring flowers.
  We are indeed
having a beautiful
 early spring.
The trees are budding, 
the Azaleas are blooming
and all is well with my soul!


......so, I brought home 
what promises soon to be
clusters of small fragrant
yellow flowers.....


and, I'm waiting eagerly for the
transformation.

Nothing says spring louder 
than Jonquils and Daffodils.

The official date for 
the beginning
of spring is March 20,
but who needs a calendar
when the signs are everywhere
indicating
that God has sorted  out the 
weather, readying our part of the 
world for flowering plants.


I say rejoice!


Have a sweet ole day!  Dee Dee

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Art?


Playing with watercolors, pencils
and Photoshop......
I call it "Wall Art"
or "Woman In A Red Hat" 
graffiti.

Have a sweet ole' day!  Dee Dee

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

They've Almost Finished Blooming

Just as the Camellias finish blooming,
I'll begin noticing signs of  spring. I
suppose Easter coming early this year,
makes it quite all right.
  The large oak tree has for days now, scattered
all sorts of "squigglies" all over the garden.
The Mister's kept the "leaf blower" handy.
  Such a nuisance, they seem,  but
tolerated as part of nature.  Before long
tiny new oak leaves will appear, the birds
will look for nesting areas and the squirrels
with make homes in the cross branches.

I cherish the last few days of winter flowers.



It's beautiful  and needs no special attention from me.
The Camellia bush is somewhat like an old friend, 
that brings lovely flowers
to our garden each November....
and falls back to sleep when spring arrives. 

So, they've almost finished blooming and I'm 
beginning to feel a little melancholy about their
departure.  
Have a sweet ole' day!  Dee Dee

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Think On This

One encounters all sorts
of interesting things while
walking through the streams of life.
~Dee Dee



What a large volume of
adventures may be grasped
within this little span of life
by him who interests his heart
in everything. ~Lawrence Sterne

Have a sweet ole' day......Dee Dee

Monday, February 18, 2013

Flowers and Perfume

Last evening I rescued the 
final bloom on our pink
Camellia bush. 
Temps 
were dropping close to
freezing and I couldn't
think of leaving this
pretty thing
to such extreme elements.

I placed it in a small crystal vase, 
along side my perfume bottles......


.....that set on a mirrored tray, on my bedroom dresser.




While taking photos, I thought of
how each perfume was given to me
on special occasion......thinking further
how each has a sweet 
cherished story.

He appreciates better than any man I
know the value of a woman who has
something to give in return for 
being given to. ~Mary Anne Disraeli 
about her husband Benjamin Disraeli

Have a sweet ole' day!  Dee Dee
click on images to enlarge

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Common Miracles


The miracles of nature do not seem
miraculous because they are so
common. If no one had ever seen
a flower, even a dandelion would
be the most startling event in the
world. ~Unknown

Blessings.....Dee Dee

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Come What May

Over-cast skies and prediction
 of rain this morning.
We've had so little of the coolness
 we longed for last
summer while dealing with the
 dreaded heat.
When will winter come?
 This week
we've needed air conditioning!
Tomorrow we've been 
promised seven degrees 
above freezing.
Really?

Already I find myself 
counting the days left on the
calendar that are called 
the coldest days of the year.

I wonder.....sigh....

Late afternoon, 
I found  beautiful new 
white blooms on our Camellia
 bush......a reminder of 
our masterful Creator, in charge of
everything.....come what may.....
I'm giving Him the glory!

Have a sweet ole' day.  Dee Dee

Friday, February 15, 2013

Celebrating Years Of Answers

"Coffee and biscuit? I've just made fresh."

The sun was hidden by rain clouds
this Valentine day.  We walked beneath
the umbrella, making our way to
the restaurant door.  Earlier we 
had eliminated places of fine dining,
 settling on a favorite 
family run neighborhood Italian eatery.
This  is our "comfort zone."
We try and prove, don't we?  

Greeted with polite and familiar
salutations, we are then seated,
 offered drinks and
served in a calm, for the most part,
and serene atmosphere. 

We've celebrated first one special
day after another through the years,
and yet still they have real meaning to us.
We have years and years of answers.
"How do I love thee?  
Let me count the ways."

Have a beautiful day, everyone.  Dee Dee


Thursday, February 14, 2013

A Sonnet

If I could write the beauty of your eyes
And in fresh numbers number all your graces,
The age to come would say, "This poet lies;
Such heavenly touches ne'er touch'd earthly faces."
William Shakespeare, Sonnet 17

Happy Valentine Day
sweet family and friends ......Dee Dee

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Sweet Sentiments


"If I had a single flower for every time 
I think about you,
I could walk forever in my garden."
~Claudia Ghandi

Enjoying the fragrance of flowers
and seasonal traditions......Dee Dee

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Heart Garland

It all began when I found this 
beautiful fabric.
  I envisioned a sweet Valentine garland...... and 
so it began with cutting, pinning, sewing
and stuffing.

Today I finished ......

and displayed my little Valentine
"heart garland" project......

I then stood back, took a few photos, and
breathed a sign of contented approval.
Very soon, my Valentine cards and goodies,
and my handmade garland,  will bring 
messages of "hugs and love" to quite a 
few very young recipients.

Lovin' February's message of love.  Dee Dee

Sunday, February 10, 2013

"White Stuff"

The yellow caution flag was waving
in the strong winds this day, warning 
swimmers on Clearwater Beach.

Thinking of and praying for family and friends 
enduring another kind of "white stuff".......

Stay warm and take care of one another. Dee Dee

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Suggested Listen and Read

Never have I been more pleased
or impressed with anyone in the
public eye.  Such is the case
for Dr. Benjamin Carson, 
pediatric neurosurgeon 
at John Hopkins hospital. 
Not to worry if you've
missed his speech,  at the
National Prayer Breakfast. 
Thankfully,  it's been 
posted all over the Internet
for the whole world to see and hear.

www.drudgereport.com
or www.youtube.com 


Finally a man of faith and
integrity with a voice and
the courage to speak
 the truth.
Dr. Carson began by
reading scripture from God's
Word, the Holy Bible and
spoke of Jesus Christ as his
role model.
What a blessing to hear him 
speak, and today I am 
encouraged. 
Read his book and find what
is in  this beautiful man's heart.
I believe Dr Carson is a 
true blessing from God....a light
in the dark, giving us all hope. Dee Dee

Friday, February 8, 2013

Violet's Bonnet

My first painting of the new year. Was
real nice to hold my pencils and brushes again.
Ms Violet wears an especially pretty bonnet.
Once upon a time, little girls
were not completely dressed
until a special bonnet was
placed on their pretty little head.
  When our granddaughter
wore one recently, I was inspired
to do this painting. 

With brush and watercolors in hand, 
my mind drifted back to a scene
in Gone With The Wind.
Rhett Butler and Scarlett take 
 Bonnie Blue for a pram ride,
 for all the neighbors to see her.....
dressed in her finest from head
to toe.... *Note bonnet worn.

Have a beautiful day!  Dee Dee
Image....periodmovies.blogspot.com

Thursday, February 7, 2013

The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter



Wednesday, 24 April, l907
The tale I am about to tell you
begins on a bright, clear, April
sweet morning in the Lake 
District village of Sawrey......
It was a magical morning, and 
the little village seemed more 
than ever to occupy a magical
place in the world.....


In the northwestern corner of
England, in the Land Between 
the Lakes, March is a month of
uncertain weather.
Our story takes place in
March  1912......

If your a fan of Beatrix Potter, I
promise you'll enjoy these 
charming cottage tales.

Have a sweet ole' day!  Dee Dee

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Ducks

The ducks are back in our
Florida neighborhoods. I 
thought it a good time for
re-posting these fun
"duck" photos.

Florida has many beautiful lakes,
and this time of year they are
home to a variety of ducks.
This group, 
swimming together, seemed to
 get along just fine. They have
plenty of food, after all, so
there's no need for squabbling. 
On this day, they were
communicating with one 
another....lots of quacking.....
 an indication to me,
they were either good friends
or family members.

I was amazed at the colors....
being especially fond of the
lone white duck. 


A favorite image, one showing
the ducks reflection in the 
lake waters.

Of course, there were some
odd looking ducks about on this day.

The "Muscovy"  duck sort of took the
prize for the most interesting costume.
 I thought the iridescent colors in it's
wings were quite spectacular.

"I'm glad you stopped by....and I hope
your having a perfectly happy day!"  Dee Dee
click on images to enlarge

Monday, February 4, 2013

Day Break

Another day filled with possibilities, 
and oh that time
being so precious,
 should not be squandered.
The morning, which is the most
memorable season of the day, is 
the awakening hour.....Little is to 
be expected of that day, if it can be
called a day to which we are not
awakened by our Genius.  All 
memorable events I should say, 
transpire in morning time and in a
morning atmosphere. To him whose 
elastic and vigorous thought keeps 
pace with the sun, the day is a perpetual
morning.  Morning is when I am awake 
and there is a dawn in me. 
~Thoreau~ "Walden."

Have a blessed day, everyone!  Dee Dee

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Heart's Ease


MY COTTAGE HOME
Every house where love abides and 
friendship is a guest, is surely home, 
and home, sweet home, for there the
heart can rest. ~Henry Van Dyke

Have a beautiful Lord's day,!  Dee Dee