The kitchen smells like roses…..the first cut rose from our rose bush is making its existence known. When we lived in Memphis, I had roses in the garden…in Texas, they are more difficult to grow. Fingers crossed for this new rose bush! {the bloom is in a little jar}
Photo: Carrots for the split pea soup
The veggies are chopped and in the Crock Pot …….It is soup night at The Cottage and I wish that you could smell what is cooking. {would you like the recipe?}
Please forgive the short post? I feel tired and frustrated. Today is soup day and I have a lovely sketch on canvas that I wanted to start painting. My body is screaming for exercise and it looks like rain. Again.
While in London, Larry and I enjoyed just being together. He had given me a new camera before this trip and it was fun using a new lens. I will post a few shots today….just because I adore so many of the photos.
Photo: Our room faced Hyde Park
Photo: We sat for a long time at the Round Pond. The swans were fabulous and people watching, the best.
Photo: Beauty personified.
Photo: We had lunch at Diana’s Playground. We sat at the cafe outside the gates.
Photo: Best lunch ever near Diana’s Playground
Photo: A friend told me about “The Daisy Books” Matilda loves them. We found a bookstore and bought her three of them.
Photo: This is the first, the original Paddington Bear. He lives at Paddington Station.
Photo: We took a short trip up the road.
Photo: Paddington statue watches the trains come and go.
Photo: We saw WICKED {again!!}
Photo: We had tea…..
Photo: Portobello Market was crazy. To many people to shop.
Photo: Diana’s Garden at Kensington Palace.. A woman came up to me crying. She asked if I would take her picture. I said of course, and asked if she needed a hug.. She said no, but said, I once had what you have as she nodded to Larry. Larry and I have talked about that woman often. She lost a love and was retracing footsteps. I wish she had let me hug her.
Happy National Day of prayer…. “Prayer should be the key of the day and the lock of the night.”~George Herbert~
Just like one of my favorite Carol King songs, I am Home Again.
I listened to the song this morning and it made me cry. When I was 16 I saw carol King sing this song in person, in Raleigh, North Carolina. At the time, I needed this song. It was MY song. Our Family moved every two years and I needed a HOME.
Larry gave me the HOME I needed. He gave my daughters roots and a sense of community.
This past weekend, My Larry look me away for a few days. 4 to be exact. We went to London. We had a wonderful time. So wonderful, that I don’t have the words to express my heart.
But. I am HOME AGAIN. The Cottage is warm and comforting. My days continue, but with a slightly different perspective. I will share more later….till then…please know that I missed posting on the blog for the past week. I missed your comments and kindness. I missed my daughters and sweet Matilda. It is wonderful to be HOME AGAIN
Photo: A Windy day in London
Please have a day filled with love and joy. Life is our sweet journey. Making it happy and positive is why we are here.
I have a head ache this morning. My desk is quiet. Projects are complete. Larry is in Dallas meeting with clients. I finished reading the book club, book. {The Southerners by Edna Lee} The garbage men are out front making a ruckus and the light on my phone is blinking like crazy.
I am day dreamy and sluggish. My attention span is zero. The book shelves by my desk have grabbed my attention. One shelf in particular. The photo is a dog, a dog angel and Eiffel Towers. This was my childhood dog. Lancelot was his name because Mother adored the play Camelot. He was adopted as a puppy in Raleigh North Carolina. {1963-64?} It was around Easter-time after church because I remember my younger sister getting dog poop on her good shoes the day we brought him home. He passed away the year that I married Larry. This is the last photo taken of him in 1977. I still miss his sweet character.
Yesterday Larry and I went to Matilda’s softball game . We went early and took a picnic. The 7-8 year old girls are so much fun to watch. They know the game and try so hard. The game ended in a tie. 11-11.
A few of you, have much going on in your lives. Forgive me for not writing you personal notes…but know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
It is Tuesday! I am saying bye for now and off to get some things done. {and maybe walk a few miles?}
Little Dedo is, according to an old story, is a small gargoyle with pointy ears and human-like feet who lives on the roof of Notre Dame Cathedral. When the cathedral was built in 1160, a nun from a tiny convent in Provence disliked the menacing gargoyles that were being placed on top of the building as reminders of the nature of sin and evil. As the daughter of a stone cutter, she had learned the tools of the trade and decided to put them to good use. One day, she disguised herself as a workman, gained entrance to the work site and quickly carved the sculpture from a small block before placing it on the highest roof.The gargoyle remained undiscovered for centuries until a small boy, lost in the labyrinthine roof, stumbled off a ledge and rolled down into the lap of the gargoyle. Since its rediscovery, the creature has been affectionately known as Little Dedo, the gargoyle with the crossed toes. In response, some parents keep a statue of this gargoyle around their house in the hope that it will protect their children.
.Larry and I were introduced to the story of Dedo about 12 years ago and bought a replica of the gargoyle {while in Paris} who sits in our fireplace. He has been part of our every day for a very long time.
This weekend, we went to Scarborough Fair, a Renaissance fair in central Texas It is always interesting at a Ren-Fest, and this year was no exception for we found a Dedo! {and brought him home!}
Photo: The Unicorn
We saw Unicorns and found Dedo! He was a long way from France and we brought him home for the Zen Garden. How can life get any better?
I wish you a day filled with Unicorns and Gargoyles.
Photo: Gargoyle: a grotesque carved human or animal face or figure projecting from the gutter of a building, Typically acting as a spout to carry water clear of a wall.
For many years in Paris, the shops along the Seine and near the Cathedral of Notre Dame, sold these tiny gargoyles. My collection is small and has been hidden away for a long time.
The Cathedral of Notre Dame is known for their many Gargoyles. How amazing is it that I have a collection? They each have such personality.
Photo: Lauren and Larry in Cathedral Of Norte Dame~ 2006
Because of the fire in Paris this week, I have been sorting out many of my photos. The photo above is one of a very few Lauren/Larry shot during the holiday. I need to be taking better shots and sharing them better. This shot is in a FLICKR album. You can scroll the shots below, or click the photo itself to go to my FlickR album.
Flickr album: Paris 2006
I hope that you have a lovely, lovely Easter weekend……I am off to sort more photos!
I woke last night when storms hit Dallas. I watched Night Line, a long commercial, World News Tonight and some time near 4:30 am, I fell asleep.
Listening to storms is not wonderful. It just wears a body out.
The good news is, The herbs that I planted last week are safe and sound.
Photo: After the storm The empty containers have poppy seedlings in them.
Last night before going to bed, I tucked all of the newly planted herbs under shelves in the garden. The weatherman kept saying that we would be getting huge hail during the storms. I did not want the new plants hurt.
Photo: The dill plant
Photo; Spicy oreganoPhoto: English Thyme
All of the plants made it through the storms just fine. Just imagine all the goodies I will cook this summer using the beautiful herbs. Fresh herbs are one of my favorite things in the entire world.
Benjamin Franklin said, “Much virtue in herbs. Little in men.”
Today Is Maundy Thursday. Tonight Larry and I will be at church for a special service.
Love one another. May your heart be filled with the joy of love and forgiveness.
Yesterday was quiet. I hope that your day was ok too. During the day, I remembered a photo or two that had special meaning……that I had forgotten to post yesterday……..here you go……
Photo:by Robin: One November, some years ago,, Jamison showed up in Paris. She was on leave from the Air Force. On the last day of her being in France,, while leaving church, it started to snow. Jamison. and Larry. Magical.
Photo by Robin: I took this on a Friday afternoon.. We had crossed the river to listen to jazz musicians. . I looked back at the Cathedral and the view took my breath away.. It is one of my favorite photos. {2015?}
The weather here is frightful. Storms are expected this afternoon, with possibility of threatening situations. If you are in the danger zone, be safe….
Yesterday the unthinkable happened. The Cathedral Of Notre Dame caught fire and burned extensively.. I got phone calls from old, dear friends, text messages, emails from wonderful people who wanted me to know what was happening. They also shared their hearts and thoughts about the fire.
I loved that part most of all. Kind, sweet thoughts about a place far away. Some of the messages were from people who had never been to the Cathedral. Each and every connection was simply perfect.
Larry and I have the privilege to pray at the Cathedral Of Notre Dame each year. Twenty three years now…..we have many names on our prayer list and we light candles for loved ones and others who need prayer. I cry during the prayers and while lighting the candles of hope. The moments are emotional and filled with faith. Yesterday, I cried, but for a different reason.
Larry and I went through old photos last night. I took photos of the photos, straight from the album.
Photo:: 2018 Going to Cooking class….we passed this way.
Photo: The post cards of the Cathedral change over the years. Larry loves them all.
Photo: 2001 Paris. When we saw this shot, we laughed, asking where it had been taken…. it was at Notre Dame Cathedral. The photo was on film and had double exposure.. We were sitting for prayers. The chairs behind us are for congregation.
Photo:Lauren and Jami with the Cathedral behind them 2001-2002
Photo: This where we have prayed almost each year for many years. This is where we light the candles too.
Photo: Me, 2018. Our prayer list was long….the candles were filled with hope.
Photo: Another vintage post card
Photo:: This is he Cross that remains now, after the fire, This is how the alter looked before the fire.
Larry and I have dozens of other photos of the church. These were the most meaningful for me. I loved seeing old moments captured.
I will be starting the prayer list early this year. Please feel free to email me your name or the name of someone whom you are concerned for…..
Today is a brand new day. Please enjoy each moment, as you never know tomorrow might hold.
Meditation Experience~ Day 17~Grace Is Perfect. Even When My Life isn’t. I know this so well, but why do I expect things to be perfect all the time? My days are filled with constant reminders that life is a joy, Tremendous things can happen, just from a smile, People are generous and kind and just noticing the beauty of the sky, can make the day so much better.
~~~~~~~~~
Photo: Starting a new………
I have finished the first Hawaiian dress and now for the second. No, this is not a typical Hawaiian dress, but it will be my version of one. A classic Batik fabric with a vintage {1972} pattern. It will be full length. I have not chosen a trim for it yet, but maybe I will not put a trim on it….
I have been walking 4 miles each day and I am tired. Just tired. The worst part is, I WANT to move and get things done, but I am just tired.
Larry is in Dallas. The morning is filled with meetings for him. He has a cold today or allergies and feels miserable. Larry never complains. When he does it is bad.
The windows are open and the birds are singing. I am going to cut out number 2 Hawaiian dress.now….I believe that when you are creating and your surrounds are inspirational, the project or ART will absorb the joy of your environment. Life.
