Choosing

Having to choose among things I like, is hard to do. I can’t decide easily. Unless it is something I really really love or make me feel head over heels in love with it immediately, choosing becomes a hard task. I have to be completely, blissfully, irreversibly helplessly in the sway of that emotion to be sure that’s what I want. These are scary words and thoughts, because they make me think that I may be contemplating life with my heart, rather than with my head... and that's no good. Or is it?

Are you this “insane”? Do you have any difficulty choosing? Let’s try: If you had to choose a color, a single color, what would that color be? And if you could be a flower, what would you be? Now, try to express that thought in TWO words only!

A got windows!

A swift and unpredictable snow storm passed by our little part of the world today… thunder crashed as shields of mixed icy rain and snow slapped the tall windows, darkening the already eternally murky rooms…. I could see the black clouds moving fast as they grouped themselves in peculiar formations and designs, and clashed and jangled in the menacing late March sky…

Then all stopped after a while, Canadian geeses flew low in the dubious sky, almost above my head. I heard their trumpets call across the sky, I knew the sound, pure delight embraced me… I could feel, from somewhere in my body, my own wings abeating, smooth air flowing… I wanted to reach up my arms and touch the birds… if I could, if I only could, I would had join them… fly along with them; swim the air and foretaste their world below as they sounded their trumpets with glee and disappeared behind the tall building…

All these things I know and saw, because today I got an office with a window…. although today I can say with certainty that it rained and snowed, you can almost never predict the weather from inside our one-way mirrored building. A one-way mirror is glass that has been coated with a thin layer of metal on the outside panel so that it’s reflective, like a mirror. In one direction it’s a mirror, but in the other direction it’s just windows… windows meant to reduce light transmission, so you can never be certain of what’s going on outside, whether if it’s cloudy or if in fact, a light rain sways the monotony of the afternoon outside… this is our office building seeing from outside...

The tall trees and sky reflect and repeat themselves against the mirrors.. beautiful, but totally another story from inside... nevertheless, I now have a window, and I’m so high up, that I can almost reach and touch the sky, or so I like to think. Across from my window there is this beautiful old stone church, with its stone tower and the clock that sings the time with the hour...

On top of the stone tower there is the cross—a thin white cross, a mere cross made by man…. But oh, a perpetual reminder of what’s to come, a memento of hope, and faith and of a new glorious day… that blessed day forevermore. I will take more pictures soon and show you what I see from day to day from my window, but for now I hope you enjoyed seeing my world through the mind's eyes.

Sweet dreams everyone! I'm linking this post to Outdoor Wednesday

Heart and soul

Soon, soon... very soon! It is written on the quilt of grass In the shape of a daffodil print Some strands of butterfly wing A flower scent There is no word to define the joy, No measure...

Where your heart sings is where your feet will dance. Is it that simple?

Show Off Your Cottage Monday

Welcome to “Show Off Your Cottage Monday”, a blog party I host at the beginning of each week to celebrate the things we love about our homes and how we live. It is still cold around here, and dark Stratus clouds layered and covered most of the sky... but the promise of spring lingers behind a gloomy horizon… Nothing signals the end of a long winter and the promise of spring as gloriously as the reappearance of the robins in my garden and the happy faces of pansies...

Today, I'm celebrating the joy that comes to light when sunny days appear. Ah, the sense of warmth, both bold and bright that embraces me each time the skies are clear... a moment’s peace, a sacred calm and stillness within my palms...

Are you a sun seeker? Or do you prefer the solitude of winter? What are you celebrating today about your home or life? I'd love to hear about it. Add your link below, just please be sure to:

1. Copy and paste our little logo on your blog. 2. Link back to the house in the roses from your post so that your readers can come and see what everyone else is celebrating today!

Color in the garden

It’s time to paint the yard pink, or red, or yell, or purple... Or any combo thereof... All you need is a vision of what you want to see in your yard.

Are you ready for some color? I know I am! Happy weekend, everyone!

Tablescape Thursday

Yellow is the color of daffodils, lemons, and sunshine, yellow brightens up dark rooms and breathes warmth into cold spaces... my dinner table seems to glow within the context and burnished warmth of the wood... I love to decorate with yellow. Do you like yellow?

I'm joining Susan, at Between naps on the porch for another "Tablescape Thursday".

Happy Thursday, everyone!

White Wednesday

I love my new $5.99 Anchor Hocking Presence Cake Dome Set… sturdy, made of thick glass in retro 1950's style, is wide enough to hold a large cake or flan, and my favorite white dishes just look lovely in it—like some encased gem ready to be admired through pristine crystal!

I can’t image why someone would give away something as precious as this….

ps: I'm participating in White Wednesday, at Faded Charm. Come see! Oh, and I also made this for you—beautiful sentiments from the garden… You’re welcome to use them as you please…

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Are you a fufu girl?

Are you a “fufu” girl? When it comes to home decorating, I have to say I favor the clean and light elements of a simpler decor, but I am much the girly girl type, and do love to be surrounded by beautiful things, so when I start going a little crazy with all the prettiness around this house, my husband stomps his feet and brings me back to reality... sometimes, though, that doesn’t work. It’s hard to come back to the dullness of reality. So what is one to do when enough nonsense around the house is not enough? I would head straight to the porch and keep dreaming out there... besides, is so much fun playing girly girl under the sun!

Cookies are ready, and so is tea. Would you care to join me?

I'm joining Sandi, Rhondi, Lady Katherine and Marty, at Tabletop Tusday! Come see!

Show Off Your Cottage Monday

It’s cold and cloudy out there, small clouds have blown together and the sun just can’t get through them… its mitten weather again; or so it seems, but I have found the cutest skirt in anticipation to the change of seasons, and I love the blue irises in the garden, and can't wait for the daffodils and tulips to bursts their buds open, and of course, I'm so head over heels over my new shoes!

I love pointy toe pumps… who wouldn't! Even the simplest outfit appear glamorous when paired with some elegant looking pointy toe dress pumps... I can never have enough pointy toe shoes, so when I saw these leather lizard-look pumps at my favorite thrift store the other day, they were candy to my eyes. The mark reads “Bandolino” but I’m not sure it’s authentic. Well, I don’t mind that… I follow my heart, and not the actual value of the object, when it comes to purchasing something at the thrift store. If I love it (and can afford it), I buy it... I love it even more when the price is only $6.99.

And then…. of course, I saw these gorgeous jeweled summer sandals, and they had my name written all over them… “buy me buy me”—they screamed! Now, that wouldn't have been nice leaving them there, would it?

Life is good!

What are you celebrating? I'd love to hear about it. Just add your link below, but please be sure to:

1. Copy and paste our little logo on your blog.

<center><a href="http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee130/cielosky47/FotoFlexer_Photo-4.jpg?t=1268662278" /></a></center>

2. Link back to the house in the roses from your post so that your readers can come and see what everyone else is celebrating today!

A warm "Thank You" to all the participants who join each week. I know there are lots and lots of weekly meme events you could join, and I thank you for being part of mine. Also, you can now see all our previous "Show Off Your Cottage Monday" posts in one single spot. Just click the little logo on my right banner, and enjoy!

Spring Dreaming

The first light was bright and soft. Breakfast was almost ready and the smell of sweet waffles floated to them from the open door. All of them were together in the back porch, waiting for breakfast. Dad was in the kitchen working on his Eggs Benedict. The kids were chatting by the big table out looking the garden. Daffodils and tulips in emerald green grass. As I brought the fresh orange juice to the table I could smell the viburnums blooming in that far corner... the balmy sun caressing by back.

Dreaming springtime thoughts has me itching for spring!

(Photographs: In my garden -- Spring 2009)

Happy weekend, everyone!

PS: I'm linking this post to: Tablescape Thursday

It’s spring fever... do you have it?

It's supposed to warm up this weekend.

I’m yearning to get out and prune the roses in the front yard, pull weeds,

and clean up the gardens.

I’m also eager to redecorate our back porch.

I’m thinking about layers of fabrics, and lots of pastel pillows...

Oh, how I wish this weather would stay for good!

(Photo: At dusk in the backyard - last summer)

Finding the divine in every day

What do you do when you happened upon a pretty orphaned teacup or saucer at your favorite thrift store? Do you buy it or figure you won’t have any use for it because either the matching teacup or saucer is missing?

I found these three lovely orphaned saucers at a thrift store the other day and immediately felt in love with them… I couldn’t find their matching cups anywhere, but that didn’t stopped me from bringing them home. I knew exactly what to do…

I knew my everyday plain-Jane (but gorgeous to me) white cups didn’t mind a little flare…

My pretty saucers have served me well… these white cups, (it almost seem they're made out of lace doen't it!) I bought at another thrift store a while a go didn’t have matching saucers either...

But now they do! Lovely new saucers meant to be just for them!

Some of my favorite plates and china are also mismatched orphaned thrift store treasure too pretty to leave behind… finding the divine in every day is so divine, isn't it!

And oh have you noticed? I've made some cupcakes! Won't you stay for a while?

I'm getting so much better with my merengue (Spn) these days...

What would a simple white cup be without a lovely saucer? A cupcake without some yummy cream cheese frosting? (My favorite ever!) Whether it's a warm glaze drizzled over a bundt cake or a fluffy frosting topping festive cupcakes, that sweet swirl of sugar, milk, butter, and flavorings gives desserts a perfect sweet finish, doesn’t it! I'm joining Sandi, Rhondi, and Lady Katherine for some tea! Come see!