Ramblings...

Outside a cold wind is howling, all morning the rain has been pelting the windows... I’m enchanted by the music it makes—rain and glass; the sound soothes my spirit; it takes me in wings of imagination to a place I’d never seen or even heard of; a place only possible in dreams, yet often visited. Somewhere lost in time, I walk into this place...

Murmuring pines are dressed in garments of green and ochre, tall evergreen trees covered in moss seem to shimmer in the twilight—I can see them standing there like druids outside their time chanting to the wind...

As I walk towards the.................. oh goodness gracious me!! Please pardon my silliness!! I just remembered I’m not allowed to nonsense ramblings such as these here at the house in the roses! You see, my friend Peter Pan from Neverland thinks I could be boring you, or possibly scaring you away from this place with my silly talks. And what would my practical no-nonsense readers think of me? And I should never ever give myself to foolish day-dream here! ;)

Soooo.... I’d just talk about practical things here if that’s OK with you. OK! But in case you are one of those hopelessly romantic souls who love to daydream or just simply someone who enjoys reading silly stories, then I invite you to enter the magical door that leads to Hollow Woods—this wonderful and verdant place of dream and dreaming where I like to hide from time to time... I would be the Priestess of the forest, and you can be whatever you want! ;) Just click on the magic door to enter!

Happiness? The color of it must be spring green! Well, there’s really not much green to see out there yet, but I’m forcing spring to come a little earlier this year! I’m experiencing with planting seeds indoors for the first time in my life... yippee! I have no idea how this is going to work (if is going to work at all), but at least is a way of gratifying the gardener in me when I’m chomping at the bit to get some dirt under my fingernails! The fun part: I got Peter Pan to lend a helping hand! How very sweet of him! ;)

We have planted zillions of seeds from zinnias to larkspur to lupines to tomatoes and cilantro to flowers I have never heard of, such as Canterbury Bells and cosmos...

On my way to work every morning last year, I had to pass by rows of pink cosmos swaying in the chilly morning breeze that an elderly man used to tend to... this vision of flowers and loving hands truly enchanted me... I bowed to myself I would have cosmos this year in the garden. And so here they are in their humble beginnings...

I've been thinking I want to make some apple Phyllo triangles... Have you ever tried cooking with Phyllo? I hear that working with Phyllo dough can be sort of tricky sometimes.... is that so? Well, in the mean time I guess I can always make some brownies! I like my brownies with nuts sprinkled on top for a super delicious after hour dessert! ;)

Well, better go find my Country Living magazine for some blissful time now... have you seen the last issue yet?—dreamy!

And make myself a “Bowl of Soul” to warm my heart... Don’t worry, I promise this is not any witch’s potion! In fact, you can try making it yourself. All it takes is melted chocolate, espresso, whipped cream delight, and tiny flecks of Mexican chocolate! Oh yes, you will experience the true intention behind its namesake! ;)

See you super soon!

And may you all have an enchanted weekend wherever you are!