Tuesday, January 31, 2012

My friend

I was acting a bit irritable the other day. Negative ions floated all around me as I kept complaining—the weather, the short days and long night; 8:00am and still dark outside; the lack of sunshine and energy… and oh, this heart monitor they have me wear because; really, my heart is been acting so crazy lately it’s a miracle I’m still standing. Pretty scary.

So, I decided I should shut off my mind to negativity—shoo pessimistic thoughts like you would shoo some pest birds off your precious garden. But how? How can one accomplish such a thing? Shutting off negative thoughts it surely is a hard thing to do. At least for me it is. It was then when all of a sudden the thought of a dear friend burst into my mind… like sparkles of magic it did, changing my mood instantly. Although I didn’t realize it then, I already had a smile in my face.

I decided I should go find my friend; text him, call him; write him a letter...

I was a little hesitant at first. I hadn’t seen my friend in such a long time. Perhaps he didn't want to see me now? Friendship comes so easily in summertime. When the garden is beautifully frocked with blossoms and the sky is so blue that when you lay on the grass and look at it you can’t really tell whether you are actually looking at the sky or maybe at an immense deep blue sea—those are the times when my friend and I have the strongest connection, and it is always here, in the garden, where we secretly meet.

But in winter time is another story. I kind of lose track of my dear friend in the winter. I don’t usually go out to the garden when is this cold and gloomy; but today I really needed to see him. So I went out to find him.

A little idea kept tugging at my heart strings as I was strolling around the garden—so disheveled and lonesome during this time of year. How could I let faith and hope put that spark back into my life? A little bit of that whimsy and magic?

It was then that I spotted the old stone I’d brought home with me a couple of summers ago from one of our summer outings. Such a heavy stone this was; and so uprooted to the ground, we almost gave up. I’m glad we didn’t and brought it home to our garden. And that is when I saw it... a most interesting thing; some sort of a note half way buried under a heap of dry leaves. A message? Like those strange message people sometime find along the seashore tucked in a bottle? I knew then that, the magic I was searching for was near...

I bent down, and took the paper. And what do you know... a message! A reminder. A love note if you may. Something to think about and to read as many times as needed be.

But wait… who left it there, you ask? My friend, of course. He tends to do things like that and probably had left it there that last time; knowing a forehand how much I was going to need it today.

I wanted to share this message with you. Please read it; make it yours. It’s a powerful message, but if you don't see it that way, at least take it as a practical messages for a better life.

Can you imagine? “a blessed home in myself where I can always always, go in and shut the door and kneel to my Father in secret and be at peace as in a sea of calmness, even when all around and about is trouble”… isn’t this fantastic! Magic and magical indeed I say!

When I pray, I know God would bring magical events into my life. All my dreams, my thoughts, my hopes, and my inspirations I have put in God’s magical hands. His enchanting presence is the most amazing thing I have ever experienced in my life and I know with total certainty that God will make sure those who earnestly seek Him are surrounded by His powerful magic; of love, protection, renovation and salvation.

It is real—this magic; you can feel it and people can see it in you too. They might just don’t know what it is, or what you get it from. But you know.

Whatever might be you situation today, please go to your “blessed home” and shut the door behind you and kneel before your Heavenly Father (my friend, and your friend too) in secret. Peace, as in a sea of calmness, will be yours; even when all around and about is trouble…

Be blessed.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

SHOW OFF YOUR COTTAGE MONDAY

I’m showing you around my kitchen and dinning room area today. I don’t have a big kitchen, and don't have a formal dinning room. Our dinning room is very small; in fact it's more like a breakfast nook; contiguous to the kitchen.

I’m always looking for a piece of furniture where I can store my daily china, glasses, and serve-ware in the dining room, but that’s not an option for now. Still, this is the place were we seem to gravitate towards to in our home; it is a happy place and thus, it is my favorite room of my house.

Everything here is the same; nothing new, but I do like to rearrange and move things around quite often to create fun vignettes and bring new interest.

Whenever possible, I like to use a lot of roses around my house; particularly in my kitchen and dinning room area; being freshly cut from my garden (my favorites), from the market, dried or silk roses, they’re heavenly; they bring so much joy into my life…

I like to use baskets in my decoration; particularly in the kitchen; they serve so well and keep everything handy and looking so pretty at the same time…
This is how my tabletop looks now… I'm always creating new tabletop vignettes. It makes me happy.

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Thursday, January 26, 2012

Of old jars and roses...

An old jar simply embellished with dried roses from the garden stands with the white dishes. It’s pretty enough with or without flowers as a tabletop display… but I can hardly wait to put a lovely display of purple Royal Amethyst roses in this jar.

Thinking of my garden in full bloom makes me happy. During our gloomy cold days I think a lot about my garden. Time spent inside with not much to do give me the option of making plans ahead of time to later accomplish all the things I want to see done in my favorite place. I think of unique garden art ideas and dream with unusual and whimsical decorating touches—a new birdbath amidst the red Knockout roses in that corner; a fun display of birdhouses in an assortment of colors and sizes in that empty space on the west side of the fence; perhaps another mirror on my garden wall. I love mirrors; they're a wonderful addition to your garden and can help add the illusion of more space and more flowers and plants. I also want a new arbor covered in grapevine in the center of the yard across from my kitchen window, where I would put a rustic table and hung an old chandelier.

Dreams dreams… but it’s not just all about dreaming around here. I make my dreams happen too! So, I have already started collecting and gathering some pretty things--things I've found during my treasure hunt through thrift stores, and I have already started embellishing a few jars.

I love old jars and vintage vases. I think that a table needs little more than a beautiful vase...

Right at the turn of the season last summer, I found this lovely vintage vase at a thrift store. I filled it up with the last of my roses and enjoy it for a few days. I can already imagine it filled with freshly cut roses when again everything will be smelling like pollen and dust and roses...

May you have a lovely weekend... and remember: “Life ends when you stop dreaming, hope ends when you stop believing, love ends when you stop caring, friendship ends when you stop sharing... so share this with whom ever you consider a friend.”

See you super soon!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Empanadas

I'm not really an outdoorsy kind of person—least during the winter time. I’m quite content living in my garden; day and night, but that’s a different story during our long cold days. And it’s been so cold here lately—icy cold, with gray clouds during the day, and if it isn’t snowing; it’s raining. From blustery cold mornings to afternoon rain tickling the windows to cold nights accompanied by high winds... snow, wind, drizzling rain, sun for a moment, more wind and an occasionally glorious sky, then more rain... that’s how it’s been around here.

Thus, my favorite pastime these days has been curling up on the sofa with my favorite Romantic Country and Cottage Style books and magazines, my coffee and a few warm snuggly blankets.

Today is French Vanilla coffee in a teacup… I love it!

Do you prefer your coffee in a coffee mug or a teacup?

One of my favorite winter pastimes is baking… Can you imagine?—Inactivity and baking! Put both together and puff! ;)

So I’ve been wanting to bake some empanadas.

Almost every country in the world has some version of empanada or turnover; some kind of meat, poultry, fish, cheese, vegetable or combination thereof, wrapped up in a small packet of dough.

Empanadas are versatile and delicious, but the tastiness of your empanada will rise and fall on the quality of the dough.

Your guests may rave about the scrumptious fillings, but you’ll know the secret to a great empanada is the dough!

What do you like to do on cold winter days? Please do share, and keep yourself warm and cozy!

Sunday, January 22, 2012

SHOW OFF YOUR COTTAGE MONDAY

Nature is the most amazing place for color inspiration, since each season offers different and amazing color combinations. During the winter months it helps to take some inspiration from the winter landscape- white on white. While browsing the Internet the other day I was inspired by this lovely blog and home; which to me resembles the beauty of a lovely winter landscape: Dreams come true. Enjoy!

Last week was another fantastic party! Can't wait to see what you have been up to this week! Grab a Featured button on the right of my blog if you would like!

The House in the Roses
Please be courteous and follow blog etiquette… if you’re linking—link back to The house in the roses!