Grace,anyone?

I am very fond of sculpture. Anyone who has been to my home knows this. One of the sculptures I am in possession of is just one of many renditions of "The Three Graces" originally created by Antonio Canova, sometime in the 19th century.

Charm, beauty and creativity is what they represent.
(Since all three are attached, it is not possible for me to capture all three faces at once; however, you can believe when I tell you all they are all lovely.)

Happy Halloween!

Leaves blow in the night
Happy children everywhere
Candy, Laughter, candles, BOO!
(My Haiku)

Flowers during Autumn season

Well, Autumn is upon us, and although I love this season, I get abit sentimental, when we have to pull out the colorful annuals, and cut back the perennials. The garden looks almost naked to the human eye. However, that is the changing season. My Grandmother use to have a saying "when the trees undress, we dress, and when the trees dress, we undress." Such a true quote; Thank you Grandma! She was always a very wise woman.

Below are a few photos of what is left in our garden that will stay around for a few more weeks. Then we will cut back,and it's bed time through the winter. I like the Autumn garden; it mixes well with the mulch, and the beautiful color leaves that decide to drop down, and mix into the garden. Do you like an Autumn garden?



Provence Lavender



Succulent Sedum that is a beautiful persimmons color



Purple Fountain Grass

It's a wrap!

I admit it; I am a paper hound. I love me a good stationery store filled with unique paper products. The inventory must be highly creative, and envelopes me as I walk through the door. If I don't know where to look first, that is certainly not a problem. I can lose all track of time, and that's okay :o)

When I saw this paper cut out mask, well it made me just smile!



At first sight, it reminded me of a grown-up version of the paper masks we made as kids in school for Halloween. Lots of fun!

Halloween, just like a costume party can be fun and creative. Some people like the scary, whooo hoo costumes. It's all individualistic. I grew up with the Wizard of Oz theme sans the witch, and we made our own costumes. Which ever way you like it, I hope you have alot of fun! What are some of your ideas for costumes?

A Special Key...

A key can reveal so many wonderful things in life. Besides a door, a heart, a safe, a passageway....I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but not really. Keys can represent a path not taken, or wanting to take but hesitant about going down that road. It is not so easy to unlock a new door, but if you don't, the fruit may remain on the limb, and you will have missed the opportunity to taste it.

Do you have a key that represents something special to you?

Riding along

There is a 90% chance of rain today. I wish I had this woman's elegance as I ride along on my bicycle. Once I was riding home from work in the days when I sometimes rode to and from work on my bicycle. There was a surprise rain storm, and there I was, with the rear wheel spewing rain on my back. I wouldn't have minded it so much if I was on a less travelled road, but it was a fairly busy one, and the cars were abit mindless about splashing me. Oh well, I live to tell this story. Luckily, there were soft terry towels at home to soothe my body and soul.

Another time we were living in an August heat wave. I stood outside while it was pouring, and let the rain pour down on me. It was soul refreshing and I was elated beyond what I thought I would be. That was when I didn't want or need an umbrella. Ever have a similar experience?

A second time around

I wrote about my Grandmother in June '09. I am posting it again for two reasons. One of them is because today, Oct. 12th is the anniversary date of her passing, and I need to acknowledge that.
I celebrate her Birthday, and I acknowledge when she passed away. The latter helps me in some unexplainable way.

Secondly, I have a special blogger friend with whom I would like to share this. I do not think she was reading my blog in June. Unfortunately, she is in the process of a sad situation with her Grandmother, I am hoping by writing about mine, it will help her in some small way. I hope so. Writing can be very therapeutic, just like any other art form.



My Grandmother lived everyday with a smile on her face, and grace in her heart. She was as warm and friendly to her family and friends, as she was to the Gardener. This lady was my paternal Grandmother, known to everyone as Grandma.

I can feel my eyes twinkle when I speak or write about her. I believe her legacy was to make people smile, and show them that being generous is very easy. When you walked through her door, she was there to hug you hello. The next step was for you to inhale the aromas that wafted through the air from her kitchen. She did not ask you if you wanted something to eat or drink, she would just would just put it on the table for you. The hot coffee was always ready. This is something my Mother does as well. And I've learned from her.

I feel compelled to tell you about her eyes. They were a soft blue, gentle and kind, yet strong. And lucky for her, they changed to a soft gray whenever she wore a gray dress or sweater. How fortunate to have pretty eyes that change color.

My Grandmother was a well seasoned cook for savory and dessert foods. She made enough to feed her growing family (a small army), and we always took home extras. This woman was so extraordinary to me. When I think back of all that she accomplished, I am amazed. Women from the Depression era were able to do so much with so little for their large size families.


She loved through her actions, and wore her smile like a Queen. She made you know her heart was for you. As she grew older, she would sing to me "Let me call you sweetheart." She also would sing "o solo mio" in Italian. I am convinced she had THE softest hands ever. Her palms felt like satin, and she would rub my forearm ever so gently, as we sat in her living room.

She passed on from natural causes at the age of ninety. Her heart that beat so lovingly became tired. Before she slipped into a dreamy-death state, I would read poems to her, and excerpts from the Bible. I also sang to her "Let me call you Sweetheart" and gently rubbed her arms, the way she use to so caringly do to me. I would also comb her beautiful white hair. Oh, how I loved that white hair of hers! Early one rainy Monday October morning, she died. I was told she looked like she was sleeping, and I believe it. She was a beautiful woman inside and out. And anyone who had the privledge of knowing her also knew this. I believe there are angels in this world, and I was fortunate enough to have one for my Grandmother.


Yesterday, I made an apple crostata in honor of my Grandmother. I was feeling rather sad, and I thought of her baking (I think it was divine intervention). Into the kitchen I went, made and refrigerated the dough, peeled the Granny Smith apples,and proceeded to compose an apple crostata. I think she would have smiled.

Enjoy your weekend!

Remember your mammogram

I know we live in a busy society with the endless "to do" list, however, getting a mammogram should be as much a priority as you give anyone or anything else. It's about YOU, and although many women put themselves last on the their priority list, the mammogram should not be *put off*.

Four years ago my sister was diagnosed with a malignant tumor in her right breast. She had put off going for a mammogram for several years, and there it was, a large cancerous tumor. She is a very fortunate woman to be alive today. With surgery and treatments, she is heading for remission.

We all know someone who has been affected by this disease. Please don't put yourself last on the priority list; make an appointment today! I don't want to be a television commercial, but it is extremely important.