The flowers will return - I hope.

My flower garden has wilted. The roses, the sunflowers - all droopy. However, when I think of the amount of snow I shoveled last winter, I will take this heatwave and water the garden twice a day. This too shall pass.

Drink extra water this weekend!

Artist: Frederick Hassam "The Fourth of July 1916"


I know I have posted this one before, however, it moves me, just as art should. I love the exuberance and energy that eminates from large flags waving and music playing. It's pure joy.

For those of you who have inquired about my absence, let's just say I took a nap, and have woken up. Still alittle sleepy, however, nonetheless, I am here. I have to blog soon about the mini sunflowers that we planted. They are twenty inches tall, and all three will put a smile on your face. I love 'em!

Happy Fourth of July! Wishing you the spirit of togetherness.
Ciao.

An Old Irish Blessing

MAY the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sunshine warm upon your face,
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

And the Winner Is...

24 Corners!

Jessica: please e-mail me your information, and the book will be mailed out to you!
Thanks to all who entered the giveaway.

A Sweet give-a-way

My sister-in-law Emily Luchetti is the Executive Pastry Chef at two restaurants in San Franciso. One is Farallon Restaurant. The other one is Waterbarsf. She is also the Author of several dessert books, in addition to being a James Beard Award Recepient - quite a list of accomplishments!

Emily has a new book out entitled "The Fearless Baker" - a book that is very user friendly. The recipes are easy to follow, and the results are utterly delicious. I know this because Allen and I tested nineteen of them. We gave the goodies away to family and neighbors who praised the results. : )




So........if you would like a copy of Emily's book, let me know by leaving your name and comment. All entries should be in by May 19th 12:00am, and Allen (Emily's twin brother) will perform his magic and select a winner on May 20th. Good Luck to all!

Happy Spring!

Signs of Spring are all around. Nature mesmerizes me and I begin to daydream. Walking past the newly bloomed flowered trees and plants, I smile to myself as I soak in their diverse colors and shapes. I want to wave at the Daffy's that seem to be waving to me in the breeze. Even the trees seem to want to show off their beauty with curvy branches, and pink and white petals - if only for a limited time. The delights of Spring are some of the beauties that poems and songs are made of. It's all here for us to enjoy. Live with eyes wide open.









Our garden -Spring 2011

Connecting

You may or may not have heard of Eric Whitacre, a Composer and Conductor of music...wonderful music. Music for the mind, the heart and the soul. Eric has brilliantly synthasized a virtual choir. This magnificent choir consists of 185 voices from 12 countries. Yes, my numbers are correct. Hear and see for yourself. Then go to http://www.youtube.com/ and select from his other musical joys. You are sure to feel enlightened. Even though this idea was put into motion a year or so ago, I believe the world needs it again...and now. Good night my friends. "The evening hangs beneath the moon..."

One of my loves...

Allen and I were having lunch today at a local restaurant. We were sitting by a window when into the parking lot came a root beer brown Porsche Carrera. My dream car. Seriously, my dream car. I happen to like looking at cars, driving cars; it is an enjoyment of mine. I have liked this particular car for years. Once I saw one in Vermont while vacationing. It was eggplant purple - love at first sight. It had saddle interior and of course, manual transmission. I sometimes think of automobiles simply as a means of transportation, but NOT with this beauty. She's a daydream of mine that I would like to explore the world with. I love its egg shape, and I swoon over the front headlights. It is a very unique shaped car, just like the older Saabs, which is another joy-toy I would love to own.

I have digressed. Allen was paying the bill while I walked up to the Gentleman who owned the car. He was alone. I addressed him as "sir" with his head full of silver wavy hair, and proceeded to tell him that I liked his car. I then told him, "one day I hope to trade in my Volvo for your car." He seemed amused and said "it is a contemporary mortal sin." I wished him a nice day and walked away. Allen and I had a chuckle in our car as we drove away. However his comment made me think - do I have any "comtemporary mortal sins" other than that car?

Do you ?

Sweet Baby Love!

Left to right: Donna, Gina & Antoinette

I recently attended a baby shower for Gina, a beautiful young woman I know. She is the daughter of my dear friend Antoinette. There is always love surrounding Antoinette, Gina and Donna (Donna is Antoinette's younger daughter - also beautiful inside and out). They are very close, and it warms my heart to see the immense love within this family.

Antoinette hosted a baby shower for Gina. Donna was in charge of the fun activities we participated in, and the women at my table were full of giggles and smiles.

The gay festivities on that Sunday afternoon made me think of love, hugs and kisses. I saw everyone from family relations to friends hugging one another. Women don't hesitate to embrace each other; it seems so natural, and it sincerely warms my heart. It is nice to shake hands with someone and covet their hands, however a hug represents the feelings of the heart coming through. It personalizes feelings. A hug gives and a hug gets at the same time.


The love in the room for Gina was evident beyond words. Approximately sixty women came together with love in their hearts to extend best wishes to Gina and Brian. I was teary-eyed at the love that was expressed so beautifully.

Shel Silverstein has insight

"Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me...Anything can happen, child. Anything can be."
A quote by Shel Silverstein

Profound words from a wonderfully talented Artist, Author, Philospher and all 'round genius. Can you tell I enjoy him? Everytime I read the book (below) I can feel my heart melt. If by chance, you've never read this book, run, don't walk to your favorite bookstore. You will position it high on the shelf, along with Shakespeare.

Please include the people of the world in your prayers tonight. ~Goodnight my friends.


The above quote is not in "The Giving Tree"

Coming soon...

to a garden near you.

This is a photo from Spring 2010. Right now, we have one wee yellow crocus poking her head up through the soil. I love color!

Sweet Baby Love!

Left to right: Donna, Gina & Antoinette

I recently attended a baby shower for Gina, a beautiful young woman I know. She is the daughter of my dear friend Antoinette. There is always love surrounding Antoinette, Gina and Donna (Donna is Antoinette's younger daughter). They are very close, and it warms my heart to see the immense love within this family.

Antoinette hosted the baby shower for Gina. Donna was in charge of the fun activities we participated in, and the women at my table were full of giggles and smiles.

The gay festivities on that Sunday afternoon made me think of love, hugs and kisses. I saw everyone from family relations to friends hugging one another. It seems that women don't hesitate to embrace each other. It seems so natural, and it sincerely warms my heart. It is nice to shake hands with someone and covet their hands, however a hug represents the feelings of the heart coming through. It personalizes feelings. A hug gives and a hug gets at the same time.


The love in the room for Gina was evident beyond words. Approximately sixty women came together with love in their hearts to extend best wishes to Gina and Brian. I was teary-eyed at the love that was expressed so beautifully.

Love

We have had a great weekend! Allen and I drove to Burlington, Vermont to see Andrea (our neice) in a play. The other time spent was visiting with her. The play was "Twelfth Night" by William Shakespeare. It was a fantastic production! Andrea played Maria, and she play it with wit, fancy and tremendous talent. Her voice is like a songbird. Oh, how I wish you could hear it. I am sure it would awaken your senses as it did ours.

Andrea is smart, heartfelt, and beautiful inside and out. She cares for her family and friends, and puts them in a pot of love...and she nurtures that pot of love. She's quick to smile, and also has much empathy for others in their time of need. I have always thought of Andrea as a shining star, and she is... to all who know her.


Just look at that smile!


Andrea and Allen

Turning 90 and feelin' fine!

My Mother's Birthday day was a great day and night. She received cards, flowers and telephone calls from friends and relatives. So happy!

Her favorite cake is strawberry shortcake, and we had one made to order. (By the way, the strawberries from southern California were sweet.) Mom loved it!

Flowers from her friend and neighbor Nora graced my Mother's table on the eve of her birthday. There was another beautiful vase of flowers from my friends and neighbors...Theresa and Mary. lovely!

All of us need glasses to read, and my Mother at the age of 90 does not. Simply amazing.

Mom and her two sons: Dan on the left, and Ross on the right. Ross flew in from Arizona, and made my Mother a very happy Mom.

A family photo with my Father there in spirit. From the left is me (in black), my Mother, Ross in back, my sister Mariann in front, and Dan on the right.

I had to grab Ross for a photo.

Have you ever wished...

Have you ever wished you could meet two people that are so important in your life...but you are unable to?

I wish I could have met Allen's parents. The photos I have seen, and the stories and compliments I have heard, makes me almost feel as if I knew them. But not quite. I know they deeply loved their children, family and friends. They taught their children to open their eyes to the world around them. They strongly believed in education, and gave all four of their children many wonderful opportunities to explore education in schools, and in the world around them. They were progressive on many levels, travelled around the world and lived by example. And...they loved their Old English Sheep Dogs: Seymour first, then Charlotte, then Truffles. Allen's Father only allowed one bumper sticker on his car, and it read "Teach Peace". This gives me an inkling as to what he (Ed) was about. Allen's Mother was called "Twink". Her birth name was Emily, however, the name Twink stayed with her throughout her lifetime. I have a strong feeling it was because of her twinkling blue eyes. So sweet.

The wonderful and humorous stories Allen and his three siblings tell of days and years gone by are very beautiful and heartfelt. The memory of their parents sit in a big part of each of their hearts. Quite a legacy.

A space of my own.

Photograph of "Woman Looking to Sea" by David Schock

We have a guest room on the second floor that is quite comfortable for anyone. They even get their own full bathroom. This room is also spacious enough to make a space of my own. Music, and a small water works fountain fills the room with tranquility. There is artwork and photography on the walls. And then there is my chair with an ottoman!

The chair is my place where I seep deeply into daydreaming (not the same as daydreaming at a red traffic light). I read, knit and nap there. I can watch the snow fall from the windows, and it is simply delightful and inspiring. I love this room. The walls are painted a summer sky blue. Overall it's "my space" and I love it very much. In the past, my "spaces" have been very different from each other, however, I always made room to carve out something for myself.

Will this make you smile?

I took this photograph last summer, when I felt loved by the sun. I hope it jogs your memory to a time when shovels and gloves were a distant thought.
I do love the sight of falling snow: the quiet and peace that it brings. HOWEVER...the above photo is what I am now starting to think about .



And for those of you who love those sunny days of Spring (who doesn't) when there is dappled sunlight through the trees, here's looking at beautfiul pansies. courtesy of sweet AbbyJ.
Are you thinking of the happy Spring sun?

Some things about me.

A special Thank you to the lovely Jessica at 24corners for presenting me with a Blogging Award.

The main premise is:

to write about oneself in order to let people know more about you. Instead of nominating others (there are so so many), I have decided to let you in on a few more "insights" about me. Okay fellow Bloggers, here it goes.

- When I walk into a stationary shop, I get an adrenaline rush. Shoes hmmm, not quite as much as the feel of fine paper. I know it sounds strange: paper over leather. Where have I gone wrong? :)

- James Taylor is one of my all time favorite singer/songwriters. His voice carries me away to a land of peace and sunshine. If only our World Leaders would listen to him.

- My favorite dessert is tiramasu.

- Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" gets played in our home on a regular basis.

- I prefer world literature for reading: Women writers as well as their Male counterparts. I also love poetry. It's the sugar in my tea.

- American-Italian is my background. I am an American first (having been born here) and am full of Italian heritage. I am one of four (second to youngest). My parents had two boys and two girls.

- My Father went across the Rainbow Bridge in 2004. His name was Rosario, he was a good man, and I miss him everyday.

- Nature is fascinating. The colors and hues of the sunsets during the four seasons amaze me. The winter sunset is full of pinks and lavenders. While the summer sunset is reflective of the hot oranges and yellows.

- Hearing people laugh is heart-warming: I especially love my Mother's giggle and my Husband's belly laugh. So great!

- Trust, humor and honesty are the basis for my friendships. I gladly recipercate. Friendships are extremely dear to me, and I hold them close.

- Attending Spin class is important for me. It helps me feel good with all those endorphins swimming around in my head.

- I strongly believe in the fairness and equality within the human race, animals included.

- Listening to my instincts is very important for me to do. I've learned that a knee-jerk action or reaction is not the way to live my life. My Father taught me to think things through. I get a better result.

- I am a romantic.

- I hope you have better insight about me. ~Kathleen

It's raining... umbrellas!

The umbrellas (two, three, and four) can be found at the Museum of Modern Art (NYC) here

I have an interest in umbrellas. Sometimes I wonder if it tells abit about someone's personality, or did they just grab the first one they saw in the closet. Some people view an umbrella as a functional object to shield themselves from raindrops. Other people have the need to make an artistic statement with colorful and/or bold patterns. There are those people, who in like the third photo prefer to look conservative, however, all the while walking with blue skies above them... with an almost secretive smile. It is almost like they know something no one else does.

I have two umbrellas. One is small in size: black with a white geometric pattern around the edges. I consider that my rather conservative one. The second and favorite umbrella is a melding of colors (pinks, greens, purples). Think Monet painting. When I purchased it, I knew that it will make me smile while missing the puddles.
What covers your head when it is raining?

Do you dare?

Isn't this photo adorable? Unfortunately, I can't remember where I found it...oops!

Now, in my opinion, she is being creative. Maybe that's alittle over the top for most people, however, my question to you is what have you done lately to be creative in anyway, shape, or form? I would love to hear from you!

A warm winter girl...that's me!

Plaque by Mary Engelbreit




Don't you just love hearing the dryer hum as it warms your bed sheets, pillow cases, blankets and clothes- specifically during the wintertime? When I was a kid, my Mother had a dryer and an outside clothes line for summertime use. As a kid, I would run through the white sheets or pretend that I was a mummy, until 'mommy' told me not to pull on the clothespins. When I was outside playing during the big snowstorms of the day, my Mother always had extra pairs of socks on top of the dryer at the ready. Still to this day, putting on warm socks is one of my favorite things.

White as snow...only warmer.

Artist: Orangery (Etsy). She is so sweet to e-mail with. I love her work!
A blanket of snow covered us while we were snug in our beds. So soft in the night. Although a snow storm may have its inconveniences, I still think it is a beautiful sight.

THINK BIG.

"The world of reality has its limits; the world of imagination is boundless." ~Jean-Jacques Rousseau



I sometimes tend to hold onto what is safe and reliable in my life. The familiar is so easy. However, lately I have been thinking about stepping out of my box into unchartered territory. The thought is exciting, yet scary. They are rather small steps, however, meaningful to me. I thank the blogging world for opening my eyes even further, to enlighten and help this flower to bloom.

Do you have a special one?

I know I have written about this cutie some time ago, however, the thought behind it is worth mentioning again. My Mother's favorite color is light pink, and she drinks her morning coffee from a light pink mug. Allen drinks his specialty tea from a handsome dark blue china mug that was once his Mother's.
It is nice to have a favorite beverage cup & saucer or mug with which to drink your coffe, tea, hot cocoa,etc.
We have a nice collection, as do most people. My most recent favorites: a heart shape cup & saucer which I adore....or my ole' time favorite Mary Engelbreit mug. It is a tough decision, but someone needs to do it.

Do you have a "special" cup & saucer or mug?
Happy Weekend!

All it took was a look...and I was hooked.

The Burlington Facade of the Royal Academy of Arts, London, England.

Artist: Timothy Richards

I received this beautiful work of art for Christmas. It is one of many arch doorways (the Burlington facade) of the Royal Academy of Arts - London, England. Created by Timothy Richards, it is one of a kind, made in Bath, England.

I could refer to it as a book-end, but would rather define it as a piece of architectural sculpture. It is difficult to capture the detail and beauty of this lovely work of art via digital camera. This particular photo was the one I chose. When I sit in our living room, I find myself staring at this beauty, admiring it. Now, all I have to do is go to the actual Royal Academy of Arts. Until then...I smile.