Afternoon Tea & Coffee

Thank you Betty and Dom for your thoughtful visit. Your company made me wish there were more hours in the day, not just to plan... but to dream of all things lovely and beautiful!

Strange how a teapot can represent at the same time the comforts of solitude...

...and the pleasures of company. - Author Unknown

(Domonique & Betty photo editing)

There's so much sweetness in the company of friends. I, for one am glad this small occasion took me away from my work today. Here we are planning for our upcoming Fall Fest. With Betty & Louis graciously hosting this year, Dom and I are delighted to help co-host. There's truly something special when us friends and family gather to celebrate the season together; to enjoy the last glorious and delicious days of autumn before it's gone too soon.

lemon madeleines, three-cheese english thyme scones, dark chocolates,

and the cutest petite sugar cookies that looked like they've been kissed by fairy dust--- lovingly made by Lucia and Bruno.

Pile-up

Piling-up scones... Don't ask me why. Every night this week I've taken a twenty-minute break; breaking away from piles of work to bake scones. Experimenting. It's become a strange yet wonderful obsession. Sweet cream, cheese, chocolate, and blueberry flavored scones. Tomorrow night, herb scones.

This season has been one of the most challenging and difficult times in my career. Endless work, sleepless nights, talks with God. It makes me smile (and my husband too) to see my stress pour into my hands, kneading, creating, sugar sprinkled happiness--- if only for twenty minutes, for now.

Love in Autumn

"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an affect on the feelings, as now in October." - Nathaniel Hawthorne

Getting married in autumn (nine years ago) is a beautiful time recorded in our memory. Under the canopy of golden leaves, we look back to see where we've come and dream about what lies ahead... Oh so much more!

Thank you for staying with me here. Let's reconnect...