Pure Imagination

Hold your breath, make a wish, count to three

Come with me and you'll be in a world of pure imagination

Take a look and you'll see into your imagination

We'll begin with a spin, traveling in the world of my creation

What we'll see will defy explanation...

... There's no life I know to compare with pure imagination

Living there you'll be free

If you truly wish to be

Pure Imagination - Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

I've recently acquired a magical door.  Today of all days I felt the need to stop all plans and bring it to life.  So I spent a couple of hours with paint and brushes in hand tending to this delicate piece of wood.  I'm done painting.  It's midnight and instead of feeling a sense of accomplishment (I should breathe a sigh of relief and sleep), I feel a sense of wonder. I am wide awake and dreaming...  Perhaps you are too.  

A Fairy is making her way to Lavender Hill.  I hope to have her lock and key ready and relocate this magical door outdoors in time for her arrival.  Can't wait!      

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart.

- Celia Thaxter

You could say I've been on a summer hiatus.  June, July and August have taken me (and my darling husband) across the country and across the ocean to be with my dearest friends and families.  I have so many adventures to share with you so I hope you'll stay tuned, and I will try my best to slowly but surely begin...   

Provence

 with Lillian and Sarah

 New York City

 with Sydney and Izzy

 Chicago

 Ally

 San Diego

 with Ting-Ting and Kat

 Chicago

Jack and Sophie

 Ann Arbor

 Lavender Hill

For now, we are enjoying being home.  Nesting at our beloved Lavender Hill.  I hope summer (not to mention, spring!) has brought you abundant joy. Embraces- M

In Between Days

Six months later... Remember the times I said, I would write more, share more, do more? I've shared the past six months with some of you (albeit briefly over the phone or mail) and I've definitely done so much more than I thought I would, but sadly I have not written to you here until today. How are you? Are you enjoying springtime? I'm doing well and spring has brought pretty colors and sweet scents here in Lavender Hill.

We just celebrated my husband's birthday and will soon welcome mine. So here I am reminiscing about last year; thinking about this year and the days in between.

last year's birthday date

celebrated with my bob, ameet and ally

proud and happy moment

patrick's graduation

msu nurse anesthesia class of 2011

celebrated mother's day

celebrated angie's happy 30th birthday!

celebrated life and love with melissa & david

my old (and first) digital camera finally died

believe it or not, this was the little gadget used to take all the pictures on this blog

it's been replaced by a canon, love it!

one of the many sweet holiday displays

at the drake hotel in chicago

adorable advent calendar which i filled with assorted chocolates

merry christmas

mistletoe

holiday baked goods:

almond biscottis

mocha log cakes

almond and pistachio nougat

2011 christmas tree

bob and i and a pixie

nico et belle

me and kuya dohn

niece sophie and nephew jack

on christmas eve at lolo & lola's home

a cute moment on christmas morning.

my husband discovered his childhood toys

in his old bedroom and began to play with them

new year's sunny day

homemade doughnuts. delightful!

updated french specs in saint james ne de la mer

winter's light snow fall on lavender hill

a drive by the river and the woods
meet my new cutie-pie: ben-the-fiat

(we had to say goodbye to bertha-the-rover)

cooked my first paella

baked my first tarte tatin

one of many thoughtful greetings and treats

i received while i was off recuperating...

nested here for two weeks

recycled anthropologie catalog...

...new book cover for my bible

surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and i will dwell in the house of the lord forever.
psalm 23:6

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.