Sea Glass

Having grown up along the ocean I have always held a fascination with sea glass. The treasures in the sand were the blue ones. Royal blue was always my favourite but as the years pass by I am more and more inspired by the ones that reflect the colour of the sea. I collect them in little jars, bowls, bags and have even stooped to buying them. Heaven forbid! Either way they are an inspiration and I keep these photos tucked away for the day when I can use the colours again...

images via google

Soulful Women

I don't know which I am more excited about, Diana Krall's World Tour or that Madeline Peyroux and Melody Gardot will be joining her. What a fantastic line up. They all have amazing voices that just carry you away. If you enjoy their music, check this out: http://www.dianakrall.com/tour.aspx If you are not familiar with them then I urge you to go to http://www.apple.com/itunes/overview/  and sample their music. You won't regret it!

Images via Google 

Glorious Geraniums

I woke up this morning thinking of geraniums.  We lived in Connecticut and had a window where the sun streamed in all winter. I filled it with geraniums. They were beautiful. You could be playing outside in the snow on the coldest of days and there they would sit, in the window, in all their glory.  Spring is in the air as I fondly remember my window box of geraniums....

image created by me in Florence

Squisito!

Ever have that first bite of a meal when you know that you are about to have the most wonderful taste sensation?  The kind that makes you take a deep sigh and just say 'wow'? The kind that makes you so excited that you want to share the experience with everyone at your table? Well, this happened to us yesterday at Pendolino in Sydney. The dish is called SPAGHETTIA CHITARRA CON PESCE D'ACQUADOLCE with freshly-made Chitarra Spaghetti (saffron infused) with Barrumndi, Wild Prawns, Chilli, Capers, Garlic and Pinot Grigio White Wine.   I love Italian food and this was devine.  If you live in Sydney, intend to travel there or know someone who is ....tell them to make a reservation at Pendolino (www.penodolino.com.au ). Squisito!

images from Pendolino website

RASTA E BASTA

Quando l'ho trovato su youtube non ho resistito....continuo ancora a non capire come mai i miei genitori mi hanno lasciato dai nonni e non mi ci hanno portato visto che ci si divertiva così tanto.

Lucky girl

This is what I feel like when I have to pack for a trip. If only it were as simple as deciding on tea cups.  I also wouldn't mind looking as glamorous as this woman and I would definitely like to be sitting in that room.  Ok, I want to be her and not sitting here contemplating what to wear, what to pack and coming back and doing it all over again next week. I think this photo should be entitled 'procrastination'. A word I can easily identify with.  (lucky girl, I wouldn't mind that dress either..)

google image

UN POMERIGGIO AL "MMMMAALEEEEE"

Finalmente un pomeriggio al mare tutti insieme...o megli al "MMMAAALLEEE!!!!" come dice Teresa.
Ecco alcuni scatti di questa splendida giornata tutta in"famigghia".

Perfect Moment

I am posting this just for the fun of it. I was in Rangiroa, French Polynesia.  I had all the essentials with me that day....my camera, my ipod with my favourite song by Nina Simone 'My Baby Just Cares For Me' playing in the background, my journal, books, magazines and and a beautiful sunny day behind me. What do you do at a time like this, when you just don't want to move? You take advantage of the situation. Feet up... camera poised at the glass window in front of me and voila...you have a picture.....it was a moment in time and it was perfect!

Image created by me in Rangiroa

New England

It has been ten years since I have lived in New England but no matter where I am I still feel the weather at this time of year. It's in my bones. Spring is in the air in New Zealand but I always think of Autumn and the chilly days of October first. There can be no better time of year with the anticipation of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Let the festivities begin!

Images 1, 2 and 4 created by me along Cape Ann, Image 3 from www.Marthastewart.com

Mary's flowers

I love these photos.  My friend Mary has a beautiful home in Nantucket, the sort of home you never want to leave. We had just sat down at the end of a glorious summer day. The table was set, the wine was being poured and I thought it was one of those moments in time that needed to be remembered with a photo. I am so glad I did as it has brought me years of enjoyment.

Images created by me in Nantucket

Grace and Beauty

I came across a photo of Grace Kelly today which compelled me to look further. I will never forget seeing her in Rear Window with Jimmy Stewart at the cinema. You could hear people in the audience taking a deep sigh when she first came onto the screen. She was captivating. There are many photos of her but these are my favourite. She certainly was a woman of grace and beauty.

images via google search

Life Changing

It is funny how one thing can lead to the next. I popped into the local libary on Friday to see what was new and interesting. I came across 'THE BOOK THAT CHANGED MY LIFE- 71 Remarkable Writers Celebrate the Books That Matter Most to Them" by Roxanne J Coady and Joy Johannessen. ' A quick flick and I new this was going to need more time to take in. It has been like taking a journey into my past....Marjorie Morningstar, The Catcher in the Rye, The Count of Monte Cristo, Atlas Shrugged, A Room of One's Own, Hemingway's Collected Stories, To Kill a Mockingbird, Jane Eyre, The Great Gatsby and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn to name a few.

It is funny how we get so caught up with the latest books that we forget that there were so many great ones before them. I tried writing them down once, all those books going back 30 odd years and found it a mind boggling task. I have enjoyed this book and what the writers have had to say. I have now discovered a great little book store in Madison Connecticut, RJ Julia Booksellers. Not close but...I have registered for their newsletter, checked out their blog and am happy to have found both.

Now, back to the library to see what's next...

image from http://www.rjjulia.com

Travels: Blanket Bay NZ

There are so many wonderful things to do and see in New Zealand. As we now shift into departure mode I can not help but think of the places we have been. One in particular is Blanket Bay on the South Island of New Zealand. It was a 'weekend away' for us and it was just beautiful. These few photos manage to say it all.

images created by me...Blanket Bay, New Zealand

Essential Ingredients

I love to share books that I have read and enjoyed. This is one of them. If you haven't come across this yet, check it out. It will be at the top of my list for Christmas gifts.

From Publishers Weekly:

'In this remarkable debut, Bauermeister creates a captivating world where the pleasures and particulars of sophisticated food come to mean much more than simple epicurean indulgence. Respected chef and restaurateur Lillian has spent much of her 30-something years in the kitchen, looking for meaning and satisfaction in evocative, delicious combinations of ingredients. Endeavoring to instill that love and know-how in others, Lillian holds a season of Monday evening cooking classes in her restaurant. The novel takes up the story of each of her students, navigating readers through the personal dramas, memories and musings stirred up as the characters handle, slice, chop, blend, smell and taste. Each student's affecting story—painful transitions, difficult choices—is rendered in vivid prose and woven together with confidence. Delivering memorable story lines and characters while seducing the senses, Bauermeister's tale of food and hope is certain to satisfy.'
image from www.amazon.com

Daily Meditations

I discovered a website thru my wonderful Aunt Mary last year and love it. I receive a daily horoscope and another passage with words of wisdom. If you are interested, go to http://www.dailyom.com/ . Somedays it just lifts me up and inspires me. Other days, like today it just makes me laugh as this was the message for the day I created this blog.

Nurture Your Talents
Virgo Daily Horoscope
You might feel like doing something different today that may draw upon your many talents. Perhaps you want to engage in some form of creative activity that uses your gifts to their fullest. Organizing or hosting an event or starting a new project around the house could be ways for you to focus on your creative side while also doing something practical and interesting. Before starting your projects today you might consider reflecting upon what you most like to do. Thinking about this could give you ideas for incorporating activities into your day that use your creative and intellectual resources. This approach can be stimulating and inspire you to seek new and innovative approaches to your projects.
Doing activities that fully utilize all of our talents nurtures every aspect of our being. Many of us have numerous tasks we do because of our obligations and responsibilities. While we are able to complete these activities, they are not always things that stretch us beyond our limits. Knowing what we have a knack for motivates us to move in new directions and gives us the desire to develop ourselves. When we are engaged in our lives in this way, we are using everything that we have been given to bring joy and pleasure to our lives and the lives of those around us. By trying something today that makes full use of your gifts, you will nurture and nourish the creative and talented side of your self.

image created by me ... Blue Mountains, NSW Australia

Collage of Life

There is nothing worse than being homesick, 
especially the kind that reaches right in and sits heavy on your heart. 
I found the best way to 'let it all out' was to create a painting that represented 
everything I felt at the time. I discovered many things about myself 
and thru the months it took to create the painting I slowly felt at ease 
and found comfort. The images and words are 'home'. 
 It has been several years since I created it and to this day 
it still brings a smile every time I see it. The driving force are the words 
in the center of the painting.. 'Shape the thought that stirs within.' 
I called the painting 'Collage of Life'. 
It seemed a natural for the name of this blog as well. 
It has become another outlet for me to shape the thoughts that stir within.

painting~ me

8-BIT RAMP SESSION

NUOVI ASCOLTI

Con questo enigmatico titolo gli ZEN CIRCUS ci offrono il loro punto di vista sul nostro bel paese...e non bisogna storcere il naso sui testi...l'Italia del 2009 è anche questa!!!!
Supportate e sopportate....

UN NUOVO EROE

Almir Jusovic 2009 - watch more skate, snow, surf, and moto videos

GRINDANDOSBARAZZINONELTARDOPOMERIGGIO

TRAMONTO DI FUOCO