It's raining in New England.
Yet it is entirely beautiful. My background is Portuguese and English, two very seafaring cultures. I'm drawn to this place with it's endless shorelines, seafaring vessels and crab cakes. Picked up a lost chunk of my soul here for sure.
Blackened haddock for dinner. Could have eaten two of them. Just the cries of seagulls had me at hello.
Wish you were here.
xo Gillian
If you like food, and you love photography...do check out Food Practice by Elena Rego. Her knowledge of all that is delicious and healthy meets her passion for shooting it. Do have a visit.
When you need more information on bits & baubles then sign up for Christine Mason Miller's "Inspirational Bits & Baubles" newsletter. Everything she touches turns to gold so make sure you jump on board for this gem!
Look who is still firing up cosmetic sales since 1978! This ain't your grandma's cosmetic company anymore. Go online to shop for beauty and to make yourself feel just wonderful. I just happen to know the most knowledgeable and driven sales consultant also. Give her a try if you are in the GTA. She'll hook you right up.
Okay, now I really am out of here! Off to enjoy my sunflowers, my gladiolas, my family & my weekend. Cheers to all of you! The photo was taken in, yes, you guessed it...Jordan. xoxo
p.s. if you would like to join in on the Google+ fun, let me know and I'll email you an invitation. Warning, it's too much fun :)
I love modern technology. Just when you think I'm home posting to Typepad, swooosh!!! I'm actually doing other things. Typepad is wonderful enough to allow blog updates that are timed. So very, very cool. I should use this feature all the time.
So, now instead of blogging on a Friday night I can write to you when things are fresh and lovely and then just time them to magically appear on Friday night. Friends of mine have used this feature for years but not I. Nope. I learn the difficult way.
Shown above is a lovely market in Amman, the Al Afghani Bazaar. Lots of treasures to be found there, be sure to load up on sweets when in Jordan...there is a ton to choose from. Rugs woven by hand in the Bani Hamida mountains, gold and more gold in the souks, also there are these tiny drippy little sweet honey encrusted pastry thingies that will make you lose your mind. Of course, as shown above, lots and lots of boho-ish Gypsy-ish Bedouin antique silver jewelery. But, you needn't spend anything there. The best treasure is to be found by using your eyes, ears and heart when in Jordan. No money required.
THIS is very cool, it's practically magic too. Instagram + Blurb= Instant LOVE <3 I am excited to get started on making my first book. I have so many Instagram shots that I love, and after sending Postagram's to all and sundry this gives me a new outlet with which to torture friends and family! I'll show you the results when they are in! Exciting!!
OH! and last but most certainly not least, a simple cupcake recipe that is sure to dazzle you beyond your wildest dreams. Have a sweet weekend. xo
Light As Air Magic Cupcakes
2 eggs 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup margarine 1/2 cup self-rising flour
Oven to 350, put ingredients all into a big beautiful bowl. Double this recipe for 24 cupcakes, it only makes 12. Whip it all together with your wire whisk, until smooth as smooth can get. Line cupcake tins with paper liners, fill each half full with the cupcake mixture. Bake 18 to 20 minutes until golden. Springs back to the touch when done. Cool and decorate with lots of sweet goodies, or just ice to perfection. Buttercream works nicely.
Mary Oliver has a poem called *bone* which gives me chills. It speaks of soul, of longing, of oceans and of knowing the golden sand lays 'neath the gray sea waves (like the knowing of our soul existence 'neath this soft watery exterior).
You will find that poem in her collection titled "Why I Wake Early" and you won't stop there...no. I'm certain you'll linger over this book for eternity.
Notice the poet takes us to the details we oft times overlook? That is the job of the poet-to point. We need only to give our full attention and look to where she points.
Today I awoke (early) and exclaimed "White Rabbit!~" For last night before the fat rains and cracking thunder my eldest and I shared a dish of salted green pistachios & a girl movie & she regaled me with that of which she knows for sure. Listening to her speak makes my heart burst with pride, (not knowing whatever small act of karma was responsible for the gift of her in my life or perhaps it was just sheer luck) and my mind open to the knowledge that only eleven year olds are privy too.
One thing she did share with me was the old English superstition of waking on the first day of the new month and saying "White rabbit," before saying anything else. This brings the sayer good luck for the whole month~!
She had us all in a tizzy making sure we remembered, the six year old mini version of her, her little sister, marking up a pink post-it note to stick on the closet door in front of the bed as a reminder! Well the funny thing was, it stormed so loudly and raged on for hours and the dog was panting and shaking and the eldest girl and I crept around the black house staring out the windows at the storm (fascinated with nature) and so when we finally went up to tuck her into bed with her fan on {to drown the noise of course...} the little one sat bolt upright in bed like a mini-Bella Lugosi and with zombie eyes and a squeaky cute little voice said at the top of her lungs "White rabbit!" then fell back asleep within seconds. The eldest and I were in hysterics.
Whatever your superstitions, whatever your poetry, whatever brings you joy and love and good karma this August...I wish it all for you and more. xoxo
Buzzy Friday afternoon. Not the bees...me! I'm buzzing from sucking back coffees. Wild mountain blueberry, sweet summer raspberry {fave so far!}, and if course...of course! butter toffee. I used to dislike coffee so much, but my new schedule of working 24 hours a day has me needing more of this jet fuel to keep me going.
Happy Fathers Day to all of the wonderful dads out there, mine especially! This Sunday tell Dad you think he's the bees knees.
Love,
Gillian xo
Well, well, well. I found a delightful little book! Summer is my season to get down and dirty with a stack of books so...I went out in search of a few titles. Some came my way by chance also from my mother (love her SO!) and some just magically fell into my hands once I spied them on the shelf, as a magnet is drawn to steel. {pick me! pick me! they seem to whisper}
So delightful is the one book I chose in fact, that I read it nearly cover to cover yesterday and it was full of intoxicating goodness; words as wine upon the lips. It is Photography and the Art of Seeing: A visual perception workshop for film and digital photography by Freeman Patterson. A must read for any creative person. As this book wakes you up not only to the creative potential in your photography but would do the same for any avenue in your life as an artist or otherwise. There is a zen about this book that I just drank up. This is but one of quite a few the author wrote so I plan to load up on them all. 'Cause it's a season to be intoxicated with wisdom, words, wine & spirit.
Speaking of intoxication; WOW to this photo (aptly named The Dreaming, coincidence I assure you...!). I'm happy to have stumbled across this gentleman's flickr stream. I always wonder what treasures lie in flickr, and this is such a gem. Colin Vincent you are a genius.
Photography is expression, so when done with soul and passion that will shine through. I believe that with everything that I am and over a plate of lime toast and coconut coffee this morning I perused another form of expression...that which I found in my friend Patty's blog-"inside the makeup case". This woman has impeccable makeup everyday, she rocks the wildest colours and coolest ideas you've ever seen on a face and makes it look perfect. She is "whiplashes" on Instagram so give her a follow. She's not just a pretty face; she's a photographer too. (p.s. Patty and I met in esthetic school and she had a different colour of perfect polish on her nails everyday.)
Oh how could I leave out a crazy fun evening at the spa we have coming up? I almost forgot...Firefly Creative Writing is coming July 12 to Dance That Pen! This is a sweet little workshop for women who want a juicy date with their creative side. Together, we’ll create a fun, inspiring space to fill pages with words — tiny stories and micro-memories, rants and letters and questions. Come expecting to laugh, share, surprise yourself, and support others on their own unique creative paths! If you are in the Toronto area and wish to sign up for this event, simple click the above link and follow the trail of breadcrumbs. We'll have a howling good time with Chris Kay Fraser she's a crazy gal! She'll help us get intoxicated with wicked words and wonderful stories...we all have them inside so let's get them out.
With so much intoxicating goodness from the buzzing bees outside my window to the carafe of wine decanting for tonight's supper, I'll leave you with a song that will surely lull you into a deep summer complacency.
SEE with your eyes, express yourself through your life be that with a camera in your hand, a pen or a makeup brush. Refuse to stop seeing and start expressing.
xoxo
*photo of my young daughter running taken by me yesterday afternoon during a game of Man on the Moon ;)
Morning came much faster than I anticipated. I'm in a pink mood so if you see me at the little spa you'll see why. The world is afresh with the hum of insects and the chirping of birds...the grape jelly on my toast is making my inner child leap in fits of yellow! (I don't really overdose on yellow... but after years of brushing it to one side I feel it deserves it's moment in the sun.)
I'm hopscotch, fluffy clouds and dresses. Dancing madly and bright spring makeup. A dab of floral perfume and some fun kicks. Friday...you have a splendid energy you do.
xo
Today's ring selection. A pink robot. Why would I wear anything else today!?
{Borrowed from my eleven year old daughter Olivia's collection of fine jewelry.}
Ever notice I let you draw your own conclusions? (Let's keep it that way. After all, I write the blog but YOU live your own life. Cool.)
Fillin' up your love cup kids. {{Hug}} from me, to YOU. Keep on keepin on. The world needs more of you. xo
Bella, mucho love to you and your good work.
p.s. We found both the nest (abandoned) and the egg (turfed) on the lawn this week. Little B was worried about the egg. Nurturing is built in. Intrinsic. You need not be a mother to mother. xoxo
Check this out. What a view, and great music too.
The alchemy? Lit from within, the divine resides in YOU.
Happy Wednesday.
xo
I was craving one of those rather large chewy pretzels with the enormous chunks of salt on them, and so since none were handy had to settle for a big bowl of salted, buttered popcorn.
Our day was peppered with splashes of green glee; despite the rain. We worm-gazed and strolled languidly home. To us these are the old standards. Holding hands and discussing ordinary things expressed rather poetically; "Did you know that blood tastes like the smell of pennies?" she asks me. "No, no I wasn't aware of that. Sounds about right though," I assure her.
Longer silences while kicking stones and stopping to see the worms once more. "When we get home can you play that song that sounds like the smell of pyramids?"
"Sure babe."
xo
Enjoy your day and whatever curiosities float through your window....may they bring you heaps of richly spiced dreams & salted caramel wishes~
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