Artful Journey

It's a mail day! Surprise from a pen pen..absolutely delighted! A letter and a few small presents! Wow! I was so happy with this. I love a handwritten note. In a digital world, there is something nostalgic and heartwarming about receiving a handwritten note in the mail. A small, but special pleasure such as this would have been more than enough to brighten my day.  But wait, because there was more, a colorful flower bookmark and a little hand made tea bag holder. My pen pal made the tea bag holder with some Susan Branch fabric.  Maybe my new motto will be, have teabag, will travel! And of course, I won't forget a book. I just finished reading the highly recommended, 84 Charing Cross Road, about a 20 year relationship forged by mail between a bookseller in London and the author, Helen Hanff of New York. Although Helen never travelled to London, a warm and lasting friendship developed between the bookshop employees, their families and Helen. The book was adapted to a pl...

Susan Branch....yay! she signed them for us! Before we went to Ireland, Fi and I attended a Love of Literature luncheon hosted by South Shore Stars.  It is their annual fundraiser for RISE... Reading is so Exciting.  For me, this couldn't be more accurate. As my local librarian recently told my daughter, " I love your mom, she is open to anything." So true, but being a cautious person, my adventures are limited to between the pages of a book.   Still, I would say it's a great way to experience adventures, get a taste of other cultures,  gain a different perspective, be entertained while learning, and expand your world. If you haven't picked up on it, I am a life long lover of books.  And sometimes, I have had the chance to meet an amazing, interesting, kind, heartwarming author/artist. Tea with Susan Branch. I love Susan's style and whimsical illustrations, recipes and books, so I was excited to attend this tea.  Even though Susan said she is reall...

It's Friday, and the start of what looks to be a warm weekend.  There's a good chance that we will be heading to Cranes Beach, armed with sunscreen and a wide brimmed hat...that Irish skin really needs protecting.  As part of my garden transformation, I need to get some beauties in the ground today. Last weekend, we hit our local garden center....oh, the color! A feast for the eyes.  What a selection of Hydrangeas...the blooms were just enormous.  I had seen similar sized ones last year when we visited the Columbia Road flower market in London with Onz and David, but had never seen them in the US.  Amazing, they are the size of dinner plates. All I can say is wow! and double wow! And then I am a sucker for roses...take a look at these beauties. I lost  a rose bush last year, and am trying to decide which one to replace it with. A few more trips may be required before I make up my mind. In the meantime, I have some snapdra...

My friend CJ encouraged me to start blogging, and I have really enjoyed it. It is another creative outlet and provides a connection to so many creative people to learn from. As I have added blogs that I am following, I have also been inspired. I was oohing and aahing over Susan Branch's Easter decorations, and decided to add a bit to mine. Easter decorations. Although Easter is over, looking at the display makes me happy, so I will leave it up a little longer. Taste the Magic of Every Moment of Every day. Always on display are a picture of my kids when they were little. I bought the frame when I was in Belfast.  I thought it was perfect caption for the photo of little ones devouring a huge slice of watermelon. Nish bought the demitasse cup  for Fi when we went to An American in Paris.  What a night! Out to dinner and followed up by sipping champagne at the show. The little ceramic art studio was a gift from Onz. It was made by Beth S Macre, who I found on instag...