A soul of tamarind and saffron....

It all begins with a striking saffron wall

that runs the perimeter of

the Kahanda Kanda Boutique hotel

in Sri Lanka

Saffron ....the new mimosa.

or is mimosa the new saffron?

keep movin'.

An infinity pool overlooks the palm fringed jungle beyond...

Built as a private villa in 2000 by George Cooper

It has been turned into a chic and sassy boutique hotel

surrounded by a 12 acre tea estate.

Oh. how lovely

When you arrive you are welcomed with a chilled tea towel and a

refreshing tropical fruit drink.

...and why I ask does this not happen in my home...when I arrive?

I'm gonna research this! Pronto.

George...relaxing in his hand built paradise...
I'd be smiling too, by George.

Each of the five suites with names like Mango and tamarind suite are simply

and beautifully adorned

with Asian art work, antiques, romantic netting and private gardens...

One of the most beautiful features are the his and hers baths

adjoining each suite.

They house showers....that open to the starry skies above.

Nirvana...

As close to nature as you can get without sleeping under a palm!

They offer some wonderful looking health and well being programs

Yoga retreats...wellness retreats and weekends.

Um. Yes please.

'We use only fruits, vegetables and herbs grown on the estate along with a selection of the freshest local produce to create simple, fusion dishes and classic Sri Lankan curries to pamper our guests' palates with good health'

...Or just hang

between the palms...

pondering the mysteries and beauty of life...

..And nature

on the other side of this amazing world.

Who's In?

I've been Fifi-fied!

Fifi Flowers...even her name is full of color and light and all things

French!

She asked me to do a guest post for

her month long Paris Feast!

Check her out here...

tomorrow, as a culmination of the month

she is having a giveaway!!

Run...don't walk

I unearthed my old journal and some pictures

(I lived on the above street...well not ON the street, but overlooking it)

when

I went to school in Paris for a few months

~OY~

I've got to say...I laughed out loud at myself and my writing...

Lighten up, man.

Everything was so philosophical, and dripping with

faux erudite commentary

Just OY.

Go visit Fifi to see some more of my pics from 26 years ago.

Check out all of her Parisian Posts...

Visiting a Villa

On Sunday I volunteered for a charity event that was hosted by someone that lives in a home with a name. It may be commonplace in Europe for even small cottages to have a name and in fact, my husband and I stayed with friends in their tiny cottage called White Horse Cottage but it just isn't common to know many homes in my area with a name. Growing up in middle Georgia most of the surrounding farms had names (my favorite was One Horse Farm owned by the Crenshaws) but as far as I know the only names were applied to our subdivisions and streets.
The name of the home where the event was held was Villa di Luci. I should have done a bit of research about the homeowner before the day of the event because it might have helped me better understand and prepare for some of the peculiarities of the volunteer experience. It was quite interesting to assist with set up as the owner directed the placement of most every item being mindful of the rules of feng shui and being careful not to interrupt the flow of chi. It was a big deal just to set up the ticket tables. Even an outdoor tent had to be rearranged during the event because of the shifting of the sunlight!!! It was a fun event and I met some very nice people but it was an"experience" to say the least.
Please notice that one of the pillows by the pool was not perfect (bad chi I think)...oh well...it makes me chuckle to myself. Hope you enjoy the photos!

I'm hankerin' for a change...

I thought this was clever...

not stupendous, over the top.

Just clever.

Clean and clever.

Whad'ya think?

...And this guy?

Just making sure you're

payin' attention.

worked, right?



Pictures: House Beautiful

The List - Mah Jong

Do you have a list of things you plan to do in your lifetime? I keep a list of "to dos" and things I want to learn and slowly but surely I am able to check off an item that has become an accomplishment.

As my children were growing up our family hosted exchange students and we loved the experience. We hosted two students from Japan, one from Germany, one from Brazil and one from Kososvo. All of the experiences were different but with three of the students we were exposed to so many new learning opportunities and became lifelong friends. Our first student was a young man from Japan. He was with us for a full school year and throughout the time he was with us his mother was always sending goodies and gifts for the entire family. As his school year was drawing to an end, his mother sent me a Mother's Day gift that I have always treasured - a mah jong set. Hiroshi tried to teach me how to play before he left us but there wasn't enough game time before he graduated and returned to Japan. Since that time I have had in the back of my mind the hope and desire to find some fellow game players. I recently joined a group on Meet Up that promises to teach others but their meeting place is about 30 miles away.

This week at work I was mentioning to a friend my hope to one day learn the game and oddly he tells me that his grandmother is coming to town on Mother's Day weekend and that she is a master. He promptly calls her and asked if she would be willing to teach a small group how to play the game. Happily she was delighted by the proposal and I have found 2 others to join us in learning the game.

There are so many other "to dos" on my list but for now I am beside myself that I can finally use my beautiful Mother's Day gift from so long ago. Thank you Hiroshi.

A moment of tribute...

They have been our faithful servants,

our tireless comrades,

and our loyal friends.

giving us their all...

speed endurance power...

A gentle grace.

and flawless beauty

their unwavering trust.

their heart.

Godspeed to the 21 noble polo ponies

that lost their lives this

past weekend...

May their wild spirit

burn bright...

....and may they always

have green pastures.

...Follow me

if you will.....

down the sub tropical path

It's Earth Day for heavens sakes...

come on don't be shy...

get your feet a little sandy.

Up the spectacular

lantern lit steps...

slowly here...

Through the ancient door....


....To THIS!
It's a party...and I soo want to be invited.


Found these pix in my folders...
and wanted to share.
I know one is Raymond Jungles (ancient door)
and another is Tria's (lantern lit path)

But if you want to claim the others as yours
just let me know.

....




oh...and you maybe will want to get a restraining order too.

'cause I'm not leaving.

Nope.

An Award!!

Thank you Joy(aka Nana Joycee) at Granny Mountain for honoring me with the Attitude of Gratitude Award!!! It means so much to me because it means someone is actually reading my blog and on occasion is kind and thoughtful enough to share a comment. At the end of the day I look forward to reading the comments and it makes me especially grateful for blog friends.

Rules of Accepting and Sharing this Award

1.Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs that show an attitude of gratitude.

3. Link to your nominees within your post.

4.Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received this award.

5.Share the love and link to this post and the person who nominated you for the award. Tell us how you've come to have an attitude of gratitude.

We all have so much to be thankful for but our busy lives sometimes moves too fast and we forget to stop, enjoy and say thanks. Blogging and reading the blogs of others reminds me to stop and enjoy many of the simple joys and pleasures in life. In addition this experience blogging allows me to meet people from all around the world. For this I am grateful.
- Jojo

Please take a moment to visit some of my favorite blog friends whom share an Attitude of Gratitude on their blogs:

1. Heliotrope Tree House at http://cyndyava.blogspot.com/
2. Pat at Mille Fiori Favoriti
3. Sarah at A Beach Cottage
4. Becky at Wonders Never Cease
5. Pamela at From the House of Edward
6. Vicki Archer at French Essence
7. Mary at Little Red House
8. Mira at Belle Blanc
9. Noel at Fanciful Designs
10. Françoise at Home and Not

Lipstick Jihad

I just finished reading Lipstick Jihad and loved it. My girlfriend recommended that I read it as she has heard me share stories about being in an interracial marriage and facing challenges in raising a family and she thought that I would identify with many of the thoughts expressed in the book. In our house not only were there 2 cultures, there were 2 religions and we were living in rural Georgia. It is almost impossible for me to share the experience without getting somewhat emotional.

Lipstick Jihad provides a glimpse of life in Iran so the current headlines about Roxana Saberi has captivated my attention. The book is a wonderful memoir written by 24-year-old Azadeh Moavani. She is a young Iranian woman who grew up in California but decided to live and work as a journalist in Iran. As a young adult she shares the challenge of discovering who you are and where you belong. For those from mixed cultures or in this case, in diaspora, finding your place is a challenge, almost a quest.

Having just finished the Lipstick Jihad, I felt that I learned so much about Iran today and because this is all so recent, the headlines about Ms. Saberi has an extra connection. I will continue to pray for her swift release.

A Beach home tour...from our little town...

Are you in the mood for a bit of

Anglo-Caribbean

flavor...right here in Vero Beach Florida?

Bring your beach sandals...and a

favorite drink, perhaps with some fresh mint

Join me, will ya?

Gorgeous mahogany doors

sweep open

to a seemingly unending view of surf and sky.

Coralstone surrounds the doors...

come in...kick your sandals off..

The winding drive passes the guesthouse

with it's own garage

and coconuts and tropical foliage galore...

I think I may have even spied a lime tree.

The three bay garage has mahogany doors also!

Beautiful guest house ....

It has a lovely bedroom/living area

with a darling kitchinette.
Every window acts as a painting
to a beautiful tropical view beyond...

Inside the foyer of the main house,
a staircase leads you up to the second floor

...another peak at the guesthouse from the sunset balcony
two of the bedrooms have walk out loggias with spectacular views
of the liquid turquoise sea
ahhhh to wake to this scene each morning...
who would need coffee?

The third upstairs bedroom has views out to the sunset

in the west.

Each private en suite bath is better than the next

with unique use of stone and tile...

There are 5 bedrooms and 6 baths in the sumptuous villa.

back downstairs...the clean and cool colors replicate

the sand,

the tropical light

and the sea.

...A beautiful tribute to the stunning vista

out each window...

Local Page 2 Design

did an exquisite job putting together each detail in this home

My pictures, truly do not do it justice.

you could eat it with a spoon it was so

lovely!

Before we take a look at the kitchen,

check out the butlers pantry...

No stone left unturned...

equipped with a sub zero fridge,

drawer dish washer...

and an amazing bamboo in resin backsplash...Even the laundry room is gorgeous enough

to truly enjoy doing laundry.
But....It is the kitchen that moves my soul...

...Equipped with the finest culinary conveniences,

the kitchen includes beautiful custom cabinetry, a Calacutta Gold marble-topped island

and Antique black granite wraparound counter.

Sub-Zero paneled-overlay refrigerator plus freezer drawers, Sub-Zero wine cooler, 48” Wolf gas range with custom hood, Wolf microwave/convection oven, Miele dishwasher, and Gaggenau steamer.

The tongue-and-groove-paneled vaulted ceilings and Bois Chamois washed-finish oak floors continue into the open family/breakfast room with built-in sound system and French doors to the oceanfront loggia with summer kitchen.....

The Summer Kitchen off the family room has remote control

retractable screens...

Here...is the area with the screens up...

It has a cabana bath off of it...

A perfect place to enjoy a meal...with the Atlantic breezes

gently moving the warm air...

The house is certainly designed for outside living

with three seperate yet entwined outdoor loggias

around the pool area...

The master bedroom is a calming retreat

with it's own seperate loggia...

and those tranquil ocean views...

Heaven on a stick....

Truly.

Oh....and the backyard...

well.

No

words...

This tropical beauty is being sold with all of it's furnishings

check it out here...

Premiere Estate Properties

Ask for Linda Powell

....She will fix you up!