How Fast Can We Go?

Most of us are accustomed to juggling but last week and this week both home and work seem to be moving at such a rapid speed that I can't keep up! Have you ever noticed those signs on the interstate that post a minimum speed? Well I fear that I am going to be ticketed shortly! Sometimes life just comes at us at all angles and so for the time being I remain a turtle. Slow and steady, I am determined to make it to the finish line.

At least for a moment while I stop and type up this message I am taking a break from all the many demands that life is sending my way. Meanwhile my niece (10 years) called earlier this evening as she was working on a Christmas card. What a happy thought. It gave me a mental break just to stop and talk about silent nights and Christmas tree lights. If your September is anything like mine I hope you will stop do something pleasurable and take a deep breath in between tasks. I keep reminding myself to do the same.

Tropical jewels...

They find me...more than I find them. Little jewels.

Take a few moments. Breathe slowly, deeply.

In through the nose...

Filling all of those empty spaces.

Picture yourself in tropical Bali.

The scent of jasmine and cinnamon.

Color awakens your senses...

Textures soothe your soul....
You have time to collect...just be.
The doors are always open. the air fresh and sweet...

Inside and outside blend perfectly...blurring the edges.

Fresh fruit, abundant.

Art in the details...
Relax...
Be.


Villa Kirana...in the verdant heart of Bali ...

...arguably one of the most beautiful, fully-appointed five bedroom private rental villas in Bali. It overlooks the Ayung river gorge with breathtaking views of Bali's major volcano range and distant rice field terraces....

A touch of sugar...

Ahhh...Tranquility in a can...

Source: Met home

Hurricanes

My friend just moved to Houston so tonight Ike is on my mind. I just called to check on her and she said the city is in a frenzy but they have provisions and are prepared for the coming storm. It was interesting to learn that gas prices jumped from $3.50 to over $4 today. It just so happens that this girlfriend grew up in Orlando so dealing with tornadoes and hurricanes have been part of her growing up but for me I am still worried. When I called to check on her I had to confess that I have always wished that I could hunker down and experience one of these storms. The part of the country where I live we do get plenty of rain from storms and sometimes tornadoes but not the hurricane.

One of my childhood friends emailed me yesterday from coastal South Carolina. She too has seen plenty of these storms but her viewpoint of the storm is more focused on maintaining shoreline and protecting the coastline.

While I am not sure what your weekend weather might be, I hope that you have time to enjoy some candlelight and time together with your loved ones whether it is rain or shine.

baring my soul on a wednesday afternoon...

I collect old gasoline numbers.

why? Dunno

I don't fix bookcases in Library/office to look nice...we generally use the shove 'em in method.

Why? Dunno.

This pillow scares me and makes me laugh...all in the same moment.

Why? Dunno. {Boo}

Now... I just love these little guys...Ex-Votos.
They always make me smile.

And... that above? I dunno.

Have any of your own peculiarities you care to share???

My Ex Voto

Just a few weeks ago I purchased a beautiful antique Italian ex voto to mark the entrance of my house. I thought it would be the perfect thing to remind me of answered prayers and life's many blessings. Many times you might have noticed these items on blogs, in decorative magazines and in other places. They are often pictured as hearts sometimes with small religious markings, adornments in silver, gold, enamel or sometimes even jeweled. I have seen some that were made into lockets for holding a prayer inside. Some of the ex votos were designed with a small flame attached to illustrate the Sacred Heart, such as the one that I purchased. Here is a picture of the one that I bought and hung in my entrance hall. To me the Sacred Heart ex votos are some of the most beautiful.

For those of you not familiar with an ex voto, Wikipedia says: An ex-voto is a votive offering to a saint or divinity. It is given in fulfillment of a vow (hence the Latin term, short for ex voto suscepto, "from the vow made") or in gratitude or devotion. Ex-votos are placed in a church or chapel where the worshipper seeks grace or wishes to give thanks. The destinations of pilgrimages often include shrines decorated with ex-votos. Ex-votos can take a wide variety of forms. They are not only intended for the helping figure, but also as a testimony to later visitors of the receieved help.

Not quite harvest...but orange...

I know, I know...most of you are hunkering down

with fall colors, and visions of pumpkins and harvest...

Fall isn't as cozy here, yet...it's warm and sun kissed

wet and humid.

but, I give you a tad of Orange ...

Hacienda Puerta Campeche

...in, you guessed it, Campeche, Mexico.

Surrounded by the clear sun warmed Gulf and Carribean waters.

It is a beautiful 17th century Colonial estate, made up of several buildings...
and 15 suites... should you want to visit
Look at this bathroom... with streaming sun, and a chaise...

Above photos: Architectural digest

It's the pool that looks most amazing to me...built upon and in the ruins

of the hundreds of year old structure. Like swimming amongst the

Mayan history...through doors of time.

Hacienda Puerta Campeche....

opening the door to another time and place.

..Back to your regularly scheduled fall activities.

Carry on.