Inspire!

Six Senses Saturday

“The earth and every common sight, to me did seem appareled in celestial light, the glory and the freshness of a dream.” ~William Wordsworth Six Senses Saturday was something I started right before my blog went on sabbatical early this past summer… Someone recently told me they liked it…so, I’m going to start making this…

Relaxing Ritual~Iced Sleepytime Vanilla

Well…it’s 86 degrees outside! Time to make more iced tea! I love icing tisanes (herbal ‘tea’ infusions) for sipping in the evenings when the temperature gets above 80. One of my favorites…Iced Sleepytime Vanilla by Celestial Seasonings. mmmmmmm….. ice some and see for yourself. It’s all at once relaxing, refreshing and healthy. Enjoy! ~Melissa

Writing Under the Oaks~Artisan Cheese & Crackers for One

“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” ~William Wordsworth The sun was shining bright through the canopy of oak trees when I took my notebook and a pile of magazines out to the deck yesterday afternoon. I also brought my sparkle pen which was a gift from my friend Tracy…it ‘bedazzles’ my hand…

Words To Live By

I ordered this vintage British poster for the wall above the desk in my studio. Love it! I’ve started a “quote wall.” I’m framing all of my favorite quotes so all I have to do is look up at the wall while I’m working to get inspired. This one is going in the center 😉…

Relaxing Ritual ~ Autumn Walks

Jeff and I take a walk together every morning after seeing Gracie off to school. The school bus drives away, and the next half hour or so is ours. Some mornings, like this morning, are beautiful. Often we bring mugs of tea with us and we talk about our plans for the day, or what…

I will not apologize for being who I am.

This is one of my favorite quotes. I’ve said this before, and recently I’ve felt the need to say this again. I will not apologize for being who I am, and neither should you. If some people feel threatened by your success, or if they’re just mad at you for being happy because they’re miserable,…

Thanks For Askin’

A few of you have written, asking what I’m up to… Well, other than having tea al fresco, and writing about other worlds, and cooking new and interesting meals and cleaning, and hanging out with my favorite people… I’ve been shopping at the farmer’s market… and buying the ingredients for Vickie’s Lebanese Zucchini. Doing illustrations…

Relaxing Ritual~Tea Time

“It’s always tea time.” ~Lewis Carroll Alice in Wonderland I’ve been taking pictures of tea scenes for the tea book and thought I’d share one of my favorite relaxing rituals with you. Tea time outside. Taking time for tea is a relaxing ritual I’ve been enjoying for years. Everything about tea relaxes me… Choosing a…

# 11 and #74

#11 I started posting a “word of the day” on the bistro board that hangs on our dining room wall… My commitment for the “Day Zero” Project is to expand my vocabulary by 100 words in the next 1001 days, but I think I love this word a day thing too much to ever stop.…

Gifts From the Garden

“Plants cry their gratitude for the sun in green joy.”  ~Astrid Alauda Another gorgeous autumn day! The sun didn’t join us until later in the afternoon, which was okay because my friend Nancy and I were busy making magic in her kitchen. We talked and talked while we cleaned and cored bushels of apples… plunged…