Beauty in the Everyday – Page 9

February 7, 2010 / 0 Comments

Pear Shaped Zen

While doing a little research for some vintage chocolate moulds, I came across a site that lead me to a Reuters article from September 2009. The article was about a Chinese farmer who has spent the last 6 years perfecting his idea.

What is his idea? Baby shaped pear Buddhas. Little bites of green, yellow freckled Zen. The pears take 6 months cocooned in their moulds to take on the baby shape that they become. These were just too cute not to share and frankly, I think they might be too cute to eat as well!

You can find the article by clicking on the picture here:

November 17, 2009 / 0 Comments

Je reve en Francaise

Je reve en Francaise, or I dream in French. I was starting a little Christmas shopping this morning and as I was looking at French General’s website, I saw these stickers and they made me smile! We pretended to be French last night and made Julia Child’s “Chicken with mushrooms” for dinner with garlic whipped potatoes and steamed green beans.

It was the most wonderful comfort food for a cold day and it made me long for Paris. I wanted to wash the dishes, grab our coats and scarfs and head out to one of our cafes along the river, for a glass of wine and a little jazz.

One of our favorites is a little place called, Le Petit Pont. They give you baskets of hot salty popcorn to munch on while you imbibe and there is usually a good jazz singer at the piano. It is wonderful sitting outside under the toasty warm lamps and just taking in Paris.

I dream in French, I dream of France; especially this time of year when the weather has turned and the Christmas markets will soon be up. The joy of Christmas shopping in Paris, where your gifts are beautifully wrapped and stopping at Angelina’s for a hot chocolate is a must in the frosty weather.

But, Paris is not in the cards at the moment, so I will just have to continue to reve en Francaise.

Visit French General’s website if you have not before. Kaari Meng’s books are so beautiful , I have given them many times as gifts, they are a treasure to go back to again and again.If for nothing else than to just stare at the sumptuous images.Click on the Image above to go to French General’s website.

(All Images copyright French General)

September 25, 2009 / 0 Comments

Arise & Shine

I woke up this morning to sunlight beaming through the space between the window frame and the shade. I drew the curtain to the side and peeked out to see the sun lighting up the trees across the street, like they were on fire. The leaves are just turning that pumpkiny orange, but green is still peeking through.

The dew on the grass just glistened like diamonds in this morning’s sun. You can tell that the sun has changed, it is moving into “Winter Sun” mode. The quality of the color of light is becoming more white, more lemony.

I heard geese for the first time this season yesterday evening. Their honking announced their arrival long before I could see them. They flew over the cottage in their “V” formation heading to the pond on the common. The ducks will have to make room for them now.

August 12, 2009 / 0 Comments

Indian Summer

I love this painting by Andrew Wyeth. What a talented man he was! His work is at times almost a photographic snapshot of time. It makes me think of Indian Summer, when the days are still warm but the nights are cool. I imagine his muse sitting on her stool with a slight chill from the breeze, but still a warm back from the sun pouring forth. The first taste of fall flits over the windowsill in the form of a crispy leaf.

My Nana, first used the term Indian Summer to me to describe this time of year. When I was little I associated it directly with Native Americans and dreamed of the seasons changing because the Indians living in their cozy teepees willed it to be so, what an imagination I had! Indian Summer is upon us here in England, the sunlight is just beginning to change, you notice a difference in the quality of light almost at times a purer light. There is also a difference in the sounds outside.

I love this time of year as it means that fall is coming and bringing with it, crispy fragrant apples and warm orangey pumpkins, witches hats and turkeys. But, this time of year also makes me sad to see the Summer end and another school year begin. I enjoy my time with my family too much and when school begins the schedules change, the relaxed atmosphere gets a little more hectic and the pace of life never seems to slow down and then I find myself longing for Summer once more…