inspired by my mom

I am incredibly blessed with a mom who is AMAZING. What would I do without her? Who would I be without her? She's spending a couple of days with me while my husband is out of town. Quality time with my mom is never overrated.  

  

flowerful friday

With so many flowers in bloom now, we have our own technicolor bliss to enjoy.

Happy Friday!

the cat days of summer, part 2

Nino can't seem to get enough of these hot summer days! Isn't he the very picture of relaxation? 

the cat days of summer, part 1

We've had unusually high temperatures lately, and there are more forecasted. I am partial to this weather, but my fondness for the heat doesn't even compare to our cat Nino's love for warm days filled with sunshine. Whenever possible he is stretched out, lounging in the sun on our screened-in porch. 

Did I ever mention that he has quite a cushy life?  ;-)

words to live by...

I know so many friends who are faced with trying times and difficult situations - who hasn't found themselves in the middle of a storm? I hope this can be of inspiration.  

music for a monday morning: the head and the heart's "lost in my mind"

With its Indie folk-pop sounds, Seattle's "The Head in the Heart" makes music that seems to bridge time. I can't wait to see them live when they're in Madison this September! Hope you enjoy. 

dinner, from the garden

Perhaps it was because of today's heat, but neither my husband nor I were particularly hungry this evening. We decided a light meal would do the trick, and a salad put together with ingredients from the garden was the perfect solution. With lots of arugula, thinly sliced radishes, an assortment of herbs, and the simplest of dressings - olive oil, balsamic, sea salt and black pepper - it was the perfect summer night meal.  

as fresh as can be!

inspired by great photography: umit kavat

Coming across a great photograph makes me want to become a better photographer. Isn't this photo by Umit Kavak stunning? 

If you'd like to check out more of his beautiful art: 

http://500px.com/fetteho.  

flowerful friday

Despite abnormally high temperatures and a stretch of dry weather, the flowers in my garden seem to be doing well. Right now, the pink hued blooms are dominating the landscape. Lilies, roses, and phlox brighten the space and scent the air. It's lovely! 

Happy Friday!

two black & white photos

I came across both of these black & white photographs on Pinterest. They put a smile on my face after a long day. 

Photo credit, unknown.

hello summer (officially!)

Today is the official start of summer here in the Northern Hemisphere. And to be precise, the Summer Solstice is at 6:09pm CST. The longest day of the year - the day when we have the most daylight - is something that should be cherished!

I love summertime - warm weather and being outside to enjoy it. What are you planning on doing to kick off the new season? 

image credit: unknown, found on Pinterest.



color therapy: green

I love how every shade of green can be found in a garden. From deep emerald hues to chartreuse - they are all well represented, and I think they are all beautiful. Here are a couple shots from my garden and a close up of a painting. For this painting, I was very much inspired my by garden.

from my herb garden 

Bells of Ireland

close up: foliage painting

music for a monday morning: desert sessions by Tinariwen

Tinariwen's desert blues will lull you into a contemplative trance. Tinariwen is comprised of Tuareg-Berber musicians. They formed in the late 1970s while in a Libyan refugee camp and in the 1990s returned to their native Mali.

I find Tinariwen's music magically transportive. I hope you enjoy!

You can check out their website http://www.tinariwen.com/.

Tuareg's native area

happy father's day

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there, especially my dearest dad. He's the best!  

My dad and my husband...two wonderful men - I am very lucky.

inspired: goethe

I found this image on the blog http://www.dailycalligraphy.com/. Check it out - I think it's a very creative blog.

flowerful friday

After a long, busy week traveling for work, I'm back home. Luckily for me, I was able to spend some quality time in my garden this morning - dead-heading, watering, pulling weeds. These comprise my own trifecta of gardening happiness.

Here's a hydrangea from my garden that has just started to bloom. I adore their paper-thin petals.

Happy Friday!

hearts full of love

Happy Anniversary to my mom and dad! Theirs is a real-life love story that fills my heart full of happiness. 

Happy 43rd wedding anniversary Mom & Dad...
I love you!

dreaming of tuscany, part 2

Oh, happy memories!

dreaming of tuscany, part 1

The great thing about returning from vacation are the happy memories we bring home with us. A gorgeous olive grove in Tuscany is what's on my mind this beautiful morning.



music for a monday morning: gustavo santaolla's de usuahia a la quiaca

I'm a big fan of Argentine musician Gustavo Santaolla's music - it's hauntingly beautiful. This piece, De Usuahia a la Quiaca - from movie "Motorcycle Diaries" also hauntingly beautiful in its own right - showcases Santaolla's extraordinary talent. The quality of this video isn't the best, but it gives you a feel for what Santaolla's gorgeous creations are all about. Hope you enjoy!

a sunday cat nap

It's been awhile since my ginger tom, Nino, has made a post appearance, and I think it's due! Today is one of those hot weekend days when lounging is the best option. I caught Nino taking a nap on our screened-in porch.  Not much later I could be found enjoying my own cat nap too. 

Nino

inspired: "wasted" time

What more is there to say, especially on a gorgeous Saturday?!

image found on Pinterest

flowerful friday: window dressing

I love the look of windows dressed up with window boxes or just a few pots of flowers. What a great way to add a little color for those inside and outside. On my trip to Italy a few weeks back, I snapped these photos. It occurred to me that the denizens of many of these little medieval towns, don't have yards or patios, and green space is at a premium. Dressing up one's windows must be an especially nice way to bring some greenery and blooms into one's life.

my ode to fireflies

an amazing photo by Tsuneaki Hiramatsu,
capturing a surreal shot of hundred of fireflies
check out this link for more: stunning photography

Last night on my way home, I had my first firefly spotting of the summer. Is there anything more quintessentially summer than the firefly? That tiny little lightning bug's glow could be spotted from quite a distance, and it instantly put a smile on my face while my mind recalled the many summers' past when I was a kid and fireflies were at the top of my "favorites things ever" list. Here's a lovely poem, relevant to more than just fireflies.

"If You Catch a Firefly" by Lilian Moore

If you catch a firefly

            and keep it in a jar

You may find that

            you have lost

A tiny star.

If you let it go then,

            back into the night,

You may see it

            once again

Star bright.

be the good

We have to stay positive, we can't give up; we must be the good we want to see in the world.

a picture speaks a thousand words

I came across this photo on Pinterest, and unfortunately I don't know who deserves credit for this gorgeous image. I love everything about it - absolutely lovely!

click onto the image
to see a larger view

music for a monday morning: feist's "mushaboom"

Last night Feist played here in Madison, and her performance was awesome. You might remember the 1234 video I posted back in March. Here's another of her catchy tunes, Mushaboom. She performed this one last night in a new, more revved up style. Check out the video for the original version of Mushaboom. Hope you enjoy!

Want to see the 1234 video? Here's the link: Feist's 1234.

a garden and a good book

I just came in from working in the garden all morning, and it was wonderfully peaceful. The weather is perfect, the sun is out, and the birds are singing. Now I just need to curl up with a good book and my day could be complete.

my thoughts exactly!

inspired: Professor Narciso Menocal

Today while walking around the lovely neighborhood I call home, by happenstance, I ran into one of my most formative college professors, Professor Narciso Menocal. Menocal taught the History of Architecture course at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, one of the many art history classes which I took because I absolutely adored the subjects. This course, specifically, is one that I never stopped thinking about. Menocal's lively lectures were filled with fascinating information and detail, that even now, some 12+ years later I can easily recall so much of what he taught. It's the type of knowledge he shared that continues to enrich my life - what an excellent teacher! I am so grateful to him and grateful to have had the opportunity to thank him today for teaching me so much that formed my outlook of the visual world. Thank you Professor Menocal.

flowerful friday: the 1st of my english roses!

The fragrance of my first English rose blooms is divine! I've never grown roses before, and the stunning mass of pale pink petals combined with an absolutely lovely scent is making me a big fan of these David Austen Wisley roses.  

Happy Friday!