To sea...to sea!

I’m always mesmerized by the surface of the sea… 

it has something of an ecstasy, of another reality…

 Every time I visit the sea, I like sitting very close to 

the shore and breathing in its beauty.
 Last Saturday...

I have came across some little sailors...
They took me on a long imaginary,
 fairy journey in which I identified myself 

with them and became a crew member, a pirate, 

a fisherman,a captain, a mermaid…

 It’s almost unbelievable how an accidental, 

insignificant fact can brighten up and bless your day! 

They didn’t pay me the slightest attention and 

followed all their shipping procedures with 

mathematical rigour…they never knew how happy 

they made me and how lucky I felt to have met them 

and shared the pleasures of the sea with them …

 To sea… to sea! The calm is o’er,

The wanton water leaps in sport,

And rattles down the pebbly shore;

The dolphin wheels, the sea-cow snorts,

And unseen mermaids’ pearly song

Come bubbling up, the weeds among.

Fling broad the sail, dip deep the oar:

To sea, to sea! The calm is o’er.

To sea, to sea! Our wide-winged bark

Shall billowy cleave its sunny way,

And with its shadow, fleet and dark,

Break the caved Tritons’ azure day,

Like mighty eagle soaring light

O’er antelopes on Alpine height.

The anchor heaves, the ship swings free,

The sails swell full. To sea, to sea!

                      Thomas Lovell Beddoes 

The dream is over; 

I am like the boat stuck in the sand, 

who knows what the tide will bring…

Wish you a sparkling weekend 

keep trying, 

keep dreaming

and see you soon!

O

Early spring in the country

Even if we are supposed to have a relatively quiet time 

in the garden,early spring signs are evident here and there 

 and cheer up the whole landscape and our souls as well.  

After an unusually mild winter we have the feeling that 

spring has shown up unexpectedly early this year.

 Last Sunday was one of those warm winter days and the

 bright sun, shining from every angle, lit up the whole 

scene of our country garden like a glowing postcard.

Spring’s fragrances, birds chirping, increasing daylight,

got us freshly excited although winter is still 

firmly in control!

So, blooming in the garden has come ahead of schedule 

and given me the joy to pick up the first spring bunch.

Hyacinths, calendulas and a little jasmine were quite 

enough to make me smile and play with my camera. 

Dawdling in the lush green estate I felt that I’m not 

the same person I was once … the view I take at life and 

nature is different now…I stop by where I didn’t use to 

but perhaps I’ll share it with you another time.

This is halvah, a Middle East dessert served with 

coffee or tea, perfumed with citron zest and leaves. 

It is my treat before saying good bye!

Country kitchen ideas

When I asked the sales assistant of a pet shop how 
much this rusty old cage cost, she told me 3 euros! 
I didn’t believe that this cute object would be
 practically gratis. Without a second thought, I took it 
and brought it in my new country kitchen. 

But of course, without birds inside, prisoner birds …
it’s not my thing! Just a little paper bird sitting on 
its perch, it’s quite enough to bring nature inside 
and playing with illusions! 

Some marbles, a hydrangea and my decorative 

cage graces my still unpainted wall. 

This real cage inspired me to purchase a flat one this time. 

It stands on the kitchen bench where I can easily hang 

anything that crosses my mind…

A rural atmosphere brings such a joy to me and 
make me feel younger and happier. 

We continue to make over this lovely country home but 

I don’t have a general view of the rooms as the house

 has turned into a worksite. I’ll do it soon.

Hectic life has no plan to leave me serene for a while but 

I’m trying to put “things” in order!

Until next, a warm hug to everyone!

Love, 

O