To trace the remote in the immediate; the eternal in the ephemeral; the past in the present; the infinite in the finite; these are to me the springs of delight and beauty. ~ H. P. Lovecraft
Captured from our doorstep last weekend…
…and a few minutes later.
Photo Challenge: Ephemeral
I’m shaking things up for Friday Bouquet this morning. Usually I award it to a fellow blogger found doing something wonderful in the blogosphere, but this time I am throwing the bouquet to my sister and the therapy dog program.
Lynn is an assistant professor and nursing instructor at the Memorial School of Nursing in St. John’s, but her contribution to health care and humankind hasn’t stopped there. Please click on the link below – wouldn’t you know it, a WordPress blog by Eastern Health Story Line – to find out what she and her little dog Abbey have been up to, and be sure to look for their photos. All of my animal lover friends are sure to enjoy it. 🙂
http://storyline.easternhealth.ca/2015/03/19/canine-therapy-a-warm-and-fuzzy-feeling/
Have you had any experience with canine therapy?
What about the health benefits of spending time with other animals?
Here are two other sisters wishing you a warm and wonderful weekend. ❤
For one of the weeks of our vacation in Italy, our party of eight stayed in a stone farmhouse villa in the Tuscan region near Siena and Florence. It is known by the Italians as an Agriturismo.
Located in the province of Arezzo, this ancient agriturismo, the Scarpellino, had been renovated in 2005. All of its original architectural details were restored.
I loved how warm and homey the villa felt with all of its stone walls, inside and out.
I also loved where it was situated, nestled in the middle of vineyards and olive trees.
Complete privacy was a given.
Here are some inside shots:
One would think the hard stonework of the walls would make one feel cold.
Perhaps it is my “inner cavewoman” that likes the atmosphere stone walls create.
The Daily Post Photo Challenge: Walls
Siena, one of our beloved destinations during our trip to Italy,
is a walled city in Tuscany that has preserved its medieval, gothic appearance.
This World Heritage Site seemed a fitting showcase for this week’s Photo Challenge.
Surrounded by olive groves and the vineyards of Chianti, Siena is set on three hills,
drawn together by winding alleyways and steep steps.
It offers a bustling life throughout its streets and squares with its many boutiques and shops, cultural events, theater, and a range of sporting activities.
The centre of Siena is accessible primarily on foot.
Cars, other than taxis and police, are prohibited, but motorcycles and scooters are allowed.
Come back tomorrow for a look at some other walls. Arrivederci!
“If baking is any labor at all, it’s a labor of love. A love that gets passed from generation to generation.”
~ Regina Brett
♥
Our little baker girl at two years old:
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♥
And here she is at nine years. Where has the time gone?
Our boy is turning SEVEN on Saturday.
Can’t wait to see you on the weekend, my treasures. xo
❤
“Grandchildren are one of the sweetest rewards for raising a family.”
~ J. Kelland Perry
❤
Weekly Photo Challenge: Reward
What does reward mean to you?
Just chillin’ out on the barbecue…
I know you may think
that I look kind of lazy
But not every day
I’m as fresh as a daisy
Precious few are so perfect
to wear halos above us
So we look past the faults
of who we love and who love us
Like where did this dog toy
come from, we inquire
When there are gorgeous kitty cats
here to admire?
But I won’t dwell on that,
just an oversight, maybe
I’ll forgive and forget
and not act like a baby
And we won’t envy Jennifer
with her life that’s just ducky
‘Cause we know of a time
when she wasn’t so lucky
So don’t be concerned
if you haven’t seen Cupid
Don’t be down on romance
because that would be stupid
Just realize your True Love
may not be that far
And besides,
you are wonderful
just as you are!
If you still find you’re sad
and alone on this day
Take a look at our cuteness
to chase troubles away
And please, pretty please,
know we love you like crazy
Happy Valentine kisses
from me and from Maisie. ❤
The Daily Post Prompt:
Cupid’s Arrow – Write an ode to someone or something you love. Bonus points for poetry!
A couple of weeks ago, we weathered yet another “lovely” ice storm. The freezing rain painted every surface with sleet, resulting in slippery walks, treacherous roads, and a thick coat of glittering rime on just about everything. Oh Joy!
If you’ve never heard about the phenomenon of “ice-fog”, this is what it looks like.
I hoped to capture some shots of sunshine on the glitter, but the forecast wasn’t cooperating. Not one to miss an opportunity, however, I headed outside to see what artistry I might find under the heavy grey overcast of gloom.
The scene is still, frozen in windless silence. I find a stalk encased in a shell of ice.
Abandoned clothespins encapsulated on our summer neighbour’s line.
Who knew they would prove useful for this shutterbug?
Fences are crusted with frost, and icicles trickle in abundance.
The fog begins to clear…
…and the clouds lift a little, allowing a few thin milky rays to shine through.
All at once, everything glows with a sparkly sheen…
…and the “batty catters” take on a cold blue tint at the ocean’s edge.
A wide band of slobby ice meanders in the water near the coastline.
So far, we’ve enjoyed countless sunny days and not too much of the white stuff.
But that may be about to change; a winter storm alert is issued for the weekend.
How are you braving the winter?
Are you longing to put this season behind you?
Or are you finding beauty in unexpected places?
Have you ever been impressed by the beauty of a door? The world is filled with doorways* and entrances, but here are several that left me either pleased by their quaintness, awed by their workmanship, or entranced by their immensity and grandeur. All before ever setting one foot inside.
For starters, a charming little one from the Barbour Heritage Village in my town:
This entrance in Bonavista with its crisp contrasting colours and symmetry:
In Montreal, the beauty and craftsmanship of this splendid doorway: 
…and how about the opulence of this entrance in Cannes? No, we didn’t stay there… 😉
We stayed here, our inviting little home away from home:
The view through our balcony doors was also appealing, beckoning us outside.
Hard to top the view of Lake Maggiore from our patio doors in Stresa:
Here’s a closer look of the northern Italian lake:
In Paris, the entrance to the Notre Dame Cathedral is imposing…
…and so elaborately adorned.
How about this golden carved door in Florence?
Gotta love the Renaissance.
I saved my personal favourite, also in Florence, for last.
*Ailsa’s Weekly Travel Theme: Doorways @ wheresmybackpack.com
I’ve followed Sue on Travel Tales of Life for some time now and love her beautiful blog. From her About Page:
“Living in Calgary, Alberta, married to my best friend Dave for over thirty years and Mom to adult children; my decades as a nurse have shown that in a moment life can change completely. Passionate about social justice, volunteerism and not letting the phrase “What would people think?” or my own fear get in the way of trying something new; the possibilities are endless.
Travel Tales of Life has been featured in-depth by More Time To Travel in speaking to cycling tourism for those over 50. My posts have been featured in The Caribbean Daily, What’s Up Tasmania and About Basque Country online magazines and the HIS Vancouver travel website.
Enjoy the tales and I hope you will be inspired to try something you have been thinking about doing.”
Check out her latest post below for some captivating photos from around the world:
Where Would You Like To Travel?
Comments are closed here in the hope you will visit Sue’s blog.
If you do, please tell her Jennifer sent you. 🙂
Jennifer's Journal 