taking time ~

She is growing up way too fast.  My little crumb is now a very independent 4-year-old, and I'm loving every moment of her.  My selfish urges have gone into overdrive, and I do not want to miss a moment of her sweet life.  She is my buddy 24/7.  We get each other {okay, maybe I get her much more than she gets my need for a coffee break, email time-out, or the general boring pesky grown-up stuff}, but in general we have fun. A lot of fun.  

Just today, we discussed a favorite book in detail and why she loves it.  She then asked why I like to read it to her.  She's curious, she cares, and she can hold up her end of the conversation.  Good traits/skills I wish to foster and make sure she keeps forever and always.  

Time is passing me by way too quickly.  If only I could stand still and just be.  Be free like her.  I guess what I really want is for my Gaia Miette to remember these early days with her mama.  Mostly, I want her to have fond memories with me.  Recollecting some of the joyous times like when I helped her plant the "frijoles", search for worms for her 'worm farm', hula-hoop blunders {that would be moi}, singing "someone's in the kitchen at Gaia's" until we are hoarse, and snuggling in the mid-afternoon because what she needs most is her mama.  

I count my blessings to be able to spend 100% of my time with my one and only girl.  Believe me, we do without a lot to make this happen, but there is nothing I value more than my crumb's happiness.  So I'm going to treat this "full-time job" with the utmost respect and take a sabbatical from this space for a while.   

She and I have a whole world of blossoms to explore, so we hope you will understand... 

[Reverie-Daydream Image]

gatherings ~

As the weather begins to warm, blooms fill the bare branches, and the days grow longer, I cannot stop planning and filling our calendar with gatherings underneath the walnut tree.  

My heart overflows with a peaceful gratitude for the change of seasons, the new tastes offered by early-spring fruits and vegetables, and the friends and family which gather around our table sharing stories, dreams and kindred spirits.

This weekend, I'll be working in the garden, spending time with a very dear friend, and preparing for next week's arrival of my beloved brother and his incredible family.  

What will fill your weekend hours?  Good, easy, heart-lightening stuff I hope.

[reverie-daydream image]

Simply This ~ Courtney Khail Stationery

Seriously, can you imagine receiving one of these invitations in the mail?  A piece of original art work by Courtney Khail.  It would be a beyond amazing moment for me.  In fact, I'm trying to come up with some grand event that would be worthy of such an exquisite invite. Or perhaps I'll just have this divine gal create a set of personalized stationery for moi.  

Whether she uses ink or watercolor, her creations are one-of-a-kind, true works of art hand drawn/painted with love.  Courtney also has an incredible eye for vintage fashion, so perhaps she should start adding a few fancy frock illustrations to her repertoire {hint, hint my lovely friend!}.  

I'm in awe of her talent and adore her even more because she is so down-to-earth, kind and hilariously funny.  Visit her pretty world here.

culinary pleasures ~

This past weekend, I had the grand fortune of attending one of Sherry Page's Culinary Getaways in Napa Valley.  There really are not enough adjectives to describe how much I enjoyed three days of incredible food bliss.  Sherry is one of those people who lives life to the fullest.  She makes sure to enjoy every single bite she places into her mouth, and she wants those who are with her to experience the best of the best.  I always feel as if I won the lottery every single time I get to hang out with her!  

Not only does she share the most simple and delicious recipes with others, but she also reminds every one how easy it is to fill a plate with "off-the-charts" flavors.  One of my favorite moments in her getaways is how the guests react to foods they have never tasted or been exposed to {re: fava beans, beets, fleur de sel, etc.}...it's as if their entire taste bud world has been opened to new pleasures of delicious bliss.  Eye lashes flutter, mouth slows to an intentional chew, and a smile slowly highlights their thoughts...pure goodness straight from mother nature never tasted so good, and now they are hooked!  

A gathering of strangers around a table partaking in amazing offerings of food, wine, chocolates and olive oils.  The connection is made over a fava bean crostini, a glass of late-harvest wine, and a shared moment overlooking the glorious landscape of the Silverado Trail.  Food and wine bring people of all backgrounds and cultures together ~ magical experiences and lovely connections are made around a simply curated table of culinary pleasures.

[reverie-daydream images]

les fleurs

"Can I pick a flower? Just one, please?"  Her big blue eyes dance with delight with each new bloom she passes.  The girl is obsessed with flowers.  A four-year-old who cared more about the pink and purple flowers at her birthday party than the cake or presents.

Every morning she wakes and lazily smiles at the bedside vase filled with her latest picked treasures.  Recent gatherings have included mustard grass, daffodils, tulips, and daisies.  Today, we planted poppies around the grand ol' walnut tree in the garden.  Our porch steps are an eclectic mix of pots filled with an array of brightly colored annuals.

Noting this extreme interest in pretty petals, we have started a pink field journal to document her lovely findings ~ the special day of discovery is captured with a brief phrase or story to describe the reason the particular petaled perfection was chosen.

I love that she takes time to stop and smell the roses {and pick a few} along the way.

[Claude Monet ~ Poppies, 1873]

Simply This {my daily punch}

It was one of those "aha" moments the day I discovered a Gibraltar.  My coffee addiction appreciation hasn't been the same since. You see, I had been searching for my signature drink, and while I enjoyed many lattes, cappuccinos and espressos, nothing made me set down my cup and rejoice.  Those frothy filled mugs were mere taps on the shoulder in comparison to my new found morning punch.  

The Gibraltar is taller than a macchiato, shorter than a cappuccino, milk textured as a latte, and temperature keyed for quaffability ~ two shots of espresso with a very small amount of steamed milk. When I see the barista place the lovely glass upon the bar, I never fail to see that shining beam of light enhancing the grandeur of the black gold within...it's a simple highlight of my day.

Tell me how you like to fill your cup, for I can talk coffee {and tea} all day long.

[reverie-daydream image]

wafting ~

When there is a Bouchon Bakery within walking distance from your kitchen, the urge to bake your own bread doesn't cross the mind often.  And when I do think about how wonderful it would be to knead and offer to my little family a fresh loaf straight from the oven, I quickly decide that a nice walk in the lovely outdoors is probably more beneficial than the time spent pampering some dough {I'm really good at choosing nature over domestic duties}.

Needless to say, despite last year's determination, I've yet to follow through with this personal culinary challenge.  Maybe 2012 will be my year of breaking the buying bread habit.  I'm sure that if I try it once, I'll be hooked because just the idea of the bread baking aroma wafting through the cottage is really incentive enough to get that yeast started.  

Perhaps I just need to throw a 'bring your own dough party' and make it a festive event...anyone want to join?

Happy new week lovelies ~ here's to setting goals and actually making them happen. 

[reverie-daydream image]

a bubbly round-up

While on twitter the other day, I happily agreed to a champagne/sparkling wine link up with a few other lovely ladies {Estelle, Michelle, and Danielle}. Perhaps you have heard, there is a big Hollywood event happening this Sunday, some television marathon called the Oscars.  Evidently, a whole lot of bubbly flows during this festive gathering of shining glamorous stars, and there is nothing that should stop us from joining in the glitzy fun.  Do you have a favorite flute filler?

I'm not too particular when it comes to bubbly, but I do have a few favorites.  I tend to enjoy a dry, medium body varietal...my all-time favorite being Veuve Clicquot {The Widow}, she never disappoints!  But believe me, my budget doesn't allow for many yellow labeled bottles of this goodness, so I supplement with prosecco, cava, or sparkling wine.

Ever since my mcdreamy and I indulged in a divine trip to Barcelona years ago, I still find myself smiling whenever I see a bottle of cava.  We enjoyed many of those effervescent bottles while sitting happily upon our terrace overlooking the La Rambla.  I swear each little bubble that filled our glasses held some brilliant idea or grand scheme.  

So yes my lovelies, I'm on-board for any excuse to fill my marie antoinette champagne coupe...so cheers to a blissful bubbly weekend!

 [reverie-daydream image]

Simply This ~ mary jo matsumoto nail color

A few months ago something in my feminine genes 'clicked on' in terms of pretty nails, and I've been painting my nails happy ever since.  Don't get me wrong, I've always made sure my toes were 'done up' nicely, but I never bothered with my fingernails.  Until now.  

Perhaps it is all because of the lovely Mary Jo Matsumoto and her new nail polishes.  This Southern California gal has 'nailed it' with her beach themed trios all boasting clever names {Beachcomber, Sea Creatures, Solid Waves and Naked at the Beach}, and super two-thumbs up bonus...they are all 4FREE {no harmful stuff like formaldehyde and DBP within these fancy little bottles}.  

During the holidays, the crumb and I rocked the Solid Waves, and now we are giddy over the Sea Creatures.  These polishes glide on smoothly, glisten and shine, and stay on without chips for quite a long time.  Obviously, I'm simply hooked!

catching the sun ~

while visiting her grandparents in the sunshine state, she offers up joyful giggles as she tries to catch the last rays of sunlight.

we hope she always holds the beaming glory of this blazing star in her hands and heart.

wishing everyone, wherever you may be, a beautiful long weekend of soulful warmth ~

[image by reverie-daydream]

Simply This ~

Simply This ~ a new Wednesday feature for Reverie.

Each week, I will showcase a new favorite find.  This will include a vast range of topics ~ clothes, beauty products, hotels, food, etc.  Mainly, I just wish to share great discoveries that made me say "This is simply {insert exciting adjective here}!".  And of course, if you have suggestions or any oh-wow finds you believe should be shouted from the rooftops, then let's chat.

To kick-start this series, I couldn't be more pleased to gush about my dear friend's clothing line, Jeanne Oliver Designs.  Impeccable attention to details, excellent fit, classic, affordable fashion designed and made in the USA.  I'm hooked on this tunic, and I find myself reaching for it almost daily because of its versatility and ease to dress up or down.  It's one of those go-to pieces your wardrobe deserves.

[Images by Reverie-Daydream]

Petit Aventure {Schramsberg Vineyards}

  

Ever wonder what the difference is between sparkling wine and champagne?  The European Union has set strict standards to reserve the use of the term ‘champagne’ to only sparkling wines from the Champagne region of France.  However, the majority of sparkling wines from the Northern California wine country are made in the "méthode champenoise", the traditional method of making champagne.   

One of the above-mentioned adherers is Schramsberg Vineyards located within the gorgeous terrain of Calistoga {Northern Napa Valley}and considered America’s House of Sparkling Wine, and rightfully so, since beginning in 1972, the Blanc de Blancs has been served at official State functions by every U.S. Presidential administration.  Schramsberg’s winemaking team makes every effort to produce incredibly tasting hand-crafted sparkling wines, and their focus on maintaining century-old traditions, such as hand riddling a designated number of bottles, adds to the perfected taste each bubbly pour seems to offer.  With Napa Valley’s oldest wine caves nestled inside the vineyard’s hillside, Schramsberg has the ability to house as many as 2.7 million bottles of sparkling wines within this ideal environment for temperature and aging for up to ten or more years.  Their sparkling wines are distinctive in taste and blend well with a plethora of food options, and the Blanc de Blancs as well as the Mirabelle Brut Rosé are two musts to have on hand. 

It’s important to remember that sparkling wine can be served with anything and shouldn’t just be reserved for a fancy celebration.  Even if you only have a bowl of popcorn to offer, a glass of bubbly adds a bit of pizzazz to the entire experience. Take chances and do not worry about whether or not it’s proper to serve this with that. Pairing sparkling wines with sushi, cheese plates, fruits, chocolates, and even pizza make for a memorable  experience.  Gather your friends, your beloved, or just yourself, choose a bottle of bubbly (or several to create your own tasting party) and fill a platter with a goat cheese, a double or triple cream cheese, some fresh bread, dried apricot, dates, and a bowl of nuts.  The great thing about sparkling wine is the menu can be as simple or as complex as you decide because the real star of the show will be the beautiful tasting bubbles that fill your glass and add a sparkle of magic to even the simplest toast.  

A very dear friend once told me to always have a bottle of bubbly chilling in the fridge because you never know when a celebration might be in order...wise words to heed to.  Cheers!

[Images by Reverie-Daydream] 

weekend wanderings ~

This weekend we will be wandering through museums and art galleries.  There are quite a few talented artists debuting their works throughout San Francisco galleries, and we waited until the last minute to view the Masters of Venice exhibit at the deYoung.  

I'm looking forward to soaking up some creative beauty and allowing my thoughts to meander through the brush strokes of an artistic story.  

What are your plans?  Please tell me you will be wandering somewhere lovely...

[image of former wandering at the Louvre]

~ 4 ~

Today, our crumb turns 4.  

Over the weekend, we celebrated her special day with all her favorite friends, pale pink frosted cakes, and magical gardens to roam.

She is a well-rounded one, our girl ~ pink, frills and princess play combined with a cleverly fun personality, powerful determination, and all sorts of monkey business. 

We cannot get enough of her.  Seriously, each year gets better and better.

Happy Birthday Gaia Miette ~ you are our earth, sun, moon, and stars.

[Reverie-Daydream Images]

Vista Visions ~

I believe in the power of beautiful vistas...they stir your soul.  

Oftentimes, tears stream from the very source that captures the imprint of that moment.  The moment where my heart skips a beat, I gasp for air, and the mental click of recognition that this is real not just a reverie settles into the chambers of my memory bank.  Real beauty offered up and perhaps never to be seen exactly the same as it is at that very second.  

  

Mood altering. Game changers.  The vista visions that cause me to step back and reassess my attitude.  Appreciate what I already have and revel in the moment.  

Time is fleeting, and I'm not going to let its beauty pass me by. 

Indulge in the greatness this world offers ... sunrises, sunsets and all the glory in-between.    

[image via sean patrick mcardle]

Give LOVE ~

The boutique is stocked full of LOVE from all around the globe.

~ Free Shipping on all US orders ~  

*For some extra LOVE inspiration and a unique idea for these, 

click on over to beautifulTrina's La La Lovely post.

Wide Open Spaces ~

The past few days were filled with a whirlwind of buzzing information.  Altitude Summit does a grand job of bringing together brilliant keynote speakers and excellent tip-giving panelists {here is an excellent huffington post piece claiming the blogosphere as the new bohemia}.  Not to mention the non-stop laughter, catching up, and inspiring chatter amongst new and old friends {estelle, jeanne, kimberly, courtney, katie, melissa, brandi, melisa, and beefy}.

I didn't play the role of a wallflower this year thanks to the kick-in-the-pants support from a very favorite person {she always seems to know what's best}. Hoping there are some positive outcomes with the contacts made.

If I had to sum up my experience, it would be with a quote from Anne Sage, "embrace the fire within".  Ideas and goals are raging inside, and I'm going to follow the blazing trail.  I'll be taking a mini-hiatus from this space while the embers settle.  I'm prepping myself for a new yoga class I'll be teaching beginning next week as well as planning a birthday party for a sweet little crumb who will soon be 4.  

Wide open spaces never looked so good. 

[image by sean patrick mcardle]

On my way ~

...to ALT!  My second year attending this grand gathering of incredibly talented people who come together for a few days in Salt Lake City and share amazing stories, ideas, tips and forums to help add extra sparkle and shine to your blogging, writing, design, small business, and more.

The sponsors go out of their way to make every detail a smashing success, and this year, there will be a "Diner en Blanc" party where everyone will be wearing white attire.  I just know this scene is going to be over-the-top!

 So my bags are packed and my inspiration button is turned on and ready to soak up all sorts of brilliant goodies.  Of course, I'll share the highlights upon my return...

Au revoir mes amis!

[images by Sean Patrick McArdle]

Pure

Raw beauty.  It's what I like best.  

People, food, pigments.  The purity of these gifts from nature before they are altered by our hands, machines, chemicals, and more.  

Step back and behold these rare untouched moments. 

The unconditional love of a person's heart, a genuine smile from a stranger, the sound of your beloved's voice.  Pure goodness of people.

Juice from a fresh-squeezed orange, the crunch of a raw carrot, and a lip-pucker from a slice of lemon.  Pure tastes of real food.

Vibrant color, minerals that shine, stones that sparkle.  Pure pigments which color our world.

Purity is precious.  Seek it.

[image via Sean Patrick McArdle]

Planning a garden ~

Last year was my first attempt at gardening, a learning process to say the least, but we did enjoy lots of tomatoes, herbs, and a few cucumbers, figs, strawberries and beets.  This year, I'm starting my research early, for I'm going to fill our plates and pantry with mother nature's home-grown edible gems.  

While at the library, I checked out several issues of Organic Gardening {don't you just love all the brilliant resources offered FREE from the library?}. Along with my beloved copy of Sunset Magazine's Western Garden Book of Edibles , I'm plotting my planting and gathering of seeds.  

The crumb is as anxious as I am to get this play-in-the-dirt party started, so the fava beans, brussel sprouts, english peas, and chard will find their happy home within the soil next week.  Most likely, the research will unveil more delectables to add to the winter planting list.  

And of course, I'll gladly take any green-thumb tips you wish to share?  

Quinoa with Carrots & Cabbage ~

I'm on a mission to use what I have on hand and not let food go to waste.  In doing so, I rummaged through our fridge and came up with carrots, cabbage and arugula.  Quinoa is always sitting pretty in a jar, and my little family never turns a nose up at this delicious seed-like healthy substance.  Instead of cooking the carrots and cabbage, I chose to dice them up and add them raw to the cooked quinoa.  I'm a fan of raw vegetables...the crunch and taste is as pure as you can get.  And when it came to tossing in a flavorful dressing, I kept that at a 'raw' minimum too.  With a lemon and garlic on hand {must-have winter essentials}, I knew olive oil would be my binding ingredient, and for an extra kick, a few tablespoons of shoyu sneaked in.  This is a really simple and easy recipe, and you could substitute most raw vegetables to your liking.  

Quinoa with Carrots & Cabbage

serves 4

1 cup of cooked quinoa

 1 1/2 cups of chopped carrots

1 1/2 cups of red/purple cabbage chopped

2 cups of arugula

sea salt to taste

Dressing:

1 clove of garlic minced or crushed

1 lemon {juiced}

4 Tablespoons olive oil

2-3 Tablespoons shoyu

In a large bowl, mix quinoa, carrots and carrots.  Add sea salt to taste. Whisk together all ingredients of the dressing, mix and toss with quinoa and vegetables.  Either blanket bottom of bowl with large handful of arugula or add arugula to mix just before serving. 

[Reverie-Daydream Images] 

Winter in the Wine Country ~

About 90 days after the first autumn rains, mustard begins to push through the vineyard soils to beautifully embellish the resting Winter vines.  This dormant stage in the grapevines is very important to the vineyard health and performance in the upcoming season.  

Throughout January and February, severe winter pruning takes place on all the vines.  The Mustard Season is one of the most beautiful times of the year in the Wine Country.  Its golden blooms blanket the floor of the soundly sleeping vines, and as the sun shines, the landscape glows in a daydreaming brilliance. The rainy season will provide nourishment to the terroir promising a Spring of bud break and phenomenal wines to come. 

This is Winter in the Wine Country ~ a time for rest and renewal with a sparkle of gold.

Clean Peace ~

I've been cleaning a lot these past few days.  It is the winter purge of sorts...holidays are over, and it's time to make every thing fresh, fresh clean.  Trust me, cleaning isn't my favorite past time, but at least it has been somewhat enjoyable thanks to Clean Peace organic cleaning products. 

The packaging alone thrills the heck out of me...GLASS!  I will go out of my way to find glass packaged products because not only are they more environmentally friendly, but they are also reusable and normally dictate superior ingredients.  The lovely ladies of Clean Peace sent me some general purpose cleaner to try, and I can't stop scrubbing and finding places to wipe down.  The black fig and cedar scent is an added bonus to the peace of mind this product has given me ... no bad fumes or harmful residue left behind for my little family to be bothered with. 

I could go on and on, but instead, I'll leave you with their words:

"We are an earth friendly, pet friendly, human friendly company who is dedicated to revitalizing your home and lifting your spirits without breaking your budget."

Thank you Clean Peace for making the chore of cleaning a more pleasurable {and safe} experience.  

[Reverie-Daydream Image] 

 

A Simple Comfort Food ~

We all have our chosen comfort foods.  The recipes we go to when we need to feel all warm and cozy inside, cheer our bellies and soothe our minds.  Banana Bread does it for me.  A warm slice with butter and a cup of hot tea underneath a wise old walnut tree was the perfect treat on a sunny winter afternoon. 

Banana Bread

{adapted from Sophie Dahl}

5 1/2 tablespoons of soft unsalted butter

4 ripe bananas

3/4 cup of light brown sugar

1 egg

1 tablespoon of vanilla extract

1 teaspoon of baking soda

1 pinch of salt

1 1/2 cups of spelt flour

1/2 cup coconut flakes

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/4 cup dark chocolate bits {or chips}

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 9x5-inch pan.

Mash bananas in a big mixing bowl.  Add the butter, sugar, egg and vanilla extract and mix together with bananas.  Add the baking soda, salt and flour.  Mix well.  Stir in coconut, walnuts and chocolate last.  Pour into the prepared pan.  Bake for 1 hour, remove, cool for 5-10 minutes, then serve.

[Reverie-Daydream Images]

Intention ~

I'm ready for 2012.

Believe me, 2011 was filled with some amazing moments, but it also kicked our butts and made us step off our paths of focus a lot.  When it comes to setting your true passions aside to keep your head above the waters, then I really tend to dislike the 'lessons and trials'.  

In our perfect world, every day would be devoted to health, art, happiness, helping, learning, {and copious amounts of good food and wine}. Really, is this too much to ask?  One life to live, let's do it right, non?

Over christmas, my amazing Sean created the above masterpiece.  The moment I first laid eyes upon this gorgeous chalk drawing, I wept.  The strokes of genius took my breath away, and awakened a yearning for more.  More art, more culture, more healthy endeavors...more living in the moment of beauty. 

This will be my intent for the new year ~ to not stray from our passions, our goals, our dreams. 

New beginnings are good.  Fresh starts with the rear-view mirror detached.  A focus on what's ahead and the glorious path which is before us.  

Cheers to a new year.

[drawing by Sean Patrick McArdle]

Why Beauty Matters ~

Our friend, Micaiah Hardison, urged us to watch a BBC documentary titled Why Beauty Matters. It is an excellent 52 minutes, and I applaud Roger Scruton for being bold enough to go against the mainstream thinking of art, architecture and music.  Very strong opinions seep out of my mouth straight from my heart when art is being discussed.  I'll spare you the passionate verbiage, except for this...I believe art is only art when it involves skill, taste, and creativity.  Since the mid-20th century, art has been too loosely defined...beauty does matter.

[Bottecelli's Birth of Venus]

Magical ~

I believe her day sparkled and shined.

[Union Square, San Francisco ~ Christmas 2011]

Joyful & Bright ~

She is the one I can thank for renewing the magic of Christmas into our lives.

With every bell that jingles, each light that twinkles, and all stars atop which shine, she finds wonder and joy in every moment of this season.

Wishing a merry, merry Christmas to one and all.

[McArdle Images]

Wishful Thinking {a guest post by karey of mackin ink}

so i was thinking and thinking and thinking about this post - probably far too much, but that's always the way i work when i really adore the friend to whom i'm giving my words - and maybe it was one too many viogniers one night, but all of a sudden i found myself all "forget wishing! wishing is for wimps!"

i said it way naughtier in my head.

but it's true, you know. someday, i'll have to tell you all the time i feel i've wasted on wishes. the months that added up to a full year that i wished my dad wouldn't die; perhaps i messed it all up with the one who's in charge of such decisions with my begging that he not suffer anymore. i can see how that would be confusing. then there was the matter of my sister. i don't need to tell that story again, but i will tell you this: my stomach muscles still remember the clench of wishing so hard that she'd get to stay with me forever. i still ache.

there are always silly wishes in between serious, at least one every hour in my head, from "i wish uncle sugar would make me a coffee" to "maison martin margiela...be mine" to "please please please let the girlies three be ok." i must spend that half-hour before they hit the door at the end of their school day waiting with a million wishes and wonderings about their someday lives. their someday health. their someday love. i wish it would all be perfect. in spite of all i know and all i've endured, i still make that silly wish that they skate through it all. unscathed and unbruised and unbroken. especially their hearts and hopes.

wishes can be pretty empty. they're like a bottle full of bubbles in a way, filling the air up around us with iridescent invisible circles that fly away and disappear a second or two after we've made them. no offense, but i've never seen a wish really do anything - like win a race or cure a disease or even make me thinner than that mom at the pool i kind of despise - except look pretty and make us gasp with the possibilities and then leave us wondering...what now?

wishes are good for one thing and one thing only. they make us realize, with the falling of a lash or the tick of the clock at 11:11, exactly what we want. and that, my sweet friends, is that. what comes next is entirely up to you or up to someone else or maybe completely out of anyone's control.

listen. i've made wishes on stars that exist only in my eyes, solitaire games, whether the traffic light would turn green in an even number of seconds, and the last red jellybean in the bag. and i'm still not the woman i'm wishing i'd be. still not the mother i'm wishing i'd be. still not the writer, either.

2012 is going to be different. kickass, for sure. i feel it in my bones. i'll still probably be wishing for everything to be all right - especially my girlies three - in between wishes that include that jerk mom at the pool, the size of my bum, my someday book, and just one more red jellybean - every day at 11:11 or even 12:12 if i miss it. but maybe i need to take better care of those little bubbles of mine. keep watching over them long after they pop. they're still there, you know. even when i can't see them so well anymore.

p.s. plus a white bikini for my move near bali.

wishes found here.  bubbles found here.

oh that karey, i always fumble for words after reading her perfect ones.  i'll never forget the day i discovered her blog.  she was on 'posting' hiatus, but i read every. single. word she had ever written within that magical space.  then one amazing day, my reader sparkled and shined...she was back!  since then, i've been begging for her to write a book, adopt me as one of her girlies, and just be that really cool writer friend i've always dreamed of having in my circle of life.  

Good Luck Soup ~

 

Being able to make a gift with my own hands, using resources offered unselfishly by nature or repurposed materials, and presenting something that is useful or full of meaning to my dearest friends and family is what Christmas is all about ~ the gift that is filled with love.  So this year, my dear friend, Sherry of Culinary Getaways, and I decided that her Good Luck Soup recipe packaged up with delicious heirloom beans and fresh garden grown herbs would be the ideal gift for anyone on our list.  Growing up in the South, my grandmother always prepared a New Year’s Day lunch or dinner that included black-eyed peas {and collard greens}.  According to her, black-eyed peas were for good-luck.  Even then, as a young girl, I would eat at least two helpings of these delicious legumes because everyone hopes for the lucky goodness to be on their side 365 days of the year.  More so than ever, I believe we all could use a hefty dose of good luck in our lives!

[Reverie-Daydream Images]

An Elegant Evening ~

...with my Prince Charming.  

It was a night of total splendor, festive glory, and fine art.  My handsome artist husband and I were invited guests to this exquisite holiday gala in the Court of Honor at the Legion of Honor Museum in San Francisco.

For two souls who love art, this was a dream come true.  An entire evening devoted to celebrating the artistic masters of our past as well as  present-day artists...the museum galleries were ours to peruse, linger and enjoy.  With cocktails in hand, we mingled among the elite, but mostly we giggled and gasped at our good fortune to be included in such a grand evening.  

A dinner fit for a king was served by candlelight, an orchestra enticed all to join on the dance floor, and memories to last a lifetime were made underneath a tent draped in sparkling decor...an elegant evening indeed.

Wishful Thinking {a guest post by French Essence}

I have always had my head in the clouds… dreaming of something different… wishing upon a star… searching for ways to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary… I think that is why I love words as much as I do… the endless possibilities to stir the imagination and to craft fantasy from the everyday… This is the time of year when we are all wishful thinking. We wish that the holiday season would slow down, that we could gear up our pace a little to accomplish all that we desire. We wish that the year hadn’t passed in a puff and that they weren’t slipping by quite so quickly and we wish, with all our hearts, that our children’s hopes and dreams come true.

When I snapped this photograph in Paris it made me pause for reflection… The beauty of the cobblestones, the architectural details of the buildings, the faded shutters and the hanging lanterns caught my eye… I had to capture that moment. But more than that… It was the family, for I imagined that they were a family, walking in step, in simpatico… with their perfect strides. This image made me wish that time could and would stand still, that this beautiful family could forever walk together through the streets of life harmoniously, as they were on this particular day… My thoughts turned to my own family and myself and I realized there and then that my one true wish was for nothing to change. This moment in our time together is good… great even… may it last…

Melissa, thank you for inviting me to participate in your ‘Wishful Thinking’ series… it is such a great pleasure to be a part of your exquisite blog amongst such wonderful company. I wish you and your readers a holiday season filled with lots of love, light and laughter… xv

 

Vicki Archer

December 2011

I'm assuming most who read this blog already know the beautiful and lovely Vicki of French Essence.  Before I even entered the world of blogging, I knew of Vicki Archer and her exquisite way of life and love for France via her first book, My French Life.   Then I found her blog and my heart swelled with glee because I am able to live vicariously through her dreamy world every. single. day. In short, Vicki is definitely one of my heroes, for she lives the life she has always dreamed of and she lives it with grace, beauty, and enthusiasm. I'm still pinching myself that she took the time to share her wishful thoughts on Reverie...merci beaucoup Vicki! 

[Image via Vicki Archer]