Great and Small ~

I'm making a daily effort to truly appreciate the greatness in every little thing, and it feels really good.  

Here are just a few bits that keep my cup of gratitude running over:

the tiniest perfect persimmon I have ever seen,

the purple and pink hues spread throughout the sunset skies,

tickle fests amongst a pile of pillows,

joining friends for an impromptu coffee,

hearing the crows caw for their morning crackers,

receiving a card from someone special just because,

adding pink sprinkles to a cupcake,

smell of cloves,

warmth of a newly knitted scarf,

pomegranate seeds,

warm cotton flannel sheets,

a helping hand from a stranger.

Wishing you and yours a beautiful Thanksgiving filled with love and gratitude for all things great and small.

[Reverie-Daydream Images]

An Artist

Many of you know my beloved as the extraordinary photographer of Reverie images, but where his artistic soul truly comes alive is in his atelier. His palette of oils bring his inspirations to life.  To see his face after a day spent in his studio is one of the greatest gifts of my life, for his eyes dance with magic from beholding hours of brushstrokes, his contented smile lights up the room, and his soul resides in its sweetest peace. 

Le jardin de ma tante is his latest piece of beauty, and he finally gave me permission to share.  To view this magnificent work in all its glory, please visit here. 

The Art of Love ~

Love manifests in many forms ~ 

sculpting the heart, opening the mind, and embracing the soul.

[Pygmalion and Galatea, 1890, Jean-Léon Gérôme]

l'automne à Paris

Three Autumns ago, we rented an apartment in Paris for 2+ months {while the crumb was 7 months in utero}, and it was absolutely incredible!  We didn't have a checklist of must-do-see while there.  Instead, we settled into our cozy Right Bank apartment and allowed our peripatetic souls to just to go with the flow.  Our days consisted of numerous visits to the Louvre, long walks amongst the leaf-changing Tuilieries, hours sitting at our favorite cafes, reading by the fountains under the golden autumn sun, choosing fresh produce from the farmers market, frequenting our favorite boulangerie, and picking up a few {or more} could-not-resist French bebe items.  I didn't think it was possible to fall deeper in love with this city than I already was, but this extended stay pushed me overboard into the 'madly in love' category, and just like a junkie, I need a fix badly. Fingers-crossed, I hope we return soon.

[Reverie-Daydream Images]

POP!

Pop! Pop! Pop! ~ don't you just love to hear the sound of popcorn popping?  The transformation of these little kernels filling up our bowls as we gather around for foreign film night {my vow to learn French one way or another} is definitely a fall/winter weekly ritual.

I'm old-fashioned when it comes to popcorn ~ stove-top popping is the only way {especially since I refuse to own a microwave, gasp!}.  Heat up organic coconut oil, add the golden corn, and let the magic begin!  Upon transferring to the bowl, add a  hefty sprinkle of Himalayan salt.  Voilà: a perfect snack!

Always looking for a few new tasty tricks, so what's your favorite way to add a bit of flavor to popcorn?