Happy New year to all~

Happy New year to all~, a photo by The Dance of Life by D' Image Miner ~ Lisa 1377 on Flickr.

Mayan's Doomsday Dinner Recipe ~ from my table to yours

Mayan's Doomsday Dinner Recipe ~ from my table to yours, a photo by The Dance of Life by D' Image Miner ~ Lisa 1377 on Flickr.

My best ever Dinner Recipe on the end of the Mayan Calendar ~ I made a home made cranberry/orange sauce, Nando's Lemon & Herbs Grilled Chicken Breast, Beet Salad Greens, & served with three kinds of rice (basmati, wild black rice & brown)

Lemon Herb Chicken Recipe
1/2 onion (rub chicken with onion, discard onion after)
3 tsp whole freshoregano ( I used all fresh herbs from my pots of herbs)
3 tsp fresh thyme
3 tsp fresh rosemary
6 cloves garlic
salt & pepper to taste
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
2 whole chicken breast
Mix all herbs & garlic in the food processor with olive oil & lemon juice. Rub chicken and put the rest of the mixture & let stand for about half hour. Grilled or seared chicken and bake in the oven for about 30 minutes. Serve with 3 grain steamed rice.

Cranberry Sauce
1 bag fresh cranberry (frozen is ok to use)
1 1/2 cup sugar
4 wide strip orange zest
1 cuo orange jiuce
coarse salt & pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients and cook for about 20-25 minutes & add orange juice when done.

Steamed Beets
4 cups fresh beets (peeled & quartered)
olive oil
Salt & pepper to taste
Place all beets on foil, wrap & place on water bath & bake for about 1.5 hours or until tender.

Bon Apetit, my best Mayan Doomsday Recipe Ever ~ Merry Christmas to every one. Cheers :-)

Atypical Tree in B&W

Atypical Tree in B&W, a photo by The Dance of Life by D' Image Miner ~ Lisa 1377 on Flickr.

I wasn't thinking of putting an evergreen tree this year, one things it takes a lot of hours to finish one. I remember when friends used to hire me to decorate their houses during Christmas season, I remember spending many hours putting my creativity, using a lot of my artistic imagination and energy decorating houses inside & out, and that is including my house. I've done it for many years.
It seems like the energy never drain out. This year is the year that I cannot do the same thing as I used to, instead I decided to make my atypical (unusual) tree. I know that what's important is the spirit of Christmas, it 's the time to give back and never asked for any return.
I also decided to present it in it's monotone and not the usual color version. I want to be different this time.
Happy Holidays to all!

"Lest We Forget"

"Lest We Forget", a photo by The Dance of Life by D' Image Miner ~ Lisa 1377 on Flickr.

"Lest We Forget" 

For those who were killed in battle,

For those who gave up their lives to save others 

For those who fought because they were forced to, 

For those who died standing up for a just cause 

For those who said war was wrong, 

For those who tried to make the peace 

For those who prayed when others had no time to pray 

For those creatures who needlessly die 

For those trees that needlessly are slaughtered 

For all of mankind ~ M. Griffin

Have a safe Remembrance Day long week-end to all.

The Choice We Make~

The Choice We Make~, a photo by The Dance of Life by D' Image Miner ~ Lisa 1377 on Flickr.

~I wake up every day with the realization that this is it, that there's only one shot at this life and I can either enjoy the ride and live it to its fullest and to my highest potential or I can stay the way I am. I chose to enjoy my ride, for every slope, every bump, to bear the exhaustive ride & made it through, until I have passed another labyrinthine path...

It was so strong I have to fight or be defeated. I finally hold on my emotions and woke up in this cataclysmic dream, my self control I have regained. I have realized that I need to be free in my prison cell that I am still in. Discovering I have to pass more passages and slip away in my labyrinthine paths. It is the choice I made, what's yours? ~ Lisa M

You are more than the choices that you've made, 

You are more than the sum of your past mistakes, 

You are more than the problems you create, 

You've been remade.

'Cause this is not about what you've done, 

But what's been done for you.

This is not about where you've been, 

But where your brokenness brings you to

This is not about what you feel, 

But what He felt to forgive you, 

And what He felt to make you loved. ~ Tenth Avenue North

What If Your Blessings Comes Through Raindrops~

What If Your Blessings Comes Through Raindrops~, a photo by The Dance of Life by D' Image Miner ~ Lisa 1377 on Flickr.

Her words are so deep that it touches your heart & soothe your deepest being & soul, we extend our hands & reach to God... He comforts me with all the aching of this life... so true!

BLESSINGS~

We pray for blessings

We pray for peace

Comfort for family, protection while we sleep

We pray for healing, for prosperity

We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while, You hear each spoken need

Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things

‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near

What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom

Your voice to hear

We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near

We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love

As if every promise from Your Word is not enough

All the while, You hear each desperate plea

And long that we’d have faith to believe

When friends betray us

When darkness seems to win

We know that pain reminds this heart

That this is not our home

What if my greatest disappointments

Or the aching of this life

Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy

What if trials of this life

The rain, the storms, the hardest nights

Are your mercies in disguise . Laura Story

www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOOFAaUGfRE&feature=fvwrel

The wind that makes music in November ~

The wind that makes music in November ~, a photo by The Dance of Life by D' Image Miner ~ on Flickr.

"Come said the wind to 

the leaves one day, 

Come o're the meadows 

and we will play. 

Put on your dresses 

scarlet and gold, 

For summer is gone 

and the days grow cold." 

- A Children's Song of the 1880's

A trip to the country side does fulfills my desire to look for unfamiliar yet rewarding findings. The striking roofline has caught my attention, the ambiance of fall is felt. The heavy dark sky is warning that another storm is coming. Another cold day and another rainy day is forecasted.

Bring all the wanderers home to the nest, let me sit down with the ones I love best, to cuddle in a warm corner, sip a cup of my favorite tea, and read till I fell asleep.

Soothing Rain & Fires of Autumn ~

Soothing Rain & Fires of Autumn ~, a photo by The Dance of Life by D' Image Miner ~ on Flickr.

Soothing Rainy Morning presents the fires of autumn. Surrey, BC

~Sing me the song of seasons,flowers in the summer, fires in the fall. It is the time of the year when the leaves starts to mature and its colours ripens, it is when the days grow colder each day. Leaves scurrying down the street before the wind. It is the time when the season paints the earth with colors of the rainbow. The cold shiver from an arctic blast, alas it is fall.

-- the temperature drops; the sunny haze; the mellow, rich delicate, almost flavoured air: Enough to live -- enough to merely be.

The Rainy Season. Dry corn stalks clattering in the wind. The touch of frost on grass and window pane. The smell of burning leaves. Rain is always expected it adds mystery especially when it is misty. Would you not go near the water and watch fall sing it's melancholy as the birds disappeared one by one. Falls signals ahead, father winter is near again, until spring awakens in its slumber.~

Slow Fade, move with care ~

Slow Fade, move with care ~, a photo by D' Image Miner ~ on Flickr.

"MOVE"

I'm not about to give up

Because I heard you say

There's gonna be brighter days

I wont stop, Ill keep my head up

No, I'm not here to stay

When life wont play along

And right keeps going wrong

And I cant seem to find my way

I know where I am found

So I wont let it drag me down

Oh, I'll keep dancing anyway

No matter what may come

Gotta move to a different drum

No matter what life brings

Gotta move gotta move to a different beat

Read more: MERCY ME - MOVE LYRICS

Imagination does not Care for reason ~

Imagination does not Care for reason ~, a photo by lisa 1377 on Flickr.

Imagination does not
Care for reason.
Reason does not
Care for imagination.
The poet in me cries
For imagination-wings.
The philosopher in me cries
For reason-sword.

- Sri Chinmoy

Same ground, the infinite abyss ~ copy #3

Same ground, the infinite abyss ~ copy #3, a photo by lisa 1377 on Flickr.

Hibiscus ~

Hibiscus ~, a photo by lisa 1377 on Flickr.

Last of the Season ~

Last of the Season ~, a photo by lisa 1377 on Flickr.

Lily Seeds ~

Lily Seeds ~, a photo by lisa 1377 on Flickr.

Lily Virides ~

Lily Virides ~, a photo by lisa 1377 on Flickr.

How The Season Change Us

How The Season Change Us, a photo by lisa 1377 on Flickr.

Last of the Season~ Lily's leaves

Last of the Season~ Lily's leaves, a photo by lisa 1377 on Flickr.

Same ground, the infinite abyss ~ in fall colour

Same ground, the infinite abyss ~ in fall colour, a photo by lisa 1377 on Flickr.

Same ground, the infinite abyss ~ in fall colour copy #2 (My second version and not too much change on the image)
I guess this is how I saw the fall colours around the old shipwreck very vividly today. The golden sky with the touch blue & littlest pick sky touches the vessel and falls on the water & reflected. How I love autumn, not too cold & not to warm, albeit today afar from the distance, the mountains has been dusted with snow already. Can't stop father time as winter is approaching.
Have a blessed Sunday.
Warm Regards

A farewell to Summer ~

A farewell to Summer ~, a photo by lisa 1377 on Flickr.

Weep! weep! oh, tearful skies,
While summer gently dies,
And let us bid her sad farewell;
There are no tears so dear
As yours, nor so sincere,
Nor to our hearts such solace tell.
Farewell!

The trees with beauteous green
The leaves no longer screen,
But to the sun their verdure sell;
He gives them glittering gold,
And colors manifold,
How short their day 'twere vain to tell.
Farewell!

Let the wind sadly sigh
O'er flowers that withered lie,
In sover mead, or verdant dell;
Under the falling leaves,
The shroud that autumn weaves,
They sleep, that once we loved so well.
Farewell!

Not with rare flow'rets gay
Make we a last bouquet,
But mint, and rue, and asphodel;
These are our chosen flowers,
Now that the summer hours
No more our hearts with gladness swell.
Farewell!

Early the waning light
Fades from our pensive sight,
While deeply tolls the evening bell;
Over the tree-tops tall,
Night treads her airy hall,
And silent listens to the knell.
Farewell!

By the night coldly kissed,
The silvery ghostly mist
Wakes from its slumbrous earthy cell;
Wanders beneath the trees,
Moved by each passing breeze,
Where late the burning sunshine fell.
Farewell!

Beneath the stars' faint gleam
Moves on the placid stream,
And towards the sea doth flow and swell;
So doth our life-stream flee
On towards infinity,
Where no abiding sorrows dwell.
Farewell!

Bernard McEvoy (1842-1932)

Shadows of a thousand years rise again unseen, Voices whisper in thetrees...

Shadows of a thousand years rise again unseen, Voices whisper in the trees..., a photo by lisa 1377 on Flickr.

Autumn Sonata ~

Autumn Sonata ~, a photo by lisa 1377 on Flickr.

Golden Ears in mist, "my morning sonata", awaken in my slumber to see the awakening of the sleeping giant. 

Golden Ears Bridge before sunrise today (October 11, 2012)

Surrey, BC

Worker on a mission ~

Worker on a mission ~, a photo by lisa 1377 on Flickr.

Taken at the Central Courtyard, Mission San Juan Capistrano,
Also known as the Plaza, was a work area and the heart of Mission life. Three zanjas (water channels) ran through Mission grounds and under the west wing into the Industrial area. Fr. O'Sillivan built the Moorish-style fountain. dedicated to the Four Evangelist, and planted most of the trees in the 1920's. Most of t he Mission's concerts and special events tak place here. This one of the many beautiful flowers in the Mission's garden, visited by hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, geckos I've seen and many more, plus the tourist that comes year round. The beautiful fountain's image will be posted soon to get a good view point of Mission San Juan Capistrano.
This is also where the little birds wing their way back to the most famous Mission in California, the village of San Juan Capistrano takes on a fiesta air and the visitors from all parts of the world, and all walks of life, gather in great numbers to witness the "miracle" of the return of the swallows.
After the summer spent within the sheltered walls of the Old Mission in San Juan Capistrano, the swallows take flight again, and on the Day of San Juan, October 23, they leave after circling the Mission bidding farewell to the "JEWEL OF ALL MISSIONS".
San Juan Capistrano, California

September 27, 2012

Cruising the Naples Island ~

Cruising the Naples Island ~, a photo by lisa 1377 on Flickr.

An authentic Gondola ride experience in California ala Venice, our gondolier rowed across the lagoon and through the canals of Naples, around the island. An enchanting experience, watched the sunset as we stroll along the millionaire's houses along the canal. A romantic treat for my mom & dad, but I tag along to take photos.
Gondola Ride, Naples Island, Long Beach, California
September 26, 2012

THE COURT YARD LA CASA DE ESTUDILLO

THE COURT YARD LA CASA DE ESTUDILLO, a photo by lisa 1377 on Flickr.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/limoz5412/8051460492/in/photostream/

Me Without You ~

Me Without You ~, a photo by lisa 1377 on Flickr.

And where would I be without You
I'd be packing my bags when I need to stay
I'd be chasing every breeze that blows my way
I'd be building my kingdom just to watch it fade away
Its true
That's me without you
That's me without you
That's me without you
Dont know where I'd be without you ~ TOBY MAC

"REMEMBERING YOUR LOST LOVE ONES"

HISTORICAL INFORMATION

Situated in San Diego County on the Fort Rosecrans Military reservation, the cemetery is located approximately 10 miles west of San Diego, overlooking the bay and the city.

Many Fort Rosecrans interments date to the early years of the California Territory, including the remains of the casualties of the battle of San Pasqual. Shortly after the United States declared war on Mexico in May 1846, Brigadier Stephen Watts Kearney was tasked with conquering Mexico’s northern provinces, New Mexico and California. While Kearny demonstrated his considerable gift for administrative command with his acquisition of the New Mexican territory, he faced a more difficult task in California. Expecting a show of force from the Mexican Californios, Kearney set out west from New Mexico. Upon reaching California, Kit Carson intercepted him and his men, who informed him the territory had been taken by American settlers in the Bear Flag Revolt. Kearney sent 200 of his men back to New Mexico with the news and continued forward with one-third of his force. Unfortunately, the success of the revolt had been exaggerated and, before reaching their destination, Kearney and his men encountered a group of Californios intent on keeping more U.S. troops out of their homeland.

In the subsequent Battle of San Pasqual, 19 of Kearney’s men and an untold number of Californios lost their lives. Initially, the dead were buried where they fell, but by 1874 the remains had been removed to the San Diego Military Reservation. Eight years later, the bodies were again reinterred at what is now Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. In 1922, the San Diego chapter of the Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West had a large boulder brought from the battlefield and placed at the gravesite with a plaque affixed that lists the names of the dead.

Another notable monument in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery commemorates the deaths of 62 sailors in a boiler explosion aboard the USS Bennington. The Bennington, which had just returned from maneuvers in the Pacific, was anchored in San Diego Harbor. On July 21, 1905, the crew was ordered to depart in search for the USS Wyoming, which had lost a propeller at sea. At approximately 10:30 a.m., an explosion in the boiler room ripped through the ship, killing and wounding the majority of the crew. Two days later the remains of soldiers and sailors were brought to the post cemetery and interred in an area known as Bennington Plot.

Fort Rosecrans became a National Cemetery on Oct. 5, 1934. The decision to make the post cemetery part of the national system came, in part, due to changes in legislation that greatly increased the number of persons eligible for burial in a national cemetery. Grave space in San Francisco National Cemetery then grew increasingly limited. In addition, southern California was experiencing a phenomenal population growth during this period, and there was a definitive need for more burial sites. www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/ftrosecrans.asp

Sea, Sand, Shore of La Jolla.Ca

Sea, Sand, Shore of La Jolla copy, a photo by lisa 1377 on Flickr.

Is it Time To Go Home Yet

Is it Time To Go Home Yet, a photo by lisa 1377 on Flickr.

Tonight I decided to process a photo; out of hundreds of images I haven't touch in the last 6 months from around my town to all the travels I've been to this is something that caught my very eye. Be it metaphoric or symbolic it's all up to you. For me it is still something beautiful as it serve it's purpose, as when it was new or on it's aging years. 

Happy Wednesday!! Cheers

New England Style Ideas For You

I love to transform & to do interior designing and make-over for my house & friends, & an obsession for all things vintage! I am inspired by lots of different decorating styles including shabby chic, New England style, French, rustic country house style and over the past months I’ve been really drawn to repurposing lightings and furnitures, reclaimed wood and dressers. 

I like to decorate with an eclectic mix of aged, salvaged pieces of furniture, quirky vintage finds, French and Swedish antiques in chalky whites, greys, blues and greens. I like to incorporate salvaged architectural finds into my interiors and I’m a big fan of re-purposing and upcycling furniture.

I generally prefer to decorate with whites and neutrals as it offers more versatility but my main objective when decorating a room is to make sure there is plenty of character, interest, personality, warmth and texture. This blog is simply a scrapbook of some home inspirations, ideas and the things I love. It is a creative outlet and if nothing else, I would hope this blog provides some eye candy for you to enjoy when you want to get away from it all!

These are ideas I’ve gathered from the creative juices of friends blogs around, I hope you don’t mind. I have a new project for a special client, it’s the guest room, master’s bathroom (putting in a new chandy), and lightings for the formal dining. 

I love gathering ideas and using them for my new look & a much more creative way for a purpose, making it beautiful! 

Please watch for it. Have fun with me and show me what have you done lately. 

Enjoy and thanks for dropping by. 

Bonjour!

below are my inspiration ideas i've gathered before i've started one of my summer projects.

a room before the transformation~

a room make - over, a finished project ~

freshly painted room in aqua blue and wainscoting panels a new crystal chandy has added to the charm of this guest room. what are your thoughts?

If it’s all in the detail, then the detail certainly comes into play when you are looking after others at home. Overnight guests are ultimate challenge to a hostess: how can you make their stay with you memorable and comfortable? The answer is, naturally, in the detail: an old maxim from all those ‘how to be a good hostess’ books recommended that the said hostess slept a night in every one of her spare rooms. This you may not want to do – indeed, you may not have more than one guest room; but at least go into the room and look at it clinically from a stranger’s point of view.

Lovely bed linen; a light that is tall enough to illuminate your book, plus, of course, a good book to read, a small vase of freshly picked flowers and a glass for midnight water; and – important this – a bedside alarm clock: all these are the considerate finishing touches. You want your guest to wake up re-fresh and rested. A good breakfast will leave your guest a wonderful feeling of being home and at rest. 

Enjoy, and thanks for visiting!

W

White is the color of calm. Give in, one lazy late summer afternoon, to your fall moods and brew a pot of your favorite tea. Find a spot near a window, and sit quietly for a while, doing nothing. Observe the season’s light-see the changing colors of the season as it spills across the country. Now allow your eye to wander across the bookshelves, recalling as you do a favorite novel, a beloved photograph album, a memorable collection of gardening essays. And pour more tea. Now it is time for reflection, for re-experiencing your surroundings, for seeing old things in new ways. Soothe your spirit by surrounding yourself with flowers, each one white as snow yet bursting with fragrance and life. And gather objects – stoneware bowls, porcelain pitchers, a milk-glass vase-use in your display.

Daydream. Let the softness of a rose’s petals, the bright, grassy smell of a bouquet

 of daisies, the trumpet-shape blossoms of paper white awaken your senses and 

hint the goodbye of summer and welcomes the inevitable of autumn. Fill a bowl

with baby’s breath effervescent and white.  Take note of the rose flower, sculptural and exquisite, with its neatly tucked petals and graceful height. 

Tranquility is born of quiet observation, and peace comes our way when we lit it. So, as the afternoon passes, silent and still, and nature is soon to sleeps, leaves will start to fall to the ground, brooks will start to whisper less and slowly will slumber till fall. After all, time may fell suspended but it’s not! 

Feel at home & enjoy The joy of tea time

Home comforts

 last days of summer , story book of charms

“before & after”, one summer project

summer berries 

A favorite fruit cake, let me share it with you?

white ceramic tea pots & pitchers i collect adorns the top of my fireplace

a flea market find; an old coffee mill, added charm to my buffet table & white ceramic collection wares.

a friend hand me down her heirloom crochet

 table cloths & runners, what a treasure! 

Another project I’ve finished my Old Italian chair I’ve re-purposed and upholstered. A stunning difference. Doesn’t it make you love whites?

projects ~  i guess i made myself super busy this summer, with all my trips & projects. I want to do it till winter. how about you?

 let me add whim to this chair & tea set; i would love to share with you.

a special tea set, a treasure i want to pass to my one & only daughter. she loves my decor finds too.

a job well done, my project adores my living room

did i tell you that i also collect tassels? not only teapots and tea cups, but tassels, yes I love 'em hanging everywhere.

a few of my favorite collections & decors for summer. 

stay tuned for more before & after photos. 

Thanks for the visit. 

Merci beaucoup!