Dreaming of Rose Petals

I have been missing all of you ...and I promise I will be back very soon!

In the mean time grab your cup of tea ... and pop on over  to these great BlogLand homes, where you will find a few words from moi.

Tuesday ~ February 28th you will find me over at

I am so honoured to have been featured in her In.Spired Series. While there be sure to take a look around Susan's blog she is one inspiring fashionista! and her adorable daughters are definitely fashionista's in training with their own style sense.

Wednesday~ February 29th you will find me over at

I'm so happy to be able to help out and keep {Semi}Wordless Wednesday going, while Daphne is away. SemiWordless Wednesday is not only a fabulous party ... but each week there are regular and new participants, Great opportunity to discover new blogs and meet some wonderful new friends too!! While there be sure to check out Daphne's blog for great food recipes, awesome shopping finds that do not break the bank.
Thank you to all my regular followers, readers and to the new followers and readers, who have stopped by while I have been away.
See you all soon! Till then I'll be working on sprucing up and organizing things over here [can't wait to share it all with you] and dreaming of the warm weather and showers of rose petals!!!

Changes are in the Air and Afternoon Tea...

You may have noticed some subtle (and perhaps some not so subtle) changes taking place around here. You know how it goes, you are only thinking of changing one thing; then all of sudden that change inspires something else and before you know it you are looking at changing a whole lotta things!

Which leads to.... 

Happy Valentine's Day Friends...

The origin of this holiday for the expression of love really isn't romantic at all -- at least not in the traditional sense. Valentine was a Roman Priest at a time when there was an emperor called Claudias who persecuted the church at that particular time. He also had an edict that prohibited the marriage of young people. This was based on the hypothesis that unmarried soldiers fought better than married soldiers because married soldiers might be afraid of what might happen to them, or their wives or families if they died.

Valentine secretly married them (young people) because of the edict. Valentine was eventually caught, imprisoned and tortured for performing marriage ceremonies against command of Emperor Claudius the second. There are legends surrounding Valentine's actions while in prison. One of the men who was to judge him in line with the Roman law at the time was a man called Asterius, who's daughter was blind. He (Valentine) was supposed to have prayed with and healed the young girl with such astonishing effect that Asterius himself became Christian as a result.

In the year 269 AD, Valentine was sentenced to a three part execution of a beating, stoning, and finally decapitation all because of his stand for Christian marriage. The story goes that the last words he wrote were in a note to Asterius' daughter. He inspired today's romantic missives by signing it, "from your Valentine."

Thank you for joining me for tea today! In celebration of Saint Valentine, I have prepared a heart felt tea of friendship for you. 

Week~end Dreaming ...

These items can all be found here

The weather has certainly been unpredictable so far this season. Usually by now we are knee deep ~ OK ankle deep, in the white fluffy snow. This year despite being bitter cold one day (way below freezing) the next day will be an almost 20 degree difference, above zero.

I would be most content if the weather would accommodate wearing this!

Afternoon Setting for Two

A couple of weeks ago we were graced with some winter snow (which has been MIA for the most part this winter). It was bitter cold outside, so the Mr. and I decided to curl up on the sofa for an afternoon of movies; reading and just relaxing.

How Important Are You?

Though I don't work, all the therapy appointments and things that I need to do (on a daily and weekly basis) in order to keep my body and mind functioning, is equivalent to a full time job . Over the past 5 years I have been so determined to get better that I've forgotten about ME. At times going from one therapy appointment to the next without stopping for proper healthy meals  ~ the focus has been on getting all the appointments in before the day's energy supply is exhausted. Sometimes by the time I get home all I want is to lay down, not move and the thought of eating is far from my thoughts ~ partially because it will be tomorrow before I remember that I really didn't eat. When did I become so unimportant?

Some of you may be saying/thinking "your therapy and things to keep your body and mind going are for you!"  Yes, you are correct but just like when I was working in the corporate world,  so I could enjoy my high  heeled life ~ the mind and body still needed time to renew, heal and create reserves of energy and peace. Something that even with all the long hours I still managed to do, back then.

"So what's different" you ask? 

Well, much like women with many roles and responsibilities ~ wife, parent, sibling, child, friend and career worker spending their days catering to the needs of others at the expense of their own well being. I have come to realize on this road to recovery that I have let others dictate appointments, sessions and activities according to what works best for them, and not what is best for me.  Too caught up in the Doing ~worried how a long time between appointments would look; not wanting to be labeled as difficult or not-interested in getting better, I forgot how to be. I fell prey to NOT BEING IMPORTANT, after all everyone else was scheduling according to what was best for them.

Does some of the above (perhaps for different reasons) sound familiar? Do you feel frustrated, tired, overwhelmed and a bit off balance? Well it's time to take back your life!

Here are some of my ideas for ME TIME? 

Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day 

that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michaelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson and Albert Einstein. ~ H. Jackson Brown

20 minutes.... (even if you start with one day a week ...and gradually add a day)

Start reading that book that has been staring at you from your night table, since Christmas 2005....

Tune the world out with a relaxing warm bath ...  a head set will help keep outside noise away

(for those with small children or hubbies who always can't find something - LOCK THE DOOR)

Just sit and enjoy a cup of tea or your favorite warm soothing beverage

Write in your journal ... goals, plans, just write

Meditate ... using soft music or a CD with directed meditation

Until you value yourself, you will not value your time. Until you value your time, 

you will not do anything with it. ~ M. Scott Peck

I would love for you to share how you make ME TIME and 

some of the things you do with that time!!

Tea Room In the City ...

Living in the country and having a birthday 6 days before Christmas makes planning a get-together with friends almost next to impossible any time near the actual date. So when one of my girl friends suggested that we start an annual Girls Tea in the City to celebrate Christmas and my BDAY!! I was over the moon delighted.

The tea room is among the finest in the city ... 

If you live or visit the GTA , you might guess where we went!!!

They offer two sitting areas; a traditional side with cream and white furnishings more of the Victorian era, and a modern side with dark and light purples accented by white ceiling and trim.

It was Christmas time....the contrast of the red and light purple was so beautiful...

The chandelier, is breath taking. This room also has a fireplace and is quite grande and glamorous!

Did you guess the WINDSOR ARMS ?

No matter how many times we take tea at the WA, Ms. J always discovers something fascinating!

Ms. L ~ just mention food, tea, and champagne and her face lights up!!

Moi ... enjoying the peacefulness before the room comes alive with the chitty chatter of the other guests. The Tea Room is booked solid with reservations during normal afternoon tea, add in Christmas season and the chances of getting a  last minute seating almost a dream. Despite the higher noise level of happy Christmas shoppers, I am  happy to be enjoying time in the city with my wonderful and thoughtful besties...

Now on with our tea...

How lovely is this tea pot ... all deck out in gorgeous roses..

I tried to get a photo of tea cup ... sorry for the quality ... I even took a photo of the bottom, sadly it didn't turn out at all ~ and I can't recall the maker.

There were plenty of yummy goodies to keep our taste buds tingle with delight,

another tea pot decked out in pink roses makes an appearance on our table....

and here is a white one with a collar trimmed in blue.  I love when tea rooms use different tea pots and tea cups [instead of the same style cup and tea pot for everyone], it takes me back in history to when tea was starting to make its mark on the world. The average person could barely afford the tea let alone a set of matching tea cups. But that did not stop them from enjoying and hosting afternoon tea. Guests would just bring their own tea cup.

Thank you Ms. L and Ms. J for making my birthday celebration extra special!! and I can't wait to celebrate Girls Tea in the City 2012...

For more fabulous afternoon  tea inspirations, please visit these wonderful hostesses...
Tea Time Tuesday ~ with Sandi 
Tea Time with Bernideen's

Tea Party Tuesday ~ with Trish

Martha's & Terri's Tea Time Tuesday

Teacup Thursdays

Antiques And Teacups

For some wonderful vignette inspirations visit Marty for   Table Top Tuesday

Tablescape Thursdays ~ with Susan

Front Door Romance

While the outside of our country home remains under upgrading (we took down the siding which we did not like ~ but remain undecided on stone, stucco or bead and board,) one place that I am able to add some touches to is our front entrance - will actually the door.

Christmas provides the greatest opportunity to liven up the entrance. But between Christmas and Easter is a long time. So, this year I have decided to add a little Romance to our entrance instead of leaving it bare.

 Here is the entrance, ready to greet our guests during Christmas....

And here it is ready to greet our guests during the month of Romance...

I've kept the cedar garland and changed the Christmas wreaths for hearts. 

I've also kept the greenery in the urns ... but removed the Christmas birds, balls and the pine cones from the red bows on the sides. (yup... there is what the outside walls look like tie-back - I think that's what that is called).

Added some hearts on a strand..... kept in a couple of the gold touches ...

and stuck in two hearts and an XOXO  using very tiny dowels.

There you have it ... Happy Romance Day!

Do you change your front entrance seasonally or by holiday?

Joining ....

SHOW OFF YOUR COTTAGE MONDAY

Metamorphosis Monday

Make YOUR vote count!! I need YOUR HELP

In BlogLand we come across many wonderful and inspiring blogs one of those blogs for me is Riley's Smile. I have been following Stacie and her wonderful warm and from the heart written posts. Riley is incredible and his life and that of his loving family is an inspiration to all whose life they touch (via virtual or in person).

When I stopped in for my visit today and read Stacie's post about The Ugliest Blog Contest... I knew this was something that my friends in BlogLand could help with!! NO... Riley's Smile is not an ugly blog ... but Stacie feels that the blog "could use a little professional help to achieve desired impact and bring in a larger audience", So if winning The Ugliest Blog contest helps her ... Let's all VOTE!! When you get to the voting page ... you can scroll down to where the thumbnails are ... click on the STAR VOTE - under Riley's Smile linky button - to cast your vote!! Clicking on the actual Riley's Smile button will take you to Stacie's blog and no vote is cast. ( Yes, I found out by trial error ..lol)

I'm asking for your help , because I believe that Stacie's and Riley's story is one that will help so many. Also this will hopefully expose Riley's Smile to new readers... Thank you for your friendship and support of Riley's Smile.

CLICK HERE TO CAST YOUR VOTE                      CLICK HERE TO VISIT RILEY"S SMILE Blog

Voting Ends February 10/12

image via Riley's Smile 

ABOUT Riley's Smile ... From Stacie's About section.

About: Riley's smile graces me every day now. His smile wasn't always there and this is my chronicle of finding his smile and those of my entire family along the way. I share my life with my husband, John, and two beautiful sons, Riley and Ronan. I share our story with the intention of coming to my own peace with all the past eight years has brought us. I also hope that in sharing, others experiencing special needs may gain their own insights and peace. 

Thank you.

I've been Tagged and Awarded

Being tagged or given an award in Blogland is always humbling to me. But sometimes [as many of you will agree] answering the questions and passing it along [knowing how busy everyone is] as part of the acceptance is overwhelming. You want to show your appreciation but the hours in the day are not enough; you thank the person- and set the questions aside - intending to get to them ... then it disappears into the pile of computer files... surfacing months later, giving you  a red tomato shade on your face "How could I have let that slip (forgotten)".

Just as I was about to put a button on my sidebar saying how much I appreciate being tagged and humbled by awards ~ I don't want to disappoint - by not being able to fulfill the requirements and pass it along to others. So please leave me a comment in place of an award or tagging.

I received an Award - for Versatile Blogger from my dear friend Adrienne of The Rich Life (on a Budget) Adrienne has a fabulous blog and shares wonderful fun ways to enjoy life that DO NOT break the bank. Recently Adrienne also teamed up with another blog friend Rebekah to write Sugarless, Flourless and Fabulous! to share wonderful tips and recipes for eating healthy and staying fit.  Thank you Adrienne for understanding and saying up front if not able to do it - it is ok.... Thank you!! Thank You!!


I was also tagged by Halle of Classic Glam you can read about Halle, in my first response. 

Quick Blogger TAG

 1. Who tagged you?

I was tagged by Halle of Classic Glam. Halle is new to Blogland, but if her first few posts are a taste of what she will be writing and sharing ... you will definitely want to be following her for fashion, interior design and at home spa remedies.

2. What is the main idea of your blog?

Originally when I started blogging in March 2010 ~ it was an outlet to help re-develop my writing, focus, memory and interacting skills in conjunction with my Speech Therapy (post accident). As I travel down the road of this detour in my life, it's starting to evolve into creating a Me and Life that better fit together.

3. What are your top 3 places to shop?

Through blogging I have meant some wonderful friends who are not only bloggers but wonderful artisans and purveyors of  things from simpler times [something that I find most appealing ~ like antique/vintage china; silver etc.] ~ ETSY and Blogger Boutiques


Holt Renfrew (it's like a Saks in the USA)


Paris 
from street vendors to designer boutiques to the fabulous pastry and chocolate shops...

4. If you got $500 what would you spend it on?

I would buy chocolates and cards; donate them to the local Women's shelter, so that the women and children they help would know that someone is thinking of them and wishing them a Happy Valentine's day.

5. Flats or heels?

I am definitely a Heels gal heart and soul (if you see my shoe shelves they are still filled with heels) but, I'm slowly accepting that flats are in my future [my reality now]

6. Favorite color (be specific!)?

This is a tough one... I have been gravitating towards softer colours ... robin's egg blue ~ is definitely my go to colour at the moment for an accent colour in our home. For clothing earth tones (creams, tans, taupe, brown)

7. Favorite blogger of the moment and why?

WOW ... it's difficult to narrow it down to just one. There are so many wonderful wonderful ladies whom I admire for so many different reasons. As I read this question ~ a dozen names all entered my head. But rules are rules ... so 

Carol from Facing 50 with Humour ~ even on my darker days, reading one of her posts ~ will soften a smile on my face ... and make my day a little brighter. When she was recently held hostage (not literally) without any internet access, = no posts, I found myself going back and reading some older posts. Even the second time around they managed to make me smile.

8. One of the goals you have for your blog?

I would love for my blog to become a great spot for people to find inspiration, motivation and be helpful to those facing transition(s) in life.

9. When did you start blogging?

March 1st 2010 my very post went up.

10. Who do you tag? 

(At least 5 people: include names and links!) 

Carol Facing 50 with Humour

Debby Inspired Design

Mariette Mariette's Back to Basics

Mary Hope Filled Living

Kristin Bring Pretty Back

I encourage you visit each of these ladies, they will brighten your day and inspire you! Please stop by and welcome Halle Classic Glam to BlogLand.

To the ladies I have tagged [borrowing Adrienne's words] please don't feel obligated to "do" your award ,tag if it's not your thing or you are too busy.

Sisterhood

sis·ter·hood ~  first known use of Sisterhood 14th century


Definition of SISTERHOOD

1

a : the state of being a sisterb : sisterly relationship

2

: a community or society of sisters; especially : a society of women in a religious order

3

: the solidarity of women based on shared conditions, experiences, or concerns

To me Sisterhood is any group of women who desire to make a difference and make the world a better place. I am thrilled to be part of Blogging Sisters, found by Mary of Hope-Filled Living.    Participants commit to a year of keeping their Blogging Sister in their prayers and let them know they are thought of throughout the year with notes, cards and leaving positive, encouraging messages on their blog (if they have one). Mary, being the creative soul she is, added a little twist ~ You see, each participant knows who the Blogging Sister is that they have committed to BUT the fun part is ~ You do not know who your own Blogging Sister is, Mary will reveal her identity at the end of the year. 

From the movie Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2

This week I received my first surprise from my Blogging Sister. No return address, to help identity her she may be (she is sticky to the rules ... and for that I already love her!!) Though the stamp and it's origin reveals a little. I'm going to refrain from any detective work, that may  indicate whom she is. After all I want to have a surprise at the end of the year too! When Mary does the reveal. So if you don't mind, since I'm not able to send a proper Thank You note ~ I will be posting my Thank You here.

Dearest Blogging Sister:

Your wonderful surprise arrived in perfect timing. It has been a bit of a challenging week, and when Mr. G announced a large envelope had arrived ~ I had no idea, it would be from you. The moment I opened it ... a smile appeared across my face. Not only for your sweet card, but the thoughtful additions. You did some homework :) ...

Inside the envelope ...

This pen with it's butterflies ... to me [butterflies] signify strength, faith and transition. The butterfly goes through so many changes in such a short time in its life. Emerging as one of God's creatures that gives so much back to the world with its presence. I hope   KNOW, that one day I too will emerge from this detour in life and be a helping presence to others. Dearest Blogging Sister that you chose a Butterfly pen ... is most priceless to me. I feel like the Angels are speaking and saying ... "Yes you will emerge! and you will write!"

I will be using my pen each evening as I update my prayer book with people I ask God and his Angels to look after. And evening I know that someone is saying a prayer for me ~ just by looking at my pen. What a wonderful end to a day, before drifting off to sleep.

How, beautiful is this scarf! 

It is light and warm ...

 on cold days I can wrap it around my neck. The colours are perfect! 

It will be one that I can wear year round!

Thank you for your thoughtfulness... Hugs, Celia.