Peace Be With You

My friend Lily sent me two photos today, taken with a point-and-shoot camera, from inside their home.

See the dove peeking out?

They have built a nest.  Lots of birds flock by Lily's house.  Thanks for the photos, Lily.  

See the two little grey birdies, top left window pane?

Just had to share, such a good sign, I think.  

Joining Elaine for Sunny Simple Monday.


xo

“When angels visit us, we do not hear the rustle of wings, nor feel the feathery touch of the breast of a dove; but we know their presence by the love they create in our hearts.”         ~  Unknown

The Great Gatsby

Some movies are meant to be re-made.  And The Great Gatsby is one of those classics.  It is definitely a contender for the "Great American Novel."  I remember reading the book in high school English Lit.

Tobey Maguire & Leonardo DiCaprio

Set in New York City in 1922, as well as a fictional town on Long Island (think Hamptons), F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote a tale of lavish parties, lots of decadence and,  gasp! debauchery.  

I am amazed at just how crazy the Roaring 20's were!  My mom was born in 1923, and she had older siblings in their teens.  But I am sure they did not "hobnob" with socialites.

Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan and Joel Edgarton as Tom Buchanan

Leo is aging so well, and I think he was born to play this role.  Jay Gatsby lives in Dreamland, and very childlike.  I remember seeing this in the 1970's with Robert Redford in the lead.  I like Leo better.

The lavish parties were so over the top, zebras splashing in the swimming pool with inebriated guests.  

The Moet was flowing.

Leo and Carey as Jay & Daisy

We saw it in 2D, but it was also available in 3D.  The cinematography was outstanding, so was the soundtrack.  Songs by Jay-Z, Beyonce, Rhianna, Will.i.am, Lana Del Rey. 

Isla Fisher as Myrtle Wilson, Joel Edgarton as Tom Buchanan

It is definitely a chick flick, so grab your best girlfriend or daughter (older one) or your momma, and go see it.  A matinee, early dinner with a friend, a favorite thing for me!

Sharing with A Favorite Thing and Seasonal Sundays, and Sunny Simple Mondays.


xo


Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's. Exodus 20:17 (Deuteronomy 5:21, Romans 7:7, 13:9)

Sky Watch Friday

Had to snap this as I was leaving the supermarket, with old cell phone and no editing (I HATE Picasa).  Cloudless, Cerulean blue sky.  An ordinary day, made extraordinary because of that sky.

Also sharing with The Dedicated House for Anything Blue Friday and Sally for Blue Monday.


xo

“There is one spectacle grander than the sea, that is the sky; there is one spectacle grander than the sky, that is the interior of the soul.” 
― Victor Hugo, Les Misérables

Note Card Party!

This month I am sharing photos of a fine summer day back in 2011.  I am looking forward to new adventures and day trips this summer, too.  Please visit Vee here to see all the wonderful contributions to the Note Card Party!

Throwin' shade!

Showing age is not always a bad thing

Only way to go is UP!

Sniff sniff ahhhh Zyrtec sniff some more

Thanks so much, Vee, for hosting. 

xo

All photos taken at Alice Austin Park, Staten Island, NY, June 2011.  For original post, click here.


You have to sniff out joy. Keep your nose to the joy trail.~ Buffy Sainte-Marie

Happy Mother's Day

Pinterest

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.  ~Washington Irving

My mother's favorite flower- calla lily

Happy Mother's Day to all the great moms in Blogland.  Hope you have a wonderful day with those you love, and doing what you want to do, even if it is just relaxing around the house.  It is your day.

xo

Cinco de Mayo, need some guacamole

Any day is a good day for some guacamole, in my opinion.   I found this "kit" at Trader Joe's.   Makes it even easier to whip up a batch when the mood strikes.

They included a recipe on the back

The avocado needed to ripen a bit so I had to wait. 
Next time I'll do a little ripeness squeeze test

There was a few cloves of garlic, too

I was in a chunky guacamole mood

Made some homemade chips, using corn tortillas, lightly misted with oil, sprinkled some cumin and oregano, and bake in 350 oven for 15-20 minutes

A mini fiesta for your taste buds.   

Joining Tutorials, Tips, Tidbits, Foodie Friday, Sweet and Simple Friday, Sunny Simple Sunday, Seasonal Sundays, What's It Wednesday, Share Your Cup, Full Plate Thursday, and A Favorite Thing.  Thanks to all the hostesses.

xo

Welcome to my new followers.  I hope you enjoy your visits here.

We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.   - Buddha 

Pasta Primavera, My Way

A couple of weeks ago, I won a beautiful maple cutting board, handmade by Nate Kutsko of Kutsko Kitchen, from Angela at Spinach Tiger.  Angela's food blog is filled with scrumptious recipes, and she highlights restaurants in her hometown in Tennessee.

This is the large Rhombus and is suited for left and right handed folks.  I think it is beautiful to use as a serving tray as well.

It makes me want to chop!  

Veggies, that is.  I decided to make a quicky pasta primavera (springtime pasta).

Asparagus, mushrooms, red onion.  Fresh spring peas would have been great.  Add whatever veggies you like, such as zucchini, carrot.

This cute dish is a garlic grater.  My friend Diane got this for me at Pier I.  Works great (no pun).

Saute til caramelized, salt, pepper, two cloves of garlic.

Love this pasta, cook til al dente. Use a little pasta water in the pan if too dry

I really need to plate some of this.......................!

Sharing with Tutorials, Tips, Tidbits, What's It Wednesday, Full Plate Thursday, Foodie Friday, Sunny Simple Sundays, Seasonal Sundays.

xo