somepinkflowers

seaside? still?

 seaside   salty air    seafood 
simmering soup   {{ limoncello }}   shore birds
splashing   {{ dear friends }}    sassy salsa 
solidtude    siesta    sand  seagulls
seafront    seaside sparrow
sky  serenity   seacoast  secrets
seaside still !!

tourist tuesday and my stay in the medina pavilion at peacock pavilions

From my library's dormer window I see five grey squirrels scampering up the oak trees in the front yard. They seem busy  and filled with earnest purpose.

It is April in north Florida and some serious squirrel*nest building is going on in a location Up High.

Serious house*nest cleaning and re-organization is going on inside my home, too. 

My spring cleaning happens like clock~work every April as I prepare to fly the coop in May for my vacation.

I want everything spiffy before I leave town. If my plane goes down and I end up LOST on some deserted island, I want my family & crew to find a clean place to gather whilst awaiting my return.

:-)

May is the best month to be in FLorida if the wild fires have not yet gone raging mad.

I know, I know.

Why do I leave my home just when plants are staring to green up, before Mr. Humidity moves in & smothers the entire state and before Hurricane Season sneaks in with all her windy baggage?

I paint such a fine picture of Florida one can not WAIT to visit!

May is the best time to be most any place on the map as far as I am concerned.

Hotels have been spruced up for the season, students are not clogging the beaches and airplane fares have not sky-rocketed through the roof, waiting as they usually do for June.

Last May it took me over 36 hours to travel from my front door in Florida to the front door of Peacock Pavilion in Marrakesh.

I arrived in the middle of the night, delivered by a polite young driver from the airport, to find Maryam & others waiting up for me.

Maryam & I both started our blogs in August of 2006. I followed her straight away as she & her handsome, architect husband Chris Redecke built their dream~come~true home in Peacock Pavilion.

I looonged to travel to this place, to look up into the grand domed ceilings of the salons, but saw no way for it to happen logically.

I sent these encouraging words in an email to Maryam in 2007 when delays were plaguing the completion date of Peacock Pavilion {{ I only last week  rediscovered the message saved in the Wrong Folder on my Old Computer. Go figure! }}

""I am a BIG believer

that we each move toward our Dominate Thought,

and that we draw things to us in this fashion.""

Why, I had no idea!
Peacock Pavilion must have become a Dominate Thought for me...

Peacock Pavilion is divided into several stand~alone buildings.

When I made my journey to Marrakesh last May, one might say it actually took me 4+ years to get there, I ended up staying in the very room I had imagined all along as being mine in the Medina Pavilion.

I love how these things happen, don't you?

The photos I share with you here are of the Medina Pavilion taken by me last spring.

Clearly, Maryam's eye for Morocan design detail is above reproach.

Perhaps you have seen photos of Peacock Pavilion on other blogs as it has become THE travel destination of many who seek yoga and art retreats of the highest quality.

While the top-notch B&B accommodations and exotic location are beyond stellar, the cuisine is the best you will find anywhere in the world. Many of  the fresh herbs & vegetables are grown on the grounds.

Yes.
It is here you will find Charming Luxury in Marrakesh.

At these risk of sounding like a advert, I have to share this news with you.

If you enjoy the photos here, you might enjoy Maryam's new book, Marrakesh By Design,  which will be available in the states on May 1st.

I have pre~ordered mine on Amazon.com.

Hopefully my copy will be waiting for me when I return from my vacation in June.

What is your Dominate Thought, travel*wize?

over on the island

Over on the island things have been hopping for days & days.

Chilly waves to jump, busy beaches to walk, lonesome shells to rescue.

And that was only during the day*time...

At night the island was swinging Big Time with

• The Moody Blues
• Bill Clinton
• Tony Bennett
• Lyle Lovett
• John Hiatt

I know you are thinking:  I did not know President Clinton had a band!

But, no, Clinton spoke of global issues such as how the current trend toward expansion is not sustainable & how we All can make a difference. He spoke on Civil Rights, literacy, water issues in China and other concerns facing our spinning planet.

He spoke with a voice strong & true.

Do not get me wrong.

President Clinton & I have not always seen eye-to-eye on Certain Things but maybe age has mellowed us both, as it is apt to do. There is no denying his accomplishments. There is no pushing aside his infectious optimism.

So much dreaming in the sun & so much dancing to the music for one Spring Break. Remembering the past, planning for the future.

Needing another break, I bought these fine little roses & headed on home.

Always, always it is about Time & Natural Forces.

 

spring breaking

on valentine's day there are always two kinds of people

Today, on Valentine's Day, there are always two kinds of people in the world.

There are those who are in love and there are those who are not.

There are those who are in love and want to tell the world.

And, there are those who are in love and want to keep it a secret.

There are those who are in love and want to tell the world and so they buy cards and chocolate and flowers and fancy dinners out.

They might even hire a sky*writer to spell I LOVE YOU up beside the fluffy clouds.

Also, there are others, like moi, who might get out red-handled scissors and make little hearts from lacey paper doilies and decorate them with sparkly glitter.

Or, maybe they recently learned to crochet wee, red and white hearts and whilst watching Downton Abbey  they make a china bowl full of hearts to give away.

Yes, there are always two kinds of people in the world.

There are those who make valentines with wee, red and white crocheted hearts and mail them out On Time so as they will be received today, on Valentine's Day.

And, then
there are those who make valentines with wee, red and white crocheted hearts BUT FORGET to mail them out On Time.

Fortunately for me,
I hand delivered my valentine to mysweet mom yesterday...

For the rest of you, this one is for you!

tourist tuesday and nights of lights in st. augustine, florida

Standing on the south rim of the Grand Canyon, Nikon in hand, I snapped nothing.

With colors rich and vistas wide the Grand Canyon overpowered me.
I put my camera away.

I am ashamed to say I bought postcards instead.

That was years ago before I learned my camera lessons.

Now I would capture the rocks at my feet if nothing else.

The first time I saw the Mona Lisa I was shocked.
So small and  crowd~surrounded was she!

I took photos of the feet of the people pushing closer to get nearer.

Shoes so different from one another.
Shoes seeming more approachable, more manageable than the Mona Lisa.

I focused on the details I could handle.

Yes.
I have better learned my camera lessons.

Always, always it is about the light.

About the details.

About looking up.

I love the Nights of Lights in my St. Augustine town.

Two million bright~white bulbs shining from November 19- January 31.

Plum magical, indeed!

I bet you have them in your town, too. These holiday light displays.

Here every one gets into the act as if by royal decree.

Our lights are not as vast as the Grand Canyon.
Not quite as well-known as the Mona Lisa.

But if you come to St. Augustine some holiday season and meander about as the sun goes down-- quickly and completely--you will not be disappointed.

Peak in small shop windows, midsized museums and grand hotels.

Look for the lights tracing the edges of old churches and street signs.

Search for the lights escaping through glass windows and doors.

Always, always look up.

Always, always look down.
Don't miss a thing!

If you go here you will see I am not the only one who loves these Nights of Lights.

Let me know when you get to town.

For only one amaretto sour I will gladly be your enthusiastic guide.

If you can find me...
If  I am not already out capturing the light...
{{ Best call ahead. }}

 

well, hello there, new year!

Outside my morning window this New Year's Day a bird sings: Chewy-chewy-chewy-chooowy.

I do not know this bird. Most likely he is just passing through. Just like me.

Just like you.

Last night I sat with friends on the end of the dock. Our tummies filled with exotic cheeses, cod*snacks from Newfoundland and local oysters opened by a golden campfire.

We watched, looking to the south towards the pier, as fireworks blossomed into red and gold chrysanthemums over the dark and seemingly silent sea.

Girl*pals {{ or as this dear one calls them: chums }} everywhere have been sharing their New Word for 2012. A single word to focus the year, to guide each day and give it special meaning.

I love this idea of word selection. A best~friend word as an angel on ones shoulder for 365 days. I feel the power in such a specially selected word. A totem word.

I listen in wonder at the selection friends have made, thrilled to hear the story behind the choice.

grace     strength     patience     acceptance

I get it.

I can never pick one word. Most words taste yummy inside my head. All are filled with possibilities. Each one could suit me to a T.

This clever one tells me, "Just pick a word for a short time and not for a whole year."

I mull it over.

So, I have selected my word for the week.
It is a rather long, hyphenated compound word, which maybe you do not know.

Are you ready?
--------->

periwinkle~Sorrento~saltwater~owl~forgiveness.

 

 

{{ the best part }}

the oldest holding the newest
on a special day

open letter to santa and his plumber elves

Dear Santa,
Some times you crack me up over here with your sense of humor and spot~on timing...

Yes.
Life is grand!
And I DO like a happy surprise every now and then...

However.
Every single year, right before Christmas, you bring me a wee Unexpected Gift of  The Unrequested Nature...

In case you have forgotten...

Last year you brought me that Persistant Case of Poison Ivy a few days before Christmas which was quite a puzzle as I had not worked outside in my garden in weeks.

Even Dr. David was surprised.

"Sometimes the oil from the poison ivy plant can come inside on your dog's paw," the kind doctor explained.

I had not the heart to tell him we have no furry pet...

The year before that you brought me An Abscessed Tooth which later required a root canal and a crown of the sort not worn on one's head.

Dentist Bob seemed almost joyful.

"You should be happy this happened before Christmas as I always go skiing in Colorado for two weeks, leaving on the 24th, " the thoughtful doctor explained.

"We can drill this out before I leave," he went on enthusiastically.

"Yippeee!" I distinctly remember saying in my head, as my mouth was filled completely with dental detritus.

"Yippeee!"

To put it all in perspective, Santa, I guess I really should be happy that this year you brought me Water Pipe Difficulties.

At least I am not in any physical pain except for the checking*writing kind...

BTW,  not to be picky or anything, but the plumber from Monday was not very friendly. Also, he smashed my arugula whilst digging his plumbing hole.

I cannot remember his name but the one here today is quite nice actually.

Up until this week I had never stood in my bathroom with a Polish guy named Les so this has been a new experience for me.

Most likely for him, too.

"Are the Christmas pompoms in your way?" I asked pleasantly, moving the red yarn banner casually to one side as we enter the bathroom.

"The what?" Les replied, appearing somewhat stymied.

I did not know the Polish word for pompoms.

As I'm writing this to you now, Les is singing Polish Christmas carols in my upstairs bathroom whilst the toilet rests gently sideways on the floor.

I am not complaining one little bit, Santa.
"Thank goodness for plumbers!" I have always said...

Soon, very soon, I hope, my bathroom will be lovely and functioning. The sink will have shining new fixtures. The toilet will be newly refurbished.

Just in time for the holidays! That will be an unexpected treat! Life is good!

Plus, when all is said and done plumbing~wise, I may have scored enough American Express Rewards Points for a free airplane ride in 2012.

Who can say the reason for some things?

Merry Christmas, Santa!
I am over here hoping for only good things in your future!
I am wish you no abscessed teeth, no poison ivy, no water pipe difficulties, no smashed arugula!

Seriously...

Next year I am hoping for a new beach~bike.
Just so you will know...

Fondly {{ and with Extreme Gratitude
for Doctors, Dentists & Plumbers Everywhere
this Holiday Season}},
somepinkflowers

haiku my heart and moose wanders by

Christmas Crafting here!
reds, greens, yarn, fabric...waiting...
{{  jOy in construction }}

~~~for more delicious haiku my heart
with
recuerda mi corazon,
please do pop in here~~~ 

haiku my heart loves a virgin a day

mother mary knows,
in rome i turn catholic...
{{ we laugh about it }}

over here we honor the madonna--
as an offering of beauty & light--
during the first 12 days of december.

i hope you have a moment to visit a few...

thanksgiving on pine street

dia de los muertos, dia de bloglandia

Today on Dia de los Muertos I honor my father
who taught me many things.

How to make a fort of newly raked leaves & then jump in it.
How to ride a red two~wheeler on the hill of our driveway without falling.
How to catch a softball in a well~worn leather glove.
How to root for the Home Team and eat popcorn at the same time..

How to make a kite from an old newspaper with rags for a tail.
How to beware of over~head wires.
How to have patience when the wind would not come.
How to take turns with my sweet sister.

How to catch a blue~gill bream, to clean it
and to fry it up in a pan.

{{"Get it off, daddy!" my mother said I shouted
and then she wrote this
on the back of the documenting b&w photo
of My First Fish Caught Ever in the History of the World.}}

My daddy taught me how to rise early in the day--
whilst others were still sleeping--
to pick up the best shells along the beach,
a skill I find useful to this very day.

My daddy taught me how to stand outside under the trees--
on a little stool because I was so young--
to open oysters at a ricketty wooden table.
How to slide the salty blobs onto a saltine cracker
and eat them
on
down
even when my mom & sister would not.

How to spend vacations with family
even thought they might live 4 states away
and we would have to Make Time to travel there  to visit.

How to visit old people in the hospital
when I really only wanted to play outside in the Florida sun.

{{ At the time I had no idea he was training me
to care for him many years later, to care for my dear mom now.}}

Today on Dia de los Muertos I honor my father
who ate my first hard biscuits made from scratch
over and over again until I finally got it right
and he never once complained.

Then he turned around and did the same
with my powdery brownies too dry to swallow.

The scrambled eggs were yet another story...

Today on Dia de los Muertos I honor my father, Max,
with love and memories both overflowing.

I try to remember everything about my dad
but really it takes no effort at all.
None. What so ever.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

{{ This posting is part of the Dia de Los Muertos celebration organized by rebecca at recuerda mi corazon and Stephanie at Mango Studio for Dia de Bloglandia. Follow the links for more of the Art of Remembering where we honor those we love who are no longer here. Hey, daddy! }}

{{ don't go to the door tonight }}

These guys have facial recognition talents so beware...

halloween party {{starting now because there is never enough time for celebratory candy corn eating}}

Did you know you are welcomed at allll the Halloween Parties listed
over there at A Fanciful Twist?

Don't be shy!
Pop into Vanessa's, view the linky list and then go visit each & every one.
The party will last & last & last for the longest time.

I promise you will have The Best Time as I always do!

how to have breakfast with a peacock

Arrange to wake up under the magical lights hanging from this amazing ceiling...

Walk barefoot out this door into the sun*shine of a new Moroccan day...

Step lightly between the yellow flowers blooming underfoot, make your way through the old olive grove...

Stop to pet Baby Lilly {{who might have slept with you the night before}}...

Brush past the never~sleeping, hot~pink bougainvillea standing guard...

Take your time and quietly mosey past the tempting pool where birds dip down for a quick drink...

Duck your head ever~so slightly to avoid the baby olives still growing on gracefully swaying branches...

Ease onto the breakfast terrance where the tile feels pleasant on naked feet...

Wait patiently for charming Chantal to set out her yummy delights {{a stellar chef who trained here and other places}}...

Enjoy your breakfast under the watchful eye of the peacock~gourmand ...

Taste jellies and jams made on~site {{ calories removed by Chantal, I was promised }}...

Enjoy everything, have seconds...

The daily activites are posted near the ever~present mint tea brewing stately...

Early~morning visit with the interesting and lovely Leni {{ + her daughter, Fanny, and others, Arianna , Carole, Erika, Tawney and Natalie }}...

Enjoy it all...
waking up to the stenciled ceiling overhead, strolling through the grove, petting the lovey cat, tasting everything on the table because Maryam has Special Plans for the day and you will not want to miss a thing...

~~*~~*~~*~~*~~***~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~***~~*~~*~~*

on my way to see this...back soon to visit...

cameras are packed, queue up the camels

 

 

 

 

i must have been too quiet

dear mother,
these are the photos i was taking in your garden last week...

{{ i saw you peeking out of the kitchen window. }}

they were for you for mother's day!

love always,
your first born

it is not enough

In the marginalia of the Book of  somepinkflowers you will see thus it is written---->

""If stairs appear, climb up them earnestly with an eager heart. ""

So that is what I normally do.
I am certain you feel the same way.

This is the room of my sweet escape.

This is the room where I have been seeking respite from the 1001 things that have been dancing around inside my over-wrought brain for the past week or month or so...

This is the room where I came to stay and visit the Pink Moon.
{{ Not this one... }}

This is the room where I brought something light to read.

This is the room where I brought something simple to craft.

I meant to sleep in every morning.
I meant to read or to craft a bit every morning before I walked down stairs to breakfast.

I meant to do that...

But each day I looked out the window which overlooks the wide and sandy dune where the gopher tortoises snooze in shady deep caves.

It is not enough to stay inside on such a day even for one extra moment to read one clever chapter, to make one lime-green stitch.

No, it is not enough.

This is the room where I learned it is not enough to only follow the Pink Moon in the breezy evening.

Some days it is best to chase after the yellow sun as it comes spanking new and fresh out of the ocean.

So that is what I did.

haiku my heart ~~ hope's birthday

what i would offer
to see this world through her eyes
as she blooms sixteen