Song of Africa

If I know a song of Africa

If I know a song of Africa,
of the giraffe and the Africa moon lying on her back,
of the plows in the fields and the sweaty faces of the coffee pickers,
does Africa know a song of me?
Will the air over the plain quiver with a color I have had on,
or will the children invent a game in which my name is,
or the full moon throw a shadow over the gravel of the drive that was like me,
or will the eagles of the Kagulu Hills look for me?
~Isak Dinesen (1885-1962) from Out of Africa





* note: please press pause on the playlist located at the bottom of the page to enjoy the videos posted. thank you.

OFF TO AFRICA!

TODAY IS THE DAY!
I"M OFF TO AFRICA!!!!!
SEE YOU ALL BACK HERE IN TEN DAYS!!!!

(for the love of orange}

{ORANGE}, the color of a sweet citrus fruit, the shade of the sinking sun under the horizon, the burst of brightness with a smile carved sitting on the front porch during Harvest time....


Tocar Interior Design


interior design dot net


ohdeedoh dot com


west elm


crate and barrel

"Would you please call me Cordelia?" {Anne Shirley}

For the past few weeks I have been consistently watching Part one and Part two of the (1985) film Anne of Green Gables.

The film was created from the bestselling novel, Anne of Green Gables, written by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery, published in 1908.

A book full of childhood imagination, coming-of age love, biblical values, kindred spirits, life-long friendships, and beautiful descriptions of Prince Edward Island... - no summery I could write would do it justice.

A story about a red-haired orphan from Nova Scotia with an abundant imagination. Her adventures growing up on Prince Edward Island are something that must be experienced through the brilliance of Montgomery's quill.

"I thought nothing could be as bad as red hair. Green is ten times worse."-Anne Shirley

I have yet to watch the 1934 black and white version directed by George Nichols Jr starring Dawn O'day as Anne Shirley, but I hope to see it soon.

I saw this series when I was a little girl and just loved it and now as an adult I can dive back into the innocence and magic of precious childhood memories and appreciate it even more.

"Farewell, my beloved friend. Henceforth, we must be strangers living side by side... but my heart will be ever faithful to thee." -Anne Shirley (after she was forbidden to see Diana)


Green Gables, Prince Edward Island

"I think I would probably come to the conclusion that I'd like it for a while... but in the end, I'd still prefer the sound of the wind in the firs across the brook more than the tinkling of crystal." -Anne Shirley


"I know I chatter on far too much... but if you only knew how many things I want to say and don't. Give me SOME credit."-Anne Shirley

Gilbert & Anne

Gilbert Blythe: "Well, I figured you can give me a hand with my work, and we'll call it a fair exchange."
Anne Shirley: "Aren't you worried? I'm liable to break another slate over your head."
Gilbert Blythe "I'm more worried I might break one over yours, carrots."

pics from: here , here and here

remember to turn off the playlist at the bottom of the page... enjoy the sneak peak!

Raindrops are falling on my head...

It is a gloomy day here in the canyons just North of Los Angeles, and it's positively wonderful. I couldn't ask for a more beautiful day. I woke up this morning to the sound of raindrops softly tapping on the leaves of the bushes and trees outside our window. The calming sound of rain collecting in the gutters... there is something so peaceful about tiny drops landing on tin. Today is a gift. As of this moment I am looking out our bay window and watching the branches of birch and pine trees dance to graceful gusts of wind. How serene, the world seems today.

A poem by Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

Part Two: Nature

XXXVII

The wind begun to rock the grass
With threatening tunes and low,—
He flung a menace at the earth,
A menace at the sky.

The leaves unhooked themselves from trees 5
And started all abroad;
The dust did scoop itself like hands
And throw away the road.

The wagons quickened on the streets,
The thunder hurried slow; 10
The lightning showed a yellow beak,
And then a livid claw.

The birds put up the bars to nests,
The cattle fled to barns;
There came one drop of giant rain, 15
And then, as if the hands

That held the dams had parted hold,
The waters wrecked the sky,
But overlooked my father’s house,
Just quartering a tree. 20

The Autumn Leaves

The summer heat-wave has broken! Time to celebrate the arrival of Autumn (FINALLY!)

Now if only the leaves would change color here.... (sigh) I miss my New England trees....

The falling leaves drift by my window
The falling leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sunburned hands I used to hold

Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I'll hear old winter's song
But I miss you most of all, my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall

Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I'll hear old winter's song
But I miss you most of all, my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall

I miss you most of all, my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall

Music by- Joseph Kosma

Here's a treat from Nat King Cole....

*Please press 'pause' on the playlist at the bottom of the page if you would like to listen. Enjoy....

Dreaming of Wine Country

Next Weekend Get-away? Napa Valley? I think it's a wonderful idea, don't you?.... hmm, reasons to go.... ah HA! Anniversary in November, perfect!!! Now to drop some hints... hehe.

Short blurb

Dinner last night out on the patio:
(please disregard the fly swatter, 'ahem' the bees wanted to accompany us while we ate)


Today I went thrift store shopping intending to purchase long skirts for my trip to Ethiopia, well, no such luck. Instead I ended up with a little wooden purse for a friend of mine, a Colin Ross designed vase, and a funky chunky orange beaded necklace! I got everything for a steal of a deal- gosh I love the fun of a good bargain hunt! :) Who's with me?!
I really need to find some skirts ASAP though!!!

The Road Not Taken

The Road Not Taken -

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth; 5

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same, 10

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back. 15

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference. 20

-Robert Frost (1874-1963) Mountain Interval, 1920


Have a lovely weekend everyone.

Countdown to Ethiopia

40 days until I fly to Ethiopia, Africa.
I am so so excited!!!

here is a video that captures what I will be doing over there-- this video takes place in another part of Ethiopia while I will be in Arba Minch, but it sums up the mission.


Are you interested in missions?- check out e3 Partners - Equip, Evangelize, Establish

Fresh Strawberry Jam -Barefoot Contessa

Ina Garten's Strawberry Jam

Ingredients
2 cups sugar
1 large lemon, zested and juiced
1 1/2 pints fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
Directions
Combine the sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a small saucepan and cook over very low heat for 10 minutes, until the sugar is dissolved. Add the strawberries and continue to cook over very low heat for 20 minutes, until the strawberries release some of their juices and the mixture boils slowly. Cook until a small amount of the juice gels on a very cold plate. (I keep one in the freezer.) Pour carefully into 2 pint canning jars and either seal or keep refrigerated. Use immediately, or follow proper canning guidelines below.

Tips on Sterilizing Jars:

Properly-handled sterilized equipment will keep canned foods in good condition for years. Sterilizing jars is the first step of preserving foods.

Sterilizing Tips:

Jars should be made from glass and free of any chips or cracks. Preserving or canning jars are topped with a glass, plastic, or metal lid, which has a rubber seal. Two piece lids are best for canning, as they vacuum seal when processed.

To sterilize jars, before filling with jams, pickles, or preserves, wash jars and lids with hot, soapy water. Rinse well and arrange jars and lids open sides up, without touching, on a tray. Leave in a preheated 175 degree F oven for 25 minutes. Or, boil the jars and lids in a large saucepan, covered with water, for 15 minutes.

Use tongs when handling the hot sterilized jars, to move them from either boiling water or the oven. Be sure the tongs are sterilized too, by dipping the ends in boiling water for a few minutes.

As a rule, hot preserves go into hot jars and cold preserves go into cold jars. All items used in the process of making jams, jellies, and preserves must be clean. This includes any towels used, and especially your hands.

After the jars are sterilized, you can preserve the food. It is important to follow any canning and processing instructions included in the recipe and refer to USDA guidelines about the sterilization of canned products.

Barefoot Contessa