It's Meeeee!!!

 from here

My Dears...

I'm back! I didn't really go anywhere, but I'm back. *smiles* I do hope you have all been well and enjoyed a most enchanting summer. No doubt some of you have been wondering...where have I been all this time? Well, I was in a place called Hiatus. Mind you, there was no reason to go there, but I ended up in Hiatus just the same. I guess one can say that my writing motivation waned during the summer months. By the same token, those of you who've been visiting Harmonie House for some time will know that if anything will inspire me to write, it will be the changing of the seasons...especially coming into autumn and winter.

I've always felt that summer put me in a state of hibernation. Yes, I do function on a day to day basis and live life moment by moment all year long, summer included. However, it seems that when autumn arrives, I feel like I'm coming out of a deep sleep. My senses come alive and I feel giddy...just because! I can smell the change in the air. I can feel it stirring, almost crackling in anticipation of the comfort season. Autumn has arrived! Halloween is upon us! Let the festivities begin!

But first, perhaps I should recap. After all, it has been quite some time since I posted. Last I chatted with you all, I was singing the praises of those yummy scallops in a smoked gouda cream sauce. My fella and I ventured to the restaurant since then and enjoyed our favorite dish. Even better...one day the fella came home with all the ingredients and pretty much recreated it from scratch. Yes...I was smiling throughout the meal. *sigh* Needless to say, I'm a pretty lucky gal. *winks*

 Here's my honey pan searing the scallops.

 Making the smoked Gouda cream sauce.

 Here is the delicious result! I think it's time he makes them again. *winks*

Let me trace back a few months if you please...if you recall earlier, in my April 24th post, I was gushing over a pair of lavender Hunter wellies. Remember these???

 

Guess what the fella bought me......

 TADA!!!! Okay, they don't match the dress, but I just

couldn't wait to try them on and pose in them.

Let's fast forward. We visited Lake George in June and had a lovely getaway...we put up our summer gazebo and spent many a lovely evening dining and relaxing there...I hosted my annual 4th of July Edwardian picnic and a delightful time was had.

 At the Sagamore Inn in Lake George. 

Oh! I also celebrated my fella's birthday in June.

He loves homemade pistachio cake!

 The summer gazebo...

 Yet another of the summer gazebo. Directly behind is my fairy garden.

Not a very clear image of the fairy garden.

 Hmmm....in between then and now we entertained friends, worked, and pretty much counted the days till autumn. That brings us to now!
*happy sigh*

Well you can imagine by now that Harmonie House is dressed for Halloween and that the comforts of the colder season have been brought into play. Afghans, sweaters, woolies, and firewood are at the ready. The tea and cocoa cupboard has been replenished. Scented candles, of autumn harvest and pumpkin spice, burn slowly emitting the essence of the season and intoxicating my senses. Comfort food is the order of the day... everyday.

A corner of my kitchen.

 Homemade pumpkin pie. Yumm!

 On a cold Columbus Day morning, we had breakfast by the fire.

Yes...Mr. Knightley had top seating priority.

I've been in quite the happy frenzy due to the change in weather. I'm already anticipating November and looking forward to a yummy Thanksgiving dinner and the company of loved ones. I hear we might be getting quite the winter this year. It can only mean one thing...snow angels and snowman in the yard! Okay...that's two things. Well, you get my meaning. *cheeky grin* This gal sure loves winter and snow. I like to think of the Snow Miser dancing a jig while Mother Holle shakes her pillow...sending down those magical snowflakes that make this 41 year old feel like I'm 9 again. Ahhh...blissful winter. 

 Such a lovable character!

 I hear there will be lots of pillow shaking this winter!

from here.

I guess I'm getting ahead of myself, but I cannot help it! Oh well...in the meantime, I shall simply enjoy the beauty of the falling leaves. Red, gold, orange...jewel tones that turn a landscape into a most beautiful scene.

Nature's own palette of wonder. 

I'm happy to be back here in blogland and so grateful that you, my readers, have not tired of waiting for my posts. Do know that though I've been quiet here in my own place, I have been visiting your blogs. I may not comment as I used to, but please know that I do look forward to reading your posts.

Happy Autumn my dears!

Wishing Each Of You Blissful Tidings,

xoxo

Miss Sandra

Rainy First Autumn Day!

from here

My Dears..

Just stopping by to wish you all a HAPPY AUTUMN!!
And remember that raindrops are kisses from Heaven. So let a smile be your umbrella! *Please turn off music below to enjoy this lovely old tune & video.*

Blissful Tidings! xoxo

Miss Sandra

At The End Of The Day...

My Dears,

I'm feeling wistful and blissful at the same time. 

Life is beautiful though not perfect. It need not be so. After all, perfection would become quite dull after a while. We need the challenges that creep up on us. In the long run, I believe it's how we've handled those challenges that has shaped us into who we are today.

Every day is a gift...even if when unwrapped disappointments sneak in to mar our lives. Regardless of all that, at the end of the day we and only we remain the makers of our every moment.  Let's make it worthwhile and let's remind ourselves that we can tackle those obstacles that may come our way. I grew up hearing that we will not be given any challenge we cannot handle. Deep down I know that's true. I may not always see it that way, but in the long run I will have overcome and knocked down every barrier in the way of my future.

Human nature is a plethora of all that is good, bad, indifferent, and misunderstood. If we can accept that then we can move ahead in our daily lives and make the best and most of our every moment. We cannot be perfect, but we can definitely be blissful.

Happy Autumn my dears! May the light of comfort be ever present in your lives and may love conquer all!

Blissful tidings and sweet nothings!

xoxo

Miss Sandra

Can You Feel It?

from here

My Dears...

Can you feel it? Can you feel it in the air? I do...I can feel the kiss of Autumn gently romancing my senses. It is ready to step foot into my home, sit by my hearth, and sweetly coax the cold days into my world.

It's in the way the trees wave about..the leaves slowly changing color in preparation for their glorious display before the branches gently shake them off to drop and wither back to Mother Earth. It's in the subtle hint of spice in the air..brought on by the cool breezes in the evening hours when daylight begins to fade. It's in that snuggly feeling early in the morning when the day has just begun. It's in the warm cuppa that not only revives but also comforts the heart and soul.

Oh yes indeed! Autumn is in the air and ready to envelope us in all its comforts. Let the nesting season begin!

Blissful Tidings To All!

xoxo
Miss Sandra

Autumn Musings & Then Some

picture source

My Dears...

I'm back...and happy to be so.

It's a rainy evening..one with a chill in the air. This is the kind of night that invites cozy fleece pj's, a roaring fire in the hearth, the company of a loved one, a fuzzy-soft pet, and a good book. Naturally one must add some mood music (for whatever mood you may be in) and a beverage that may suit the occasion. I'd say some nice mulled cider with just a wee bitty piece of butter and a splash of bourbon might be just what the evening calls for here at Harmonie House. Ahhh..the pleasures of the autumn season!! There is nothing like the cozy feeling one gets when breathing in the crisp air as the leaves, majestic in their jeweled palette, tumble softly toward the ground. I have to admit, Autumn is the perfect prelude to winter!

...and you all must know, I can't wait for the first snow fall! *smiles*

snowstorm 2006

All right...I'll not wax poetic about winter until December. Then again, I may not be able to hold back my enthusiasm for the upcoming season. * sighs as visions of sugar plums dance in her head*

picture source
Mmmm... sugar plums!

So my dears...no doubt most of you have been wondering where I've been since July. I must admit I suffered another bout of blogger's block. *sigh* Mind you it wasn't for lack of material, for Heaven knows I've had plenty. My summer was filled with many wonderful, memorable moments. My calendar was constantly filled! Needless to say, my sweet fella shared these moments with me as did Mr. Knightley!

...and speaking of Mr. Knightley, my dear rapscallion fur ball has been up to his own tricks of late! Noticing all the hubbub surrounding the election this week, Knightley decided he should have a part of the action. I should know better than to turn my head when he has that strange gleam in his eyes. I mean really...one minute all is quiet and normal at Harmonie House... and the next minute I find my cat is running his own election!!!

No mice were injured during this campaign.

Thankfully, my dear sweet kitty has abandoned all hope of running for office...yet another "cat"astrophic idea averted. *chuckles* Then again, perhaps it wasn't such a crazed notion. After all, the world could use the wisdom of a fine feline...n'est pas?

Well, as I was saying a couple of paragraphs earlier...I had a delightful summer and so far, a most blissful autumn. Though the work week takes up a lot of our time..my fella and I have made the most of the weekends! We make sure to live moment to moment...and we add loads of laughter, song, family, friends, love, and bliss to our agenda.

Here's a photo recap:

Some of you in blog-land may be familiar with the witty blog called Something I Wanted To Tell You. Well here I am with the one and only Kim,my dear friend who happens to have a flair for wit in her writing. As you can see,she was with child when this shot was taken late summer at her shower. She and Will are now the proud parents of a precious baby girl Fay. Congratulations! Be sure to visit her blog by clicking here! Tell her I sent you!

My honey and I at Monticello..the home of Thomas Jefferson


My brothers and I during a summer visit.


My fella & I at the popular Dirty Dick's restaurant in Myrtle Beach

We all know that October cannot come and go without a Halloween Party! This year's party was a smaller affair at Harmonie House, but filled with oodles of merriment and the warmth of friendship.

This was before the "rest" of the food was added. Yes my friends,

we almost ran out space.We sure are a bunch of hearty eaters!

Arrrgh! The pirates have arrived! Doesn't my fella look fierce?

Discarded UPS package costume.
I do hope the wearer didn't catch cold. *chuckles*

The smiles and the joy...priceless.

So there you have it my dears! The long...and definitely not the short of it! I'm back and I shall try to keep up with my musings as often as I can. I really appreciate the warmth I've received from my blogger friends. To those of you who sent a note of concern while I was away..I thank you from the bottom of my heart. It feels lovely to be missed.

Now I'm off to make myself a nice cuppa of something warm....perhaps hot cocoa with melting Peeps? Such a treat...and a favorite of my fella. I shall sit by the fire for another hour, then I shall call it a night. To you my friends, I bid sweet dreams and days filled with bliss.

pic source

Nite nite!

xoxo
Miss Sandra

November thoughts..

My Dears,

Happy November to all! The trees are undressing their glory...the ground a canvas painted by the many colorful fallen leaves. Just outside my writing room window, I see my backyard laden with the signs of summer's passing. Crunchy leaves scattered like confetti, invite me to venture out and tread upon them in childlike enjoyment. Very soon the tines of the rake shall make its own cacophony of sound as it clears away the dried offspring of our beautiful trees....clearing the canvas to make room for winter's snow.

Tis amazing how quickly this year has gone by. Christmas is just around the corner and Thanksgiving..practically tomorrow! So fast do the days go. Our present, so quickly made into the past...and our future already the present. I'm afraid to blink for fear I might miss something.

Truly dear friends, time is but a spec of dust..a grain of sand. Our days are but currents in the river of life and time. We should ride that current to our best ability..and while upon the river of life...we should aim for smooth sailing. Yes, the harsh waves will come, but we shall ride them out, for life is not meant to flow smoothly. Otherwise, how would we be able to appreciate all the good that comes, if we never knew the bad? How can we embrace the sun if we do not first know the gray clouds? How does one appreciate the warmth if never the touch of frost has been felt?

Though who says frost...clouds...and rain are so bad? I embrace them all for each in its own way graces us with something good. The cold lures us to the comfort of the hearth. The rain brings forth the colors of springtime..and washes away the snow of the winter. Those dark, dreary days..clouding the sky...they are somewhat magical for they inspire deep thought or if not that, they give us a day indoors to get some housework done. Now that is the magical part! *smiles*

I guess what I'm trying to say is...there is nothing bad that cannot bring forth something good. It has taken me many years to learn this...and loads of acceptance. Thus is life....precious in its education, and ever so delicate in essence. Life is short. Time doth fly. Do not waste a minute..or a second of it. Live it fully...love it...make the most of it!! Find the bliss, get through the bad, and forge on with a smile.

November has reminded me that we are near the year's end. I have lots to do and accomplish by the end of December. I want to begin 2010 fresh..with new experiences, new thoughts, new risks. I shall endeavor to end this year on a happy note, and begin the new one singing a happy song. Thus I shall set the tune for my future years, for they do go so fast!!

Miss Sandra of Harmonie House is now done with waxing philosophically. It's a pretty day out, Mr. Knightley is napping on the chair nearby, and I have a bit to do around here. I've got to go out and get some wood for the fire, and some fixings for a meal. I have some merry company coming over for a musical gathering.

I wish you all a lovely afternoon and evening. May November bring forth many a happy moment filled with bliss!

xoxo
Miss Sandra

Holiday wishes!

pic source

Happy Halloween/Samhain to all!

May this day spark some magic in your life to last all through your days!

xoxo
Miss Sandra

Rainy Day Muse

Another rainy day...

and I'm ever so busy cranking that sifter away. Once that is done, I shall head out and do some singing in the rain, for each drop is ushering in new beginnings. I see before me a lovely scene of opportunity...slowly opening and beckoning.

I have lots to do before a new cycle in my life begins. I have clutter to clear, and a soul to renew. I shall be ready soon enough!

But first...I've got to keep cranking away! *smiles*

Have a lovely Autumn day dear ones...and if it should be raining by you, go sing and dance in the rain!

Life is a mystery..but how beautiful the chance to solve it!

xoxo
Miss Sandra

Weekend

My Dears,
I hope this week has been wonderful for you all. I am glad it's Friday and so...on to the weekend! We had a bit of a warm spell for a couple of days, but thankfully it's nice and cool again. Perfect weather for cozy nights.

I shall be in a whirlwind of activity starting this evening for I'll be hosting my annual Halloween soiree tomorrow evening. Though I find myself a bit on the tired and anxious side...party prep can do that...I am looking forward to celebrating a beloved holiday with many a good friend.

I wish you all a beautiful weekend filled with many autumn delights and warm comforts.

xoxo
Miss Sandra

Reunions, Weddings, and Soirees..oh my!

Time doth fly...oh does it ever.

This Friday I'll be attending my 20th high school reunion. Has it been that long already? Heavens! I really do not feel twenty years older. After all, age is just a mindset...is it not?
In the past year, I have happily reconnected with some of my oldest and dearest friends. Together we look forward to meeting and catching up with many at the reunion.

With dear friends of my youth.

And if the reunion was not enough...I shall be Maid-Of-Honor at my dear Iraida's wedding on Sunday. This will be my third stint as M-O-H and I am ever so honored and thrilled to be a part of such a happy event. The last time was in 2005. I had a great time then and now look forward to toasting another beautiful bride and her beloved groom. Nothing like an autumn wedding to make one feel wonderful.

2005 Wedding
Picture is a bit fuzzy and dark, but you get the idea. ;)

Then later this month...my annual Halloween soiree at Harmonie House. Always fun to gather my "vintage" friends and see what characters they will be playing. I've enjoyed being Clara Bow...Jane Austen...Morgan Lafey..and a snow queen in the past several years. I've got something fun planned for this year's costume. I'll keep you all posted and shall of course share some pictures.

So you see...this is only the beginning of a very busy season for me. Most will be work, but oh how lovely to throw in some play time!!

My dears...I'm just happy to visit with you all on this lovely, cool October evening. I hope you had a lovely weekend and I wish you a most wonderful week. May you find cause to smile each and every day.

xoxo
Miss Sandra

Happy October

My Dears,

Ahhh October is here!

This morning I awoke to a chilly day....just how I like it. It was one of those morns when the blanket felt euphoric...and the bed was a cloud. The cool autumn air in the room kissed me in greeting. I knew this was a promising start for October.

The changing leaves are slowly emerging and the warm colors and fabrics are now out for me to wear. Today I chose a burnt orange sweater with a muted orange corduroy skirt. Funny how colors can enhance a mood. I come alive in these colors. My dear "minions" at the shop know full well that a cool autumn day will make "Mrs. Boss" bright and cheerful. They were greeted with coffee and donuts...and a very bright countenance.

Tis the full start of my season. Now the fun begins!

I have so much to do..so much on my agenda, but for tonight I shall keep it all under wraps. Tonight I want to celebrate the first day of October. I do not want to think of work, shows, house affairs, bills, the mundane, or anything not of a pleasant nature.

This evening I have planned a cozy getaway, by myself and the cat, in the nook by the fireplace. Hot, mulled cider with a pat of butter and a splash of bourbon will provide inner warmth...and comfort. I've got a book ready and a Bach cd for ambiance.

I am content.

By the way...curiosity has led me to try this "Twitter" thing. Not sure how I like it yet, but let's see how it goes. You can follow me on Twitter by clicking HERE.
I have my "tweets" set to private, but if you send a request to follow me, I shall accept. I am under the name LadyHarmonie.

So on that note..I wish you all a lovely, cool, Autumn eve..and euphoric mornings. *smiles*

Nite nite my dears!

xoxo
Miss Sandra

It has finally arrived!

My Dears,

Happy Autumn! The season of change...beautiful change...has arrived.

I am now fully awake, for it seems I hibernate during the summer and come alive in Autumn. Once winter comes...I'll be at my peak. *smiles* Did I mention I love winter?

The afghans are ready to come out and be placed in every room, and the firewood properly stacked and ready. My tea cabinet is fully stocked as is the baking cabinet. I look forward to many evenings in the kitchen...filled with the aroma of comfort food.

Time to prepare the woolens and get out the comfy slippers. Oh, and did I mention I've already started Halloween preparations? Never too early to get into the spirit of things. As I always say... grab that bull by the horns.

Anyhow, I wanted to stop by and say hello. I hope this day has been a lovely one for you all. I wish for you an Autumn season of comfort, happy moments, and love!

xoxo
Miss Sandra

Magic Is In The Air...

Me thinks perhaps tis the Autumn underway...right around the corner.

The air is crackling with energy...sweet yet mysterious vibes. I feel it all around me. What exactly is surrounding me with such force that makes me smile in anticipation??
I bite my lip playfully as I look around me and wonder. What enchantment has nature put me under? For I know that the slightest hint of coolness in the air...the merest whisper of change in season casts a spell of splendor...
wistfulness...and contentment in all that surrounds me.

I light the scented candles. My kitchen smells of freshly baked oatmeal cookies (though I did bake brownies last night)...the rest of the house is scented in an aroma of crisp Autumn. It's tough to explain the essence. Let's just say that a whiff of it has you seeing colorful leaves in abundance, pumpkins on the steps, a stew on the stove, herbs harvested and hung to dry, and an apple pie freshly baked...piping hot.

This is the magical spirit permeating Harmonie House at this moment. This is my witch's brew for the season...this is the spell I'm casting for all who enter my abode. Enchantment is everywhere. Come visit...I'll have my cauldron on the fire. It'll be brewing a smile, warmth, a nice cup of tea, an afghan made by my own hands to keep you warm on chilly evenings, a book to take you away to other lands, laughter, soft music, a cat on the lap, and most of all...comfort to lull you to the land of nod when the lights go out.

*sigh*

Ahhh...sweet autumn. I await thee and welcome thee with open arms.
I am ready.

Though it is yet late summer....within these walls Fall has arrived.

Casting wonderful and warm thoughts of Autumn your way my dears.

xoxo
Miss Sandra