A Letter To The Skunk Family...

from here.

Dear Skunk Family Living Under My Shed,

I hope this missive finds you all in good health and keeping cool under these severe heat conditions. It's been quite some time since I've noticed your existence in my garden. At first I thought you were just passing by.. crossing from one yard to another on your merry way. I began to question your frequent visits, when my dear fella almost mistook one of you for a kitty...yes, he called you over and you gingerly acquiesced and approached him happily. Naturally he exited the premises, quite quickly mind you, upon noticing that you were not in fact a kitty cat.

Twas not long after that, when I went out one evening to water my flower beds. I turned on the lights in the tent/gazebo and just when I was about to enter, I heard some scurrying nearby. Lo and behold!! There were two of you making your way past me. Yes, I froze in place hoping you'd ignore me...thankfully you did. One of you was actually quite adorable and little. I guess you were the baby strolling with your Mama. Needless to say, I backed up slowly...farther into the yard...and watched you both disappear under the shed. Not far behind, near my fence was a third one in your clan. I believe it may have been Papa skunk foraying the premises for your evening meal. How good of him to take care of you so well. I hope he succeeded and brought home the bacon. 

I've spied each of you at one point or another since that night. Just this evening I braved the very warm weather and went out to quench my flower beds. Hose in hand and humming a happy tune, I sprayed the flowers whose sigh of relief was almost audible. Mr. Knightley watched me from the dining room window...at least I thought he was watching me. *sigh* 

No. I wasn't the subject of his attention for LO & BEHOLD, once again, I was accompanied by you...the cute family of skunks. No doubt you watched me while you did what you do when you do what you do in the yard. (I hope you all got that!) 

You must've been quite amazed at my bravery, though some may call it stupidity, of not budging from my spot and continuing to water my plants. Oh don't worry. I kept an eye on each of you. One ran into the hostas and went right back under the shed. The other (I guess it was Papa) continued sniffing around for supper, and the third strolled into the tent/gazebo. You must've heard me loudly exclaim.."Oh No You Didn't!!!" *insert vexatious mutterings* Yes..I believe Mama skunk was making good use of my lounge chair. I decided to mind my business and quickly finish what I started out to do. 

Twas then I decided I've had enough!

This brings me to the reason behind this letter. I am quite honored that you chose Harmonie House's garden as your home. It shows you have fine tastes..you are indeed skunks of quality and distinction. However, I can no longer risk the possibility of myself or my fella vexing one of you and getting sprayed. Please, do not take offense. It's not that I think your scent lacks in essence. Truly it's got the quality that's in a class by itself. It's just not for everyone...myself included. So I'm asking you to please pack your bags and find another shed in another garden...somewhere far away. Thank you for your cooperation and have a nice day. *smiles*

 Whaddaya mean we gotta move???

Consider yourselves evicted!

Sincerely,

Miss Sandra

second photo from here.

And The Winner Is....

My Dears,

I want to thank those of you who entered my giveaway. There were very few of you and the chances were good for each. Unfortunately, only one could win. I folded up the names and put them in my pretty Lenox bowl.

 I decided to have someone other than myself pick out the name. I walked outside and went around the corner to see my neighbor Mrs. Robinson. She gladly stirred the names and picked one.

 And the winner is........

A hearty congratulations to Brianne from Under The Florida Maples blog!! Please e-mail me your address so that I can send out your frame. To all of you out there, please make sure to visit Brianne's lovely blog by clicking HERE.

BUT WAIT!!! I decided to pick one more name from the bowl and send out an extra little surprise gift. Maybe it's the lovely Spring weather or the sweet purring emanating from Mr. Knightley sitting beside me, but I'm feeling mighty generous. Regardless, I picked out a name here at my desk and the winner of the surprise gift is...................*feel free to insert drumroll now*

Congratulations to Pam of Eastlake Victorian blog! Please contact me via e-mail and send me your addy! Now my dears, make sure to also visit Pam's lovely blog by clicking HERE.

Thank you all for leaving such sweet comments for my blogiversary...and thank you to those who entered. I wish I could pick every name and send a sweet gift to all of you..but alas I cannot. However, there will be other giveaways, so you will all have another chance in the near future.
Please know that each of you has helped to make blogging so special to me. Each day we're given the opportunity to step into each others world through merely a screen. It's amazing getting to know all of you through the power of the written word...and the magic of the internet.

Now I must share some blooming Spring shots from Harmonie House. I love the feeling of renewal during this time of year. The scents and sights are truly amazing. *sigh* I'm feeling quite blissful at this very moment.

Isn't the forsythia absolutely lovely?

Thanks to L. Starkey of The Healing Home,
I now know that this shrub is called the Pieris.

You all know just how I adore my magnolia tree! 

Oh such a heady scent!!

This is one of my creepers..not sure if it's myrtle. 

Again, you can assist me with this if you wish.

So there you have it my dears. Just a small taste of what's growing around Harmonie House. I cannot wait to be working out in the garden. I'm also looking forward to my first picnic of the season. There's something truly wondrous about a picnic in the spring, not to mention the yummy picnic fare! *winks*

I wish you all a most lovely evening and may the coming days kiss you with warmth, joy, and of course, bliss.

xoxo

Miss Sandra

Serenity Of The Moment

Tis a quiet Wednesday.

I love this...the peace and calm. The clouds are nigh, and the brisk breeze is blowing through the windows. Outside those windows, the Rose of Sharon trees tremble slightly...politely nudged by the wind. The linden waves to me in its tall, majestic splendor...protective in shade and in sheltering those beautiful creatures of nature. The herbs are whispering softly, asking to be harvested very soon
....before the first frost makes pretty cold pearls of the dew upon their green.

The rain is hovering...waiting for the right moment to cascade upon this earth. I welcome it with a smile and invite it to come down and make its beautiful, hypnotic sounds as it falls upon my window panes. An unfinished book is lying upon the table..beckoning me to turn its pages and lose myself in its world. The kettle too is calling...reminding me that a cup of tea will complete the serenity surrounding me.

*sigh*

How tranquil I am at this moment...how in love with this precise point in my life.

Mr. Knightley is sleeping...curled up in a black ball of the softest, velvety fur I have ever felt.

How beautiful.

Harmonie House, my Shangri-La, is quiet..yet I can feel the stirrings within. I can sense the beating of the heart which lies deep within its walls...for this home is alive with feeling and spirit. Its beams sigh along with me in appreciation of now....today.

Perhaps this reverie will dissipate shortly. But for now...this very minute...this moment is mine...all mine.

Wishing you moments of serenity,
xoxo
Miss Sandra

A Happy Sunday To You!

It's a mildly warm and cloudy Sunday morning as I sit here at my kitchen table, having a yummy cup of coffee. The church bells are tolling a lovely melody nearby as I go into lazy Sunday mode.

In my long cotton summer dress with floral print, I wandered out into my garden this morning to water my herbs under the eaves. The rest of the flowers will be getting a nice shower by Mother Nature pretty soon.

What wonderful surprises are in store for me on this lovely and most favorite of days?
I guess I shall see.

Mr. Knightley is napping under the bed...and I shall lazily relax in my dear abode of harmony and tranquility. *sigh*

I wish you all a wonderful Sunday spent in glorious wonder, and joy!

xoxo
Miss Sandra

A Sunny Day At Last!

It's Saturday...and finally the sun is truly out! I do hope it lingers for we've seen very little of Mr. Sun lately. *sigh*
A lazy, quiet day it is. What shall I do??

Ahhh....what does one do on a pretty day such as this? Gardening of course!

So my dears, I'm off to go do some planting and some clean up. Must make my world pretty.

I wish you all a beautiful day filled with sunshine and all that is good!

xoxo
Miss Sandra

Midsummer's Eve

My Dears,

Happy Midsummer to you all!

A wonderful day and evening was had in the company of dear friends. Celebrating Midsummer is a Harmonie House tradition and starting off on the eve of the solstice makes for a nice long celebration.

We planned for a day of music, food, and loads of fun. Naturally when you get four good friends together, laughter is the order of any gathering. We feasted on nature's bounty of fruit and veggies..oh yes, and wine. The music was lively, and spiritual.

We each donned flowers upon our heads and felt very girlish...we were sprites for the evening.
The weather was rainy all day, but that didn't stop us from gathering flowers for our Midsummer's table. My dear friend Joy was the first to head out in the rain to gather some flowers. Heather arranged the tea lights in the bowl then we all proceeded to add the freshly picked blooms.


Though the weather was misty at one point, we still ventured outdoors. Heather picked blooms from the rose bush and sprinkled us with the lovely petals.....a rose shower.


How delightful! We knew that the rainy weather would not afford us a view of any fireflies for the evening. However, we had our lovely Midsummer's Eve table set...the flickering candles and the lovely flowers provided a magical essence to the festivities.

We sang...we danced. We had loads of fun. We are so blessed to have these moments together...to be women and girls at the same time. To celebrate the seasons and celebrate life.
Happy Summer to you all. Embrace the special moments of your life..embrace those near and dear.


Most of all......do a little dance, make a little love....LIVE!!!

xoxo!
Miss Sandra

Wellies And Flowers & Rain..Oh My!

It's raining....and raining...and yes my dears..more rain. Since Tuesday it's been coming down on and off...more on than off. Please, do not think I'm complaining, for as most of you know I love the rain! I'm inspired to dream, reflect, and most of all relax.

I need not mention that my lawn, trees, and flowers are looking extra green and pretty. They too are enamored by the showers bestowed by Mother Nature. However, I believe they are looking too relaxed of late...or would one call that droopy and soaked? Oh well..it's all good.

Okay...maybe these are a bit droopy.


But these aren't droopy...these look quite refreshed and pretty.

Anyhow, my love of rain has lately found competition....my love of Wellies! Perhaps you may want to call them Wellingtons, rubber boots, rain boots, gardening boots...etc. I call them Wellies..and I'm in love. Strange that one can find such comfort in a pair of boots. I love the way they fit, the way they look, and the way they feel. I look forward to rainy days..or just days working in the garden, for my Wellies trudge well in soil and keep my feet dry.

Wellies!

I started my collection last year with a pair of plain green ones. Then I discovered Hunters. Oh dear...talk about comfort! They look great and come in so many colors! *sigh* Unfortunately, I only have four pairs of Hunters right now for they are pretty expensive. However, I'll work towards my blue, black, red, and yellow pairs as soon as the economy improves. Oh! I think I should have some of those pretty ones that come in all sorts of colorful, dainty patterns too!

Do you find this strange? An obsession perhaps? I mean..really? Some people collect shells, stamps, dolls, and even dried insects for display. So I collect Wellies...at least I can wear them. *smiles*

Funny, when friends come to visit and step inside through the side door, they usually comment...
"What is it with the Hunters?" or "Ummm...you have a collection of rain boots ..who else lives here?" or "You need help dear."

I love my friends.

Yet another reason to love the rain....brought to you by the lady of Harmonie House who thinks Wellies and rain are the bees knees!!

xoxo
Miss Sandra

Herb Day With Dear Friends

Teapot bird house in my garden.
(picture by Kimberley of the Camera Commune blog).

Every year, a few of my dearest friends and I take a drive out to our favorite herb farm to stock up on our most needed herbs for our gardens. This year, Kim, whom most of you know from Camera Commune, and Joy along with her baby Raiden, accompanied me on a most lovely June day.

I had a list and was on a mission. I needed several sweet basil plants, one Genovese basil, Sicilian oregano, large leaf & fuzzy Cuban oregano, rosemary, nasturtiums, fennel, French tarragon, French thyme, rose geraniums, spearmint, parsley, lavender, and for color and pizazz..a red poppy plant. I already have dill, chocolate mint, chives, lemon balm,German thyme, sage, Egyptian onion, and loads of lavender in my garden. I think the new additions will cover the missing "few". I'll have plenty of potting to do within the next few days.

The "few" herbs needed to complete my herb garden.

We wrapped up our trip with honey straws and organic pomegranate lollipops. Mmmm.. Upon arriving back at Harmonie House, we quickly set up some yummy foods to bring out back for an outdoor late lunch...dinner. We relaxed and enjoyed one another's company, for we do not often get together as we used to. Needless to say, laughter was abundant at our table.

Joy (left with Raiden in carriage) & Kim




Kim enjoyed her iced tea, and Joy her greens!


Baby Raiden enjoyed his sock. :)

Needless to say, today was indeed lovely. The bonding of friends, the foray through nature's garden, good food, laughter, and having the sun in the morning and the moon at night.....

Life can most definitely be a bowl of cherries!

Happy June! May life be a bowl of cherries for you all.

xoxo
Miss Sandra

Letters From The Heart

Isn't this lovely?

Here's a closeup...

Today was absolutely divine. The sun was at its brightest, the breeze was warm, and I was feeling rather nostalgic. So upstairs I went, opened my desk, and pulled out several bundles of old letters. Tied in cream colored ribbon, envelopes of all shapes, sizes, and colors, greeted me like an old friend with arms extended in warm welcome. Some were even yellowed...or I should say mellowed, by time.

Out in my garden was the right place to sit back and relax while reading these special missives from near, far, but very dear correspondents. I laughed, smiled, and sometimes even got misty-eyed as I ventured as far back to 20 years of written memories. What a nice way to spend the afternoon.

Flowers from my garden including: rosemary, thyme, chive, and coral bells.

I do hope my letters, sent throughout the years, have touched many a heart as these have touched my own. Happy & sweet reading indeed.

xoxo
Miss Sandra