When Bliss Is Gone

Dear Ones...

Just a quick note to let you know that I am still here in this thing called life.

However, life as I knew it is no longer. I've struggled to write this post, but perhaps by putting this out there to you all, it might help me somehow, someway.
2016 has taken my loves. My beautiful fella and my sweet boy Mr. Knightley are no longer in this world, but on the other side.

Needless to say, I am lost and trying to find my way.

I'm so glad that I was able to share my joy and my bliss with you all. I truly knew happiness and was the luckiest gal in the world to have loved and been loved by my fella. He truly was my world. He gifted me an amazing six years...all filled with BLISS. He took my heart with him this past March, then Knightley followed on October 21st. Needless to say, I was blessed to know and have the best kitty cat in the whole world.

I miss my loves. I miss my life.

Thank you for having been there throughout my blogging years. I wish you all love.  xo

Sandra

Thank You Dear Body...

My Dears...

Today I walked to work...I repeat, today I walked to work. Okay..so what? Well, normally I drive to my place of business, rain or shine. However, two days ago I couldn't even get out of bed..every movement a struggle. My body was weak and emptied out completely after having dined on bad fish. It felt like every nerve was raw and the chills were so unpleasant. Bed was my refuge..but rest was not easy..it hurt.

Bad fish..both my fella and I suffered the same outcome.

Fast forward to this day. It's been raining for the past three days straight...almost non-stop. I'm not talking about a light drizzle..I'm referring to downpours. It feels like March or April showers..just a bit more severe.

So I decided to walk to work..yes, that again! You see, I'm loving the fact that I'm feeling well. I'm loving the fact that I can move without any pain..without any struggle. I'm not so weak anymore...and feeling like myself again is a most wonderful thing to behold. I did a lot of thinking while in bed..between bouts ...and I decided that sometimes we take for granted the most wondrous gifts of life..like movement.

Today I want to thank my body for always doing what it needs to do for me. So I decided to walk to work..to feel the sweetness of movement without discomfort. I wanted to feel the air upon my skin....to feel and see the rain splashing upon my wellies. Let me tell you..it felt divine!

Today I want to say thank you to my tummy for taking in all my indulgences and working them through, mostly without protest. I also want to say I'm sorry for over-indulging and not taking care of it as I should. To you dear tummy I say..."this time I'll do my best to eat better and be more conscious of you."

Today I thank every nerve in my body..for alerting me when something is wrong and also for allowing me to feel the wonders and bliss within the sense of touch.

Yes, today I thank every inch of my body and promise not to take it for granted. So to my body I say this:

"You've been my shell and protector these past 40 years. You've carried my pain and you've carried my joys.
When I've laughed you've glowed..when I've cried you've poured forth the tears to cleanse me. With hands you've had me feel..with feet you've taken me to places I've never dreamed. When I've loved, you've made my heart skip in blissful cadence. With our eyes I see beauty and with our ears I hear music. I have not always been the best caretaker and I'm sorry for that. I want you to know that I love you and will be aware of you and your needs. I shan't take you for granted any longer. You are my best friend. You are me. Thank you!"

 I wish you all blissful tidings..and remember to love and take care of yourselves. Enjoy each day..every moment!

Oh! By the way...my fella is feeling much better too!
Thank Heavens!

xoxo,
Miss Sandra


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On The Bandwagon & More.

My Dears..

I cannot help it! I'm quite excited over the royal wedding! It's so refreshing to have such a happy, positive event to distract us (if only briefly) from the turmoil in our world. The question remains...will I be up at such an early hour to watch the nuptials? I'm thinking mayhaps not..however, anything is possible.
So how shall I celebrate the event since I cannot be there in person? It seems my invitation must have gotten lost in transit. Mail delivery just isn't what it use to be. *smirks*

Anyhow..I believe I shall wear one of my froufrou large hats. Feathers, flowers and lace must be the order of the day.

Definitely the one on the left!

Must have flowers to celebrate the occasion!

Oh! Let's not forget tea and scones! This afternoon I baked a batch of mini orange blossom scones. They are so yummy by themselves one may not require Devon cream or preserves with this recipe. The orange blossom glaze is tasty enough! Of course I keep a steady supply of cream, preserves, and curd on hand for those who prefer the traditional filled scone. Mmmm. A lovely cup of rose tea makes the perfect accompaniment. *happy sigh*

Mini scones with orange blossom glaze. Mmmm..

All right...enough about that! I do hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Those of you who celebrate the Easter holiday, I hope it was absolutely delightful! We had quite the lovely weather in these parts....perfect for an Easter egg hunt. No..I wasn't outdoors, scrambling on the lawn, searching for eggs! However, my fella and I enjoyed coloring eggs on Saturday night for my Easter bread.

I love the colors!

Here are my Easter breads! They were quite yummy!
 

My honey's sweet gifts for moi!

He put the basket together himself! See the Peeps??

My dahling man surprised me with tulips and a basket he put together himself. Naturally he included tea, Peeps, Godiva, and wine. This man knows me very well. *winks* We had quite the lovely Easter with family. Tis our second Easter together...and every moment is ever more blissful. *insert heart here*

So until the next my dears..I raise my cup of tea to the happy couple, oh and to William & Kate as well. *chuckles* I wish you all blissful tidings!

xoxo

Miss Sandra

I Was In The Mood...

I'm loving this tune by Hildegarde from 1933. Please make sure to pause the music on the player at the bottom of this screen before you play the video.





Enjoy!!
xoxo
Miss Sandra

Painting Your Day

It's a new day...a blank canvas!

Let's paint on it something beautiful like a smile. Let's add to it plenty of sunshine and some laughter. Let's also add to this work of art lots of patience, for we all know that good things come to those who wait. Dab some excitement and adventure to spice things up. Throw in a kiss or two and some understanding.

Most importantly, let's color it with Love...after all, it makes the world go round.

Here's to a beautiful new day....another beginning.

xoxo
Miss Sandra

Enchanted

I thought I 'd take advantage of this rainy afternoon to blog about my favorite book and movie of all time.....Enchanted April.

I remember the very first time I watched the movie several years back on cable. I've always loved flicks that take place in England in the early 20th century, however little did I know that this one film would stir within me so many emotions all at once.

I do not want to spoil it for those who have not seen it or read the book, so I shall keep this as short and sweet as possible.

Four women who were strangers to one another embark on a getaway trip to Italy to a castle they rented together....basically to get away from the humdrum of their daily lives in England. Two of them have a less than satisfactory marriage. The other two, one a socialite tired of the "grabbing men" and the other a lonely old widow living in her literature past, complete the foursome.

Their unique personalities seem to clash at first, but not for long. The ambiance within and without the castle "San Salvatore" is purely beautiful and magical. It seems to be, as Lottie puts it "a tub of love", for before you know it, both Lottie and Rose invite their husbands to come and partake of the magic. There is no loathing, no bitterness there. Love abounds within the flowers and the air.

For those 93 minutes of the film, I was Lottie....wanting to get away and discovering something so beautiful and inspiring......LOVE.

Imagine a place like that existed. Where upon awaking in the morning and looking out your window, you are greeted by a landscape akin to a painting. A place where one does not have to speak words of love in order to feel them. Heck, a place where a woman doesn't have to spell it out to her man that she loves him...for he becomes a willing recipient of its spell. Oh how delightful and lovely.

The colors and visual cinematography is a feast for the eyes and soul. There is beauty throughout the whole film....at least to me there is. *smiles*

I'm a romantic in so many ways....if you are too, this film is for you.

Oh...please, read the book first if you so desire. The author is Elizabeth Von Arnim. I've picked up three antique copies for myself...one from 1922 published in England. Can you tell I just love Enchanted April?

Today I'm inspired....I'm going to make my home a tub of love!!!

Oh! The rain has stopped and the sun is out. *sigh*

I wish you all love!

xoxo
Miss Sandra

IT

I'd like to think "IT" is around the corner...just waiting to surprise me. The moment...the day, I do not know...but I must wait.

Patience is a virtue, is it not? I shall sit as patiently as I can and wait, for after all isn't life about waiting?
...in my case anxiously.

So I'll continue to think that "IT" is just waiting for the right moment to come into my life. What will "IT" say to me when the time comes?

"IT" shall say..."I'm sorry I kept you waiting, but life is about learning to live without me and about grasping those brief moments I do show up. Take those moments and hold them to your heart for I'm not always here. BUT...I will come back and stay....you just wait!"

And so here I am....waiting, and waiting, and waiting. What is "IT" you wonder?

IT is the ever elusive Happiness.

Please don't take too long to show up....dearest IT.

xoxo
Miss Sandra