Woman, Pamper Thyself!

from here

My Dears,

"Self-nurture is not about being selfish. It is about self-care." ~Alice D. Domar, Ph.D

I've been reading one of my all-time favorite comfort books "Romancing The Ordinary" by Sarah Ban Breathnach. You may be familiar with her ever popular books including Simple Abundance.

In this book she takes on each month of the year and invites us "women" to treat ourselves and our senses to the simple pleasures. I will now take her advice on pampering and share it with each one of you.

The Soulcraft of Pampering

Most women think that pampering is self-indulgent. Actually, pampering is a sacred soulcraft because pampering is self-preservation. Have you ever noticed how you feel on the fourth day of a vacation? You wake up well rested and your aches have disappeared or diminished. You realize that your emotional equilibrium is back - once again a glass of spilt milk is just that; something to be wiped up, not screamed about. You break into a grin more easily, have more energy, and are as spontaneous as the weather. If it's rainy, you'll read; if it's sunny, you'll play outside. Doesn't matter. You're back in touch with a warm, witty, wonderful woman who is fun to be around all the time, and it feels like a happy reunion.

Unfortunately, everybody's favorite gal is only around when she's been pampered-charmed, cajoled, and coaxed out of hiding...but it doesn't have to be two weeks at an expensive spa. A few days of tuning out the wants of the world and a little attention is all a blissful babe asks. It's not much.

Oh yes it is...but stay with me. Most women think of pampering as recuperative, after they've crashed and burned. I know I did. In reality, pampering is every day's most urgent need and the best preventive medicine. "Losing touch with ourselves is easy to do these days. We are conditioned to ignore the warning signs that protect us from becoming ill," Barbara Close reminds us in her soothing guide to sensory self-care, Well-Being: Rejuvenating Recipes for Body and Soul. "Instead we push ahead to meet deadlines and live up to our responsibilities and commitments until fatigue or sickness overwhelms us and forces us to stop." Barbara believes in simple, restorative rituals that engage all our senses. Pampering from the inside out helps us "reestablish a sense of connection to ourselves."

In the beginning, introducing small moments of pampering into your daily round is going to feel strange, unnatural, and forbidden....but persevere, one small, kind gesture at a time. Pampering is really Life's most natural remedy for whatever ails us physically and psychically. So when those guilt feelings start to creep close, remember that pampering is not selfish or frivolous. Pampering is soulful. Pampering is how you reach out and touch your essensual self. Pampering is the spiritual secret to becoming self-possessed.

~Sarah Ban Breathnach - Romancing The Ordinary...A Year Of Simple Splendor

Losing myself in a good book....a lovely way to pamper my mind.

Simple pampering.

from here
Oh how I love a foot massage!

Blissful slumber...

Have I mentioned how much I love tulips? They make me smile.

Heaven knows I have many ways to nurture my body and spirit through pampering. Sweetly scented body creams, a foot massage, and a room full of tulips are just a few of my favorite pampering treats. Even the simple things like music, a hot bubbly bath, a favorite meal, and a soothing night of deep slumber filled with the sweetest of dreams can contribute to one's pampering..... after all, it's about what makes us feel rejuvenated and blissful.

How do you pamper yourself?

xoxo,
Miss Sandra

Winter's Simple Delights

My own winter wonderland..

My Dears,

Today I awoke to another day of winter's snow kisses. The fluffy crystallized flakes have been coming down slowly, but with purpose. They keep competing for a cozy spot on the ground...or at this point any spot will do considering there are already a few inches upon the ground. I must admit, this winter reminds me of those winters of old...you know, the ones our parents spoke about...freezing temps, loads of snow, blizzards, more freezing temps....well you get my drift. Yes, pun is intended.

Anyhow, being the snow bunny that I am you all know too well that I will not complain about nature's whims. If snow is in the forecast on a weekly basis, then so be it. Yes I do have to shovel, break ice, make sure pipes don't freeze, and all those other grownup responsibilities that come with the pretty white stuff. I however, will not let it get me down or make me love winter less. It's all a part of life and we must know how to take the good with the not so good.

The secret to enjoying winter is simply this....allow yourself to see with your inner child's eyes. Go outside and stick your tongue out. Go ahead! Taste the snow. Better yet, find yourself a nice clean patch of the stuff (freshly fallen preferred)....scoop up a few cups, add sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and voila! You've got yourself some snow ice cream. Click here for recipe!

Need an outdoor companion? Make a snowman! My fella and I made one recently and named him Sir Merrick! What fun it is to frolic outdoors when the air is crisp. I love the healthy glow of rosy cheeks and not to mention the calories we burn in a snowball fight!

Sir Merrick!

The best part of it all? Coming indoors and nesting within our very own comforts of home! If you know me, you know that food rates high in my winter comforts. Crock-pot meals, hot beverages, and yummy baked goods have been known to make me all giddy and blissful during the winter. Socks...have I mentioned warm, fuzzy, and cozy socks? *sigh* Flannel lounge-wear, soft chenille crochet afghans, and a cozy spot in your favorite room make for a comfortable and most blissful retreat during a cold stormy eve. If you're fortunate to have a hearth...a roaring fire will warm your cold bones after a bout of shoveling. Don't forget to add a favorite book, crochet project, or any favorite pursuit to your list of things to do while nesting. Don't forget to throw in some cuddling too! *winks*

image from here
I so adore warm, woolly socks to hug my feet and caress them in comfort

Raspberries in cream...a new form of bliss for me.

Did you know I never knew the rapture..the bliss of a simple bowl of raspberries in cream? Nope.. never did....that is until my sweet fella served them to me recently. That dear man truly knows the way to a gal's heart. I consider this divine treat one of my most favorite ways to indulge during a cold afternoon. I like to find a cozy spot, put my feet up...and enjoy a bowl of this most delightful, inner-sense inspiring dish of bliss.

Speaking of blissful dishes, my fella *insert playful grin*....As I was saying, my fella has also introduced me to the pleasures of......ready for this?...the pleasures of grits! Yes, I did say grits. I had never truly liked grits....till now! Of course, I will only eat them if my fella makes them for he truly knows how to make quite the tasty grits! Add that to my list of comfort dishes.

image and recipe here..
Mmm...grits.

I guess it's really all about simple pleasures. Make the most of the moments and always find the good, the joyful, and most of all...the bliss in every situation. Remember, when life throws you lemons, go make yourself some lemonade! When winter throws you snow, snow, and more snow.....make snow ice-cream! Life is truly not as complicated as we make it.


So with that said..I wish you all safety, warmth, comfort, blissful moments, and sweet tender sighs. Love yourselves and know that each of us, individually, are truly the makers of our own lives....we are God's children and being so, we can accomplish anything our hearts desire.

xoxo,
Miss Sandra

My Other Life...

My Dears...

Thank you to those who commented and encouraged me to share my other world.

I've been running this business for nigh on 3 years. As a teenager, I became a huge fan of the 1950's scene and music. Granted there wasn't much of the scene left..but as for the music, oh sweet delight!... was there ever a world to explore!! I loved the pop tunes and the R&B vocal group music of the era (now called doo-wop). It's in this genre (doo-wop) that I eventually became involved with in my early 20's when I met my late husband who produced and hosted such concerts. He was also running a music shop specializing in this fabulous sound. We married in '95 and needless to say, the rest is history. Sadly, I lost him in 2008 and inherited this musical world...he was truly the heart and soul of this business and I hope to continue his legacy.

So without further ado, I introduce you to my musical business musings...Not Always In Rhythm, But It Ain't The Blues! Please click, visit, and enjoy!

xoxo,
Miss Sandra

What Do You Say?

My Dears...

On this slushy winter day I've been pondering....should I mix my two worlds? Should I share my other life with you my dear blogger friends? Hmmm...

You see, last year I began another blog..one for my business. I know I've never delved much into that part of my life...at least not here on my Harmonie page. I began this other blog in order to help my business along. For those of you who do not already know, I inherited my shop after my husband's passing. He was the heart and soul of our business. I'm only trying to keep it afloat. On my "new" blog, I muse about the goings on in my shop..you'll hear more about my trusty minion Pitty Pat and also about my visits with wonderful musical friends whose recordings I have the honor of selling.

As of this day, I have 4 followers..one I personally know. I didn't blog much for I wasn't getting many visitors and so I let it stagnate till only recently. I'm going to give it another chance....which brings me to my pondering of this day. I'm considering placing a link on this page and sharing that world with each of you Harmonie House followers/friends. What do you say? Are you curious to see what Miss Sandra is up to when she's not waltzing at the ball? *smiles* I would like your input.

Hope your day is filled with sweetness!

xoxo,
Miss Sandra

Christmas and a New Year's Wish

Christmas at Harmonie House 2010

My Dears,

I hope Christmas Day brought along loads of joy to each and every one of you. It was a most sweet and blissful day for me and my fella. We had the perfect Currier & Ives day filled with music, food (my honey makes a most delish pork roast!), a toasty fire in the hearth, roasted chestnuts, and of course....the most delightful presents! We were almost childlike with glee when opening our gifts. Truly it felt like Christmas should always feel.

Here are some house photos taken that morning...

Ahhh..the Christmas spirit was in the air.

Moments before my fella brought the firewood in.



The stocking was "stuffed" by the chimney with care...

Of course Boxing Day followed and it brought along its own gift to us all.....A Blizzard!
Being the winter gal that I am...I was most pleased with nature's gift. I wanted a white Christmas after all.
Unfortunately, many cities have suffered from this storm due to lack of plowing response. To this day, there are many cars still under snow and streets with mounds of snow narrowing the roads. I hope conditions improve and that all these cities get off their lackadaisical perch and clean up their streets.

Now for a few pictures...

Yes..that is my car!

Pretty isn't it?

Winter wonderland...

December came in with a simple and gentle serenity...it hurried on with purpose towards a most magical Christmas....and it leaves us with a coating of white fluff and the promise of beautiful days to come in the new year.

The year 2010 brought to me the sweetest of surprises
...and it leaves me with a kiss of bliss.

There were many happy moments and some sad that's true, but every moment was an experience and each day a blessing. New friends were made...some old friendships strengthened...and unfortunately some gone astray. Yet as with everything in life there is a lesson to be learned and I learned that change will come...whether good or bad, it will come. It is inevitable and we know to keep the good in our hearts and to forgive and let go. We are only human..we will laugh, we will cry, we will smile, we will hurt, and we will be kissed by amazement from time to time. Just remember that there is nothing you cannot do. We hold the key to our own happiness. Let's turn that key, unlock the door to 2011, and open our arms to life and its amazing possibilities.

My New Year's wish for you all is a life filled with good health, happiness, sweet surprises, and oodles of bliss. Don't forget to always count your blessings, for you will find there are many!

There is so much more I can wish for you...however, I shall let it be told in song. May you always...and always..and always.

(Please be sure to turn off the blog music on the player at the bottom of this page before you play this video.)
Happy New Year to one and all! xoxo Miss Sandra

...and then there is Christmas

Christmas at Harmonie House

My Dears..

The chill is in the air or should I say the frost? Need I also say that I'm ever so delighted? Tis the season and I am filled with the spirit of Christmas and of winter...for you know I am a snow bunny! There is no hiding from the low temps..no way! I await patiently for the first true snowfall of the season...followed by snow angel making in the back yard. Harmonie House is bedecked in all its Christmas splendor and the scents, sounds, and colors permeate each room. The wood is at hand for cozy evenings by the hearth and the chestnuts are ever ready to be roasted. As the song says...this is the "most wonderful time of the year!"

One of two Christmas village scenes.
This one is the shop and skating rink village.

Nook area looking all merry and bright.

Can you tell I've got a thing for nutcrackers?

This one says it all...

November came and went by like lightening! It was a wonderful month however, and my fella and I enjoyed some fancy footwork at the Armistice Ball followed by the after-the-ball Afterglow Party at Harmonie House. Twas a magical evening.

After the ball...

Before we knew it, Thanksgiving was upon us! Oh but what yummy food was to be had. Not only was there the traditional turkey fare..but also a deep-fried turkey! Mmmm...can we do that again please? *smiles* I had a most delightful time with my fella and his family! Many thanks again to that wonderful clan for a most warm and loving Thanksgiving!

Turkey just before it came out of the oven...yumm!

Naturally, when December rolls around it's time for my Annual Christmas tea. It was a lovely affair with all my Victorian/Edwardian friends in attendance and a table laden with scrumptious treats. The secret Santa session in the library/music room was filled with laughter and lots of contented sighs as the ladies received the most delightful gifts. It was quite a lovely afternoon topped off with caroling around the piano. *contented sigh*

Would you believe me if I told you we had to make room for more food?

Hamming it up with dear friends right before
the room became filled to the brim with the ladies.
The Secret Santa gifts were to be handed out thereafter.

Playing Santa and handing out presents.

Getting silly during caroling!

And truly, you didn't think I'd forget to post a couple of pictures of a most important member of Harmonie House? You know, he'd never let me forget it if I did that. *impish grin* Needless to say, he'd find a moment to take over my post and blog all about it.

Yes..Mr. Knightley enjoys Christmas!

Cozy and comfy under the tree...

By the way...did I mention that in this most wonderful, magical month I turned 40? Oh yes I did! I had what seemed like a week-long celebration which began with a surprise party (thanks to my honey) and concluded with a blissful day in NYC! There is nothing like Christmastime in NYC.

My 40th by the Rockefeller Center Tree
(picture not so clear due to the quaintness of my phone cam *sigh*)

I cannot believe that Christmas is just next week! I'm so not ready..but still, I'm a little girl excited by the magic of it all. Oh how I wish for a white Christmas!

May your stockings be filled with joy, good health, and loads of bliss for Christmas and everyday after. Make every moment count and count your every blessing. Life is a gift and each day a new canvas. Make sure to paint the most amazing life, for you know we have the ability to do so...simply because we can.

Blessings and love! 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

Pssst!

Here I am!

Just dropping by to wish you all a wonderful and jolly Halloween weekend. I'll be sure to stop by real soon and catch up with all of you in Blog Land.

Oodles of hugs!


Miss Sandra