Thursday, December 28, 2017

Dear Readers...please reply and let me know.


My dears...

Just checking in to know if anyone is still reading my blog posts. If so, I'll continue to post, but the last few entries yielded no response, making me wonder if it's worth it to blog again.

Do let me know. At one time I thoroughly enjoyed my blogging community and would no doubt find enjoyment within it again, if there's any interest on your part.

I wish you all joy, comfort, warmth, good health, and bliss for the coming year.

Sandra

Saturday, September 23, 2017

I'm Here...



Dear Friends Old and New...

Been considering returning to blog-land for quite some time. I have thought that perhaps it might prove therapeutic and bring some much needed...something. I cannot place the exact word, but there is a much needed something that blogging might fulfill. There was a time, after all, when the anticipation to post and share my life musings made my days extra special. Getting to follow and read your blogs was an added special bonus.

So here I sit a year and a half after falling into the rabbit hole...when my beloved fella passed away.

Life still goes on but the cadence has become somewhat cacophonous, strange really. I feel like I'm living a life outside of me...not sure if that makes sense. Anyhow some good things have happened. I have a lovely job at a farm/garden center. Flowers, farm cats, produce, chickens, etc...funny how far away I've gone from the music scene.
Ive adopted two beautiful fur babies, since the death of my sweet Knightley. They're simply adorable and their names are Willoughby and Bingley. They bring moments of laughter and joy into my daily life. They also keep me on my toes!

Bingley and Willoughby

All in all, life has been quiet, I work six days a week and spend the rest of my time at home, for the most part. I did get to visit Lake George this past June to celebrate my honey's birthday. I believe he was with me throughout the whole trip. I found some semblance of bliss while sitting by the lake enjoying its majestic beauty and the reminder that life will always hold such simple pleasures for us to partake.

Anyhow, I think I'll stop here for now. I just wanted to touch base and say I'm still here! 
I hope to find interesting things to blog about. I hope some of you are still out there and hope to hear from you. In the interim I want to wish you all a most lovely autumn.

Till soon...xo
Sandra

Friday, November 4, 2016

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

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

It's December!


My Dears...

Just want to wish you a most lovely December. I'm in the midst of decorating for Christmas. Naturally I'm bubbling with excitement over this magical season.

Thanksgiving was a delightful affair for me and my fella. We were treated to a snowy countryside all weekend. We also watched a Christmas parade and participated in an old fashioned, small town tree lighting ceremony. Twas absolutely lovely. I hope each and every one of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! May this month be filled with all sorts of magic and merriment for you all.

Here's a tune for you to enjoy.



Till soon! Blissful tidings...
xoxo
Sandra


Friday, September 12, 2014

Pssssst! It's me!




My Dears...

Yes, it's really me. To those who have fainted from the shock, I hope you recover soon enough. *winks*

I'm still here...just not here in blogland much. I'm stopping by to say hello and hope you are all doing well. I look forward to be inspired once again and begin blogging as often as I used to...or at least from time to time.

Mr. Knightley sends happy purrs, and my fella...well, my fella fainted when he heard I was blogging and is lying about, holding on to my vial of smelling salts. He also sends regards.
I hope to have much to blog about during the coming seasons of comfort. In the meantime I must stock up on firewood, bring out the afghans and throws, and replenish the tea cupboard.

Till soon....

Sending warm thoughts and wishes for a blissful autumn.

xoxo
Sandra


Friday, November 1, 2013

Happy November...A Post From 2009


My Dears,

It's been a long time and I hope you are all doing well. 
To kick off November, I'd like to repost my entry from November 2nd, 2009. 

I wanted to begin 2010 fresh with new experiences, thoughts, risks...starting the year with a happy song. That new year did indeed bring a happy song to my life...it brought along a most wonderful man who has kept kept me in sweet music and bliss. Life will deliver your deepest desires and make your dreams come true if you only believe.

Enjoy my thoughts of four years ago...they still resonate today. 

I'll be back soon to catch up.....xo!




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

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Night-time Musings...



My Dears..

We've had a couple of very warm summer-like days. I'm not ready for such heat, but I cannot argue with or challenge Mother Nature. There is a lovely aspect to this though...the balmy days have induced the scent of my linden tree. The flower buds may be young, but the heady perfume is as old and sweet as the ages.

The gazebo/summer room is up and waiting to be furnished. I see myself and the fella having long breakfasts and afternoon cocktails in the comfort of our outdoor room. Evening dinners in the quiet hours, with only the sound of our voices and the music from the radio, make for a most enchanting, relaxing time.



I'm tired. I'm on very little sleep due to the fact that the AC isn't up yet and last night's heat was intolerable. I just wanted to stop by to say hello and wish you all well. Let's keep Oklahoma and its people in our prayers. Together in thought and prayer, we can help heal our world.

Goodnight my dears and blissful tidings to you.
xoxo
Miss Sandra

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Of This And That..And More.


Tulips from my honey.

My Dears,

Happy May...or middle of May as it may be. *smiles*

So here I am..glad to be blogging again after a short hiatus. I think it's about time I play catch up on the past couple of months.

Winter was quite wonderful this time around. I'd venture to say that it's been having a bit of a rough time handing the reigns over to spring. I mean really...I had a lovely fire keeping me cozy this afternoon, for there is still a tiny chill in the air. I can honestly say though that I'm ready for the soft warmth of spring, the kind that feels like a tender caress rather than the stifling heat that smothers. There's nothing like the feeling one gets when spring fever runs amok! I tend to get giddy and feel like I can do it all. I become child-like in wonder and hopeful that life will grant me my wishes. In the springtime, all things seem highly possible. *sigh*

 Mr. Knightley enjoying the warmth by the hearth...in May!

So, let's trace back a bit. St. Patrick's day was one for the books on the culinary spectrum. I made a lovely meal consisting of glazed corned beef, maple glazed brussel sprouts, and mashed potatoes. Can you say yumm?? I know we did!

 St. Patricks dinner...

Then in late March, I hosted a lovely vintage affair at Harmonie House. My Edwardian friends joined the fella and me for an Afterglow Evening Party. Cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, music of the 20's/30's, and beautifully dressed company made for a most delightful and happy evening.

 The fella and me during the Afterglow evening affair.

Easter came on a sunny Sunday in March. My fella and I dyed some eggs for the Easter breads I make every year, and together we set off for a lovely family gathering. The Easter bunny always brings me something sweet, but this time around he also delivered a Nook HD. Goodness gracious me! Today's Easter bunny has become quite the modern-minded fur ball. I must say I like his taste in gadgets. *winks*

 I love the colors.

 Easter bread...simply delicious!

April came by and went so fast that I've quite forgotten most of it. However, I cannot forget how the magnolia tree bloomed to perfection and provided a most fragrant display of beauty in my front yard. That month also brought back the landscaper and the delightful smell of fresh-mown grass. The scent of spring permeated the grounds of Harmonie House, and all I could do was bask happily in nature's gifts.
Oh! I mustn't forget...April 7th marked my 4th Anniversary here on Blogger. I can't believe it's been four years already. Thank you dear blog-land friends for sticking around and making my blogging experience a most wonderful one. Click here for an old post from April of 2009. Enjoy!

 Magnolias in full bloom and heady scent!

Tulips. I'll say it again....tulips. Now remember this my dear readers...I love tulips. To me, these flowers represent the joy and promise of the season. They are perfection and they seem to giggle in delight!
I make sure to have tulips at Harmonie House while they are in season. Funny thing is, I've never had them in my garden. I cannot tell you why. It even baffles me.

 The fella likes to keep me in tulips. Gotta love him!

Lilacs were in bloom, and now the lily-of-the valley are gracing the garden, right under the maple. The roses are in bud and the herbs are ready for the picking. Truly I love this time of the year.

Lilacs. Perfume in a vase.

Today I took the time to enjoy some afternoon tea and scones in the comfort of my sunny library/music room. The light of the sun broke through the untrimmed, bushy evergreens as it pierced through the multi-paned casement windows and brightened the room with its happy glow. It's days like these that make me so grateful for the simple things in life. The comforts of home no matter how big or small, make our lives extra meaningful. A cuppa tea, a good book, Mr. Knightley by my side..the fire in the hearth, the taste of marmalade slathered on lightly buttered toast, the feel and scent of freshly laundered towels and bed sheets, and the smile on my sweet fella's handsome face are just some of the simple things that make me ever so grateful.

Cherry scones slathered in clotted cream and rose-hip butter.
It's more of a curd than butter and it was quite tasty.

The sun's rays provided a happy glow during tea.

These days, our world is an unsteady place. The news, the papers, websites, and television are filled with all that is angry, negative, and ugly with this world. The fact of the matter is, there is so much good and beauty to be had...so much positive out there. Unfortunately, it becomes over-shadowed by what we're being shown and told. So when I come here to blog, I want to share all that I feel is good and beautiful. I try to show you my world in a happy light. Yes, I can tell you that my life isn't perfect and it's filled with the everyday cares that come with being human. I cry, I've felt fear, I become vexed, I've had disappointments, etc.
Then again I also know laughter, find joy in song, I dance, and act silly at times.
I love and I am loved. I know happiness and bliss. Knowing, experiencing, and feeling all the good, beautiful things life has to offer holds a much more powerful grip on my life than anything else can.
So you see, the negative will always be there. It's not always easy to ignore, but I choose to walk the path where the flowers grow...and it's that path which I choose to share with you here in blog-land. Embrace the wonderful things life brings to you. Be grateful and live simply, for it's the little things in life which are the most meaningful.

found this image here

After all, we've got the sun in the morning and the moon at night!

Wishing You Blissful Tidings,
xoxo
Miss Sandra


Monday, April 15, 2013

Of peace...

My Dears...


Our peace is threatened daily. Let's be aware, but let's be strong and protect our peace of mind.

May God bless those affected by today's Boston Marathon bombing. May we find peace and love in our very sad, fragile, and angry world.

Blissful Tidings..

xoxo
Miss Sandra