Miss No Moments of Beauty

I used those words..'miss no moments of beauty' this morning in a comment I made on Laury's blog. My intention was to get a photo of the New Year's Eve Blue Moon. I took a couple of shots last night, but all I got was a big ball of light surrounded by black...not very interesting. So this morning I thought I'd try to catch the setting moon in the half-light of dawn. Alas, caught up in my journal, I missed that moment of beauty! When I looked outside, the western sky was gray, the full moon gone. As I said to Laury, I hope this isn't a sign for 2010 and vowed to 'miss no moments of beauty' again. Laury thought that could be our 2010 motto; I think she's right. So, you'll have to be content with this full moon taken last winter from my front yard looking toward the eastern sky. It was rising in the early evening above a very frozen field. It was a moment of beauty I caught a few days after the winter solstice. In the deep, dark winter, every moment of beauty I can catch warms my heart. What warms your heart when winter settles in?

Purple is the Winner

I've decided I like the deep purple better than black....

Black Instead of Purple

I'm trying black today as my background color instead of the deep purple. Actually I thought I had picked black the first time! I'll keep it like this for a couple of days. Any thoughts??

A New Look

I've been thinking about a new look for my blog for the New Year. I don't really want to change my banner; I like the wisteria photo I took in Provence. I read a couple of blogs that are on black backgrounds...Soar-Dream-France is one. And I really like how the photos pop against the black. I'd be interested in your opinion before I set this template in stone. How do you like it?

Merry Christmas from Red Bell Farm!

For all of you out there who are dreaming of a white Christmas, here's one from Red Bell Farm!

"May your days be merry and bright,

And may all your Christmases be white!"

Merry Christmas from Red Bell Farm!

Atop the Tree

I read Tongue in Cheek every day. Corey is a wonderful storyteller and her blog is always a fun read. This week she asked people to comment on her blog entry telling her what sits atop their Christmas tree; she randomly picked 5 comments and the winners will receive a red French beret! Alas, I didn't win a beret, but I did have a load of fun reading about other people's Christmas trees! Many readers have stars, angels, and bows as tree toppers; a few have more 'unique' things, like a bird's nest, American flags, snowflakes, a coil of pearls that looks like white grapes, a crown, a snakeskin (really!), C3PO from Star Wars, and feathers. One woman doesn't put up a tree; she hangs a 12-string guitar on the wall and decorates it with garland, lights and ornaments! This lovely Provencal dove from my favorite ceramist, Edith Fidler, is atop my tree this year. It blends nicely with my postcards from all over the world and ornaments purchased when I travel. What sits atop your tree this year? I'd love to know!

Christmas Joy

"We don't remember days; we remember moments."


Cesare Pavese


Like the moment you open the back door and find the tall box left by the UPS man...











"The future is plump with promise."

Maya Angelou



Waiting, waiting for the future while plump buds drink and drink and drink....

" Before me, may it be delightful.
Behind me, may it be delightful.
Around me, may it be delightful.
Below me, may it be delightful.
Above me, may it be delightful.
All, may it be delightful." Navajo blessing






Thank you, Walt and Debbie, for my delightful Christmas tulips! My kitchen feels alive and blessed.