Monday 29 December 2008

A Day

Poetry Monday

Waking up this mroning just before dawn I witnessed the sunrise which in turn reminded me of this lovely poem by Emily Dickinson :o) What a beautiful way to see the world!

A Day

I'll tell you how the sun rose-
A ribbon at a time.
The Steeples swam amethyst,
The news like squirrels ran.

The hills untied their bonnets,
the bobolinks begun.
Then I said softly to myself,
"That must have been the sun!"

But how he set, I know not.
There seemed a purple stile
Which little yellow boys and girls
Were climbing all the while

Till when they reached the other side,
A dominie in gray
Put gently up the evening bars,
And let the flock away.

- Emily Dickinson

Sunday 28 December 2008

Scenic Sunday & Today's Flowers: Corsica



August 2008
Ajaccio, Corsica, France.

While we were walking towards the beach we came across these beautiful cactuses. I have to say that I have never taken to the cactus - not even in my Lucky Luke period *g*- but these have turned me round :o) I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

And experimenting on Picnik using the Lomo-ish(?) effect (click on the photo for a better view of the cactus Ü)

Please do not use this photo without asking my permission first. Thank you!

Saturday 27 December 2008

Quote of The Week

Glory to God in highest heaven,
Who unto man His Son hath given;
While angels sing with tender mirth,
A glad new year to all the earth.
~Martin Luther

Friday 26 December 2008

Christmas Wishes


I wish you all for this Christmas and the coming year peace, hope, faith and happiness. That you may make your dreams come true. Follow them! Let them take you where they lead! Now is the time!

With lots of love, Liesel

Wednesday 17 December 2008

Watery Wednesday: Crete

The picturesque harbour of old town Chania on Crete (Greece)
Please do not use this photo without asking my permission first. Thank you!

Sunday 14 December 2008

Yummy Sunday


Driving over roads that reminded me of spaghetti (very curvy, turny) we arrived at at one of the most picturesque harbors. It was queit, but not too queit as walked along it's street. The street was lined with little cafe's and restaurant with a few people here and there enjoying the shade of the pergula's, the beach scene below, the beautiful views over the Mediterranean Sea. When we passed a typical Greek blue and white coloured cafe we couldn't resist the temptation and sat down. This was is what we had for lunch *heart* It was just perfect <3>

Please do not use this photo without asking my permission first. Thank you!

Scenic Sunday: Bonifacio

My first entry for Not the white cliffs of Doover, but those of Bonifacio, Corsica. Taken last August.
If you have time could you please vote in the poll below?

Thank you for visiting, Liesel

Please do not use my photo without asking me first. Thank you!

Friday 12 December 2008

Candida

Perhaps a bit of a strange question but could you tell me your honest opinion on the name Candida? I am considering it for my daughter :o) It would honour nan Yda =)

Candida Beth perhaps?

Show & Tell Friday: Afternoon Tea

Show and Tell

My afternoon tea with home made chocolate cake


Inherited from nan, I love this cake skooper. I think it's so pretty and elegant and even for just one slice of cake I love using it. Takes me back to days gone by Ü


The box on the background with the cat I decorated myself using these -in my opinion- beautiful napkins. I love my tea and the box is home to quite a bit of my tea collection ^_^ I can't remember exactly how we got the teapot (how do you call it?) which contains the tea leaves - this time euchinacea tea. My favourite! <3


I LOVE this cup! I bought it last August in the National Trust shop and it makes me happy everytime I take look at it or take a sip of my tea. The colours, the birds, the flowers.. just stunning <3


Come around for tea next time and I'll save you a slice of cake and you can enjoy a nice cup of tea.
Thank you for visiting, Liesel

Thursday 11 December 2008

Christmas Quotes

Browsing through the world wide web for Christmas quotes I thought to share with you my favourites Ü

~*~

Good news from heaven the angels
bring,
Glad tidings to the earth they sing:
To us this day a child is given,
To crown us with the joy of heaven.
- Martin Luther

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful."
~ Norman Vincent Peale

The earth has grown old with its burden of care But at Christmas it always is young, The heart of the jewel burns lustrous and fair And its soul full of music breaks the air, When the song of angels is sung."
- Phillips Brooks

I truly believe that if we keep telling the Christmas story, singing the Christmas songs, and living the Christmas spirit, we can bring joy and happiness and peace to this world."
~ Norman Vincent Peale

Christmas, my child, is love in action. ... Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas.--Dale Evans Rogers

Carol singing, church bells ringing,
Once more Christmastime is here.
Children laughing, grownups beaming,
Hearts are warm with Christmas cheer.--Ruby Lee Mitchell

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.
Burton Hillis

Christmas day is a day of joy and charity. May God make you very rich in both.--Phillips Brooks

Wednesday 10 December 2008

Watery Wednesday: Venice


Photo taken in Venice, July

We were lucky enough to have taken the non touristic route in Venice which takes you along so many hidden gems. It's very quiet away from the crowd and it's nice to see the real Venetians at work. What surprised me -although I should have expected it- is that you have boat repair shops there like you have car garages here. If you ever go to Venice please don't follow the crowd but go your own way!

Playing around on Picnik
1960s


Colour Boost


Cross Process


Film


Please do not use my photo's without asking me first. Thank you :o)

Tuesday 9 December 2008

New Agatha Christie Book!

For Saint Nicholas I received a new Agatha Christie book! Unfortunely I already had it (Dumb Witness), so mum changed it today and brought back home "Peril At End House". The best plot I have read so dar my Mrs Christie! Doesn't the cover look very sinister?


THREE near escapes from death in three days! Is it accident or design? And then a fourth mysterious incident happens, leaving no doubt that some sinister hand is striking at Miss Buckley, the charming owner of the mysterious End House. The fourth attempt, unfortunely for the would-be murderer, is made in the garden of a Cornish Riviera hotel where Hercule Poirot, the famous little Belgium detective is staying. Poirot immediately investigates the case and relentlessly unravels a murder mystery that must rank as one of the most brilliant that Agatha Christie has yet written.

Monday 8 December 2008

Online Journal

I have to share today's Married to the Sea!

George Who Played With a Dangerour Toy and Suffered a Catastrophe of Considerable Dimensions

Poetry Monday


George Who Played With a Dangerour Toy, and Suffered a Catastrophe of Considerable Dimensions
When George's Grandmamma was told
That George had been as good as Gold,
She Promised in the Afternoon
To buy him an immense BALLOON.
And so she did; but when it came,
It got into the candle flame,
And being of a dangerous sort
Exploded with a Loud Report!
The Lights went out! The Windows broke!
The Room filled with reeking smoke!
And in the darkness shrieks and yells
Were mingled with Electric Bells,
And falling masonry and groans,
And crunching, as of broken bones,
And dreadful shrieks, when, worst of all,
The House itself began to fall!
It tottered, shuddering to and fro,
Then crashed into the street below-
Which happened to be Savile Row.


When Help Arrived, among the Dead
Where cousin Mary, Little Fred,
The Foormen (both of them), the Groom,
The man that cleaned the Billiard-Room,
The Chaplain, and the Still-Room Maid.
And I am dreadfully afraid
That Monsieur Champignon, the Chef,
Will now be permently deaf-
And both his Aides are much the same;
While George, who was in part to blame,
Received, you will regret to hear,
A nasty lump behind his ear.

The moral is that little Boys
Should not be given dangerous Toys.

- Hilaire Belloc
from his book 'Cautionary Tales for Children

Saturday 6 December 2008

Saturday Shopping: Christmas Tree Decorations

Saturday Shopping
I am so excited this year for Christmas! Or to be more particular, decorating the tree! I bubble over with ideas. Hopefully today or tomorrow I'll be able to finally by a tree. I love the look and smell of a real tree that makes Christmas that much more happy. Browsing through the very addictive Etsy.com I came across these lovely Christmas tree ornaments. Enjoy!
Click on the photo for a larger view :o)

1 Angel by TheLooks
2 Christmas Tree Pillow by LynnesThisandThat
3 Felted Snowman by mosey
4 Cranberry Wornaments by JustFeltHungry
5 3 Primitive Heart Stuffies by soymilkcafe
6 Barack Obama Christmas tree ornament by FullFrogMoon
7 Christmas Tree Ornament - Knit by JECDesigns
8 Soft Sculpture Lamb by judyelizabethsflock

Show & Tell Friday

Show and Tell
Seeing as I made my Show & Tell Friday post last week, but it not going through (because of Thanksgiving?) see here (link) for my entry :o)

Thursday 4 December 2008

Quote of the Week

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.
- Anne Frank

Wednesday 3 December 2008

Watery Wednesday


Again I'm not quite sure if this photo qualifies for watery wednesday. Let me know if it isn't and I'll change it. I loved these Gargoyles in the (??) gardens in Florence. Photo taken last August.


Please do not use this photo without asking me first. Thank you :o)

Tuesday 2 December 2008

Watery Wednesday


I'm not too sure wheter this qualifies for watery Wednesdays seeing as there's not much in my photo, but I love it and wanted to share it with you :o) This is the view more or less from our apartment on Crete, Greece last June. Pretty perfect, don't you think? <3 href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIpxwa4dYtYhOduX6UMyghy_oph2xZ8dyzw5z_9Nd_hDt2I7XM64QNx8fpScHpzQsAPYA9SSjnwE0teevMCzGlNYB6lQD1IA30FNtqoLVStkTA0WEw6xOiN-XDjKCLrGOUsi5Gtz0f52x/s1600-h/Crete+June+2008.jpg">

Monday 1 December 2008

On a Night of Snow

Poetry Monday
On a Night of Snow

Cat, if you go outdoors you must walk in the snow.
You will come back with litle white shoes on your feet,
Little white slippers of snow that have heels of sleet.
Stay by the fire, my Cat. Lie still, do not go.
See how the flames are leaping and hissing low,
I will bring you a saucer of milk like a marguerite,
So white and so smooth, so sperical and so sweet-
Stay with me, Cat. Outdoors the wild winds blow.

Outdoors the wild winds blow, Mistress, and dark is the night.
Strange voices cry in the trees, intoning strange lore;
And more than cats move, lit by our eyes' green light,
On silent feet where the meadow grasses hang hoar-
Mistress, there are portents abroad of magic and might,
And things that are yet to be done. Open the door!

by Elizabeth Coatsworth
(illustration by Nicole Wong)