Samson

I'm loving this 2007 song from Regina Spektor called 'Samson.' It's an interesting take on the old story; making Samson a co-conspiritor to his own demise. And you have to love a songstress who wears red lipstick. Spektor has a new release that you can find here. If you've heard it, let us know what you think ...

Hello, June.

The things the month of June and I love in common;
Baskets for strawberry picking
Flowers by the side of the road
Sleeping with the windows open
Days without clocks or telephones
Taking long walks for no reason
Monitoring the growth of sunflowers
Reading Colette

What do you love about June?

Peonies in July?

I learned that if you have an explosion of peonies now, and want to have peonies later in the season, you can. When the bud feels likes a marshmallow, just clip the buds about fourteen inches down from the bud. Wrap them well in plastic, leaving the ends of the stems free to allow for air flow. Put them in the fridge. In a few weeks, take them out again, put them in water and enjoy their heady scent all over again.

Finished.

Choosing

Some days I let things bother me. The fact that my desk is a mess, I have to work longer than I want to, or someone cuts me in traffic. I remind myself that I have a desk to work at, a job that brings me modest pleasure, and that I have a car. And then life becomes so simple.

The Beautiful Foods

I'm crazy about the photos by this guy, and felt inspired to take a few foody photos of my own. Look what you can find when you go to market looking for beautiful foods.

Julie & Julia

While I'm not smitten with the idea of blogging about cooking my way through an entire Julie Child cook book, I'm smitten with Julia Child. She was a magnifiscent woman, undaunted by the fierce challenge of French cooking. And she reigned supreme. I can't wait for this film to come out. I'm sure Meryl Streep will be at her spot-on best.

Lilacs for Diane

My sister Diane loves lilacs and would surround herself with them daily if she could. Sweet little lavender explosions of scent that last only a couple of weeks. They lend romance and elegance to any room you put them in.

As the poet Amy Lowell says in her poem 'Lilacs';
You persuaded the housewife that her dish pan was of silver.
And her husband an image of pure gold.
You flaunted the fragrance of your blossoms
Through the wide doors of Custom Houses--
You, and sandal-wood, and tea,
Charging the noses of quill-driving clerks
When a ship was in from China.

Happy Spring, my dear Diane!

Robin's Egg Bleu

This is a special gift for my sister, Carol. You think that I spelled blue wrong? No, that's how you spell it in French. She has a special place in her heart for the color, and I can see why. Happy Spring, my dear sister!