Autumn in Paris

Macaron from Fauchon ... délicieux!!!
30 Place de la Madeleine, 75008 Paris, France

An October Picnic

Our friendship grew in the library

as we sat between the books

Nothing was ever awkward

not our smiles, our secrets, our looks.

We trusted one another

and kept our peace within

We moved to life's next chapter

all hopes and dreams to win.

We had an autumn picnic

and watched the sun and sky

and giggled at the geese so plenty

until our next goodbye.

A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life. -Isadora James

TRAVEL MODE : MARCO ISLAND, FL

Spirit of the St. Croix Art Festival

Sunday was a beautiful sunny day with cool temperatures in the lower 70's, a perfect time to take a drive to Wisconsin for the Spirit of the St. Croix Art Festival.

There were a variety of artists along the St. Croix River with live music to entertain everyone, concession stands and booths with art workshops for children.

My favorite artists were Bell and Frank Barr who created fairy houses out of clay, copper and steel.  I was in awe!!!  They are the cutest lil' things for fairies to live in.

Check out their website at www.faeriehouse.com.

Day at the Cathedral

The church was a good place to reflect that day, listening through the silence of echoes, hum of prayers and  patter of footsteps like the rain outside.

I stare at my diamond ring and watch the sparkles of rainbow-colored lights dance, bringing me back to my childhood days when I would stare at my mother's own wedding ring.

In between solace and contemplation, I observe others like me finding comfort in this place.  I don't question why I'm here, or wonder where I am going with life.  It's a tranquil place of rest and relief not to think, feel or worry about anyone or anything.

Counting not the minutes, the cracking of wood from the pews cue me to wait just a bit more...

Until I light that candle again.

A September Wedding To Remember

I attended the beautiful wedding of Caroline and Nicholas on the rooftop of the Crowne Plaza overlooking the beautiful Foshay Tower in downtown Minneapolis last weekend.  My BFF, Janice, was childhood friends with Dawn, the mother of the groom.  Despite the weather being overcast, it produced excellent diffused lighting for photography.

I got to meet Paige who was their official photographer for the wedding.  She is the sweetest summer flower you could ever imagine! Check out her website: www.deweesphotography.com.  

So, the perspective of my photos here reflect myself being a guest and witness to this wonderful and special day for such a gorgeous couple.  Again, congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Campion!

Caroline wore an elegant Oleg Cassini wedding gown with a  fit-and-flare silhouette with champagne allover-beaded lace.

While everyone was enjoying cocktails and conversation, Janice and I took to the Great Lakes Ballroom on the 7th floor to check out where dinner would be served. Who in their right mind would pass up a mouthwatering wedding cake for dessert??

Here is Dawn with the ladies from "The Coffee Club".  Janice is on the left wearing a black blazer.

And here I am, yours truly...

A Midsummer Night

Marco Island, Florida

BLACK BUTTERFLY

My good friend, Suzanne, noticed a black butterfly while we were taking Simon for a walk at the park today and said it was a good sign.  When I got home, I looked for some meaning and here is something  that I liked: 

"...butterflies are used for symbolizing femininity, style and charm. On the other hand, the black color is associated with numerous human emotions and qualities that are often overpowering. These qualities are - power, authority, sexuality, mystery, sophistication, elegance, style, anger, fear, unhappiness, evil, depth, sadness, death, mourning, remorse and the unknown.

You see, in most of the stories, black butterfly is associated with change, transition, freedom and rebirth. It is symbolized as death - assume it as the death of all the bad things and misfortunes!

Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/black-butterfly-meaning.html

Morning light, silken dream to flight

As the darkness gave way to dawn

You've survived, now your moment has arrived

Now your dream has finally been born

Chorus:

Black Butterfly, sailed across the waters

tell your sons and daughters

what the struggle brings

Black Butterfly, set the skies on fire

rise up even higher

so the ageless winds of time can catch your wings

ooh... ooh

While you slept, the promise was unkept

But your faith was as sure as the stars

Now you're free, and the world has come to see

Just how proud and beautiful you are

Chorus

Let the current lift your heart and send it soaring

Write the timeless message clear across the sky

So that all of can read it and remember when we need it

That a dream conceived in truth can never die

Butterfly

Cause now that you're free and the world has come to see

Just how proud and beautiful you are

Chorus

Fly

Butterfly

Yeah, yeah, yes

Fly

Lyrics from www.elyrics.net

HAPPY 4TH 2013

by the St. Croix River, MN

BLUEBERRY SCONES

one pint heavy cream ... mix it to medium whip

3 cups flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp salt

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

fresh blueberries

mix lightly, if too powdery, add 1 TBSP milk 

415 degrees for 17 minutes

broil for 1 minute

This recipe is from an old friend from Bible Study.  Thanks, Anjana :)

Locks of Love

I donated  my hair to Locks of Love !!!  You, too, can donate yours.  At least 10 inches is needed and it can't be highlighted, colored or bleached.  This is my third time to donate :)

My Salmon and Caviar Noodle Salad

Ingredients:

5 packets of Pink Salmon (Chicken of the Sea)
1 TBSP black caviar
1/4 cup Miracle Whip or mayonnaise
1 tsp French's Spicy Brown Mustard
1 can Mandarin Orange, drained

Mix ingredients together and add to any kind of pasta noodles. Add grapes to garnish.

My son ate it with a side of toasted Cranberry Wild Rice bread from Salty Tart Bakery with Orange Marmalade

and Uncle Ray's Bar-B-Q Flavored Potato Chips

:D

... in between projects...

On a Piper Warrior II over St. Paul, Minnesota 

Majestic Flyway Hot Air Balloons 2013

The 24th Annual

HUDSON HOT AIR AFFAIR

February 1-2-3, 2013  Hudson, WI

Giving a shoutout to our former neighbor, Scott Aamodt, and  his family of hot air balloon buddies for a wonderful sight !

http://www.kare11.com/family/article/959866/100/Hot-Air-Affair-taking-to-the-skies-over-St-Croix-Valley