“If the path be beautiful, let us not ask where it leads.” ~ Anatole France
Good morning, dear friends and welcome to ‘The Gentler Side of Life.” I enjoy the words, ‘Gentler Side of Life. They make me feel safe, happy, and also they bring me to the realization of how much I crave a sweeter world. A sweeter world is my hope for all of us.
As our weather is gloomy, I thought yours may be too. Therefore, I would like to invite you to join me on a walk through a virtual path of beauty. Beauty I have found from a gentler time. I won’t be speaking much, as not to distract from the lovely images or from your own thoughts. This post is just a wee bit of dreaming for a gray January morning. So pour yourself a nice cup of coffee or tea and find a comfy chair.
“Beauty is all around us, of course. Our world, with all its sordid problems, still brims with breathtaking loveliness. And one of the benefits of the teatime ritual is that of slowing us down enough to notice what is beautiful around us.” ~ Emilie Barnes
A lovely teapot and or teacup is an exquisite thing. Not only is it about the beauty of the vessel, but also for the gentleness it imposes on our souls.
“There is something in the quiet nature of tea that leads us into quiet contemplation.” ~ Lin Yutang
“Ballet is like writing poetry with your body.” ~ Elif Shafak
Ballet is a breathtaking art that I know little about. Other than to me it is beautiful, captivating, and holds the power to move one to joyful tears. I have long admired the majestic dancers who are extremely disciplined and devoted to their craft. Amazing souls who provide the world with spectacular beauty and grace every time they dance onto a stage.
“Beauty is a nectar which intoxicates the soul.” ~ T.C. Henley
“. . . Luxury lives in the finer details.” ~ Iggy Azalea
I have long loved and collected vintage table linens and pillow slips. The hours spent in creating such flawless beauty is astounding. My mind always wonders about the person who created such magnificence and I like to think perhaps they know their lovely creations are now in good hands and appreciated.
“Beauty was not simply something to behold, it was something one could do.” ~ Toni Morrison
“Chandeliers are marvels of drop-dead showiness, the jewelry of architecture.” ~ Peter York
A little sparkle can change a room and its personality. We have a crystal chandelier in our living room and dining room. When the sun shines and they twinkle and sparkle, I become almost giddy. They are certainly a mood changer.
“Beauty is a fragile gift.” ~ Ovid
Vintage items are irresistible to me. Although, often, their price tag will keep them from my reach. Even if that may be the case, I do enjoy admiring them and never fail to fall under the charm of their beauty.
1920s Wedgwood fairyland luster series. ‘Ghostly Wood’ by Daisy Makeig-Jones, UK pottery designer
“Nature isn’t owned. Its beauty is available to everyone.” ~ unknown
“The Earth is what we all have in common.” ~ Wendell Berry
“The garden was full of fireflies, the scent of flowers was intoxicating, the moon was full. We seemed to have reached almost the limit of beauty.” ~ Diana Cooper
Mottisfont Abbey & Gardens – Hampshire, England
A stroll through this lovely garden would be a glimpse of paradise.
“Great beauty is moving because it touches the soul.” ~ unknown
Dear friends, I hope you have enjoyed your walk. As you can tell, my heart truly resides in ‘The Gentler Side of Life.’
Wishing you a lovely and peaceful day.
And . . .
May beauty warm your heart and provide you all the joys and peace of a gentler time. Stay well!
“Beauty does not become more profound the higher the price. Beauty can be found in the most humble.” ~ unknown
Amour,
Sandra
Images: via tumblr
This was filled with such stunning beauty. My eyes feasted and my soul filled with wonder. Thank you so much, Sandra.
Good morning, Brenda. I am happy you enjoyed the post. It was good for me to put it together and have my mind focus on beauty. Happy day to you, dear friend.❤
I so enjoyed my walk with you this morning. Such beauty all around us, we just need to look and hold it in our hearts.
Penny, so are so right. It may not cure our dreadful problems, but it certainly soothes. Have a great remainder of the week.
Oh my, yes, I thoroughly enjoyed this post! It’s ALL the things I love.
Thanks so much, Rita. Enjoy the remainder of the week.
How wonderful to enjoy this beautiful visual walk with you this morning Sandra. I so enjoyed the photographs and quotes, you always manage to include the most poignant of them for us to enjoy with you. Thank you so very much for the invitation.?
Thank you, Louise, and I am so happy you came along for our walk. You, sweet friend, add much to every day. Blessings, dear one.❤
Sandra, I would love to walk through the gate and have tea in the garden. So many beautiful images and quotes. Thank you ♥️
You are most welcome, dear Pam. If I had the wand I have always wanted, I would grant your wish and you and I would enjoy tea in the garden on a beautiful spring day. Enjoy the remainder of your week.❤
Beautiful images! Even in this world that seems to be uncertain and very sad, there is still so much to be thankful for–thank you for sharing some of them today. I took ballet for many years; it is indeed a very disciplined life requiring much hard work. Seeing the fluidity of the truly great ballerinas has brought me to tears. Fortunately, we’ve had lovely, sunny days since Monday–yippee! Wishing you a peaceful, beauty-filled week.
Hello Bobbi. You are right there remains much to be thankful for and so much beauty at every turn. We just have to look. We have had a few pretty days. Our gray skies seem to have lifted. Although, gray is a normal winter color in West Virginia.
Enjoy the remainder of your week. ❤
Thank you so much always for the lovely, uplifting thoughts and images that you are kind enough to share with us…..
Cara, thank you for your kind words and for visiting. Hope you will return. Wishing you happy winter days.
I’ve been watching impeachment all afternoon. I really needed this. Gorgeous picks.
Loveliness does help soothe our nerves. We will need lots of tea in pretty cups between now and Jan. 20. Enjoy your birds and hug Miss Lizzie. Stay well, Jeanie.
This has been a lovely walk with many beautiful things to see. We share delight in many of the same items – embroidered linens, gardens, tea poured from a china pot, etc. Have a most wonderful day, Sandra.
Good afternoon, Lorrie. I am happy you enjoyed the walk and to know we have common interests. I have collected teapots and teacups for years. Until I finally said enough. I don’t seem to see as many pretty ones as I once did – but COVID has brought a halt to my browsing. Enjoy the remainder of the week.
Magnificent post…Love your gorgeous linens collection!
Dear Maristella, thank you. The linens pictured are not mine. Although, I do have many lovelies. I just do not have good photography skills. Wishing you a wonderful day and week ahead.