“Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God’s handwriting.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Good Sunday morning dear friends. I hope this finds you enjoying a touch of autumn air. We have actually slept with the windows open the past few nights and what a splendid treat that was. It is hard to believe that September is with us once again, however, I always welcome the arrival. September is a month to savor the moments and notice the hidden treasures.
” The world is large ~ Its beauty indescribable.” ~ Zhuangzi
As it is a magnificent morning, I thought perhaps you may enjoy my thoughts about by the power of beauty. And would enjoy a few lovely things I have found.
As many of you know, France is a country that has captivated me by its charms for as long as I can remember. The French are extremely resourceful and indeed understand beauty. The home above looks as though it has been kissed by the sun for years, which I am certain it has. However, it has also been kissed by ochre.
You may or may not be aware of the Ochre Mines in France. These pigments were discovered near the village of Roussillon (Provence region) and were mined from the end of the 18th century until 1930. The pigments were used to color their homes (inside and out) and were also pounded down to use as watercolor paints and sold in the pricey art shops of Paris. The colors range from deep orange, yellow to brown. Additionally, the French used the mines as places to hide from the Nazis during the war. Today a single working ochre quarry remains in France, near the village of Gargas.
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”~
“Solitude” by, Diane Leonard
While art speaks to each of us differently, it holds such uplifting power. If one too many rainy days has dampened your spirits, take a trip to your local museum and stand in awe of the beauty. Or, with renewed interest, take a look around your own home at what may be hanging on your walls. You may see beauty you had taken for granted. I have been guilty!
Gauguin
“Some long-forgot, enchanted, strange, sweet garden of a thousand years ago… ~Edna St. Vincent Millay
Is there anything as lovely as a stroll through a garden? They are most often filled with intoxicating fragrances and exquisite beauty. Stepping through any garden gate has transformative powers.
“If the path be beautiful, let us not ask where it leads.” ~ Anatole France
“The core of beauty is simplicity.” ~ Paulo Coelho
To me, simple food is beautiful. Especially when prepared with love. Many humans have survived on ordinary fare during hard times. A bowl of soup and a piece of bread was considered a lavish meal. We pray we never see such days again. I try not to fail to count my blessings.
“Everything that is made beautiful and fair and lovely is made for the eye of one who sees.” ~ Rumi
Dear friends, in closing I hope you have enjoyed your visit and found it to be uplifting. Beauty does matter to each of us as it nourishes our hearts and souls. It breaks the monotony of everyday living and gives us pause to marvel at the wonders.
Know I wish you and yours a beautiful day.
And. . .
A week full of joy. Stay well!
“Beauty unites all things, links together flower and star, with chains more certain than those of reason.” ~ Henry James Slack
Amour,
Sandra
Photos: Tumblr and Pinterest
Sandra, I have so enjoyed the beauty shared in your post. The photos and quotes each give something lovely to feast upon. Like you, I never want to forget the many gifts and blessings we enjoy and to be ever grateful for even the simple bowl of soup and slice of bread. Of all the gorgeous photos you shared, I must tell you my eyes and heart gravitate towards the girl with the umbrella (Diane Leonard) and the blue Gaugin paintings. Thank you for the joy you’ve given me today.
Hello, sweet friend. Thank you so much for your kind words. Those two photos are also my favorites. I could stare at them all day.
I often wonder if the chaos in our world is because many have failed to count their blessings. That I will never know – just maybe, they will stumble across a bit of beauty that will be life-changing.
Wishing you a lovely week ahead!
I love the colors of those homes in France. Strolling through museums is one of my favorite things to do. Have a lovely week ahead!
I love the Ochre colors also, Peny. And, I agree with you about strolling through a museum. A perfect way to spend an afternoon. Wishing you a great week!
September is possibly my favorite month. And what a beautiful entry to the month we have been given. Every photo captures my heart and takes it on a lovely journey and your words are quite perfect. I think I may come back to this post with the gorgeous paintings and wonderful photos. Oh, to someday visit Provence!
Hello, Jeanie. I agree with you about visiting Provence. I have been keeping a list of all the little villages and the treasures that seem only to pertain to a specific village. One would have to stay quite a while to take it all in.
I love those two paintings as well. The girl in yellow really tugs at my heart.
Have a lovely week ahead, my friend.
Thank you for all the beauty you sent to us this Sunday. I love the quote by Henry James Slack. How beauty unites us. Our country needs this more than ever.
Hello, Ellen. I agree with you. I feel beauty is a powerful tool. It has the power to calm and make one stand in awe of such wonder. And, that changes people ~ for the better.
Sandra, I gasped when I saw the second image. I made several photos of the same building on our visit to Roussillon. It is a magnificent village with buildings in the different shades of ochre. Beauty is available for those that only open their eyes, it is truly all around us. This is such a lovely post sweet friend. We are seeing tiny glimpses of autumn. Happy Labor Day to you and Mike!
Good morning, Pam. Pam, I had no idea the home/building was in Roussillon. There was no information with the photo. Anyway, I thought it was beautiful. I am happy you enjoyed the post. Wishing you and your lovely family a Happy Labor Day!
Wonderfully positive post for a tragic and devastating past week. Pray for our Gold Star families.
Oh, Rita, I do pray for them. Such tragedy and they were all so young. Happy you enjoyed the post. I also pray for better days and a better world.
Have a good week, friend.
Lovely posts and photo choices. I know that this time of year the light is so beautiful, I’m taking my camera and going on an outing in search of beauty today!!! Grins, this really put me in the mood! Sandi
Oh, Sandi – I know you will find beautiful things for your photos. I am happy the post inspired you. Also, happy for your visit.
Such a beautiful post that has uplifted my sprits, sweet Sandra! Those beautiful French homes make my heart sing. It is my wish to one day visit this area. Wishing you a blessed week ahead, dear friend!
Good morning, Shannon. France is certainly on my list as well. To me, her beauty and enchantment never seem to end. Wishing you and yours a lovely week. I hope you are hearing happy and exciting things from your grown-up baby girl.