“If you love beauty, it’s because beauty lives within you. If you love art, it’s because you are creative. If it wakes up your heart, a receptor for it already exists within you. Your soul is drawn to the things that will help you unfold your most glorious expression. Give in. ” ~ Cynthia Occelli
Good morning, dear friends. It is wonderful to see you again. I do hope you will enjoy your visit and perhaps receive a wee nudge of inspiration to pay extra attention to the beauty in your corner of the world. Susan Branch tells us ~ “Hearts can inspire other hearts with their fire.” It is amazing just how far that little ripple can travel. But mostly, I hope your visit will leave you with a happy heart. You know, like the feeling you have when you have just visited with a dear friend.
Make yourself warm and comfy, with your coffee or tea in hand. I have prepared a collection of some lovely things, found along my path, in the pursuit of beauty. They “wake up my heart,” ~ I hope they will yours as well.
I am totally amazed by the talent within the human soul which created such an exquisite design and the skilled hands which brought this design to life. The beautiful chair and the shade of blue certainly ‘wakes up my heart.’
Beauty adds so much to our daily rounds. It need not be expensive or lavish. It is all about what we deem beautiful and love.
“It is the soft nature of the things in which we surround ourselves that dull the sharp edges of life.” ~ Christine Fleming
“Surround yourself with things that you love, and you will always have inspiration in your life.” ~ Amellia Cooke
“In every man’s heart, there is a secret nerve that answers to the vibrations of beauty.” ~ Christopher Morley
Can you imagine being in an antique shop, discovering a once cherished locket, wrapped beautifully in a piece of lace, and to further discover it was bearing the inscription . . . toujours m’aime (always love me)? Oh my, I would certainly have “vibrations of beauty.”
The beauty of our talents is shown in the things we create, treasures for ourselves and those we love. In the photo below, the beauty is not only in the stitching, but it is also in the love and hours which go into bringing such a lovely piece to life. I am always immediately drawn to exquisite hand work.
“Creating beauty. For those blessed with this driving force, it needs no further explanation.” ~ unknown
“I want to surround myself with beauty.” ~ Gabriela Mistral
Would any human ever grow tired of such magnificent beauty? This rose would be a star in any garden. I wish I could tell you her name, but she was not identified.
“Pay attention to the things that bring a tear to your eye or put a lump in your throat, because they are signs that the holy is drawing near.” ~ Frederick Buechner
“When I took the time to look into the heart of a flower, it opened up a whole new world ~a world where every country walk would be an adventure, where every garden would become an enchanted one, where one could never be lonely, bored, or indifferent. It was as if a window had been opened to let in the sun. My eyes were waking up … seeing the unbelievable beauty of nature…” ~ Princess Grace of Monaco and Gwen Robyns, My Book of Flowers
“I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers.” ~ Claude Monet
“White is not a mere absence of color; it is a shining and affirmative thing, as fierce as red, as definite as black. God paints in many colors; but He never paints so gorgeously, as when He paints in white. ” ~
“Beauty gives us hope.” ~ unknown
Thank you so much for visiting. Two years ago today, I opened the doors of Maison de Jardin. The following are a few of my thoughts from the first post.
“Personally, I believe the love of beauty lies within each of us. I believe it is truly in our hearts ~ even if we do not know or recognize it. Often, a moment of grace opens our eyes to beauty. Beauty is everywhere, in everything, and in everyone. It inspires us, moves us forward, enhances our homes and therefore makes life sweeter for ourselves and those we love. It holds power. And, by being open to and aware of beauty, we can change our world. Because beauty and grace make us kinder people.”
Know, dear friends, I am grateful for each of you who follow along and for your kind and inspiring comments.
Wishing you a most beautiful day.
And . . .
“May you always find three welcomes;
In a garden during summer, at a fireside during winter, and ~ whatever the day or season, in the kind eyes of a friend.” ~ Gaelic Prayer
Au Revoir,
Sandra
Images: via tumblr
.
From beginning to end this post stirred my heart, caused it to beat faster, gave me a spurt of energy to face the supper dishes! That chair! I couldn’t believe it when I saw it because I knew it was perfect–not for me as I could never buy it but for a dream of a dining room I just read about in an old Agnes Sligh Turnbull novel where little animals were carved into the paneling of the dining room. I want to put that chair in my mind-picture of that dining room! And the quotes, especially those by Buechner, Princess Grace and Chesterton! And then the prayer at the end is so beautiful.
Happy 2nd anniversary of your blog! Yesterday was my 5th, I think, with two years added before that at my old blog. And the main reason that I read blogs is because of the beauty it brings into my life.
Thank you for this beautiful post,
Dewena
Dear Dewena, what kind, kind words. You are correct the chair would be perfect for a dream dining room. I am just in awe of the creative minds who can even have such a design in their minds. Simply amazing. I am so pleased you enjoyed the post and the quotes – I so love them and dream of writing beautiful words. Blessings to you and yours.❤
Wonderful vignettes and quotes!!!Made my day…Feast for the eyes and balm for the soul!Congratulations on your Bloggiversary!Hugs and thanks for visiting my little blog.
Thank you, Maristella. So happy you enjoyed the post. Thank you for your visit and I love your blog. Glad we have become friends.❤
Sandra, I can’t tell you what a joy it is to wake up early and an exceedingly cold, below-zero morning with a good six or eight inches of snow outside and more coming down and land in this world of color and flowers and beauty. And that bunny chair is beyond beautiful. I have such a spot in my heart for the rabbit. Congratulations on your two years of blogging. I have been in blog world for a very long time and I have loved every second of it. Over time you evolve with it, though the blogs you visit and the people you meet, and they through you. Three cheers. I hope it’s just an early beginning of many more years to come.
Dear Jeanie, I can’t thank you enough for your kind words. I love the bunny chair also and marvel at the mind who created such a design. I have enjoyed my years in blogging and have met some of the dearest people and you are one of them. I thank you so much for your good wishes.
We are white here in WV this morning also and very cold. Stay warm up there and have a lovely week! ❤
Such a beautiful and inspiring post, Sandra! All of the gorgeous images made my heart flutter with joy. That chair is stunning, and the pretty china and flower pictures made me smile. All of my favorite things flowers, stunning furniture, and lovely dishes! Thank you for sharing this wonderful inspiration. Happy Tuesday, sweet friend!!!
Thank you, dear Shannon. Wishing you a lovely week and stay warm! ❤
Happy Blog Anniversary! As always, I enjoyed the wonderful quotes and stunning pictures.
Thanks so much, Penny. Stay warm, spring is around the corner.
Thank you for the beauty in your blog today, Sandra. The things that stick with me most: that hellebore floral arrangement, the linens and lace, and the three welcomes by which you closed the post. Lovely!
Thank you so much Rita. Are you cold with snow in your part of our state? We woke up to white this morning. Have a great week and stay warm, my friend.
Dearest Sandra, what joy to take a rest with a dark roast coffee in hand and enjoy the beauty that you send! The bunny chair took my breath, it is whimsical but oh so pretty! The French bed and linens are so stunning, I am afraid I would never leave . The images, quotes, and your thoughts are always filled with love and beauty. You truly have a gift and an eye to scatter beauty in your lovely blog. Happy two years of opening the doors of Maison de Jardin, you are the sweetest hostess!
Dear Pam, You say the sweetest things. Finding you in blog land was a truly a blessing and a gift. I thank you for all your inspiration and encouragement. I appreciate you more than you can imagine.❤