Looking (Poppytalk Homemade)

"Poppytalk Handmade is a monthly online 

street market curated by Poppytalk to showcase, 

buy and sell handmade goods of emerging design 

talent from around the world."

The store Poppytalk Homemade has a

variety of beautiful, interesting, 

and creative things that people have taken the 

time to dream up, imagine, and then make 

with their own hands.

From bowls,

jewelry, photos, and even baby mobiles...

I hope you enjoy "Looking" 

http://poppytalkhandmade.com/

Wonderment

I was at a stop light one evening, it was beginning to turn into dusk when I heard a 

strange noise that made me look out my window.

Flying above me were swarms of sparrows,  circling around

and around. It was quite odd at first; I had really never seen

so many birds swarming like that. 

I happened to look to my side at the car next to me and

in the back seat there was a boy who had his face upturned towards

the sky to look at these birds. His face had a huge smile on it.

I don't think he found it odd, I think he found wonderment in 

what he was seeing. 

“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. 

It is the source of all true art and all science. 

He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, 

is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.”

~Albert Einstein 

(photos courtesy of: google image)

Le Panier (Seattle)

Today I was studying and to give my brain a little break

I went into my kitchen and did some baking,

which reminded me of this beautiful bakery, whose website I stumbled upon. 

Le Panier~Very French Bakery in Seattle, WA.

Don't you think it looks delicious? Me too.

I hope one day to go there. 

Our Story

A Window to France…in the Heart of Pike Place Market
Le Panier, created by Hubert Loevenbruck and a group of French bakers, opened its’ doors in 1983. Pike Place Market was the perfect location to share the authentic style of a classic boulangerie and patisserie with the people of Seattle.

The aroma of fresh-baked bread has delighted our neighborhood and the many passers-by for over 25 years.  We invite you to step in and enjoy a taste of France with us.

Le Panier - In Pike Place Market
1902 Pike Place, Seattle, Washington 98101

http://www.lepanier.com/

The Joy of Family

I recently returned from being with my family and on one sunny afternoon

 I took these pictures of my niece Alana and my nephew Tyler. 

 Alana is so sweet, and her laugh...

oh I wish you could hear her laugh!

Tyler was such a happy little boy and I loved

holding him while he was sleeping. 

I love being an aunt. 

Petals (Untamed Petals)

"The Untamed Petals philosophy is that the accessory makes the outfit" 

~Amanda Gilbert 

Untamed Petals hand-crafts hand-bands, halos, and sashes. These beautiful 

accessories are made from silk chiffon and vintage rhinestone trim. 

I think theses creations are lovely. 

http://www.untamedpetals.com/index2.php#/home/

(Photos courtesy of: google image) 

A Woman

" A beautiful woman inspires a man.

An intelligent woman fascinates him.

But a sympathetic one gets him." ~Unknown 

Vicenza

Vicenza is where my brother met my sister-in-law:) it is also 
the home of Andrea Palladio, the greatest Italian architect of the Italian Renaissance.

There were beautiful works of architecture, my favorite being The Olympic Theatre!

"The Olympic Theatre: Modeled by Palladio, this is a lone surviving Renaissance theatre; its wooden interior is a half circle of steep tiers of seats facing the rectangular proscenium stage. The ceiling is significantly painted in blue suggesting an open sky above the theater." 

The best tour guides (Manuela & Michael Ethridge)
took me for a delicious coffee, then showed me where they got married, the town square, Palladio's  work
and lastly, drove me up a windy hill so I could see a view of the whole city...

The whole trip to Italy from the first day to the last  will be one I will never forget. 
Someone asked me "Was it everything you dreamed it would be?"
My answer was, "It really was and more." 

I love you Michael & Manuela. 
(http://www.cityround.com/italy/vicenza-italy.php)

Beautiful Creations (Satomi Kawakita)

"Satomi Kawakita is a New York City-based jewelry designer and 
professional diamond setter. 

She was born and raised in Japan. " 

http://satomikawakita.com

Satomi Kawakita's work is beautiful and unique.

When I look at her work I see

what beauty can be 

 created  by a person's hands.

Who's coming for dinner?

Last night I had company over. 

They came at 6 o'clock and before I knew

 they were saying goodbye at the door

(where did the time go?).

 I think that's how 

it should always be when you are having 

dinner with friends: stories, laughter, 

food & wine,

 and when you close the door

you think "That was a wonderful way to spend

a Friday evening."

(Photos courtesy of: Me) 

Tuscany (Toscana)

Any picture or movie that has shown Tuscany were real; 

it really is as beautiful as you imagine it to be.

The hills, the vineyards, the food, the cities on the hill...

We stayed at a bed & breakfast for the weekend

which was worth the experience alone. 

We would wake up have bread, eggs, jam and 

hot coffee, then we would get in the car

and drive to a city to explore. 

We would look at the churches, street ways, bakeries, shops, 

and take lots of pictures. 

At the end of the day we would fix dinner then sit and

 play cards. It was perfect.

(Photos courtesy of: Me)