“That’s the thing with handmade items. They still have the person’s mark on them, and when you hold them, you feel less alone.” ― Aimee Bender handmade over time textured and layered with love hallmark of caring * * * Handcrafted Beauty ~ Hummingbird ornament made by Jennifer Avalone, Master Quiller, for the Quilling Tree exhibited … More Ornamentation
“Moons and years pass by and are gone forever, but a beautiful moment shimmers through like a ray of light.” — Franz Grillparzer floating gently past shimmering hues of color bubbles filled with dreams * * * Glass Act ~ Master Glassblower, Jeffrey P’an of Mystic, Conn., decorates a Florence Griswold Museum holiday tree with … More Shimmering
“Time is a daunting thing; it’s inescapable. Some moments pass unobserved and others stay with us, remaining frozen, lasting a lifetime.” — Jacqueline Simon Gunn wrapped in silence motionless fragments of life frozen memories * * * Frozen ~ John Henry Twachman’s painting “Connecticut Shore – Winter” and motionless sailboat model set the mood of peaceful … More Moment in Time
“God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December.” — James M. Barrie winter’s cold withers wrapped in warm shades of summer memories outlive * * * Roses Recalled ~ Lush Florence Griswold Museum summer garden reduced to memory • Photo and “Memories” haiku poem by Mary O’Connor © 2021 Perfect Holiday … More Memories
“To me, food is as much about the moment, the occasion, the location and the company as it is about the taste.” — Heston Blumenthal carte du jour listing attention turns to eating farm-to-table feast * * * Tasty Snack ~ Miniature Sicilian Donkey enjoys a mid-day treat • Photo and “Tasty Snack” haiku by … More Tasty Snack
“I think it annoys God if you walk by the color purple in a field and don’t notice.” —Alice Walker showy purple spears timidity on notice riot of chutzpa * * * Attention-getters ~ Showy Salvia stand out in Florence Griswold Museum gardens • Photo and “Showy” haiku poem by Mary O’Connor © 2021
“Holidays – any holiday – are such a great opportunity to focus on bringing the family together.” — Lidia Bastianich “There is no greater happiness for a man than approaching a door at the end of a day knowing someone on the other side of that door is waiting for the sound of his footsteps.” … More Welcoming
“I say love, and the world populates itself with doves.” — Pablo Neruda “When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.” — Jimi Hendrix * * * Florence Griswold Museum guest artist Carole Maynard complements the peaceful beauty of Childe Hassam’s Isles of Shoals painting with symbolic holiday … More Power of Love
“Thanks for this day, for all birds safe in their nest, for whatever this is, for life.” —Barbara Kingsolver “Some Christmas tree ornaments do more than glitter and glow, they represent a gift of love given a long time ago.” — Tom Baker “Luxury must be comfortable. Otherwise it is not luxury.” — Coco Chanel … More Nesting Places
“When you see how fragile and delicate life can be, all else fades into the background.” — Jenna Morasca “Why is it that scuba divers and surfers are some of the strongest advocates of ocean conservation? Because they’ve spent time in and around the ocean, and they’ve personally seen the beauty, the fragility, and even … More Fragility
Life Is Full of Sweet Spots 