A Bit of (Almost) Everything

Unfolding petals of a ranunculus...

Five Things Tuesday

There's nothing more peaceful and relaxing than the soft glow of candle light.

Hello everybody! Hope your week is going well. Spring is coming, and I'm so looking forward to warm sunshine, blooming flowers and long walks in the countryside.
Have a great day! xx

Farewell to winter!

English Cottage in Devon.

 'A cottage is the only form of building  in which happiness is attainable,' Jane Austen declares in Sense and Sensibility.

Macarons anyone?

Here's the recipe for macarons.

It's Good to Be Back

It's been a couple of weeks and I've been away from blogging. I've been stressing myself out because I couldn't keep up with all of you. In fact, these past couple of weeks I had the hardest time keeping up with my blog reading and commenting. I'm so behind with both, and it does driving me crazy!

Totnes town, Devon, UK.

But we must give ourselves a break when we need it, then get back up and start again. I know blogging is so addicting.

Hope your week is going well. xx

Five Things Tuesday

A random girl on the street. I love her skirt! 

Hey there, hope everyone had a great weekend.

A statement piece can transform a plain living space into a cozy living room. Zara Home Accessories: Metal and wood world globe/Decorative animal figure. 

Squash season. Winter squash is more than just pumpkins. Valued as a nourishing convenience food long before freezers came along, squashes will store for three months or more, bringing a splash of colour to the kitchen or wherever you like, and will last well once cut. Squash anyone?

Love this soup. Clearly, I'm on a soup binge right now. 

French Macaron. How delicate do these guys look. I think macarons are one of the cutest treats around. I love their pastel colours.

St. James's Park, London, England in the fall.

St. James's Park is the oldest Royal Park in the City of Westminster, central London and one of the city's most desirable walking locations.

Hope your week is off to a good start. Have a great Tuesday! xx

Five Things Tuesday

Having McDonalds or a pizza once in a while won't hurt. A little of what you fancy...does you good.

A fascinating combination of lovely old houses, shops, restaurants, cafes, and cobbled streets. Plymouth Barbican, Devon, UK.

Morning light in my kitchen.

A trip to Ikea.

Cute animal metal boxes.

Today we're kicking off a new series here on the blog: Five Things Tuesday. We love this series, and hope you will too.
Well, I'm off to work now. Have a great Tuesday! xx

P.S. In case you forgot, you are awesome!

On Traveling

Lion at the base of Nelson's column. Trafalgar Square, London. For more, go here .

Some thoughts on traveling. I love travelling (traveling) because wanderlust is in my DNA. I love traveling simply because I need to explore and experience new places, cultures, etc. I love traveling because nothing helps you connect with your inner self...

Romantic Love Story

A story about a king who wanted to be like everyone else. Edward VIII. The king who gave up the throne for the woman he loved.

King Edward VIII (later the Duke of Windsor 1894-1972) was in love with Mrs. Wallis Simpson, not only an American socialite, but also a married woman already once divorced. Yet, in order to marry the woman he loved, King Edward was willing to give up the British throne - and he did. Choosing not to end his relationship with Wallis Simpson, Edward VIII abdicated (11 December 1936).

I've always been fascinated by real-life love stories; love is such a crucial part of our lives. Maybe you think it's easier to be a cynic. But you know what? True love exists! I do believe that true love still exists in the world. Yeah, I strongly believe that.
Remember how "The Notebook" ends with Allie and Noah dying hand-in-hand?

Hope you have a happy long weekend with the ones you love! xx

The Thames in London, UK. (Photo taken in 2010.)

P.S. I've been married and divorced once but still waiting for "the one". I guess love comes when you least expect it and at all ages.

"Don't worry. My heart is still open" I want to buy this t-shirt!;)

(Top photo via Wikipedia)  

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

...So be good for goodness sake! I still can't believe that 2013 is just five days away. Is it just me, or is December flying by?
Right now I'm looking forward to: spending time with friends and family, walking in a Winter Wonderland and baking shortbread cookies.
I hope the New Year brings with it lots of promise, peace, joy and happiness to everyone!

What are your plans for New Year's Eve? Wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy New Year! xx

England Photos + Have a Great Weekend

Regent Street, London dressed up for Christmas. Looks like it was taken from a fairytale book. Don't you think?

London Oxford Street Christmas decorations.

St. James's Park is a beautiful park in the City of Westminster, Central London- the oldest of the Royal Parks of London.

We got back from England last week after a dreamy couple of weeks visiting our friends in Plymouth.
And I'm realizing...

Wishes + A Journey

Majestic London Buildings.

My dears, what are your plans for the weekend? In less than 40 hours, I'll be on my way to London for two weeks- so wish me a safe trip!
I'll be staying in London for a few days then I'll be meeting up with a couple of friends in Plymouth.
I would really, really, really love to visit my good blogging friend Tracy as well (she writes the greatest book reviews and also runs the "Pen and Paper" blog), if only I could convince my friend Mark to drive me over there.

But London is brrr freezing cold already! It seems like winter has come early this year.
Winter officially starts on 21 December. (The winter solstice, the time of year when the Sun reaches its southernmost extreme in the sky, will happen on 21 December 2012.)
I hope we all have a good winter.

I look forward to snapping some good London and Plymouth photos...as I pretty much take my camera wherever I go!

I'll try to pop in to read and comment on your blogs when I can.

Have a wonderful weekend, my dears, and keep warm! May your days be filled with joy and blessings!

Till we "meet" again,
Love and hugs. xx

P.S. I'll-miss-you-all-immensely...missing you already!

(Bottom photo by akialam d via Pinterest)

Just a Quickie

In the Light. Plymouth Barbican, UK.

Just wanted to drop in and say sorry for the missed Tuesday's blog post last week. While I have plenty of blog post ideas rambling around in my head, I have decided to slow way down on blog posting and go from 2 to 1.
As most of you may know I've been posting 2-3 times per week for almost three years now, but I need to cut back on my blogging schedule...this is my plan and I wouldn't have done so if I didn't need to.

So I'll be posting one blog post per week (Friday's) for the next couple of months, (or so).

This will give me more time to:

*Catch up on blog reading and commenting. (It's all about the Law of Reciprocity, remember?)

*Experiment with some new techniques related to my photography.

*Be able to give Cut and Dry a makeover. (Finally!)

*Enjoy the benefits of a little more time. As wonderful as blogging is, it's a treat not a chore.

I don't know how some blog friends have been able to maintain their 7-posts-a-week for years. I know I couldn't do it.

I have turned off comments on this one as there's a whole bunch of still unanswered e-mail in my archive from my last post.

Hope you're having a great day from start to finish guys!

In the spirit of Halloween...I leave you with this photo. (Photo Above)

See you all on Friday!;) xx 

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Blogging + Have an Inspiring Weekend!

I love sunsets.

When I first started up my blog I had no idea if anyone would read my posts, what it would be like, what type of people would be visiting, what I was doing or what I was getting into.
What I've quickly learned is that there are: The unspoken rules of blogging etiquette. One important rule is...

Five Likes Tuesday

Walking on the beach, taking photos around and enjoying the nice weather while it lasts!

I've been daydreaming a lot lately about taking a trip to New York, New York. It has been ages since I've last been to the Big Apple. (If only my bank account allowed it...)

Totnes town upon river Dart. Devon, England, UK.

While I was digging through my archives today I found this photo of the picturesque Totnes town. Totnes is a charming little town full of quaint shops and good restaurants. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon...

Devouring a bowl of warm, creamy and velvety-smooth pumpkin soup; I just made this today and it tastes delicious! I've always loved the beautiful deep orange hue it adds to the dish.  Oh, I love anything pumpkin! Don't you? Since it is officially October, which in my book means pumpkin soup (almost) everyday, I am going to make it again!...her mouth is watering already!;)

Good ol' fries.

Sometimes, I can't resist French fries. British people call fries "chips". Is there anyone out there that doesn't like fries?

What are your five favourite things this week? xx

Have a Fabulous Weekend!

The Serpentine (also known as the Serpentine River) is a recreational lake in Hyde Park, London, England, UK.

Trafalgar Square, Central London, England, UK.

Big Ben (Clock Tower). Big Ben is the nickname for the great bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London, England, UK. 

One golden afternoon in London.

River Thames and Surroundings. The River Thames flows through southern England.

What are you up to this weekend? I'm going to stay indoors; after a pretty hectic week I just want to crawl on to my couch, drink a glass of red wine, and read my favourite book (When Nietzsche Wept, by Irvin Yalom).

Have a lovely weekend (and a very happy Mother's Day)! xx