The Beauty of Tanglewood...

Tanglewood is the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

It is located in Western Massachusetts and is an absolutely gorgeous place to visit.

Besides listening to music under the stars, and to artists with immense musical talent, there are flowers there that are beyond breathtaking.

The arrangements are just astounding and the colors of the arrangements as well.

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the culmination of one week of the DARTS program.

DARTS stands for Days in the Arts.

It's a "free, week-long summer arts immersion program for middle-school youth entering grades 6 through 8."

Students could select music, dance, theater, and visual arts as their specialties throughout an entire week.

All of the students did a really stellar job, including my own little special friend, who selected the dance option. 

It was so refreshing to see kids, not glued to i-phones, doing intensive work in artistic areas they loved.

Now, after visiting Tanglewood, the kids and even the flowers are still on my mind and heart.

Strawberry Shortcake...

When we were kids, growing up in New England, in the summer,  a popular part-time activity was jumping rope.

The words of one of the songs sung, as the jumpers did their things, went like this:

   "Strawberry shortcake, cream on top,
     Tell the first initial of your best sweetheart."

It's funny how certain things stick in our minds, many decades after they happen, right?  

Summer is a good time to indulge in fresh strawberry shortcake.

I prefer  an old-fashioned flaky biscuit for the cake.  

One of my granddaughters likes pound cake for a base. 

I do NOT like the round, spongy cakes that are usually stacked near the strawberries in the supermarket.

Also, real whipped cream is preferred around here, prepared with a beater and containing a touch of sugar, comparted to the stuff in a can.

One can use a combination of fresh, sliced strawberries and thawed out frozen ones that come already sugared.

Soooo "dee-lish."

Remember to Breathe

The beginning of this last week of July is turning out to be quite hectic.

There are so many events to attend, errands to run, visits to make, bills to pay, and on and on.

During busy times like this, it's important to remember to breathe deeply.

That always calms me down when the going gets rough.

I breathe in to a count of four, then hold my breath for a count of four, and slowly let air out of my lungs through the mouth to a count of eight.  

SLOWLY is the key word there.

That deep breathing definitely calms the spirit down.  

Then, it's onward and upward!

I hope you have a good day!

Coming to the End of July

Good heavens, July is almost over!

Holy smokers. Where did that month go? 

Pretty soon, people with kids will start shopping for school clothes.

July is passing by in a flash so we will have to make August slow down a bit.

Cherish each moment because we need to be aware of how precious each one is .

Here's to a super Monday.

After today, there are still four days left in July!  

Enjoy them in whatever way you can!

Blessed Mother and Jesus "Byzantine" Icon

This gold-toned icon of the Blessed Mother and Baby Jesus belonged to my late husband.

He was a very Spiritual man who had several religious articles in his man cave.

This wooden icon is one that I will never give away as it is very special to me. 

The curved surface at the top are so pretty and it has a little doors that close.

Everything is set on a block of carved wood that is also gold tone.

The Blessed Mother's expression is quite sad. There seem to even be tears falling on the left hand side of her face.

Angels, (Michael and Gabriela?), are shown on the side panels.

On the back, there's a certificate that says the icon is "hand made."  

It reads: "It is a selected copy of an old Byzantine icon worked on canvas, old wood and set in a gold background."

That saying also listed in three languages besides English. 

I'd say they are French, German, and Italian.

The old icon is kept on the top of a tall dresser in the bedroom but I just discovered a small loop where it can be hung.  

Hmmmm.  Where could a space be found to hang it?

Here's hoping your Sunday is completely blessed.