Helping Hands

Over the weekend I wanted to take advantage of our sunshine and snap a few photos of what was coming up in the garden. Not much at the bungalow yet but my neighbor’s Magnolia was sure on full display!

I also wanted to snap a few more pics of these beautiful eggs that a neighbor left on my back porch.

Sporting her Easter loafers and favorite puffy jacket ~ I soon had an audience!

 

Helping hands are always appreciated and made for a delightful visit.

Thank you, Margaret, for making my garden days more memorable. XO

May there always be work for your hands to do
May your purse always hold a coin or two;
May the sun always shine on your windowpane;
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain;
May the hand of a friend always be near you;
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

- Irish Blessing

The Sunflower Knows

sun·flow·er

The sunflower smiles, the sunflower knows.
Unashamed she sheds her clothes.

The sunflower smooth's the restless sky
and lovingly she warms the ground, on which you lie.

The sunflower knows, the sunflower’s wise.
She sees the doubts within your eyes
and so she takes her sunflower time.

Tells the moon to wait and the sun to linger.
Twists the world around her sunflower finger.
Lets you see the wonder of it all.

If you’ve learned your lesson well
there’s little more for her to tell.

One last caress, its time to dress, for fall.

My Sunflower bouquet sits happily on a wooden pedestal in my entryway. Displayed in a coffee press ~ Some flowers still fresh and ringed with halos of red and yellow flame-like petals ~ Others going to seed and beautifully beginning to droop. All searching to face the life-giving rays of the sun under a portrait of my Great-Grandfather Collier.

From young seedlings to stately stalks, Sunflowers continue to give. After all the petals & seeds have dropped, their beautiful, dark & handsome heads take a final bow.

 

It’s easy to see why people love them so much!

 Hope you caught my play with the lyrics of the classic tune ~ The Summer Knows. I hope you could hear Barbara Streisand singing as you read ~ I also hope you're looking forward to a really wonderful weekend.

Click my readers to read more about my favorite Sunflowers grown during the lazy days of summer.

Seeking Shelter

Taking every possible opportunity to enjoy these long hot days of summer.

Even if it means being drenched by occasional rain.

Seems it’s turned my blue bench into a reflecting pool.

Don’t you love the heady aroma of gathered greens ~

This heat though….

has brought with it a bit of tropical flare ~

Mornings are cool and fans move the heavy air.

The sun has arrived, along with the sound of cicadas and the occasional slap of the screen door.

Time to take shelter.

“ It’s the shelter of each other that the people live.” Irish proverb

Thank you, Jamie Shelman, for reminding us that Cats need shelter too!

Earth Cave Summer Ink Drawing by Jamie Shelman

See more of Jamie’s delightful work at her Etsy shop, The Dancing Cat Fine Art and Prints.

Have a wonderful day friends and stay cool ~

Traditions

In a world that spins faster and faster every day, there’s no greater luxury than slowing down to a pleasurable pace. Especially during the celebratory seasons when everyone’s hustling and bustling all over the place.

We do our best around here to slow things down a bit all in the honor of traditions.

Over the years we’ve come to know what we like best.  What brings back the best memories, which makes us the most comfortable, and what makes us the most grateful. My children say that Christmases past is among some of the happiest times of their lives.

I am grateful.

These memories start to stir in September. Welcoming the change of weather I tuck away the lighter linens and bring on the layers. Come November, fresh candles, fresh greens, and baskets of pine cones ease us into the traditions of Thanksgiving. The evenings come earlier now. The aroma of comfort foods come from the kitchen and a big roaring fire change the pace and encourage lingering.

I am grateful.

December is a time to celebrate and a time to shine. Glossy holiday issues of my favorite magazines have arrived and I’m drawn in by the cornucopia of beautiful decorating, joyous entertaining, and thoughtful gifts!  I have learned a great deal from the talented stylists, photographers & designers who every year, bring a fresh look to our treetops, tabletops, and time-honored traditions. They inspire me to try new ideas, add my personal touch and make them my own.

I am grateful.

I do my best to decorate for the holidays and graciously pass these traditions along, even if it kills me!

Despite the best of intentions I somehow manage to get caught up in that hustle & bustle that I spoke of earlier and preparations run amok.

The Drummer is way too loud. The Piper has a sore throat. The Lady is still out dancing.  The Maid has quit and the Geese are quite frankly just not in the mood. Thank goodness the Lord leaps in and reminds me that there’s always next year.

These are our traditions and yes, I am grateful.

I hope the start of the holiday season finds you hustling & bustling at a pleasurable pace!

Look for The Lisa Porter Collection annual directory of Holiday Gift Guides, coming soon!

Summer Sunflowers

The lazy days of summer.

      

A time when we are grateful to be gathered together and yet happily go in different directions.

For some, this means daily.

For me, I believe that there is such a thing as sacred idleness.

Days of undoing to balance the days of doing too much.

Between the alfresco lunches, laughter & laundry -

Lovely languid moments to look closely at life.

Like grace, these moments should be savored.

Before the long days of summer take a final bow.

I hope your summer days have been filled with the moments that you love.  A special thank you to Alison, Lauren & Amanda for planting the seeds & growing beautiful sunflowers every single summer!

Photos | Lisa Porter

Gifts for you, for me, for everyone!

It's the most wonderful time of the year

& it's the most wonderful time of the year to be a blogger!

Blogging inspires, connects  & continues to feed our curiosity and nourish our souls. You are an amazing & talented bunch & I am so grateful that you all take the time to stop by.

I have also discovered some really nifty stuff that I wanted to share with you all.

Here is a shortlist of just a few of my favorite things to give & to receive this holiday season.

 Enjoy!

As I mentioned last week, iomoi makes sending your latest & greatest emails newsworthy events when you use your own custom-designed

e-stationary!

Click on the monkeys & they will show you

the way to design a free sample for yourself!

And to keep the art of  handwritten notes

alive and well, just look, iomoi offers the best

selection of stocking stuffers around!

Check out Jen Ramos' collection of iomoi goodies I found at Made By Girl.

Back to emails for just a second...

How much fun would it be to send

  snazzy e-stationary on a

iPad...

Way fun!

This gal looks like a happy blogger!

To learn more about the amazing things

that you can do on one of these,

check it all out at

Apple!

How sweet it is ...

that these two are still

making beautiful music together!

Carole King & James Taylor

are still singing the songs we loved back then

& these days they sound better than ever!

Do you love the scent of fresh-cut privet...

A privet candle from

 Hound Hill Design

fills the air with that crisp green earthy scent

I crave on the coldest days of winter.

Speaking of earthy, the day I discovered

My Sparrow was the day

I fell in love with Henry!

The Henry Woven Bench from My Sparrow is all about comfort and bringing things into your life & home that make you smile.

Did I mention that I would adore having all of this beautifully wrapped by Sande Chase at a

Gift Wrapped Life?  Well, I would.

Smile & look fresh as a flower in a suit or t-shirt & jeans sporting a hand-stitched bloom on your lapel from

Emerson Made.

Each bloom Emerson makes is one of a kind, varied, and has its own unique character and soul.

Kind of a flower soul mate! 

Speaking of flowers...

Indulge yourself with the scent of clementine leaves sparkling in the morning dew

above a heart of orange blossom

and water lily with the

   Jo Malone

Orange Blossom Gift Set.

I don't know about you, but during the holidays I actually look forward to spending time in the kitchen.

It's where everyone loves to gather & I love reading old family recipes even though I know them by heart. So why not wear something pretty while I whip up something gourmet!

Ashley over at Ice Milk Aprons

has designed

a gourmet line of heirloom aprons

that will keep this hostess looking

crisp and pulled together.

  All of Ashley's ideas make for a meaningful

gift-giving experience!

Now, let me ask you, do you know how much

 I love bicycles?

I've had my favorite beach cruiser from our California days forever. I'm not selling it...way to sentimental.However, I'm thinking that my cruising days are behind me and that I would do swell on this Classic Ladies 3-speed from Schwinn

 . It's a beauty! 

And last but certainly not least...

Planting a tree

is a beautiful way to honor someone!

Seeds of Life

is a delightful farm that specializes in growing trees that can be given as a gift and planted to honor a special friend or family member.

A tree or seedling suited for a special teacher comes beautifully wrapped and is the perfect way to say thank you for helping our children to grow & learn.

A living tree symbolizes strength and endurance

as these kinds of gifts have the potential

to last centuries.

So... there you have it, my friends,

the makings for an enjoyable holiday season.

Start your day on a bike ride with your kids.

  Around the block or through the park,

just get outside and play!

Send a festive invitation to friends on your iPad

using your e-stationary. Fill your home with music

from James Taylor & Carole King

and fill the air with the scent

of fresh-cut privet. As you prepare

to greet your guests, put a dab of orange blossom

behind each ear

and a beautiful flower on your lapel.

Tie on an heirloom apron

& Serve a gourmet dinner in the kitchen

that everyone will remember.

Look forward to giving & receiving gifts beautifully wrapped by one of our dearest of friends.

Then sit back

and relax with Henry & friends.

You deserve it!

Sounds to me like a

 a lovely way to celebrate

the holidays.

I look forward to reading all of your

wish lists & gift-giving ideas 

that many of you are famous for!

Happy giving everyone...XO Lisa

I also want to thank one of my

SoCal friends, Christina Fluegge, for inviting me

to share my gift list at greige!

I just love Christina's stylish responsibility,

which makes greige design

and her My Sparrow, two of my favorite places to land.