Something Lovely.

It's been a couple of weeks since I shared Something Lovely with you. I've been on blog sabbatical recently which is all Stephanie Meyer's fault as I had to read all the Twilight series to make sure they were suitable for The Eldest and My Only Girl.(Ahem. Well. That's what I started out saying...)  I'm halfway through the last one (which they won't be reading) and trying to drag myself back to blogland. So let's start with someone I've wanted to share since I discovered her a few weeks back. 

Meet the wonderful, talented Lisa Falzon. She is an artist originally from Malta and now living in Co. Cork here in Ireland. The minute I saw this particular picture I fell in love with it. I think it's because it reminds me so much of My Only Girl. Or maybe Her in a few years. And I have to say even the expression on occasion is very Her! (I'm sure any number of you with daughter's know that look!)

Napoleon Wrapped Around Her Finger.

Lisa makes her work digitally, and if you are interested in finding how she makes these amazing images you can find out here.

The Constant Gardener.

Description: ... Loved her, even when it hurt...

even MORE when it hurt...

Her work has a mystical yet playful air that I just love. With enough romance, history and mystery to make up all the themes I love. 

Her Etsy Shop includes pendants, pocket mirrors and bookmarks, as well as postcards and prints of the original works. This below is a jointed paper doll which has stolen my heart.

My Valentine Joyride.

Do take a wander over and say hi. I'm sure you'll find something to make you smile!

A Week Of Pictures.

Twilighting Tweenies.

Washed Clean.

"Do it 'gain Grandad!"

Hooray!

When the sun came out, we had to go back.

Treasure Hiding.

Out early this morning. What I spied in the garden...

My view.

Thoughts of Rain.

It's been raining.

April showers. To finish the holiday.

We've had days of driving rain,

the dried out reeds like wet gold

stitched in zig zags across my window.

The cold seeping in between the pane and frame

pooling there like a melancholy sigh.

And then it softens to a ghostly whisper,

barely heard on the rooftop.

A faint mizzling that somehow drenches. 

It bleeds the colour from sky and stone and field.

Yet rests lightly on me

a gentle hand.

I am overcome, on days like these,

with wonder and quiet joy. 

Soothed with the silence it brings, the promise of peace.

And in the morning, a moment of light, a brightening shade,

a nod.

Oh. I am patient. 

Twilight Fever.

So, I survived Easter. Not a speck of chocolate passed my lips. It was easier than I imagined it would be. I just tuned it out of my consciousness. (And it helps when your SuperMum makes a cake with you in mind). A few of you asked the reason I can't eat it, and the reason is Candida. A nasty advanced form of it that I usually try not to talk about, simply because I have no doubt my friends are bored silly, as it comes up again and again. Any time I sit down with friends and there's food involved in our gathering, it comes up. I get bored talking about it too. 

So in a nutshell: no sugar, gluten, dairy, yeast or caffeine. I struggle with caffeine these days, but I'm getting there. The rest is possible. Most days.

So before you feel sorry for me just let me say it doesn't work that way. I feel so awful when I eat any of the above that it's just not worth it. But there are always days when it truly is a struggle. But my treat to myself is the not eating it. It's really the only way I can think about it.

So I was amused by something that came to mind over the last week. The older two discovered Buffy awhile back, and I've really enjoyed reliving that with them. But more recently we have been taken over by *Twilight* fever in our house. Between endless watching of the movie, to fighting over who gets to read the next book, it's been all-consuming. To the point where today I sent them out into the sunshine for a change and what do they do? They don baseball caps, find a big stick and a ball and set to playing baseball. Vampire style. They even cranked up the stereo and had that song from that scene on loop. For an hour. (Sorry. No links for either song or scene as they were all dreadful...)

It's very sweet. 

But what came to mind as I watched the movie, yet again, was how I sympathised with poor Edward. There I was, the scent of chocolate filling the room... oh I was tormented. But then I considered how he struggles with his desire to kill and taste the blood of his beloved Bella, yet he loves her so completely. I felt better. Honestly...

(And if you haven't seen the movie, or read the book, then do. No matter what age you are.

 If you've ever been in love. 

Do...)

Happy Easter!

The Chocolate begins...

The Wolf In The Forest.

Easter cookies.

The Greening.

First dip of the year.

The Pool.

This years tree.

Where I dream of...

If stones could speak.

Rain.

How can such beauty be?