Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Divine Encounters of the Angelic Kind


Have you ever met an angel? In my life, I have had numerous encounters with these magnificent creatures. Whether it's a garden cherub, an antique religious relic or another divine objet d'art, these mysterious entities have enchanted my heart. However, in honor of the month of February when the ubiquitous cherub abounds and strikes lovers' hearts, I would like to honor a new friend who has been a real life angel for me. Sherry from Edie Marie's Attic has walked me through some of the many steps to enhance my blog. Merci mille fois mon amie, mon ange! She is a beautiful woman who will most definitely have a place among the angels for her amitié in this life to a complete stranger. Therefore I am bestowing upon her the prestigious Angel Award from Castles Crowns and Cottages for reaching out with acts of kindness and friendship! You shall receive a real crown that will not tarnish from the King of Kings! Please visit her gorgeous blog and get to know her wit and charm at ediemariesattic.blogspot.com.
Acts of kindness cannot be produced by a stone relic or artistic respresentation; charity is of flesh and blood and will resonate in our memories for a life time and continue into eternity. Art however, has attempted to freeze in time the beauty of angels, and here are some of my favorites.
The intense colors and textures of the subject and purity of the dove's white glow in Stillman's Love's Messenger (1885) recussitate an angel. Next, a series of magnificent home and garden angels take center stage at Que Sera, an opulent and elegant shop at the Galleria Mall.
A cast stone replica of an old provençal relief hovers over my tea cabinent and a happy little bronze cherub waits still in the wee hours of the morning. I've had another sweet encounter with an angel this valentines day in my own home; as I was standing in my front room, I caught a glimmer of light bouncing off my end table. As I studied the dance of colors piercing through the crystals, POOF....I was suddenly blinded by flashes of love and laughter. The next thing I saw was a golden crown...then I heard a faint symphony of heart strings and finally, la voilà! The most beautiful harp with a sitka spruce sound board and bronze crown was sitting there silently, ready for me to play. My own resident angel, Mr. B., ordered this back on Chrismas and had it built at Lyon and Healy in Chicago. Tu fais vibrer les cordes sensibles de mon coeur cheri! Therefore, I bestow upon the illustrious and generous Mr. B. the Angel Award for being le plus généreux mari du monde! I have a weakness for fine art, but these objects will never replace the people I love and admire. Merci. Please visit my side bar for more French lessons! A la prochaine!



20 comments:

The Victorian Parlor said...

What a beautiful post! I too have many cherubs in the house-I love their playful manner and simple elegance. I am also very blessed to be surrounded by angels in my life:)

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Chere amie Anita,
Je humblement merci mille fois! Je fois en larmes! C'est gentil de toi. Tu voice mon ange et mon professeur.
Tu voice mon chere amie!

A la prochaine mon amie, Sherry

(S'il vous plait correct mon francais.)

The Dutchess said...

Dearest...ma cher Amie..
The new look of your blog is enchanting.
Merveilleux et fantastique!
And how sweet of you to make a Angel Award.I loved reading your post today..I will go and visit Sherry.
Did I understand well that you can not see my dear Miss Moussie today...What ever went wrong...must go and see! A bientot:)

The Dutchess said...

And yes..the Shoe award..what can I say..I feel like cinderella:)

Rattus Scribus said...

Anita,

That was very nice of you to mention me as one of your angels. Truth is, you are the angel, my love. That is why I bought you the harp. It so completely befits you.

From your husband, Mr B., the "illustrious" no less.

Barb said...

Hi Anita,

I am taking a little time to visit those I hold dear. Thank you for your prayers.

What a beautiful post. I also have angels in my life. A true blessing.
What a fabulous harp. Mr B is an angel!

I just love Sherry. She is a very generous and kind person- a true lady. Your blog is lovely.

many hugs,
Barb

Fete et Fleur said...

OH MY GOODNESS!! The harp is gorgeous!!!!! I have to hear you play sometime. Tell Mr B. he's made me proud.

I love Miss Sherry and I agree with you, she is an angel.

Hugs!
Nancy

C'est moi Claudette said...

Clare de lune was one of my favorite songs as a child. My grandmother always sang it to me. I also sang it to my 3 children.
I now know why my friend Deborah chose you to receive my award.
May you "wear" it in good health.
Bonsoir
Claudette (Claudie)
xo

Unknown said...

What a beautiful post again. OMG, between you, Bill and Nancy you must have glorious parties in enchanting places. Each of your blogs are gorgeous, with painted words, lovely photographs of magic. I will visit your friend, such a lovely award too. Karen

Loving Her Beautiful said...

Hi, Anita,
Thanks for the visit. I love your harp! Enjoy!
Blessings,
BILL

A Bit of the Blarney said...

I suspect my guardian angel has had to work overtime. At least two weeks ago when I fell three separae times on the ice here. I can say the worst thing that happened was a bruised elbow. Yes, I believe in angels. You have some glorious pictures! Cathy

Rosemary said...

Hi there,
I love your post. What a sweet person to help you out like that.
Love angels and cherubs too!!
Lovely photos!
Thanks so much for sharing,
Rosemary

Rosemary said...

Hi Anita,
I know, we both love crowns and french. Isn't that great?
Yes, Carmel is still charming and beautiful. We also went there as part of our honeymoon, 32 years ago.
You would still love it.
I am working on some crowns today. I will have to show you when I am finished.
Chat again soon,
Rosemary

Karen said...

A lovely post.
I'm fascinated with angels, and often look out for white feathers.
x

Creations by Marie Antoinette and Edie Marie said...

How enchanting this post is,and Sherry is the most wonderful of ladies,and to think I will be seeing her in May.She has the sweetiest voice too,so congrats Sherry on your beautiful award.
Your harp is the most loevly thing I ever seen.I bet you play beautifully.I can stare at it all day.I love angels too.I have orbs all around my Gazebo.I've caught them on camera.I don't know why they like it there,but I've alway thought my gazebo is on an Indian mound,but my hubby insist thats its an old burn spot where where the lumber cars use to go though.You see I found this big perfect mound in the woods while we were scouthing out our house spot.I dug into it and it had alot of coal chuncks in it.Years later we set our Gazebo right on top.Hugs Marie Antionette

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Bonjour mon amie Anita!

TOMORROW (Sat) PLEASE CHECK MY POST! YOU WILL BE RECEIVING AN AWARD FROM ME!!

Hope you enjoy it!!

Bisous, Sherry

loong said...

I can feel caritas from your article,the new look of your blog is enchanting,how beautiful you tooke the photoes.if you have the time ,please come to my blog and post comment,good luck evryday

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Dear Ioong,
Thank you for visiting and welcome to blogging! I admire your will to jump right in and write in a language that is not your own! You will see that within this circle of people, there are many wonderful and helpful friends to converse with and learn from. I hope you enjoy the subject matter and blessings from the U.S.!Anita

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

My dear Sherry is so creative! Merci dix mille fois chèrie! I feel like a queen! :)

Hiroki said...

Wow! What a beautiful picture! I could find your site at last, Anita. Those picture are like a Western Castle. Very nice! Your harp is also beautiful. I'd like to listen your playing. Thank you!