New Years Wishes To All

PLEASE TURN UP THE MUSIC AND SHAKE IN THE NEW YEAR!

As we step over the threshold of a new year, observe what kinds of doors of opportunity will beckon you to stop, knock, and open...



Will you be knocking on enchanting little doors that will lead you down a verdant path to your wildest of dreams?



Or, will you be creating and painting your own doors of opportunity?



Some doors that you may encounter will be left wide open for you, with peaceful, illuminated paths that will lead you directly to the other side of your goals



and will reflect who you are and be bright and clear.



But don't be discouraged my friends, if you encounter doors that are intimidating and austere,



that seem too high to reach



or impossible to enter through



and seem to be shut tight.



Just look closely, because some doors have been left ajar, just for you



and though some doors may appear to have been neglected over the chilly seasons of disappointment,



they just might be meant for YOU to pry open with all that is within you. However, the work often starts out as a lonely quest



and always begins with the very first step.



When you will have arrived on the landing of success



you can be sure that there will be someone waiting for you that loves you, with an open heart of admiration, waiting to invite you to rest, reflect and rejoice in your endeavors.



CELEBRATE THE POSSIBILITIES FOR 2010!

Dedicated to all of those who not only are dreaming big, but for those who simply need a job, the sale of a home, or the peace that surpasses all understanding...

Bonne Année mes amies!

Oh, one more thing. What should I do with my hair this year?

Reflections on a Wonderful Year

One year ago on December 31 2008, I published my first blog post for which I received my first comment from Nancy, my sister-in-law and inspiration from Fête et Fleur:

Castles, Crowns and Cottages is a place where old world charm is the muse for home decorating and gardening on a budget. Come inside and sit by the fire and let's chat about the possibilities!


She read this short post, gave me words of encouragement and set me on my way....

Then slowly, throughout the following months, the looking glass of self-reflection has been revealing itself



and the possibilities of creating another wonderful year will require that I sit down and carefully plan my next move.



With my Masters degree program coming to a close in the next month with the completion of my thesis



and graduation on the spring horizon



I am looking forward to completing a 17 year career as a college and graduate school student and beginning a new adventure as a creative writer, nestled in my own special writing space



where I can bring to life the world that has lived in my mind for years and has been resurrected through blogging.



No, the above painting is not my own work, but here is another unexpected revelation I have encountered in the looking glass of self examination:



to commit myself to practicing and improving my artistic skills.



But the decision did not come easily over night as I lay my head on soft pillows



but rather by looking at myself through you: family and friends who have been connected to me by blogging. Here is a list of just a handful of the people who have demonstrated the courage to look at themselves honestly, to take the plunge and just DO what they say they are going to do, those who never quit and those who have just discovered their own calling and are running with their dreams:

Ruben, my wonderful husband - Rattus Tales, Rattus Scribus
Marie, my beautiful and talented cousin - Dancing in Tattered Shoes
Nancy, a wonderful artist, soul and sister-in-law, Fête et Fleur
Bunny, a dear friend who has endured much this past year, but always finds the humor in it all - I'm just sayin'
Sherry, who helped me from the very beginning with my blog and has a heart of gold - Edie Marie's Attic
Patricia, a real-life angel from heaven disguised as an artist and mother of seven beautiful children - Woolytale Miniatures, Patita Dolls
The Dutchess, who has turned on the light of my imagination - The Dutchess, Hilltop Hall, A Tale Told by a Mouse
Bonnie, a dear friend and talented writer - Diamonds and Daisies
Jacqueline, a beautiful woman who loves the world of children - Once Upon a Fairyland
Karen Harvey Cox - an extraordinary artist with a generous heart - Scrapbook of Inspiration
Lulu, another generous and exquisite human being - Lulu Kellogg
Lili, a very considerate and kind friend - Lili M.
Tristan, a humorous, talented, and kind dear - Enchanted Revelry
Ulla, whose gracious gift of friendship was finally realized when she visited me during Thanksgiving break! - Ullabenulla
Spencer, the sweetest, most adorable lady you would ever want to meet - Bellemere Cottage
Amy, a poet and a writer who seeks only to lift others up - What a Wonderous Space This Fairytale Space
Keke, a woman whose blog has gone from great to fabulous; she has realized her calling - Théâtre du Boheme, In My Sepia Studio

AND TO MANY MORE OF YOU WHO HAVE MADE MY BLOGGING EXPERIENCE THE BEST!

Rather than make a link to each of these blogs, please scroll down to my blog list and visit these fine people as well as the other wonderful bloggers on my list. And when you have a moment, go look into the the mirror of self-reflection...you are all beautiful!



I leave you with this quote from Hamilton Wright Mabie:

"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love."

This is a blessed season indeed, and may each day of the New Year be no different!

Bisous!! Anita

Friendship: The Best "After Christmas Sale" Deal

An adaptation of a story I heard on the radio told by "Annie" from Boston 30 years ago....



"I've got exactly what you're looking for young man", chirped the sales clerk. "A nice plump little yellow lab!"

Christmas had quickly come and gone, and Jules finally had some serious coin saved up.

She was a lively and handsome woman, but lacked understanding. She approached Jules as he stood gazing into the first cage of puppies. “May I help you? asked the impressive sales clerk, as she finished freshening up the rabbits'cages. Without hestitation and quite decisive, Jules said, “I would like to buy that puppy, that one right there”, as he pointed directly at a Westie mix. “Oh you don’t want that puppy”, said the woman as she expressed her disapproval with wrinkled brow and nose. Pointing to a beautiful but very expensive labrador, her expression transformed quickly as she said, “Here you go...here's a character for ya. He does flips and runs like the dickens. He'll keep you entertained for hours.”



“No thank you. I would like to buy this puppy, right here. I've been saving my allowance money and I when I first saw her, I knew this was going to be my puppy”, said Jules as he patiently waited for her to take the dog out of its enclosure. “I’m telling you kid, you don’t want this dog. She’s no good.” “Oh but I do want her," said Jules in a confused and quiet whisper. "Why won’t you sell her to me?” “This puppy wouldn’t be much good to you. She's useless. She can’t run or jump and you would get tired of her. This dog has no front legs." Jules silently gazed up at her, waiting to hear a good reason why he couldn't buy the dog. "She's CRIPPLED!" bellowed the sales clerk as she awkwardly gesticulated to emphasize her reasoning. "She was sent to us by mistake about two weeks ago. Besides, we can't sell her for a decent price, so we're finally getting rid of her tomorrow.” The sales clerk picked up the dog from the floor and huffed off to return the puppy to it's cage.



The little man hung his head. After a moment of pause, he ambled over to the sales clerk and then as he lifted his pant leg he looked up and said, “I understand Ma’am. You see, I was born without a leg myself. I have been wearing this artificial leg since I learned to walk as a baby, but I've learned how to walk really well. You know, we ‘cripples’, we need each other.”

The clerk took out the puppy from her cage, Jules put his money on the counter and left the store with his new friend in his arms.



We need each other. Friendship is the best gift anyone can receive and better yet, give away. Since I moved away from home twice in the last 22 years, I have been blessed to have friendships that know no limits and cross all distances. Thank you all in Blogland who are family and old friends with which I have had the pleasure of reuniting as well as those new friends whose beautiful faces I have never known and may never see. Your comments, generosity and companionship have meant the world to me.

From our home to yours, Anita



Header photo credit: Artist Huey Yeng from Deviantart Gallery

We Have a Winner!

Please enjoy the music and...

Rejoice!



Reflect...



Anticipate and hope





and celebrate with loved ones tonight





the hope of a real fairytale come true long ago...



revisit us again one day.



Peace, love and healing to all of you dear friends whose friendship I cherish most of all.

The winner of the miniature crown give-away is....

RITA from Ritas Shabby Chic Rose! Rita is a darling of a person who lives in Italy, so why don't you just hop on the next sleigh ride across the Atlantic



and visit Rita; it will only take a few seconds



and say, "Congratulazioni y Buon Natale, Rita!"

Thank you to all of you who joined in on the contest! The correct answer to the question, "What was the former name of one of Audrey Hepburn's favorite Paris tea salons now known as Angelinas?" You are all too smart! It is Rumpelmayers!



Joyeux Noël mes amies!!!

Une Fête de Thé de Noël and a Crown Give-away

Entrez Mesdames et Messieurs into the Grand Lobby of La Maison de Thé



where your path will be lit by the finest of chandeliers, dripping with delicate morsels of mesmerizing wonderment





that will lead you to the most opulent of tea rooms of your choice





or to more relaxed and casual salles that gently beckon you to listen to the silence in cool backdrops of winter white





while you delicately sip your tea from sweet little cups made of fine china.



On your way to your table, there are looking glasses to peak into



to see if your feathers are on straight.



If your have forgotten your gloves



no worry; along the way there are little dresser drawers filled with lovely last minute accessories to complete your ensemble.











If you want to be fresh for the festivities, stop by one of the chambres et faites une sieste.



When you arrive at your table, you will have your choice of fine teas



or Chocolat Africain, one of Paris' best decadent wonders. African hot chocolate is everyone's top pick, but hot white chocolate is available as well, which is served with chocolate whipped cream and is just as unforgettable. Whatever your choice, the beverage of the gods arrives at your table in a generous pitcher of the highest quality chocolate melted into a silken cream, rich and heavy enough to be eaten like pudding with a spoon.



Save room however, for the pièce de resistance.



What makes this little cake a wonder is the first bite through the flaky outside layer, which if made properly, is chewy and dense. The treasure inside of a cannelé should lightly reveal a moist, golden miette, like the inside of a fresh bread pudding that you can excavate with a delicate little spoon.



After you have had your fill, come with me around the Christmas tree



and become a child again



and dream. It was lovely having tea with you, but before you dance off my dear queens



stop and take a Tea Trivia quiz to enter my Christmas Give-Away.

What was the former name of Audrey Hepburn's favorite Paris tea salon now known as Angelina's?



Was it:

a. Le Stübli
b. Carette
c. Rumpelmayers
d. La Charlotte de L'isle

Choose one answer when you comment. If you answer correctly, you will be eligible for the drawing. I will draw a name on Thursday, December 24, Christmas Eve and will post the winner. The winner will receive a miniature metal crown specially embellished by moi.



A la prochaine mes amies et Bonne Fête!