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Roses speak of Love…

055A03E8-DF37-4282-87B9-542C8669F4F1In the language of Flowers, Roses speak of Love…

Whether in Spring Bud- full of sweet possibility and promise…

Or Winter’s gently fragrant comfort, speaking with wisdom, beauty and age.

Both as vibrant and vital to our well being as Love…

‘Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.’ I John 4: 11 KJV

Have a blessed Lord’s Day!

Love y’all, Camellia

*Photographs of Dried Roses obviously taken by me. The roses were grown here, clipped to adorn our Cottage Christmas Wreath, when dried, the amazing colors and calm fragrance were an inspiration. Pottery tray by Earthborn Studios in Leeds, Alabama, Tena Payne- Potter. Find them at earthborn.net Amazing story and products!F7E34875-1EC4-41BA-B449-FEF066E9BF5F

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Art in the Parks…

0C77B8ED-AA6A-4E87-9CAB-943A6EBBE3F2The Beholder’s Eye is the best test for Art…great art is so many things, it’s hard to pin down- The way Fabric is stretched across a bright Blue Sky or tied upon a Shoulder- DF9A64B6-4481-4C3B-B3A3-9F83539AA546

A School of Bright Fishes or a Fantasy of Wishes- B1368F01-92D9-4879-8440-A4BF34E5FF92

An Aardvark or an Avatar- well- that’s certainly something only a discerning Beholder’s Eye knows is Art… C8D2D65E-7443-4112-82AF-676E1231868E

A Poster, a Print or Prose… yes I think I’d pick some of those, but then again putting words together pleasantly is an Art Form to me. B4AA0D2B-263E-4CC0-8A2B-068F89D7BF25

No one can deny an Animal Print looks far better worn by a Zebra than a Turtleneck on a Giraffe. Who wouldn’t be charmed by a Photograph of the time an Elephant crossed the road?

 

The many ways Light plays upon the Water- Magical Reflections or artfully rushes in several directions…

 

Is it Fire, a  Jeweled Crown, a Horse captured in sculptured metal- A Mural-ed Wall or Architecture?

 

 

Or surely it’s the Pleated Palm Leaves and a Flower Bed.

 

 

Mr. Disney’s Parks are a sensory overload of Magic, Music and Days. If Disney’s Art in the Parks were a Dance Studio- it would be a blend of Tap, Jazz, Soft Shoe, Waltzing Ballroom Dancers- ending with Marching Bands and Ballerinas followed by Fireworks and Classical Music – a Dance of Art, Talent and Reality laced with a heavy dose of Imagination… I suppose that Art really is a blend of expressions and impressions. If you can:

  • Rest your Eyes from the Soaring Sights-
  • Refrain from the Heart Racing Excitement of crowds…
  • the Culinary Wonders and Flubs,
  • the Snagging of Fast Passes,
  • the Overload of Winding Lines, Strollers and
  • Walking Miles and Miles…

68719AC4-3352-4BB7-A0B8-C7AD1382E95APause occasionally and Contemplate with your own Beholder’s Eye the Art of the Parks…

Love y’all, Camellia

D8C828F2-C078-4502-8559-DDD60B6FC4FB*All photographs obviously taken by me- in Orlando, Florida

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Let there be…

30966989-F009-458C-A820-7951995A564BAn enormous crowd … people from many nations were gathered…young and old…friends and families waiting in peaceful anticipation as- 015697A6-E8CC-494B-8D8E-34D6C8F599C9

A glorious display of fireworks began…intertwined with music and a chorus of voices singing…D498C228-B22F-4BD8-97CD-3D60E81A2CA1

‘Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me. 015697A6-E8CC-494B-8D8E-34D6C8F599C9

Let there be peace on Earth, The peace that was meant to be. 5095ADCF-32FC-42B2-B5DA-7AADDC256CDB

With God as our Father- Brothers all are we. Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony! EA3E422F-91E4-4F4E-9E4F-F85651A32AC0

Let peace begin with me, Let this be the moment now. With every step I take, Let this be my solemn vow: To take each moment and live each moment- In peace eternally. 6969BF50-E9C9-4182-859B-F6BDF777E04C

Let there be peace on earth, And let it begin with me!’32B64D7B-4649-4CEC-8F28-9B2423FB4715

The night sky was filled with points of light- bright white fireworks, the crowd quietly exclaimed. Some, like me- shed a few tears… As the beautifully illuminated faces of children of all ages…

B165CDF6-D653-45C1-8651-CDE950B7BF28For one brief shining moment stood in perfect harmony. A perfect celebration of the Prince of Peace. And so, I wish you all, a Happy New Year, filled with Peace and Harmony.

Love y’all, CamelliaE1BBA3F9-ADA9-4E09-9F46-8992E872C73F

*Fireworks Display from the Holiday IllumiNations held at Epcot – Walt Disney World, Orlando Florida. The song, Let there be Peace on Earth, was written for the International Children’s Choir in 1955 by Jill Jackson-Miller and Sy Miller. Copyright rules may apply. Photographs obviously taken by me.67EFC5DB-5BDA-4FA4-A81B-55AA1875AE3A

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Maple Stars…

 

B9B787AF-EE4D-4266-A8C1-42B991B53C35For God so loved the heavenly Stars- He gave them to the Maple Tree.

Her leaves are Grace Notes in the Spring and Starry shade in Summer.

Then on a crisp and chilly morn against an Autumn sky-

The Maple tree transforms – a flaming Scarlet Sight.

Soon crowned with Crimson Stars she’ll breathe…

 A grateful sigh for Celestial Beams,

A Shepherds Field. One Starry Night-

 When Angels sing- A Herald’s song-

Of Winter’s Babe- The Newborn King!

Love y’all, Camellia

*This beautiful and inspiring Maple Tree was photographed  by my dear friend, Sandra. Used with permission.

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Finding Peaceful Sanctuary…

‘Now the Lord of peace Himself give you peace by all means. The Lord be with you all.’ Second Thessalonians 3:16

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In this time of national tragedy in Las Vegas, the ongoing damage from flood waters in the U.S.Virgin Islands, and our beautiful island of Puerto Rico, our wonderful states of Texas and Florida as they continue to recover; there are also natural disasters and unrest around the world. When we observe these tragedies, it is human nature to feel a heightened sense of confusion and helplessness. It is important to find peaceful sanctuary in your faith, the verse from II Thessalonians has been a comforting companion for me, so often. I hope you will share your affirmations with me during these difficult days.

I also find peaceful sanctuary in nature, the roses have been uplifting and glorious. I find peaceful sanctuary in beautiful communal spaces, like St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans where we visited last week.

Acts of kindness no matter how small go a long way. When we extend understanding to one another, light a candle or two, share a meal, find language to calm and soothe others- we can stave off feelings of personal helplessness.

Here in this small public space we call Camellia’s Cottage -we believe in offering peaceful sanctuary whenever we can- a place of peace from the world’s upheaval.

  • We believe in promoting goodwill
  • We believe in community
  • We believe in the power of comfort food
  • We believe in lifting spirits whether by the old wise ways or gentle wit and
  • We believe in the strength of human kindness and the power of genuine prayer.

I hope you agree, it is important to find and offer peaceful sanctuary by all means humanly possible wherever you are.

Love y’all, Camellia

  • verse from KJV of the Bible
  • *photograph obviously taken by me in St. Louis Cathedral, on Jackson Square in New Orleans, Louisiana