Azoresgal~Life on an Island

"When a child gives you a gift, even if it is a rock they just picked up, exude gratitude. It might be the only thing they have to give, and they have chosen to give it to you."  -- Dean Jackson

Dining with one's friends and beloved family is certainly one of life's primal and most innocent delights, one that is both soul-satisfying and eternal.~~ Julia Child

Today we had the beach all to ourselves. I suppose just because it's October, and summer has ended, people shy away from the beach. I have to say, my favorite time to go to the beach is, when it is quiet, and empty, just us and the seagulls. This weekend the weather has been a constant of sunshine and 23C tempatures, the perfect excuse to grab the towels, some shades, and a good book. It was a perfect Sunday afternoon.

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Tis the season.....for magic and melancholy.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, a time to reap that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sow; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. I seriously cannot believe, it is September once again. If I am honest, there have been many signs, it was just around the corner. The nights are much shorter now, and cooler. In the mornings, there is a crispness in the air, a hint of fall with every breath. I have only to look in the vegetabl...

You are responsible, forever, for what you have tamed. You are responsible for your rose. - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

 I cannot begin to tell you how super excited I am that we have baby bananas in our garden ! Seriously..baby bananas ! Never in my wildest dreams, did I think, one day, in our backyard, we would have banana trees. The kids are blown away by them..and actually visit them daily to see how they are growing ! I hope all four trees will surprise us this year, with our first banana crop !

As I wrote that, I can hardly believe it ! This school year just flew by, even the kids noticed that. I am so looking forward to just hanging out with my babies. It was a busy school year, and we are all tired and ready to relax ! I cannot wrap my brain around the fact that, next year, we will have a 9th grader, a 6th grader, and a 3rd grader ! It was only yesterday they were in preschool ! This year as thank you gifts, for the teachers, bus driver and helpers, I baked mini lemon poppyseed loaves , using this recipe. It was also requested (by Simon) that I bake cupcakes, and of course I obliged ! I am one happy momma, let the summer begin !

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter ! We had a beautiful day, our home was filled with  family and  friends, good food, and much laughter, till way past 11 pm ! Sign of a good Easter lunch ?? I think so ! Today we have been cleaning up, putting things back into place, and washing the  dishes (thank goodness for machines). My monkee's are still home this week. So, we still have a couple more days, to hang out! To all my Canadian friends and family, enjoy your Easter Monday !

It feels like it has been raining for the last 40 days ! I miss the sun...

I still pinch myself......I wake up to this view every morning !