Time Just Seems To Fly...

As the year is drawing to a close, I have been reflecting on my blog and all the fabulous
friends I have made both in real life and in blogland.  From the bottom of my heart I thank
you all for your support and friendship.

In my reflecting I decided to show a few of my posts from this past year which have
encouraged me to go forward with new and creative ideas.  I hope you will enjoy the
visit...

This post was called I Just Couldn't Help Myself and truer words were never spoken.
I love peonies and I love silver and adore the combination...

I so enjoyed my visit to the Remnants of the Past sale earlier in the year.  I was able to
spend some time with some of my favorites like Atelier De Campagne, 3 Fine Grains and
A Beautiful Mess Antiques...(Links to all are found within my link)

On A Beautiful Hot Summer Day was such a lovely day .  As you know by
the name of my blog, I love roses and a visit to Roger's Garden was absolutely the perfect
way to spend a hot summer day.  The only thing I like better are my own roses but this
was the perfect introduction to Roger's Garden because they not only have beautiful
gardens but a wonderful art gallery and gift shop...

Fields of Lavender was a very special day. Jermaine from French-Kissed and I spent

some wonderful time in the lavender fields and then had a lovely lunch followed by a

visit to the lavender festival in Ojai, California. (Again, links within my link)

The post Violets for Valentines was a chance to share with you the lovely violet plates

my mom gave to me many years ago.  I love them and they are perfect with chocolate

heart shaped tea cakes...

I am always up for going to Country Roads Antiques and a visit with Sue...(Again, link

within my link)

It's always good to see the wonderful Alpacas and this last time I was able to purchase

some yarn that came from a wonderful alpaca named Yuletide.  I now have two lovely

scarves that I have made from Yuletide's wool...

**You can see links to all blogs and places I have mentioned by clicking on my link that

will take you to their links.**

I wish you all a very, very Happy New Year with an abundance of happiness,

good health and prosperity.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I am linking to Privet and Holly for Monday Moments...(1.8.12 sorry to be late)

I'm linking to Rose Vignettes for Fresh Cut Friday...(1.8.12 sorry to be late)

Fields of Lavender

I recently drove up to the beautiful lavender fields in Ojai, California...

It was an extra special day because I met up with lovely Jermaine of  French-Kissed...



A path of dark purple lavender greeted us when we arrived to this beautiful

countryside...

The fields were radiant...

There were so many sizes and shades of the beautiful flower.  Webster defines

lavender as a fragrant European mint, with spikes of pale purplish flowers...

The sun was hot but a beautiful breeze was blowing.  Everything seemed so

peaceful and perfect...

The fields were full of bees but they were very friendly.  Hmm, I wonder if the lavender

calms them...

So many varieties.  These are just a few...

The scenery and weather were perfect for spending lots of relaxing time in the fields

picking fresh bouquets of lavender and taking pictures.  It really was a very special

place to spend time with a friend.  It is always so wonderful to have some time with

Jermaine from French-Kissed.  She is delightful and her posts are always so creative

and so very beautiful.

After bringing my bouquets home I decided to use the lavender in a few different

ways. 

I had a house guest coming for an overnight stay so I filled a french wire basket

with fresh towels and added a small bouquet of lavender, some lavender soap and

lavender candles...

I also added some roses from my garden and some rose petals...

And because I was in a lavender mood and had quite a bit of it, I decided to add some

of the culinary lavender to some rose and lavender macarons and assorted cupcakes...

And...I froze some of the culinary lavender in ice cubes to add to lemonade...

Today I also made a lemon loaf cake infused with lavender but it was gone before I

could take a picture.

I also want to take a minute to thank those of you who knew about my cousin's passing

and sent lovely emails to me.  Your words meant the world to me and I thank you so much.

If you ever have a chance to walk in a lavender field be sure to do so.  It is a lovely

experience. 

La Pouyette has a stunning post on old lavender and linen here. Enjoy!

Have a wonderful week.

I am joining Rose Vignettes for her Fresh Cut Friday party here.