The peony or the rose?

Every spring in lovely Southern California, the Trader Joes markets sell bunches of peonies for $6.99. It's a monumental occasion for us because, otherwise, the billowy flowers are almost impossible to find here. This year, they seemed larger and more vibrant than usual.

I've always thought of myself as a rose girl, but maybe peonies are more beautiful?

A rose will always be a rose, but a peony is like the full moon in flower form,
even if they do smell like cabbage.

Sinatra and Strauss

Hello my dears, my mom on Friday gave me a box of my dad's old records, a mix of classical music, big band and jazz. We spent the holiday weekend listening to them, drinking wine and reminiscing. The music reminded me again of how capacious my dad's mind was. There were so many aspects of beauty he enjoyed -- music, art, literature. Some of the best conversations I had with him concerned all three. It gave me a deep appreciation of the different cultures of the world, especially those of Europe. Before I even set foot in Italy or Austria or France,
I was already in love.

Listening this weekend to Strauss' waltz, Vienna Woods, and Respighi's Fountains of Rome, I was taken back to my New Mexico childhood, when I first realized how big and beautiful the world really was. Music carries us places that words can't quite describe. It also evokes deep memories. I remember my father playing these records over and over on his old stereo.

As they pop and crackle now on my Crosley turntable, I've learned something about my father: With his overtures and waltzes, he had a flair for the dramatic and the romantic. There were no requiems in his collection, just grand happiness. Thinking of that now makes me happy.

I hope you're having a lovely week. I'm excited to get back to posting here more often!

My Dad

Dear Friends, as kind Liss informed you, my beloved father passed away last week after a long illness. I can't tell you how much I've appreciated not only the inimitable Daydream Lily and all the other bloggers who stepped in to keep this site going, but also all the expressions of affection and support you have left here. I feel so fortunate to be part of this wonderful community.

Before I resume regular posting next week, I want to share with all of you a few thoughts on my remarkable Dad. He was born in rolling hill country along the Kentucky-Ohio border, where his surviving sisters live still. For 35 years he worked for General Electric as an aerospace engineer. He held several important patents for his inventions, and if you've recently flown on a Boeing airliner, chances are he'd devised the engine seals that kept you airborne. He loved his family and New Mexico, where I grew up, but his private passions were painting and sculpture. My home is filled with his art and every time I look at one of his paintings or sort through his watercolor portfolios, I'm reminded of how his character combined, in equal parts, an engineer's precision and a gifted artist's sensitivity and intuitive insight.
I will miss that very much.

One of the benfits of being formally jobless during his last illness was that I enjoyed the unexpected blessing of being able to spend a great deal of time with my dad. He'd always loved our moments together and looking back at how much we both enjoyed just going out for coffee and talking,
I so wish we'd done it more.

The hours we spent together during his final year and, particularly, during this past month are something I'll treasure for as long as I live. I had that rare privilege of hearing my father assure me of his unconditional love and of his great pride in the woman I'd become. I vividly recall how my heart soared when he called my daughter Isabella, his only grandchild, "your marvelous girl." It was his last gift to me--and one of the most precious among so many.

After he died, I asked my mother for his paint brushes and I've arranged them in vases about the house, each one a flower of memory, a reminder of the gentle but skilled hand that once held it. In one of our last conversations, my father said to me, "You've always been my shining star."
I know now that, if I glitter, it is with the light he gave me.

a moment

~~

Dearest readers, Tina has asked me to let you all know her dear Dad passed away today. Please say a prayer for her and the family.

♥ Liss

White Cells & Blast Cells

Hello my dears, it's Tina here. I wanted to check in and give you an update on my dad, who is fighting leukemia in the hospital at the moment. For the past week, we've been keeping vigil at his bedside, watching helplessly as his body wages a war against a growing army of white blood cells. A week ago, his white cell count was 23,000 -- twice the normal rate. Today it topped 140,000, mixed with "blast" cancer cells. His hands and arms are covered with bruises. He stopped eating days ago, despite my mom's delivery of home-cooked food.

Yesterday, the hematologist gently asked him to open his eyes.
"Mr. Daunt, can you tell me what I look like?"
My father lifted his head, opened his blue eyes and answered: "You're a handsome man."

This horrible disease will inevitably rob him of his life but it has not yet stolen his sense of humor. And because of this I have hope...

Photo above by Dicky Jiang

Important PS: I am so grateful to the Liss, LenoreNeverMore and the other guest bloggers who have kept English Muse going. And thank you for reading. Love you. T.

ten days of perfect tunes

Hi Everyone, I'm Flaurette from Floddertjeblog. First of all, I'd like to thank Tina for giving me the opportunity to write on her amazing blog. English Muse was one of the first blogs I regularly followed when I started blogging about a year ago, so I'm very happy to be doing my first ever guest post here!

Well, I suppose I have to introduce myself before anything else! I'm a french art student who runs an inspiration blog called Floddertjeblog. If there are any dutch readers, they might recognize the name! Floddertje is a character created by dutch illustrator M. G. Schmidt, my family used to call me this when I was little. Oh, yes, I'm dutch too! Back to what I was saying: I post everything that inspires me, photography, illustration, fashion, music, design, home interiors...(a king of great and perfect melting-pot!). Come visit me!

For this post, I thought I'd share with you two of my recent favourites.
Let me introduce you to Sophie Richards's photography. Be sure to have a look at her blog, she always shares such beautiful delicate pictures!





And last but not least, my favorite doodle by The Notebook doodles who doesn't need any introduction I guess!


So this is it! Thanks again to Tina! I hope she's going well and that she'll be back very soon!

Weekend turns to Monday don't you know...

... Helloo English Muse readers! yup~its' me, LenoreNeverMore* once again...from the other side of the Blog!

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. I thought I should just share some of my weekend photos today. I live not too far from the beach, about 20 minutes short-slow drive. It's always so nice to smell or taste the salty air...you know weekend has its own scent right?! (sniff-sniff I should bottle it!) Anyway, It's Monday here & I can't wait for my weekend to arrive again! Am I bad or am I bad?! Confession; Monday has never been a friend...Weekend is!!

.

PS: Please send our thoughts & prayers to our Tina and her family. She is still spending her time with her dear father in the hospital. ~Peace be with you darling Tina!

~XOXO*

Weekend* is finally here! ~yesssss...

Answer to the 'Guessing Game' :

The always lovely Brigitte Bardot*

( congrats to those who guessed it right! ...you Clever you ! )

.

Isn't this FUN* ?!

Tina & I would do the above routine one day.

But first thing first...we must find the perfect tartan skirts to match!

Who wants to join...

.

" Have a wonderful weekend everyone! "

much love, LenoreNeverMore*

a.k.a guest blogger

.

-Credits: Bardot via & GIF by L i l l i C a r r é found via Down&OutChic

Friday Inspiration

Hey lovely readers of English Muse, Liss aka Daydream Lily here and I thought Id pop in to share some Friday inspiration or things to get you through your Friday.

• Photography byAnna Ristuccia (featured)
  
• Interview with Architect Scott Weston over at The Design Files - he was the designer behind Australian Vogue Editor Kirstie Clement's home, which I love!
  
• New Foals album - might not be your thing, but I love it!! in particular this song and this song. Any new music your loving right now?? I'm always up for some new music discoveries!
• Guest Curator features over at the ETSY Handmade Blog. In particular the one from the always amazing Frankie Magazine.
  

Happy Friday!!

Let's play a guessing game, shall we?

Can anyone guess who she is ?

Let me be generous & give you a BIG clue...

the clue : she is famous! (I'm generous like that!)

Answer will be revealed on Friday Darlings!

LenoreNeverMore

a.k.a guest blogger

I am a FAN*

.

I'd like to share this CHARMing floral art works by Vera Neumann [1907-1993]

Originally created as silk scarves from the 60s, have now been reproduced

on canvas [available for purchase~HERE ]

.

.

Vera spent decades creating delightful bright designs

that radiated so much charms & optimism.

Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly & John Lennon were among her fans!

Well...so am I, ehem*~ I have a few of her pieces now! (show-off !)

Anyway, those of us who frequent the flea market scenes,

should be on the look out for her silk designs I think.

Simply adore flea markets... get butterflies in my stomach each time

I reach the crowded flea market car park! ~am I alone here???

Do share your favorite things to get when you visit your favorite flea markets

errr...besides the fresh corn-dogs? ~YUM*

LenoreNeverMore

a.k.a guest blogger

Garage Makeover*

.

" my-my-my...how cute is this! "

... The 250 sq foot home in Seattle that was converted recently from an old garage. Michelle de la Vega acted as her own general contractor, and spent only $32,000 for the entire renovation.~Wow Lady! I'm certainly impressed! Check out the entire article and more garage-now home sweet* home tour here.

LenoreNeverMore

a.k.a guest blogger

-Via & Photo NY Times.

"So sorry Tina...I have to do this to your lovely readers!"

Question Of The Week :

.

" Thank You "

[...don't worry it's not even loaded!]

.

LenoreNeverMore

a.k.a guest blogger

" Good Morrrning! "

~Hello Everyone!

Tina & I hope that you had a lovely-lovely Mother's Day weekend.

"...did the kids make you a special breakfast? "

~my-my-my...these photographs by Francesca Bondy are delectable and so drool-worthy no? We all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but must admit that I am not a huge eater in the morning. But when the night falls ...well that's another different story~ I devour!!! Anyway, I normally just prefer a simple warm breakfast, a quick omelet; 2 egg whites + 1 yolk on a piece of toast. Either that, or the wholesome goodness of a warm bowl of oatmeal with fresh berries. ~Do you enjoy your breakfast? ...tell me what you LUV* to have (I'm very nosy like that!).

P.S: Thank you Tina & all your readers' lovely comments, certainly make me feel so welcome here~SWEET!

XOXO~

* LenoreNeverMore *

Knock-knock*

"It's me...from the other side of the block!"



Well hello everyone!
LenoreNeverMore* here, and I'm so glad to be one of the guest bloggers.
It's my very first time EVER!...so a tiny bit nervous here, be gentle pretty pleassse...
~Let me briefly introduce myself:
Well, I enjoy blogging about art & design, food, travels and once in a while, even
about men! yup~ men that make me go either 'blush-blush' or 'grrr-grrr!' (my-my...I'm so eloquent with words!).
It all depends on my quirky-hormonal mood or mind!. (I'm quite dangerous like that!).
Anyway, hope to do the same here, to uplift & delight each time I drop by this side of the block..errr I mean blog!
It's going to be FUN* !!!



I've promised Tina to behave myself...errr
But I must admit that sometimes I can't help 'my-juvenile-self' !
(so pardon me... it might be rather cheeky & raunchy)
Just hope that Tina doesn't regret having me as her guest here, in her beautiful blog!




...see you again soon?! I hope...
HAPPY WEEKEND!

*SmiLe*

-naughty photos of Siri Tollerod by Ellen Von Unwerth for Lula
Via=http://www.thefashionspot.com/