Tag: nature

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Stylish Favorites {7.31.2014}

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Williams Greenhouse in Northern Virginia at Cascades Parkway and Marie’s Place.

Summer delights come in all forms at Heath and everything is verdantly green. Here are a few joyous pleasures I find to make the season a lot of fun!!

Williams Greenhouse
One of the best-kept secrets in Northern Virginia is a nursery tucked away off a gravel road with acres of untouched land and a mossy pond loaded with ducks. Williams Greenhouse is a place I enjoy coming to slow down, unwind and completely relax. The Williams family who own the farm are quite eccentric but, charming and extremely knowledgeable about herbs and plants. Being the only customer today at the greenhouse, I was able to enjoy the quiet solitude and while taking a few photographs of the property.

IMG_3383A Bowl of Pho
There is nothing like the strength of a dear friend when you are feeling frightened and troubled; they are the proverbial warm blanket during a blistering storm. Whenever I have a bowl of pho {Vietnamese beef soup} I feel an immense pleasure when this dish is served. Delicious beef broth made from savory spices, such as; onions, cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves and ginger. Throw in a bit of rice noodles, sliced brisket or sirloin, Asian/Thai basil, spring onions and cilantro, and you have the ultimate comfort food.

IMG_3225Oreo Cheesecake
Summer is most definitely the time to indulge in decadent desserts made with lots of ice creams, melted chocolates and crunchy cookies. The season would not be complete without a dipped cone from Dairy Queen or a cup of creamy yogurt made by a couple from a roadside stand in Falls Church. And, every once in a while a savory treat must be relished and today it is the Oreo Cheesecake enjoyed by Tony on his trip home from the Middle East. Thank you for sharing this photo of your cake.

IMG_3240The Light After A Storm
The butterfly may definitely be the symbol of hope, but the light after a tempestuous storm is definitely a consolatory feeling. The house was under siege the other night with severe winds, lightening and thunder, which seemed to last most of the evening. But, by dawns early light, I came down to the deck area of the house to see all was intact and this of beacon of light streaming through the trees!!

WordCamp NYC 2014
I am attending my first WordPress conference, which is being held in New York City this weekend. After carefully reviewing the sessions I hope to come away a bit wiser in the way of blogging, and having made a few new friends.

Stay stylish!!
K

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Summers Simple Pleasures

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Enjoy a fresh bowl of cherries, while sitting on the porch reading your favorite books!!

For me summer does not officially start around Memorial Day or at the June solstice, it has always begun on July 1, my birthday. And nothing says summer like a fresh bowl of cherries, freshly cut flowers, a free concert or a deliciously cold Mojito. The older I get I find myself relishing an uncomplicated lifestyle along with the simplest of pleasures, which can merely be found by opening your front door.

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Plump orange Asiatic Lily flowers on the deck are enjoyed from the breakfast room or family room during the early part of summer!! This photo was taken as the sun was setting the other night.

Where is it written that that spending large sums of money makes you blissfully content. Nothing tops cavorting with friends while listening to Reggae music at the Reston Town Center after dark or watching butterflies move about the garden.

As the warmer weather rolls around it is definitely time to move at a much slower pace and steal a bit of self-indulgence for yourself. Build time into the day for those unexpected luxuries such as sitting on the porch sipping mint tea and doing absolutely nothing or stargazing during the evenings waiting for the moon to rise.

Get into spirit of the season because, you will not have to spend a cent or least a fortune!
K