tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58772723853514091612024-02-19T01:54:09.682-08:00" ZaaArt "" I simply dream dreams and see visions, and then I paint around those dreams and visions" ...RaphaelZaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200864540547799033noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5877272385351409161.post-2553692386419577522013-01-24T06:07:00.000-08:002019-01-25T10:36:23.946-08:00"CREATIVE JUTTE"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I created a new flickr group this year, the " Age of Elegance "dedicated to Jane Austen books , literature and the Edwardian and Victorian eras.... The idea was to give the artist time to create ... at least 6 to 8 weeks to really get into the craft themes of this era. </div>
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SO, January/February's ATC theme was ' weaving" . All members were asked to weave a basket of posies for their ATC. </div>
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Since this type of paper weaving is a Victorian past-time, it should look somewhat delicate.</div>
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I tried weaving a valentine heart with mylar, then drawing florals with prism pens, creating additional flowers with floral punches and filling in with fingernail confetti, however the slippery medium was too big. Quite frankly, the whole concept was too modern... I liked it, but somehow I was creatively, "fretting."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNb3LfycyfNQMZAjGZG5BbAc_O6WXY4gcZ4kHv9aWJHFOrP61iPNL95s5-4szPLtUP4txelaBPYuO0Nb_c2sXELXVM2-Z0MDb-ReGy1b_bdYVicLVOj7NWcBiffL2h8oynM8BM_50-lk/s1600/IMG_2464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNb3LfycyfNQMZAjGZG5BbAc_O6WXY4gcZ4kHv9aWJHFOrP61iPNL95s5-4szPLtUP4txelaBPYuO0Nb_c2sXELXVM2-Z0MDb-ReGy1b_bdYVicLVOj7NWcBiffL2h8oynM8BM_50-lk/s400/IMG_2464.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Then, I got this idea, to weave a basket of ribbons, using feathers, shredded organza, decorative gold wire and ribbons. Smaller ribbon would have been more appropriate. The result is pleasing, though bursting at the seams and overflowing the 3.5X2.5 size. Back to the drawing board !!!!</div>
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Realizing that the weaves were too big for the small ATC card size .... I was thankful, for the extra time, to develop an idea, Gradually I pondered another medium and found myself playing with a simple piece of jutte string. "Bing" ... the light came on !!!!!</div>
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The "Age of Elegance Age" era encompasses many eclectic themes, such as fashion and the Japanese culture ... so my mind was privy to a myriad of themes, that I hadn't even thought about in last two weeks... Yes..It took that long for the theme to gel !!!!</div>
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Luckily, I had brought some of my empheria to Japan and was able to find many appropriate vintage images to fit into the seasonal category.' Bling Bling"</div>
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I was eager to use this cherry blossom background. Connie(http:// www.teaandwishes.blogspot.com ) had sent me this lovely image, ages ago so I very humbled cut it up and separated into scraps, ( ha ha) to fit into my vision.... "girls floating through an ocean of cherry blossom". </div>
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Of course the flowers are smiling( on top) along with all that childhood admiration. The jutte weave served as reeds wavering through the shallow passages of their imagination. ..Of course it's my childish imagination ( Ha Ha) ... I was now having fun with the themed medium.....I like it !!!!</div>
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So, I had to create another.</div>
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While visiting in Japan , I've acquired so many beautiful papers. This gorgeous red washi paper contrasted so beautifully with the geisha's kimono.<br />
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Again, I was inspired to use the jutte as flower stems, then "OOPS" with a sudden slip, I began to frame the whole outer image ... creativity was taking over...WONDERFUL !!!! I'm so happy with the result !!!!<br />
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Often we take on an ATC theme and hurry to the deadline, when really the lesson here is to take your time and try, try, try, again.. until you are content , little bird !!!!<br />
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Zaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200864540547799033noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5877272385351409161.post-10658058279823695492013-01-09T18:42:00.000-08:002013-01-09T18:50:59.734-08:00"GREEN RESOLUTIONS "<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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"GREEN TEA RESOLUTION " ... It's 2013... Time for those New Year's resolutions. </div>
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Today, I'm pondering life with a cup of tea in hand and a myriad of exotic ideas to buzz me into the future. Hm-m-m-m ... In front of me, is the Fukuoka Now magazine and an article on the benefits of Green Tea that I really need to " sip" in.<br />
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Did you know that Green tea prevents tooth decay? I didn't ... Green Tea leaves ferment and oxidize as soon as they are picked, so nutrients such as catechin, carotene and vitamins are preserved. This helps in the prevention. How I would love to reduce my dental visits ( ha Ha) Wouldn't you ?<br />
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The list goes on .... Green Tea effectively burns fat... so that means I should a consume at least gallon of the stuff per day ( ha ha).. since it's a lose weight year. The caffeine in the tea promotes the metabolism of fat. Good news ladies ... Drinking green tea and engaging in physical activity burns body fat.<br />
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Drinking green tea also maintains the skins elasticity, and vitamin C strengthens the capillaries, improving the skins ability to remain warm. I'm all for a natural beauty aid. Aren't you ?<br />
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I bought the above teabags from the " Mararu" in Kitakyushu,Japan and wondered if it contained as many of the nutrients as the powdered frothy green tea... both are tasty refreshments, but I prefer the powered form. You can select your tea from hundreds of available green teas outlets online, at grocery stores or in specialty tea shops. It an exciting teatime journey !!!!!<br />
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Green Tea also," prevents hardening of the arteries and high blood pressure". It reduces the cholesterol in the blood. Wow ... I'm impressed. This is valuable information that anyone over fifty or even younger should adhere to... There are so many benefits..benefits...benefits for a healthier YOU and ME !!!!<br />
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AND ... Finally, a cure for the common cold... Green tea strengthens the body's defence system against infections, so using it as a morning gargle protects against viruses. ( gargle gargle)..It's an amazing little plant, isn't it !!!!<br />
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Here's another little tip,my friends ... Forget about expensive cosmetics and facelifts... Drink green tea , as it prevents 'aging'. The strong anti-bacterial properties limit oxidization in the body and maintain a pH balance, by promoting the bodies alkalinity. I, for one, can personally can attest to the youthfulness and beauty of the elderly asian population.... The Asian ladies are age defying beauties.<br />
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Here's a Ripley's " Believe it or Not"...Green tea prevents food poisoning. ( Hee hee) The catechin contained in the tea, has a powerful effect on the bacteria that causes food poisoning and it regulates the intestinal functions. Possibly the reason that they paired green tea with Japanese beloved sushi.<br />
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YES...Tea is a perennial scrub, that we all enjoy. I'm encouraged into thinking ' green' as one of my resolutions of 2013. Green symbolized growth and renewal of the heart and spirit.<br />
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Wishing you all, a happy and prosperous, 'Green" New Year 2013</div>
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"MAY ALL YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE "</div>
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Zaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200864540547799033noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5877272385351409161.post-75985485054582081772012-10-08T19:34:00.002-07:002012-10-11T12:31:21.345-07:00"CUT "N" PASTE OCTOBER "<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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AUTUMN is upon us , with it's lusty array of colours, red, yellow, green and brown leaves dance with the wind and encourage me to create....ATC's.<br />
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October, is the perfect theme for the " Let's Swap Atc's group on flickr. The idea was to create a challenge and at the same time educate. Most people know how to make these little 2.5X3.5 cards, but always choose the same medium to work with ... so it's more productive to give a tutorial for beginners and encourage older members to try new creative techniques.<br />
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I chose, magazine paper , cut 'n'paste. It sounds easy, but really, on a small card it's much more difficult than first anticipated( Ha Ha)<br />
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Buy using old magazines, you are both recycling and creating new artwork... so start with a cup of tea, get comfortable with your favourite mags and find some pictures, words and pages that inspire you ...Rip them out (r-r-r-i-i-ip-p-p-)...Love that sound !!!!!!</div>
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Look for the most interesting textures and pages , then combine several together to form the background of the card.</div>
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Layer sections of the paper to cover your card. There may be one images such as a face or animal that can be cut into strips... experiment for more interesting collage effects. Below are the images and words that rocked my imagination... Where do I begin?</div>
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The theme was October .. so that helped a little and I set out cutting leaves and choosing words, colours and images( above) that fit into that category. </div>
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Here's my first attempt.( sideways) .....I'm NOT very happy !!!</div>
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So back to the drawing board, but I'm not going to throw it away, because it has already been primed with paste, some great words and a gel medium...I'll REUSE it.</div>
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After you've layered everything with a gel medium.. you can finish off the edges with paint, a black marker or stamping ink. You can even dab on a little colour...</div>
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OK...I left it overnight since I wasn't getting anywhere with this cut 'n' paste approach to ATCs.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEY3MA6UvD_EhsVeIJQQFTew2Km_74KzUDngw7_CS8VgDbafgK3jSzd1Au5rc4pUV2hlbtXIOBqgDpftisEc3PGvO79139F7O4zyEIcahD8M7qyLzJT6sVyFA85OEyRZ-xsUEOtCwSdU8/s1600/IMG_1696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEY3MA6UvD_EhsVeIJQQFTew2Km_74KzUDngw7_CS8VgDbafgK3jSzd1Au5rc4pUV2hlbtXIOBqgDpftisEc3PGvO79139F7O4zyEIcahD8M7qyLzJT6sVyFA85OEyRZ-xsUEOtCwSdU8/s640/IMG_1696.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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SO I slept on it. In the morning I ventured out for alittle doggie walk and realized, the perfect beauty that was collaged all around the yard. ..The leaves were INSPIRING me.</div>
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" Cut 'n' paste " ... Here I come, infact, I was literally, dancing into the studio ( BING) </div>
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READY ... SET ... GO</div>
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I added a few new details over top of that ugly, old, cut'n'paste ATC card.... Then played with the images, opaque pens, shapes and words , sealed the entire card with gel medium and sprinkled on some glitter to give it that OCTOBER MAGIC.</div>
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TAH DAH</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6N5C3Oer03v2fg6pOFq2ZVTj8tH5lU_0SclKf7Eewng1Mjuq7VCBojC68RnEszHxlTiGqFC8HKqjFLPMdCombLeDvqxzCYd8KjyaiCyeDe-5rvDs7I2nY4Caa5B2XCCt300ONXHHx_8Y/s1600/IMG_1748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6N5C3Oer03v2fg6pOFq2ZVTj8tH5lU_0SclKf7Eewng1Mjuq7VCBojC68RnEszHxlTiGqFC8HKqjFLPMdCombLeDvqxzCYd8KjyaiCyeDe-5rvDs7I2nY4Caa5B2XCCt300ONXHHx_8Y/s400/IMG_1748.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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This is how I feel about Autumn. </div>
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Take the time to be inspired by nature </div>
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Be creative with OCTOBER.</div>
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Zaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200864540547799033noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5877272385351409161.post-80472898295711537452011-12-25T18:33:00.000-08:002011-12-25T18:41:21.477-08:00"MERRY CHRISTMAS"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyo_VDV-UCKIoMwh5J4wh0IVmPipk2K7-ALkkUaa8LONEFmIWrJcPC7zEEYgiOPq5jWf0E_tcA3QLptNjXdyjfPhpBYSY_7CSbtlLxTJg146nXPqZ3v84pvrmqIaIsU6Jo7sfZ8LIAzjo/s1600/071.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyo_VDV-UCKIoMwh5J4wh0IVmPipk2K7-ALkkUaa8LONEFmIWrJcPC7zEEYgiOPq5jWf0E_tcA3QLptNjXdyjfPhpBYSY_7CSbtlLxTJg146nXPqZ3v84pvrmqIaIsU6Jo7sfZ8LIAzjo/s320/071.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690261608272307490" /></a><br />Wishing all my wonderful followers the magic and joy of Christmastide. <div>MERRY CHRISTMAS</div>Zaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200864540547799033noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5877272385351409161.post-4482265301023195552011-11-20T07:24:00.001-08:002011-12-25T18:32:37.561-08:00" DRESSING UP FOR CHRISTMAS "<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Christmas is upon us and it's time to think about what I'll wear for Christmas Dinner.... Maybe I'll don something oriental ....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLXpcl4TSstVpHeksShkb0mQqu277M1OwOKFKknIdBN6KkD5c-weYbkza6atvkirs6Uv4GYprVn4sliy2xqth6oluTjUgl2xo9YaIeCz8tD0kWCPsXJg2co48a1YXpuvuiv5yr47Yvr0/s1600/DSCF7334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLXpcl4TSstVpHeksShkb0mQqu277M1OwOKFKknIdBN6KkD5c-weYbkza6atvkirs6Uv4GYprVn4sliy2xqth6oluTjUgl2xo9YaIeCz8tD0kWCPsXJg2co48a1YXpuvuiv5yr47Yvr0/s320/DSCF7334.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center; ">AH.... the glamour of the orient.... Japanese love fine fabrics, ornamentation and dressing up. I found it especially thrilling to observe the various costumes and clothing designs.</div><div><br /></div></div>Their fashion flare has been culturally preserved for centuries through the iconic Geishas and Warlords.... While visiting Kumomoto Castle, I couldn't help but notice the guard ,traditionally dressed while guarding the entrance to the Castle.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNtWWOD6970gbwpHCjXD9olGmQOg8JXbn7YojIwGZ8Fdc6ggxXeqQ7iDkAYgl_AYj9Oc4Jg6N68wSxPF87hyuDOojGGHkCKa7xICDccHqx3EJWDBcMNNKrnfsSOrfXCxJ282_acMs_Gg/s1600/DSCF7335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNtWWOD6970gbwpHCjXD9olGmQOg8JXbn7YojIwGZ8Fdc6ggxXeqQ7iDkAYgl_AYj9Oc4Jg6N68wSxPF87hyuDOojGGHkCKa7xICDccHqx3EJWDBcMNNKrnfsSOrfXCxJ282_acMs_Gg/s320/DSCF7335.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I just had to snap this picture of a young modern Japanese girl walking in the palace grounds. It's a new millenium of fashion in Japanese as East meets West and mingles.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXxSyLYrMNJnhiyq-Y5RvRsG_3kubI5BnqZgmEb_cXc-UC5Ju-g0UpwFQ5pv0VzP4wKrHzEbM3Ha5DPfCz-vgeIpRI84CbdZN02I4GnpqmpkwMY9iflgknv3P3oRU_dtQgp2-ek2jQPY/s1600/DSCF7336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXxSyLYrMNJnhiyq-Y5RvRsG_3kubI5BnqZgmEb_cXc-UC5Ju-g0UpwFQ5pv0VzP4wKrHzEbM3Ha5DPfCz-vgeIpRI84CbdZN02I4GnpqmpkwMY9iflgknv3P3oRU_dtQgp2-ek2jQPY/s320/DSCF7336.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Often I sit at the shopping mall sipping a a latte at Star Bucks marvelling at the artistic layering of design that defines that there is a multicultural adjustment happening in the Asian fashion industy. I love people watching here ( Ha Ha) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxINwME4oCt44KO7q9SJZlTR2C92h55S2-8W_ahUZUhcUdvQgHMTaUe79CkNyUq27LBAL74-u7VWuig6iixco9GfiK2lQ06lUmWCWB5QgqzQ-YiOLd81lHtfcvzT-dBrdAYYDBTa20TU/s1600/securedownload.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxINwME4oCt44KO7q9SJZlTR2C92h55S2-8W_ahUZUhcUdvQgHMTaUe79CkNyUq27LBAL74-u7VWuig6iixco9GfiK2lQ06lUmWCWB5QgqzQ-YiOLd81lHtfcvzT-dBrdAYYDBTa20TU/s320/securedownload.jpeg" width="239" /></a></div>And I love window shopping at the Osaka Hotel where they display the most beautiful gowns for Weddings, Christmas parties and celebrations. They're all gorgeous and very frilly. Wouldn't you love to wear this dress... AH ... if only we were all a tiny size 5... </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Still it's nice dream about.. especially during the festive season ... While I have been away for sometime...I am now back blogging with a renewed spirit .... Thank You to all my wonderful faithful Followers... I will look forward to sharing with you again soon. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Wishing you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!</div>Zaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200864540547799033noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5877272385351409161.post-39193118311268323402011-08-20T15:21:00.000-07:002011-08-25T18:03:33.311-07:00"DAY LILIES"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The daylily is native to Japan . It was cultivated as early as the twelfth century in China, and appeared in paintings, on fabrics and porcelain as decorative embellishments for the Asian culture. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> It is often called the " plant of forgetfulness ", because it was believed to cure sorrow by inducing memory loss. In Oriental Medicine , it was also used for relieving pain and cleaning the kidneys....and the dried blossoms of the daylily are often used in cooking. Try the unopened buds in your next salads....Delicious !!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">" The soul is supposed to take the form of a flower, such as the lily " .. at least that's what folklore says. If I were to wish to be any flower, it would be the lily, whose beauty is thought to be sacred. There are so many positive and beautiful omens that have guided this lovely flower through the centuries... No wonder it has become a protective and cherished icon.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiUWwAeWogFEx70lv_c2i_q6_-Yee2Mb35nBOtFhEr5n-4uf6QFTF3t-KLjpYUAKXuVKSQEPw4A4qxcY6GR2-IBNXiszeOl4DpSaCxy-wzfFlvwag49gVrnQ963pANWY1auflF9wJxJc/s1600/DSCF8259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiUWwAeWogFEx70lv_c2i_q6_-Yee2Mb35nBOtFhEr5n-4uf6QFTF3t-KLjpYUAKXuVKSQEPw4A4qxcY6GR2-IBNXiszeOl4DpSaCxy-wzfFlvwag49gVrnQ963pANWY1auflF9wJxJc/s320/DSCF8259.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">These old fashioned orange or tawny common daylilies, grow 5 feet high, with trumpet shaped flowers, 3 to 4 inches, rising above clumped foliage. The strap like leaves grow 2 feet long and tend to gracefully arch. They normally bloom in June and July, however this year they are a common midsummer delight .</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I'm enjoying the Autumn show of lilies and cultivate various varieties in both Japan and Canada. The pictures above are from my country home in Canada. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I once read that the genus name ( Hemerocallis) comes from two greek words , hemera, meaning "day" and kallos meaning " beautiful ". The name amptly describes these lovely blooms that last for only a single day. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">However when one is blessed with fields of daylilies , it's a delightful month long journey of tripping the light fantastic, amongst the daylilies with the fairies.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div>Zaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200864540547799033noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5877272385351409161.post-83178603963704222062011-08-07T06:48:00.000-07:002011-08-07T18:59:35.217-07:00" BAUBLES, BANGLES AND BEADS"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Who doesn't love, " BAUBLES, BANGLES and BEADS" ... It's simply the creative " THING " to do in the Asian world. I started dabbling in jewelry arts in Kitakyushu, Japan in 2009, now I'm hooked on this elegant and innovative art.</div><div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The key to tying this type of creation together is to slow down and answer a few basic questions ... "Which bead will I choose to go with the next bead "? .... " How many twists and how high should they be to look symmetrical "? .... " Where, oh where, should they be artistically place"? .... (decisions, decisions). What the heck...I decided to " LET GO " and cast my beads and ingenuity to the wind.<br />
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Soon my brain was starting to ache .... Luckily, the healing powers of the amethyst seemed to be a tonic for my pounding headache. Encouraged by my sensei(teacher) to draw a blueprint , I started to become focussed on the gems, shapes, colors, sizes and logic of design principles. What a gift .... One thing at a time grasshopper !!!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Certainly, creating jewelry is no fly by night craft. It takes patience and a lot of beaded sweat to create these ornamental works of art. After creating a few necklaces, brooches, rings and bracelets, my new found respect for wearable art had become paramount.</div></div><div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(back of necklace)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PEG8qtWYlENjGEFFtQmDZkftzLObDqxGVY3losnMXIeJ_OwFajbRu4on-NL_KH1C6S4Ys8XFsfdFQNcE8WwLSmg4PqOjKqbiCuPeqW0uqN36hCInx8bhvKyDI-ByHSJeSX1ZKpcLSa8/s1600/IMG_1805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PEG8qtWYlENjGEFFtQmDZkftzLObDqxGVY3losnMXIeJ_OwFajbRu4on-NL_KH1C6S4Ys8XFsfdFQNcE8WwLSmg4PqOjKqbiCuPeqW0uqN36hCInx8bhvKyDI-ByHSJeSX1ZKpcLSa8/s320/IMG_1805.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">This was my third lesson and quite frankly, I was nervous about the task that my Japanese Sensei had laid before me in the form of beads, wire and a homemade coiling board. Yes, the Japanese still make their own unique craft tools. There's no Michaels in Japan ( Ha Ha) Their ingenuity is AMAZING, isn't it !!!!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
( Thing-A-Me-Bob)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51SNGfPB0tj-nI0DxydgcstW1w-Chyphenhyphen1cc1yuG5PBKOwzfiQ6LbJdgbn5QfN39uxbVp1d-uHgZBee2oSsBQ82CnLWqjt90bUhddycWVt2uFXT5Jtn6QYAF8RoScqjU6_7taReW9EX3Ijw/s1600/IMG_1802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51SNGfPB0tj-nI0DxydgcstW1w-Chyphenhyphen1cc1yuG5PBKOwzfiQ6LbJdgbn5QfN39uxbVp1d-uHgZBee2oSsBQ82CnLWqjt90bUhddycWVt2uFXT5Jtn6QYAF8RoScqjU6_7taReW9EX3Ijw/s320/IMG_1802.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div> I was up for the challenge ... but goodness how clumsy can one person be, while coiling wire around a "thing-a-me-bob" .... practise, practise , practise. It took me about a week to warm up to the tool and acquire the precision needed to create and keep all the circles perfectly round for this project. The only other option was to use a pencil to coil the wire around...that was fun( Ha Ha )<br />
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<div> ( Sensei /right)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptKaEhft53qnyB9FgrQLKYjfxsfgn-2gD69Fd-fYzQaEGv8BZMceiBTWSfzslVQC7-tKz2KIgxu3KUoNkWHH0qDCRE10_v-DcvauSjok4WweV3xRrtKjUoJN-oNTvDnNIJ41zz6Mz0EQ/s1600/IMG_1633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptKaEhft53qnyB9FgrQLKYjfxsfgn-2gD69Fd-fYzQaEGv8BZMceiBTWSfzslVQC7-tKz2KIgxu3KUoNkWHH0qDCRE10_v-DcvauSjok4WweV3xRrtKjUoJN-oNTvDnNIJ41zz6Mz0EQ/s320/IMG_1633.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Television Host left )</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>WELL..The lessons turned out to be successfully, enjoyable, THANKS to my Japanese Sensei<br />
( right) . I was over the moon,when the local television station host ( above left) came to showcase my creations ... however it did help that I was the only foreigner taking the classes... Tah Dah ... My moment of Japanese Stardom.<br />
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No matter how daunting a task may be ... creating with baubles, bangles and beads will definately challenge the creative juices and mind blast you through the trials and tribulations of being a shy crafter.<br />
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May I suggest, that you take on the ULTIMATE challenge and wear your artistry with pride. There is great satisfaction in knowing that you DID IT !!!!<br />
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</div>Zaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200864540547799033noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5877272385351409161.post-23715860406703697432011-07-13T19:40:00.000-07:002011-07-13T19:46:56.036-07:00"BLUEBERRIES"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6-RgriCSK1obIaPArblv-35iXC9OQUOPFcRJodLA0g6Zwmje3rOzGBx9agM4OgVmGKbYgYNV5XuQ0ZvwT2K3syuwG_nnMiL35ZaqjvIVkNneRMuxQLW8yq3356yzN0GS9q4RdSEJ3BQ/s1600/securedownload.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6-RgriCSK1obIaPArblv-35iXC9OQUOPFcRJodLA0g6Zwmje3rOzGBx9agM4OgVmGKbYgYNV5XuQ0ZvwT2K3syuwG_nnMiL35ZaqjvIVkNneRMuxQLW8yq3356yzN0GS9q4RdSEJ3BQ/s320/securedownload.jpeg" width="320" /></a>Feast your eyes on my Japanese Blueberries !!!! Last year I planted four blueberry bushes crossing my fingers that they might grow in this unpredictable climate. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> On June first, a year later, I left for a 6 week visit to Canada . I noticed that there were three surviving plants, but NO buds... Saddly, I had given up hope on the tasty little morsels.( Sigh)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is now July 2011 and the yard is a jungle with so much undergrowth to explore. I have lilies, petunias, hydrangea and BLUEBERRIES ( hurrah) peeking out into the rainy season... So I better collect those little fat berries before they get wet and completely saturated. I wonder if I will have enough for a pie !!!! ( Yummy)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Zaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200864540547799033noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5877272385351409161.post-75618596811048463112011-06-07T00:10:00.000-07:002011-06-07T00:10:47.741-07:00"MY ANNIVERSARY SUPPER "<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2LI072B9ie6lam9Q261GkXiWhNWCOlclZjKTzi8NTaIlZQwMb00L2KtPw6Brkhjx4Aed6P0-pEyUNF1X49fTKSE3y6YoYmHLhRjhWi-N7ih-MNOU3A62ozRWZDSGXAtkm43DM2M04Xs/s1600/IMG_6449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2LI072B9ie6lam9Q261GkXiWhNWCOlclZjKTzi8NTaIlZQwMb00L2KtPw6Brkhjx4Aed6P0-pEyUNF1X49fTKSE3y6YoYmHLhRjhWi-N7ih-MNOU3A62ozRWZDSGXAtkm43DM2M04Xs/s400/IMG_6449.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Restaurant dining in Japan is gracious or fast .... on the floor or in booths .... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFtnWC0TVwLeKjUn8gwCG-WXdGr9UfCsUYJ541GnrWrP-WPL3BG4uN655XKaURwRR3Vo1zRCR_PSlzushEM_XURYOqtn9SSG4aHdykZJv5LlLkVWYC0-q7CViR2-pk1mvq7mv4DKstsQ/s1600/IMG_6433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFtnWC0TVwLeKjUn8gwCG-WXdGr9UfCsUYJ541GnrWrP-WPL3BG4uN655XKaURwRR3Vo1zRCR_PSlzushEM_XURYOqtn9SSG4aHdykZJv5LlLkVWYC0-q7CViR2-pk1mvq7mv4DKstsQ/s320/IMG_6433.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">healthy or deep fried ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Japanese or Japanese . </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div> What a choice!!!!! We graciously picked Japanese( Ha ha) What would you choose ?Zaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200864540547799033noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5877272385351409161.post-13515980993740017352011-05-07T21:40:00.000-07:002011-05-07T21:40:20.911-07:00" HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4oia6QOthtYF83daIHT4rolsnXoP_dH130HaHUgZdfTZmTMqaFiS7_OmY0qOjkQ3GGe_On1Mo3jlJDVB0ahYbZ-eYtZ2Cf0JcIDkEPHt8q6V_JPtAsvLuKTqk248ALknqPWHTwJC4fc/s1600/glittergraphics_miscellaneous_191.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4oia6QOthtYF83daIHT4rolsnXoP_dH130HaHUgZdfTZmTMqaFiS7_OmY0qOjkQ3GGe_On1Mo3jlJDVB0ahYbZ-eYtZ2Cf0JcIDkEPHt8q6V_JPtAsvLuKTqk248ALknqPWHTwJC4fc/s1600/glittergraphics_miscellaneous_191.gif" /></a></div>Wishing you all a HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.Zaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200864540547799033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5877272385351409161.post-62940742556932641062011-05-01T22:55:00.000-07:002011-05-02T19:57:51.179-07:00WISTERIA FESTIVAL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoDsGJNdjwokCBb_XXGfutp0MfFzJJhK6zoSyYECeaWsfMAdST8zGPpYUbjhEtptTvfqygyP4tHmqGE6MAoW7bsdQsoqGFlOBEiZpsgQHOaLfhXw11z5cNbvyocAaq_ECnD0P3RSIs9s/s1600/securedownload.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoDsGJNdjwokCBb_XXGfutp0MfFzJJhK6zoSyYECeaWsfMAdST8zGPpYUbjhEtptTvfqygyP4tHmqGE6MAoW7bsdQsoqGFlOBEiZpsgQHOaLfhXw11z5cNbvyocAaq_ECnD0P3RSIs9s/s400/securedownload.jpeg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PHPU0U9q4aC_c4sJgzmem3gVg9Nm0ta7LRJ8uCi3DEYS3R1zpeUu8jxusSjRFpncEkN7qsv-A9100jtQCcYvt2nZilML3qisYfTWhHRIDU4v8df3PN_Oic6pJlgtNzmHEVwuK0OU0N0/s1600/securedownload.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PHPU0U9q4aC_c4sJgzmem3gVg9Nm0ta7LRJ8uCi3DEYS3R1zpeUu8jxusSjRFpncEkN7qsv-A9100jtQCcYvt2nZilML3qisYfTWhHRIDU4v8df3PN_Oic6pJlgtNzmHEVwuK0OU0N0/s320/securedownload.jpeg" width="320" /></a>May is a time to celebrate the beauty of nature and friendship in the Buddhist Temple and the Wisteria Gardens. My beautiful Russian friend Larissa and baby Diana are caught by surprise under the flowing cascades of the blooming wisteria. It's a time of rebirth and joy in Japan, as new buds blossom and new life flourishes to greet the floral extravaganza to come... " All things are bright and beautiful."</div>Zaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200864540547799033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5877272385351409161.post-79311224534195166472011-04-22T19:30:00.000-07:002011-04-22T19:30:42.075-07:00"HAPPY EASTER"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">HAPPY EASTER to you all from Japan . I thought you might like to see what's blooming in my garden and all around the countryside... Beautiful Cherry and Plum Blossoms .ENJOY !!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZ9-PmBhmTiH5pYnLD4naOZulO4Yduq3Z4Qvy2wdh96KpvyG47d01d9-h2k5DQ5hdVVyf3-F15Lngc4G0MkIWt17RB4eWlgE49r0_A3iE5Glfs0y6eCNAdZUbGUAQAHqGFdDZRcs3NZw/s1600/securedownload.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZ9-PmBhmTiH5pYnLD4naOZulO4Yduq3Z4Qvy2wdh96KpvyG47d01d9-h2k5DQ5hdVVyf3-F15Lngc4G0MkIWt17RB4eWlgE49r0_A3iE5Glfs0y6eCNAdZUbGUAQAHqGFdDZRcs3NZw/s320/securedownload.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZyfidU-P_C6FX-ly20BzKk4qY4bOXSnttZeiYt_hNx5NgEpYcWxn0lC21xJ9pbw9ZMraX-cCgaZ_yD5tUNs_D5sF63i2FBKjhGNUbfk4SNmg7Gz7UxTCazm3HcwvSwABWFE8cgyMTOQ/s1600/securedownload.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZyfidU-P_C6FX-ly20BzKk4qY4bOXSnttZeiYt_hNx5NgEpYcWxn0lC21xJ9pbw9ZMraX-cCgaZ_yD5tUNs_D5sF63i2FBKjhGNUbfk4SNmg7Gz7UxTCazm3HcwvSwABWFE8cgyMTOQ/s320/securedownload.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_UUMXn9Bv_1K6e9-3ApWyzVwjmwCxwA69zeXBGEDgNuV8-NktZyz6pZdS4rQkT6mm1-EMeXB2OyVhaUkVMcPVNTZSAd9NyeIPdF84pz583hyphenhyphenPgmZ69zS_ffkzYkvwU6W1nvx59Hm6iAU/s1600/securedownload.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_UUMXn9Bv_1K6e9-3ApWyzVwjmwCxwA69zeXBGEDgNuV8-NktZyz6pZdS4rQkT6mm1-EMeXB2OyVhaUkVMcPVNTZSAd9NyeIPdF84pz583hyphenhyphenPgmZ69zS_ffkzYkvwU6W1nvx59Hm6iAU/s320/securedownload.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Blessings to you and your family for a most joyous Easter !!!Zaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200864540547799033noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5877272385351409161.post-45582916380914586342011-03-14T21:11:00.000-07:002011-03-15T08:25:39.380-07:00" HOPE"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySjfmAzHO6COcYtaI6kP6Ek-43kVkcFyJUSreHTte9x0H0Tsmh19DwEBrXfFM-QW0azj9lFw5HlaJsnGFkGKkRwwUH-9B2-ja1mtfohr_LBMSsk5T7eAmB6N2q5udoEryPUKO1qZKzqs/s1600/IMG_8280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySjfmAzHO6COcYtaI6kP6Ek-43kVkcFyJUSreHTte9x0H0Tsmh19DwEBrXfFM-QW0azj9lFw5HlaJsnGFkGKkRwwUH-9B2-ja1mtfohr_LBMSsk5T7eAmB6N2q5udoEryPUKO1qZKzqs/s320/IMG_8280.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>My prayers and thoughts are with the families and individuals who are suffering under the terrible devastation of the recent earthquake and Tsunami in Japan. Already it's terrifying effects have saturated our lives ...<br />
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It is a time to reflect on the fragile state of life and our existence in this world... It is a time to love and support one another in the face of an awesome yet sometimes cruel mother nature and listen to the messages.<br />
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We are but a small planet that is in need of tender loving care to survive. Please light a candle of love, healing and HOPE for our childrens' future..... and pray for those less fortunate people, in Japan and around the world. May God Bless us all !!!!Zaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200864540547799033noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5877272385351409161.post-81558412366894106092011-03-01T13:04:00.000-08:002011-03-01T13:04:53.784-08:00"CHERRY BLOSSOM"The BLOSSOMS are a' coming and I'm soooooo excited.... The Festival of Cherry Blossoms will soon line the streets of Japan in a glorious cascade of pink and white blossoms cascading like fairies onto the streets... March and April mark the beginning and end of the festivities. Couldn't help creating afew Cherry Blossom ATC's in celebration ... Naturally it's called 'Cherry Blossom' ( ha ha)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVI0Nre6RcAHSj1H-lCHpnYDbLxIei0shUTrc-HB27hrZ0PC-nKMn24cwne79muZ3_CjyXjEBOppXrCNXI4TgJAPsiFJVdoV9i8JiBgavmvf8uYump6DuGhkCuUU14H3nIsRvZWauioqE/s1600/IMG_4070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVI0Nre6RcAHSj1H-lCHpnYDbLxIei0shUTrc-HB27hrZ0PC-nKMn24cwne79muZ3_CjyXjEBOppXrCNXI4TgJAPsiFJVdoV9i8JiBgavmvf8uYump6DuGhkCuUU14H3nIsRvZWauioqE/s320/IMG_4070.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I will arrive in Kitakyushu, Japan just in time to snap a few hundred picture with my camera and join into the celebration in and around the bustling communities ... To people in North America it's just a bunch of trees blooming .<br />
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In Japan, it's beauty and harmony and a time to bask in the glory of nature... This is a picture of my friend, Mikio under a double flowering Cherry Blossom tree. .. It takes your breath away , doesn't it !!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1jxLBEgmebnGmfGS9TfIQGK59rTmO6iUVynlRtcKgA5NKQhWBD1zB1pkv4h2V17J6uCZHxGApi-m-wqmwh2s2RJnbmKS7bPvMwi6PUvgCidFoz_Os6Xq1N33JOgVTSaIod7A3cT-LOI/s1600/IMG_0220_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1jxLBEgmebnGmfGS9TfIQGK59rTmO6iUVynlRtcKgA5NKQhWBD1zB1pkv4h2V17J6uCZHxGApi-m-wqmwh2s2RJnbmKS7bPvMwi6PUvgCidFoz_Os6Xq1N33JOgVTSaIod7A3cT-LOI/s640/IMG_0220_edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Experiencing the thousands of Cherry trees, dotting the countryside in full bloom is literally a vision of pink heaven. I will send pictures !!!!Zaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200864540547799033noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5877272385351409161.post-52632910765165339752011-02-27T12:12:00.000-08:002011-02-27T12:22:24.356-08:00'"PAPER ART"Japan is famous for their use and creation of paper .... Want to see something amazing... check out this site.... WOW !!!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><a href="http://tokyobling.wordpress.com/2009/07/01/a-paper-craft-castle-on-the-ocean/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1e66ae; font-family: Verdana; line-height: 1.22em;" target="_blank">http://tokyobling.wordpress.com/2009/07/01/a-paper-craft-castle-on-the-ocean/</a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfvmpZFbEnzq4gPKP2Z44b3KRehyphenhyphenTUqcg6XLyAvKBgZFJ98_8tVx2ddCWxeFWePXIb1CCmxrWsSquheA5TnCgwV022X5MKHSrMPUlbO3KxUURb0H9oCd8YRnkSkg9iO7jfmVSXdwpQ48/s1600/IMG_4359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfvmpZFbEnzq4gPKP2Z44b3KRehyphenhyphenTUqcg6XLyAvKBgZFJ98_8tVx2ddCWxeFWePXIb1CCmxrWsSquheA5TnCgwV022X5MKHSrMPUlbO3KxUURb0H9oCd8YRnkSkg9iO7jfmVSXdwpQ48/s320/IMG_4359.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">Tell me what you think ...about paper art from Japan. after you view the above site.... AMAZING !!!!</span>Zaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200864540547799033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5877272385351409161.post-53389071123233433762011-02-13T19:54:00.000-08:002011-02-13T19:54:23.364-08:00" NO JOKE "<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIpN_qcFh2gSLSBrfLGZsqU-rywXoHPyN-A1MGJVL2gERZeGVQ8JGnTGC5gshAUImYrMmp2x7zETV_n8DCImQY3hEBXYFvU2UwDxX_4kmomncOSpNTCYHJlHRShoVtQddmciKTnfzlWY/s1600/Candid+pictures+from+Japan+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIpN_qcFh2gSLSBrfLGZsqU-rywXoHPyN-A1MGJVL2gERZeGVQ8JGnTGC5gshAUImYrMmp2x7zETV_n8DCImQY3hEBXYFvU2UwDxX_4kmomncOSpNTCYHJlHRShoVtQddmciKTnfzlWY/s400/Candid+pictures+from+Japan+028.jpg" width="300" /></a>In Japan, February the 14th is a special day for men not for women . So it's Hiroko's supper treat for her husband Mikio . Needless to say , he loves the attention... We went to the " Red Door Restaurant " in downtown Kokura, Japan... for you'll never guess ...Chinese Food ( Ha Ha)</div>Zaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200864540547799033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5877272385351409161.post-15576770076997512722011-02-06T13:42:00.000-08:002011-02-06T13:42:30.651-08:00"GREEN TEA"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvCo_BB45dwqoPfWpPa6zAX3LRA7_ziPlU1AKoX34iYjpsofqyKjsJOFHdYECvjUpq2zEQGwsihOZOoCIz93bkDtiZ4MA3JkxFNrgQ2RJtbHmYwE_oUJfzJv3fW5pXCenmTJx-9OnqH8/s1600/IMG_0074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvCo_BB45dwqoPfWpPa6zAX3LRA7_ziPlU1AKoX34iYjpsofqyKjsJOFHdYECvjUpq2zEQGwsihOZOoCIz93bkDtiZ4MA3JkxFNrgQ2RJtbHmYwE_oUJfzJv3fW5pXCenmTJx-9OnqH8/s320/IMG_0074.JPG" width="320" /></a> Living in Japan, one grows naturally accustomed to drinking " Green" tea along with the local society... Afterall, green tea is Japanese ...Right !!!</div><br />
Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting up with a very learned Japanese Lady, who practises the art of the Japanese Tea Ceremony. She enlightened me as to the historical facts of the drinking of green tea, which dates back to China and the 4th century.<br />
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Tea was officially a gift from the Chinese tang court presented to Emperor Shomu of Japan and in the year 794 a tea plant was planted in the imperial Gardens in Kyoto.<br />
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Later, the Japanese buddist Monks went to China to study about tea and in 1192, Eisai, returned with tea seeds and started to officially plant tea in Japan. This monk ,Eisai also wrote the first Japanese tea book which later influenced the development of the Tea Ceremony.<br />
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There are many, many rules of etiquette for what is called ' chanoyu, or hot water tea" and in Japan you may experience this rather lengthy ritualistic ceremony in the harmonic beauty of a Japanese Tea House.<br />
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There are four principle to the ceremony: harmony, respect, purity and tranquility ( wa, kae, sae, jubuo)<br />
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The procedures are simple: clean the serving bowls, boil a pot of water, serve sweet treats to quests before the tea, mix powdered bitter green tea( Matcha) and water to make a frothy tea, serve the tea to quests. ( The flavors of the sweets and bitter compliment each other. <br />
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The sign of harmony is :<br />
1. Bow when you receive the cup of tea which is called " chawan'<br />
2. Take the " chawan" with your right hand and place it in the palm of your left hand.<br />
3. Turn the " chawan ' clockwise three times before you take a drink.<br />
4. When the tea is gone, make a loud slurp to tell the host that the tea was truely enjoyed.<br />
5. Wipe the part of the " chawan' your lips touched with your right hand.<br />
6. Turn the "chawan" counterclockwise and return it to the host.<br />
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Many people ask how long it takes to learn this art of the tea ceremony. I might say how long does it take you to learn the piano ? While simple tunes can be learned in a few weeks .... A true artist will study the piano for at least 10 years . In Japan one must study the art of the Tea Ceremony for 10 years in order to practise this ancient custom. <br />
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If you want to bring alittle of the ceremonial charm home with you, a " chawan' may be purchased in specialty tea stores along with tea ceremony utensils. The above tea cup or " chawans ' range from 100-200.00 dollars per bowl... depending on the ceramic artisan who created it.Zaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200864540547799033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5877272385351409161.post-62926527835451603422011-01-30T09:16:00.000-08:002011-01-30T09:27:36.906-08:00" THE CAT'S MEOW"DO you have a passion for Cats? Oriental Cats are known for their intense interest in everyday human activities . I see ten to twenty of them lined up every morning along the garden walls outside of the park.<br />
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It's no wonder that the Maiko Cat is seen and admired in every store and house in Japan.<br />
This feline has become an important part of their mysterious and exotic culture. ... So it's very hard not to fall inlove with such a sweet, animated image. <br />
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I must admit, that I'm under the Maiko Cat spell ... admiring, collecting and even drawing this feline character . Folktales say that this little paw waving cat is gook luck . That's a fabulous reason to have a few of them sitting around your house ...Right !!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxzDiMc1sg4v4C0pQEgTOG-bQiJb_eRip4HNuuqCPijdNzvh0qakWDG_lfDUIUCgUJ2bHoT2yF1KfeuiF6QKD_xPR_2htEPj06fviJ5TO4Z5YqmtT61nLy44sEuRsmbyBrIEaL6FTJYc/s1600/IMG_1653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxzDiMc1sg4v4C0pQEgTOG-bQiJb_eRip4HNuuqCPijdNzvh0qakWDG_lfDUIUCgUJ2bHoT2yF1KfeuiF6QKD_xPR_2htEPj06fviJ5TO4Z5YqmtT61nLy44sEuRsmbyBrIEaL6FTJYc/s320/IMG_1653.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>For those of you who read my last post .... Just incase you're interested .... I bought the handmade Wallclock Cat ( below) with the moving tail . My husband bought me the handmade ceramic Black Cat ( below) for my Birthday and of course , my friend, shower me with Maiko " good luck " gifts.... Collecting has become quite the Cat's Meow .( Ha Ha)Zaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200864540547799033noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5877272385351409161.post-80028938254831516842011-01-21T21:14:00.000-08:002011-01-21T21:33:28.157-08:00"CAT SHOPPING "<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipXOdya0D1emD9_YETPZn0Ddc_9tT3CAkifGQWVvMG6UEQ3gWSFMoMkRxHEraOkPR0GLqvoTaJbAXX-JTbVYqUolYP4ls8cGiT2NKDzXqz7kLMY4ZDoRU1yd9k4YSW_uXa_Xf2U4roTg/s1600/IMG_1652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipXOdya0D1emD9_YETPZn0Ddc_9tT3CAkifGQWVvMG6UEQ3gWSFMoMkRxHEraOkPR0GLqvoTaJbAXX-JTbVYqUolYP4ls8cGiT2NKDzXqz7kLMY4ZDoRU1yd9k4YSW_uXa_Xf2U4roTg/s320/IMG_1652.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhwsjeMnK12drEWRvOFzWbdG-R-SjBBItCQAe28eVzYICj1hLx_NLTfWylatPra_xPyx5xaBqL20mpL8pKHDz5OJrFrT28DbT4-UIC0CDCXKXNhpfacLxotuGm96-uDXTj9BHSKGIp0Y/s1600/IMG_1655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhwsjeMnK12drEWRvOFzWbdG-R-SjBBItCQAe28eVzYICj1hLx_NLTfWylatPra_xPyx5xaBqL20mpL8pKHDz5OJrFrT28DbT4-UIC0CDCXKXNhpfacLxotuGm96-uDXTj9BHSKGIp0Y/s200/IMG_1655.jpg" width="150" /></a>Shopping in Japan is quite an adventure .... I thought you might like to see some of the sugary animated items. " Meow, Meow"... all the kittens were calling me, to come look and see ... "Buy Me", they mewed.<br />
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Then, I looked at the prices... Yes, only, 10500 yen( $150.00) for the handmade clock , who's little tail moves with the tick and the tock. He's so adorable !!!!<br />
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Well, I do love it but " don't you think that little black and white number looks friendly ... Oh yes... He's a darling, at only 10000 yen( $100.00) . So, my friends, let's move onto the next grouping of happy Japanese kittens.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzEgmQKIERE09ZD89ozOlJjec4IcL38tjVZzxiMPu8x3D7wtMQN97K_U4JjjLH7UqTWcgmUzTcbeQKPop0w7oPqeR4Wd_XyUzE13oM0qX6K9E-H4HrM2BDmC5IzlwPRASduQ61ImBqAk/s1600/IMG_1660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzEgmQKIERE09ZD89ozOlJjec4IcL38tjVZzxiMPu8x3D7wtMQN97K_U4JjjLH7UqTWcgmUzTcbeQKPop0w7oPqeR4Wd_XyUzE13oM0qX6K9E-H4HrM2BDmC5IzlwPRASduQ61ImBqAk/s320/IMG_1660.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Bing, Bang , Boom .... Lookie lookie some "Tin Pan Alley" musical cats. They're kind of socially cute and the price is just right, only 2500 yen( $25.00)...Where would I put them ?<br />
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Goodness... I'm so confused , because I like them all. I will listen to my own little inner cat voice ...Purr purr and select the purr-fect cat for me .... It's a hard decision. <br />
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Which cat or cats would you choose? Which cat or cats did I choose? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!Zaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200864540547799033noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5877272385351409161.post-65676577420481809032011-01-16T20:34:00.000-08:002011-01-16T20:36:30.957-08:00"It's Cold Outside "<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">January marks the beginning of great expectations ..<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwhQbhQAyHHV0lEiT9dqhxooX2Cntbhf0bJAy0eYr4Glo1UNTm18VQdncHaRUSzZDkVrihvLLXw0eJz_ZQctYgr55XT7owKonedwXtqSlXC2tqJF7zwPZ56svCCnhsueHTqYqnO84aGg/s1600/IMG_4837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwhQbhQAyHHV0lEiT9dqhxooX2Cntbhf0bJAy0eYr4Glo1UNTm18VQdncHaRUSzZDkVrihvLLXw0eJz_ZQctYgr55XT7owKonedwXtqSlXC2tqJF7zwPZ56svCCnhsueHTqYqnO84aGg/s400/IMG_4837.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">... but also brings flurries of snow and cold temperatures. This year has been an exceptionally strange time around the world .... Brrrr ... I'm alittle cold and my teeth are chattering, but I'm in awe of the wintry blasts of beauty... I though I would share a wintry walk through the park with you , so bundle up and keep yourself warm in this Canadian Winter Wonderland.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7H74CfghugUQ9EbKccqqMKkdi-HAivJ852-Ri5mWViX4FU0diZkxXcYYAXWjVB3z7J7TGNKzt9scAdxud8YaJA57wSITDCbwKvEVr0iVuLAI7WY3ssDzHo_Vr1_033m3W3bhgTv4huE/s1600/IMG_4831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7H74CfghugUQ9EbKccqqMKkdi-HAivJ852-Ri5mWViX4FU0diZkxXcYYAXWjVB3z7J7TGNKzt9scAdxud8YaJA57wSITDCbwKvEVr0iVuLAI7WY3ssDzHo_Vr1_033m3W3bhgTv4huE/s400/IMG_4831.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Zaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200864540547799033noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5877272385351409161.post-458611653651261942011-01-10T12:09:00.000-08:002011-01-10T19:01:12.986-08:00"DRAMA"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">AMORE... Ah ....sweet love is on the horizon.... As we quickly move past January into the month of hearts and valentines..I am reminded, how quickly time passes. I'm in awe of all the precious gifts that might be overlooked if, I do not take the time to give thanks for the love of family and friends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am also reminiscing about life, as the seasons come and go ... and realizing that it's time to move onto new and exciting journeys<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKebvHJgr51HtTjjyKqA5gmYmrGG_VPQfnP2yVKpKGG2-53WFgH2nMAJBQVogkD0BA3dCijvhexEynNnAWKWg-ZLcPM2vRQcMp-vSYEoaKw1HPFypeW2Hk16jQeOQCw6FDCiakCEQBis/s1600/IMG_4725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKebvHJgr51HtTjjyKqA5gmYmrGG_VPQfnP2yVKpKGG2-53WFgH2nMAJBQVogkD0BA3dCijvhexEynNnAWKWg-ZLcPM2vRQcMp-vSYEoaKw1HPFypeW2Hk16jQeOQCw6FDCiakCEQBis/s320/IMG_4725.jpg" width="320" /></a>with light heartedness and joy !!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">YES..It's time to lose weight when you no longer fit into that little black, size 5 dress ( Ha Ha)... Even my fingers and feet seem to have gotten alittle fatter and I wear wider shoes and flat boots, that are less than fashionable... AH... Yes... It has finally happened ... middle age has set in, for a long winters nap.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Oh woe is me".... Should I become dramatic and submerge myself into the flowery, swollen waters of a reedy river like Shakespeares', "Ophelia"? ... She is ever adored and heralded in classic paintings....Drama, drama, drama!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No... I'd like to think of myself as a modern sort of woman, who can battle the raging perils of age, in a dignified manner ... so, I jogged out and bought myself some vitamin E capsules for swollen eyes and wrinkles, a new water bottle, to puff out the sagging dehydrated bits and a recumbent bike, to ease my aching joints, when I do take the time to exercise.( Huff'n'Puff)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, my friends, I'm encouraging you, myself and I, to do alittle extra peddling, in the love of " self " arena ... Wishing you all, a safe and healthy journey this year... I'll race you around the calender block .... Ladies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Zaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200864540547799033noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5877272385351409161.post-15913610779989722502011-01-06T21:48:00.000-08:002011-01-06T21:51:24.350-08:00"THE JOURNEY"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wishing you all a joyous , healthy and Happy New Year.... In Japan , New Year is a reverent time for personal journeys... usually climbing up the mountain side to a shrine, to give thanks for the year that is passing on. It's a time to look for good omens on the trail of tranquility and peace. It's a time of homage </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and prayer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48XexWvqsXkySgkBxPYrRvi-Bq0l5Ixs-u_T9huSWxjU1SLPqOJMpqYKAtHzelFoCp3OvtdimjaEjtBqmiDTfEc9ed90zzClRajkTC-LN5l1qs6s2G8bg6-PkEzFWW4lI9ek85eUbZxo/s1600/securedownload.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48XexWvqsXkySgkBxPYrRvi-Bq0l5Ixs-u_T9huSWxjU1SLPqOJMpqYKAtHzelFoCp3OvtdimjaEjtBqmiDTfEc9ed90zzClRajkTC-LN5l1qs6s2G8bg6-PkEzFWW4lI9ek85eUbZxo/s320/securedownload.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48XexWvqsXkySgkBxPYrRvi-Bq0l5Ixs-u_T9huSWxjU1SLPqOJMpqYKAtHzelFoCp3OvtdimjaEjtBqmiDTfEc9ed90zzClRajkTC-LN5l1qs6s2G8bg6-PkEzFWW4lI9ek85eUbZxo/s1600/securedownload.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>If an eagle happens to fly cross your path, " Good Luck " will surely follow you through the New Year... </div>Zaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200864540547799033noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5877272385351409161.post-8746768321001360932011-01-06T01:42:00.000-08:002011-01-06T01:42:53.925-08:00"MYSTICAL NEW YEAR"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2011 ....... A Strange year can become a gifted and even stranger year if you just have patience.. Santa sometimes cannot fit and drop all the gifts on Christmas night ... and I happen to have it on the best authority... that "SANTA CLAUS " is tired ... Z_Z_Z_Z_Z_Z_Z_Z_Z_Z_Z_Z_Z_Z_Z_Z_Z__Z_Z_Z_Z_Z__Z_ZZZ</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKlJhYFA_83M7Ke5neb-YsN__WWWAC4bV5V3hnNYu_bXuBesuWq-epIADj0Mwi6Cw2VKGet2K0LcaW4LRlkoIsUVkE2yzY8I4bcOorUIElZzPFqDKJCrEs4e0uat8N1ldDi-AxhxAUNw/s1600/securedownload.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKlJhYFA_83M7Ke5neb-YsN__WWWAC4bV5V3hnNYu_bXuBesuWq-epIADj0Mwi6Cw2VKGet2K0LcaW4LRlkoIsUVkE2yzY8I4bcOorUIElZzPFqDKJCrEs4e0uat8N1ldDi-AxhxAUNw/s320/securedownload.jpeg" width="240" /></a>Such a " Jolly Old man " ... but has anyone taken the time to " kiss" him ... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Please let me know ... 'cause " Santa is sleeping and he won't say a word... ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ</div>Zaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200864540547799033noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5877272385351409161.post-78432302102849552582010-12-26T19:47:00.000-08:002010-12-26T19:47:41.828-08:00" MISS DOLLY "<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSeHeZ72X0_dy2MfLwvV1RpnNC7TOHrz3MlFgX9C0mS6D0S2A9pETHgnINtufQJ7BZcZfDUvnXtJRdlUpVjaiPav1JUQycfgexAqxBGs75OTRubMVe0B6H8jLJwYJ3un5GMScrvuqPis/s1600/IMG_4604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSeHeZ72X0_dy2MfLwvV1RpnNC7TOHrz3MlFgX9C0mS6D0S2A9pETHgnINtufQJ7BZcZfDUvnXtJRdlUpVjaiPav1JUQycfgexAqxBGs75OTRubMVe0B6H8jLJwYJ3un5GMScrvuqPis/s320/IMG_4604.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>How much is that Doggie in the window ? You know the one with the waggly tail... Isn't that how the song goes... Well I just thought you might want to see what was under my Christmas tree.... O Santa ..You shouldn't have.... but ..Thank YouZaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200864540547799033noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5877272385351409161.post-75070101852956652632010-12-19T21:11:00.000-08:002010-12-19T21:11:15.851-08:00" SNOW ANGEL"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhs6lwZ4xlaPYNXH4WE-rzma22Ukc0TnYG_p-icwQSZ7USH2oMaVcyrL-vgRQUUMNlrI-uROiakrE1MiVPF-ZkaxL3oFdIeyePSo8tn2btrIfhRTQW_dJ5vD-b655v9nROfmPR6AKdbw/s1600/IMG_4439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhs6lwZ4xlaPYNXH4WE-rzma22Ukc0TnYG_p-icwQSZ7USH2oMaVcyrL-vgRQUUMNlrI-uROiakrE1MiVPF-ZkaxL3oFdIeyePSo8tn2btrIfhRTQW_dJ5vD-b655v9nROfmPR6AKdbw/s320/IMG_4439.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>"The weather outside is frightful" and I wish that Old Man Winter would make up his celestial mind on whether to rain , pour or drop delightful flakes of snow... Yesterday, I wore my Spring coat, Winter boots and Summer leggings.( Ha Ha)..I was quite a sight !!!!<br />
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No matter, because nothing can daunt the joy of the festive season with it's bright lights and warm ambiance of love..not even the cold moody temperatures BRRRRRRRRRRRRR.<br />
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I've decided to leave the works of mother nature to the Snow Angels. They're sure to bring the beauty of season round full circle in time for Christmas... because, " I need alittle Christmas..right this very minute".<br />
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I've just dropped my hubby off at the airport heading for Japan and have been left behind... Air Canada has an animal embargo on animals between November 15 to January 15... So what was to be a family gathering with grandsons will now be a ' me and puppy' .. because she is only 6 weeks old , I cannot leave her with anyone.... So Dolly and I will celebrate her first Christmas together... eating puppy cakes and singing doggie carols .."WOOF WOOF"Zaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200864540547799033noreply@blogger.com4