Smashing Color!

"It is not the form that dictates the color, but the color that brings out the form."~Hans Hofmann~

"The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts."~Marcus Aurelius~

"On the sixth day, God created the artist, realizing no doubt that He had far from exhausted the uses of color."~Robert Brault~
"Color sparks neurons resulting in an electrical charge of creativity flowing readily and freely thru one's being, a fire ever burning."~Rosemary Aubut~ 
 Visiting this glorious place for the third time excited me as much as my first. Does it not make you want to brake out the tool of an artist and paint a symphony? "Just sayin!" 
A little artistic inspiration today, enjoy!

Happy Birthday Dear Son!

Happy Birthday Chris!
Look at those killer eyes and he is going to kill me for posting this picture but it is my blog after all! 
When Chris was a toddler women would constantly stop and comment on his beautiful eyes and dark curly hair no matter where we were. This went on for several years and my guess is that when someone asked "what is her name" I think it was the straw that broke the camels back! 
We were watching TV one evening and his little head lay on my lap, when I went to brush the hair away from his eyes I noticed his eyelashes were gone! "YES GONE!!!! 
WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR EYELASHES," I ASKED??? "I cut them off mom, I'm sick and tired of all those ladies telling me how cute I am and look at those eyelashes too." "One lady thought I was a girl!!!"  "YUCK!" 
OK mom, so it was time to cut the curly locks and luckily his gorgeous eyelashes grew back! 
My baby was no longer a baby and this very sweet and mischievous little boy grew into a fine young man!
It seems like such a long time ago, yet it  seems like only yesterday! 
He is pictured here on his wedding day last September! 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Dear Son, we love you so!

The Royal Court!

The Royal Court
"I asked God to send me an angel and he sent me a royal flush!"~Rosemary Aubut~
Well here they are folks the Royals of Lake Fairways! My beautiful, intelligent, crazy and true blue friends. Kathy, standing left, made our beautiful crowns she is also known as, The Contessa, Joan, The Princess, Judy The Goddess of Tamarron, Patty the HO, (this is a family blog so we can't go there), Nancy, The Lady In Waiting, and myself, The Peasant Girl!
Seated left is Jackie, The Royal Artist, Karen, The Queen, and Paula, The Duchess of Indian Wells! 
It all started when Joan became eligible for Medicare on her last birthday but I won't tell you her age. The theme snowballed, hence the Royal Court came to fruition! We laugh till we cry and we support each other in a loving and respectful way, our get togethers always a hoot!
We each picked our titles and no two could be alike especially since the Princess and Queen refused to share their entitlement in any way shape or form. 
Empress was still available but I thought it way to stuffy, not to mention overwhelming, kind of like wearing control top pantyhose on a hot summer day! Peasant Girl, I thought befitting and ever so humble! It gives me room to grow and become anything I want to be! Wasn't Cinderella a peasant girl? I already have my Prince our story still unfolding, our castle filled with gratitude. Now that's my warped Fairytale people and I'm sticking to it! 
Have a wonderful day and may your kingdom be filled with joy, gratitude and many crazy friends! 
Empress, anyone?

The Way Of The Flower!

IKEBANA
"The spiritual aspect of Ikebana is considered very important to its practitioners. Silence is a must during practices of Ikebana. It is a time to appreciate things in nature that people often overlook because of their busy lives. One becomes more patient and tolerant of differences, not only in nature, but also in general. Ikebana can inspire one to identify with beauty in all art forms. This is also the time when one feels closeness to nature which provides relaxation for the mind, body, and soul. "Ikebana" is from the Japanese ikeru (生ける^?, "to place, to arrange, life, birth") and hana (花^?, "flower"). Possible translations include "giving life to flowers" and "arranging flowers".~wikipedia~
I recently purchased my second Ikebana vase at an art show in Cape Coral, Florida. The first was purchased several years ago at a show in Falmouth, Massachusetts. I have always admired the simplicity of this art form but never realized it's spiritual aspects. Ikebana is a beautiful way to arrange flowers and a fun word to say, it just rolls off the tongue! 
Try it sometime, a joyful experience is sure to be had!

Promise of a Better Life!

Gloria & Alice
Who are these two adorable little girls? The one on the left is my mom Gloria and on the right her sister Alice. My guess is that mom is around four and Alice about two years of age. I have always adored this photo and it has really got me to thinking about all the family stories I have heard over the years. Stories that will be certainly lost if someone doesn't write them down! 
Our family can not trace back to the Mayflower as I am only third generation here but their story is my legacy and that of my children, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles and anyone who knew them. One of courage, love, sadness and triumph. Stories and photographs I wish to tell and share with the help of any relative or family friend who would be willing to record them and get involved. Do you feel another book coming???
Since I cherish these stories and old photos what better place to start than with my mom's side of the family. Why that side first you ask? Well I have the most available information and my mom is still alive at the age of 88 as well as her three sisters to help me along. Women in the family always seem to recall the almost forgotten details far better than their male counterparts. 
I will create another BLOG for the family journey but will share it with all of you from time to time here on this site. A link will be created from this BLOG so that if you wish to click on over to visit the family site you may do so. I will continue to write and share general information, inspiration and photographs on this blog. I am very excited about this journey and hope my family is also and somehow I just know they are!!! Restoring old photos has become a new hobby. Just love it!!!

A New Discovery!

There they stood all mighty and proud

the day was perfect not nearly a cloud

a creature that bravely guards the sea

a creature totally unbeknownst to me

in formation they flew so swiftly and low 
what was this creature I really must know

a toucan, a penguin oh silly me 
what is this bird that lives by the sea?

Walking Fort Myers Beach several weeks ago we came upon these gorgeous creatures. From a distance they looked like penguins. In Florida??? What could they be? The size of a seagull with a much larger wing span they were a joy to observe. We got quite close and my friend commented on the fact that they looked somewhat like a toucan. 
Their lower bill larger than the top bill. 
A bird with an overbite. Isn't Mother Nature a riot? 
Surprises every day! 
Out came the Nature in Florida Bird Book as soon as we arrived home. 
Black Skimmer be their identity, the lower bill cuts and feels the water when food be found the upper bill snaps securely down.
How is it that I missed these lovely creatures for o so long? 
Glad we found them our lives enriched!

The Family Bible of Photos, Wit & Wisdom

The Family Bible of Photos, Wit & Wisdom by Rosemary Aubut | Make Your Own Book

Well here it is folks, my very first book! I don't think the reality of it has hit me yet, I am very proud, however, of the quality that BLURB.com has provided. It was such a joy to give it as a Christmas gift to my children.

Some of you have asked to purchase my book and by clicking on the title just below the picture you can do just that. I know it is pricy but It is exactly what it cost to print, there are 400 pages. My profit lies only in your enjoyment. You can view full screen by clicking on the square icon to the right of the shopping cart. Anyone who does editing for a living deserves every penny and then some. What a task!

Hope you enjoy the preview!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year
May your resolutions withstand the test of time and all of your dreams come true. Happy New Year to each and everyone of you!

This beautiful photo was taken by my sister-in-law Joanne Aubut with her cell phone. Enhanced by Dynamic Light. Just gorgeous J.