Realizing that my outdoor PINK opportunities were fading just as my Summer began slipping quietly away… I took a much needed drive to one of my favorite spots. Le Chaille, a French inspired Chateau and Gardens. Nestled at the base of the Cottonwood Canyon, I drove up the winding brick lined lane.

I am often asked about where I took the shot of my “header” (Top of my blog page) It is actually the shot of the Le Chaille front gate that I took when I was on my first trip several years ago — in mid May if I recall correctly. I fell in love with the peace that was there. The grounds keeper gave me permission to wander as I pleased.

This is how the grounds look in late August. Isn’t the entrance breath taking? Even at times a bit over whelming visually. Take a moment to really look at all their details.

Definitely the French inspiration…

When the cold and bitter winds howl this Fall and Winter I am sure I will dive into my Le Chaille folder for a touch of Pink pick me up.

Have the happiest of weekends– Visit Melissa at the Inspired Room (with her Beautiful things gathering) as well as Julia at Hooked on Houses where she celebrates things that make us happy… don’t for get to see the LONG list of Pink celebrators with Bev at How Sweet the Sound.

TTFN~~ Claudia ♥ ♥

Meet Mr. Flop– I am guessing a distant cousin of Peter Rabbit… you know, of Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit and Friends.

Just recently I re-watched Miss Potter, with Renee Zellweger.  Sincerely one of the most delightful films of late. It is a love story, not only of the human kind but of her love of her beloved Peter Rabbit, who was a naughty little bunny that steals vegetables from Mr. McGregers garden despite his Mother’s advise. My suggestion would be: watch it with someone you love; I did. (**waving hi to my Mother)

I suppose, after watching this divine visual inspiration, that was the reason my Serendipity road took me along a path that had me meet up with many of Peter Rabbits friends.

I’ m serious as a heart attack when I tell you these colorful creatures heard me walk around the corner and up they swam to swiftly say hello! I suppose they might be used to 2 legged creatures such as myself feeding them– I had nothing which lead to a stern scolding from Mr. Black Bill.

He really sqwaked at me for some time — then turned on his heels and told the other’s I was not their early morning meal ticket as they had hoped.

I did tell the lovely ladies I thought their bright orange wadding boots  looked stunning, nothing like a great pair of shoes!– none the less they turned waving their little feathered hinnies towards me hardly saying a good-bye!

Samantha Swan was enjoying her morning bath and reflection. (I personally like bubbles)

If you look very carefully to the right, you can see Benjamin and Adam and Brittni  not far away from their burrow.  When I walked a bit closer ! In they went… just as their mother had told them. GOOD little Bunnies!

Sometime ago, I shared a previous visit with Mr. P (click here to see other Post about him) 

I am not sure if this was my original Mr. P — or his step-brother Phil (note the not so full tail feathers) but none the less he gave me a handsome side profile pose as he walked away from me.

It was just another PERFECT day… living a beautiful life, walking down my Dipity Road.

Visit Melissa, with her gathering of A Beautiful Life celebrators; and Julia at Hooked on Houses where both of these ladies share with the blogging world fun gatherings to inspire one another.

Ohh! This week at Pink Saturday Bev challenged us to each “spot light” another blog we enjoy in the Blog-o-sphere… So I am sharing simply one of the most creative Blogs I have come across. Karen is a true artist… but more important her blog is MAGIC– her music is perfect and her watercolors and imagination sublime.  Visit her at A Scrapbook of Inspiration.  Below is one of her MANY originals… such a beauty isnt it?? Ohhh and PINK! 

Have a wonderful end of the week!

TTFN~~ Claudia ♥ ♥

Traveling another Serendipitous road… took me with a  friend up into the North East mountains of Utah.

Tucked up into the Rocky mountains we visited a Cistercian monastery. The tree lined entrance was breath taking.  A group of Monks who grow crops of alfalfa and barley; 7 times during the day gather for prayer and chanting. The reverence I felt the moment we left our car was amazing. Such a simple life they lead. The chants were lovely and uplifting but it was meeting Father “Joseph” that made my day.

This darling man touched my heart. He eluded to his age; approximately in his 80’s and he told us that Monks don’t get buried in caskets but only in what he was wearing that day. With the biggest smile told us his “bags were already packed” and he patted his robe.  Would you just look at that lovely smile and those twinkling eyes!

My  friend who had driven us up,  recently lost her job. He softly said that he knew she would be employed shortly but that he would also say a prayer on her behalf.  Neither of us were Catholic, but this man of God, was so simple and pure. He said something that I will never forget as we were leaving. We told him to have a great afternoon and then  he replied, “I always do, I haven’t had a bad one yet.”  and you know what? I am sure he hasn’t.

I asked him if I might take a picture of his hands and  he laughed softly at me saying that about 50 years ago he could’ve understood why I wanted to photograph them, but now he didn’t understand. I thought his hands were glorious. They brought to mind an excerp  of one of my favorite lyrics by Kenneth Cope.

His Hands…

his hands would serve his whole life though
showing man what hands might do
giving, ever giving, endlessly
each day was filled with selflessness
and i’ll not rest until i make up my hands what they could be
’til these hands become like those from galilee

Perhaps this post might have been better, had it been posted on Sunday, but I could not wait to share this delightful day with all my friends and dear ones. I sincerely loved visiting the Monks – (thanks so much Miss Pam) Please stop by and see what others at Its a Beautiful life and Hooked on Fridays have in store for you all. Also, a new party on Sunday … visit Ginger at Spiritual Sundays.

TTFN~~Claudia ♥ ♥

As far back as I can recall I have romanticized beds,

bed linens and simply bedroom decor.

The Bed~~ where at the end of a long day we bring our weary bodies to be refreshed.

Big fluffy textures beckon us to lay on them– to rest– to read– to relax…

Our senses enhanced by soft music , fragrant perfumed pillows and dimmed light, lull us to slumber

Satins, Velvets, Cottons and tassles become  friends

Don’t you think any guest would feel welcome in this retreat?

May the end of this week be a lovely one, where you can enjoy your Beautiful Life(visit Melissa) and as you can see I am definitely Hooked on Pillows and beds. Visit Julia at Hooked on Houses… and of course Beverly at How sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday.

Grab your favorite book and glass of ice tea and enjoy a soft day– at least for a moment.

TTFN~~ Claudia  ♥ ♥