Life is a Bed of Roses

Life.  It's a bed of roses...except when it isn't.  We take the soft, fragrant blossoms along with the thorns.  That's life.  Unpredictable and ever changing, with the seasons, with the years.  For all our planning, decision making, and focus, life has a way of surprising - even shocking us.  Sometimes, we get hurt, and bleed - those damn thorns!

Roses are part of the milestones of our lives.  They're in every conceivable bouquet from the welcoming of the birth of a baby, to moving into a new home, graduating from high school, or university, celebrating an engagement, wedding, new job, new business, or retirement. They offer encouragement to someone fighting illness, or gentle consolation to those mourning a death.

With my birthday approaching, I'm getting philosophical (although Scorpios are born with a degree in Philosophy).  If there's wisdom gained in aging, it's in a renewed appreciation for life.  Live life!  Enjoy the small moments every day.  No matter what is going on with you, take time to smell the roses!

Taking time each day to detach myself from any stress, any responsibility, any thorn in my side, and enjoy life's simple pleasures, has helped to get me through difficult times, or just the mundane everyday blahs.  I practice Mindful Meditation, laugh with friends on Facebook, share meals with the wonderful people I live with, meet friends for coffee, go for a walk with my camera, bake, bike six miles on a stationary bike, watch a movie.  The problems don't go away, however, they're so much easier to deal with when I am calm, centred and joyful.

I'm working right now...and enjoying listening to a Paris-based Australian on-line radio station, Kitten D'Amour, while talking with you.  Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield, Michael Buble, Frank Sinatra and French techno-pop artists have been hanging out at my computer, while I type, and sip dark roast coffee.  We're having a party!

Even when I do housework, I've got Motown, or Stevie Ray Vaughan turned up loud enough to hear the music in the other rooms of my home.  There's nothing like dancing to the Blues to chase the blues away!

Maybe you can't dance everywhere...well, you can still tap your feet, under your desk.  You can still snap your fingers in time to the muzak playing at the grocery store.  Choosing tomatoes takes on a cool sophistication when you snap your fingers to a the jazz, or 60's rock that fills the store.

While you're at the grocery store, pick up a bouquet of roses!

 It's Sunday night...a new work week is about to begin.  Take time this week, to smell the roses!

Photographs Copyright of:  Ruth Adams, Widow's Endorphins Photographic Images Incorporated

Postcards from Balconville!

It's the August long weekend.  While many are heading to the cottage for BBQ's and lake swims, others are vacationing in town.  Montrealers have an expression for it:  passer ses vacances a Balconville.  In other words, a staycation on the balcony!  There's nothing quite like being on a balcony, surrounded by flowers!

Having a wonderful time, wish you were here!

Photographs Copyright of Ruth Adams, Widow's Endorphins Photographic Images Incorporated.

First Day of Summer!

(6:34pm EDT)  Welcome Summer, with your warm sunshine, fragrant flowers, long days at the beach, pretty outdoor weddings, sweet berries with whipped cream, and refreshing lemonade.

The 2016 Summer Solstice shares a rare full moon.  For the first time since 1967, a Strawberry Moon takes place within hours of the arrival of Summer.  It is called Strawberry Moon, because June is strawberry time in our part of the world.  Get out those telephoto lenses, because the next full moon to arrive on the Summer Solstice is in 2062!

As for me, I'm enjoying the macro world of floral closeups.  This rose was photographed on my balcony a few hours ago. The Rosa Hybrid Royal Bonica shrub rose is described as a "vigorous grower", blooming from Summer to Autumn.  You'll be seeing more of this rose in the coming days!

In celebration of the arrival of Summer, and tonight's "once in a lifetime" Strawberry Moon, enjoy:

Strawberry Moon Shortcakes with Rose Whipped Cream

2 C all-purpose flour

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp salt

1 Tbsp sugar

6 Tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces

3/4 C Half and Half (also called Coffee Cream, or 10% cream)

3-4 C fresh strawberries, sliced

2 Tbsp sugar (optional)

2 C whipping cream 

1 tsp rosewater (or 1 tsp vanilla)

fresh rose petals (pesticide free roses!)

Preheat oven to 450F.  Combine all of the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.  Cut in the chilled butter, coating the butter pieces in the flour mixture.  Cut until the mixture has the texture of breadcrumbs.  Add the Half and Half, and stir until the mixture is just moist.  Lightly flour your hands, and gently knead the dough.

Turn the dough onto a floured countertop, and pat it down to 3/4" thick.  Use a round cookie cutter, or glass to cut the dough into 3" rounds.  Resist the temptation to twist the cookie cutter, instead, use a straight down and up motion, so that the shortcakes will rise evenly.  Place the shortcakes on an ungreased baking sheet, and bake for 10 to 12 minutes.  At this point, the shortcakes may be cooled, or served warm out of the oven.

Add the sugar to the sliced strawberries.  Whip the chilled whipping cream into softly formed peaks. Add the rosewater, and give the cream a quick whip to blend in the rosewater.

Assemble by slicing each shortcake in half.  Top the bottom layer with strawberries, place the top layer on top, add more berries, and a generous dollop of the whipped cream.  Sprinkle with a few rose petals.

I've made this several times over the years, using chocolate brownies or lemon loaf as a substitute for the shortcakes.  Go gentle on the rosewater, as it can be overpowering in the whipping cream.  Adjust it to your taste.

Happy Summer everyone!  For readers in the Southern Hemisphere, take heart that your days can only get longer!

P.S.

This lovely First Day of Summer Rose flare dress is now in my on-line shop!  Just go to: http://bit.do/flare-dress  Once you're in the shop, click on the dress for the full 3-D view, and give the dress a twirl!

Photograph copyright of:  Ruth Adams, Widow's Endorphins Photographic Images Incorporated.