In Everything,Give Thanks

“Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God's handwriting - a wayside sacrament. Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing.”



-Ralph Waldo Emerson

~Art~

One of My Favorite Artist- {Gustov Klimt}

~The Places We Go~

I haven't lived too long, but so far I've seen quite a few things. I've met more people then my brain can remember, and traveled across many lands & seas. I've been blessed with a family filled with an interest and desire to enable me to learn, grow, see, taste,touch and feel for myself. I've had the pleasure of wandering the Louvre in Paris....Sipped tea, and walked through the glamorous floors of Harrods in London. I've been to bustling streets of times square in New York... I've been 'Walkin in Memphis'.... Listened to jazz in New Orleans... and of course been to Hollywood & San Fran...

But, after all my travels....where is my Favorite Place You ask?

It's quite easy...I don't even have to think about it....My favorite place to be, rain or shine, day or night, good and bad....Will always be HOME-with the people I LOVE. No place on Earth beats the feeling of living in a house filled with laughter and tears, jokes and jabs....hugs, kisses, long talks....a home where dreams are shared, and each little life and personality somehow fits perfectly besides the next. We are a seamless tapestry of different thoughts and behaviors brought together by Blood & Love. And that Can't be beat. : ) That can't be lost. That can never Fade. And so...with all the places we go...all the people we meet...There are none as irreplaceable and magnificent as the faces of the ones we love, and the hearts that unite to create a Home.

~Flowers & Food~

Hello! It's been quite a while since I've posted. Fall brings a lot of excitement, buzz, and busyness into my world. Ha!....Anyway, I've recently come across some stunning photos of outdoor events. These pictures have defiantly inspired me to have a garden party (and to create my own garden in the back of my house.) There is nothing more divine than holding a cup of tea, being surrounded by beautiful antique china, and the sweet aroma of fresh flowers! I hope this sparks some creativity...Hope these beginning fall months are going splendidly for you....Enjoy!

Rayah's Cream Tea Recipe:

*2-3 [English/Irish/French] Tea Bags

(You can pick any of the above, my favorite lately has been the London Cuppa...If you are in a European area and can get to a Laduree-You must get your hands on their loose leaf teas. They are amazing!) I like my tea a little stronger so I use 3 bags.

*Cream

(I prefer 2% milk-either on the side, or stirred right into the tea pot)

*Sugar

(Cubed or grain. I stir 1/2 a cup into big tea pot)

There it is! I have this tea just about every morning along side a scone or toast...It is delicious, filling and relaxing...Hope you enjoy it! ; )

Crazy Little Thing Called {Love}

Just a thought....



A bell is no bell 'til you ring it,
A song is no song 'til you sing it,
And love in your heart
Wasn’t put there to stay
-Love isn’t love'Til you give it away.



...Take time to spread love. To those near to you, those who may be strangers to you.....



"Hate leaves ugly scars, love leaves beautiful ones. "


Nothing too profound tonight-just think about it. Make the world a little sweeter. Take action. Give Your Love Away. It always comes back around.
xoxo Rayah

Beauty Lost-Time to Find

It's one of those reflection days. I've been thinking, reasoning, wondering. There are some days I'd like to throw my cell phone into the ocean, delete all connection to social networks, and shut down my laptop. So much beauty is quietly being painted over by a somewhat bland, overrated, overruned, and incredibly tasteless form of society. All that was once unique, ornate, colorful and skillful is fading. The art of music, the way each instrument was carefully tuned, impeccably played, and intensely studied. The organic way of living with fresh fruits, vegetables, homemade pies, and dinners spent together. The world of books, the beauty of written language. Moments of peace and quiet where the only sound you hear is the movement of the forest and the brush of wind against the trees. Communicating through hand written letters, a nice ring on the telephone, or something quite foreign now days-dropping by to say hello. Instead we keep connections through a cyber world. A world where people can create a facade to hide behind. We become more isolated in our corner typing, txting and emailing away. All mystery of an individual is being stripped away. The fight on the old world is about as fair as bows and arrows against machine guns. Find the beautiful life again. Pick up a book, immerse yourself in a new world and meet new characters. Take a trip. Pack up your bag and go on an adventure. Write a letter, visit a friend. Cook, bake, breathe. Take a bubble bath, take a swim. Take a break. Unplug the stimulation, and plug into the big world around you.

~Discovering Me~

I turned twenty this month. It was the first birthday I've had where I can actually say I felt old. I know, I know...everyone says it's still quite young, life has just begun. However, I felt an intense urgency to really go for what I want...I then faced the bottomless pit of a question, What do I want? And boy, do I want it all. I want to inhale as much beauty, and experience from this life as I can. I want to see the world. I want to be highly educated. I want to create. I want to learn all I can from those older then me, while reaching out to those who are comin up behind me. I want to paint, photograph, sculpt, draw, design. I want a go on an adventure. I want to write a book. But as we all know, dreams don't show up one day. You have to go after them. Fight for them. Believe in them. And for the first time in twenty years, I've felt deeply unsatisfied with where I'm at. And completely ready to set out on my journey to be...Me. Winston Churchill was full of witty expressions. One of my favorites, "I am easily satisfied, with the very best." To all of you out there, make this year the best of your life. The most productive. Work hard, dream big, and love with everything you've got. One Life. One Shot.

~The English~

I have a deep love for all things English, and by that I mean from England. The British have a way about them that captivates me. Such charm and manner, things that have practically disappeared now days. I love their style, their speech, their traditions, their humor and so on. I had a chance to visit England two years ago, and it was everything I thought it would be and more. Such a deep history, amazing tales and the best of stories have come out of that land. Not forgetting to mention my passion for tea time! : ) And boy-do they know how to put on a tea party. Their scones were out of this world! I am blessed to have a Mother who shares my Love. Our house is a beautiful warm place, eclectic in decor with gorgeous European pieces from all over. I am currently watching, "Daniel Deronda" written in the 1800's. Nothing like BBC. I'm about to make another pot of tea, while I sit by the fire and watch this lovely tale, on this rainy day. I hope you all have a lovely evening, join me if you can for a moment to relax and breathe...have a cup of tea. ; ) ....quote from Deronda, "Read Widely-Think Deeply."

~Dream BIG!~

I've been in a creative mood lately. : ) Writing a lot, singing a lot, dreamin a lot....I'm SO ready to chase those dreams that are buried deep inside of me! I already feel that 2010 is going to be an exceptionally good year....I want to grow deeper in so many areas...I want to love more & look at the beautiful sides of life-(we all know what the bad and the ugly look like!) lol....Prayer is a Big focus....It should be what life is centered around...& for Sharayah Starr it will be ; ) Set a goal this week-and work towards it! 'Every day is a new beginning. Treat it that way. Stay away from what might have been, and look at what can be.!' ~Marsha Petrie~ Have a Lovely Week Everyone!!!