The Best is Yet to Come, & Babe Won't it Be Fun

Happy 2011!!! There is nothing like the feeling of a fresh, brand new year! As Anne says, "A new day, with no mistakes in it." One thing I love about the new 365 days, is the chance to make things right. I believe God has given every individual a life, and with that life a way to make a difference, and with a new year, a chance to be better. I was day dreaming, and I thought how special we all are. We've been given a single life-time, a moment in history--to, for lack of a better phrase, "BE." I get to leave my mark on the world! Whether it is a beautiful, colorful mark, or a dark one...it is ultimately in my hands. I feel as though I have fresh eyes when a new year starts. I can honestly look at where I'm at, where I've been, and where I want to go. My family sat down the other night and we all wrote down three of our goals. We shared them and prayed together. I never take a moment like that for granted. I'm ready to begin on another blissful dawn & day. I believe the best is yet to come. You have the opportunity to be all you want to be, if you dream, and if you work. Never give up, you have one life...and even that goes too fast. Too fast for us to take time to hate, hurt, or hold on to the past. It's just enough time though, to Love. Sorry if this turned into more of a diary entry. :) But it is raw from my mind and heart. I hope your year will be filled with lovely surprises, advancements in your journey, and motivation to lead the life you were meant to live. I'm going to end with lyrics to a wonderful song by The Script...Chase down those dreams, don't take a moment for granted. I believe in You! Xoxo

Gotta start

Lookin at the hands of the time we've been given it

This is all we got and we gotta start pickin it

Every second counts on a clock that's tickin'

Gotta live like we're dying

We only got86, 400 seconds in a day to

Turn it all around or to throw it all away

We gotta tell 'em that we love 'em

While we got the chance to say

Gotta live like we're dying

And if your plane fell out of the sky

Who would you call with your last goodbye

Should be careful who we let fall out of our lives

So when we long for absolution

There'll no one on the line

Gotta start

Lookin at the hands of the time we've been given it

This is all we got and we gotta start pickin it

Every second counts on a clock that's tickin'

Gotta live like we're dying

We only got86, 400 seconds in a day to

Turn it all around or throw it all away

We gotta tell 'em that we love 'em

While we got the chance to say

Gotta live like we're dying

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.