“ The mind is not a vessel that needs filling but wood that needs igniting.” – Plutarch – On Listening
Snow hasn’t quite fallen yet but the scents of winter make an appearance in both my mother’s kitchen and mine lately, filling our homes with warming spices as homemade soup bubbles away on stovetop and counter.
Spring-like temperatures and sunshine have nudged delicate white snowdrops and hardy crocuses from their beds, their early arrival making way for creamy camellia and pale pink cherry blossoms. A swathe of bright yellow daffodils have laid claim to a hillside down by the ocean creating a postcard setting rivalling any day in a spring yet to come.
There seems to be a reluctance to let go of December’s sparkle and glitter – amid murmured gasps at the Vancouver Art Gallery’ first fashion exhibit, Guo Pei: Beyond Couture, I walked through rooms filled with posing mannequins draped in fairy-tale gowns meticulously embroidered with metallic floss and sewn with the finest Swarovski crystals, their slim silhouettes casting magical shadows upon the walls, some wearing crowns on their heads like ancient Arthurian queens. Mingling among eager young fashion students and the many who couldn’t stop taking pictures, one lone woman took careful notes at the feet of each mannequin as I belatedly realized my own notebook was still at home, leaving me hopeful that my memory of this enchanting afternoon would find its way onto waiting pages. After all the glorious colour and shine, we were treated to a gallery wall screening of Guo Pei’s opulent designs – as each lovely model walked down the darkling runway, gasps from the art gallery’s patrons continued, leaving me with a feeling that the festive days of December had indeed lingered on.
This year could well be a winter without snow but with several weeks yet before the turning of a new season, this remains to be seen – a recent walk through the damp and moss draped forest revealed newly unfurled spring green ferns amid bushes still heavy with pearl-like snowberries. A sweet silence greeted us, broken only by the call of a lone raven among the gentle sounds of grazing chickadees foraging upon the forest floor, deep winter casting its hypnotic spell, weaving a different but no less wonderful world.
Now it is a bit chilly, flowers hidden behind little snow particles, crows playing in the snow, shaking the snow off of high wires from lamp posts. Very magical and quiet. As per love this
Mom
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Shopping for Sweet Lemons at our local market brought a blast of sunshine into my snowy world yesterday afternoon…thank you for telling me about them, your 3 are on the way, I’ll be walking up the hill with them later! Glad you enjoyed the read, Mom!
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I figured that there might be a photo with some snow after the last week of weather. The snow made an appearance, now spring can come. 🙂 The fashion show sounds like fun, Kim. I looked up Guo Pei: Beyond Couture on the internet and found a 9-minute video. Amazing and so extraordinarily extravagant – straight out of a fantasy book!
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Lol! When the weather turned, I thought I’d better post ASAP and include a photo of the snowy conditions…I’m so glad you checked out the video, the art gallery was very lucky to stage such a unique exhibit here in Vancouver (my lovely neighbour, Huguette, gave me a guest pass and hoped I would get a chance to check it out and I’m glad I did!). Thank you (always!), Diana, for your wonderful support!
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My pleasure, truly. 🙂
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You are a writer that takes me with on your wonderful outings! The beauty you must see daily in BC. Thank you for the museum trip and the gorgeous pics. ~k.
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Your lovely words have warmed my heart…I’m happiest knowing that someone reading my words might be able to travel with me, thank you for accompanying me on my latest outing, Kim!
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Looking forward to our continued trips! 💜
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the above comments say it all, you do indeed take us there with your skilful words and pics … a sparkly fantasyland and now for the burst of spring ❤
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Thank you so much! Your lovely words have made my day, I’m so glad you enjoyed this piece, it felt good to write about something different…fashion, who knew?!
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lol exactly, I got creative sewing a few colourful scarves to plain shirts … may have started a new fashion … nice to know we can still surprise ourselves 🙂
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They sound intriguing and very beautiful, I hope you’re wearing them everywhere!
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lol haven’t been anywhere to wear them yet, all in good time 🙂
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Thank you for sharing the joys of spring Kimberlee. I love the sound of the fairy tale gowns at the fashion show. Good for the Soul.
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I love your words, “good for the soul”, we need to seek out magic daily…I’m forever on the look out for it, Brigid! I’m looking forward to reading about your beach walks when spring comes…
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I plan to do another beach walk post Kimberlee, but first I have a lovely inland walk from last summer still to share. Hopefully, find a spot for it soon.
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I’m looking forward to it, Brigid!
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Hiya Kim, delighted to read your beautifully worded posts again. I am one of those who are ever reluctant to leave the sparkle of December behind.
Have a lovely weekend. xx
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Thank you so much for your lovely comment…your posts are calling me, and I promise, I’ll stop by soon and catch up…I’m so happy to see your words here again!
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I have been so slow with blogging and catching up with my feed. It feels good to be in the thick of it again.
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I’m glad I’m not alone…
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I felt mesmerized as I read this post Kimberlee. I really wished I was there when you were in that room full of mannequins. I wonder what my mind would’ve imagined if I saw that or for that fact how I would’ve perceived those that were observing it.
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I’m so blessed to read such lovely words on my pages, Mark! I love to bring readers on magical journeys, thank you for sharing this one with me, it means a lot!
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Your eloquence creates magical portals that would otherwise be lost to the rest of us…thanks for sharing your gifts 🙂
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“Magical portals”…I love these words, Truly! You are a joy, thank you (always!) for leaving such lovely comments…
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It’s my pleasure….your words inspire my words 🙂
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I see you’ve been busy, I’ll be by soon!
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In your own time, my friend…my “door” is always open 🙂
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See you soon…
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I always say this and i will say it once again..you write about nature in its finest…taking us all where you are exactly..the walks and the views….the experiences and the joys…yours is a love affair with nature that makes me wanna go out and wander around…sadly though we dont have that much here from where i am..but i guess i should start from my balcony where i can see and hear the birds chirping…
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Do it. Feel the breezes, the scents from trees and gardens. Gaze into the night sky, count the stars. Listen to the birds, follow their flight paths. You will find joy.
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Ohhhh that’ lovely thank you Shirley..😚😚😚
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I love my mother’s reply…starting from your balcony sounds divine, I love the sound of birds chirping and who knows, there might be a sunbeam or two! Thank you for your beautiful words, they always warm my heart, no matter the weather…
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I still have my Christmas lights draped around the living room and and turn them on every night. I feel a need for it, although the days are indeed getting longer…and yet winter lingers, in the air and the mind. (K)
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Thank you for stopping by! I’m glad that the festive season still lingers in your world, too…
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The fashion exhibit sounds exquisite and your vivid descriptions allowed me to see the mannequins right in front me, from the Swarovski crystals to the Arthurian crowns. All three of your photos look like they could be postcards! I especially like the caption you gave to the tree, “fallen giant”. It’s so apt. I hope you stay well, Kim 💜
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Your beautiful words warm my heart, Jade…your support and lovely feedback never fail to brighten my day!
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A beautiful peek into your winter world Kimberlee, as always your words took me to another place.
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Thank you, Andrea! I’m so glad you enjoyed the read, it warms my heart.
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A glimpse of such beautiful and peaceful scenery through your words. Nature is such a glorious treasure. I reminisce quite a bit about being in my grandmother’s kitchen. There is something very special indeed about hanging out in a kitchen. I really miss those days. Lovely post. 🙂
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Thank you for your lovely words…they not only warm my heart, they make it sing as well!
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I enjoy your lovely posts time after time without fail, for you do a magnificent job of bringing us all on your journeys through lovely prose and equally lovely photography!
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Your beautiful words warm my heart, it’s a joy to create the worlds I see and experience, hoping always, that others can join me on the journey!
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Your words are truly magical Kim and always weave and transport me into your world. Whether it’s nature or fairy tale fashion I feel myself immersed and I simply love it! Thank you 💚
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What lovely words to find dancing on my pages…thank you, Miriam, you’ve made my day!
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I’m so glad!
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Hi Kimberlee, you got the big snow we got this month, right? Not sure, but I was guessing. It was deep!
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This past February turned out to be the coldest on record and made the top ten snowiest! I hope spring is making an appearance down your way…
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It’s starting! I’m mostly surprised to see the bright sunny days that are cold, as I mentioned. But also … the birds. Are you hearing the spring birds too? 🙂
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I can hear them as I write this note…it will be really beautiful when the leafing of the trees begin!
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You bet!
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