♥♥♥ hope is most powerful in the face of uncertain success it is the spark of courage and stoic resolve and belief in the certainty of one’s decisions ♥♥♥ hope searches for answers that make sense of it all and still hope lingers when all, save one, have left the room ♥♥♥ they say the…
by Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen
Beautiful article Smidge! and as always, the images delicious, miss ya! Hope you and yours are doing wonderful! Can’t wait for the crisp fall air with the smells, sights, and sounds of my most fav time of the year.
Ha ha, you and Rufus will get us all drunk
Smidge, your blog posts are some of the most beautiful I have seen…your words, the colors, the pics, just beautiful!
That light martini is a real find! I’ll have a double
Sounds yummy and I love the little dishes…so sweet!
Smidge, can’t believe it….take a look at my post today….”hope” you like it….xoxmeryl
I just love your poetry ! And that photo of the elderflower slipper is so nostalgic – perfect (as always !)
i want everything on this page.. everything.. i am overcome with longing and envy.. but no.. (slow down) i am tired and when i am tired unto the bones, i love to come here to sit a while.. everything is so beautiful here.. love love celi
Yes.. I miss ya’ as well.. it’s gotten frantic/busy here with work.. I must get back to visiting everyone. This weekend will likely be my chance! I love fall.. albeit by default when there’s definitely no hope of warm weather, lol!
Now that sounded like a challenge?!
Thanks so very much, jeanne.. I really enjoyed writing this one. I think it was because I finally had some quiet/down time.. that’s when the magic happens for me:D
Haha.. I was a tad light on the gin, wasn’t I? I wondered who’d notice:D
Oh, dear.. I truly have a dish-addiction!! All are mismatched.. I don’t think I’d ever buy a “set” of dishes again.. this is more fun!
That’s so awesome!! Who would have dreamt this happening?? So cool!!
Thanks so much Carolyn:) It was a fun one to write! For some reason WP said I wasn’t following you?? So weird, anyone, I should show up as a follower not.. sometimes this system is so finicky!! At least no one’s become spam lately, lol!
Ahh.. c.. I know your kitchen counters are where I can find some of that “runny honey” I wrote of.. perhaps we should exchange:) I would be a great help, I promise! I’d better start lifting weights to get ready, though:D
I was tired to the bones last night.. and had a fretful sleep. I was so thrilled to finally have a few hours of quiet so I could write this afternoon.. I really miss it when I don’t have those moments.. ☮
Beautiful words and beautiful ice cream – it sounds phenomenal!
What a beautiful post and what a great idea to spread posts around about hope – we all need a dose of hope in our lives. I love how in the last few lines of your beautiful poem there was one little bud defying the arrival of Fall. It’s always lovely to see splashes of summer long after you know it’s been and gone. Are those measuring cups all stacked inside each other? They’re gorgeous. I would love a set like that. And I love the lemon dish for your delicious looking ice cream. And I see it has a lid – so cute! xx
It was so subtle, I loved it (well, still lovin’ it, I have some in the freezer:) I think I liked it before it was fully frozen.. sort of like soft ice cream.. xx
I thought it was a great idea as well.. I couldn’t write it straight away, but when I was ready I was happy to join by writing about hope. I think it’s a switch from awards, although they are lovely to receive as well:) They are stacked.. and I love that they are little flowers.. I have such a love for pretty little things like that, it’s becoming an addiction. Maybe I will be on a “china” hoarders show one day, lol! xx
This is really lovely, Barbara. It really is. The one thing I regularly say out loud is that I LIVE on hope! every day I nourish whatever little spark of hope I can find, and usually I can flame it into something much warmer. I really enjoyed the recipe, too, although I’m not familiar with some of the ingredients. we can just start with the fact that i don’t really know elderflowers! I will enjoy doing a little investigating, and I “hope” I can find what I need!
Beautiful all the way around…including the photographs! Debra
If hope is extinguished in one’s mind, one might as well stand at the edge of the river waiting for the boatman to arrive . . .
PS. ‘Refill as required’ – a slightly dangerous statement, methinks
!
Hope is so imperative to the everyday, in big or small ways.
And mmm I love St Germain so, yay elderflower cocktails!
Perfectly lovely as always. And enjoyed reading your words. Multi-talented and stellar in all categories. Your blog is consistently beautiful and inspiring. xxoo
Lovely, refreshing and enlightening – not just the ice cream my friend
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
The pictures are really delicious
I’m licking the screen hahahaa I also really love your 1/4 cup etc bowls!!!
Hope springs eternal and all that… I love limoncello
What a beautiful post! And yummy recipe
I got a buzz just reading the recipe!
Beautiful poem! You have such a short season up there…
What a lovely poem Barbara! I love coming here, I am always inspired by your words and pictures.
Beautiful poem Barbara. You are such a fabulous poet! I adore those flower measuring cups! So cute! And the recipes sound delish. Take care.
Gorgeous, gorgeous photos, as always. That lemon bowl for the ice cream is absolutely adorable! The martini and ice cream both sound delicious. And of course, lovely poem, thank you for sharing.
Fabulous!
Your post is just what I needed to read today and once again, you’ve lifted my spirits in such a calming way. I can only imagine how creamy, flavorful and light tasting that ice cream must be. It absolutely sounds heavenly.
Everything about this post is magical … powerful in the start with your poem, strong with the drink and with a sweet ending – I drink elderflower cordial every day – not home made, but I love the flavor so much. Can image how wonderful that ice cream is.
That ice cream looks and sounds amazing!! Beautiful words and those measuring cups are adorable!
Loved this post – thanks Barbara!
I love elderflowers – we used them all the time in Denmark. Plus limoncello? Heaven.
I love those measuring cups!
This was such an exquisite post Smidge. Light, lovely, lemony full of sun and hope. Loved your poem. You just … awe me. I love the sounds of the drink (and would dearly love to sit and sip with you…now…right about NOW) and the ice cream looks like one of the best I’ve ever seen. {sigh} xxoo will miss you!
I always look forward to reading and “seeing” your blog! Such beautiful words, gorgeous photos, and delicious recipes. I haven’t ever seen one thing I didn’t like!
Oh, yummy: elderflower is one of my favourite drink. It keeps me company through the winter months: here it is used as a remedy for colds and flu.
Your poem was absolutely beautiful, Barbara.
So happy to be back and reading your lovely prose, Smidge! I had been drooling over many of your creations on FB this last month, but it’s nice to check back in. I honestly have never had anything with elderflower in it, so I’m quite intrigued.
Another wonderful post… I also loved everything in the pictures, particularly the measuring cups, they made me dream of quiet days devoted to baking something very special to loved ones
Simply lovely
This a lovely post. I love everything about it – your poem, the photographs but most of all the sentiments.
Smidge, your poetry is one of my most favorite things. It is SO amazing and uplifting. It just makes everything…every single thing about the day…feel good. I’m so grateful you share it here. I “hope” you keep sharing it
And oh the recipes! THANK YOU! They both sound so good!!
Your photos are dreamy – are you using a filter? Amazing post and, I agree with Sarah, uplifting. xo
Beautiful post – the poetry and the ice-cream
Your talent impresses me every time. Beautiful poetry on a beautiful subject.
I’m glad you took that ice cream machine out.
So beautiful – your poetry, the sentiments and the recipes. Sigh!
Such a beautiful post as always, Smidge! xx
What beautiful writing… I especially loved the reflections on hope and that certain, undefined sadness that settles on those of us who live through the changing seasons. It’s hard for our emotions not to change at the same time, isn’t it… I feel that way; a shift in direction, a loss for a time. The underlying message of hope is so inspiring amidst this change. So glad I read this before heading to bed… thanks for this.
I hope I get to try the drink and soon! It sounds delightful Smidge – so light and sweet and refreshing…. aaaahhhhh that’s better !
That ice cream looks so refreshing
That ice cream just looks amazing. But then again, you always have a way with making food look absolutely beautiful in photos
What a delicious post, Barb, in every sense of the word. Your poetry, the images & imagery, and, of course, the recipes, all set before us on your beautiful new layout. Quite the feast!
Wow. Beautiful writing, gorgeous pics and a good stiff drink to boot. I think this is a most perfect post, Barbara
I loved this one too, it’s one of my favs:D