Willie Wonka's Chocolate Factory

 A Lovely Place To Be

 Enjoy the little things... for one day you'll look back and realize they were the big things. - Anonymous

How would you like to get a pass that will allow you to get into Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory? Moreso, how would you like to be the recipient of a lifetime supply of chocolates?

Yes! And yes! to that.

That, indeed, would be my lovely place to be - and I know just how to do that.

By perusing the pages of one of my treasure albums.

From one of its pocket pages will first fall out a toothpicked photograph. That of a squiggly, bald, wide-eyed baby boy.

Then, a Golden Ticket.

Mementoes of First Grandson's birthday when he turned one.

I remember.

Willy Wonka was the party theme.

Although we didn't quite re-create a palace made out of chocolate nor serve ice cream that didn't melt in the sun, First Daughter saw to it that there was chocolate galore -  from a three-foot fountain with a crown at the top and stacked tiers over a basin of chocolate fondue in which fresh strawberries could be dipped.

A cake was meticulously decorated by Second Daughter/Godmother Nani with spice drops and dots, and M&Ms were scattered throughout. Trees of Kisses and Hugs lined level and undulating surfaces to emulate a Wonka-ish wonderland of magic and whimsy.

Lolo had obliged to be the colorfully-dressed, small, spritely Willie Wonka. I may have worn wide slacks to mimic being a teeny Oompa-Loompa.

I still pull out my Golden Ticket from time to time to recreate that especial time in that lovely place.

A moment that has become a memory.

A memory that has become my treasure.

Madeleine And Tea At Combray

A Lovely Place To Be

Within the pages of my favorite books and treasure albums is a profusion of lovely places to be.

That's where I'd like to take you in this series.

*****

First, Combray. 

The fictional town created by Proust in Remembrance of Things Past.

It is here where the first scenes of the novel take place.

And suddenly the memory returns. The taste was that of the little crumb of madeleine which in Sunday mornings at Combray... when I went to say good day to her in her bedroom, my aunt Leonie used to give me, dipping it first in her own cup of real or of lime-flower tea.

I so love this passage because of the exquisite connection of flavor and memory it explores.

... No sooner had the warm liquid, and the crumbs with it, touched my palate than a shudder ran through my whole body, and I stopped, intent upon the extraordinary changes that were taking place.

I was obsessed. I'd actually searched and found madeleines (at Trader Joe's, if you're curious and/or interested).

I wanted Combray.

Even now, when things are broken and scattered, I like to think that I can nibble on this delicate scallop-shaped spongy French tea cake, as I sip lemon-flavored tea.  

And the smell and taste of things that had remained poised a long time, like souls, will be ready to remind me, waiting and hoping for their moment.

Winter

Four Seasons  

I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, "Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again." - Lewis Carroll

It is getting cold. Winter is putting footsteps on the garden.

 Snowy blanket covers all. 

Moon eerily peers through scrawny, blackened maple branches.

Lit reindeers cavort on snowy ledge. Photo: V.E.V., Columbus, Ohio: December 12, 2020 

Snow, like kisses from heaven, is sparkling like a million little suns.

Downtown Snow. Photo: I.T.V., Columbus, Ohio: December 13, 2016

But to tell you the truth, I like snow... when it comes in a paper cone and is covered in chocolate syrup.

             Can anyone tell me where the Delete Winter button is?

Fall

Four Seasons  

Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall. - F. Scott Fitzgerald

The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves. 

Red and gold leaves from maple trees abound.

Rising Sun Redbud bush shows off spectacular profusion of pea-like pale pink, bright peach, orange, and yellow-speckled lime green heart-shaped leaves. Photo: V.E.V., Columbus, Ohio: September 18, 2023

Neighbor's spooky skull arbor. Photo: V.E.V., Columbus, Ohio: September 29, 2023

Fall... the year's last, loveliest smile - showing us how beautiful it is to let things go.

Summer

Four Seasons 

 I love how summer just wraps its arms around you like a warm blanket. - Kellie Elmore

I'm glad it's finally hot to complain about how hot it is.

Furry backyard denizens Chip and Sniffy share a bowl of bird seed.

Winged regulars (from left): blue jay, robin, and cardinal. Photos: V.E.V., Columbus, Ohio

Summer glow

Summer night is like a perfection of thought. You can stretch right up and touch the sky.

Rare sighting of a brilliant yellow American goldfinch perched on the drinking bowl. Photo: V.E.V., Columbus, Ohio

Night Visitors. Family of raccoons raid Chip's food stash.

Dear spring, I love my summer critters.

I'm breaking up with you.

Summer is hotter

than you. 

Spring

Four Seasons 

The seasons are what a symphony ought to be: four perfect moments in harmony with each other. - Arthur Rubinstein

Indeed. 

Each moment of the year has its own beauty. Thus, this series.

Let the imagery speak for itself and be a celebration of earth's seasonal transformations. 

***

Nothing ever seems impossible in spring, you know. - M.M. Montgomery

No matter how long the winter, snow gives way to the will of spring.

Left: Crabapple tree in full bloom. Right: Yellow daffodils spring forth. Photo: I.T.V., Columbus, Ohio

Ahhh... spring. It unlocks flowers to paint the laughing soil. 

Lilac blossoms lend their perfume to the air.

Azul's tree blooms with pink blossoms. Photo: I.T.V., Columbus, Ohio: April 18, 2020

And Spring arose on the garden fair,

Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;

And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast

rose from the dreams of its wintry rest. - Percy Bysshe Shelley

Spring has sprung.

Here's to lots of warm and sunny days to come!

Y'ALL!

Gratitude 

I smile because you're my family. I laugh because there's nothing you can do about it. - Anonymous

To me, family is not just an important thing. It is everything. That's why I'm grateful for you all.

Left: Family Dinner at Uncle Julio's. Right: First Grandson Takes The Gold. 51st AAU Boys Junior National Volleyball Championships. Orlando, Florida: July 2024

For being your amazing self.

For having been faithful readers of my blogs for eight years now. The very first one, In The Beginning, was posted on November 25, 2016.

For participating in and tolerating my piddly contests. BTW, here are responses received on "recurring November theme/imagery": 

AVH - The recurring theme is ELASTIC WAISTBANDS!!

ITV - Reference to elastic waistbands! I win! I bluffed when replying all that I may not have time!

Yup, you're both so right!

A long time ago, when I tried on a pair of skinny-fit jeans and it didn't look good, I just threw it on the floor. Like, No, you don't deserve to be hung up. Sit there and think about what you've done.

When it tried to reason out and told me to walk and exercise, I was like, Nah. I'm good.

Today, my pants have absolutely no desire to fit in (LOL... pun totally intended).

As winners:

* ITV, you'll be treated to brunch or Happy Hour at The Goat

* AVH, you'll get a Vietnamese specialty banh mi + dessert (to make up for "lost" pie slice that was supposed to have been shipped to you by ITV); both to be delivered to Queen's (you'll be texted of date and time)

For YOU ALL, I give thanks for being the compass that guides me. My inspiration to reach great heights. My comfort when I falter.

And when we dine out together, as is our wont, I'd definitely remember to put on my awesome ELASTIC-WAISTBAND PANTS and look fabulous!