AS LONG AS THERE ARE ROSES

“Until we have met the monsters in ourselves, we keep trying to slay them in the outer world. And we find that we cannot. For all darkness in the world stems from darkness in the heart. And it is there that we must do our work.” ― Marianne Williamson,

Cheesecake! Unfortunately, I've reached my quota for the year.
No sweets till Christmas. 

Mexico unbelievably suffered an earthquake - again! I am seated here with my coffee caught half way between lip and mid-air, sad and gravely sobered. 

The United Nations heard a seething speech on how certain rogue nations are likely lined up for err...roasting. No sweet feels there. Sometimes ballistic words need to be launched to target a meaning. Remember humanity, there is no rising from the dead in the event of a nuclear war, right? Who will carry the conscience?  

GAIA is traumatized! I can't bear to mention everything, and I'm not CNN anyway, but - the way catastrophes  and other calamities puss the planet this exact moment, you'd think a galactic virus had been beamed from space paralyzing our common sense to thrive! 

The world is a Shamalan movie meets Freddie Kruger, and unless you're darkly holed up in your own shades of grey self - cave, I've no idea how this universal dyspepsia could escape anyone. 

Doesn't mean we give in to despair though. No. Never.  As long as there are roses there is hope! As long as there are fields of flowers, and farmers of flowers,  and merchants of flowers, and establishments with flowers, and homes laced with flowers, and folks holding flowers, it means one thing: that the world is still partnered with love! 

Despite despots and despair the world breathes through people with an emphatic spirit of ascension. The brave ones that do battle with body, mind and soul. They dare look within their darkness to carve out a way for light.  Their transformation is so luminous, they evolve from mere breathing beings to somnolence of light. To meet them is to change,  and I have met some of them. 

Who are they? Where do you find them? 

Exactly, I cannot tell. One thing I know, they are not to be found in fancy restaurants, or in noisy bars, or in podiums of preachiness. They simply wander into your life when you are quiet and ready.  And there lies the secret. That in the midst of this world's chaos, you must invite the pure part of the mind to be your guide. You must allow it to walk you through distractions and forebodings until you have carved out your own pool of light. 

There, they will meet you, in your luminescence, bearing roses.  

“Let your life lightly dance on the edges of
Time like dew on the tip of a leaf.”
― Rabindranath Tagore

Starting The Week with A Feels for the Marvelous! :D

“Stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight.” 

~ Gordon B. Hinckley

Good morning! Glorious feeling over here with sweet sunlight and a rush of  the good life. Life should be good, full of yum and fun and satisfaction. Even in the midst of challenges and the everyday hum- drum ov' it all, there ought to be healthy space for calm and recollection. 

  I am ever so grateful for deep brown/black coffee with just a touch of cream and side serving of cookie. There's inspiration and renewal and that palpitating excitement of newness! This week is going to be vavoom' I can tell! O yes, I can tell because I am gong to MAKE IT SO!!! For one, there's a stash of new books to peruse, one particularly I' m currently so in luv' with! It's a fantastic cookbook - quite vintage, and yes, I'm going to blog about it but not just yet. There's a lot of cooking in sight - plus, I'm planning a bit of a fun happening. 

My exercise routine takes full swing, and so does my doodle art and writing. What's important to me right now is how I feel. I intend to feel my optimal best - mentally and physically HEALTHY!  It would take discipline and a lot of loving - and yes, I'm all for that. I won't look around for inspiration - I will be my own inspiration - and my own discipline officer, haha!

This typing here is  quite a rush as there's something that needs to be done at the moment. I'll be back later to chat this space up. Meantime, all is well, all is fab, all is glam! :D

Singapore Trip and The Great Shout Out for Inspiration

Roselle Quin's Slidely Gallery by Slidely Photo Gallery

If Slidely folds up I am so - ahem' - screwed. I've been posting slides for months now, and if for any  reason Slidely decides to bid adieu, then, alas, all my dazzling posts will be bereft ( as in VOID) of glamour pictures, haha!  And -- the posts hardly make a dent without the visuals, aiks!

Ah, gad, here I am once again worrying, worrying, worrying about anything and everything! It's a grand past time of mine lately, the worrying thing. You name, I'l worry about it! I'm not so batty tho, as I still have a third of my innate sense of humor intact - at least I think so.

In fact, I was over at my SWEET SEMANTICS  blog, chatting it up a bit because that site, wow, it's gone stale! The page is all but a dormant volcano left to snooze for 10 centuries! Strangely, writing there  gave me a surge of typing inspiration which  coursed  through my fingers. Here I am therefore, blabbering and calling out to my writing angels and muses for a much needed and desired visitation.

Oh, my dearest writing angels and muses, come to me, as I desperately  want to revive my writing stamina! I want want WANT my blogging(s) to be more alluring, more....magnetizing...more charismatic...more revealing and connecting. I need to resurrect my sense of semantics and my deep passion for stringing words and offering it bravely to the world!  

Now, about my head tensions, they have eased somehow. For this I am wholeheartedly grateful to our dear Lord and all heavenly divine friends. There is a more "normal" feel to my entire being - more specifically the past days.  I believe I'm getting there. There being the feeling of being entirely, completely healthily my old/new self.  I feel saner, lighter, stronger.

My anxiety  attacks brought about by lingering ails' are quiet and pacified. I am happier...happy enough to get back to my artistic endeavors with renewed vigor. Two dolls are in the making. They are ever so sweet, and I am excited to post about them - very soon.

Vanilla Afternoon with my Son! :D

Wee'...woke up really late today. Hubby out of the country and the boys busy with work so it's just

me with everything that involves my own activities. I'm foreseeing a quiet busy two days of writing and the rest of the week filled up with even more writing, art, photo's, a dinner out and meet-up with friends.

I had a charming weekend, with particular emphasis on the "date" I had with my youngest son. I've always wanted to check out this "Vanilla Bakery" place I've heard about and lo, the moment popped up just right in time! It's a pretty gurly' place - with sprays of pastel and lovely frills;   I was glad my son gamely obliging. It was heartwarming to have that private time to hear what's actually going on in his life , work, play, troubles, plans, hopes. As a mom, the ping to step in and give all sorts of advise springs forth naturally. However, I do realize, I must  step back and let them (both my boys) handle their own challenges. Perhaps this will evolve as a ritual with my two sons. It's great going out with friends, there's so much loveliness in that; but to have your own children as lifelong friends, willing and enjoying to lunch you out is a golden blessing. Praise. 

An Afternoon with Mikee by Slidely Slideshow

January's Poetry: Morning Walks

Roselle Quin

“My work is the world. Here the sunflowers, there the hummingbird - equal seekers of sweetness. Here the quickening yeast; there the blue plums...” ~ Mary Oliver, Thirst

Roselle Quin

Instead of the news, which bleeds the heart and dehydrates the soul to parchment pieces, there is walking and poetry- in the mornings - early - then back with a luminous offering for the day: Mary Oliver assuredly knows about this for she happens to be my soul companion. I search for the "terror breath" amidst the soil and moss and find it, my end of the world. Her eyes, ears, nose and skin are as mine searching, welcoming, open and introspective to the details of  nature. 

Roselle Quin

Unlike Mary, who literally employed herself to the valiant bountiful and available woods of her life, I need to take a hundred steps to discover mine. 

Living in a harsh, chaotic modern city is not the ideal of places to find walking trails littered with trees, birds or flowers - but God be blessed, I am always planted at places most conducive to the soul propitious for meanderings. 

Today, there is much to write about, which in itself is balm for my mind. There are words un-uttered, phrases un-tried, patois to discover and one's own parlance to cultivate as of a dried field awaiting the inauguration of rain.  I write my own poetry too.

Today's January Morning 2016

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This is my early morning walk - save for the cat picy' which I took yesterday. Meet"Twilight"...infinitesimal cat who follows me wherever I'm at.

I am excited about being here, walking, taking in the expanse of January green which is rarely seen in my city. There is a moment when I take my phone out and click and snap..the bushes..the grass..the pinks, as if by doing so my mind could drink in the site like vitamins to the soul.

Today is a day of "starts"....

A day of starting to write my  glitter goals, starting to journal my spiritual journey, starting to create what I've longed for to manifest and have yet to...starting to believe..truly believe..starting to shower my self with exquisite care..starting to laugh more..starting to share more..starting to trust more....starting to learn more..starting..starting.starting..what a hopeful vibrant synergy of possibilities.

My word for the year is ---vivacious!! 

Can't be helped. 

My follicles and pores are excited. :D

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(✿◠‿◠) ❄ The Royal Touch Gourmet Cafe with Rowie

Roselle Quin with Rowie Barnes 

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I'll have to head back to SM Aura to see for myself! 

According to our friendly server, the "Carolyn Robb Royal Touch Gourmet Bakery" underwent a conclusive critical concept change in their original place! 

Oh...Noooooooo'...that cannot be! I was all eyes and ears agog!

"It's a seasonal thing, cupcakes," she said, "so the menu was spruced somewhat,  I couldn't help  a decibel of distress, "Oh, but surely it's still the same cup-cakery as here, noh?!?  "Well, um,ah..." with bated reluctance, "...it's all kinda' different now," she tsks' to that and nods! 

Quite alarming. I truly must venture. 

There was always the notion of going back of course, but life happens - it always does - and then a year. - I remember sweet how I heaved and sighed at my first bite of that strawberry chocolate red velvet cupsy! Pleasure of pleasures!  I'm not a cupcake gal by any stretch but, wow, was I definitely sold!  Which makes this changing - concept  a trifle upsetting. 

If the cupcakes are no more, then there's a Change.org petition on the mount, haha! 

(✿◠‿◠) ❄。¨¯`*✲ ´*。.❄¨¯`*✲。

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Must admit I never did take  particular notice of the good lady, Carolyn Robb.

I was under the peripheral impression she was  likely (just) your regular fancy dessert professional, hall -of - fame cake and  bake pastry winner -  too' smartsy' like that - totally far and above my league in the sweet creativity  arena + hailing from  a land far-a'far somewhere turned super mega - upsy' trillionaire  crafting ribbon-nette  twines of fancy butter creamy mini cakes in paper cones served with coffee or tea, hehehe! :D

Credit to my rosy grey cells, my perceptions weren't all that off mind you, but a little added twist to who she is endeared me a tad bit more.

As it so happened, I was early for my meet at 'Resort's World' with good friend Rowie.
Strolled a bit, and after a search for the perfect quiet to sip the morning up, I came across
"The Royal Touch"    a step behind Cafe Maxim's. 

Roselle Quin - The Royal Touch 

Rowie Barnes

 I had the charm and quaint all to myself and fancied a cup of coffee to while - the - while in writing. 

While waiting my eyes scored, scanned and roamed the entire place resting on the picture of the framed acclaimed woman from whom all frostings flows.

Carolyn Robb, it read,
"Chef to the Royal family herself...preps food and luscious cakes for royal parties..taste the wedding cake of Prince William...etc..etc!
T'was all  tweetum' glory!

Aha'... okay...so that's who she is, brings new meaning to the phrase creme - de la creme, haha!

Dawned on me she must be quite the international celebrity - interesting! Haven't looked her up online but it would be a cute curiosity to dig a'more about her story. I always have a thing for a fine true  life tale.

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Needless to say, the day was marvelously memorable!  My friend, Rowie, and I immensely enjoyed the tea served us. Astonishingly superlative, relaxing with whiffs of petals and woodsy berries swirled with hints of orange vanilla. 

Wait...enjoyed is an understatement!   

We adored both teas we sampled! Some days this good 'ol'   universe plops  you with a refined surprise, in a cup,  and  we sure had a respectable much  of  it! 

A shame tho' that  I can't for  good sense sake recall what teas we savored. There were three choices, so if you're ever by the place, two of those were what we had, haha! 

Jhing,wish you were with us!  If you're reading this, know we're planning a pre -Christmas rendezvous-  this November or early December. The full brunch, lunch, theater, dinner and perhaps even an overnight stay. Missed you here so a take two is pretty most definitely on the works! It'll be quite the party! 

Hasta luego mis amigas! 

(✿◠‿◠) ❄。¨¯`*✲ ´*。.❄¨¯`*✲。

Tea at The Royal Touch

(✿◠‿◠)The Sunflower Bench✿

Roselle Quin

“Sometimes since I've been in the garden I've looked up through the trees at the sky and I have had a strange feeling of being happy as if something was pushing and drawing in my chest and making me breathe fast. Magic is always pushing and drawing and making things out of nothing. Everything is made out of magic, leaves and trees, flowers and birds, badgers and foxes and squirrels and people. So it must be all around us. In this garden - in all the places.”~ The Secret Garden

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The afternoons are of no use - it rains. It rains - a - lot. No space for garden work during the monsoons when the 'noons are drenched in pettite' pours and shimmie' plops at precisely indeterminate timings. It's here, it's not - simply no telling when the skies will water except that it happens after lunch! --- No, this isn't my garden, heeha! :D

Roselle Quin at Sonya's Garden

These pics were taken last summer when friends and I went 'summering' in Sonya's Garden. A pretty garden to roam in still, but the presence of too much folks, compared to the first I strolled the place, was quite off putting. - Nevertheless, my sweet glams and I  savored the moment spent and had  the time of our lives taking turns photographing each other, haha!

What I adore in Sonya's garden, are the little twisty paths that tempts one to explore. As a profound lover of paths and inner dirt roads be it stone cobbled, pebbled or grassed, these twinee' diversions are lavish enticements to me. 
"Come, take a step, get lost in life and find another," it murmurs. Reality taps on my shoulder reminding, "there isn't time." 

Agh, there isn't time, always the time! I turn to a leaf and instruct it to be till time creates the occasion for another visit. I sit down for one last shot in the Sunflower Bench, a sublime throne of flower power. 

-- An ardor  of petal-ish' joy overpowers my senses.

What a pleasant attack, I feel! 

Nature assaults most  juicily. 

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It Only Takes One Star: Persistence

Roselle Quin ~ "Afternoon Tea at The Shang" 

September seems to be a month of recurring challenges. The first week alone saw a trip to the hospital with the hubby slumped in a bout of nasty flu. Sporadic allergic feelies' have descended on me after that episode - not surprising - the onset of the "Ber"months have always been a pesky trigger to my seasonal rhinitis. Agh' just talking about this makes my left eye spasm and twitch! Thank goodness I don't feel as weakish' - I remember years  ago how frighteningly soggy'I  went, half breathing, wheezing and teary  red eyed  from inhaling.  ------ I've been dawdling with a low'vibe energy these last few days; a trailing elk'from the nasties'. Good to know, 'cause at least I'm  much aware that this'ill - turn 'round pretty soon. Meanwhile, I'm doing my bit to carry me out of this stupor, First thing is to reminisce on happy occasions represented by these pictures here. Been awhile since I've done something this dainty cute' involving violins and mini conciertos'..I could, in fact, I probably should,   to get me'self tuned up. I will.

"It only takes one star to pierce a universe of darkness."

~ Richelle E. Goodrich

Roselle Quin ~" Afternoon Tea at The Shang"

Right now tho'there are  things I need to 'start'and follow up and put in order and launch. A myriad mix of the mundane and exciting. There's nobody to do the WANTS I want done , so I'm counting on me', the Holy Mother and St. Therese in petitions to the dear Lord. 

If I get on the move, I'm up for little victories, Victories, whatever scale deserve sweet cute celebratory whoohoos' and that's where the plans come in. Oh, I need my quirky rosie' imagination to get me going. It's all grey in me right now - but as they say, it only takes one star to pierce a universe of darkness.  And you know me....ever always all about the shine. 

How To Make a Smashing Week

Roselle Quin photo:
"Tea by the Pool"

Write it on your heart
that every day is the best day in the year.
He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day
who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety.

Finish every day and be done with it.
You have done what you could.
Some blunders and absurdities, no doubt crept in.
Forget them as soon as you can, tomorrow is a new day;
begin it well and serenely, with too high a spirit
to be cumbered with your old nonsense.

This new day is too dear,
with its hopes and invitations,
to waste a moment on the yesterdays. 

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Felicitations to a new week! 

My best brightest self welcome's Monday with a favorable juicy feel for the positive. Major compelling realizations have popped and  shape shifted in my mind. I am soaked in plans and dreams and decisions. The heavens will be my guide, my inspiration, my connection. Yes, no  mortal muse can entice me.  My plans are as a big and venturous as never before!

There is work to do, but make no mistake dear me, there is no room for drab or dreary. Labor will be intensive but suffused with relish and recreation. One must be in love with one's work. One must be in love with one's days - the minutes, hours and seconds not left to dawdle by itself - there is harm in that. 

How does one make a smashing week? 

Specially after having dealth with the naughtiness of  past weeks gone? Why,  by blessing the what-not's of  troubles a - visiting and thanking them all for lessons learned, stamina built and new hopes aroused. If it were not for the challenges of the past weeks, I wouldn't have had this vision for a future I desire to experience. I can almost feel it. I am almost there. 

Much to scribble, even more to scrawl and I am compelled to begin. This particular rumination, I bring to conclusion with the burning thought that I should write it upon my heart that each day is the best day of the year. 

Alive. Daring. Brave.

Do visit: Roselle Quin's Fine Poetry

The Enchanting Legend of the Koi Fish

Roselle Quin photos taken at Koi pond in Greenbelt, Makati - Philippines

Being a true mermaidy'  Piscean, I hugely adore pools of any sort and remember fondly how sweet and  lovely my grandmother's koi pond was! She had an interesting 60's wood slated sliding door in her Asian inspired home that splendidly opened to a gleaming water garden - a tranquil spot in the far end corner of her living room. I can see it still, in my mind's eye, how the home had an airily lit, shall I say - chakra point - illuminated by the buoyant murmuring presence of  water,  color and nature.

Several sizable birdcages also graced the garden, its cheery tweetie' occupants being dozens of lovable lovebirds the sight and sound of which was adorably amazing! Fronting the bird cages was the mini zenish' black pearly' pool  lorded by what seemed to little girl me,  hundreds of magnificent Koi fishies' - an auspicious sight, both enthralling and mysterious. 

An authentic bonsai masterpiece theatrically mounted in an auspicious corner of the Greenbelt pond. 

It was one of the happiest places to be, standing there, fascinated by the leisurely graceful swimmy' moves of spotted yellow, white, orange golden Koi's  creating gentle concurrent ripply waves as they gingerly sashay towards you in anticipation of bread treats. 

A feisty swarm of Maya birds seem to fancy these bushes. It was quite an entertaining sight.

And those were the days, as they say. 

Nowadays, I get my unrelenting 'Koi fix' from public gardens, a most accessible favorite spot being the verdant Greenbelt fish ponds. I have languid afternoons seated at the adjacent Museum Cafe' - sometimes with a friend, at times merely me, - where for a moment's cup of coffee, life is nary a care but for the fishes to see. 

Koi's have quite an enchanting legend.  Story goes that when the greatest sage, Confucious, had a son, a certain important king presented him with a black carp called a Magoy. According to legend, that particular Magoy was 'the great ancestor' to all present day Koi's.

Interesting. 

I'm in the throes of Koi pond envy and would sure like to have my own (tiny) pond in my little garden. Video tutorials are a' plenty in Youtube, all I have to do is coerce, I mean convince my husband that maintaining the fishies' would be manageable. :D

Chateau Hestia ~ A Pleasant Surprise!

Chaeau Hestia

Of ancient gods and goddesses, when I encounter them, how strange and foreign and otherworldly they are from the prevailing deities of our age. I'm rambling here, but I've realized that when one opens the mind to  understanding the times and temper of days, one can fathom logic and appreciate the tapestry of legends, as well as,  symbolic beauty of how human beings, no matter what era, establish to philo-sophi-cally comprehend, honor and mystically elevate the experience of mere man's mortality to metaphysical divinity. 

The artistry of the mind is rather grand!

Hestia is a beautiful name. 

It is b e a U t i F u l, let me say that again! 

For me, it evokes the fragrance of tropic flowers that bloom in the midst of a blue moon evening. It is a glazed volatile infusion of earthy musk and  of rosemary oils diffused with honeysuckle, plump orchids and shy jasmines. I would often encounter this pleasant mist in my nightly walks, but can't tell where the aromatic treat emanates from. The perennial whiff' stealthily fills the dusk, lingers,  dissipates, then floats back again.  One of life's magical pleasures! 

Roselle Quin

 To ancient Greeks however, Hestia was oh' most piously more than an embellishing fragrance! Hestia was  sublime goddess of - hearth - and - home. She was the powerful, encompassing archetype of divine womanhood, portrayed as maiden divinity. 

Yes, she was a Greek goddess virgin ( one of three), yet was highly distinguished as the diety of architecture, of foundations and constructions, of domestic bliss and blessings. She was both family and community, revered with an altar  in houses and community places where gatherings occurred. 

 Hestia dwells in the inner corners of ancient Greek homes. 

She was peace, laughter and bounty - the overseer of bread making as well. Characterized by a content personality, the goddess was not one for daring adventures, but was utterly devoted to family and community. She never refuses strangers who visit as guests. 

At peace with herself,  Hestia  was the comforter of other Greek gods during problematic times. She was quite the introvert, but ironically, was best friend to 'Hermes', the chattiest god of them all! 

Significant but subdued, all offerings to the 'big gods' would begin with the first portion in honor of  her.

Chateau Hestia's Facebook Page

I encountered Hestia in the form of a garden Chateau! 
The husband and I went for one of those 'let's see where we end up' trips and found ourselves in the greenie' inroads of Tagaytay turning left then right, then left again or maybe right,  guided solely by our vehicle's gps. Rather exciting to trust an animated gadget and find it actually works, hah! 

The place is enchantment! 
The first thing that welcomes  is the  spirited swirl of fragrant flowers - all -a r o u n d! Hypnotizing and unforgettable! You see, I've been to Nature Spa, which is sprawling  prettiness too,  but no, it did fully possess  the warm bloomy' induced 'hello" I so embraced  of Chateau Hestia!  I suppose it isn't fair I'm comparing, quite unreasonable too, but there's something extra charming about perfumed air. 
It's very --> fairy - ish! 

The main cottage itself which houses the restaurant and deli is a dream home! To get there, one walks briefly under a trellis canopy of vine tropical flowers leading to an entrance of wooden framed glass doors flanked by ornate authentic Philippine wooden benches. 

Once inside, if you know Hestia, then you know it's home.

My angels must have been working overtime dragging me that day! I wasn't feeling too well and reluctant to go anywhere. A cave was what I preferred, haha! 
Looking back, it was the perfect setting and best place for me to absorb much needed healing vibes. By the end of the trip I was back to fair ol' me.

Unfortunately, my pictures weren't all that good - specifically, the outdoor photos. 
I've had to pick those that are blog worthy for publishing here. Nothing for me to be downcast about as the hubs and I  intend to  head back soon for an overnight stay in one of their cute mini cottages. 

 Here's a picture of what  must be an antique adding machine! 

The place is littered with curiosities and art! 

Every corner is a lovely accent!
An old painting, a glorious outstretched plant and  always the gardens around! 

Here's a shot of one of the mini cottages for overnight guests. 

We were only able to view a couple of them. All the cottages had guests that time and it wouldn't have been nice of us to intrude. 

The above pictures show a partial glimpse of the tree and plant lined entrance going inside  Chateau Hestia itself. 

The bridge serves as accent and wooden crossing from the main restaurant to the other gardens that in turn lead to smaller cottages. It's a serene tranquil site, very captivating and truly romantic. 

I just adore the flower paintings! 

The rest of the pictures are samples of the artwork collection inside the cottage, which is quite an interesting intimate collection. Paintings are all around the place, but I luv' how a portion of the dining area was established as a some sort of art room.

I wish I took more pictures tsk! tsk! tsk!
 Ah, will do so when we go back!

Chateau Hestia's Website