Slim Paley photo
The welcoming glow of lanterns at my front door.
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“Welcome!”
“Come on in”
“You are safe now”
“Kettle’s on”
It’s the universal language of the lantern in the window.
Since the dawn of man we’ve searched for that sign of Life, that beacon signifying
Safety, Warmth & Food!
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October is indeed the Season of the Lantern
Sadly, we are past the carving “Jack O’Lanterns” stage with our boys
(tear slowly spilling down cheek)
So I’m going to celebrate other types of lanterns in today’s post,
with a gentle reminder to enjoy every single precious moment of those beautiful, messy, gooey hands, roasting seeds, burnt pumpkin flesh-scented , lopsided glowing grin days…they’re some of my most deeply cherished memories with my children.
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Slim Paley photo
I like to use these little bulbs at my front door.
They give a very soft (flattering 
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You may find them here
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And speaking of “since the dawn of time” memories, here’s a little blast from the past to musically light your way;
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Unfortunately I cannot find the source for these exact lamps but
you may find similar oil lamps here
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Slim Paley photo
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Lighthouse Lantern from the Finnish Design Shop (via Remodelista)
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“Fragile Future” designed by Lonneke Gordijn.
Made from electronics, LEDs, phosphorous bronze, and dandelion seeds.
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So fragile, the ‘dandelions’ automatically turn themselves off if approached too closely.
Nature meets ‘the Clapper’!
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Slim Paley photo
My friend’s home in Greece
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Me. Here. Now.
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Toro nagashi
a Japanese ceremony in which participants float paper lanterns down a river. This is usually done on the last evening of the Buddhist Obon festival as a way to guide the spirits of the deceased back to the other world.
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Slim Paley photo
The One & Only Palmilla, Mexico
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Slim Paley photo
The bar at the One & Only Palmilla, Los Cabos, Mexico
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Tim Walker
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Someone likes to get their lanterns on!
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The genius of John Singer Sargent
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Africa
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Amazing how appealing the simplest of spaces become under the glow of a lantern.
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Kenya
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The Tree House Restaurant, New Zealand
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Slim Paley photo
Amankora, Bhutan
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Slim Paley photo
Happy Lanterns in Kyoto
flickr
Thailand
So pretty!
click here for video; Heavenly Lanterns
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Slim Paley photos
A whimsically minded friend gave me several of these quite a while ago, but I see that you can find them on the internet
if you’d like to hold your own personal “Khoom Fay” festival
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Slim Paley photo
The welcome glow of a lantern upon returning from a long hike in Bhutan
Hot cup of chai anyone?!
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This Fleeting world is like a star at dawn, a bubble in a stream, a flash of lightening in a summer cloud, a flickering lamp, a phantom, and a dream
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wow those dresses in the tree are errie (sp?) they look like ghosts. good lead in to Halloween. xoL
Love this! So Cozy!
loved all….but where was the Green Lantern…..?????
xoxoxo
ENCHANTING photos!!! The lanterns in your tree are MAGICAL!!!!! My hubby collects lanterns so we have many. He even MADE 2 of the ones we have. I would love to sleep on that outdoor platform! The lit dresses are fabulous! Thanks!!!!!! XO, Pinky
It’s always a delight.
What a lovely post and as a Waldorf mom I wanted to she some delightful photos of inspiration and the Martinmas festival. So lovely to be reminded of our own inner light to sustain us as the days shorten and sunlight weakens as we go into winter. http://teachinghandwork.blogspot.com/2009/11/waldorf-lantern-walk.html and http://naturenest.wordpress.com/2009/11/04/martinmas-links-info-lanterns-poems-songs-stories/ and! http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/martinmas/Interesting Thanks Slim for adding to the beauty in the world!
Looking at a John Singer Sargent while listening to Melanie. How you do what you do, Slim, I’ll never know. Perfect posting (again)
Slim,
This post is so Beautiful!
Of course, all of your posts are.
Pacific Grove (by Carmel) has a huge shindig around lanterns…
parade and everyone hangs lanterns in the trees, on their porches and from the windows. I saw some real beauties. I wish I had brought my camera.
Thank you for the warm glow
Sincerely,
Miranda
SF Bay Area
Oh yes, The Lantern!! I too love their soft glow. Just last night we set outside and had dinner on the patio with the glow of candles,lanterns and the chimnea. Nothing better!!! Loved all of your images!! happy Thursday!! Kathysue
You….light up my life…at least twice a week!
“Kettle’s on”….so reminded me of coming home from junior high chilled through and coming into our kitchen with steamed windows from a boiling tea kettle or dinner on the stove. Reminded me of a my now deceased parents. Thanks for the prompt to this mental hug.
Lovely memory.
What a stunning post Slim. Your photography excels with each shot. Yes I agree John Singer Sargent a genius. I adore the one you chose to share with us. ox
I want to be back in Kenya on the cozy fur lounge gazing at the incredible starry AFRICA skies
Where in kenya is that photo from? Also the FAB bed in the woods…..
mountaingirl
I can’t remember the name. I believe it’s a British woman married to a Samburu Warrior and they have this beautiful camp there. She makes incredible cashmere shawls trimmed with beads and feathers.
Pretty post. Thanks for the link to the place that sells the bulbs!
as always, the glow of light and the shine of rain on stone… beautiful.
i loved this post from the very first words… “welcome… come on in… you are safe here…
kettle’s on”
and john singer sargent is one of my favourite painters!
just loved it all from beginning to end.
going back now to linger at the sunset table of your friends in greece…
can just hear those gentle lapping waves….
thanks slim!
tammy j
Beautiful post! I just love lanterns.
Not to ruin the magical air of this post, but when I first read “beacon signifying safety, warmth, & food,” my brain read “bacon,” which really would almost work in that context as well
And just goes to show where my brain is!
ha ha!
Beautiful images; I love the electric candle idea…thanks for the source. I have never been to Greece, but am sorely templed to go having seen your friend’s location. Do you think he/she would like another friend? I could cook. And those heavenly lanterns…WOW!
Best…Victoria
Oh my Gosh, those lanterns in Thailand lanterns appear to be free floating and flickering! Almost akin to the school of Hogwarts! Beautiful! Thanks Slim!
Wonderful post!!!
I love the lanterns in your oak tree – placed just so. Thanks Slim
I was HOPING for a S.P. blog today, you are always incredible but this one….OMG, everything I love: picture of your house ( soo ahmaaazing!!), some good shopping (getting those bulbs right now) Africa (as you say; me. there . now), a little rythm (yep, that song a blast from the past for sure), a Singer Sargent (had never seen that one), and as always beautiful photos. I could go on and on….but now I’ll just say THANK YOU!!!
Melanie has always been my favorite female singer. Thanks for reminding me why — time to get that turntable repaired!
Thanks Slim. You leave a warm glow in my heart.
Joy
Beautiful lanterns – every.single.one.
Wow what a great cozy post! loved it all except those little girl dresses hanging in the tree…scary
Another perfectly enchanting post. The Chinese Lantern Festival (Teng Chieh) celebrated the 15th day of the First Moon is a traditional and very important ceremony in China. The lanterns created for this event were quite incredible in centuries past. They’ve gotten rather modern now!. I’ve devoted almost an entire chapter to this celebration in my latest book “The Beautiful Lady Was A Palace Eunuch” In old Peking there was a street, Lantern Street, devoted entirely to shops selling lanterns. The greatest were created for Teng Chieh. They were created in every conceivable shape of animal, flower, bird, butterfly — imaginations went wild for this holiday. They were made of everything from colored papers to the finest most rare woods trimmed with ivory, mother-of-pearl, beautiful blue feathers from the kingfisher birds of Cambodia,jade, pearls, semi-precious gems, gold and silver. Among the most popular were lanterns that created moving scenes as they turned slowly moved by the heat of the candle inside.
All beautiful…that Nagashi one…wow wee, but the most magical of all is the ones of your front entrance….do you just sit out in the car in your spectacular driveway with your hubby on Friday nights staring at your beautiful home all lit up and pinch yourselves…ahhhh …breathtaking …
One of your best ever, Slim!
How I have missed your genius, your warmth and your beauty, Slim. What a perfect post to welcome me back. Thank you, wishing you many romantic and cozy evenings accompanied by the intriguing glow of lanterns!
With love,
Linda
I agree with roark. awesome to come home to.
Sign……..as always……thank you!
I use lanterns galore on the lake in NH….even have one on the front of my kayak for navigating at nite……..or so the other sprites and beavers out on the lake can see me coming.
We used the Thai lanterns at my son’s wedding in a Vermont pasture this summer…lit and floated them up into the starry sky…magical.
Thanks as always, from Downunder…….gotta see if I can get us to that place in NZ since we’re going…where exactly was it?
Not sure. I’ve never been to NZ.
Howz that blog coming??!
Gorgeous and romantic!
Hi Slim: Great and, as usual, so inspiring. Where do I find Tim Walker? Thanks, Lynn
Truly Magical!
love this post Slim… beautiful.
I adore those light bulbs- I have never seen them before. thank you for shairing them.
joan
Slim, are the lanterns in your trees wired? They are so beautiful – the most beautiful entrance to a house I think I’ve ever seen. You are a decor goddess.
xo Terri
Thank you Terri!!
Yes, the lanterns are wired.
Your home is spectacular!! Do you have any photos of lanterns and Fall at your home in Idaho? Great post as always….I save yours for last so I can take my time and just mellow out with all the calming pics!Thanks
Loved this post. . . it seems so magical. I realized in reading it what makes your blog so special. . . no self promotions. . . just a reminder to everyone how special life is in so many ways especially reliving the personal expressions/experiences of our own lives. You bring out wonderful memories we have deep inside. Thank you.
Loved this, you are “a poet and don’t know it”! Sorry, we used to hear that as children. The mood, the music, wonderful. Love and adore your house, very Southern, it even looks like Confederate Jasmine on the light posts. I want to take off to an exotic local now, it all looks spectacular. I do miss carving pumpkins as well, sad.Thank you!
Pamela
Slim, I love lanterns so much. And I had completely forgotten this song and it made me so happy to hear although I can t remember the name.
Such beautiful shots Slim….especially the Japanese image….imagine how that must look in reality…Heavenly….xv
Slim ~ We still carve pumpkins every year with our 5 twenty somethings. It’s called Pumpkin Dinner, we have a great meal with lots of wine and then retreat to our workshop in the garage and have a pumpkin carving contest with the fire pit lit on our driveway. The pumpkins are amazing and it has become a great family tradition.
Nana, what a great idea! I may have to steal – er, copy it.
TOTALLY ENLIGHTENING!!! franki
S.P., thank you for transporting me to some of the most gorgeous places on earth. Including your own property. You are blessed! Have a beautiful weekend!
Kelley
This post is one of my new favorites.
Have I said that once or twice before?
I love every picture, especially “Toro Nagashi”.
Just beautiful!
Suddenly, I’m in a wonderful mood! What a beautiful post. Thanks so much for all the inspiration!
lovely as usual, particularly the Sargent ! Thank you Slim!
Loved all the images, you have such a great eye ,
Re; Sargent do you know the painting ”The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit” ? Astounding
Would love to see a post of your favourite art
Now I am not so sad about the days getting dark earlier! Thank you for that fabulous post! Bring on the dark nights!
Next time you visit NYC, go to Dos Caminos at 373 Park Avenue South. They have big, cut-out lanterns hanging from the ceiling. It was hard to concentrate on their famous guacamole as I was constantly looking up at the ceiling!
i love lanterns too….amazing pics and I’m so happy you shared the flickering bulbs…just ordered some!
BRILLIANT!
Check out these solar-powered mason jar lanterns
http://www.etsy.com/shop/treasureagain
So true, there is nothing like a lantern, candlelight… the more the better.
Would appreciate your giving me the name of that wine you recently recommended from TJ’s. I forgot to write it down. Thanks.
smr- yes, know that painting -so beautiful
Lianne- very cool mason jar lanterns
Lady Eve- the song is called “Lay Down; Candles in the Rain”
Carol- the wine was La Ronescina “Collio”
Lastly, Linda- Looking for the time to get up to Idaho. I wish!
I am with you Slim….any shape or form, all lovely.
Your posts are always, always so beautiful and touching, SP. I really admire you for this and for the way you see beauty.
Lanterns are special to me. It brings memories of my father. The simpler, the better.
Have a lovely day!
xo
Luciane at HomeBunch.com
PS: That tree in front of your house is enchanting…
Lanterns and lighting in the evening is so warm and inviting. Slim all of your images are so wonderful!
Oh I have a Designer Pillows Giveaway! I hope you will join! (a great resource as well)
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Slim you are very good at what you do. Reading/viewing your posts, I am always transported… to Greece, Kyoto, Thailand, Bhutan, New Zealand, Africa and Mexico (and that is just in this one post!), but most especially when invited and welcomed through your front door. Thank you.
The genius of Sergeant. *sigh* Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose. You have chosen my favorite painting. The way he was able to portray light emanating from those lanterns… and those children’s faces. Incredible.
I just found your blog today (I love it!) and was so happy to see that you had posted images from The Recycled Light Company. My friends Andrew and Gabrielle make the beautiful, handcrafted oil lamps from recycled light bulbs. Thank you very much for includeing thier creations! Ginny
Enjoyed the photo’s of every single one of these beautiful memories! Thank you very much for sharing! Jet Mupas. Las Vegas. Guam.