It's memorial Day here, in the USA, but my heart extends to all soldiers national and international. Those who have fought to serve and protect their countries. Those fallen in the name of honoring a heartfelt place, and all its people. 

We are not too far from the dark fairy tales we've read of. The handsome lover runs off to a  strange and distant land, never to return again. The heart breaks and tears and darkness also closes in on the innocent, the darling who remains protected and safe, broken and loss, in heartache.  

And maybe it started by gathering around family and friends who have loss the best of men and women, but in the States we  can be found on Memorial Day Weekend at small family gatherings, cookouts, or enjoying the freedom that our soldiers gave their life for us to have. We speak badly and proud, fearless of what others think or say because no life falls in vain... or at least we try. We salute, parade and play the taps. We march and make a loud noise for the mighty heroes. 

So, at Salvato Collection, we too just wanted to say a special thanks in the only way we really can. Here, in a little country town, we offer the workmanship of our collection of visuals and images from our shop. Little pieces that remind us of the strong, the hero, the soldier.
​There isn't many ways to say thank you for such a sacrifice, but we will use our voice of vintage, art, and photography to freely speak blessings and love over our special men and women. 

There is nothing like looking up at the night sky; in the country. Last summer we sat in the garden, filled with the fragrances of roses, hydrangeas and all the other 2oo species of plants. Fireflies drive by and the grass is rich under our toes. Its very, very quiet. You can hear neighbors three doors down talking.

Breaking the silence is giggle and day dreams as we add to the magic with lots of  lanterns and an oversized backyard hammock. My kids and I grab a bunch of furry, plush blankets and get the fire pit going. Then we lay there with the heavy stars above and a worn brick "patio"  below, smack in the middle of all our various flower, veggie, culinary, and english style gardens. (I must add, that due to former owner Elizabeth's genius garden planting and no sitting water - mosquitos rarely bother us.) This is what summer is. Unplugged and filled with love. This is why I promote star gazing. Its a sorta memory making, storybook chapter each one of us deserve to add to our life story. 

Last summer, I set my camera on on a long exposure and tripod. And where we left the city area to a location that offers a hint of the milky way; my cameras really displayed the sky beauty. 

SPOILER ALERT. After practicing the timing and work of night photography, my goal is to take that skin to Salvato Collection's fashion world. We are looking to organizing a midnights summer shoot in a very unexpected way! ​

So get out there. Start living. It's Warm. It's Spring. It's Astronomy Day. Get to gazing at those planets and stars ! Wherever you live Sky Magazine has some great info to help you out. (I am not paid to promote Sky Magazine, just a fan.) ​

And just in case you want to see how small we really are....