lazy days

in the pool.

perfect.

*stars and stripes*

"We on this continent should never forget that men first crossed the Atlantic not to find soil for their ploughs but to secure liberty for their souls."

~Robert J. McCracken

wings

"Be like the bird that, passing on her flight awhile on boughs too slight, feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings, knowing that she hath wings."

Victor Hugo

shades of gray

shades of gray...she wears them best!

prepared

dozens of fresh eggs

:

packed today

:

off to market tomorrow

Fresh

This is the time of year when we start a new season.
A season full of fresh flowers,
fresh foods, fresh possibilities,
fresh perspectives, among many other
Fresh ideas.


What is Fresh to you right now?

green

sunshine
blue skies
new green growth
everywhere i look

spring is so beautiful

hidden

i came across this pool of water
hidden beneath fallen branches and overgrown vines
while browsing through an old cemetery.
i love what i find when i browse through places like that.

Treasured

my great grandmother's quilts
old
tattered
worn
patched
imperfect
loved
treasured

me.


as part of my 52 week self portrait project this year.

give it wings

“The quickest way to receive love is to give,
the fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly,
and the best way to keep love is to give it wings”

~unknown

for me.

a little hand
holding mine as we walked
through the woods
collecting different treasures.
this is the one she chose for me.
i do love these little hands
and these little moments.

extraordinary

"She said she usually cried at least once each day not because she was sad, but because the world was so beautiful & life was so short."
-storypeople-

I've been thinking a lot about the
little ordinary details
that I often overlook. They're everywhere,
all around me. And, they are many times
extraordinary when I take a moment to truly see them.

a new year...a new space

a new year
a new outlook
a new promise to myself to keep things simple
a promise to myself to take a little time for things I love everyday
time to write, to read, to think, to center myself
i just know it's going to be a great year.

shadows

dark and light
late afternoon shadows
one day fading into another

O is for Oh My....

making gingerbread men can be so messy! But...so much fun!


Hope all you all have a wonderfully happy holiday week!

where i find calm

comfy yoga pants
an old, worn sweater
new socks
a favorite book
a notebook
a pen
a few minutes of quiet
a cup of coffee
my thoughts beginning to flow
an instant calm

Holiday Home

"Oh, there's no place like
Home for the holidays
'Cause no matter how far away you roam
When you pine for the sunshine
Of a friendly face
For the holidays, you can't beat
Home, sweet home."



Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season!

Together.

My littlest girl and her kitty, Ruffles.....they are always together,
she holds her, pets her, runs with her, pushes her in the doll stroller,
rocks her in the doll bed, and naps with her.

Ruffles doesn't mind one little bit.

Homemade

Homemade.
I love things that are homemade.
I love making things with my own hands - sewing, quilting, hand embroidering, crocheting, knitting, painting, and cooking. I love to keep my hands busy at all times.

It's just that lately I haven't found time to do some of these things that I love so much. Busyness has claimed way too much of my time. I'm sure of it. Busyness claimed my time this week, too. Between the busyness and the holiday preparations and a moody computer this afternoon, I hate to admit that I had to grab this shot from my archives.

However, while I was browsing through my older photos, it gave me the chance to look at the things I miss having time for. I haven't actually "made" anything other than photos and homemade cooking for quite a long time now. Too long.

I just placed an order for some new drawing and illustration supplies today and my girls are really needing some new pajama pants from the fabric I bought last winter. I think that tomorrow I'll grab my yarn basket and get myself busy again. There is really nothing like having yarn in your hands while you watch a crackling fire and wind down the evenings.

I'm really glad I had the chance this evening to think about putting the ol' priority list back in balance!