Spring is in the Air

This morning I looked out the window and saw a little robin bird, then on the way home from work, I actually had my car window rolled part way down without my coat on...I think spring is in the air! Spring is one of my most favorite seasons. I've always lived places where the winters are cold and snowy, so I think part of the appeal of spring has always been that it promises warmth. But more than just warmth, you begin to hear birds chirping, the trees begin to bud and the flowers...oh the flowers! 

That is my weakness; seeing flowers begin to bloom always makes me sigh and want to break out in song like I am in a Disney animated movie (I withhold the breaking out into song due to public awareness and awkwardness). 

Now in a few days, if I write that it is snowing, just remind me of today. 

(photos courtesy of: weheartit)

A Woman

Woman is a miracle of divine contradictions.

Jules Michelet

The angel of the Family is Woman. Mother, wife, or sister, Woman is the caress of life, the soothing sweetness of affection shed over its toils, a reflection for the individual of the loving providence which watches over Humanity. In her there is treasure enough of consoling tenderness to allay every pain. Moreover for every one of us she is the initiator of the future. The mother's first kiss teaches the child love; the first holy kiss of the woman he loves teaches man hope and faith in life; and love and faith create a desire for perfection and the power of reaching towards it step by step; create the future, in short, of which the living symbol is the child, link between us and the generations to come. 
Giuseppe Mazzini

Be to her virtues very kind,

Be to her faults a little blind.

Matthew Prior

Eve was not taken out of Adam's head to top him, neither out of his feet to be trampled on by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected by him, and near his heart to be loved by him.

Matthew Henry

(Photos courtesy of: weheartit.com)

Cozy Sunday

co·zy  

enjoying or affording comforting warmth and shelter especially in a small space; 

"a cozy nook near the fire"; 

"snug in bed"; "a snug little apartment" 

a state of warm snug comfort

(photos courtesy of weheartit.com)

The Ones We Love

It's been a long time since I wrote last and I've missed sharing with you.  

I know Valentines Day has come and gone, but 

as I am still nibbling on milk chocolate hearts a 

week later I cannot help but think of the ones I love.

Who do you love? Is it a husband, wife, sister, 

brother, best friend, boyfriend, fiancé?

 Take the time today, to say "I love you"

(Photos courtesy of: weheartit.com)

Up in smoke

 A few days ago I was sitting in my room  when 

I noticed the light on my power cord for my computer was 

blinking in and out. "Hmm, that's odd" I thought. 

A few minutes later, out of the corner of my eye I saw two sparks and 

a little stream of smoke; I am not a computer genius but I knew in my 

'knower' my power cord was dead...not "mostly dead", but "all dead" 

(Thank you, Princess Bride). 

And that's the end of my story. 

(Photos courtesy of: google image)

Retreat

I was on a retreat this past weekend in the Cascade mountains. 

Henry & Kota 

Triangle

Flags of our Fathers

Sleepy Hollow 

Speed

(Photos courtesy of: Me) 

Snow Day

On Wednesday it snowed, and snowed, and snowed. Schools were shut down,
 traffic crawled, businesses were slow and...and it was one of the best snow
days I've ever had! I made a snowman with the little lady I work with;
okay actually I made the snowman and she pelted me with clumps of snow
the whole time laughing in the cute way she does:) 

When I got off of work I went to my friends' home wrapped myself in a cozy blanket, started out with a cup of hot chocolate, then had delicious homemade pecan pie (with whip cream of course), watched a movie, talked & laughed and then had pizza (delivered). Really, can you think of a more fun snow day?

 Me neither. 

(Photos courtesy of: google image)

Hit 'Send'

“I turn on my computer. I wait patiently as it connects. I go online. 

My breath catches in my chest until I hear 3 little words, 

"You've got mail." 

I hear nothing, not a sound on the streets of New York. 

Just the beat of my own heart. I have

mail...from you.” 

Kathleen Kelly (You've Got Mail) 

I love receiving a hand-written letter or card in the mail...I also realized that I love receiving mail when I open my computer. I find it fascinating when I actually sit down and think about it, that I can receive or send words to another person who is half way around the word in a matter of seconds. 

Really, how incredible is that? 

So, I want to take more opportunities

to not only hand write a note but to type one out and

hit 'send'. 

(Photos courtesy of: we heart it) 

Objects of Beauty

One of the things I have learned to love about God is his ability to create beauty. Standing on top of a hill overlooking your city as the sun is shining on your face...that is beautiful. Seeing a child look at you with no pretension...that is beautiful. There are also little objects I find scattered throughout my day that serve a specific function AND are beautiful, and that combination is extra special. I hope this evening you find something small that you see as beautiful. 

(Photos courtesy of: weheartit.com) 

Celebrating true love

Today, August 2, 2010

     is my beautiful sister, Susan 

and handsome brother-in-law, Adrian's 

    2nd year wedding anniversary! 

I wept like a baby at their wedding

(the best man took pity on me and handed me a tissue...

     probably a wad of them:) 

      Two years later, I have been so touched 

to see their marriage.

    Happy Anniversary, Susan & Adrian.

(Photos courtesy of: Natalie Garrett)

Living

“The greatest treasures are those invisible to the eye but found by the heart.” ~Unknown

"Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music." ~Angela Monet 

"There are only two ways to live your life.  One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." 

~Albert Einstein 

(Photos courtesy of: weheartit.com)

Through the Eyes of the Lens

I was going through my photos

yesterday, sorting, deleting,

saving, and most of all...

reminiscing.

The beauty of a photograph is 

it captures a moment; it captures 

an expression,a person, a location,

and it allows us to carry with us 

a beautiful moment that might have 

otherwise been lost.

    (Photos courtesy of:weheartit)  

       

The Mask

This morning I was driving to work and as I got to the driveway I saw a funny looking cat...I thought "That cat sure is walking funny". Well, it wasn't a cat, it was a momma raccoon  with two little ones. The momma was trying to cross in front of me but the little ones I think got scared because they dove into the flower bed. I rolled down my window to smile at them and they just peeked at me through the flowers...melt my heart! A funny and sweet surprise to begin the day:) 

(Photos courtesy of: google image) 

Nesting

My room is tucked right underneath the eve of the roof...and not just my room but also a family of sparrows' rooms. There are four nests the last time I counted. They seem to be busy from sunrise to sunset bringing pieces of sticks, grass and food to their little babies; building a home with all their might. I have lived here for 6 months and I have been learning the ins, outs and especially the joys there are in making where one lives a home.

(Photos courtesy of:
weheartit.com)

Monday evening rain

I can smell the rain from where I am sitting on this Monday evening. It smells fresh and clean and it brings a cool breeze through the window...it seems perfect.

"Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man's growth without destroying his roots."
~Frank Howard Clark

"The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain."
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

"Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby."
~Langston Hughes

Luggage

“Some of these fine days I swear I'll throw away all my heavy luggage
in the shape of hopes, and expectations, and walk the rest of the way
with free limbs.” ~ Geraldine Jewsbury

Luggage can represent a burden that one carries around with them, or it can represent preparing for a trip~Each time I pull down my suitcase I think of what is waiting for me and who is waiting for me on the other end of this trip I am about to take. Do I do that with my burdens? Do I think of who or what could be waiting for me if I were to unpack my luggage (burdens, pain, etc). It could be something glorious, something beautiful, something wonderful.

(Photos courtesy of: we heart it)

A little bird

Hope
"Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune--without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me."

~Emily Dickinson

(Photos courtesy of:www.weheartit.com)