Snow Paintings...

More snow... Good thing I got some REALLY awesome snow boots this winter! I also feel as thought I've been able to be home a little "extra," for a reason... like getting to do more of what I enjoy doing....hmmm???
I was never a snow-bunny. Never enjoyed ski trips with friends, but did love lodge-living! Never loved snow-mobiling, but zoomed off anyway, and prayed for dear life as we flew across the snow-bound farms. But now that I'm a mom, I love the snow! Or, maybe, I've decided to just flow with the snow, why not?! I love wearing my really awesome snow boots. I love pulling my daughter on the sled. I love watching our dogs frolic. I love taking photos of the snow covered trees and lakes and ocean. I love looking at the contrast on the branches. I love knowing that every one of those flakes is unique, yet they form some of the most breath-taking, picturesque scenery.
This morning I went down to the bay and took some photos. They didn't come out that great since I didn't have my "good" camera with me, but it doesn't matter- I got to do what I love. I watching the seagulls swarm and the Canadian geese continue to form their perfect formations as the giant flakes fell. The bay was iced over, but beautiful. The quiet was amazing, and meditative.
Snow and cold don't always make everyone happy. But, why fight mother nature? She will ALWAYS win. She's painted a beautiful picture for us, again. Why not enjoy her artwork and do what you love?!

and some "snow-like" finds from my Etsy friends :

                                                      Molliecarey

PrettyThingsGalore

Raceytay

Silverbohemian

RossellaJayne

Polestar

Life's Lessons #121

Things to ponder:

1. Am I doing what I do best? 

2. Is worry REALLY a necessity?

3. Why do I like red velvet cupcakes so darn much?!

4. Do I listen to what my body tells me?

5. Did I laugh today? 

6. Where can I not follow the "rules"?

7. Believe in miracles, always.

8. Know grace and gratitude.

9. Do I know how to go into child's pose? 

10. How do I make the best asparagus risotto?

11. Where DO all of the socks REALLY go in the dryer?

12. Did I pet my dog or cat today?

13. Thirteen IS a lucky number.

                                  

No resolutions...

A few years ago I decided that making resolutions was sort of "old fashioned." Then, I decided that it really didn't do much for me in the long run. It would basically go something like:
make a few goals
complete and accomplish them
then what?
Why be stuck to a few goals? Why not just go out there and do what it is that I do!?
And so, there are no resolutions, but now, I look here and see that I haven't been able to get to my blog for over 3 months. That's wrong. Just wrong.
I have a dear friend who is traveling the globe for 8 months - everywhere  - places in India, the Amazon... places where  I don't even know how or where she gets internet access - BUT she does. I get to follow her and her amazing travels through her blog - it's wonderful. It's also a sign that I need to get my butt in gear! I'm in the US, with all of the basics and then some - there's no reason I can't get back here and blog more often!
And so, I am. And that "I am" phrase has been doing A LOT for me lately. I'll share more on that later.
For now, it's back to sharing and doing what I enjoy.
Photo moments!
For the holidays my husband and I got ourselves a new puppy - Thurman. He's now 7 mos and getting BIG. He's an old English Bulldogge . He's wonderful. He's fit into our family so quickly and so well.
And so, here are a few quick pics of our new addition (he's black and white and brown).. .and I shall return soon! :)    Here's to zero resolutions!

our other "babies" are learning to adjust too... takes some time... 

Oh ScRiBBles!

This morning my 3-year old asked me to help her with her "art projects," - she loves her artwork! Our home is "wallpaper-ed" with artwork from Jayne...drawings, scribbles, collages and sketches that she has created over the past few years. Yes, years. She's loved her crayons since she was one. Give her paints and a brush, she's Picasso. She even loves to paint rocks - which, one day will be part of our garden walkway.
And how could I forget glitter glue?! A staple in our home!
Crayons, however, have to be her favorite. I realized this morning just how much fun it is to pick up a crayon and scribble. No patterns, no lines, just start scribbling! I think we may be telling kids to "stay in the lines," a little too much these days. "Don't go outside of the lines here," we keep telling them. But what's SO wrong with going outside of the lines every so often?
We went outside the lines this morning and made all sorts of fun stuff and, for a moment, I felt like a kid again too.
Being childlike is fun and going outside of the lines is fun too.
Maybe, just maybe, we'll have some more creative kids, if only we allow them to go outside the lines a little more often...
Go scribble!


Our scribbles for the day:

 Jayne's other favorite art...

Etsy finds for the day:

FolkArtbyKerry



Grazim


stephanieryanart
       

Swanbones


scribble-like! Safarisister


holli

child-like always....  BannerBotiqueonEtsy


Crayon holder! a beauty ! Syrendell

Sharks, Alligators & Pneumonia

When I was a kid, maybe 5 or 6, I was afraid of three things: sharks (after having seen too many shark movies!), alligators (more movies!) and pneumonia. I recall everyone telling me, "don't go outside without  your boots, your coat, you'll catch pneumonia." and "dress up, dress warm you don't watch to catch pneumonia, do you?"
Thirty some-odd years later, here I am, pneumonia-stricken! And I know I dressed warm, wore my boots (I LOVE boots!) and didn't play in the rain (too much!), but, I got it anyway. I didn't, however, put those plastic bread bags on my feet before I put my boots on - maybe that was it! Maybe those wonder bread bags really were magical!!!?? Wonder Bread bags are medicinal!
Of course, I shouldn't complain either. I got a few days off of work and have been able to catch up on some books and other work I needed to do. I even got to work on some yoga positions which helped me breathe better and feel better.
But, I suppose, fears don't disappear. Somewhere, down deep, strangling my lungs, was a fear of getting pneumonia - fears weaken us. Eventually, if you allow enough fear, you'll get exactly what you "asked" for - in my case, pneumonia.
Now, I do plan on working on that fear of sharks and alligators! They are marvelous creatures, but they don't have such a great "record." I recall fearing alligators in my bathtub. Yes, there was some awful movie we watched as kids where alligators ended up in pools and bath tubs... I think I went without the suds and water for a while. I even imagined they were under my bed! And sharks, well, after Jaws had just come out, I wasn't one to jump right into the ocean any more. I do love the ocean, the beaches... but I can do without the sharks!

It's a dreary day today, not helpful for pneumonia-stricken people, but I do love watching the rain, it's peaceful and meditative. I can't smell a thing, but normally, I love the smell of a good storm. Being a bit "set back" has also made me realize that fears are silly, but also serious. If we allow our thoughts to take over, they win. If we stop thoughts(the fearful ones)  in their tracks, we win.
As a teacher, I have to ask myself, "ok, so what have you learned from this?" - and here it is:
a. Fear nothing, love everything and everyone
b. let go
c.yoga is amazing
d. sharks and alligators are beautiful
d. always wear Wonder Bread bags on your feet!

Here are a few images for the day... thanks Etsy! :)

MaMagasin



Cartbeforethehorse



     (wonder if she has her Wonder Bread bags on!?)
carambatack

TheApple



living on tea! -thetwobuttons


enchanting... Fuzzylightbulb



michelemaule


raindrops... FableBay


now there's a GREAT shark! NYrika


Cosmicfirefly




Love , always... Rossella