Photographs

"This is what I like about photographs.

They're proof that once,

even if just for a heartbeat,

everything was perfect."

a laid back road trip with my hubby

folks and towns that still do this....love the simple old fashioned goodness.

visiting my cousins farm....darn near homesteading.  Amazed and awed.

feeling the strength and love I continue to carry with me from my old country church

taking a friend for a ride in the country...hearing her repeat how beautiful everything is.

hunting beautiful leaves, chatting with Dad while he works in the yard

walking where I've walked... a million times as a child...where family walks. being on sacred ground.

my cousins grandson, adoringly watching over a ladybug...while cartoons are on a big-screen behind him.

Visiting Bubby in his new home.

*loving...

going home and coming home

color
exploring
leaves falling like rain
acorns crunching under foot

the sound of leaves blowing across our driveway
when life is simple

Oliver getting his fluffy fur

my Kindle Brandon got me for my birthday

Pumpkin everything
Autumn. Autumn. Autumn.
My families...
my homes.

XOXO

Calm

" You cannot see your reflection in running water,

it is only when the water is calm

that you can see."

Lately I have been finding my calm.

Family + Friends + home = the perfect trifecta for calm.

Also spending time enjoying...

more phone calls, less Facebook.

More books, less internet.

More nature. More nature. More nature.

Grateful for all the little things October has delivered.

Grateful for a God that always knows what I need.

Feeling the happiness of all the moments in my heart.

*loving...

finding my calm

the way family fills me up, like nothing else.

the gorgeous autumns in New England

the way I can be inspired over munching zucchini bread , sipping a cocktail, 

and deep conversations in a friends back yard

friends that start up where we left off

reflection

colorful leaves

pumpkins

and 

snuggles.

XOXO

Celebrate Life

" Love yourself...

 enough to take the actions required for your happiness...

enough to cut yourself loose from the drama-filled past...

enough to set a high standard for relationships...

enough to feed your mind and body in a healthy manner...

enough to forgive yourself...

enough to move on."

We celebrated our birthdays, and this great big beautiful life.

The breeze blew, and the birds chirped.

I hope that she felt how much I loved her.

I hope she knows that even though our relationship hasn't always been easy,

that I love her with all of my heart.

Take the time to tell the people you love,

just how much they mean to you.

Hug them tight, in a squeeze-their-guts-out-hug...

and give them a big smoochie on the cheek...

just because you can. :)

*loving...

being surrounded by country.

mountains 

mom singing to the birds...

the birds singing back

playing ball with the dogs

cows in the pasture

pine trees

watching our favorite show together

laughing over silly things 

listening 

celebrating our birthdays together

my mom

XOXO

Fifty-four

Fifty-four years me.

It's a bit unbelievable that I have been here that long. :) 

I have so much more I want to do, learn,

love, and explore.

I am going into this fifty-fourth year,

feeling more powerful and passionate,

and stronger than I have ever felt in my life.

I am learning to let go of the past...

{it's funny how you think you have, until you realize you haven't.}

to forgive...

{because it just keeps me guarded and bitter, and that is just YUCK! }

and to get out of my own way ...

{or try to be aware of when I am going to trip myself up...with insecurities, doubt, fear. Stupid!}

Alley Mill

my tag along

yup. love him.

hiking with me. hates heights.

Rocky Falls

caught a tadpole

hubby found a heart/friendship rock.  He rocks ! :)

This birthday...I am feeling empowered. Encouraged. Inspired. 

And most importantly ...Loved.

{funny thing about love I have realized...that it's always there. Sometimes you just have remove the walls you've built for protection... and let that love-stuff seep in !}

I will continue to believe that what we seek we will find.

 I will continue to seek the beauty.

Kindness.

Good.

Love.

and Peace.

I will seek laughter.

Adventure.

Innocence.

and Miracles.

I will also *whisper* a "thank you" into the breeze...

and *blow a kiss to the heavens.

I will thank God for all 19711 days I have been blessed to be here.

And I will thank him everyday for this wonderful life, and everyone in it. Always.

*loving...

FB on my Birthday

New places to explore

Hiking with my hubby

Birthday cupcakes

birthday cards

hearing hubby sing me the B-Day song :)

my mom calling and singing the B-Day song on every birthday. I know I will miss that some day.

my life...my family...my friends...my animals..

 God . I couldn't have done any of it with out Him.

There is joy, happiness and love to be found everywhere.

We need only look. :)

Happy October !! 

XOXO