Explore

" When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul

and brings you joy, care enough about yourself to make room

for it in your life. "

Yesterday my photo prompt was EXPLORE.

Easy.

This was on our way home. Something we pass frequently.

We had dentist and things. It was a day that I didn't have time to get out and explore, explore.

Actually...that's more like and adventure for me. :)

Because I am an explorer everyday.

Sometimes my mind wanders... or I'm distracted,

or worse... running on auto pilot.

You know.

But all I have to do is pay attention...

live in the  moment...

 and I am always reminded

of the beauty that is right in front of me.

There are so many things to explore and be thankful for. Always.

good things...

old homesteads

 purple fields

the sound of thunder 

talking to the neighbor over the fence

working in the yard

digging my hands in the dirt

bulbs from my friend in NY blooming

Oliver following me around the yard

Scotty tossing his tennis ball around to get me to play

writing in my journal

a hubby that stops for me to "explore"

[the book and the movie] The Shack 

XOXO

Shape

Puzzle pieces.

No shortcuts.

Patience.

One piece at a time.

A work in progress.

Sometimes difficult.

Sometimes falling right into place.

Appreciating the pieces...

the sections....

the growth...and watching it take shape.

My photo prompt for today was SHAPE.

[doing this with a group i joined in January]

It made me think of it as a verb...

and how we shape our lives.

Piece by piece.

Then I thought of a puzzle.

The shapes.

How we piece it all together to form a masterpiece.

I had a lot of thoughts...

but going to keep it simple. :)

good things...

creating something

helping someone

reading a good book

appreciating the basics

listening to a robin sing

hoodies and slippers

de-cluttering

Oliver standing at the door steaming up the window with his nose breath :)

photo prompts that make me think

XOXO

Imagine

" The simplest things in life are the most extraordinary. "

My photo prompt for today was IMAGINE.

Imagine...

keeping life simple. Always.

I loved this simple shot. I took it yesterday at the farm.

Keeping this blog simple today.

Maybe forever.

Enjoying other *loves*

simple *pleasures...

photo prompts 

wind-blown hair

curiosity of a child

gigging and silly talk

stuffed tiger cuddles

old farm trucks

cowboy boots

stormy winds blowing through open window....

hubby coming home from work.

dinner in the oven

my favorite T.V. night.

XOXO

Sheep

The older I get , the more I love and crave the simple life.

Last weekend we visited some friends on their farm.

When given a choice to shop, eat out, and go to a movie...

or go for a ride, visit friends and spend time in nature...

I pick this.

Not that I don't enjoy a good movie, or going shopping .

I do.

However, I am a country girl at heart.

Give me furry little animals, dirt roads, sunshine and trees...

....give me barn-yards, and sweet faces, and a gentle breeze.

Give me room to run and play, and to visit with friends.

Give me fresh blooms, changing seasons, and a sky that never ends.

Give me dirty boots, and hands and messy hair.

And t-shirts and jeans with signs of wear.

Give me burger joints tucked away on the outskirts of town,

and eating lunch outside...or in the truck with the windows down.

Give me birds singing and wild roses.

Give me furry nibbles and sniffs...slobbers and wet noses.

Let me soak in the scenery when I find myself behind a farmer on his tractor

or a non-hurried family enjoying the sights along the way.

Let the sun *kiss my face and light up the blessings of the day.

Give me slow. Give me simple. Give me nothing and everything.

This beautiful, messy, life is what grounds me,

it's when I feel things are how they should be.

It brings me peace, and it fills my heart *fat*.

It makes me feel alive. Give me that.

" Life is simple: We are living in a world that is absolutely transparent

and the divine is shining through it all the time.

This is not just a nice story or a fable.

It is true. "

good things...

early Spring

wildflowers

barnyards

quiet escapes with my hubby

road trips

windows down and music up

sincerity

holding hands

hubby getting some great captures with the camera :)

little babies being born

bottle babies

the joy of bouncing, jumping and playing with all the fur-friends

finding the good things tucked into every day

an afternoon with friends

XOXO