Simple Beauty

I love taking photographs of nature.  I find simple beauty through my lens.  Grass, leaves, trees, clouds, butterflies, birds, bugs... you name it and I'll snap it's picture.   On Saturdays I'm going to take the time to share a few of my favorite nature shots.  So here goes.

Peace!

On My Mind

During the past year there has been much change in my life, some good and some not so much.  Change is unsettling and scary for me but I have learned that it is essential if I want to become the person I am meant to be and create the life that is best for myself and my family.  As I get older I realize more and more that change is part of life for better or worse.  I think it is in acceptance and understanding that change is able to propel us to the next level.  As I come to grips with change I find myself thinking about the following writing from the Bible.  It seems to resonate with me on many levels.  As I was blog hopping tonight I came across this scripture in the sidebar of Straight No Chaser.  It compelled me to pause and share these thoughts.    


There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven.
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8




Peace!

Friday Fill Ins

And here we go

1. So I could not believe that there was water over at 40 M, What a mess!
2. On the other hand, it could be worse, it's just water, and water can be cleaned up!
3. There is reason to celebrate; we are closing on our refi next week!  It will be a huge relief to have this process complete!
4. Lemon ricotta cake with raspberry coulis and fresh whipped cream is my favorite birthday dessert.
5. What represents happiness to me: family and friends.
6. As Dave (my SO) says, the early bird needs a nap by 3? :)
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching wedding shows...Say Yes to the Dress..with n, tomorrow my plans include steam cleaning over at 40M and hopefully buying some plants for the yard and Sunday, I want to work in the yard!

Peace!

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...it a beautiful summer day.  The air is a bit crisp and clear.  I love weather like this, just perfect.

I am thinking...that I will have to get together with my school friends more often.  I didn't realize how much I missed them until my visits yesterday.   

I am thankful for...my optimistic outlook on life.  I was born an optimist and it has always served me well.  I think life is somehow easier when you see the glass as half full.  


From the kitchen... well this week we've enjoyed homemade chicken salad, meatballs and sauce and pizza from scratch.  I'll be making pesto from scratch today to have with grilled portabella mushrooms.  Yumm.


I am wearing....my jammies because it is still early and I love lounging!  

I am creating...more cards.  I've matted over 100 photos and now will just need to attach them to my blank cards.  It will be a big job but in the end quite gratifying.  I love having cards to send off to friends!

I am going...to work on my 'teacher' portfolio next week.  My friend C and I are going to get together and do some scrapbooking of sorts.  I was going to start on N's school pics but I think it will be more productive for me to work on matting and displaying the photos I printed off from my time in the 4th grade.  My plan is to display the images with accompanying lesson plans where applicable as well as an explantation of the activity.  


I am wondering... what vacation, next week with R will entail. 

I am reading...The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan ...still.  I am also planning on picking up The Help again and restarting that book.  On top of these titles I have two professional development teacher books to read.    

I am hearing...the whine of Flicka.  She thinks something is under the couch!   


I am hoping...and praying that my friend M, who is fighting cancer, remains strong and heals quickly from her surgery.  She is making progress but still needs our prayers!  If you are the praying type please think of her.     


I am looking forward to...possibly going to the movies today.  We'll see.


I am learning... to apply healthier eating habits to my life.  

Around the house...  things are fine on the inside but a lot of work needs to be done in the yard!  


A favorite quote for today...



"The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity."
– Amelia Earhart



One of my favorite things ...is spending time with friends.  

A few plans for the rest of the week: hanging with the kids, picking up plants for the house, staying cool, walking with R each night after supper,   going to the movies, walking the beach, planning something fun for the 4th. 


A photo I'm sharing:

Flicka Flashback June 2011

Peace!

Wordless Wednesday

Summer back in the day. 

Peace!

Texture Tuesday - Posies

This week over at Texture Tuesday the challenge was to use an image containing flowers.  Well this is an easy one for me as I have a love of photographing flowers.  Any flowers, any where, any time!  So I looked through my floral images and found a couple I thought would be fun to work on for this weeks Texture Tuesday.

These pictures were taken last spring in the garden where I used to work.  I think I managed to transform a raised bed of flowering scallions into a fanciful forest that could be the land of Whoville, from Horton Hears a Who.

On these images I used KK's frame it and golden textures.  What do you think?

Peace!

Our Word View - Relax

What is Our Word View?  A collaboration between two friends who lost touch over the years but have reconnected online.  We share a love of the ocean, photography, quotes, animals and family.  Often times our photographic interpretations of our word of the week are very similar.

This week I chose the word RELAX.  It is a perfect word for me this week because I have not been as relaxed as I am in a long time.  There are many ways I like to relax but my favorite by far is going to the ocean.  Often times the chore of packing up and getting there seems daunting, but every time I get myself to the sea all my stress falls aside as I sit by the water's edge.  It truly is a restorative place.

The following picture is one that I took on a beach walk with my cousin T to Ellisville State Park beach.  Hop over to Our Word View to see how my friend Liz pictures 'relax'.

Peace!

Ahhhhhhhh

My post title is exactly how I feel!  The heat wave broke last night.  I was up early this morning, before everyone.  I love getting up early and enjoying my first cup of coffee by myself in a quiet house.  We got moving slowly this morning but R and I ended up going out to the Home Depot and BJ's.  I was hoping to find some great plant deals at HD but they didn't have a huge selection so we nixed the idea of flowers and moved on to do a little food shopping.  Once we came home and put away the groceries I spent the rest of the afternoon out on my back deck.  At first I was using my headphones and ipod and then I remembered my old stand alone Cambridge computer speakers.  I found them and plugged in my ipod and had an instant stereo system on the deck.  It was so great to just sit, listen to my music and work on an art piece for my friend M.  As I spent time on the deck, Flicka joined me and took her spot on one of the deck chairs...too cute,  the kids were doing their own thing and R was hanging on the couch with the clicker.  Now we have eaten a delicious dinner and are relaxing together.  I have not felt this relaxed in a very long time.  Ahhhhhhh !!!!!

Peace!

H to the O to the T

So we are in the middle of a heat wave!  Today will be the third 90 degree day in a row.  It's a bit early for this triple H summer weather but relief is in sight.  A cold front will be coming through and sparking off storms and bringing with it more moderate temperatures.  I will be happy to see the 90's go and the high 70's and 80's return!  I love the relaxation that comes with summer but the HHH weather truly makes me feel sick to my stomach.   I can't even do the beach when it is like this.  Yuck!

No worries if we wait a couple days the weather usually changes in this part of the country.  It's better than three days of constant rain!  To beat the heat we have closed up the house and kept the fans going.  We installed the ac's upstairs the first day of our heat wave so we do have a cool place to retreat to when the temps on the first floor become too hot to handle.  We are also lucky to have a basement that remains cool throughout the worst heat waves!

Today we'll be heading out to a movie to stay cool.  The children and I enjoy the movies.  R not so much.  We'll be trying out a different theater today.  The prices are much cheaper than the local mall so I'll report back on the quality of the theater in my next post.  We will be seeing Sleeping Beauty and The Huntsman.  I hope the movie is as good as the trailers.

Stay cool everyone!

Peace!

Simple Women's Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...it bright and clear.  The view is deceiving as the air is hot and heavy.  Our first heat wave of the summer. 

I am thinking...that I am so lucky to have the summers at home with my kids. 

I am thankful for...the ability to enjoy each moment, my very best friend with whom I share my moments and my wonderful little family.   


From the kitchen...it's too hot to cook so not much going on in the kitchen.  Tonight's dinner is anyone's guess!   


I am wearing....my jammies because it is summer and I can!

I am creating...cards each day for my dear friend M!  I am hoping that a card a day keeps the blues away!

I am going...to work on my 'teacher' portfolio today.  


I am wondering... if I will be teaching 2nd grade next year like I dreamt about last night.  That would be great!

I am reading...The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan ...still.  I'm hoping to spend some quiet time reading today.  

I am hearing...the whirl of the fan, such a peaceful noise.  


I am hoping...and praying that my friend M, who is fighting cancer, remains strong and heals quickly from her surgery.   


I am looking forward to...seeing cousins over the week of 4th of July!  


I am learning... to be still and have faith. 

Around the house...  things are a bit less messy than the last time I wrote a Daybook entry.   


A favorite quote for today...


"The point is not to pay back kindness but to pass it on."
– Julia Alvarez




One of my favorite things ...is  looking on pinterest for fun ideas for the home and teaching.  

A few plans for the rest of the week: hanging with the kids, staying cool, walking with R each night after supper,   going to the movies, walking the beach, making plans.


A photo I'm sharing:

Peace!

Texture Tuesday - Free and Easy

It has been a long time since I have worked on texturizing my photographs.  With the summer off I plan on working with my photos more often!  Yay!

The following photo I took on a walk with my puppy and daughter n.  There are many beautiful gardens in my neighborhood.  So much to photograph... and now plenty of time.

I used Kim's textures lily and shine.  I love how my image looks.

Peace!

Ahhhh vacation!

The air is clean and crisp.  Surely it will warm up as the day goes on... Sitting with all the windows open enjoying quiet time.  The dog has been walked, a get well card has been written and mailed and other cards have been created.  Easy going days of summer are the best days of all.

Peace!

Our Word View - Delight

This week Liz chose the word DELIGHT.  So many ways to go with this word.  In the end I chose a picture from this time last year.

I had no idea how much delight she would bring into my life!  I knew she'd be a lot of work and that the kids would love her but I didn't know I would fall head over heals for her too.  She is a joy!  Every morning when I open up her crate and she greets me she is full of unconditional love.  She is such a good dog.  She has provided my family with countless hours of delight.  How blessed we are to have her in our lives.

Please go over to Our Word View to see Liz's interpretation and check out next week's word. 

Peace!

Thankful

I'm so relieved and happy to report that my friend M made it through her surgery.  She is in recovery.  It will be a long recuperation but hopefully the cancer is gone and she can focus on healing and building her strength and  life.  She will need continued prayers so please keep her in your thoughts.

I'm feeling unsettled today.  The end of the school year, bad dreams, the health of my friend, a malfunctioning washing machine and no job for next year have me off my game.  I'm going to try to relax and focus on the positive because my troubles are in no way a big deal.  Just unsettling.

Hope everyone is enjoying their Saturday.

Peace!

Well today is the last day of school.  We are all ready for a break.  What is weighing heavy on my mind however is the fact that a dear friend is going in for a major surgery tomorrow.  It is serious and I am worried for her.  I will speak with a mutual friend today who is in closer contact with M.  I am praying that all will go well.  If you are reading this please send positive energy and prayers to my dear friend that she will get through this surgery and recover quickly.  She is such a wonderful person.  I wonder why such things happen to good people.

Peace!

Wordless Wednesday

Peace

Our Word View - Imagine

This week I chose the word imagine for Our Word View.  As I looked through my images on my computer I found a group of images of my paternal ancestors from the turn of the century.  I wonder if you have ever imagined what it would be like to live in a time when owning a horse and buggy was a sign of wealth.

Head over to Our Word View to see Liz's interpretation of this week's word.

Peace!

Winding Down

Well this past week seems to have gone by in a blur!  The school year is winding down and there is much to do as both parent and teacher!  It makes for a very busy time.

n had an open house at her new middle school.  In our town we have two middle schools and next year I will have one child at each school.  I was impressed by n's middle school.  She is so excited to move on and I am excited for her.  It's interesting when you are young and the adults in your life remind you to enjoy all that you do because as you get older time goes by faster I always thought they were crazy.  How could time go by faster just because you are older; I would think.  Well it's the truth.  I can't believe how fast my children are growing up!  Emotionally and physically I have two teenagers here in this house (although chronologically I only have 1... proof that girls mature more quickly... a teen at 11!)  It feels like just yesterday when I had two toddlers.

In four (three and a half) days we will be on summer vacation.  My goal over this summer is to relax,  exercise, get healthy (loose 20 lbs) and prepare a professional portfolio.  Should be a wonderful two months.  Hopefully during that time I will interview and be offered a teaching position.  Fingers will be crossed.  Otherwise I'll be subbing full time next year right from the beginning!

Peace!

Wordless Wednesday

Peace!

Local Philharmonic

Today I went with my class and all the other 3rd, 4th and 5th grade classes from my school as well as students from three other schools to see our local Philharmonic Orchestra.  It was an amazing experience.  I didn't realize what a treasure we have here in town.  The children were mesmerized by the performance and the conductor was great with all the kids.  I would love to go with my own kids and enjoy a performance.  I must say that I think my class was the most well behaved class in our school.  I am proud of them.

Peace!

Through the Years

Well my best friend's daughter graduated from high school this weekend.  I remember when C was pregnant at my wedding and then later that fall when beautiful M was born.  I remember holding her and rocking her when she was a tiny baby and all the bank girls went to visit C and her new precious gift.  I remember watching her grow.  As a very young girl she looked like an angel.  She was fair with gorgeous curly blond hair.   Her curls fell around her face in soft wispy ringlets.  Birthday parties came and went and she grew up before our very eyes.  I remember tutoring her for a time when she was in elementary school and taking her picture as she prepared for her Prom.    She grew into an amazing, independent, intelligent young woman.    She did all this with the support of a family who loves her beyond words.  At the graduation party yesterday I could see in my minds eye this beautiful girl through the years.  My friend has done an amazing job raising her family.  I am proud of her and her daughter.  

Peace!

Our Word View - Summer

This week over at Our Word View we are sharing our interpretation of the word summer.  What epitomizes summer more than the ferris wheel at the local fair?  This picture dates back a couple of years but it is still one of my all time favorites.  

Happy Summer!  

Please be sure to hop on over to Our Word View to see my friend Liz's interpretation.

Peace!