Sunday, February 28, 2010

Hobby Lobby makes me happy

Since before Christmas we have had such crazy weather. Snow, ice, frigid temperatures, more snow and whipping winds. I know that we have not had it as awful as our northern states and for that, I am thankful. Mostly what has been the strangest thing is lack of sun. I miss the sun and I treasure the few days that the warmth of the rays has peeked through the clouds. Lack of sun, especially when it’s freezing, makes me feel sleepy, heavy and non-motivated. Ugh! BUT then I make that trip to Hobby Lobby! Woo-Hoo! Color, color everywhere! Especially down the Spring/Easter aisles. Thank you Hobby Lobby!
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And we were able to make this:
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Monday, February 22, 2010

Randomness

Sometimes I just crack myself up! Yes, I know, I am probably the ONLY one laughing at me, myself and I. Occasionally I have, well, random thoughts. You know, the kind that come from Mars or the other side of nothingness. Very seldom do I confess my random thoughts to anyone, but the other day while driving, I divulged one to my sweet husband. Therefore, since I let the cat out of the bag, so to speak, I will proceed and confess here.

 



As far back as I can remember, even back into my early childhood, music has stirred different thoughts in my noggin. All of us have at one time or another pretended to sing that pop song while holding the hairbrush in our hands. Even into my early adulthood, I played the sing-sing game (especially during the Star Search era in the ‘80s when I was a young adult at the time). My feeling on this is that it is a pretty common thing that most folks do. But there is another thought that occurs in my medulla oblongata. Some songs, not all, just certain ones, lead me into the world of……..choreography. And not just any choreography, but figure skating choreography. There, I said it. Yes, I picture the entire performance in my nutty little brain. From the laybacks, to the spins, to the double and triple toe loops, spirals and camel spins. I imagine it all! Costumes, hand gestures, and the endings. I never know what song will trigger this random thought, it just happens.

When I confessed this to my sweet husband, he didn’t laugh. Well, at least not out loud. There wasn’t any eye-rolling either (that I could see). Just a simple nod of the head and a verbal “Oh.” I guess after almost 10 years of knowing me he possibly isn’t shocked by this revelation of randomness. He has heard some of my other randomness, but not all! I just issue bits and pieces at a time. It’s just better that way!

Even though figure skating choreography is certainly not anything I aspire to do, I could probably choreograph a dang good routine (well, in my nutty brain anyway)!

One day, and that day is not too far off, I will be able to share, with joyful giddiness, my random thoughts with Mady. And you know what? She will get it and be random-ee right along with me!

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Tuesday, February 16, 2010

i wanna dance!

So, I am entering my second photo challenge over at iheartfaces. The theme is I Wanna Dance and there are some great entries!
 
The picture below is one of my favorites. This was the first time my granddaughter, Mady, put on a tutu. She was fascinated by it and loved twirling around. I love the fairy-like look of this photograph and I hope she turns into a future ballerina!
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There are so many beautiful entries over at iheartfaces, so be sure to check them out!



Sunday, February 14, 2010

A Valentine Weekend

The weekend brought surprises and beautiful things. First, a beautiful Valentine was in the mail from my lovely mother-in-law, Sally. Ooooooo! It was such a surprise and so pretty!


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Friday also brought gorgeous tulips from my sweet husband.
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Here are few of the other beautiful moments from the weekend:
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Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Two days of beauty

So, I continue to paddle on in my canoe with the 30 Days of Beauty (thanks to Erin).

Yesterday, Mady and I fulfilled Secret Project #2. I love that she loves a bit of craftiness in her life (and cooking). I do keep reminding myself that she is only 2 1/2 with a limited attention span. The amazing thing about Mady is her memory. Wow! We made about 24 of the project items and when all was said and done, she knew which one she made for her Nana, Mommy, Daddy and her KK (I couldn’t remember but two of those). The rest of the project items were more generic, again, due to attention span, but we talked about who they were for as we made them. I wasn’t able to take pictures while making them, but I did get some of the finished products.

While on my way from Mady’s house to a stamp club get-together, I had to pull over in a parking lot and take a few pictures of the sun peeking through the clouds. We haven’t had sun for many days now and I couldn’t resist the opportunity. So pretty!
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It was so nice to see a bit of sun, if only for a moment or two.

Today, there was a bit more sun! While Mady and her Bob-Bob were at Kindermusik, I walked around the building at the college and snapped a few pictures. I also saw some interesting light inside the building and was able to capture some beauty-ness there!
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Special note about the two pictures above. The railing (on the left) was taken inside, going down a stairwell. The railing was actually black, but a coke machine was reflecting off of the railing giving it this copper color. The photo to the right was looking down the hallway. The light was beaming in from the door at the far end and reflecting off of the wall. I love the contract and the colors in these two photographs.

I look forward to another day of beauty tomorrow!

Monday, February 8, 2010

30 days of beauty

I follow several blogs and one of my absolute favs is Erin’s. I love her style, photography and her appreciation for the small  and simple things in life. Erin has challenged her readers to capture something beautiful until the first day of spring (March 20). According to Erin, “

I find myself in a bit of a photography rut. It's not that there aren't things to photograph, or I don't have my camera with me everywhere I go, I just find myself having a harder time seeing the beauty out there...everywhere!

So in an attempt to skip over this yearly rut altogether, I decided a little photo challenge was in order. Until spring is here, there will be 30 days where I capture something beautiful. It could be something as simple as a steaming coffee cup, frost on the window shield, or paper whites blooming in a window…Will you join me? Please, oh please?!” 

So yes, Erin, I will take up your challenge and here is one of my beauties today:
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Our “secret” project today was to make some Valentine cookies of various family members. I found a great recipe in Southern Living for Lemon Butter Cookies, except we added a bit more lemon zest than it called for. They are so delicious! This was the first time Mady had seen an electric mixer and she loved helping and watching.

Tomorrow we have Secret Project Two which involves, felt and stickers (her favorite). I hope she can keep these secret projects a secret from her mommy and daddy.

Thanks for the boost and the challenge Erin!

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Warmth

I have an electric blanket. This was a gift at Christmas from a thoughtful daughter and it lies on my half of the bed (my sweet husband doesn't like them....except when his toes are cold). I forgot to turn it on last night before I got into bed. So, I turned it on then jumped in - into the cold sheets I might add. I actually lie on top of the blanket (I know, I know.....you are NOT supposed to do this) and a flood of memories came back to me while it was warming my backside.

As a little girl I had electric blanket. My mother would turn it on before bed to warm it up, then off once I got in. Now that was some cozy sleeping! Since then there have been years where I didn't have one and some that I did. Having lived in Florida during my teenage years and early adulthood I don't remember having one. After moving to Atlanta for a few years then on to Tennessee, I remember getting one, but I have not been the proud owner of one for the past 6 years, at least. 
Then came Christmas. I must admit, I did add it to my wish list and my wish was granted (thank you daughter). Oh the joy! The pure unadulterated, enraptured, blissful, toasty joy! The joy of warmth in the midst of glacier-like air (and sheets). 

During this biting, bitter time we have experienced as of late, I am reminded of a song by Christina Rossetti that is often sung during the Christmas season:

In the bleak midwinter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter,
Long ago.





































It has certainly felt bleak. But late at night as I burrow into my electric cave of toasty-ness, the bleakness turns to cozy comfort. Cozy comfort like that yummy-licious peppermint tea that another daughter introduced to me at Christmas. The steeping tea bag in the hot mug cradled in the palm of my hand, exuding an aroma of coziness and a releasing of chill in both hand and body cavity.

Yes, while nestled in my toasty-ness I am reminded of the beauty and warmth that is around me daily. The beauty of the silhouette of the barren tree branches against the quiet sunrise/sunset. The warmth of my special "Lucy" quilts wrapped around my lap. Beauty and warmth of family, laughter, music and silliness of a two-and-a-half year old grandbaby girl.

























Thank you my electric blanket for memories and reminders. Thank you for warmth.

(P.S. Yes, that is a cookie cutter being used as an ankle bracelet.)