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today has proven itself to have been particularly lovely. so I'm thinking it is a very good day to practice what I preached in the last posting. hello gratitude.

these are a few of my favorite things:

~ actually drove the car. went out on my own - quite a milestone, thank you very much, since my surgery.
~ did some shopping and happily checked off a few things from my holiday nice list.
~ wore my uggs.
~ savored the clear blue sky and a crisp chill in the air.
~ enjoyed a long overdue conversation.
~ bought root beer at the grocery.
~ saw twinkle lights everywhere.

'I think twinkle lights are the perfect metaphor for joy. I believe a joyful life is made up of moments strung together by trust, gratitude, inspiration and faith.'

joy to the world

I received an early Christmas present last week. as I checked the black Friday deals, lo and behold, on the $3.99 Amazon list was Brene Brown's The Gifts of Imperfection. I scooped it up and put it on my iPad (no small feat in itself for my technology challenged self) and started reading. and reading. and reading. I have been a fan of Brene's blog for a while now, and intrigued by her work, but had no inkling what a beautiful truth she had to tell. simple. human. humane. honest. whole hearted.

as I turned each page I felt like a good friend was talking with me. to me. for me. about me. sharing. caring. exploring. advising. consoling. supporting. a heart to heart talk. looking deep to understand. be mindful. be kind. find balance. practice gratitude. with a message to be. me.

I am a very blessed woman. but I've mentioned in earlier posts that I have been seeking the who what where when what now in my life. her words have given me pause. a fresh perspective through three words; courage, compassion, connection.

Courage ~ to speak one's mind by telling all one's heart.
Compassion ~ to know the heart of compassion is really acceptance.
Connection ~ to receive and give with an open heart. be seen, heard & valued.

so I just wanted to say 'thank you' for such a joyful noise.

'she could never go back and make some of the details pretty. all she could do was move forward and make the whole beautiful.'

wonder full

it's a gloomy day in the great State. and I'm not complaining. because it means it has been raining a lovely gentle rain all day. it is beauty full. and inspiring.

a neighbor is cleaning out her garage. and has uncovered years and years and years worth of gardening magazines. oh no, you say. oh joy, I reply. and for the majority of today as I sit and sit and sit on the sofa I pour and pour and pour over pretty landscapes. full of color. blooming. serene. picture perfect.

and Pinterest is a wealth of glorious ideas like this ...












and so I start (ie continue) to plan my garden. the construction project all but destroyed my beds in the back. and the front garden is simply a mess. an odd assortment of moustached plants that only somewhat hide the foundation. weedy. spindly. and soon to be history (sorry my once-lovelies).

in the next few weeks I have a gentleman coming to clean out those plants. reform the beds into asymmetrical blank canvases. amend the soil. and, in general, welcome the new seedlings, startlings and stems into their new forever home.

so much time. so much to do. so happy for the tasks to come.

'one of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides.'

armed

I heart my friends and family. within minutes of posting the word 'bored' on my facebook page today I had four comments and two phone calls. the power of social networking. the beauty of friendship. the joy of an emotional embrace.

hugs abound. physical. spiritual. mental. that small gesture greets. soothes. comforts. whether big or small they all take my breath away. all encompassing. saying hello and goodbye equally. emphatically. emotionally. invading my bubble. personally.

and whether a dear one or a casual acquaintance, welcome. because it's nothing if not personal. and we are all better for it.

'millions and millions of years would still not give me half enough time to describe that tiny instant of all eternity when you put your arms around me and I put my arms around you.'

always grateful

thank you to all who serve. past. present. future.

'this nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.'

I think I can

the more I think about the life is art quote the more in love I am with the words. the message. the emotion. I want to use it in my new space.

like this ...











only here ...











oh I am an ambitious couch potato.

'note to self: finding a cool quote and writing it in your journal is not a substitute for Getting. It. Done.'

how true things

as I recuperate from a little surgery I have been spending a lot of time couch bound and oh so addicted to Pinterest. came across this lovely thought. I heART good words.

'I think everything in life is art. what you do. how you dress. the way you love someone, and how you talk. your smile and your personality. what you believe in, and all your dreams. the way you drink your tea. how you decorate your home. or party. your grocery list. the food you make. how your writing looks. and the way you feel.

life is art.'

'art is not a thing; it is a way.'