something for you

Here's one way to have a perfect summer day:

Get up early on a Saturday morning.  Pack the car with water and snacks.

Plan a hike in the Mark Twain National Forest, or your local beauty spot.  

Make sure the hike is some distance away so you'll have plenty of time in the car to talk.  

Rest your hand on his thigh as he drives.

Smile at your child still asleep in the backseat.

While you are hiking stop often and take pictures of things that make your heart sing. 

When you get home, relive your beautiful day as you look at your photos.

Turn one of them into a desktop background so it will 

remind you over and over of a perfect day. 

This is the desktop background I made, and I'd like to share it with you. 

Just click the image to see the full-size version.  Then, right-click and download the file to use for your desktop background, or any other way you might like. 

Wishing you many perfect summer days of your own.

for you

Fun.

Friday Finds

As much as I love books, sometimes I just can't find anything to read. Are you ever like that? If you are, check out these links. I bet you'll find a whole lot that sounds good.

Fresh Delivery

Which Book

Happy Weekend, friends.

Excellent art,above, by Studio Mela, here.

Friday Finds

Hi, friends. I have a little bit of Friday goodness for you. Enjoy.

I'm off to savor a 4 day weekend with my honeys.

* * I love people who notice the humor wherever it might be. * *

* * interesting thoughts on green living * *

* * thoughts on creating a good family life * *

* * an incredibly useful website * *

* * sepiatown * *

* * a genius * *

Happy weekend.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

I don't know about yours,
but my Valentine's Days are always filled with hearts and flowers,
bubble gum, temporary tatoos, candy hearts, and chocolate.

I get beautiful handmade cards
and stick drawings of myself
proclaiming me both an angel and an angle.

You just can't beat spending your days with kids.
And, getting paid to do it?
Well, that's just the icing on the cupcake.

I hope your day is filled with sticky kisses
and homemade cards. However it is packaged,
I hope you know that you are loved.

You are, my friends, you are!

Can you believe that's a scan of a card I received today? It was made entirely by a second grader. No joke.

2012

I have a prayer for you, my dear friends. And for me.

This year...

May you recognize your blessings.

May you experience wondrous growth.

May you take every opportunity to laugh

and never miss a chance to serve others.

May your challenges make you stronger.

May you have more tears of joy than of sorrow.

May your family be safe and happy

and your friends hold you near to their hearts.

May you grow and learn, laugh and play.

May you never forget to show love and to be grateful.

Most of all, may you go with God, and trust Him each step of the way.

Happy 2012, friends.

Friday Finds

Here's a round up of some fun and favorites to brighten your weekend. May your weekend be full of blue skies and balmy breezes.

• vivaree ~ a fantastically creative and fun contest. The contest is over, but the comments are well worth reading.
• sappling press ~ the funniest stationary I've ever seen
• Eliza Deacon ~ a marvelous photographer I've only just discovered
• Air Kiss ~ a blog that celebrates a simple, rich life
• New Fairy Tales ~ perfect for reading on a cold night
  

NaBloPoMo

NaBloPoMo? What? I have no idea what that word means. I think maybe National Blog Posting Month? Not sure. But. The idea is this: for a single month you post every day. For some of you, no big deal, you do it all the time. For me? Challenge. I just don't make it to the "page" every day. But, for this one month a year, I do.

I hope you'll join me. I hope you'll stop by more often. And, I hope you'll leave a comment. I live for comments, you know.

See you soon. Till then, a little video to make you smile. And hug someone.

Tips and Tricks

You know those ideas that are so simple,
so perfect that they make you slap your forehead and say,
"Duh. Why didn't I think of that?"

I love those ideas. Love 'em.
I get a kick out of discovering them and sharing them.
Somehow, a great new idea always makes my day.

Here are a few I thought just might make yours, all courtesy of Pinterest.
Click on the image for a direct link to the source.

So, what about you? Do you have any great ideas to share? Do tell.

Imaginary Friends

You know how you hear a song and you cry? You just can't help it. And you wonder who you know that can write songs like that, because surely it had to be written about you.

You know how you read something that just stops your heart for a moment? And you sit, entirely still. Then your heart resumes beating, but it's pounding. Trying to make up those lost beats.

You know how you see a picture and you gasp? And your stomach quivers a little because the photographer got it so exactly right. That if you were to try and define perfect, you could use this as an example.

Karey's like that. Often. So is Mary.

Meet the T.ruffle girls. They are my favorite dynamic duo. Even better than peanut butter and chocolate.

Have a sweet weekend, my friends.

Happy Friday

It's Friday and I'm ready for the weekend. Before I head home, I like to leave everything clean and organized; ready for Monday morning. I clean the boards, straighten the student desks, make sure all the chairs are stacked, and pencils are sharpened. I make sure all the books and resources are out and ready for the coming week. My desk is dusted and neat with a small pile of thing to do first thing on Monday. Do you have a ritual like this? I love how easy it makes Monday morning. But, have you ever noticed that no matter how organized most people are, their computer desktop is often a mess? I found a site that can really help with that. Click here.

Happy weekend, friends. May all your dreams be sweet ones.

Pink Wishes

On this Pink Thursday I wish for us all...

breathtaking beauty

contentment

quiet spaces and room to breathe

good health

and a cure for this terrible disease

To beguile an hour of your day, do visit Quizz's photostream. This amazing picture was only a taste.

Something Funny

Click here. Have fun.

Something Silly

You may know this already, but on Wednesdays I leave a little gift here on my blog for you. It might be something funny or helpful, playful or inspiring. Something For You is just a way for me to share some of the goodness I've discovered in my roams around the Internet. You can discover my other "gifts" by clicking the tag at the end of this post. This week's Something is silly. Very silly.

I don't know if I have ever mentioned this, but our family has chosen not to have a television in our home. We find it leaves is with so much more time for reading, walking, playing games; just being together. But. Every once in a while a cultural phenomenon will hit and I just have to know for myself what everyone is talking about.

It was that way with Lost. I started watching the first season on DVD and gradually caught up with the show as it aired. Eventually I discovered the episodes on the Internet. I love that freaky, weird show full of gorgeous people and a twisting plot. Love it!

So. For all the Lost fans, and anyone who is curious. These are for you:

• Sawyer's Nickname Generator
• One sexy commercial

And a question.

Sawyer or

Jack?

Or maybe Sayid?

Happy Wednesday.



Oobviously, I didn't take these pictures. No idea who did, but lucky them.

Something Colorful

Each Wednesday, I post something wonderful that I've discovered recently. A small piece of beauty, laughter, or inspiration that I hope will add joy to your day.

As winter skies turn grey, I figure we could all use a jolt of color, a splash of cheer, and a heaping helping of silliness. Color Me Katie delivers. I recently discovered this happy blog and have fallen in love with it. What are you in the mood for?
Feeling sentimental? Find out what she has to say about the best wedding pictures. Feeling shy? Watch this video and be inspired. Feeling grey? Look at these images. Need some cheap chic for your home? Just click here.


I'm right, aren't I? Katie's great! Color me happy.



All the delightful photographs were taken by Katie Sokoler.

Something Gifty

My friend Leslye is hosting a give-away to celebrate her birthday. Her art is just gorgeous. I am hoping I win, of course, but I thought you would love a chance, too. Why not stop by and wish her a happy birthday?

Happy Wednesday, friends.





On Wednesdays I leave a little gift here on my blog for you. It might be something funny or helpful, playful or inspiring. Wednesday posts are just a way for me to share some of the goodness I've discovered in my roams around the Internet. You can discover the rest of my "somethings" by clicking the Something for You tag at the end of this post.

Something Musical

My, oh my, am I ever excited about what I have to share with you today. I was poking around Bloglandia doing my favorite thing and following the candy trail of links. I found myself in Mati Rose's word at this post, which is right up my alley.

Click here. Click now!

Tell me, did you already know about Pandora? I am thrilled, thrilled, thrilled. YES!





The image above is only one of handwriting's wonderful photostream.

On Wednesdays

We now return to our regularly scheduled programming. I am going to try to get back to my regular Something for You posts. Each Wednesday, I'll post something wonderful that I've discovered recently. A small piece of beauty, laughter, or inspiration that I hope will add joy to your day.

Today I offer an amazing blog. This is one of the most creative blogging concepts I've come across. Two women, mother and daughter, who each share a quick snapshot of their day. Every day. Meet Leslye and Taylor from Spread Your Wings. While you are at it, check out some of my favorite posts here, here, and here. And don't miss this. See what I mean?





The original artwork picture above is by Leslye of Spread Your Wings.

no one can eat just one

I am not a big cook, but I am a dessert lover. When my Mom sent me this simple recipe, I just had to pass it along. This dessert couldn't be easier and couldn't taste better.

Oreo Balls

1 Package of Oreos

8oz cream cheese softened

white almond bark

Crush the oreos (the smaller the better) and add the cream cheese. Roll the mixture into balls and chill. Next, melt the chocolate and roll the balls in it, chill when finished.

Betcha can't eat just one.




Click here for more delicious photos by Bakerella.