Sunday morning pleasures

Our regular Sunday mornings are great.  We get up a little later than during the week, get ready at a comfortable pace, and head out the door in plenty of time to get to Sunday school, followed by worship.  We love our usual routine, but today I am reminded of how great it is to change things every once in a while.  Like today.  Jeffrey & Sloane are on a scouting trip as hunting season is about to begin.  I decided to take the day off, just for me.

I have had the most delicious morning.  I always ask Jeffrey and Sloane to wake me up when they leave early.  What's a little sleep when compared to not saying, "Good morning, loves."?  Since I was awake so early, I decided to just stay up.  I spent hours in bed reading Etta and Otto and Russell and James.  The room was chilly as the October breezes crept in and I snuggled under our cozy duvet.

When I finally got up, I saw that Jeffrey had left me muffins ready for the oven; a reminder to have a nice breakfast and take care of myself.  The muffins are baking, fill the house with the smell of sugar and cinnamon, and I thought I'd stop by and say hello. Tell me, what are you doing with your delicious October Sunday morning?

a week of ordinary miracles, day 2

My ordinary miracle came today by way of the post office.  Elizabeth and I have been blog friends for years now.  We've both written about our love of letters and mail.  We've even exchanged addresses and done nothing with them.  Till today.  Elizabeth wrote me the loveliest letter.  It's all slanty handwriting and poetic thoughts about books and dogs and melting snow and spring.  Joy in a mailbox; that's what it was.  My wonderful, perfect, ordinary miracle.  Thank you, Elizabeth.  Thank you, U.S. Postal Service.

Write someone a letter today, won't you?  I know I plan to.   And, hey, email for my address if you want to write me.  ;^)  Have a marvelous day, friends.

August Break, 4

out behind my school after a big storm last spring - caught with a cell phone

Today's prompt: three

What's more magical than a double rainbow?  A triple.

more precious ordinary

A Wednesday ritual. 

A single photo capturing a simple moment.  

A reminder to slow down our always busy lives and to savor this moment. 

Summer Fun

We're in the middle of summer school just now, and it's time to make plans for a little summer fun.





Summer Fun List

* time *

* kite flying *

* swim meets*

* a staycation *

* flea market Fridays * 

* chasing lightning bugs *

* regular pedicures for Relyn *

* dragging out the slip n slide *

* regular trips to the farmer's market *

* going to town for free summer movies *

* stopping at every fundraiser car wash we see *

* inventing new recipes using our garden bounty *

* catching a double feature at the drive in  - in our PJs *

* hosting Sloane's friends for an all you can eat ice cream sundae party *

* chasing down the ice ceam man so we can buy overpriced treats *

 ********

********

* the library's summer reading program *

* Shakespeare in the park *

* church camp for Sloane *

* riding camp for Sloane *

Sloane's Zoo

 You know what I love?  I love turning a passing thought that's actually a really good idea, into reality.  That's what I've been doing lately. Let me show you.

It all started when I stumbled on Hippopata.  Don't you just love it?  As soon as I saw that hippo, I knew I needed to do have a portrait of Gareth for Sloane.  Wait!  $900 minimum.  We can't do that; just can't.

So, the idea sat in the back of my mind and I pondered.  Of course, if I am going to the trouble to set up a photo shoot for Gareth, why wouldn't I do it for all Sloane's stuffies?  The two constant loves in Sloane's childhood have been books and stuffies.

The final impetus came when Sloane wanted to clean our her closet and pack away several of her old friends.  You notice, we are storing them - no getting rid of family members for the Lawson girls.  Attic, here we come.  Before we did it, I told her that I would have a photo shoot for her stuffies.  They've been family members, after all.  Each one has a name and a distinct story.  In fact, we used to play a game at bedtime.  Sloane would close her eyes and I would choose a random stuffed animal for her to sleep with that night.  (Along with Gareth.  She always sleeps with Gareth.)  Sloane could tell me which stuffie it was every single time - without looking.  She knew them so well, she could recognize them by touch.

So.  What would I need to take photos like that?  Turns out, not much.  Just a light box.  Thank you, Anne, Jeffrey, and Arlen.  My husband and his sweet brother actually made the light box for me from a tutorial I found online.  The cost was less than $5.00, and it only took 30 minutes.  Perfect!  I'm not finished with the project.  Sloane has at least 76 stuffed animals, after all.  I am pleased with what I've done so far though.

What about you?  What good ideas can you turn into reality?

love

 

The love of a friend, a child, a parent, a spouse, a pet -

all of these are wondersome gifts. 

 

The smile from a stranger, the hug from a companion, the note that makes you grin -

all of these are love made visible.

 

The fact that children laugh each day, and you can join them;

that people hold hands, and it can melt your heart;

that all of life is a miracle, and you are here to see it -

all of these are proof of love.

 

May you know today and every day

just how much you are loved.

 

Happy Valentine's Day, friends!

 

Look at that picture.  Pure joy that bubbles out in laughter.  This is why I teach. 

the 80s

1982, look at those feathers!

Tomorrow is 80s day at school followed by an 80s Night Dance. Sloane and I had so much fun shopping and practicing hair and makeup tonight. I bought electric blue eyeliner, and was surprised when I found the blue mascara I was looking for. I got streaky hot pink blush, plus teal and violet eye shadows. Sloane has an armful of plastic bracelets, too. We'll be, like... totally tubular.

1984, a then- favorite outfit

Now, I wonder what the deal was with sandals and hose.

Actually, I can hardly believe I just took a pair of scissors to a just-purchased t-shirt. Oh my, the things we do to make our children happy. You should see Sloane's leggings and lace skirt and pile of necklaces. Last night I let her stay up way too late because we lost track of time as we searched old photos for dress up ideas. I thought you might get a kick out of a little vintage Relyn.

1986, with my brother

Come to think of it, I still love that outfit.

Big hair, shoulder pads, tons of makeup, great music, lots of accessories - I loved the 80s. You?

...

Doesn't this little face just make you smile?
Me, too.

a winter list

Winter is the king of intimate delights; I love the quiet, the fire, I like socks,
and watching the birds and squirrels at the feeders. ~ Susan Branch

the quiet delights of winter
* warm and woolly socks * giving your love a foot massage with this lotion * a quiet hour staring into the fire, watching it turn to embers * taking a camping chair and fleece blanket with you into the woods and just sitting * cutting paper snowflakes * stirring your hot cocoa with candy canes * making love in front of a fire on a mattress you drug in from the bedroom * a professional pedicure * maintaining the bird feeders * beef stew for dinner * an hour spent following link after link on Flickr * cable-knit sweaters * putting an extra quilt on all the beds * at night: standing still, face tipped up, watching the snow fall * reading by the fire * calling an old friend for a long chat * keeping your child's little body lotioned and comfortable * dusting and reorganizing all your bookshelves * baking * writing long letters on real stationary * planning a garden * dreaming of spring break * looking through old boxes of pictures * making snow angels * buying soft, new pajamas that look as good as they feel * knitting * a cotton candy pink pea coat *

What about you, my friends. What delights you this winter?

Sniff, sniff...

Week 31 of the Wednesday lists.
I have never, ever heard of snow as an allergen. But, I am telling you, as soon as the flakes started to fall, my nose plugged up and my allergies kicked in. I've spent the day not being able to smell a thing, and that has me dreaming of yummy smells.

Scents I Love

* real roses * chocolate chip cookies or brownies, fresh out of the oven * the spot at the back of a baby's neck * Sloane's hair, after a shower * Johnson's No More Tears shampoo * puppy dog breath * the ticklish scent of a great used bookstore * the fishy, briny smell of an ocean * honeysuckle * baby powder * rubber cement * lilacs * the chlorine and coconutty scent of a public pool * lavender * a carpet store * old paper * fresh sheets, just in from the line * stew in the crock pot * quality leather * chili on the stove * dill pickles * fresh baked bread * Collegedale, TN when McKee Bakery (of Little Debbie fame) is baking oatmeal cream pies * beer brewing at Anheuser in Williamsburg, VA * the tangy bite of jalapenos * Jeffrey's pillow in the morning * fresh cut grass * Febreeze * mint chocolate chip ice cream * banana Laffy Taffy * a campfire * cinnamon * lemons * a new car * Bonnie Belle lipsmackers * Jergen's almond lotion * buttercream icing * hot wax * lemon scented Pledge * real vanilla *

What about you? What scents do you love?

another ordinary miracle

I wish I'd had my camera when we picked up Sloane's glasses on Monday.
I wish I could have captured forever the awe on her face.

Mom! I can see every leaf. Every. single. one.
And I'm not even near the tree!
WOW!

I'm sure the optician thought I was crazy
when I teared up right there in the doctor's office.

But, there it was.
The miracle of sight.
How could such a gift not make me cry?

My baby got glasses this week. Isn't she the cutest thing ever? Excepting, of course, your own daughters.

Pink Thoughts

I am joining Christina, the queen of great ideas, for Pink Thoughts. Every Thursday in October, in honor of all the woman who have fought the battle with breast cancer, we will be posting something pink. Care to join us?

Pink is such a delicious color.

It can be innocent, like the ribbon running through the lace of a christening dress.

Or as sweet as cotton candy.

Pink can be bold and blustery, like neon lights burning through the night.

Or exciting, like a pink-scrawled address or a brilliant umbrella.

Pink can be hopeful, like a girl with Bonnie Bell on her lips.

Pink can be unexpected.

Or just right.

It can remind you of a little girl.

Or a sophisticated lady.

Pink can be the color of courage.

The color of a ribbon.

The color of survival and of loss.

Happy Pink Thursday, my friends.


So many wonderful photographers lent their images for this Pink Thursday. Click on the picture to go directly to the photostream of the wonderful photographer of each image.

Happy Week, Tuesday

Lisa over at Curious Girl is hosting Happy Week, and that is an idea I can get excited about. An entire week of happy posts makes me grin just thinking about it. Before you read this, would you please scroll to the end of the page and set my playlist to play song number 26? Ok, thanks.



Ordinary miracles make me happy.

Ordinary miracles like the way a sunset can paint even the WalMart parking lot beautiful. Or, the way spotlights turn into moons against a salmon colored sky. Or, the tender way a big brother kneels down to tie his little sister's shoe. I love the way a favorite song sometimes plays on the drive to work and becomes happily stuck in my head all day long. I love the way I will have something on my mind and find that three other blogging friends are thinking about the same thing - synchronicity. Or, taking the time to stop and listen to children laughing as they play. How about the simplicity of a row of birds on a wire like so many musical notes? And, the flowers that pop up in the most unexpected places. The light bulb moments that fill a school building each day. The tactile pleasure of sharpening your pencil to a perfect point. The way copper turns the most wonderful shade of green. Good hair days, purring cats, personal mail in the box, a clean house, a great book... Ordinary miracles.

Yesterday I Saw...

~ the kind of view that is a massage for your soul; a part of my own precious ordinary that I never take for granted

~ banks of tiger lilies creating streamers of orange along the roads



~ a white cow exactly in the middle of a bright green, algae-filled pond. How did that cow get in the exact middle without leaving a wake?

~ a horse rolling around, delightedly scratching himself in the dusty grass. His sock feet waved in the air like a roly poly bug stuck on it's back.



~ two kinds of sunshine