Welcome February

Welcome February! 

Spring is getting just a bit closer.

It was another frigid morning here in Minnesota. 

When I woke up the outdoor thermostat hovered around -20. 

Brrrrr, right?! 

I drove my boys to the bus stop this morning. 

I'm a wimp and I don't care.

This is the point at which I usually start dreaming of spring.

Longing for melty green days.

There's something about winter and being cooped up and cozy inside that's ok, at first.

But it gets really really old come February and March.

I wish it were this green and colorful outside right now.

These are photos from last March when the world was thawing and spring was seeping out.

I'm anxiously waiting for it to arrive again this year!

Until then, I'll suck it up, strap on my snowshoes and endure the cold weather.

Hope you stay warm this February!

Welcome January

Happy 2013!!!

I can't believe it's already here.

Wishing you all a blessed New Year!

Along with a new year, comes a new month and a chance to welcome all the change that it can bring.

Welcome January!

Welcome to a new year full of promise and possibility.

Welcome to healthy days. I'm tired of one or more of us feeling 'under the weather'.

Welcome to more winter. I'm not weary of it yet, that'll probably come in another month or so.

Welcome to turning a year older near the end of the month. I'm welcoming 40 wholeheartedly and ready for the milestone!

Welcome to the feeling of inspiration and the chance to start fresh. I love this time of year!

CHEERS TO YOU ALL!!!

TO A NEW YEAR FULL OF ALL YOUR DREAMS COMING TRUE!

What are your wishes for the new year?

A Merry and Magical Holiday

Disneyland - Main Street and Sleeping Beauty Castle

About a month ago, over the long Thanksgiving weekend, the four of us went on our first family vacation.

Disneyland - Main Street

Our destination? This enchanting place...Disneyland!

Disneyland - Main Street and Toontown

The moment the four of set foot on the Disney grounds, we were captivated.

Not just by Disney itself, but by the holiday cheer that was spilling out of every nook and cranny.

It was "so tinsel!" {a little Disney's Prep and Landing humor}  :)

Disneyland - Main Street and Main Entrance

And after scouring over more than a thousand photos, these are my favorites. 

Ones that are filled with the spirit of the season.

Disneyland - It's a Small World

Everything twinkled, shimmered or shined.

Disneyland - Sleeping Beauty Castle

Especially the Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Disneyland - It's a Small World

After the sun went down millions of little lights came to life. They were brilliant!

So brilliant that we asked ourselves, "Gee I wonder how much their electric bill is every month???" 

Such practical minds we have.

Disneyland - Main Street

Snow even fell on Main Street after the Believe in Holiday Magic Fireworks show.

Disneyland - Main Street

Undoubtably though, to us Minnesotans, we knew the difference.

It wasn't real snow after all, instead it was sudsy, foamy soap bubbles.

Aww but who cares, we still loved it!

Disneyland - Sleeping Beauty Castle

The fireworks show dazzled and brought tears to my eyes. It was moving!

And the way the Sleeping Beauty Castle was adorned in glistening lights was breathtaking.

Downtown Disney 

Taking a break from the theme parks we spent some time in Downtown Disney. 

Where the lights were bright and colorful also.

Disney California Adventure - A Bugs Land

Our next experience was Disney California Adventure. 

In A Bugs Land the holiday decor was oversized and gigantic. 

Because, after all, we were bug sized as we walked through A Bugs Land. :)

Disney California Adventure - Cars Land

And here it was, what we were most excited about...Cars Land...

with it's rustic junkyard charm!

Disney California Adventure - Cars Land

And it lived up to every expectation.

Disney California Adventure - Cars Land

The Cars themed holiday decor was the best!

Disney California Adventure - Cars Land

Draped in hub caps, filters, tires and all things Cars.

Disney California Adventure - Cars Land

Disney certainly doesn't skimp on details.

Disney California Adventure - Buena Vista Street

The moon was nearly full and glowed above the Buena Vista Christmas tree.

Disney California Adventure - Paradise Pier

Oh those lights how they glimmered! 

Leaving us filled with memories that will last a lifetime. 

An extraordinary trip that will remain in our hearts forever.

Wishing you all a Merry and Magical Holiday filled with many 

twinkling lights and glowing memories!!!

Winter Solstice {Hope Renewed}

Yay, it's the winter solstice! The shortest day.

And I'm excited why? 

Because after today the days grow longer,

 the sun gets stronger, 

the brightness rises higher. 

Hope is renewed. 

Because, after all...

Winter can bend you. Leaving you weary, making you long for warmth and sunshine.

Winter can feel confining, dreary, looonnnggg.

But it can also feel reviving, cozy, serene. 


"Winter is the time for comfort, 
for good food and warmth, 
for the touch of a friendly hand and 
for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home." 
~Edith Sitwell


Wishing you all a winter full of cozy evenings, increasingly sunny afternoons and hope through the bitter cold!
For you know, the bitterness can't last forever. In winter, spring is always around the corner.

Hello Monday!

Hello Monday!

Hello snow, more than 12 inches of fresh and fluffy white stuff fell over the weekend.

Hello shoveling, clearing off walkways, driveways, decks and porches.

Hello white Christmas, don't think it'll all melt before then! :)

Hello Christmas cards, finishing and sending ours this week, love having received some in the mail already.

Hello Christmas shopping, haven't made a dent yet, I better get moving!

Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead.

{ linking up with the lovely Lisa Leonard for Hello Monday }

Summer's Last Storm

taken:
day ninety four
09.21.12

At Lake Mille Lacs, on the last day of summer, in the final hours, a blustery ending brewed. 

Dark, thick clouds hid what would have been summer's last sunset. 

The winds whipped, the waves swelled toward shore. 

Before long the rain began to gush from the sky. 

Summer's last storm, washing away the brightness of summer, brought with it the rich and crisp days of autumn.

Exquisite

taken:
day ninety three
09.20.12

Just another tropical hibiscus blossom, this one pink, exquisite, radiant and ruffly.

Head Over Heels

taken:
day ninety two
09.19.12

I am head over heels for comsos. Truly. So much so, that this year I grew 5 different varieties, growing all from seed. They just make me happy, simple as that! This darling cosmo, providing a bee with a late summer refreshment, is the 'daydream' variety. With sweet and cheerful little blooms, I enjoyed growing this variety for the first time this summer.

What A Difference

taken:
day ninety one
09.18.12

As fall approaches the asters are still emerging, ever so gradually. They seem much more purple, on this day, in the fading evening light, than they were 15 days before, when they appeared more pinkish in the high afternoon sun. What a difference lighting, angle and 15 days can make!

Still Going Strong

taken:
day ninety
09.17.12

Just a sweet little succulent that I planted last summer. It's still going strong, along with it's moss rose companions.

Hope

taken:
day eighty nine
09.16.12

Sunflowers are bold and tall. 

Sometimes becoming weary, drooping toward the earth, weighted down with seeds, too heavy to face the sun. 

Sometimes life can feel the same way. 

There are days of strength and adventure, nothing could waver. 

Then, there are days when the seeds of everyday pressures weigh down even the bravest and sturdiest. 

When unable to face the sun, the fact is, it's still there, above, radiating sparks of hope and strength.

For someday, those heavy seeds will fall, leaving the opportunity to lift and face the sun again.

Nearly Invisible

taken:
day eighty eight
09.15.12

This tiny spider, gleaming in the sun, weaved it's web beneath our mailbox. It was itty bitty and nearly invisible. 

I only noticed it because the sunshine highlighted it from behind. Sneaky little spider!

September Afternoon

taken:
day eighty seven
09.14.12

Ok, can you tell I love cosmos? Here's another one, standing tall and graceful on a September afternoon.

From White To Pink

taken:
day eighty six
09.13.12

Deep pink now, but these hydrangea blossoms spend most of the summer pure white {as in this and this}. 

This 'pink diamond' turns vibrant as fall approaches, splashing what once was pale and smooth, with richness and texture.