pluviophile . . .

"I know the rain is cold my dear, 

but dance in it a little while you wait for the sun."

                                                                     ~ a.j.lawless

Yesterday was a tough day for me.  I try to deny that I have tough days . . . because I think
I need to be strong all of the time, but how unrealistic is that? Today was much better.  Maybe I just needed some rain to wash everything away . . . and start fresh.  I was driving later in the day and it seemed like I haven't seen the sky look so blue in quite some time . . . and oh the magnificent clouds.  The sun was shining on the back of them . . . it was one of those moments when you feel that heaven is just beyond those clouds.  Our world is full of magic if we just take the time to notice.

GOOD THINGS TODAY . . . 

Walking in the rain

Talking with Lily . . . how this girl get me.  :)

Getting Easter stuff ready for my grandkids

Laughing with my mom

Getting packages ready to mail

Praying!
Mother Nature

rainy day pizza . . .

Charlotte loves rain (what 4 year old doesn't?)

She also loves "rainy day pizza" . . . and being silly for the camera!

I love spending time with these two.  

Happy Weekend . . .

It has been a long week . . . spending time with this little one puts everything in perspective.  

"Amma . . . can I jump in the puddles?"

"Of course you can Charlotte!"

“Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass . . . 

It's about learning to dance in the rain.” 

~ Vivian Greene

good things this week . . .

"Find out where the joy resides, and give

it a voice far beyond singing.  

For to miss the joy is to miss all."

~ Robert Louis Stevenson

GOOD THINGS THIS WEEK . . . 

1.  Plenty of rain

2. Plenty of sunshine

3. Making dolls with Charlotte

4. Making turmeric tea (I used the recipe here)

5. Eating healthy!

6. Talking to my brother

7. Mornings with Lily

8. Dinner and cribbage with my man . . . (I won!)

9. Looking out my window at work and seeing the mountains

10. Green!

It's been a long week . . . a simple week . . . an "I can't wait for the weekend" type of week.  I guess every week is an "I can't wait for the weekend" type of week, but I think I am feeling that a little more than usual . . . Spring Fever!

January stuff . . . just because

So far January has seemed to be full of good simple things . . . walking, walking in the rain, fun with little girls, african violets blooming, eating healthy, having fun, feeling creative . . . 

I had mentioned that I usually do not make New Years resolutions, but this year I did.  I am doing pretty good on getting the sleep that I need . . . although it is a challenge for me.  I have to make myself stop what I am doing and go to bed . . . not always an easy thing for me when I am feeling creative or in the mood to binge on Netflix - which I tend to be late at night.   My other resolutions seem to be falling into place without me even thinking about them.  So that all seems to be working.  

I'm keeping it simple . . . being me . . . and finding joy in the small stuff.
MAKE TODAY RIDICULOUSLY AMAZING!

For Today . . .

Outside my window . . . beautiful sunrise and it is a little chilly

I am thinking . . . today is going to be a wonderful day!

I am thankful for . . . the man who makes my coffee every morning

From the kitchen . . . scrambled eggs (made by that same man)

I am wearing . . . brown dress pants and a rust colored cardigan

I am creating . . . a zombie doll

I am going . . . to a birthday party this weekend!

I am reading . . . Grief Land by Armen Bacon

I am hoping . . . that Lily has the best birthday ever!

I am hearing . . . Lily humming to herself

Around the house . . . lots of fun and commotion (we have Mattea staying with us for 2 weeks)

One of my favorite things . . . coloring pages

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . laughing, coloring, sewing, reading, kissing, and maybe pizza

From my picture journal . . .

In an effort to keep Mattea entertained . . . I bought a coloring book.  I have read where adult coloring can be a good stress reliever.  I am not sure if that is true or not . . . but it it fun and fun is good.  I know folding origami cranes is very relaxing to me . . . so maybe there is something to it.  We are now searching online for more coloring pages.  I think it would be fun to make some of  my own.

There are still a few remnants of Halloween around the house . . . 

and Charlotte seems to find them and make the most of them.

I walk over this heart all of the time . . . but the first time I have walked over it in the rain.

Just a reminder of how much I love to walk in the rain . . . 

and how wonderful it is for us to be getting rain.

Thursday . . .

I like people who

smile when it's raining.

Cookies & Papa Smurf . . .

Cute "Back to School" cookies . . . Go Blue Jays!

 . . . and I think I may be married to Papa Smurf.  (a slightly less gray Papa Smurf)  He goes along with me taking these pictures . . . maybe just to make me laugh.  I can't wait to show this picture to Lily.

This happened late yesterday . . . unusual for this time of year. 

I love it when it rains - even if just for a little bit.

Sunshine!

This is what we were looking at last weekend. It had been over 100 for a couple of days - then things cooled down about 30 degrees and it rained - so the pool wasn't quite as inviting. Once in in the last six years it has been warm enough to swim and raining at the same time.
This weekend it was a little warmer. Not warm enough for Jennifer and I to go swimming - but great for laying in the sun. I am so looking forward to this summer. . . . .
. . . . . and this view.
Summer afternoon - Summer afternoon... the two most beautiful words in the English language. ~ Henry James