finding beauty

If you've been a regular reader of this ol' blog of mine you know that I try very intentionally to find beauty in my everyday.

I always want to find beauty.  Some days, though, I need to find beauty.

One such day happened earlier this week.  I had let myself become overwhelmed and caught up in minutiae that, in the big scheme of life, is just that, minutiae.  I was cranky.  Not pleasant.

So, I took a deep breath.  And looked for beauty.

I happened to be in my car, windows rolled down, camera in my lap.

Perfect for fresh air and for finding that necessary beauty.  By the time I arrived at the location I was headed, I felt different.  Having found beauty, I somehow felt beautiful inside.  So wonderful how that works, now isn't it?

Where do you find beauty?

so there is this

According to my calendar spring has been around about six weeks. But the spring I have met this year has been shy and reclusive.  Rain has endured, and in some spots in the backyard, reigned for days on end.

Some trees in the neighborhood are reluctant, revealing only teeny dots of green.  Still others stark black branches.

My dog wood tree has been sluggish in joining the party.  Just last week we wore coats, and I admit mittens and scarves, to play outside.

Though yesterday felt different.  The sky was confidently blue.  The wind warmer.

I drove with my car windows down.  Smelling grilling meat and pollen and freshly-spread mulch.

And I loaded Munchkin and Lovey in the car and headed toward spring.  Real spring.

{photo credit:  Lovey}

Spring of rolling down grassy slopes.

Spring of digging fingers into dirt patches.

Spring of exploring plants and paths and woods.

Spring of running, running, running across stripey park lawns.

The spring I have been patiently awaiting.

Welcome, so glad you are here.

some days

This is me.

Last week.

In my kitchen.

At 4:00 in the afternoon.

I know that doesn't sound unusual.  Not for a Mama who gets to spend most days at home.

However, look closely.

Look at that crazy hair of mine.

Just before taking this self-portrait I had realized that I had not even touched my hair that day.

Not a hand.  Not a brush.  Nothin.

So this is me in my braids-from-the day-before-having-slept-on-them-all-night glory.

And I realized it.  At 4:00 o'clock.  PM.

Well then.

Though I am pretty sure I brushed my teeth that day.

Aren't some days simply like that?

this moment

Joining SouleMama, and many others, in this weekly ritual of pausing to savor a moment from the week.

Beautifully simple.  Extraordinarily lovely.

I love to see your moments too, so leave a link in the comments!

Wishing you a weekend full of fun!
Claudine

two cone day

Some days are just like that.  The more ice cream the better.

I consider some days a two cone day.  You would like two ice cream cones.  You need two ice cream cones.

Today was a need two cones day.  And, by a wonderfully lucky way, I got them, both.

The first was dessert for a lunch out with Buddy.

We talked about school and wild animals and Legos, of course.

He had sprinkles.  I had a double scoop in a waffle cone.


The second was some much needed one on one time with Munchkin.  As I explained, time with just the two of us is called a "Mommy Munchkin date."

We colored and colored and colored some more.

We stayed up way, way past bedtime.

We lingered so long that the manager brought us tasting spoons of more flavors.

We watched the train that moves along a track near the ceiling.

He told me he wanted to ride a train.  A big train.  I didn't know that.

He had sprinkles.  Dinosaur ball sprinkles he called them.  I had a double scoop in a waffle cone.


And if you're good at math, that is four scoops and two waffle cones for me.

So now I'm nursing a belly ache.  But loving every lick of time I had with my boys.

weekending

Even with lengthening days, they seem to fill quickly. 

Ours was a busy, busy weekend.

:: Some royal watching.

:: Participating in a neighborhood clean-up.

:: Flower sniffing.

:: A venture to a great little Mexican restraurant.

:: New Moleskins.  (Found at Target no less!)

:: And, to not lose a moment, a midnight snack shared with Munchkin.

How was your weekend?