Beauty in your days

I am a pathological picture taker. My husband is always waiting on me to take a picture of what ever strikes me as beautiful. Weather it be a meal we are eating, a storefront window or the how the rain falls on the window Payne. This was a gerber daisy in the midst of a sweet bouquet of flowers I recieved on valentines day. I love gerber daisies. They are so happy.

I believe there is beauty in all our day's. We must train our eyes and our hearts to search it out daily. These are lovely dresses laid out as a display in the Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic store. So Sweet and feminine.

I once asked God if there was one thing I could have all the days of my life;"Beauty bestowed before my eyes." These leaves struck me as beautiful on the way out to my car. Laid out on the pavement just for me :)

These chairs were so elegant to me. Almost inviting me to "sit for a spell."

This yellow vintage child's car was so adorable. It looked so pretty against the white wall at the flea market we were at. Beauty is in the eye's of the beholder

I love the way the sun was bathing my home as I resting on my couch after a tough day. As if the sun spilt in to pay a freindly visit reminding me that whatever my day held ... Life is still Good.

I was home wit the flu last week. My sweet doggie napped all day at my feet. She brought such comfort. There are no words to express what her loyalty does for me. i love her!

So go ahead, "Find YOUR beauty in all your days."

Life

Life

Hold on and value each day.

Drink in the joy it has to offer.

Find beauty in the ordinary.

taste the sweetness

Focus on the beauty.

Thought there is plenty of negative out in the world choose to hold onto, live for, dwell on all the goodness. It's a much better perspective to keep in your heart.

Make Your Life Count

We are on this earth for an enormous amount of time. You are given your entire life as a gift. What will you do with it? Will you wait for the perfect cirumstance to give back, to make a difference, to live your life fully. Live it now, help others, live abundantly. Stop complaining about what you dont have and how life has dealt you a bad hand and play your cards. Count your blessings. Spread love, live with Joy, find your passion. Life will go by in a flash and in the end know that you used everyday fully and every breath purposefully.

Make your life count.

Apronology

Did you know there is a magazine about aprons? All these creative talented women made these wonderful aprons. There are many different ones for each personal taste. I chose a few to show you that were my personal style. Who woulda thought something so useful and practical would turn out to be so beautiful and made into a subject that was magazine worthy?Dont hold back. if you can dream it up... It's possible.

To think creatively we must be able to look afresh at what we normally take for granted? - George kneller

Rodeo

The rodeo is in town! Every February San Antonio hosts a two week stock show, carnival, concerts entertainment rodeo event. It is a family friendly event full of animals, shows, food and live entertainment that all can enjoy. Today was western day at the school i work at. We watched 'Fevel goes west" the kids were all dressed up in their best western outfits. too cute.

Have a Wonderful Weekend.

Imagination

I have been waiting to use this picture for the perfect subject. You might have noticed my lack of blogging lately mostly due to a stunted imagination. (a job lacking creativity will do this to you.) I do get passing thoughts of creativity that float through at times, and once they start flowing, the floodgate burst's open. Though inspired everyday from "Life and Living!" I do get side track. I must keep pushing forward and live to taste and drink in the beauty each day holds, I must open the eyes of my heart daily and see beyond the grind. I must peel back the ordinary and find what illuminates beneath it.

Isn't this picture simple and lovely and inspiring all at the same time??!! it was drawn on a brown paper bag!

It's not what you look at that matter's its how you see it. - Henry David Thoreau

Blissful Morning of Snow

Snow

To those who don't live in Texas, snow is not a big deal, but to us Texan's it is uncommon and was such a delight. The last time it snowed was 1984!

I woke up, turned on the news and jumped for joy as I heard the schools were closed ... which means a day off :) We rose early, jumped in our coats and slippers to play in the snow that fell from the heavens. We knew it would not last long so we squeezed every bit of fun we could get out of the day. Taking notice of every detail of it. The thin white blanket covered our streets. The pure whiteness of the untouched snow left such a peaceful feeling in the quiet of the early morning. We took pictures to capture the moments and cherish the time. Beautiful beautiful morning.

Have a lovely weekend :)

Anticipation

Wasn't it this time last year the for-cast promised the chance of snowfall here in Texas? Children are excited in hopes of seeing the white fluffy stuff falling out of the sky with no experience to draw from other then watching frosty the snowman, Elf and seeing picture books with snow, sledding and snowmen. And the adults, well we are all excited too, mainly for the fact that the city might shut down which means "a day off work." Wouldn't that be fun? well like last year all the hype and talk brings such Anticipation (I know I plan to get up in the middle of the night looking out the window in high hopes of catching a glimpse of the wondrous white flakes..) but now the weatherman has once again changed his forecast from a solid 1-2 inches this morning to a " light dust???"

Send up those prayer's... SNOW, SNOW, SNOW, please Dear God, "Please send snow"

Indulge

We had to try the new flea market in town. It is its third weekend open. It was an absolute beautiful day Sunday. Walking around there was so much to look at and to buy, rides for the kids, and fiesta-like food booths. A family friendly atmosphere for all to enjoy. As a man passed by sipping on one of these we all had to have one. Our Friends were with us. though it was a bit pricey, who can pass this up? on a warm windy day? "not I." My husband and I shared this one. they make it right in front of you. coring out the inside of the pineapple and blending it with other stuff to pour it back into the pineapple. Topped with whipped cream and a cherry. Too much you say? now way! worth every penny. You deserve it. Live large. Don't wait for a special occasion to indulge. Treat yourself whenever appropriate. You made it through a tough week? Celebrate :) Life is way too short to wait for special occasion's.

Indulge yourself this week.You deserve it :)

Cup Cakes

What is it about a cup cake that is so fascinating? Is it that it's a dainty personnel cake all for yourself? or that we can justify eating just "one" cupcake and not feel guilty because of its size. but getting all the benefits of eating a slice of cake?

Or is it the beauty each one can hold in a small package?

This one I made this week. They looked so pretty sitting in my cake stand. so light and frothy. i ate some .. and shared some.

Human kindness

Early this morning as we headed to our destination my husband noticed a man running to catch the bus. We watched as he desperately ran full speed with a huge bag only to see the bus pull away and drive off. We turned around in a parking lot make a u turn. Caught at the light you could see frustration and disappointment written all over his face as he just stood there. A familiar feeling we all know. My husband called out cheerfully that we would take him to the next bus stop. he hesitated but climbed into our back seat. It was a 2 minute encounter and we dropped him ahead of the bus at the next stop.

These small encounters with another human being. Are there opportunities like this daily? But we are to busy to notice? how many have we missed? You cant purchase this feeling of helping another human being in a time of need. We are all on this journey together. Lets lift each other up and look for opportunities to meet needs. Our paths cross each other for a reason.We are all here for a purpose. Make it count.

Let us not grow weary while doing good ... Galations 6:9

So encourage and build each other up... 1 thessalonians 5;11

She Art Workshop

For those interested, this is a 3week e-course offered by Christy Tomlinson. Take a look at her blog if you are interested. christytomlinson.typepad.com. You can sign up for a free giveaway to win this course on bushelandapeck.typepad.com

Happy Wednesday

where will you go?

where are you going and how will you get there? life does not always take us where we thought we would be. The roads are sometimes bumpy and go up and down with turns and twists we were not expecting. Stay the course and keep looking up. It is not so much where we end up as it is how we get there. So ride with the wind in your face, freedom in your heart. Anticipate the good and deal gracefully with the unexpected. life is Good.

Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you respond to it.

What colors are on your paint palette?

This wooden horse inspired me and ignited my creativity. Though I love the color white, these colors are such lovely shades and hues. Just as life can be safe and ordinary, the colors we add to our lives make's it that much better, full of interest and depth. Color in our lives give's it the beauty that was intended for true living.

So stop being so safe and practical. Take some risks try something new. Add those rich layers of color. Paint the extraordinary life you have always dreamt of.

Most people see what is and never see what can be. - Albert Einstein

Beneath my soul

Beneath my soul lies a girl-HOPEFUL. Full of strength ... and weakness. Confidence ... and insecurity. Joyful...and disillusioned. Learning yearning, STRIVING. Living with passion, zest ...A Sense of WONDER. A drive to always Find joy in the journey and appreciate the process. Cherishing, Living, Laughing, Loving. DREAMING ...

Don't lose that sense of wonder and excitement for your future. Reignite that passion and zest you once had. It is never too late.

Anthro in Santa Monica

Talk about eye candy, this place is amazing especially during the holidays. This one (in Santa Monica, California) in particular was a zoo due to a huge after Christmas sale and the lines were long. I didnt shop to buy as much as I shopped to photograph. They must hire the most fabulous visual merchandisers. The displays were lovely. Just had to share.

What visually inspires you?

Life Is A Verb

My absolute favorite gift this Christmas. It came highly recommended on a blog I read. Pure joy. This book is a jewel. Ive just started it and already read several useful tips on living intentionally. The author tells sweet and witty stories of her life with her family and kids that help to get the point across to inhabit your life. Live in the moment.Be present. she talks of doing small things that bring you life, give you joy. To go ahead and dance in your car, not to judge and to "rent the red convertible"(being practical and safe and always logical is way overrated) we all deserve to have fun and live large at times.Make those memories.Its a simple read with great tips and exercises to living a more intentional life. You wont be disappointed.

Life is a verb. So go ahead. Put living into action. Live it :)

Celebrate :)

Happy new year's

The party is over, the presents are opened, the guest's have left. Life as we know it is sure to return us to the familiar rhythm. Should we settle back into our routines and relent to the normalcy of life? Who says we can only celebrate on holiday's? Is life itself not enough to celebrate? Celebrate that the sun rises, celebrate the kids, Celebrate that you are loved. If the traffic gets you frustrated... celebrate you have a car. If the kids are misbehaving... celebrate you have kids. if money is short... celebrate you have a home, a job, food. Make your new years resolution that you find new perspective on life... and that you Celebrate it, Everyday. So go out and buy a box of birthday candles and find reasons to light them up! Make everyday a holiday. Until further notice ... Celebrate life.