Pass it On!

Peep Show

I am once again sharing my peep show photo with you, couldn't resist and well it did make you smile!

Happy Easter!

Life is a One Time Offer...

Snow Cones Anyone?

Mother Nature extended our winter season just a bit with a nice heavy watery snow that stuck to absolutely everything yesterday. I loved the way it covered the trees on our road, almost like driving into a magical wintry wonderland. I couldn't help notice all the standing seed pods with their empty silhouettes piled high with bits of packed snow. When you looked around the garden, there was a snow cone in every size and shape imaginable which just made me giggle because of the silly shapes they made. When was the last time you observed your surroundings, I mean really saw what was around you? I hope it was today!

Higher...

What's This?

On an exploration trip of a county park I came across this huge drain pipe and loved the perspective from this angle. I thought it looked like a giant eye just sitting there waiting to be discovered by anyone who would look. It was quite cold that day, hat, gloves and a zipped up coat was needed but we got to explore without another person in sight for a long, long while. It's these adventures that I usually find the weirdest things and that is why I like to go with John whenever he is searching for the next good place to fish. Not always my ideal conditions but always something to catch my curious muses' eye!

Wednesday Wisdom: Be who You say

Be Who You Say...

Without Hue

Some Thesaurus words for "colorless" - achromatic, ashen, blanched, cadaverous, characterless, drab, dull, faded, ghastly, lackluster, lifeless, lurid, neutral, pale, tame, unmemorable, unpassioned, wan.

Although there is a touch of blue sky showing, believe me, this was taken yesterday right after an entire day of rain. I loved the dried look of the neutral tardiva against the little splash of nordic blue. It just seemed to give it a bit of life at the end of its season.

Word - Colorless

The word for this week is colorless.

Colorless is the adjective of color. The definition for color: a phenomenon of light or visual perception that enables one to differentiate otherwise identical objects; appearance; complexion tint; vividness, interest.

On this dreary, wet, almost 40 degree day in the middle of March, I found this little bit of color hiding out within the branches. Surprisingly it made me smile! The way the raindrops clung to the little round berry colored spheres just made it that much more special. Appreciate your surroundings and all the qualities it offers. After all, isn't it the small things in life that matter most!

Wednesday Wisdom:Believe in the Magic

 

(Roald Dahl)

Riding in the Wind

Some Thesaurus words for "fun" - absurdity, amusing, ball, blast, boisterous, buffoonery, celebration, cheer, clowning, distraction, enjoyment, entertainment, escapade, festivity, foolery, frolic, gaiety, grins, horseplay, jesting, jocularity, joking, jollity, joy, laughter, merriment, mirth, nonsense, pastime, playfulness, recreationn, romp, solace, treat, whoopee.

Could you really find a bunch of better words that just make you smile reading them aloud? I'm not thinking so. Which was your favorite from the list and will you be thinking of this week? I would have to go with merriment, just love the way it rolls off my tongue and puts a smile on my face at the same time. This photo is one of my favorites and yes, you have seen it on this blog before. It just makes me think of the reckless abandonment of childhood. Riding your bike like there wasn't a care in the world, just the wind in your hair and no real place to go. Loved the freedom of those days and absolutely loved my magenta pink schwinn with the floral banana seat. Oh yeah, I was stylin' in my youth :D 
What was your bike? I know you remember it just like it was yesterday when you were riding into the wind exploring your neighborhood. I saw you smiling, love that I did that for you today - be happy!

Word - Fun

The word for this week is fun.

Its noun meaning - something that provides amusement or enjoyment.

Who didn't love to put on those bright yellow rain boots and head out to look for the deepest puddles imaginable? I know I loved those streets on Garfield where they actually had concrete road gutters that trapped the water just for this reason I believe. Of course, that is my childhood remembrance and well, I'm sticking to it. This little treasure is to remind me to just let go, have fun, and stomp around in the puddles every now and then. There is no harm in it and it will give you a creative release of adrenaline and energy because you are just amusing yourself. Is there no great release than the enjoyment of you being a kid again? I can't really think of any reason not to visit fun every day, can you? Take the time, you will appreciate the effort!

Wednesday Wisdom: inspired. infused. awakened.

What has inspired and awakened you this week?

Winter Whites

Some Thesaurus words for "sanctuary" - asylum, conservation area, cover, defense, den, harbor, haven, hideaway, hole, oasis, port, protection, refuge, resort, retreat, screen, shelter, shield.

It is snowing here in the Midwest today, really snowing. I am grateful because it has been a mild winter so far but most of all, I truly love the snow! It just makes our property so darn beautiful that you really can't capture it on camera. There are layers upon layers of winter whites just clinging here and there in all the various foliage we have planted throughout the years. The birds are seeking refuge and we are making sure they have food available in the many feeders we have in the backyard. I am always amazed at how they cope with the extreme weather and just go on as if it is another day in the life. I guess that is what we all do, right, live day to day, moment to moment. I just hope you are treasuring those moments because that is what LIFE is all about!

Word - Sanctuary

The word for this week is sanctuary.

Its noun meaning - a consecrated place; a place of refuge.

This lovely place was taken in my friend Margot's garden in Florida. I absolutely loved the texture of the arched plaque but then you notice the wonderful cragginess of the wall behind it. It is a visual treat for the eyes and my creative side is already trying to figure out how in the world to replicate its beauty. The aged statuary makes you feel transported to the crowded streets of Rome or Italy glimpsing these beauties everywhere you look. The color combination represented in the soft patina of the mossy avocado greens and the touch of pale salmon just sends my artistic sensories on overload. The juxtaposition of the warmer hues versus the cooler background tones just makes me want to grab my journal and start painting. Are you going to join me? I sure hope so!

Defined Elegance

This has to be one of my favorite photographs only because the juxtaposition of hard and soft has never been more apparent. The fullness of the crab apples in the wondrous shade of magenta really brings your attention to the beautiful carving of the Venus statuary. I cropped it tight and off center to make you see what brings that little charming smirk to her face. Oh yes, it is the beauty of the garden of course. Wouldn't it make you smile? I can't wait for Spring, it is coming but will not hurry and I am anxious for the glorious sight of blossoms in every shade of white and pink. I know you will be stopping by because I will share the event with you daily in the ever blooming season. Stay tuned...

Happiness

I am missing the sight of these magical creatures. I haven't seen one for months now and want to catch a glimpse of them darting in and out of the flowerbeds searching for endless pollen to feed on. I will capture as many as I can when the time comes but for now, they are only available to me through my many hundreds of photos taken over the years. Their interesting colors, the way they capture my full attention with the tiniest of movements. Oh yes, I am one with these remarkable insects and I am feeling a void without them in my life right now. So, I leave you with this great quote.

"Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you." ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne