February 26 - I Love:: My Heart Necklace

 

Nine years ago my girlfriend and I took a summer driving trip with our kiddos up the coast of California to our other friend's house in St. Helena. As the warm summer days presented, we shared lots of laughter and walks and trips to the country club pool. We dined and shopped and on the second day or so this necklace caught my eye. The language, the weight, even the length of the chain spoke to me. 

I toyed with buying it. And on the very last day, my pal, Jemma, got us into the car and took us back to the store. She urged me to consider the value of this one purchase vs. the several souvenirs I could buy. She pushed the concept of the lasting value of something like this that touched me so deeply. 

I've worn it most days ever since. 

Sometimes I listen and I'm blessed.

February 25 - I Love:: This thought

I am listening to something beautiful that relates so much, to my inner faith.
In this the speaker referred to Pascal's words:

“In difficult times,” wrote Pascal, “you should always carry something beautiful in your heart.”

I am working on the picture of that beauty.
But, it might not be a picture.
It might be a thought.
And I like to think we should hold the beauty in all times.

You?

February 24 - I Love:: A Night Without Television

I have confirmed TV hounds living with me.
Last night there was packing for winter retreat going on and homework, homework, homework.
In the back of my head, I found the peaceful recognition that we had lots of time for all of it.
Ahhh.

February 23 - I Love:: My pooch

I love this dog. In these early morning hours, when I'm at the dining room table, fingers flying, bad hair, he's got my toes covered and makes those contented doggie sounds. 

He's such a good friend. 

I love all 80+ pounds of him.

Here's an early post about his lovely self.

February 22 - I Love:: These beauties

I love these Pincushion Flowers.

Scabiosas have a funny name, but boy, this plant has been providing sweet flowers since summer. And here they are in the midst of winter.
I love them in all their colors. I have these black ones (really kinda maroon), white, pink and lovely periwinkles. They make long lasting cut flowers too.

I love Scabiosas.

February 21 - I Love:: This quote

Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.
-Albert Einstien

There's a timeliness to finding it too.

I love it. Love.

February 20 - I Love:: The Kid & The Cuddle

At the end of a day that started badly but turned out to be both fun and wonderful, my big girl and I tucked into my bed for a cuddle. I knew we were going to read, but she was against it. That is until I turned the second page in MEET THE AUSTINS by Madeline L'Engle*. Then she was hooked and snuggled very close to listen until she could listen no more and off she went, to whereever the preteen girl with all the friend struggles and new desire for dresses, goes.

It's an awfully sweet time of night and life.

If I could, I'd hold this moment in time forever.

I love my girl and her brilliant, lovely cuddles.



*Highly recommend, great series for this age.