Black & White Wednesday ~ Pods

These are Rose of Sharon pods.

The seeds inside remind me a bit of sunflowers.

Like me, these seeds are trying to break free

and find a new home!!

Join in the fun!

Post your link to your Black & White pics!

I'm also linking up with

Wednesdays Around the World

{Good Random Fun} Weeks 6-8

Well....it's been a few weeks.

I haven't updated on Mondays because, well, honestly I've been exhausted as I've begun each of the last few weeks. I'm pretty tired today too. To keep it real, today began with a mini-melt down. But, I'm getting ahead of myself!

In the midst of all the house hunting, the last few weeks have been full of some very, very fun things!

There was a formal dinner, a hotel stay, a few unplanned lunches with some good friends and a wine tasting party! My 'baby' boy turned 26 - whew! And some of our dearest friends came in from out of town for a visit. Throw house hunting into the mix and we've been much busier than we normally are! So... lots of fun.

In the random department, I still feel like the fact that we seriously considered buying an antique house with a 6500 square foot barn on the property one of the more random events of recent years! Here's one last photo of said property....it's kind of like "say yes to the dress" - it's fun to show you the pictures of the house we DIDN'T choose! Builds up the suspense for the grand {eventual} unveiling of the house that will become our home.

Also in the random department, one of the things I will miss about our current house, is the window at the top of the stairs that greets me each chilly morning with the most lovely frost patterns on her panes...I have loved every feathery moment of this artistry!

As far as good things? Well...the lean and mean organization purge continues. I am seriously enjoying cleaning out EVERY nook and cranny of our current abode as we prepare to move forward.

Yesterday I finished sorting/filing/paring down my photos. Felt just great to have this tedious, time consuming project completed!

With all that said - back to my mini-melt-down. We're putting an offer in on a house today. It's a first step, and who knows if this is the real "IT" ... but this is all starting to get real, and the emotions of leaving one chapter and beginning another are starting to really hit me. So...this morning was a loopy roller coaster ride in my heart and brain! Not, I feel certain, the last before this is all said and done.
Winter has sent us some beautiful, snowy days, and some unseasonably warm, sunny ones.... hmmm....the weather seems to be a bit like my emotions ~ all over the place!!

In spite of all of this craziness, the sun continues to rise and set. Family and friends are well.
And for the abundance of it all, I must say, I am oh so very grateful.

Joining Tamar for Good Random Fun

and

Judith for Mosaic Monday

Black & White Wednesday ~ That Barn

So...do you remember that time you were house hunting, and you visited a house with a big ol' barn out back? You know, that time you toured a house built in 1810 ... a house with bones. Real. Good. Bones. And real wood. And original fireplaces, banisters and doorknobs. And... a big ol' barn out back.

You don't remember that?

Oh, that's right. That was me. Not you.
I'm the one who visited that gorgeous old house.

And wandered through the big ol' barn. And pictured my future grand-kids playing in this old barn office - this picture perfect room with wooden shelving all around and the cutest wall paper you'll ever find.

I'm the one that ooohed and ahhhed over all the wood. There was so much wood - scrumptious, weathered wood - everywhere. I'm the one that got immediately attached to this centuries old house with a big ol' barn out back....

But don't worry. I'm also the one that stood out in the frigid air and gazed up at the moon and came in for a landing. I looked down and, in fact, my feet were back on the ground.

As cool as this place might have been in my dreamy imagination...it just wasn't the place for us. Nope. We set out to simplify. Not to add hours and years of work to our lives. Not to get in over our heads financially. Nope. Simplify. That's our goal and we're sticking to it. Happily. Resolutely.

But it was nice to let our imaginations soar for a day or two.
I sure hope someone with lots of love to give finds this property and breathes life back into this beautiful home. It's longing to be loved.

Join in the fun and share your

Black & White photos!

I'm also linking up with

Wednesdays Around the World

Valentine Wishes

Dear Hubby ~
You are my valentine...today, tomorrow...for always. I love our adventures. The big, life altering exploits and the small day to day experiences. Here's to many, many more years of Valentine celebrations together! Love, me.

Dear iPhone Camera ~
I love you so. You're always there with me...faithfully answering those last second calls for a quick snapshot. Mostly, I love you because you don't annoy my husband like that big camera. He doesn't mind posing for you. And that's a small miracle!! Much obliged, Photo Addict

Dear Random Stranger Who Took Our Pic ~
I spotted you when we both stopped to take a photo of the same thing. Our spouses had no idea what we were taking a photo of...but we knew. Hope yours turned out well ~ and hope you find willing strangers who will help you when you want to be in the shot! Happy Valentines from a kindred {photo} spirit

Dear Rusty ol' Bike Rider ~
I wish you many bliss filled rides about town. I hope your beloved bike survives the Boston winter! I'm glad you left her out, chained to the tree, because this was a photo-op that my kindred {photo} spirit and I couldn't resist! She might like to be taken for a spin for Valentines Day! Stay Warm, Your Secret Admirer

Dear Reflection in the Window ~
I just can't resist you. You and your whole, huge, interesting family! I've never met a reflection that I don't adore! You've given me hours of photographic joy - and I will never, ever forget you or stop taking your pictures! Much love, Your Number One Fan

Dear Newbury Street ~
Thanks for being a little piece of around-the-world goodness right in the heart of Boston. You are a never ending feast for the eyes, the stomach and the imagination. If only my pocket book was bigger, I would visit you more often. Sigh. Until the next time...Your wanna-be bestie...

Dear Snow Covered Branches ~
I love you. You captivate me. Mesmerize me. You are the absolute best thing about any snow storm. You deserve all the love this Valentines day! Thanks for filling my eyes {and photos} with delight! Love, A Winter Wonderland Dweller

Dear Boston ~
O, how I adore you! I love all your old brick. I adore your fancy wrought iron fences, and gates. I'll never tire of gazing into your windows, walking along your history-filled streets and calling you home. I am Your forever Valentine!

Sharing some of my Valentine Wishes with Theresa, Kim and Kat

Black & White Wednesdays ~ A Dog's Life

"Just lead a dog's life
What a life, that's good enough for me
That's good enough for me!"
Elvis Presley

Meet Catie and Carly.

These lovely black labs live at the Copley Plaza in Boston.

How's that for a charmed life?!!?

Arguably Boston's most famous dog, Catie Copley was originally trained as a guide dog with the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind in New York. Nowadays, she's a passionate Red Sox fan, sausage connoisseur, and star of two popular children's books.

Carly Copley was adopted by The Fairmont Copley Plaza hotel from the Animal Rescue League of Boston. Sweet as can be, Carly enjoys catching rides on the hotel's bellcarts and following her "big sister" Catie around the lobby.

Join in and share your
Black & White photos!

I'm also linking up with
Song-ography
and
Wednesdays Around the World

Reflection of a Father and Son

Heading to Starbucks on Boston's first real snow day,

I caught this reflection.

I love that this little guy will grow up with memories

of a dad who had the time to make

a memory on a chilly winter morn.

Joining James for 

Weekend Reflections

Still

the young man
sheepishly gave me a delicate bracelet
a tender kiss
and a valentine

he put pen to paper
and asked
he quoted shakespeare
and asked
me to be his valentine ... his girl

the very next year
that very same young man
boldly got down on a knee
and gave me a diamond
a tender kiss
and a valentine

he put pen to paper
and asked
he poured out his heart
and asked
me to be his valentine ... for life

and for life it has been
all the seasons
the seasons of plenty, the seasons of want
through vibrant, healthy and whole
to dull, weak and broken
and back again
through all of the seasons

and i know only one thing
that after all these years
full of all these seasons
i know that
my handsome 'young' man
will
yet again
put pen to paper
or
offer me a yellow rose
or
tenderly kiss me good night
and
ask me to be his valentine

still
again
always
without hesitation
my answer will be
yes

Joining Kim and Kat

{Good Random Fun} Week 5

The Good

One month in to 2016.

How, you ask, is it going with my word choice for the year?

I know you're on the edge of your seats!

Well....

The word I'd use to describe the month of January is....revealing.

There was a 2 week cleanse.

There was yoga.

And there was fresh air, sunshine and walking.

Physically speaking, a pretty darn good month!

The interesting thing to me is that, as we prepare for our move,

and I focus on this idea...

The idea of being efficient.

Of having nothing in excess of what is needed.

Of being single minded in my objective....

As I focus on lean and mean,

I'm finding that the real "house cleaning"

is taking place inside my head and heart.

Facing the facts about what we need/can afford in this house hunting journey

is bringing to the surface all sorts of feelings.

I've been fighting demons of regret.

The woulda/coulda/shoulda demons are knocking at my door.

Those "unfair" demons are dancing all around me.

And the self-pity demons...well, they're trying to throw a rager!

{a rager with no alcohol...cause I was cleansing...and - well - don't actually drink!}

But boy oh boy are these words - lean and mean - grounding me.

Reminding me.

Bringing me back to mindfulness.

To my chosen path.

To my heart center.

And, most importantly...to gratitude.

Stay tuned - I feel like I'm in for a wild ride on my 2016 journey!

The Random

I so delight...

...in these amazing little...

...weeds of winter!

The Fun

The artsy component of my new recipe book is complete!
{that's the fun part}
Let's see if I can get all my recipes transcribed onto the cards in the month of February!
{not as fun...but it'll feel oh-so-good to get it done!}




Joining Tamar and Judith

Icy Reflections

Sometimes the simplest things take my breath away.
Take some frozen water.
Add a bit more water that's oh-so-frosty-but-not-quite-frozen.
Toss in a fallen branch.
Mix all this with a sunshiny, blue sky kinda day
and the result is beautiful.
Magical.




Linking to:
Little Things Thursday
Writer's Workshop
and
Weekend Reflections

Black & White Wednesday ~ Branches

On Sunday, when I escaped to the pond,

I was hoping to find some snow atop the bare winter branches.

Instead

I was delighted to find the branches on top of the snow!

Please join in and share your

Black & White photos!

Walk on By

"Walking man walk.

Walk on by my door.

Well, any other man stops and talks but not the walking man.

He's the walking man,

born to walk,

walk on walking man.

Well now, would he have wings to fly?

Would he be free?

Golden wings against the sky,

Walking man, walk on by.

So long, walking man."

James Taylor

As I was calling out to my little grand puppy during my Sunday wanderings,

a gentleman happened by.

He's an older gentleman,

always walks with a stick

and comes to the pond no matter the weather.

I've seen him many times before..

this Walking Man.

He's not one to nod or smile or share the polite "hello"

as he crosses your path.

Always moving...not in a grouchy way...

Just seems to be on a solitary journey though the woods.

Well, on Sunday,

as I was trying to get Max to mind me,

to follow me along the path that leads away from the pond,

the walking man passed us by.

And as he passed he said,

"Those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

He never missed a step,

didn't pause or try and catch my eye.

Just shared this thought and kept on walking.

It's a funny thing.

I've made a few mistakes with people close to me these past few days.

A financial error that's caused a bit of trouble.

I stuck my nose in somewhere it didn't belong.

Nothing earth shattering, just enough to make me feel awful about what I did.

And I have the hardest time letting myself off the hook...

I tend to hold on to mistakes long after others have accepted an apology and offered forgiveness.

My "pond time" often helps me to let go, to catch my breath again and forgive myself.

It's a funny thing.

I wasn't really feeling it on Sunday. The letting go.

And then I heard those words...

So, thank you, Walking Man.

Whoever you are.

I'll do my best to hold on to that thought.

Sharing with Kathy and Friends

and Joining in with

Wednesdays Around the World

{Good Random Fun} Week 4

The Good

 Sunshine after a snowfall.

Sunday was an exceptionally peaceful day to wander around "my" snowy pond.

The Random

There weren't very many people out enjoying the snowy scene,
but there were plenty of critters to keep me company...
including the one I brought myself!

The NOT so Fun

This Patriots fan was heartbroken yesterday.

And I know.

The Patriots aren't very popular.

And many felt like it was karma. Or payback.

I've almost written many things here over this past year about this team.

And about Mr. Brady.

But I know there's no changing people's minds out there.

I feel proud, however, to be able to say that today as this teem takes the loss there will be

NO whining,

NO blaming faulty tablets,

NO blaming the refs,

NO finger pointing,

NO trash talking.

Nope.

Respect for the other team will be communicated.

And - to a man - each coach and player will take their responsibility,

own up to their errors,

and vow to return and fight another day.

That's what I love most about my home team.

Joining Tamar and Friends

a reflection on reflections....

Just the other day, while doing a mundane errand, I caught sight of this in my side mirror.

I was glad to be at a stop light so I could snap a quick photo. Golden light, bare branches - captured. Preserved.

As I looked at this photo, it helped me to understand my love of mirrors. Of glass windows. Of puddles and ponds...of anything that yields a reflection. I love the idea that what is behind is brought right in front of us. That what is up above now rests below our feet. That what we see changes as we move, as we change the angle from which we observe it. I don't know. Something about each reflection gives me the sense that I'm hemmed in - caught. That I'm right in the center of it all. That what's behind or before me, what's above me or below is all very fluid. And that my perception of the "now" need not be defined by just one angle. Or one influence or direction. 

I guess you could say that studying a reflection opens the door to new possibilities. 

And I don't know about you, but as I fight to keep my heart open and my attitude positive, 

I often need a reminder that there are many such doors to open in life.

I'll share again my quote from Wednesday ~ because I wholeheartedly agree with Monsieur Chabrol:

"I love mirrors.

They let one pass through the surface of things."

Joining Kim  and Kat and James

{Good Random Fun} Week 3

The Good

This Saturday, the Scrapbooking company I rep ~ Creative Memories ~ held their first Virtual Crop.

Since it was a football watching day,

I signed in right at 10, and cropped all day!

My goal for the day was to go through some boxes of scraps.

{remember that lean & mean moving goal I have!?!}

I use my scraps to create Page Completion Kits ~

pre-made borders, title elements, journaling boxes and photo mattes that coordinate

so that some lucky scrapbooker can easily finish an album page or two!

I love the challenge of using 'leftovers'

and I especially love seeing these kits come to life when a friend adds their photos

and uses them to tell her story!

The Random

 Finally.

A pretty snowfall!!

The Fun

Someone's got her 'grand-puppy' here for the week!

Let the warm puppy cuddles commence!

Joining Tamar and Judith

Black & White Wednesday ~ Frozen

Leaves.

Ice.

Light.

Water.

Art.

Join us here and share your Black & White photos!

I'm also linking to

Wednesdays Around the World