pop-up ice cream...

Staying home isn't a hard task, but missing your people is a different story, and we knew that by May, some people were missing all people. And so... when Eric came to me with one of his What if we... ideas, we figured out a way to make it work. He is, forever, the idea man, and I suppose one secret to our marriage is that if he dreams it up, I try to figure out how to make it happen.  

We named our "shop" Wilbur's South, in honor of our family run Massachusetts ice cream shop Wilbur's North. I even made t-shirts, because I had plenty of time. We decided on a simple menu, with just a few flavors, added some balloons, just for fun, and mapped out our route. 

We were on a mission, to spread a little joy to some of our favorite people... and it was more than we could have imagined. Everyone was assigned a job, and as our family/friends came out to the driveway, Cam unfolded the table and menu board, I strung up and set out the decorations, and Eric organized his serving area in the trunk. There was wonder, laughter, and many, many smiling faces. 

Our first stop broke all the rules. Sweet MK was too excited, and there was no way she was keeping her distance! She want to help, and she wanted a hug. Her Mom said you are the first real people we've seen! Eric scooped while MK looked on, and then we chatted and laughed together before packing up and making our way to the next driveway. 

In two weekends, we brought our little ice cream shop to over a dozen driveways, and would have done more, but the timing just didn't always work out. We forgot to take pictures at every stop, but there were smiles everywhere {well, almost everywhere... there was one little that wasn't sure about it!}. It was exhausting, but we loved it! 

We have always known that ice cream=happiness, but these driveway visits were more than we even dreamed they could be. In the days after our adventures, we learned that the gift we had given, in doldrums of quarantine, was much more than a sweet treat... it was a connection, it was Light, it was love.

getting out...

 And into the forest I go,

to lose my mind and find my soul.

-John Muir

All of this staying home has been a growing experience. I have to say, I haven't minded it a much at all. Between conference calls and texting, I even feel like I have been in constant communication with my people. Our Zoo Crew texts up a storm, and the laughter brings us together when we have to stay away. This morning one coworker sent an email with his list of good mornings as if he were walking into the office and greeting each of us.

While working from home I have fit small projects {and naps} into my lunch hour... and tried to be productive during my commute time. It is as if I have won back two hours of my day, and I don't want to waste them or take those extra minutes for granted. I could get used to this...

And when afternoon comes, I escape the walls for the trails...

The sun warms me while the air refreshes my soul. And walking along, the sights entice me to look closer, pay attention, fall in love with God's creations over and over again.

seeking beauty along the way... always

The back pocket of my jeans, the side pocket of my running pants, or just tucked into my wristlet... I hate to be without my phone. Leaving my phone behind means no camera... and usually, there will be something I feed the need to photograph. For years, any new purse purchase was concretely based upon its ability to tote my small point & shoot camera - because I became dedicated to capturing the ordinary every day moments of life. The grocery store, the park, a day out with friends... there is sure to be moment or an object my heart longs to capture. Now, of course, all I need is that handy phone...

I walk, I look, I see, I stop, I photograph. 

- Leon Levinstein

Its just... me. 

Why? Because no one is exaggerating when they say it all goes by in the blink of an eye, and if I cannot capture the sound of the laughter in the backseat, maybe I can freeze the moment in time. And when the beauty of nature speaks to my heart and soul, I can click the shutter, and revisit the colors and the journey of the day. I want to live without regret, and if slipping my phone out of my pocket to take the picture helps me imprint the vision on my heart, I will do so unapologetically. 

sunday splash...

I love the rain.

I love how it softens the outlines of things.

The world becomes softly blurred, 

and I feel like I could melt right into it. 

-Hanamoto Hagumi

the january days of florida...

We have been enjoying a long string of beautiful days. Blue skies, crisp air - the kind of days that beckon you out into the sunshine. Some days I'm content to be inside with the windows open, letting the breeze billow through, but other days find me needing an outdoor adventure - even for just a few hours.

So we've walked...

  we've zipped...

we've let our hair be tangled by the wind.

One day I even threw caution to the wind and walked the beach in my dress pants. 

And on Monday, after a two day organizing spree, we drove just a few miles north to the strawberry field...

...which led to the sunflower field.

I'm making the most of every beautiful day... the summer heat will be here before we know. it.

The sun will rise and set regardless. 

What we choose to do with the light while it's

here is up to us. Journey wisely.

-Alexandra Elle

 

a quiet luxury...

One more cup of coffee this morning is a quiet luxury.
I've already checked a few things off my list. Workout {check}, breakfast within an hour of waking up {check}, a whole lot of water sipped {check}... and now that I'm back from dropping Laura at work, I have a few more minutes to decided what to do with this beautiful day that lays before me.

I'm not usually so motivated in January. I feel like I typically am not quite ready for fresh and new, and I'd rather drag my December feet until Valentine's Day. Or, the night before Valentine's Day! That is when I would always swing into high gear, crafting up some fun and fabulous cards with my kids for school... the next day. But these days, there are no kid crafts to create, and the only school projects that come my way are at the request of my favorite school deputy. If I'm really honest, I would say that I thought I would miss those days desperately... but I don't. I loved the journey of Laura and Camden growing up, and of course, just like "they" said, it went way too quickly. But on the other side, there is a whole lot of wonderful.

It is a very nice feeling to sit and contemplate, watching the palms sway in the breeze, and have a breath of contentment wrap around you.

the lights go dim...

In an unprecedented move I took the decorations off the tree yesterday. {If you've forgotten, I'm more of a Super Bowl Sunday undecorator.} I had some panic-stress to work off, and putting on my sneakers and taking a walk around the block seemed like more than I could handle... so I just started methodically removing memories from the branches of the tree, wrapping them carefully in tissue. It did the trick, and somehow I began to breathe easier.

The tree still stands in the living room though... with the angel holding court over the light.

It seems January is too soon robbed of the glorious December light. Night by night there is less glow, as Santas are tucked away, and twinkling stars are unstrung from branches and window frames. The lights that brought us such joy in early December are suddenly just a nuisance, gladly boxed up for eleven long months. Before long, the street lights and the moon will be the only guides along the way.

In the dimness... I still long for the light, the joy of each December day.
So I light candles, switch on the fireplace, and let the tree glisten for a few more nights... to hold off the dark. And I find ways to light January.

...remembering the wise men are still on their journey to the manger for two more days.
...listening to music that reminds me to choose joy.
...gathering around the table for game night.
...dancing through the living room.
...seeking His Word.

Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. 

Psalm 119:105

for the love of books...

We google mapped our way across Boston Common to a brunch spot that promised gluten-free deliciousness... but the hunger for food nearly disappeared when we spotted an outdoor book shop. Their love of books kicked in, but we managed to eat before the volumes called them back across the street.

They could have browsed for hours... 

Eventually we got back on track and resumed our wandering through the city.

Later we passed by again, and seeing it all closed up was almost just as cool...

A house without books is like a room without windows.

Horace Mann

every ordinary day...

"It doesn't require a special day to express how much I love you...

every ordinary day is more special when I am with you."   -unknown

Reposting from 2013...

smiling over the weekend

Once in a while, it rains on our parade, or in this case, a horse show. A little rain is one thing, but days of damp and hours of downpour make for a whole lot of mud.  With Saturday's plans rained out, we headed the extra hour north to get ahead of Sunday's to-do list... shopping with our girl.  We let her know we were close and I could hear the excitement in her voice I can't wait to see you! And when you haven't seen each other in six weeks, any amount of rain falling from the sky won't stop you from leaping out of the car for a full oh-we-are-here-together-hug.

She piled her groceries in the cart while I pushed... amazed.  She has her cooking repertoire down, and this week she was adding a new recipe from the cookbook we sent as a birthday gift.  Rotisserie chicken?  She'll take all the meat off and use it for different meals.  Pork roast?  Only half fits in her tiny crockpot, so she's planning barbecue pork and then pork with sauerkraut, using the rest of the sauerkraut for the new Reuben recipe.  Me?  Amazed?  Yes. She's been living on her own for nine months, and she is good at it.

Groceries stowed, we headed south to Ocala, horse capital of the world!  {Did you know that?  I did not!}  We had plans for a visit, Mexican food, and a book signing.  It had been over a year since our blog-friendship turned real, but we fell right into step once again... with laughter and prayer and conversation that could have gone on for days.  Laura amazed with origami paper cranes and hearts, and we played Doodle Dice until our hunger for chips and salsa won out...

We woke to a blue skied Sunday.
Perfect for a horse show.  Perfect for just a little more visiting.  Perfect for the long ride home.

when the yes fills you

Can we listen to this?
He asks as he is already slowly sliding the CD out from under a few stray papers that have been collecting under the car radio.  He knows what it is, and I can almost see the smirk on his face with my mother-trained eyes.  It is more fun, though, to watch the next expression come across his eyes when I say yes.  I can tell he is waffling between telling me what it is, and not.  But I already know.

Christmas music.  
And somehow, on the Sunday of the Super Bowl, when my Christmas tree has been uncharacteristically stowed for weeks, it fills the space in my soul.  Because maybe, in the long and short of February, a heart might just need to be reminded that the reason we celebrate Christmas is still nestled there.  That December joy can stretch and sway its way through the dull and dreary.  That the beautiful night in Bethlehem is meant to change my heart everyday...

I'm just a girl, Nothing more

But I am willing, I am Yours

Be born in me, be born in me

I'll hold You in the beginning, You will hold me in the end

Every moment in the middle, make my heart Your Bethlehem

- Born in Me, Francesca Battistelli

the days of december...

I have passed and failed December... caught the moments and and enjoyed savoring them, but have failed to share them, or document them with words.  As I look back through the beautiful days of this month, the memories come back, fresh to my soul.  December may come humble, but oh she sparkles with glory as the days are filled with light!

I hope to go back and tell some stories... relive some of the beautiful.
There is so much stored in this heart.

what remains...

I was almost out the door when I felt one of those nudges... so I turned back, gathered up a small gift, and headed back out.  It seemed funny to be going to the doctor for a physical, when I had been there every week for almost three months for bronchitis.  I was glad she knew I was coming for a well visit though, and when I was standing on the scale, she walked by, tapped my arm and smiled.  I am so thankful for this doctor who takes time, who listens, and even laughs along with me {because oh laughter is so much better than tears!}

Before we got too far into the appointment, I passed her the little drawstring bag and shyly wished her a Merry Christmas.  Surprised and smiling, she asked if she could open it...

Carefully, she untied the bow, and tumbled out the first few pieces.  Her mouth made an "O" and she began lining them up, one by one.  As she drew out each remaining piece she squealed with delight and her eyes filled with tears.  My kids will love this, it will be part of our family tradition!  She confessed to having several other sets, each one so loved... and I know, because I have, perhaps, too many of my own to count.

When each piece of this little nativity was lined across the counter, she shared that she really wanted her kids to know that this is what Christmas is all about.  I'm glad this truth is growing, because when the magic of Santa has faded, Jesus is still shining bright, and Christmas is still a celebration of love and life.

I love Santa.  I love, and believe in, the spirit of Santa... the giving and the surprises and the traditions.  This year we will once again set out cookies and milk... because I want my too-grown-kids to hold on to the believing.  And who couldn't use a bit of magic in this season?  But this story... this baby who came to save the world, He is the focus of our days, our waiting...

She picked up that little baby Jesus again for one more look before tucking her small treasures away, and it made me smile.  I was thankful for not second-guessing that God-nudge.  Thankful, for passing along a piece of my heart... the part that shines and loves like Jesus.

**and while I am really posting this for the story and what it meant to me, there are a few sets left...**

and then it shines...

The water is rising.
As we drive, we see the canals and how they have filled, within inches of high water marks.  We have needed the rain.  Desperately.  But now, after what seems like weeks of rain on end, our souls needed the sunshine almost more so.  Saturday found us celebrating the sunshine...

We dug our toes deep into the sand and enjoyed the jazz as it danced on the breeze.  The kids flung the Frisbee back and forth until the almost-still gulf beckoned to them.  As they played on the sandbar, laughter and squeals carried across the surface, and a dolphin glided softly close to the shore, between us and them. 

And when it was time, God painted the sky...