sunday splash...

I see skies of blue and clouds of white. 

Bright blessed days and dark sacred night. 

And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

-Louis Armstrong

thinking of ann today....

sunday splash... the groundhog edition

Once upon a time, Groundhog Day was my favorite holiday.
Why? Who knows. But I did write a little article for our High School Paper (The Scituation) entitled Shadows of Spring in honor of that feisty groundhog, Phil.

So in the spirit of the {yester}day...

sunday splash...

We have been created to love and to be loved.

-Mother Theresa

sunday splash...

God is always seeking you.
Every sunset, every clear blue sky, every ocean wave, the starry host of night.
He blankets each day with the invitation, "I am here."
Louie Giglio

sunday photos

We have enjoyed the week. I love spring break for the weather, the time, and... that it means summer vacation is just around the corner.  I have no idea how I will mark time when my kids are out of school!  Here are a few glimpses of the fun...

Last week we took a trip to the botanical garden... we've been meaning to go for years.  I fell in love with this bloom... from the Shaving Brush Tree.  I wanted a thousand more pictures, but my guys were anxious to move on...

One of my sweetest friends was in Boston a couple of weeks ago, and she really wanted to go on a cupcake tour.  Unfortunately, the people she was traveling with didn't feel like it, so it didn't happen.  Until yesterday... when I took her on a cupcake tour of our town!  Three shops and a bonus donut stop!  This chocolate one was my favorite!  We had a ton of laughs, and enjoyed the day together exploring and critiquing!

It seems we have been traveling up and down the highway all month long... and while the miles stretch on and on with weariness, there is something in me that loves a road trip.  Perhaps it is watching the dark turn to day along side me, or the way a sunset can give you hope that rest is coming soon...

After pinning at least a million ideas onto Pinterest, I finally made something.  There wasn't even an excuse for not doing it sooner... I had every supply!  The other night, I took the time to find the map, and stitch around my hometown, where our love story began.  And that Coast Guard bear? Well, he marks how our story began.  I walk into the house, see this little grouping, and smile.  It represents a whole lot of memories, a whole lot of years ago.

How many times have I searched for my sandals... only to find them right where I left them?! Under the table.  Sometimes I even find more than one pair! It is a bad habit... one I haven't even tried to break.  A couple of times a week I gather up a few pairs and toss them into the closet... and then  I can't find them!

Linking up to Ashley's Scavenger Hunt Sunday!  Think about joining in next week!
Here are the prompts...macro, wheels, shiny, weather, favorite sport.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

sunday photos...

The weekend is just about done, and while I would rather it not end, we have a bit of a reprieve with spring break this week.   Fewer work days... and no homework for Cam!  I'm celebrating with some Sunday photos...

All lines lead to the sunshine... and the beach... and the lovely sea breeze.

This guy always makes me laugh... and I am so thankful he found me.  He was rinsing the pollen off my car, but last night? We laughed and danced in the kitchen... just because.

Sunshine in my windows brings me joy... and I love to see the evidence on my sunny yellow walls. This morning just seemed particularly pretty...

It has definitely been too long since these two had some time to hang out together... but at least we made it to his horse show and the boys got to give a few high-fives and have some lunch together. How long have they been friends?  Forever.

A friend told me about 40 bags in 40 days... so I figured it was just what I needed.  It is not going as planned... but it is still going.  Here is one organized drawer!  And there might be a few more here and there, as well as a few organized rooms.  Feeling good!

Linking up with Ashley for Scavenger Hunt Sunday!  I was sad to miss last Sunday, but it got away from me!!!  Next week's list?  what IS that?, yum, on the road, on the shelf, bad habit.  Come on! Join in the fun!

sunday photos

One of my son's obsessions... the LEGO mini figure!  He has a box full of them, and was thrilled when I asked if I could take their picture!  He is seventeen... and his love of LEGO still makes me grin!  His latest big build was one from the architecture series... Falling Waters.

Nine dollar shoes that have been worn and worn, for just-the-right-occasion!  Mostly the rodeo. The occasion this week?  A country western dinner for Boy Scout Leader awards... my husband now has an acorn.  

I found this necklace on a clearance rack... and I'm always looking for a fun long necklace.  I think it is not only pretty but useful, too!

It is the one thing on the list that always gets done when we visit her.  Anything to make it easier for her to get through without a car!  This photo is old... but the last time we took her shopping?  It was pure joy to push the cart and follow along behind her while she worked through her list.  It is hard to believe she's been on her own for ten months.  I knew she'd be great!

Friday was a fundraiser for work... and the centerpieces were gorgeous.  I couldn't help but capture one!  Better yet? At the end of the afternoon, there were a bunch left... so now I have one of my very own!

linking up with Ashley...it is Scavenger Hunt Sunday again!
the list for next week?  doorway, candid, open, look up, stuffed...

sunday photos

Happy March!  {I'm not quite sure where February went!}
So far, it has been lovely!  The kind of weather we wait for all year long.
I hope you are enjoying our Sunday... I have some photos for you!

It was so nice to get out and walk again... in one of my favorite spots.  The boardwalk through the mangroves ends at the beach, but just before you arrive, there is the bridge over the pass... and a preview of the beauty that is to come!  I decided to take this through the railing, but has to be quick because the golf cart/tram was coming! Beep, beep!

Today was so beautifully amazing... kayaking with some of the people I love most on this earth! The photo on the right shows the details of where we went... and that little heart?  My parent's new home! We all had so much fun today that we can hardly wait until there is a house on that site!

We were on our way down the safari road when we spotted a flash of pink in the sky.  It had been a few weeks since we had seen the roseate spoonbills at the bird rookery {the park at the end of the safari road}... so this was such a treat!  There were three... but they were pretty skittish.  It is just so special to see them at all, even if you can't get a great clear picture... even if you can't get closer.  That flash of pink in the sky, or on the ground just fills me with joy!  

This one is from the fall... marching season, one of our favorite times of year!  I did not mean for this photo to be blurry at all... but it has become one of my favorites.  Plus, it tells a story.  Once my eyes find him on the field, I find it hard to focus on anything else!  One more marching season to go... our seventh between the two kids... and I am looking forward to it already!

I couldn't resist another beach shot... all of these pails and shovels ready for a day of fun!  It actually made me want to find a spot in the sand and build a castle, but I was committed to a walk!

Linking up to Ashley's Scavenger Hunt Sunday!
Next week's prompts:  mini, shoes, mirror  mirror, shopping, just because...

sunday photos...

What a treat it was to finally put my feet in the sand last week!  The sea foamed up at the shore and we joked about it being Florida snow.  It was a beautiful night... golden sun beginning to set, a just-right breeze, and a soul satisfied with sea and sand.

When my chair is in within feet of the surf, and my toes are dug deep in the sand, I am a very happy girl!  Add in the sunset, and the guys I love, and it is the perfect ending to a beautiful day.

This photo didn't come out as great as I wanted it too... the reflection line creating the symmetry... but pretend you can see it, okay?

Blanket in progress...pink Shasta daisies.  As I stitch, I pray a hope-filled prayer.  I'm not quite sure how big the blanket will be... but I know that God knows, and that He will let me know.

I'm always posting pictures of alligators we see along the trails... so I thought this sand-alligator we came across at the beach might make you giggle.  It sure made me giggle, especially his sprite -cap eyes!!

Linking up to Ashley's Scavenger Hunt Sunday!
Next week's list: Unusual Crop, Details, On the Ground, Blooper (or a shot where things didn’t go as planned), Color.

sunday photos...

The sun is shining and it is a beautiful Sunday! 
Time for some Sunday photos... this was not an easy list for me this week!

Okay... this one was easy.  Can you see him?  Camden and I loved watching him swim through the grass... he was probably only a foot long!

I'm not sure these are really nutty... but if you knew how many boxes I bought you would know that I am nutty!  I actually have a Girl Scout Cookie Rule.  I will buy one box from any girl who comes and ask me. {I bought more than one from my niece!} But for $4, if a girl has the courage and drive to sell the cookies herself, I simply cannot say no.   I'm thinking I better get some cash ready... I'm not even sure what I bought!

I couldn't believe it when we found this on our walk {and pink?!} I didn't know we had these in Florida, and I'm not sure my kids ever got to make "Pinocchio" noses when they were little.  But when I was little?   Oh we would peel them open and stick them to our noses, entertained all afternoon!  And sometimes we'd stick a few together to make it really look like we fibbed!

Once upon a time... my photos were organized and scrapbooked.  Now, the one I have printed, are in boxes waiting patiently to be spread out on pages and enjoyed.  I'm going to get back to it... eventually.

When I was decorating for Valentine's day I opened this tin heart and came across these paper cranes Laura folded years ago.  I hung clipped some on a garland of doilies, and the rest were strung from dark to light.  I loved watching them dance on the breeze... having their chance to fly!

Linking up with Ashley's Scavenger Hunt Sunday!
Next week's list: see...sea...or C, chair, symmetry, blanket, giggle.