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.

friday letters...the valentine edition

Dear Friends,

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope today finds you smiling, and not taking the day too seriously!  

Can I confess?  I love when the valentine decorations begin appearing... even in December!!! Something about the pink and red together just makes me a little giddy.  Today may be a silly holiday, but any day set aside to celebrate love is a good one... love for family, for friends, for a sweetheart.  

Dear Laura,
I sent you a card... and I bet you won't get it today.  Oh well.  It will stretch out the fun!  A whole week of Valentine fun!  My sweetest valentine so far is the little origami heart living in the car.  I see it and think of you, and our visit. I love you!

Dear Eric, my forever Valentine...
Thank you for relenting about Lozano's.  I am just imagining the crowd!!!  Maybe we can go tomorrow instead, or I'll take you up on the offer of a fabulous festive Mexican food fiesta for two!  I love you.  And I'm trying really hard not to peek at the give you have hidden out in the open on your dresser-  but now I am wondering about why you needed chalk, if not for an outline at a murder scene...

Dear Camden,
I know that you would rather skip an holiday that involves l-o-v-e and hearts and pretty pink and red... and that it almost disgusts you that Dunkin' Donuts makes the Boston Cream donuts heart shaped this time of year!  Someday maybe you'll change your mind, but for now, I did my best to make your sweet treat not look too lovey-dovey!

The best and most

beautiful things 

cannot be seen or even touched.  

They must be felt with the heart.

-Helen Keller

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.

life lately...

It has been a great week!