Celebration

 

Earlier this month, my daughter joined us to celebrate two major occasions ~ President Obama's second Inauguration and her 28th birthday.  It brought me so much happiness to share these special times together.  We celebrated Obama on a national stage and Desirae in a family gathering ... and honoring both brings much pride and joy.

  

 

 

I'm so happy my daughter is actively participating in and living in a time when equality for women and all cultures is becoming more of a reality.  I believe her generation is making huge strides to further bridge differences and pave the way towards greater harmony in the world.  I find Barack Obama to be an ideal president in that he inspires so many and that he truly instills hope for a brighter future, not just for Americans, but for all.  He offers young people an incredible example that belief in one's self, actively caring for one's community, and hard work truly do make a difference, and all of these factors together are what can and will help us progress as a society.

 

Happy Birthday to my courageous, beautiful daughter ... and Happy 2nd Term to Barack Obama!!!    



HAPPY NEW YEAR

 

Since I rarely dress up, I thought I'd start the New Year with a photograph Kevin took last night...of me dressed up!  We celebrated the New Year by going to one of our favorite restaurants that's housed in an old stone inn.  The atmosphere is cozy and the wait staff wear period clothing.  We were seated in a small room with a fireplace and only three other tables.  A troubadour serenaded guests as we dined.  After our dinner, as we were leaving the restaurant to return home, a couple of young guys were just starting to create an ice sculpture outside in front of the building.  We were curious as to what they would create, but the cold won out and we raced home to the warmth of the cabin where we later watched the ball drop in Time's Square from the warmth of our living room.  It's always amazing to see how many people crowd into the square and withstand the frigid temps to be part of the moment.

 

Instead of making resolutions, Kevin suggested we just try to make this year a little better than last year ~ and his idea suited me just fine :)

 

I hope all of us have a year better than the last, and one filled with promise, peace, love, and joy...

 

Happy 2013!!!

Snow Days

The farm across the street under a winter sky and a blanket of fresh snow

 

We enjoyed a white Christmas this year!  Snow began to fall during the day on Christmas Eve, and continued on through the night.  Everything was so bright the next day when the morning sunlight reflected off the drifts of white.  



Our cabin wrapped in white!

The first snow of winter always feels magical with the gentle hush that surrounds and encompasses all.  The snow laden branches create a world that's soft and mystical.

 

 



My husband Kevin & daughter Desi wage a snowball battle

And there's always time for fun ... both active and reflective.  As I watched my husband and daughter playing in the snow, it brought back long ago childhood memories, how when the ground was covered in white we just couldn't wait to get out to sled, make snow angels, and revel in the beauty surrounding us.

 

 





"Lumpy" the Snowman

 

This little snowman that my daughter created made us all smile.  Even the birds and squirrels enjoyed "Lumpy."  They helped themselves to his edible eyes, nose, mouth, and buttons, most of which were gone by the next day :)





Jasper and Tree

My formal Christmas Snapshot :)

Rats, I don't see one for me :(



I wonder which is brighter, my eyes or the star ;)

Maybe if I sleep on it, Santa will come...may all your Christmas dreams come true!

 

Merry Message

As the days grow shorter and the nights seem longer, may the glow of family and friendship keep you warm.  Also, keep in mind that, often times, it's the little things that can make all the difference.

Today, after trying on a half dozen pairs of shoes, I found a remarkably comfortable pair that I'm so grateful to have on my feet right now.  It's become harder and harder for me to find comfortable shoes.  This new pair feels like a pair of soft, comfy slippers and I am so happy to have them.

May the little comforts and joys bring sparkle to your days ...
Wishing you a season of brightness, warmth, & merriment.

Shared Sadness

Our thoughts & prayers are with the Newtown, Connecticut community as they struggle with the recent tragedy & loss of innocents. 

The Passing of Toad

Today, we had lunch with family including my brother who traveled here from New Mexico.  During our lunchtime conversation, I learned that my brother's very old, beloved cat, Toad, had quietly passed away.

At one time, my brother and his wife had seven cats, and Toad was always my favorite, well, he was every one's favorite and he was best friend to all of the other cats, too.  Toad earned his name because he actually resembled a puffy, lumpy gray toad of the amphibious sort.  His looks were not the reason he was cherished so by all.  It was rather because Toad was so lovable in his own special way.  He was big and lumber some and a prime cuddle candidate for all of my brother's other animals, which, at one time, included a dog along with all the cats.  Toad was that perpetual shoulder to lean on.  He seemed to make all the other cats in his presence feel safe and important.  He wasn't a fighter, as so many male cats are.  Toad was a gentle soul.  He did not vie for dominance, yet he earned respect among all the others and none of the other cats ever challenged him. When my brother and his wife adopted a sleek, beautiful, creamy orange colored stray, she immediately earned the name Princess.  And who do you think her prince charming was?  That's right, none other than Toad.  Princess shunned all the other cats, but she dearly loved Toad. For all the years they shared together, up until the day he died, Toad and Princess were inseparable.  It was quite a real life fairytale :)

Toad left us with a simple but so important lesson ~ One must be truly loving to be truly loved.
We all need the steady presence of solid individuals we can lean on ... better yet, we can become those very sorts who can lend strength to others who need support and comfort.

Toad rests in peace now, but, then again, he always did ... and he always made sure others did, too.