zing

cupcakes

2009-12-20T15:19:00.007-06:00

I've always loved red velvet cupcakes. Not sure why it just hit me that maybe I should attempt making them. Well, I did and I'm so proud that I'm sharing with you. Sometimes I forget in all the rush of life what possibilities lay right out in front of me, especially this time of year. Things seem even more rushed with the hustle and bustle of holiday preparation. Baking, decorating, shopping, wrapping, singing, parties...yup, it's Christmas. Funny thing is, I love all of these things that make this time of year seem crazy—if only things could just slow down so I could enjoy them. And when Tay put one more magnet on her countdown to Christmas this morning and informed the world that there is just 5 more days to go, I sighed just a little. And then, as we pulled in the drive from church, I noticed the most beautiful frost on our porch decorations. It was so perfect that I grabbed my camera and stopped for a moment...I started taking pictures all around. Funny how through a camera, you can see so much more, ey? Anyway, I hope you can also stop for a moment and notice all of this wonder around us. May your holiday be blessed and full of zing.

Friends forever.

2009-11-09T23:33:00.004-06:00

Eva and TayI never knew friendships could start at age one. That's the story of these two sweeties—little Eva and Taylor. I love the shyness and sincerity captured in this photo on Halloween day. Two and half years of friendship, naming favorite stuffed animals and "babies" after one another, pretending to chat on Dora telephones over tea and longing for the next playdate...this is what it's all about. That special bond of friendship, a lifetime in the making.

Fresh cut peonies.

2009-06-17T22:21:00.003-05:00

I remember gardening with my grandma as a little girl. Well, it wasn't so much "gardening" as it was smelling the flowers, picking weeds and trying to get as much dirt under my nails as possible. How lucky I am to be able to "garden" with my little girl now in the same sense of the word. We don't plant tomatoes, carrots or dill but we do plant flowers and we plant them with love. After a long day of work, I came in the house, dropped my bags and started to think about cooking and going through the stacks of mail and to-do-piles when I stopped, looked up and realized the fresh cut peonies had opened and filled the entire house with the most beautiful scent...the scent brought me back to a much calmer time with gram...what a wonderful moment. Thank God for those. And thank God for grandmas and daughters and peonies of plenty.

Thriving Ivory.

2009-05-26T21:32:00.003-05:00

Looking back through some old posts, I am shocked to see I have yet to blog about music. It plays such a vital part of my day. I love wrapping my thoughts around great lyrics and powerful voices. Maybe it's because I can't sing. Music stirs my soul. Here's one of my latest favorites...

Do you dream, that the world will know your name
So tell me your name
Do you care, about all the little things or anything at all?
I wanna feel, all the chemicals inside
I wanna feel I wanna sunburn, just to know that I'm alive
To know I'm alive

Don't tell me if I'm dying, cause I don't wanna know
If I can't see the sun, maybe I should go
Don't wake me cause I'm dreaming, of angels on the moon
Where everyone you know, never leaves too soon

Do you believe, in the day that you were born
Tell me do you believe?
Do you know, that everyday's the first of the rest of your life

Don't tell me if I'm dying, cause I don't wanna know
If I can't see the sun, maybe I should go
Don't wake me cause I'm dreaming, of angels on the moon
Where everyone you know, never leaves too soon

This is to one last day in the shadows
And to know a brother's love
This is to New York City angels
And the rivers of our blood
This is to all of us, to all of us

Don't tell me if I'm dying, cause I don't wanna know
If I can't see the sun, maybe I should go
Don't wake me cause I'm dreaming, of angels on the moon
Where everyone you know, never leaves too soon

You can tell me all your thoughts, about the stars that fill polluted skies
And show me where you run to, when no one's left to take your side
But don't tell me where the road ends,
cause I just don't wanna know,
No I don't wanna know

Don't tell me if I'm dying
Don't tell me if I'm dying
Don't tell me if I'm dying

Give it a listen for yourself.

Three-year birthday parties.

2009-05-21T23:29:00.005-05:00

Tay is three. Tay is three. Tay is three.

The past three years (let alone three seconds) have been a whirlwind. As you can see from the date of my last post, life has been a bit crazy the past 6 months. In honor of this three year milestone in my daughter's life, I'm attempting to get back into the blog-o-sphere and share a zillion more things that make me zing. Still at the top of my list is little Tay—whom is not little anymore—according to her. She is a big girl now and I am so, so lucky to have her in my life. She reminds me to take in every moment. She opens my eyes and ears to the little things in life that make it special. Thank you my little, but very big hearted girl. I love your zing.

Amazing Women.

2008-11-07T16:20:00.004-06:00

{Photo of my Great-Grandmother and Taylor on her 90th Birthday.}

Today it hit me like it often does. I have truly amazing women in my life. I don't know where I'd be in life without these women. Whether I've met them for just a few minutes or known them for years. Whether I call them for advice or to shed a few tears. Whether it's a quick lunch meeting, 3 hour phone call or a week-long trip. Whether it's crafting or shopping. Whether. Whether. Whether. Every moment of my life I'm constantly touched in one way or another by wonderful women. Always there to lend a hand. And not afraid to give with all of their being. I am blessed. I am blessed you have chosen to share your life, your heart, your story—thank you. Thank you for making me a better person.

Window peeking.

2008-10-29T21:47:00.008-05:00

Ok. So I was truly a tourist this past week on my trip to New York City. I'll admit it and I'm not ashamed to stand and gawk at these Anthropologie window designs and store displays. What an inspiration! I could have stood for hours and admired, losing myself in the fantasy. I wanted to jump in and explore so I did...and, the inside did not disappoint.

It's just too bad I couldn't afford any of the items for sale.

Goosebumps.

2008-09-23T18:44:00.002-05:00

I was flipping through an old sketchbook and came across this clipping I found almost five years ago. Still gives me goosebumps when I read it. It reminds me yet again that each day is a gift.

"...my cup runneth over." Psalm 23:5

Art girls.

2008-09-21T20:36:00.002-05:00

Seven art girls + mod podge + vintage suitcases + amazing fabric + great food and conversation = one splendid, unforgettable day! Thanks girls for making me zing.

Embracing fall.

2008-09-19T16:16:00.002-05:00

I have to admit I was in a bit of denial about summer leaving already. It's probably because this summer has been a whirlwind with the move right in the middle. And without a yard or landscaping, my energies were spent indoors (as my white skin will attest). But over the last few days of sunshine, pumpkin stands emerging and fall signs everywhere, I'm starting to embrace the change of season. I've been digging through totes and boxes in the basement trying to find fall decor and when I stumbled across these pumpkin candles I smiled. They are far too neat to burn but they fit so nicely in the bed of mini candy corn scented pumpkins I found at the sidewalk arts festival. And then, my sweet aunt Barb gave me a huge bag of honeycrisp apples. It's just so sad that my hubby doesn't like apple pie and I have to eat it all myself. wink. wink.

Torii.

2008-09-16T14:48:00.003-05:00

"Dogs never lie about love." —Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson

Can't say it any better than that. Unconditional love from a little heartbeat at my feet. Now that makes me zing!

Being a mom.

2008-09-09T22:15:00.005-05:00

When all the world is spinning with craziness, there's one thing I know for sure—I love being a mom! Every little detail in life is brought to the surface with a new perspective. My eyes are opened a bit wider every day with thoughts like, "mommy. look. flag sad. no waving." (on a rare non-windy SD day) or "mommy. look. hand." (referring to the walk traffic sign). Ordinary is extraordinary to a child. I'm so grateful for the constant reminder to look at this earth closer, deeper, taking it all in.

Above is a picture of Taylor taking in her first watercolor painting experience last week. It was difficult for my anal self to see her mix the colors like that, but I let her go...sigh...

Time.

2008-09-03T21:02:00.002-05:00

I feel like a broken record always wanting more and more hours in a day. Truth is we're only given 24 of them a day and I know that despite my wants, it is truly a blessing. I'm forced to choose what I do with each of those hours whether it be working, sleeping, eating, playing...hmmm wonder if this is my order of importance. Eeek. The other cool thing about time is that you can't stop it (although I'd like to sometimes). Time keeps me on my toes. Always deadlines, always moving, always something going on. Tick-tock time. Time is a gift and I need to remember to use it in the best way possible everyday. How do you spend your time?

Long weekends.

2008-09-02T21:20:00.002-05:00

Long weekends make me zing. Especially this past one. I forced myself to avoid work (which is very hard to do when all your work is at home with you). Instead, I found much time to play and create and read and rest. Yeah! This is what life is all about—taking it all in. Friday night at the park, Saturday lounging and cozying up with a few good reads, Sunday in the pool and enjoying one last summer barbeque and Monday for a family day at the zoo. And, I wonder why time seems to by flying. Packing as much in a day as possible.

Waiting.

2008-08-28T20:58:00.002-05:00

There they are. Just waiting to be dunked, dipped and swirled. Remnants of color held between their bristols, proof that once not so long ago they were needed and loved. Now, they just patiently wait. They will be ready when their day comes again. Looking at them, I recall the joy I have when holding them in my hands. I will paint again. I will.

My doodads.

2008-08-27T21:19:00.002-05:00

Organized chaos of doodads on my wall. Ribbon, buttons, eyelets, tags, scraps, paper flowers, glitter (oh, yeah!), did I say ribbon? I get dreamy just peaking over at them during the day—oh, how I long for more time to play with my doodads. At least for now they provide inspiration and a constant reminder of how much I love to create. Thanks dear doodads.

It's love.

2008-08-26T21:17:00.001-05:00

Seems like yesterday looking at this photo, but 4 years have already flown by. Time is not standing still. Careers, moves, doggy, child, houses, cars, trips...so many big life things, so many highs and so many lows, too. Just so very glad that I'm not in this crazy thing called life alone. Having love on my side—there is no better reason to zing.

The reason.

2008-08-25T11:20:00.000-05:00

She. She makes me zing. and zong. and zing again and again.

Taylor Elizabeth Lavin.

It is only fitting that my first ever blog entry is about the inspiration behind it. In May of 2006, she entered our lives. When she was itty-bitty, my husband and I called her zinger and sang her our very own zing-zong song. We could be found humming it throughout the house. For those of you who have met her, you'll know why the nickname and song are fitting. She zings.

What is zing? To me, it's the feeling you get when doing what you love or seeing something/someone you love. It's a noun. It's a verb. Yes, one can zing! And my hope is that by sharing about the zillions of things that make me zing, you'll find the zingers in your life, too.