cupcakes

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

{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.

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.