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.

Goosebumps.

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.