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.