I am...

...Ironman. Ok, I'm really not. But that was the song that came on the radio yesterday as Austin & I came to a red light. You know the one...by Black Sabbath and that awesome guitar intro? It throws me back to when I was growing up. But apparently as I was  rolling down the windows & cranking that sucker up, so the cars around me could hear what this "cool" mom was listening to had mortified Austin. Now unless I'm completely delusional, I think I'm pretty hip. Austin is lowering the volume, as he's looking around in a paranoid state, I'm cranking it up and then we become slappy dummies for the control-meanwhile I'm laughing because I think it's totally hilarious & all I kept saying was "I can't wait until YOU have kids!" I mean here I am-47 years old & a mom, not telling him to turn the music down, but crank it up....Hmmm, what is wrong with this picture?!  Now who's delusional?
xo
Kelly

~The Bucket List~

Do you have one? Do you consider it the same as a "Dream"? Have you seen the movie? It's depressing but the term "It's on my bucket list" has stuck. Whenever something strikes my fancy that I want to do I never say that's a dream of mine, it's always-"it's on my bucket list". Do I have an actual bucket? No...unless the spaces in that brain of mine filled with those "dreams" are the bucket! I've checked a few things off that bucket list but i'm always adding more so there's never an empty space! It's fun to imagine-those thoughts keep me smiling. It's what we live for...
 I'd love to hear what's on YOUR bucket list!
xo
Kelly

I believe...

...in Fate~without a doubt, that is why Frankie & I met. Circumstances in our lives lead me to believe this & that some form of divine intervention caused our chance meeting. I also know, without a doubt, we are soul mates to our very cores.

      I am not a religious person but I also believe that everything happens for a reason, from the very simple to the very complex. Ordinary and extraordinary moments are all intertwined. I've lead the 2nd half of my life that way. Not always understanding or seeing clearly why things work out the way they do-it's just believing. And on that rare occasion, I am privy to that information, affirms what I already know...Do you believe?
xo
Kelly

~Dare to Dream~

Happy TT! Over At Kim Klassen's, todays theme is "Dream". She makes it so easy to want to add this texture because it embodies something we all do. I have so many dreams that I could fill a book!

It's hard to even narrow down my top 10-but here goes in no particular order...(cause I want them all!)
*Castle tour of Europe
*Seeing my kids happy, healthy & successful
*Become a fabulous photographer
*Frankie & I to live healthy lives to enjoy retirement.
*Play with my grandkids..someday!
*Own my dream camera-the 50D
*To read all the books on my booklist (which btw is growing!)
*Cruise Europe
*Meet face to face w/my wonderful web friends!
*Dance in the rain w/my baby
And a big Happy Birthday to MY dad! xo Kelly

~Earning the Heart of a Falcon~

I'm super excited about this one. Kim Klassen has done it-yet again!
You see, Austin (soon to be 16) has had a "dream" to go to the Air Force Academy for years now. He's working very hard towards that goal & applies in March 2012. We recently attended an assessment workshop hosted by the Academy & it seems Austin is on track. But something struck deep to my core as we were watching a video on academy life. The mascot is a falcon and basically the theme of the cadets is "Earning the Heart of a Falcon".  I came home with that thought etched on my brain & wanted something to help keep us focused on this goal. After trolling through the internet for ideas-it hit me-& I found a charm company that actually sold heart & falcon charms (among 100's of other charms) So now, Austin has a daily & solid reminder that I wear proudly around my neck of what he's working towards. And all I have to do is touch this & be reminded that Austin's dream is our dream...

~The Heat Is On~

95*...in the shade....at 5:00 p.m. I'm over it!
 I'm finding the older I get, the less I tolerate the heat. I need to have windows & doors open and be free of air conditioning! I know much of the country is boiling these days-what can you do but grin and bear it.
 So here is one of my summer secrets-Frozen Grapes. They were defrosting pretty quick so I had to get the photos in as few shots as possible. I ate 'em...like I eat all my food and drink props!
xo
Kelly

~My Inner Child~

           My childhood may be over, but that doesn't mean playtime is. ~ Ron Olson

Ok, I admit it, besides that this rubber duck begged to be bought & photographed, AND it was only a $1.00 at Pier 1 (can I just please live there?) I love to play with toys! There, I said it, I love to play with toys. I'm such a simple person that a boa toting duck makes me smile. I can't help it, call it an impulse, call it whimsy, call it whatever you like, but I never wanna stop...Do you play? C'mon-you know you want to!

xo

Kelly

~Accidentally On Purpose~

Over at the Shutter Sisters, the theme is "accidentally on purpose" out of focus shots. While this isn't really out of focus it is an accidentally on purpose shot! I "Accidentally" shot into the sun while I was "purposely" shooting underneath a daisy. Lovely sun flare huh? Yeah...but note to self...STOP SHOOTING INTO THE SUN!
xo
Kelly

Thank you Kim Klassen for the use of your CBM texture!

Garden Art

I was out last night in the golden hour taking pics of one of our new plants I've been eagerly taking care of. It's False Heather which I adore. It's rather hardy for our "zone" and come to think of it, i've never seen "real Heather" in this area. We also have lavender that I never really paid attention to until recently, so I'm keeping an eye on that too in hopes that the blooms will return. I'll be so happy to snap a photo or two if they do and post! There is still such a slight scent to the buds that are left, so that leaves me hopeful. Thanks To Kim Klassen for her beautiful textures.
Hope you are enjoying your Thursday! xo Kelly

False Heather

Lavender

Baby's breath are like...

... gentle whispers.

Happy Texture Tuesday!

I used Kim Klassen's beautiful "Aurora" here.

xo

Kelly

Airing dirty laundry...

...which isn't really dirty if you're hanging it out to dry! Do you even know how completely intoxicating it is to fall into bed at night on sheets that have been hung out to dry? Sweetened by the sun-saved a little energy- Call me old fashioned...but I know at least I'll be in a state of bliss tonight.
 ~Sweet Dreams!~

                                                                       

Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things. ~Author Unknown

Snail Mail still rocks in my book-Seriously, an act as simple as going to the mailbox & finding something so completely unexpected instantly puts a smile on your face. You notice the familiar handwriting & as you tear open the envelope, you know it's not a bill, nothing is past due and no one is selling you anything. It's a gift, from a friend, that took the time to think of you. How can you Not love that?

My friend Diane & Gumby got together & made me a card to congratulate me on my new (old) job! Before I became & lost my job as a school librarian due to budge cuts, I was a kindergarten Instructional Aide. Well, as luck would have it & being in the right place at the right time, I got that IA position back. & will go back to work in Sept. It's only 3 hrs a day, but it's perfect for me. Thank you D-you really made my day!!

xo

Kelly

The Power of a Penny

Are you superstitious? I'm not even embarrassed to say that I am! I spit when a black cat crosses my path, I try NEVER to break a mirror (why push my luck?) and I don't walk under ladders-but that's mainly because it's dangerous! But I never, & I mean Never, do I walk past a penny and not pick it up! It kills me to see them stuck in gum or imbedded in tar in the road...those I have to walk away from!

This penny is special. I found it heads up ( a plus) said the little poem...

"find a penny pick it up, all day long you have good luck"

tucked it my shoe & there it stays, dancing around as I move through my day, reminding me of what is important in this life, to never forget that life is fragile & never take one single thing for granted.

xo

Kelly

Sprinkler Day...

...is one of my favorite days! We don't get rain during the summer so I depend on the sprinklers in the early morning hours for that fresh, looks like it just rained shot. We woke up with a marine layer yesterday, so that and a good soak made for a great photo op. The squirrels love the pomegranates off our tree, but only if they're green, so it looks like this one might make it for US to eat! I couldn't help myself on processing! I was having having way too much fun. Hope you are having a great weekend!
xo
Kelly

<------Thank you squirrels for not eating this one!

<-----How fresh is that?!

<-------I want this printed on a linen tea towel, which I just happen to collect!

The "just because" present

When was the last time you bought something for someone for no other reason than "just because"? Not a birthday or a holiday or a wedding present but a "just because" present? I'm embarrassed to say it's been awhile for me until i got this idea! I suppose it's human nature to feel we have to validate why we do anything. It could be so easy to validate this-but I really want this to be the purest and kindest of acts. It was worth the driving around looking for this. And a gift bag was WAY too easy! I wanted to wrap this in fancy paper, add a bow and handmade curly ribbons!
  **SURPRISE** baby-you have a "just because" present waiting for you! xo K-

Just Because

*Life's Good*

Life's Good

Oh sure, we moan and grumble about dishes, laundry & dusting-I know I do. But this morning I took a step back as I loaded the dishwasher then sorted the darks from the whites & thought...thank goodness I have dishes to wash because that means I've had a meal to fill my belly. How lucky we are to have clean clothes upon our backs-every day. As for the dust? That's a toughie, but as it settles on shelves and knick-knacks just means we have a home that's not a car or a box or the street. So today I happily do these chores without a moan or a grumble & know that Life IS Good!
xo
Kelly

Texture Tuesday

Did ya'll survive the 4th? I did, even though I felt like i'd been hit by a Mac truck this morning!
Over at Kim Klassen's (amazing) Cafe, she has a little assignment for us on Tuesday's. She picks a theme and you get to be creative as you want using at least one of her textures. Today's theme is all about the #3. This is my 1st entry and i'm going to try real hard to get the link right.
I used her amazing "CBM", screen @ 40% & "Silence", soft light @ 58%.
I taught myself how to make these origami cranes after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The Japanese are resilient & my heart ached for their loss. These cranes help me remember that the suffering and recovery is still going on-& will for years to come.
xo
Kelly

For Japan

*Happy Birthday America*

Freedom is never free.  ~Author Unknown

One of my favorite memories as a teenager was a saying painted in huge letters over the doors of a hanger on the flight line housing the F-16's that had just arrived on Misawa. It read:
PARDON OUR NOISE, BUT IT IS THE SOUND OF FREEDOM
Even though I was 16, those words had quite an impact in my life & have held a special place in my heart & memory for eternity.

If only...

...they knew the smiles they evoke, the warmth they exude and the vibrance they add to our lives.
...Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made, and forgot to put a soul into.  ~Henry Beecher, Life Thoughts, 1858

Ah the sweet and simple joys flowers bring. I don't think they could take a bad photo! Thank you Kim Klassen for this amazing "canvas back magic" **swoon**!

Olde Thyme

Happiest of Sundays to you. I took advantage of the golden hour today AND Kim Klassen's newest textures, "canvas back & canvas back magic"-just out today. http://www.kimklassencafe.com/thecafe
I was instantly in love!
Now, Frankie has the green thumb in the family, but during this time of renewal, he's been teaching me a few things & we've been really busy, weeding, yanking out old stuff, replanting and totally transforming plots of earth, including my herb garden that I've sadly neglected. I get a sense of peace & feel it's even therapeutic to sit and pull weeds. Who knew! When I cook, I use fresh herbs whenever possible and besides Rosemary, Thyme is my favorite.
Thank you for stopping by-