Everyday Beauty :: (Portable) Hope

Treasured tokens tucked in my coin purse. 

Wanted to include a warm thank you 

to those who tagged along 

on my Everyday Beauty "treasure hunt" 

this month!

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Everyday Beauty :: Connection

I so love to light candles 

in the quiet stillness 

after Saturday evening mass. 

Whispering a name 

over each new flame, 

I trust those 

who have gone on before me 

join in my prayers. 

This tender act 

gently reminds me 

that I am not ever meant 

to carry all of this alone. 

Once again, 

I am deeply grateful 

for being raised 

- steeped in, really - 

in the beautiful concept 

of the communion of saints. 

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Everyday Beauty :: Movement

Picnic vigil as the sun gracefully, slow dances her way to bed.

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Everyday Beauty :: Purple

It brought a smile of delight this morning 

to realize that the pretty picture 

on my current journal has purple in it.  

I usually use plain spirals 

and this one was a treat 

for my birthday month. 

Well, lookie here, 

it's still blessing me. 

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Everyday Beauty :: Earth

Mother Earth

.           *            .

Everyday Beauty :: Evening

Sweet dreams

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Everyday Beauty :: Growth

Journaling has been such an incredible gift of companionship for me. This closet shelf holds just a small number of the spiral notebooks filled with my feelings, thoughts, hopes, prayers, and dreams of the last 38 years.

The blank pages provide a safe and welcoming space to document and watch my growth.  I truly don't know where I'd be without this practice.

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Everyday Beauty :: Love

Out for a ride on a gorgeous spring Sunday afternoon, my hand on his leg as he drives. Smiling because, 27 years later, we still make the choice to color coordinate our clothes (whenever we can). I especially love this longtime habit of ours because not only does it feel like we belong together, it looks like it, too.

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Truth be told, it was a teensy bit of bit of a challenge to leave this photo up along with my comments because I was afraid it felt a little too silly.

So.... this has given me a chance to think about it on and off today. What I've come to appreciate is that for me, feeling so "weird?" in my family and like I didn't entirely belong, this simple little practice of ours quietly affirms for me, a *very* visual gal, that yes, my sweet, I am now (((home))) with this dear, dear man. 

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Easter 8 ~ Praying in Color

All done!

It brought a big smile to see that my last word was "Transformation." 

Coloring one more butterfly seemed exactly right, 

tying my Lenten Butterfly spiral in nicely 

with this, my Easter season spiral.

A special thanks to Praying in Color for the wonderful template(s)
and to Abbey of the Arts for the list of words.

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Everyday Beauty :: Softness

Love the beautiful, softly muted colors in my favorite hair bow. 

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Everyday Beauty :: A Self Portrait

I actually took this yesterday, without looking.  

Smiling because it didn't look like I didn't look so I didn't share it.

Still.

There's something I really like about it 

so was pleased to be able to use it for today's prompt.

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Everyday Beauty :: Without Looking Through My Lens

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Everyday Beauty :: Breakfast

One of my faves:  a bowl of Crispex cereal and milk.

.            *             .

Everyday Beauty :: Warmth

Happy Mail on top!

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Thankful Tuesday :: Birthday Edition

Today I am thankful for:

1.  My 53rd birthday yesterday.  There was a time I wasn't sure I'd make it this far.

2.  Happy new garden stone with my word for the year, Peace, on it.

3.  Time with our girlies on Saturday which primed our shy little ones for a fun day of 

     playing on Sunday.

4.  In-laws who want to make birthday celebrations special and do.

5.  Gifting myself by leaving work early yesterday.

6.  Lying in the bed and resting for an hour when I arrived home.

7.  Dear, dear hubby who's Love Language is Gifts.

8.  Wonderful surprise of a dozen beautiful red roses.

9.  Feeding the Texas part of my heart with a yummy supper of chicken fried steak, 

     loaded baked potato and salad with ranch dressing at Longhorn Steaks. 

10.  Sweet new angel who speaks to me of Peace, Grace, Mercy, Hope, and Enough.

11.  Kind friendship extended in so many ways, offering warm birthday wishes. 

12.  Quiet evening at home watching part 1 of Dancing With the Stars' season finale.

13.  Birdsong, floaty lilac gown, go back to bed for a bit leisurely morning.

14.  Intense wave of grief has now ebbed away, leaving with me some new layers to 

       ponder, explore, and heal.

15.  Feeling grounded by staying connected to our photo prompts.

16.  It was a very good birthday indeed.

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Everyday Beauty :: Sky

It bought such a big smile of delight 

just now to see that 

the birthday love 

is flowing to me in all directions today!

What was fun about this picture 

is I just stepped into our back yard after work, 

looked up and snapped it 

not even noticing the heart at first. 

It was such a delightful surprise for sure!

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Easter Week 7 ~ Praying in Color

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Everyday Beauty :: From an Ant's View

An ant's view of our late afternoon showers

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Everyday Beauty :: Lightness

Sharing potato chips and happy grins with this little cutie pie.

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Everyday Beauty :: Water

Catching some of today's happy tears.

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Everyday Beauty :: Evidence of Where I Come From

A family history book and my baby book.

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Everyday Beauty :: A Daily Ritual - Morning Blessings

The small island to my left is home to of a quartet of big, beautiful trees that I have come to fondly know as "The Four Sisters."  

More often than not I intentionally slow down just a little bit as I drive under the shelter of their protective branches which, in the summer, gently brush the top of my car. It always brings a warm smile to imagine them offering a morning blessing for me each and every time we cross paths.  And whether I remember our special daily ritual or not?  I trust that they never forget.

(Smiling because if you've been following my blog for long, you already know these faithful, guardian angels of mine and our daily morning (and afternoon) ritual, don't you?)

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Everyday Beauty :: My Anchor, Sebastian

Sebastian – my treasured friend and ever-faithful companion. He was given to me by Moma on my sweet 16th birthday in the midst of my fight with bone cancer in my left hip. From that day on he slept with me every night, went with me on every hospital visit for chemo and surgery, every trip out of town to see doctors, and on fun trips with family, too. He has seen it all, catching both my tears and fears and comforting me with his ever present hug. He was my anchor and my rock and is as real as the Velveteen Rabbit.

Sebastian was a gift in another deeply comforting way. My relationship with my Moma was particularly rocky when she gave him to me. In time, I found that I could love him when I couldn't love her and I could let her love me thru him, too.

Several years back, when I noticed he was getting torn, I worried he might fall apart so I tucked him up on a special shelf in my closet in our bedroom. Smiling softly because when the closet door is open, I can see him, still watching over me (and loving me) from his perch of honor.

Interesting side note:  as is par for May for me, I'm feeling pretty tender right now. As soon as I got him down to take a photo of him with me this afternoon, the tears started to prick (as they are now). Yes, he is a very good friend, my safe anchor in the storms indeed. 

....................

When I shared my photo and words above in a group, someone made the comment, "He is a holy container for dreams, prayer, hopes and fears." Love that so much!  Yes.

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Everyday Beauty :: Afternoon

Afternoon in our backyard.

(Bliss after a trying Monday)

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Easter Week 6 ~ Praying in Color

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Everyday Beauty :: A Moment of Joy

Quiet time spent writing 

and remembering 

my Moma 

on Mother's Day 

in the gentle presence 

of one of my favorite 

Grandmother tree companions. 

We had a pretty rough go,

she and I.

But with time

and a whole lot of Grace,

it is good to remember her fondly

and to quietly celebrate 

what she was able to give to me,

18 years after her passing.

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Everyday Beauty :: My Shadow

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Everyday Beauty :: Orange

A lovely surprise sent to me by a very dear friend.  

Smiling because I can see her from my chair 

and she often brings a happy smile 

and warm thoughts of my friend. 

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Everyday Beauty :: Compassion

"Unattended Sorrow" inspired me 

to choose my first "official" word of the year, 

Mercy, in 2012. 

Once I finished savoring it, 

I had trouble finding another 

Mercy-themed book that resonated. 

Since changing my word never felt right, 

I just borrowed resources from "her" synonym, 

Compassion.  

"The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion" 

was my favorite.

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Everyday Beauty :: Reflection

Saying our morning prayers together.

(Her name is Peace.)

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Thankful Tuesday

Today I am thankful for:

1.  Warm, fond memories of my Grandma and Moma 

2.  Companionship of sweet little crystal cut glass tea light holder

3.  Two unexpected cards from two friends

4.  Another perfectly glorious spring afternoon

5.  Slowing down and resting and being today - nourishment for my soul

6.  Early arrival of my new book, The Soul of a Pilgrim by Christine Valters Painter

7.  If the intro is any indication, I am going to *love* this one!

8.  Gift and honor of being able to help hold space for a dear friend.

9.  Playful moments with sweet hubby sprinkled in with this evening's errands

10.  Faint bleach smell of clean laundry 

11.  Soft, comfy lavender gown, bought 6-1/2 years ago, still one of my faves

12.  Kind words extended when I reached out for support

13.  Writing a poem that helps me understand and come to peace with a sister

14.  Being able to listen to myself read and affirm it for myself

15.  How very much I love photo treasure hunts for everyday beauty

16.  A very good night's rest last night with plans to get into bed soon this night as well.

Nightie Night!

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Everyday Beauty :: Something in my Hand

Fondly remembering my beloved Grandma today 

and her beautiful rose bushes.

The pink and rose doll blanket on my lap underneath

was made for me either by her or my Moma,

I'm not sure which.

That's ok, she says with a fond smile. 

I like, very much!, letting it remind me 

of both of them,

two very dear-to-my-heart women.

I am grateful and proud to be their daughter.

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Everyday Beauty :: A Self Care Move

Beginning my day with morning pages

and time next to my very favorite window.

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Easter Week 5 ~ Praying in Color

.........

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Setting My Intention for May

I've always loved that my birthday is in May (I'll be 53 on the 18th). Alongside the joy, pockets of tenderness also tend to be tucked in this month. I know this is simply the sweet little girl who lives inside my heart longing for a little bit more of the reassurance, healing, and love that she didn't get enough of when she was small. I want to be present, as best I can in each moment, to both her and the adult me as we continue to find our special way of partnering in this dance of life together. ♥

I intend to gift myself with good self-care this month by staying close to the photo prompts. Not only do I enjoy how this exercise helps me to connect with myself and my world in a gently curious way, I *love* the focus of looking for beauty in the everyday! Plus shared photo "treasure hunts" are such a delightful way to connect with others, too. :)

I'll also continue to practice, she adds with a soft smile, being just fine if there are a lot of selfies sprinkled in. Perhaps I'll stretch a bit by nudging myself to find beauty in the aching grief that may arise. Over the years I've come to really appreciate how photographing myself is a powerful way for me to truly see myself *and!* a very nourishing way to water my soul. (Hmmm... noticing, joining, and participating in my own life feeds me, imagine that! ;) )

(A warm hug and a big thank you to Liz Lamoreux for her affirming example. She is one of my very favorite pioneers!)

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Everyday Beauty :: Texture

Today's lunch was a Jason's Deli California Club sandwich 

on a very flaky croissant. Yummy!

It was such a perfectly beautiful May day

to sit outside on their patio and enjoy

a leisurely Sunday afternoon together.

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Everyday Beauty :: Morning

The view through our breezeway as we headed out this morning.

It was a perfect day for one of our

nephew's t-ball games.

As an aside, I love this umpire so much.

The last game he made a funny comment.  Something like 

"Look!  We packed a whole 5 minutes of action into an hour!"

Today, one little guy carried the bat with him as he 

ran to first and landed on second.  

With a grin, the umpire said,

"The runner is safe and the bat is safe, too!"

He is always guiding the little ones

and the bigger ones (coaches), too.

His love for the game is quite apparent.

That cute Uncle was helping baby Noah

tickle his big sister, Mollie Grace.

They all got a big kick out it, 

especially Noah.

Our girlies gathered around their Gre-Gre for graham crackers.

(Grandmother's are the best, aren't they?)

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Everyday Beauty :: Stillness

May is my birthday month

and I've always loved being a May baby.

This morning was such a beautiful spring day

and knowing it was the first day of May,

and with work going so much better,

I felt so content, blessed, and yes, still.

Beautiful, too.

(and very deeply grateful)

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