Sparkling Hello

It brought a warm smile to notice 

my Dogwood Twin Sisters 

were speaking this morning's fond hello 

to me in their love language 

of sparkles. 

.     .      .      .     .      .      .

💕    💫   🎇

.         *            .

It's almost time for April Love . . .

You can find the details here.

💕

.              *             .

Guess who's blooming?

💕. 🌼 . 💕. 🌼 . 💕

.          *              .

Diagnosis: Diverticulitis

Hmmm... so doc thinks my lower abdominal pain 

over the last 36 hours might be diverticulitis...? 

So, *so* grateful there's medicine for that. 

🙏🏻

.           *              .

Afternoon Snacks and Naps

These lovelies call our neighborhood home in the spring and fall. 

At times I've seen about 20 all flocked together, 

sometimes meandering their way across the road in front of me. 

Today it was a party of 4 for snacks and naps 

in the dappled afternoon light.
(the nappers are in the shadows off to the right)

.             *           .

Mandala #99

.              *                 .

Anchors of Change

Awake in the wee hours Thursday morning,

I pulled images from a magazine that drew me.

That evening, I put them together in a collage.

(This mandala is my 98th)

I kept reading "Authors" as

"Anchors"

and that feels right.

All are pearls of wisdom when walking thru big changes

like I am both at work 

and in my family of origin.

Rest

Say yes 

(to listening well and to what feels right)

Be in the now

Believe 

Simple Beauty

⚓️️    .     💙    .     🙏🏻

.          *            .

Spring Chores

Sweet Hubby's been busy filling 

7 trash cans 

and 

7 paper leaf bags 

with oak leaves. 

🍂🍁

(And there's so many more to go!)

.          *            .

Happy Loveable Mail

So delighted to receive 

an autographed copy of Kelly's book, 

Loveable. 

❤️

.             *           .

Celtic Blessing for Wednesdays in March

💕 Grace is in the details. 💕

Reading this prayer, I was fondly reminded 

of a group I belong to where we each post photos 

of our daily treasure hunts for the 

Beauty in the Everyday Ordinary. 

❤️

Celtic Wheel of the Year

by Tess Ward 

pg. 61

.         *          .

Calming the Storm

She's Got The Whole World in Her Hands.

❤️

(This is mandala # 96!!)

.           *           .

Loveable

Looking very forward to dipping into these pages. 

❤️️

Kelly's voice is gently wise. 

If the book appeals to you and you order before the evening of 3/24, 

there's a free full length bonus companion book that he's offering as a thank you gift.

Just go here.

Here is my Amazon.com review:

Verified Purchase

This review is from: Loveable: Embracing What Is Truest About You, So You Can Truly 

Embrace Your Life (Paperback)

I've been reading Kelly's blog for four years now and had the pleasure 

of participating in his Courtyard Conversations. In both places I grew to 

deeply trust his calm, gently reassuring voice. As a member of the launch 

team, I was delighted to receive a free digital copy of Loveable. Since 

then I've bought two copies to share with dear ones and, being one who 

likes to hold an actual book in her hands, a third is on its way to me.

The stories he shares are brave, deeply personal and speak to the ache 

and beauty of being human, always with an eye towards Grace and Hope. 

If you've read any of his blogposts and/or letters to his children, you 

already know. Kelly's writing is authentic, insightful, clear, and wise. I

t's my sincere hope that this is the first of many books published by 

Dr. Flanagan.

.         *          .

Let it Be

March's Talisman of the Month box arrived today!

(I was so hoping it might!)

Liz has such a thoughtful Gift for sending care packages.

So many little delightful surprises tucked in.

.   .   .   .   .

Smiling because I have to say

when I saw the deep pink tissue paper 

and sweet navy organza bag, 

my heart let out a big ol' sigh of contentment.

*These* colors nourish me

(and feel like "home.")

Another wide smile spread when I saw that this month's mantra is

Let it Be.

Yes.

(I love everything about this one)

.           *          .

Hope Heart Light

Sending Light and Love to a friend's daughter

💜

(she's since been diagnosed with leukemia)

.                 *                 .

Studying the Enneagram

Spending some quiet time 

on a chilly, damp Saturday morning 

all cozied up 

and learning about the Enneagram. 

 I had an old test and reconfirmed that I am a 2.

Then I listened to an interesting podcast

by Pace Smith.

.         *            .

A Little Lunchtime Refreshment

.         *          .

Won't Be Long Now!

Soon my special Dogwood Twins, 

Grace and Mercy, 

will be covered in delicate pink and white blossoms. 

💕

.         *           .

Spring Tulip Mandala

Last night's Mandala 

🌷   .   🍊   .   💜

.         *           .

Grounded Peach Petal Mandala

I like this one a lot. 

❤️

When I posted this one on Facebook, a friend asked me what I liked about it.

It's actually "upside down" in my book but when I try to look at it "right side up," I know

it isn't right. The peach (light orange) petal in the top middle was the first shape I found 

among my scribbles and "she" is at the heart of this piece for me. I love how she's sheltered 

by the purple, red, and green and especially how the green seems to be gently embracing her. 

Or wait, are the purple, red and green fields 

another, single watchful presence? 

The brown that falls outside of the circle feel like roots.

So you know, she says with a soft smile, I'm seeing myself in this one, yes? And it speaks 

deeply to me of my word for this year, Grounded.

Yes.

.          *           .

Celtic Blessing for the Tuesdays in March

May it be so. 

❤️

Love this blessing that ends the prayer for Tuesdays in March. 

The Celtic Wheel of the Year

by Tess Ward, pg. 60

.          *         .

Good and welcomed company . . .

. . . on this chilly, blustery March-like-a-Lion morning!

.          *          .

Remember this one?

It's dated November 29, 2016 

and felt really powerful when it arrived. 

Orange

#grounded2017

.             *               .

Back to Mandala Making

.             *             .

Trust and Hope

Over here Orange continues to surprise and delight 

by peeking out and waving at me from the corners of my world..

..

Yesterday afternoon it was this lovely card that captured my attention. 

Mailed over 1-1/2 years ago by a Love Notes pen pal, 

it's been laying on top of my jewelry box ever since. 

Along with a sweet Orange feather and picture, 

she put two of my very favorite words on it 

- Trust and Hope -

 which is why it's stayed there ever since, 

fading into the background of my life.... 

Until now.

Blessed be. 

🍊.     . 🏮

#grounded2017

.            *            .

Grounded's Personal Invitation to Me

We were invited by Liz in our Talisman of the Month FB group 

to practice being Brave by going live... 

so I did! :)

Wanted to share my little video here as well:

Grounded's Invitation to Me

password:  grounded2017

.             *             .

Mary and Betsy

She was sure watching over us this week 

💕      .     💙      .     💕

.             *            .

Betsy's All Better

Getting my Betsy-girl all fixed up.

My newest teacher.

May I be as gracious and willing to make it right

when I next make a mistake.

Not only did he pay for the part and the labor

to get my side view mirror fixed,

he also had my car detailed.

And he made sure they did it right

(which took three reminders).

The lumber had scuffed my hood

and the big band-aid left some duct tape residue.

But now?  

All gone.

He left us better than he found us.

Blessed be.

Isn't she pretty?

.         *           .

Hemming the Morning in Prayer

There's something so peaceful for me

about the practice of gathering treasures, 

arranging them in a pleasing composition, 

and then taking a photo

(so I can pause and remember

anywhere, anytime) 

.          🏮         .

#grounded2017

.           *              .

Grounded and Abidin'

(and playing with an app in the wee hours 

when I couldn't sleep)

.            *           .

Trustin' in Grace and in The Wisdom of the Body

So I had a Lent themed book picked out but when it came time to order it, I was having 

trouble finding it. When a copy finally arrived on Tuesday, some of the pages are so messed 

up in places that I can't make out all of the words. While disappointed, after sitting with it 

for a bit, I knew.  It will need to be returned.

In the midst of all of that planning, this preordered book quietly arrived a couple weeks back. 

I remember smiling when I opened it to see more orange, and both the title and cover spoke 

to me. I then set it aside with a promise to return to it... later.

After reluctantly giving up on my first choice for a Lenten companion, I picked this one up 

last night and started reading.

And lookie what I found just in the intro of this book that so clearly chose me:

"You are beginning the long and beautiful journey home."

"The body speaks truth if we would only learn how to listen."

"... the body calls us fully present here and now."

..

Ah, she says as a wide smile spreads, if practicing Grounded means to practice being 

fully in this present moment, doesn't that mean being fully in my dear body as well?

Yes. 

🍊

#grounded2017

.            *             .

Wednesday Reds

Our azaleas are early this year.

(Ms. Red's pink next door neighbor is already drooping)

Discovered another delightful surprise from my favorite partner at work. 

🍅

.             *           .

Welcoming Orange!

Intentionally welcoming and celebrating the color Orange. 

🍊      .      🏮     .     🔶

...

It's kinda feeling like an orange surprise party over here 

as all 4 of these arrived this morning.

 I remembered the notebooks (soon to be journals) were orange

 and a wide grin spread to see the books have some orange on them too. 

After sharing this photo on social media,

a dear one commented that Orange is a juicy color.

I'd never thought about it that way

but I like it!

I like it a lot!

#grounded2017

.           *           .

Abidin' in Grace, Mercy, Hope, & Love

Grace, Mercy, Hope, & Peace

My sweet little red oil lamp isn't burning right 

so I haven't sat with my angels surrounding a light

in a very long time.

Too long.

(So long that, even tho they are still in my line of sight,

 they were falling off of my radar.)

So while I was out this afternoon picking up a few things, 

I added this little candle to my cart, 

a fill in ...  for now.

This little altar of mine remains such an indescribable blessing,

speaking to me on so many (non-verbal) levels.

Blessed Be.

.          *            .

Well, Shoot! Again!!

A piece of lumber flew off the back of a pickup truck on my way to work, came right at 

me and knocked off my rear view mirror. Feeling very grateful that no one was hurt and, 

just like on Friday, this gentleman has been very kind and willing to do whatever is 

necessary to take care of the damage, including making this duct tape bandaid for my 

Betsy. 

💙

.           *           .

Practicing Hope

So Hope was my word for 2014 and "she" has been peeking in on me, her beloved daughter, 

a lot in the last little while. (I've come to think of some of my words Grace, Mercy, Hope, 

and Peace as sister auntie angels who love, guide, and watch over me)

Last Tuesday morning a dear friend shared a lovely quote about hope with me and that 

afternoon our purple crocuses, who speak to me of the hope of spring, peeked their heads 

out and winked at me. 

Our car wreck on Friday night was at an intersection with a small, red brick church with 

a wire steeple on one corner. I felt so touched when hubby came back and told me it was 

named "Center of Hope" (!!). We waited the hour for our tow truck driver to arrive in the 

shelter of her back parking lot.

And yesterday morning I intentionally invited Hope in close by choosing my sweet blue 

and white striped mug for my warm, soothing cup of creamy chai tea. I so love this book, 

"An Altar in the World" by Barbara Brown Taylor! So much so that every time this water 

baby gets in the tub, this gently wise and reassuring book goes in with me. And of course, 

she adds with a twinkle, I have an angel in my bathroom!

Wishing us all a good week and may there be many pockets of Hope. 

❤️

.           *             .

Family Fun Night

Last night we were headed over to see our new baby girl again

and bring dinner but then we were in the accident.

We were delighted to get to try 'er again tonight.

My little baking helpers and I made a yummy pineapple angel food cake. 

(And a wonderful memory, too!)

🍍😇🍰

Ballerina Beauties

My sweet big girls wanted to show me their dresses for their 

recital in May

Just a swangin'. 

👼🏻

Big Sister didn't used to like to have her picture taken

but she has warmed right up to it

which delights my heart so much!

After our supper of grilled cheese sandwiches,

tomato basil soup

sliced carrots

applesause,

and while we were waiting for our cake to cool.

Big sister blessed me with a private dance recital.

Such a gift

and so heart touching to be trusted

and loved so much.

Blessed be.

.          *            .

Well, Shoot!

Not how we wanted to spend our evening! 

 Gratefully we're all ok. 

Well, except for Tadd's baby 

(and the other guy's car, too).

.            *          .

Baking is My Therapeutic Love Language

Taking a quiet moment to be fully present in this moment before beginning some lovely 

baking therapy this evening, all while basking in the Light of Love. 

#grounded2017

💕     .       🕯     .       🔶

My bananas were frozen and the recipe I use is my Grandma's. It was the very first thing 

we baked together when I was 9 years old, after putting on our aprons, of course.

Yesterday at work was *tough* and, while today was a lot better, I knew I still needed some 

self-care... and I love to bake so I thought, "hey!" 

I'm not sure I've ever thought of baking as self-care 

before but when done in the right spirit, it so is.

It's also one of my love languages.

I have such fond memories of a dear family friend's mom who, when she would come for 

a visit, would keep a lighted candle when she and her daughter were working in the kitchen. 

I was so enchanted the first time I saw it and how Gramma Underwood (we "adopted" her) 

explained to me that it helped her to remember to pray for those who were on her heart 

that day, especially when preparing for big family meals like Thanksgiving dishes (which 

is usually when she and Grampa were down for a visit).

In November 2015, wanting to feel them close by, I created the collage of the 4 women 

behind my candle. Moma is in the top left, my beloved Banana Bread Grandma in the top 

right, Moma's mom in the bottom left, and hubby's dear Grandma who considered me one 

of her own in the bottom right.

(Have I mentioned yet that hubby affectionately 

calls me "a little old lady magnet?" 

I just smile and nod because I adore grandmother (and grandfather!) 

energy and am so drawn to them)

This evening, I knew I needed to feel them close. Just the simple act of gathering items for 

a little impromptu kitchen altar felt like a gift (the other picture is "Mary, Undoer of Knots) 

and my rock says Peace), as did taking a moment to pause ...

... breathe ... 

.... and gently remind myself that I am not alone. 

While they may be on a different plane, 

we are very much together in spirit. 

I know because seeing their sweet faces 

in the glow of candlelight tells me so.

And sure enough. I am feeling much more

 Grounded and centered, 

and also loved.

Blessed be. 

.           *           .

Tryin' Again

Work was mighty tough yesterday

#BeKindBeBraveBeCurious

.         *           .

And I see my dear Moma in my face in this one.

Reckon that means she's watching over me?

Yes, I think so, too.

.          *           .

Birthday Blessings to my Baby Sister

We're in my Dad's kitchen and she's pregnant with her first daughter.

Moma and Sister came to visit one year for Easter. 

She had been on crutches and didn't need them anymore

so she brought them to me.

This is us in the airport.

(So, *so* delighted that Moma thought to take this picture!)

.         *           .