Remembrance - Day 31 of 40 - Part 2

Waking up this morning and coming to my chair,

I just couldn't bring myself to draw a new set of names.

In that moment, I knew . . . 

I needed another day with my dear Moma.

And since this is my lovely little practice,

that is unfolding as I go,

I granted myself the permission
to follow my heart.

I love you, Moma!

Blessed be. 

💕

.             *             .

Remembrance - Day 31 of 40

"Miracles do happen."

Indeed they do. . . 

Sweet, powder blue butterfly 

hangs in our bedroom right next to my closet door 

where I can see it every single day. 

Inscribed on the back in her handwriting: 

To Debbie. 

Love, Mom. 

January 1994. 

I love you, too, Moma! 

(and so, *so* loving that she showed up today,

December 6)

Blessed be. 💕

.           *            .

August Break 2017 :: Day 9 - Postcards

Two of the three that I received

from my most recent 

"Love Notes Project" partner.

#augustbreak2017

.          *         .

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

.           *              .

Butterfly Birthday Blessings

Today is my sister, Lisa's 50th birthday and, as I think of her, 

I am sending many wonderful birthday blessings her way. 

💕

Smiling fondly, I took a moment to raise my butterfly sister mug 

in her honor and offered a toast to her good health. 

I live several states away and it would be lovely 

if we could gather together once in awhile

and share a warm cup of our Moma's hot chocolate in person.

💕

Last year, I sent all of my sisters a mug on their birthday. 

All but one (they were discontinued before I finished, darn it!),

have a butterfly similar to mine on them and a word. 

Lisa's butterfly is purple and her word is "Blessed." 

.          *          .

August Break :: Secret

Just looking at my carefully curated cup collection 

warms me to the soul, even before filling 

one with a warm, soothing beverage. 

And sometimes?  

When I need a little lift and it's too hot outside?  

I'll still allow one to choose me 

and fill it with either cool water or icy cold milk. 

#augustbreak2016 

.             *             .

Hope . . .

. . . on a Fall Sunday Evening

.              *              .

August Break 2015 :: Sweet Delights

Delightful, sweet little companions 

and very good company 

along my way. 

Each one a gentle reminder 

of loved ones 

and, when I need it, 

reassurance that all is well. 

My sweet little butterfly 

is from my Moma 

and the back says 

that she gave it to me in Jan. 1994 - 

almost 25 years ago! 

❤️

Smiling because 

I know she'd enjoy knowing 

that I am thinking about her today 

and sending love. 

❤️❤️❤️

Another sweet delight 

for this farmer's daughter's heart

is the blessing of rain.

.             *             .

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!

.             *            .

Butterfly Spiral - Finished

A whole spiral of Hope.

I have really enjoyed this process!

,           *            .

Butterfly Spiral ~ Week 6

This week's breaths of fresh air.

.           *            .

Thankful Tuesday

Today I'm thankful for:

1.  Two sweet cards from two dear friends arriving on the very same day.

2.  One from a kind friend with a big heart and is a very gifted snail mail fairy.

3.  The other from a lovely woman who took me into her home one summer, 37 years ago

     during my radiation treatments so far away from home, that I haven't heard from in years.  

4.  Making a point to bask in their love again and feeling so cared for by both.

5.  Beautiful, sunny morning and birdsong.

6.  Warm memories of time spent with favorite little ones.

7.  Work is easing and so am I.

8.  Wonderful anticipation of starting a new writing class next week.

9.  Some quiet time to just be this morning.

10.  Voicing a "not this, but maybe this" and asking for the time I need to be sure.

11.  Glorious spring blossoms everywhere.

12.  No pollen ill-effects (yet).

13.  Making time for writing that heals my heart.

14.  Finding wisdom in new book, Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin

15.  Our dryer works again!

16.  Yesterday's butterfly is my new favorite:

.           *           .

Butterfly Spiral ~ Week 5

New creations snuggled in between. 

.           *            .

Butterfly Spiral ~ Week 4

This week's reminders of New Life

I'm so enjoying doing this!

(So much so that some days 

I *really* want to go ahead 

with making the next day's beauty :) )

.           *            .

Butterfly Spiral ~ Week 3

This week's beauties:

Still very much enjoying this process!

.          *           .

Lenten Butterfly Spiral ~ 2nd Sunday

Close up of this week's lovelies.

I'm really enjoying this process!

Blessed be.

.             *             .

Thankful Tuesday

Today I am thankful for:

1.  Dear hubby who loves to laugh and play.  He will totally get a kick out of this photo I snap chatted just for him.

2.  Deep love that still spreads so warmly across my face and heart whenever I see these three longtime, faithful companions, 3-d glasses, remotes, and all.

3.  A quiet evening at home spent writing with oil lamp company.

4.  The fun of discovering snow in the morning here in south - always pretty and it usually doesn't last too long.

5.  The joy that comes from writing a new intro in an old group.  Love how that process brings home for me where and who I am in this moment.  (Especially love the feeling that I'd like to get to know me, too)

6.  Freedom that comes from finally detaching, letting it be, and listening well to Grace and my heart regarding a relationship I've been struggling with.

7.  Cheer-filled twinkle lights on a cold evening in February.

8.  Flock of robins that sang to me all morning and flew right over my head as I got the mail today.

9.  Bliss of an intentional, full hour of quiet meditation and reading this evening.  And the "welcome home" sense I felt from turning away from a meditation experiment while coming back to what has worked so well for me and the assurance that it will continue to.

10.  Brightness brought on by fresh bulbs in the lights over my kitchen sink.  (Some light, if too bright, feels oppressive to me.  These feel just the opposite ... clear and lighting my way)

11.  Being intentionally surrounded by angels again - I can see 17 from where I sit, here in my chair.

12.  Connecting with and getting to know new friends.

13.  The new practice of my Lenten butterfly spiral.

14.  Happy stack of crocheted granny daisy hearts.

15.  Feeling sleepy.

and it is Enough.

Blessed be.

.          *          .

Lenten Butterfly Spiral of Hope

If you've been following me here, you may remember that I have Ann Voskamp's son's wooden Advent spiral wreath and, over the years, have come to really treasure using it in December. Advent is my favorite season in the church year, serving as a tender affirmation that even tho our culture and the world around us may forget, sometimes our life *is* spent in waiting (and sometimes there is very real groaning as we wait, too), which is certainly more what my life has looked like.

I love having the gentle, consistent reminder during Advent that as I move my tea light down one space on my wreath each day, Mary on her donkey and I are traveling together in our journey towards what is birthing in each of us. She is very good company.

All that to say that I just don't resonate with using my spiral wreath with the extension and the wooden Christ carrying his cross at Lent. So I don't . . .

This year I've been using this Praying in Color template for my Lenten practice instead.  In a group discussion recently, one member shared that she once spent a month creating a butterfly a day.  I was so taken with her idea that I've decided to fill my Lenten spiral up with butterflies. Hope was my word for last year and I see this as a lovely, intentional way to deepen "Her" presence in my life.

When taking these photos this morning, I plopped my "calendar" down here on the table next to my chair, exactly where I keep my wooden spiral during Advent.  On a whim, I thought wouldn't it be lovely to put my little cut-glass tea-light candle holder in the middle of the spiral so I did.

It wasn't until after I'd taken the photos that I realized, in that small act, I was reclaiming a practice that has meant so much to me in Advent.  Indeed, I had found a much more meaningful way to be with it in Lent. 

*And* have I mentioned that I love, love, *love* the idea of marking each day with a butterfly? :)

Because it's fun to watch it grow, plus it helps to keep me on track, I'm thinking I'll be posting a picture of my spiral every Sunday.

.           *            .

Lent "Praying in Color" Spiral

Began my new "Praying in Color" spiral for Lent yesterday.

(I'm thinking I might just do a butterfly every day.)

.          *         .

August Break 2014 - Day 21 - Treasures

A few cherished treasures that keep me company at work. 

.              *              .