St. Brigid's Day Treat

Happy Imbolc, too!

I treated myself to these 

beeee-you-tiful coral roses. 

Smiling because I circled around them 

like 3 times 

and then decided 

it really was ok to go ahead 

and bring them home with me.

(I think they were calling out to me)

And ever since?

There have been oodles of smiles.

🏮 . 🕯 . 💚

Blessed be.

.          *         .

Christmas Happy Mail

Today I received a thoughtful Gift 

from a dear friend

that couldn’t be more perfect! 

 From the label, 

the giggles from the styrofoam pillows 

(clever recycling!), 

to the wrapping papers - 

both silver and powder blue!

And the actual, 

deeply thoughtful Gifts themselves!! 

I’m smitten by the idea of 

“the holy mess of my beautiful life” 

and embracing it 

(as best I can in each moment)

 is where I will be sure to find 

Auntie Joy waiting for me. 

And while I’ve had my eye on it, 

no, I didn’t have the book! 

What a wonderful, 

Joy-filled surprise 

on the chilly, damp January day!

So grateful for my precious friend.

.              *              .

Saturday Snippets

A different door leads to a different Mary.

💙. 💙. 💙

Fine Fall Flower

Raking leaves is quite the

seemingly unending

task.

On this day, 

Hubby took 5 pick-up loads of leaves

(from the front yard alone!)

and added them to

what he calls our 

"Mount Leafmore."

.          *           .

New Mercies Every Morning

💛    .    🙏🏻   .    🍁

.           *          .

Shutter Happy ~ Day 3 ~ Someone Who Makes Me Smile

Taking a moment to say "hey" to Mary 

always brings a warm smile.

👋🏻   .   ❤️   .   🙏🏻

(As does finding a new angle of her) 

#shutterhappy

.          *           .

Breathe September 2017 :: Day 15 - Gratitude

Delighted to share that today was a good last day at my job. Kind words and warm hugs 

were exchanged and I was sent home with 2 lovely bouquets of flowers, a card with 

handwritten farewells from my co-workers, and a gift card. 

Blessed be. 

Smiling softly because, 

while it took some time to get here, 

I am indeed feeling at Peace about it all. 

 

And it's not quite over yet, she adds with a warm grin. With one of the biggest tax deadlines 

being today and the office moving tomorrow (talk about *crazy* timing!!), my favorite 

partner pulled me aside and said he wanted to take me to lunch at a really nice place in the 

next week or so.

   

After that? 

I'm looking forward to some time to just be off 

and see what comes next.

#BreatheSeptember2017

.         *          .

This Morning . . .

This morning 

🌻

.          *          .

August Break 2017 :: Day 17 - Daisy

🌼

Even when dirty and a little weary,

(and those around her have already passed),

this little lovely, 

just like her big sisters,

has her face turned towards Grace.

Hope.

#augustbreak2017

.           *           .

August Break 2017 :: Day 2 - Gold

🌻

#augustbreak2017

.          *          .

Splendid Sunflowers

Sunflowers have been capturing my heart lately 

and it's been my absolute pleasure 

to accept their invitations to dance. 

I am coming to especially appreciate 

their patient encouragement 

to keep my face turned towards Grace, 

just like they do. 

🌻  ❤️  🌻  ❤️  🌻  ❤️  🌻  

.         *          .

Evening Mass

I have been occasionally slipping over to this smaller church

for evening mass for around 15 years now.

The former pastor used to Anoint the Sick 

every first Saturday 

so, when I could, I would always try to make

it over there on a first Saturday.

To my disappointment,

the new pastor hasn't been following suit

(which he certainly doesn't have to).

I was so *delighted* to hear on Saturday that 

I would have the opportunity to participate

in this special sacrament again that night.

It's been a year or more since the last time

I've been anointed so this felt like a real gift.

.    .    .   .    .   .   .

After that, I went about my usual, personal traditions:

Lighting candles and whispering prayers

 🕯 💕 🙏🏻

And seeking out and admiring pretty flowers.

.          *            .

Saturday Snippets

Rode along with hubby on a gray, rainy Saturday. 

☔️   .   🌫   .   💜

When he finished up with his treasurer duties

we shared a late patio lunch

and then went for a short walk

to check out the bakery next door.

.          *           .

All of these little lovelies called to me as we walked by

.       .      .

.       .      .

.      .       .

.      .      .

While Hubby did a little more exploring,

I was enchanted with these lanterns.

It was a good day.

.          *          .

Follow Grace . . .

. . . with my face, 

(Just like a beautiful Sunflower does.)

🌻

.             *           .

Sweet, Graced Moments

Yesterday's Grace

The Saturday Morning Donut Fairies 

made a surprise visit!

Afternoon Psalter

Music provided by birdsong, 

old wooden porch swing creaks, 

and the west Texas breeze tickling the wind chimes 

(and also face-framing wisps of hair).

Life is a journey 

🌹    .     🕯    .     ❤️

.          *             .

April Love 2017 :: Day 9 - Wild

A close-up of the wildflowers in our backyard.

.          *         .

Spring Tulip Mandala

Last night's Mandala 

🌷   .   🍊   .   💜

.         *           .

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

.           *              .

Gentle Reminder to Self

The back of my new mug says, 

"Offer whatever light you can."

Smiling warmly as I share that it's my Hope that this cute, quirky kitty 

will be good company for me and my word for 2017, 

Grounded,  

in the coming year (and beyond).

Grateful for some quiet time to write

this morning and listen well to my heart.

Grounding myself in the truth 

of where I am in this moment

by exploring and acknowledging 

what light I truly am able to offer right now

"for fun and for free"

(so with no expectations or obligations attached.)

Blessed be.

.          *            .

Another Playful Perspective

.            *               .

Morning Glories

.         *           .