Sunday, October 30, 2011

Winds of Change

"The future's in the air
I can feel it everywhere
Blowing with the wind of change."
the Scorpions


An October Nor'easter blew through town last night. Rare. Too early. Leaving me chilled and dreading the winter months. Sigh.



As we watch the season change, our lives are changing a bit as well.
Today we are saying farewell to a dear, sweet family that we love so very much.
They are rare treasures. And have enriched our lives for about a decade now.
We've celebrated graduations, weddings, births, 
and the comings and goings of many other close friends and family.
I feel like they're leaving too soon...but that's just selfish. Sigh.
It's their time, their adventure...and they're ready!
As the winds of change blow,
we wish them continued happiness...
and all the warmth sunny California has to offer.


Godspeed, dear friends.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Paradise


Guests packed up and moved on.
Daughter's married off and moved in -
Elsewhere. We've survived chaotic months of
wedding prep, family visits, moves and
parties. And enjoyed every single minute.

Now, there's just the two of us.
And the sound of Cold Play
filling the living room...."oh, oh,
this could be para, para, paradise."

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Treasure Hunt


Once upon a time there was a little boy living in Massachusetts. Someone took him to visit the ducks. He was wearing some overalls, and his mama took a picture of him. A few years later, a little girl left her home in Paris to visit her grandmother in Pennsylvania. She also went to visit the ducks wearing overalls. And her mama took a picture of her too!!

Many years later the two mamas wanted to make a scrapbook for these two kids {who found each other when they were in high school, fell in love and got married.} But these photos were taken long ago, in the age  before digital ... so to make this book, the mamas had to actually search through boxes of printed photos to find the cutest of the cute. It took a lot of looking, but now the newlyweds have a book to share. A book filled with childhood photos ... and family photos ... and dating photos ... treasures definitely worth the hunt it took to find them!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Moment Captured


For several months my dining room was "wedding central" ~ it housed everything from all the glassware and candles to our craft projects to the clothes and shoes of the bride herself.

The week before the wedding I paused to gaze at her dress, and noticed that it was hanging in front of a favorite watercolor. Years ago, before my wedding, I commissioned a local artist to paint the church where I would be married....even the clock in the painting is "set" to the time of our ceremony.

As I looked at my daughter's dress hanging in front of my wedding chapel, I was struck by how full the years between that chapel and her dress have been. Full of blessings. Rich in love. Abundant in adventure. Seasoned with challenges. I loved that quiet moment ~ taking it all in, happily nostalgic.

Don't you love that a quick trip into the next room to find the camera, and a moment like this can be captured for all time? Maybe some day another dress will be hanging in front of this photo.....

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Play Hard!

 

"When you play,
         play hard;
when you work,
      don't play at all."
              Theodore Roosevelt

Yesterday, under a cloudy, autumn sky, we sat in the stands and watched my son play his last soccer game of the regular season. He had a great game! He scored the first goal, was on the field most of the game, and fought hard up and down the field. It was an extra special day because my brother (who lives on Maui) was with us at the game. He's played soccer all of his life and, like my son, always chooses the number 13 when he can! The team has tournament play over the next few weeks, so we'll see how far they get!

I love watching Jeremy play - cause he has that sports thing of "leaving it all on the field"...don't think he knows how to play (or work) half- heartedly. And I really admire that about him!


Friday, October 21, 2011

Shh!


Yes, there are times I open
my mouth {and words come out}
when holding my tongue and keeping
my thoughts to myself would be
so much better. Silence, often, is
the better choice. The stronger choice.

Enough said. I'll be quiet now!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Wedding Haiku


Two hearts sang while leaves
danced on a breeze under the
golden, autumn sun.

It's Facebook Official




According to Facebook, my daughter's last name isn't Scanlon any more.
And her relationship status changed from "engaged" to "married".
For some reason, seeing her name like this, it hit me ~ my girl's really hitched!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Today's the Day!


“Grow old along with me!

The best is yet to be,

the last of life, for which the first was made.

Our times are in his hand who saith,

'A whole I planned, youth shows but half;

Trust God: See all, nor be afraid!'”


Robert Browning

Today's the day!
It's time to dress the bride, hug her tight, and let her go!

We've got a picture perfect fall day here in New Hampshire ~
All is ready!
Time to celebrate!

Friday, October 14, 2011

Brozzer


When I went up to bed
last night my grown up kiddos
were giggling together in the kitchen.
They'd been out to dinner with
the bridesmaids. Yup. He's a bridesmaid.
Oh, he's wearing a suit...but
he'll be the last one of
her attendants down the aisle...her
man of honor, standing by her
side on her perfect day. She
wouldn't have it any other way.

As I headed up the stairs
last night, I let that familiar
sound of laughter wash over me.
That sound, my friends, brings me
peace.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Loved This Day


Cracker Barrel's Apple Cranberry Iced Tea.
Quenched our thirst after delivering all the reception decorations to our venue.

Talked. Laughed.
Counted our blessings.
{won't share about the crazed driver who crashed right in front of us on the highway}

Just a momma and her girl workin' on the wedding!

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Full House


"The ideal of happiness has always taken material form
in the house.
Whether cottage or castle."
Simone de Beauvoir

I've got a full house this weekend ~ it's the Sunday before the BIG DAY and we're busy, busy, busy.
My son's here for the weekend...pitching in and keeping us laughing.
My husband's taken over cooking and is getting the house ready for out of town guests.
The programs are being folded, seating tags are stamped and 'to do' lists are getting shorter.

The football game is on (Go Pats!) and it feels really good to have everyone home.
We'll cook out tonight.
And are planning to watch Father of the Bride ... cause we're just that sentimental!
It's a good day in this cottage!

Friday, October 7, 2011

Possibility


Our little ones ask, "Why?" NOT
to annoy us. They're just curious,
full of wonder, eager to learn.

As they get older we hear,
"Why not? Everyone else has one."
{or does it. or is going...}

Sometimes, the older we get, questions
turn into "Why not me?" Or,
why me, why now, why this...

I'd like my whys to be
full of wonder. I want to
be eager to learn and grow.
And I'd like my why nots
to be full of possibility, the
opening line for many new adventures.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Traditions


My grandmother helped my mom ~ fixed her veil, buttoned her dress.

                 My mother helped me ~ I remember her bringing me my roses.

                               Soon it will be my turn to fuss over my baby girl. Her dress is ....
                                                                           {oops, never mind. can't talk about it yet!}

                                                                                                                              Eleven more days!

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Psalm 23




"The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
  He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
   for his name’s sake."

As most of you know, my daughter is getting married in two weeks!
Though I know I am shepherded through my day to day,
it's times like these that seem to make me more
fully aware of His guidance.
The big life events ~
moves, births, career changes, loss ~
remind me that He is the constant and never changing.
With each stage and age,
I am blessed to have a profound sense of His
bounty,
rest,
peace,
refreshment
and guidance.
Quietly pondering all of this today.