the joys of the weekend ~

Sweets!!

I made this yummy cobbler on Saturday with fresh peaches and blueberries.

It was so good!

Recipe HERE

Learning to cook with real, non-processed ingredients doesn't have to be boring, right?!!

In the completely random category,

I've decided to try and capture some dragonflies this summer.

Aren't they beautiful!?!

I walked for three hours on Sunday.

My version of fun!

Needed the air.

Needed the space.

And was so happy to find my little swan family.

One of the "tweens" is quite the little show off, don't you think?!

Happy Monday everybody!

Joining Tamar for

The Good. The Random. The Fun.

Climb. Walk. Think.

I'm not sure this climbing stuff is fun. Yet. 

But it's not random anymore - like it was the first time I tried it two weeks ago.

And I'm sure it's good. 

Good for me, that is.

I'll let you know if/when it becomes fun!

I have to chuckle.

Right before the climb starts there are two paths that diverge in the woods.

A good reminder that I am choosing.

Choosing FOR myself.

We all make so many little choices each day.

One good little choice at a time,

and new, healthier habits will become part of who I am.

Or so I keep telling myself.

I can tell you that it is always fun to play with the photos I take.

Always!

These two were the only people I saw on the hill.
Friends out for a climb, a chat...the view.
I'm missing a good friend quite a bit these last few weeks...
{but I digress}
Sigh.

There were a few new spots of color.

These funny, fuzzy red things were popping up all over the place.

It never ceases to amaze me...

the variety, the creativity!

The color adds a bit of fun to all the green.

Green, green ... green!

The growth is lush and the trees are full .... summertime lovely is everywhere!

These are my favorite white dogwoods...I hope to have my own tree someday!

They are beginning to fade.

I find them beautiful, even with these imperfections.

Right around the bend,

just steps away from the fading petals,

were these new green buds.

So tiny.

Just the beginnings of ... what?

What will they become?

Renewal.

It's all around us.

It was this thought that carried me as I wandered.

Some bits fade, new growth appears.

Constantly. Simultaneously.

Such a gift.

"Take a course in good water and air;

and in the eternal youth of Nature you may renew your own.

Go quietly, alone;

no harm will befall you."

John Muir

Joining Tamar for

The Good. The Random. The Fun.

New Path!

Of all the many GOOD things that come from a walk around "my" pond,

discovering new paths is one of my favorites!

This little path I found Saturday had a RANDOM treat for me ~

Wildflowers!!

I love the blues of the sky and water, the greens and the browns,

but it was a treat to see such a sea of purple, white and yellow.

It was my first buttercup sighting of the season,

which also made me very happy.

The FUN part?

Taking the photos, with only birds for company, on a sunny day - of course!

"Normality is a paved road:
it's comfortable to walk,
but no flowers grow on it."
Vincent Van Gogh


Joining Tamar for
The Good. The Random. The Fun.

two feet, one camera...my idea of fun

It's true.

A good walk is a blessing that lingers.

As I've shared, many times before,

there are few things that pull me into the

now

like a long walk with my camera.

Something about the focus.

About lingering over

 and marveling over

a small, random detail;

then lifting my eyes to take in the bigger picture.

My mind is quieted.

My stress seems to vanish.

And my gratitude for the day that is

this day

grows and fills my heart.

Today 
I remember 

not

to take for granted the

FREEDOM

that I have to walk and wander as I please.
And this is very good.


Joining Tamar for
The Good. The Random. The Fun.

Just Breathe

"To learn something new,

take the path you took yesterday."

John Burroughs

After a rainy start to the day on Saturday, we were blessed with a gorgeous weekend. With no set plans, I was able to spend several hours each day wandering, breathing the fresh air, and discovering new treasures on the many paths around my favorite pond. There is something profoundly moving about watching a mother care for her young. Mama swan "feathered" her nest...pulling her own feathers and letting them fall around the eggs. She dug her bill down deep and gently moved the eggs around, perhaps giving each an equal chance to be closest to her body. "Daddy" swan was never far from the nest...and extremely vigilant as he watched over his brood. Spending time with this scene each day was inspiring. Refreshing. It was good.

Though I have seen a turtle or two on the pond from time to time, I have never ever seen so many at once! They were everywhere! All the floating logs seemed to be loaded with sunning turtles - I must have seen close to one hundred of them on Saturday! They were often even piled on top of each other while catching rays....each new grouping brought a smile to my face. By Sunday, they were mostly "hiding" wherever it is that they usually hang out...so I'll chalk my Saturday sighting up to some random luck!

And then....there were the treetops. Creating a canopy - so green with the new, young leaves. I found a few flowers lingering and some future beauties, still in the bud. I just couldn't stop looking UP! I followed a path that I'd never been on before, and was treated to many lovely new sights....places that, I'm sure, will become a part of my walking routine. But it's re-walking the familiar that holds my heart. That teaches me new things as the seasons change and time marches on. It still surprises me how much fun I have out walking by myself...just me, my two feet and a camera. If you'd have told me that five years ago...I would have never believed it possible!!

Joining Tamar and friends for
The Good. The Random. The Fun.

Black and White Wednesday: Angels

"Be an angel to someone else whenever you can,

as a way of thanking God for

the help your angel has given you."

"God not only sends special angels into our lives,

but sometimes he even sends them back again

if we forget to take notes the first time."

"How wonderful it must be to speak the language of the angels,

with no words for hate

and a million words for love!"

{quotes from The Angels' Little Instruction Book by E. E. Freeman}

With or without angels,

I believe we can all lend a helping hand,

live humbly as we learn life's lessons

and

choose to speak the language of love.

Wonderful White

perched atop a barren branch
under the falling snow
watching
singing
heavens above, pond below

dried, thin fingers
gather the snowy white;
slowly
bending
yielding and still

down-feathered friends
glide through the
icy
waters
warmed only by nature's paintbrush

poised,
silent
sea gulls drift
miles away
from the ocean's edge
to the snowy pond

shrouded
cloaked
a mantle of white
quiet and crisp
this winter wander-land





Linking up with Nurture Photography