All you need is love..love

I could not resist sharing this two beautiful photos (why resist?).  They are of the same beautiful darling taken over the summers that have past.  They make me smile and think of all that is changing and mighty fast I might add!  How lucky I feel today that I get to spend my days with my amazing daughters, they are funny, sweet, full of expression, talkative, kind and loving.  The are willing and interested in exploring and learning.  They are beautiful.  Who in your life makes you smile and thankful?

"To love deeply in one direction makes us more loving in all others"

  - Anne-Sophie Swetchine

Growing Green Things

I promised a post on the garden, so here it is...We have both a flower and vegetable garden on the go and it is glorious.  I love the feeling that with a little love, nurturing, sun, water and patience, you can create something beautiful, and in some cases edible!!

We have tomatoes starting, carrots, zucchini, lettuce (which the girls eat by the handful, straight out of the garden!!), beans, peas, beets, radish, and some various herbs.  It is such a lovely surprise to walk out the the garden and see all the growth, the beauty and the vegetables!  I am a city girl, so gardening and vegetable growing does not come easily to me, but oh how I love it!  I am learning so much and each year appear more confident and still awe struck.  I look at the lovely salad on my plate and say - I grew that!

What are you growing today?

Summer Sun, Summer Fun

The glory days of summer are upon us....exhale now!!!  The weather has been particularly generous lately, giving of itself in a way that feels simultaneously gentle and bold.  Ahhh Summer.

We have been spending some time together, our little family, camping, swimming, relaxing, gardening (more about that in a coming post!), and trying just to be and see what unfolds.  Today's pictures come from a recent trip to one our local island/parks/amusement areas.  It is awesome!  We rode the ferry, had a picnic, explored and got wet!  The amusement rides (carousel, antique cars and motorized Swans were a bit hit with the kiddies).  We also feed the birds and met one rather aggressive swan!

We have also been spending some more time at a local library.  They have so much great stuff going on . . . sandcastles, reading club, lots of books, crafts, songs, it is awesome.  Thank-you library for inspiring curiosity and love of learning. 

 We are all trying to see the stress, worries, concerns melt away - and we have definitely made progress.  Right now, just as I write this, the darlings are putting on a magic show, with tickets, costumes and audience prizes (all handmade)!.  Here is to being grateful and focusing on what is great.  Where is the 'great' coming from in your life today?

Oh the joy...!!!

The last few days have been about joy.  The source of such joy has been the girls, the darlings, the sweethearts, the lovedarlings, my amazing, wonderful, beautiful daughters.  The summer has given us the chance to spend more time together.  Lazy, do whatever we want, no schedule, no hurrying, sleep in late, eat ice cream on the porch, go to soccer, visit friends, swim and nap time!!!!!  I love it.  Lazy, follow your nose time is spectacular.  Let it all go time . . .it is something of a reservoir of joy and restoration to be tapped into. I want this to last forever!!!  I know this is not possible, but really, I am not about being practical right now, I am about enjoying and letting go!

Today, we enjoyed and were present with each other.  Every gave a little and loved a little.  Pure joy!
Here is a little poem - an ode to the day.   I am trying out my poetry skills, as I think, with trepidation, about entering a local library poetry contest.  So here goes.....

Joy is knocking
Open the door she yells
Invite her in, ask her to play,
Dance with her, tickle with her, beg her stay,
She is needed, she is wanted, she is blooming away,

Enjoy the day, and the joy!!

Change is a coming

There has been a lot going on lately.  We have all been nursing some sickness and the disbelief that one might get the cold/flu.virus in late June - in February I am accepting - in June I am cranky and annoyed.  I put in my time with germs this winter!  Enough already.  There is sunshine, blue skies, playtime with the darlings and ice cream to be had - there is no sickness in the plan!

We have also been celebrating a major milestone in our house.  Our oldest darling will be moving to the next division of schooling and to celebrate the transition we shared tears (of joy I kept explaining), a lovely concert at the school (much to mommy's surprise the oldest would like to be a figure skater when she grows up!), and a party with family that included two cakes!  This has been a bittersweet time for me, it is clear that my darling is growing up, she is her own person, with her own life, and I can't stop all the changes.  This baby who I brought home from the hospital (which feels like yesterday) is now on to a full-day in school.  How do you keep them close and yet let them be.....?

The youngest is also experiencing her own transition, as she goes off to school for the first time next year.  I am totally not ready for this.  She is the littlest one, and yet in many ways I know she is ready, and her mind is open to learning and exploring. I am having a very hard time trusting the world with my two most amazing, precious babies.  I am grateful that they are wanting to go to school and wanting to learn.

I am also grateful that many friends and family seems interested and empathic to this time and journey in our lives.  Here is to change, it is a coming......

Rest and Recover

We have been spending the last 5 days trying to rest and recover from some sickness that has taken over the house.  I had thought since the warm outdoor weather was upon us that sickness went on vacation as well and would be staying away - not so much.  We are doing our best to take care of ourselves and slow down and do what is needed (mostly rest).  It does give me some time to reflect on how precious time is and how much we might 'waste 'of it. 

This summer I have the intention of slowing down, sharpening my perspective of what is life giving, affirming and joyous and trying to let the rest...well..go.  I was having this thought the other day (while lying bed trying to rest), about how to address any areas of my life that were causing me stress, how to change my perspective on things, and how would my life feel differently if these areas were addressed or resolved.  It is an interesting thought exercise to do...sometimes the stress is not so conscious.

I am grateful for my health, and the health of my children and am hoping for a speedy recovery.

Father's Day

There's something like a line of gold thread running through a man's words when he talks to his daughter, and gradually over the years it gets to be long enough for you to pick up in your hands and weave into a cloth that feels like love itself. ~John Gregory Brown

It's Father's Day...Yeah!  While the day may have a commercial tone to it, I see it as an opportunity to pause, be thankful, and celebrate the beauty of men who try with endless intent to be the most loving parent they can be.  Parenting is not easy (I know you know that already!), especially if you have the intention to do it well, with grace, patience (lots of patience), love that is unconditional, and a sense of joy. 

I look with pleasure and gratitude at my husband who seems to do this everyday.  It is clear where his heart lies, and he lives his life with these priorities in mind.  I appreciate his sense of perspective, and his relaxed attitude (sometimes I think it is too relaxed for momma - but I often need to slow down, so it works for us).  I also see how the girls love him and want to be in his presence (this bodes well for the teenage years!).  We often talk about life and the reality that you are only irreplaceable in the lives of your children and those who love you.  The rest of the world (work, career, some friendships) will go on without you, and sometimes faster than you might think, however.....you child only ever has one father or mother, to them you are the world.

The images you often see on the blog were taken by my husband who is exploring photography and his visual eye.  Clearly the darling are some of his favourite subjects.  So here is to all the father's out there, keep connected and enjoy the day to pause and celebrate.