A Personal Snow Day

 

I admit feeling a little pang of jealousy over the weekend's snowfall that covered most of the Northeast.  There's something special about the first blizzard:  that need to stock up, hunker down and cozy up creates a bond between neighbors and strangers alike.  The snow blanketed landscapes, whether in the city or the countryside, instantly transform the season into a holiday.  So, I decided to put together some snowy images for my very own snow day.

As much as I miss the occasional snow fall, I'm loving California's mild climate.  Soon we'll have to make a trip to Tahoe to get a real snow fix.

Hope all our family and friends on the East coast are warm, safe and cozy...

Less Of That, More Of This

It's only the first week of December and I'm already feeling the hustle and bustle of the season [and not in a good way].  Caught up in the  many expectations for the upcoming holiday, brought mostly on myself, I've been edgy and short with the kids.  Not a good representation of the true holiday spirit, don't you agree?  Today that changes!

Here's to a safe, happy AND loving holiday season!

A Public Display of Gratitude

Outside a Portland, OR grocery store [we're here for the holiday] hangs a huge poster asking:  What Are you Thankful For?  While the kids added their reasons, Alex and I really took the time to read what others wrote.  There was something quite sweet about reading what total strangers were thankful for.  We realized that we all share similar needs and blessings in life.  So whether it's out loud, to yourself or written somewhere:  SAY what you are grateful for.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Update: Knowing A Little About A Lot Or.....

My attempt at honing one single avocation has been complicated by a series of requests.  Since I posted this a few weeks ago , I've embarked on an exciting design project, been commissioned to create several botanical arrangements and hired for my first [professional] photography session.  It's as though the energy I devoted into sharing my insecurities over knowing a little about a lot transformed into wonderful opportunities.  I haven't yet decided which area I'd like to focus on because they're all exciting and each one is challenging me to deepen my knowledge within it.  Maybe I'm destined to be a jack of "some" trades?!?

Have you ever put your energies into something mentally to have them become tangible in some way?

I also want to thank the readers that reached out to me privately to share their thoughts on what they do, their personal struggles and the dreams they have for their future.  May they all realize.

A Little About A Lot Or A Lot About A Little

I've always dabbled in many things at any given time.  Currently, photography, blogging, yoga and horticulture (the longest standing of them all) are my primary interests.  Lately, however, I've been feeling the need to hone in on ONE of them and take it to the next level.  I've never really applied myself entirely to one avocation and  I regret not having done so.  This could be due to my personality or the fact I've not found the "it" thing to devote most of my time to yet.  I'm hoping that this post will encourage me to focus on ONE thing.  I've compiled a list of what I hope to accomplish within each area of interest.  The difficulty will lie in picking the right one in the right order.

1. Photography:  Learn the mechanics of my camera and study techniques for taking better photographs.

2.  Horticulture :  Sharpen my knowledge of plants and learn to draw landscape plans.

3.  Blogging:  Get more computer savvy with Wordpress and Photoshop.

4.  Yoga:  Take a certificate class (not neccessarily to become an instructor, but to heighten my individual practice).

Stay tuned for more on my personal and professional journeys.

Is there something in your life you'd like to take to the next level? If so, do share...