Blahs into Beauty

Late winter contentment is hard for many to find. I sometimes find myself in this category. Slightly warm days awaken my longing for spring. Spring fever in February in Indiana? Bad idea!! Walking past my dormant flower beds as I go in and out of the house make me wish for color and variety and life. When the cold and rain and grey clouds return with delayed hopes for spring's return my shoulders drop. My disappointment and impatience rise and I join in the whiny grown-up chorus, "How much lonnnnger??"

Lately, though, I've been pushing back against my impatience for spring and warmth and light. Mostly because I don't have a choice! Winter is not yet over. Getting frustrated about winter weather in winter is a waste of energy. We are not good at savoring times of rest as a culture. Our collective groan at this last stretch of winter is proof.

I'm trying to breathe slowly. Lower my weather expectations. Savor this season of soups and sweaters as it stretches out a few more weeks. I'm trying to admire the shades of brown and silhouetted trees. There is a beauty in it. So, join me in resting, waiting, looking for the beauty--austere, though it may be.

Here's what I found today in my yard:
I played with this one a little on iPhoto, but I love the subtle red buds.


This is my fence line in the back yard. I see this everyday from my kitchen window. I love how these seed pods look all together.
This is my favorite.

Wishing you joy and contentment today.

Yellow, 5

As promised, I'm posting the photo my oldest daughter took this week. Today is her 7th birthday. Happy birthday, my beautiful girl! You surprise and surpass me in so many ways. I love being your mom and hope I can do a good job loving you and raising you into the person God wants you to become.

Yellow, 4

Beauty is everywhere. Even on cold, blustery days. Soak in some beauty today. Happy Thursday.

Yellow:3

Some of the ingredients for a dish we've lovingly named "Indian Delight." It's a modified Rachel Ray recipe from her 365-Days cookbook. It's been a good parenting lesson in not giving up on an unpopular meal. My oldest daughter used to hate this dish. Now she gets really excited about it. Taking this picture inspired her to try to take a few as well. I told her I'd post hers on Friday for her birthday.

Yellow:2

Love this coat and the little guy who wears it.

Yellow Week

One of my favorite blogs is hosting a week of yellow. The idea is to look for yellow in your world and capture it--at the same time capturing a little bit of joy, optimism, energy to propel you through the week and a little closer to spring.

Most of the yellow in my house is kid-related and/or plastic. Cheerful, none-the-less! Here's today's offering.

Friday Gratitude

This has been an intermittently good and....um...challenging day. Just normal life stuff. About ten minutes before I had to wake up my sleeping toddler and pick up the kids from school I got inspired to take my camera outside in this warming up sunny afternoon to capture the melting beauty. This happens often--last minute inspiration.

So, in an effort to fight my looming crabby mood-here's my Friday Gratitude List and some pictures from the afternoon.

warm sunny days and the sound of melting snow
the muted songs of brave birds
my kids' smiles
my husband's strength and patience
coffee with new friends and old friends
the hope of spring
coffee
knitting--even one row
dinner with friends
green plants in my house in the dead of winter
how much more there is to see and do and learn
each one of you

February Lady Love

This is my first sweater and it's been sitting in my closet for a while. I stopped to make some winter hats and because I was overwhelmed by it. I kind of bit off a lot for my first project. I LOVE the yarn . It's coffee (of course). The pattern was free on Flintknits.com

It's not going to be perfect, but I'm back at it, in a rhythm and addicted. What are you working on right now?