taking flight...

 because 

she was ready to fly

the destination

was not what mattered

the spreading of wings

the freedom

at hand

the choice to choose

to know she could

not for much reason

or journey planned

to fly

because she knew

if she didn't

she never would

Richard Bach once said:

"Don't believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation. Look with your understanding, find out what you already know, and you'll see the way to fly."

light of winter...

there are moments that leave you without words

13...six~

reflections from a window

pondering thoughts

as if

seeing a portal

one in which

could transport you

swirl you up

and take you to another world

fascinating don't you think

if only

it could really be

13...six

finding beauty in an old weathered car

a new found appreciation for life within an ancient junkyard

thinking about the little things

sipping piping hot raspberry leaf tea

delving into wuthering heights

mild bleak days

no adventures at hand

quietness remains

though there are hints of spring

light ever so slowly lingering into the night

experiencing newness

chocolate laced with champagne and lilac

wondering what life would be like as a chocolatier

James Joyce once said:

"Mistakes are the portals of discovery."

a nice new way to think

creating with pink and red...

it is not often

when raising boys

that the colors

pink

and

red

come out to play

i learned long ago

my days with our littles

would not be that

of

frilly

and

pink

 having accepted those terms 

i have also learned

when those few days of February make a turn

i come forth to the table willfully prepared

ready for the battle cries

 the grumbles and groans

that will be heard from lands far away

before we even begin

declarations are immediately proclaimed

one wee littlest:

but mama, i don't want pink and red

one wee older one says to his brother:

there's no point in trying, she won't give in

smart one is he

who learned long ago

he simply will not win

the battle against

pink

and

red

and without missing a beat

one wee littlest says: 

what about black and blue

and once more i say

today is for

pink

and

red

these.are.the.only.colors.you.shall.use

i know...i am evil right...hehehe

its just a few mere days, that i throw out the whole embrace your littles creative side, you know sometimes they need a little push to steer them in a different direction to open their minds and explore a new road

and before too long

the battle has passed

and hearts are quickly and happily made

and discoveries too

one wee littlest says:

look mama, even light can make love

 light can make love 

and so can you

then

one wee littlest says:

mama, i hope we're not done, i wanted to make some more

so in the end

pink

and

red

did not harm none

and this morning i woke

to the sweetest of sweet

not only had cards been made

but my breakfast too

i am thinking

they may have had a wee bit of inspiration

coming from the

♥

of my sis  

John Barrymore once said:

"Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open."

not just today

but each that comes forth

know that you are always

surrounded by love

crazy swap that came...

with each passing year

i do have to say

the crazy swap

has become my most favorite of all

there is no specifics to this theme

except for gathering and collecting miscellaneous bits

 digging and delving for treasures at hand

and knowing that

you will never predict what your partner will send

this time around

i had the pleasure of swapping

with 

the ever so kind and beautifully creative

Madeleine

a package

plum of of goodness

came to be

pieces that have my wheels turning and twisting

with the endless possibilities that shall manifest from thee

colorful bits to savor

and ones that shall be shared

but you see

the greatest thing

that comes from all this madness at hand

is not so much in the surprise package you receive

but

is in the gift

of

meeting someone

you would have otherwise not known

to you

Madeleine

i thank you greatly

for the wondrous package you sent

Walt Disney once said:

"Around here, we don't look backwards, we keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we're curious, and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths."

...if you are interested in joining along...

stumble on over to

http://paper-swap.blogspot.com/

the next one is coming oh so very soon

the grand finale...

our hope was

one last run

before our truck got laid to rest

we have ran it hard for quite a few years...in a couple of days it will be going under the knife for a tremendous overhaul

we packed up our littles snowboards and toys

and set off on our final trip

it did not take long for our truck to say

i think i have had enough

had we been wise

we would have listened to its words

but you see

the sun was out

and we were wanting more from this trip

so onward and upward

we continued on

not adhering to the signs that befell

how could you

when the open road 

ever so pretty

lay waiting

for us to pass on through

and with that open road

was the light

sigh

the light was giving quite a show

flickering and casting spells

all throughout the trees

mesmerizing it became

so much so

that my love had to turn around

as he wanted me to capture the moment

before it passed

around we turned and came to a stop

and our truck proclaimed even louder

putting up more of a fuss

 as one worked

our littles and i

came to terms

that this was probably the extent

of our snow filled day

and i said to one

its ok

lets head on home

but oh no

one could not accept such defeat

and conquered on

while saying

no worries we'll get to some snow

 snow we did see

the father we drove

and the more snow that we saw

the more our trucks fury arose

yet  higher we climbed

in search of white

until one had to admit

this was probably the end

parked were we

while some water was in need

out i hopped to have a quick peek

as i walked

there i saw

one that lay waiting for me

it seems as of now

this here bridge would not be crossed

though i know it shall stay

and as for the woods

that were quietly whispering our name

entertained by the presence of another

they would have to be

the open road was calling once more

 telling us to head on home

one last look at the river side

and all in a blink of an eye

back on the main road we were

the only noise heard

was the humming of our truck

as reality set in

we were trying to accept

that it wouldn't be till spring

when we could visit these woods

for this truly was

OUR FINAL RUN

it took us far longer to get ourselves home

this poor old truck

could hardly take it anymore

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once said:

"Each morning sees some task begun, Each evening sees it close; Something attempted, Something done"

 something was attempted

and

something was definitely done

sweet saturday...

i have yet to meet another

♥

in this world

who is

sweeter

or

kinder

than the mother of me

the love she shared and gave

to my sister and i

as children

growing up

never skipped a beat

and to this day

HER

♥

REMAINS

a

consistent 

constant

continual

flow

her

♥

i think

if you could believe

has quite possibly grown

even

sweeter

with time

i remember...there was never a holiday, "big" moment or bad day that our mother forgot...she would show up to school armed with flowers, balloons and a card or cakes and sweet treats...yet sometimes to our surprise...if it wasn't waiting there in the office..upon our arrival back home there she would be to brighten our day and just let us know how much she cared...now that we are older...she still continues to spread her love and has made room for more than just two...

yesterday's visit

with my parents

came with an extra sweet bonus

THANK YOU SO

for always giving such

♥

Sophia Loren once said:

"When you are a mother, you are never alone in your thoughts. A mother has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child"

13...five~

at the end of each day

i am left wondering

where has the time gone

i remember all to often when i was little

hearing the repetitive words from older ones

how time goes by so quickly the older you get

and i would sit there and think

why would it be any different

we are all living within the same time frame

yet

it seems with each passing day

those ticks

seem to be tocking

at a much faster speed

13

trying to accomplish as much as i can

being wiser with my minutes at hand

productivity flourishing

creativity manifesting

finishing and completing things that have sat far to long

packages sent

anxiously awaiting to see what comes forth in the mail

an anticipated box of chocolates today

a trip to the city

glimpses of sun

 a much needed bounce to my step

garden seeds sprouting

hopes for spring

Harvey MacKay once said:  

"Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it. You can't keep it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it you can never get it back."

loved stitched...

because sometimes

just sometimes

you need a little one to love

one wee little stitching with ♥

his heart complete

now for his feet

one foot

two feet

look at me now

i am almost complete

one wee little

carefully adds

his final touches of ♥

and the last of his stitches are all sewn up 

hey wait

i need my eyes

phew

i thought you forgot

now

i can see you

looking back at me

one wee little chose

to leave him without his nose

i am sure he won't mind 

just as long as

he is l♥ved

Morrie Schwartz once said:

"The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love and to let it come in."

for one who loves just as i...

there is one who shares a love of these

just as much as

my love...littles...and i

years ago

when a loved one passed

 a heart rock lay waiting

minutes later

on the porch of my parents house

for us

these are touchstones found

left waiting to be discovered

a sign

a gift

a reminder

that though she is no longer here with us 

her presence remains

Rose Kennedy once said:

“It has been said, 'time heals all wounds.' I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone.”

sweet saturday...

dutch babies

a glimpse while it was cooking

noted as a weekend favorite

i found a different version here

 made a few changes

coconut oil instead of butter

and mine wanted theirs without the blueberries

once out of the oven

it sinks down in the middle

reminds me of a huge style popover

served family style

just a dusting of powder sugar was all that was need

to make saturday morning ever so sweet

Laura Ingalls Wilder once said:

“I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.”

13...four~

i realized long ago

you can plan your life

down to the finest detail

but the reality of living is

life has its own plans

regardless of our wants and needs

it is going to take us where we are meant to be

13

unexpected events arising

yet all dealing as if there were no change

life shifting

moving with ease

a welcomed stay

humble little littles

steam rising

glimpses of sun shining

winter purging

layers and layers of clothes

chilly fingers and toes

early nights

 warm down comforters

Joseph Campbell once said:

"We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us."

hearts forever breaking...

our hearts will break

 at least once in our life

inevitable 

its a connection

regardless of who

a sense of pain

something we will all feel

yet through such grief

no matter how rough the time may seem

our heart 

remains forever

strong

John J Murphy once said

"There is no limit to the heart. It's energy is universal. Time and time again, it empowers us to manifest purpose and vision into extraordinary results."

something right...

when you wake up

and find something sweet had been made

while you were sound asleep

a moment

when you realize

you've done something right

wise words...

i stumbled upon this

while re~visiting my ~likes~ on pinterest

a forgotten one

that holds a tremendous amount power

within those words written

something to  remember 

and 

carry with us throughout our days

i think it had been my sister who shared something along the lines of

it takes a person seven years to erase a negative comment from their mind

imagine

13...three~

driving along a road i have driven for almost nine years

and never once seeing this old truck and tree

its a road i travel down

most often when in a hurry

my mind is usually consumed by getting or accomplishing the task at hand

yet for some strange reason

this time around

it stood out ever so clear

13

opening my eyes

clearing my mind

regardless of head pounding

stuffiness

sneezing like mad

going through tissue at an excessive rate

completed a task at hand

success on behalf of my photographic way

{who ever you are...where ever you are...my deepest of deep gratitude}

fingers entangled in wool and tweeds

rice pudding piping hot 

fresh lemon tea

kindness and compassion

thankful for the time to rest

there is a saying:

"Slow down...Rushing means you miss what's right here."

sunday's snow...

was one of which had been waiting

a long overdue jaunt needed to be taken

it is not too often that i am the one being captured

but thanks to one of my littles

and a gift from his nana

i think there may be more moments that arise

she who is rarely without a pair of needles and tea

as the years have gone by

a sign we've come to know

when we see a dusting of snow across the land

there most definitely will be

good times to be had

as one hopped out to lock the hubs

i savored a quick moment to capture the trees

the road we chose

a treasure of ours

it looked quite promising

some years it just isn't so

and we end up having to travel farther down

but today was our day

there was not a doubt in our minds

the only problem to be forsaken 

is

with adventures comes patience

being a husband and little of mine

is surely no small task

and it may not always be fun

it requires each to dig down deep

and pull from the very depths of their core

a tremendous amount of patience to behold

this is the something they have come to know and accept

so while i am snapping away

they sit with grace and ease

and the only words that are spoken

are

"did you happen to look left"

or

"hey mama...did you see"

one wee littlest yells from the back

"just around the corner...right"

and sure enough a few feet away

our truck comes to a stop

and within a matter of seconds

the boards and toys come flying out

up we three go

climbing the hill

at the top

one wee little has a brilliant thought

"hey mama...lets all three go down"

i take the back with one wee littlest in the middle and one wee little takes the front

error on our behalf

really i should have known this was trouble

if only you could have seen him fly

we hit a bump and off he flew

laughing all the way

now that did not frighten one wee littlest

he turns to me and says

"mama...i want to fly like baba did"

and fly he did

over and over 

they came flying down

then one wee little switched to a board

which sparked a thought'

"hey papa...why don't you go down"

so up he climbed and down he went

hence going a wee bit to fast

another not so wise moment at hand

going down on one wee littles board

truly not meant for a grown man

amist all their fun

he and i

we sat quietly together

savoring a few spare moments

and watched the vivaciousness of our littles

oh the spirit of life and living children bring forth

a blessing that never seems to stop

and all to soon

our time was calling

as the sun slowly starting sinking

down into the horizon

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said:

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead, where there is no path and leave a trail"

a morning freeze...

presents a delicate white

frosted kisses 

a reminder that winter is the season

though there has been no flakes to fall

a gift that glistens is there to be seen

a brightness that shines within the morning light

scattering a soft hazy glow

that lingers through the dawn of day

J.R.R. Tolkien once said: 

"Deep roots are not reached by frost"

remember woods of winter

she is done

you can find her here in my Etsy store

she offers the gift of warmth

and may help

keep the frost from reaching your roots

13...two~

i had spoke with one yesterday

exclaiming i would much rather enjoy a wee bit of sun or sparkling white snow

13...two

rains that seem like torrential yet are merely a pour

winds that howls

pine cones dropping as if the sky was falling

trees dancing about as they sway to and fro

chimes by which echo all through the night

fires crackling

warmth arising

a bounty of blankets

a continual cup of tea

writing of letters

revisiting pictures from the past

old forgotten memories

happiness abounds through the dismal winter days

Bob Dylan once said:

"Some people feel the rain

Others just get wet."

quite frankly

i have moved past feeling the rain

and am down right just getting wet!

with dinner comes paint...

one wee little: mama

me: ya

one wee little: you know what

me: what

one wee little: it feels like a painting kind of day

me: does it now

one wee little: yep, what do you say

me: well, i guess painting it will be

me: but first can i finish making dinner and then we can paint

one wee little: can't you do both

me: well i guess i can

one wee little walks over to the fridge and grabs himself a huge handful of cranberries

me: what are you going to do with those, might i ask

one wee little: {looking at me as if i had no brain} paint mama, i'm gonna paint

me: oh, i see...what colors would you like

one wee little: how's about green, gold, you know, the shiny kind and black

me: green, black and the shiny kind of gold, huh?

one wee little: yep, oh and mama, can i have a a piece of the carrot your cutting?

me: a piece of carrot...for eating or painting

one wee little: painting, remember we're painting

one wee little: oh and i need a piece of that celery too

me: one piece of celery and carrot coming up

one wee little: thanks mama

me: no problem

i sat for a moment and watched the creator at hand

fascinated always i am 

to watch my wee little at work

one wee little: look mama...abstract

me: lookin good buddy, lookin good

though i thought to myself...it was turning out quite cute at first

but tis not my process

nor my art

one wee little: mama...aren't you going to paint

me: well dinner is done, so i most definitely can

one lesson this wee little has given me

is...it's not  so much about the finished piece 

as it is the process

it is within those moments

that teaches us to be impertinent  

just as a child

their mind allotting the freedom to play

one wee little: are you painting the sky

me: honestly buddy, i am not quite sure...but i  guess the sky it could be

one wee little: could you imagine a gold filled sky

me: wouldn't that be a dream

one wee little: you are painting trees...will you teach me how to paint a tree like that

me: most definitely so

so on this day

i say awaken your mind

rekindle with the child of what once was 

seek it out

go knockin on it's door

dust off the cobwebs that have collect over time

shake off the fears that came to be

restrained by an adult like mind 

hold no reservations

have no hesitation

don't waste away time

forgetting what it means to play

as my littles forever are teaching me

life is  found in the process of doing

not in the finished piece