Friday, January 21, 2011

finding beauty

I have been contemplating taking an online art course that starts in february. I love drawing, painting, and such, but can never seem to find... not just the time--- but also the right motivation and inspiration. It is so easy to find the beauty in the ocean, sea, beach, forest, sunsets, etc... but here in pastureland USA, where I have always lived, the beauty sometimes escapes me.

Today I took about 20 minutes to just walk around and look at my surroundings with fresh eyes. While the younger two kids took a nap, and the older two watched a movie, I walked around in the snow and eyed the lay of the land around us, the barn in the distance, the icicles formed on the bushes, the random cat and dog prints in the snow, and began to see the beauty in the immediate surroundings of this new home of ours for which we are so grateful.

I want to remember to see the beauty in the bales of hay, and weed lined fence rows in the comfortable setting of my hometown.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

back to life...

...back to reality

Nathan and I took an overnight away from the kids this past Saturday. It was the best night away we have had in a very long time. It's the first night away in a hotel in at least 2 years, so it was overdue.

Tomorrow I will be 27. I am indifferent to being a year older, but I LOVE my birthday. Too bad the partying is already over. I want to go to madison garden for wings and drinks, but we were just there the other day, and I doubt we'll make it back there again for a while. Oh well, at least I'll have my free scoop from baskin robbins.

I am thinking about crocheting myself something fabulous for my birthday. I just can't decide what. I did find an awesome new sweater pattern on Ravelry that I think I just might give a shot. It might take me a year to finish, but it's so cute. Maybe I'll just make a headband instead. I could use some instant gratification today.