Making Memories on a Saturday in May

imageMy youngest daughter is getting married in the Fall . . .

so she and I visited bridal shops on Saturday.

image

If you had been along for the ride – you’d have seen me get all teary as my girl tried-on wedding dresses. (Maybe you would have laughed!)

In any case, you’d have to admit she looked like a princess once she put on a veil . . .

If you knew her, you might have looked at her on Saturday and wondered how the bubbly little blonde girl you remember – so clearly – could have turned overnight into the radiant young woman standing at the mirror.

borderpinkfloral

If you had been there with us, you would have smiled in amusement and then laughed out loud as you watched her antics “testing” how the dress would feel on her big day . . .

* She took a stroll around the room to check how easily she could maneuver and negotiate curves in a full skirt and train.

* Next, she gracefully sat on a chair to get a sense of how comfortable it would be.

* Then, while shooting me a great big grin, she broke into a little jig. After all, a bride wants to be sure she’s able to dance the night away!


makeupcompact1If you had been there on Saturday, you might have taken advantage of the complimentary services of a make-up artist who was set up at the bridal salon for the afternoon. My daughter and I did and it was great fun! We had a choice to go “natural” or “dramatic”. We chose dramatic just to see the results!



borderpinkfloral

If you had come along with us, you would already know what I’m going to say next.

We were carrying parcels when we left the bridal shop – she had chosen her wedding gown.

Or as they say on the TV show . . . she said “yes” to the dress!

Hugs,

crystal-1b3-copy-flatfullwidth




I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Click the envelope to leave a comment or to read what the other kids are saying! πŸ˜€

Dreams of Spring

Each year, there’s a short span of days when winter is over… but spring is still asleep.

image

The pristine snow slowly disappears and we’re left with a drab and dreary landscape. It’s bleak. We long for warm breezes and cheerful colors.

While we wait, we take comfort in the subtle signs that spring is emerging – early morning songs from returning birds… the appearance of tiny green shoots peeking through the soil…

More days pass and then – almost overnight – barren tree branches have exploded with leaves, the grass is remarkably greener, and the fragrance of lilacs drifts in through the open door.

purple divider

Recently, while dreaming of spring flowers, I made some jewelry inspired by lilacs and violets and purple iris!

Here are a couple of examples.

image

Wishing you a Happy Spring!

( What have you been up to? πŸ™‚ )

Hugs,

crystal-1b3-copy-flatfullwidth




I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Click the envelope to leave a comment or to read what the other kids are saying! πŸ˜€

It’s Snowing… Again!

Greetings Kids πŸ™‚
It’s been quite the winter here in New England! Thought you might like to see a few photos. (Click them to enlarge.)

snowman-border

The morning view out our back door has frequently been this….

image

Followed by a LOT of this…..

Snow2 2015

Our daughter lives in the city, where there is less space to pile up the snow, so the street-end of her driveway looked like this!

Snow1a 2015

This year, with a record-breaking 108.6 inches of snow, we’ve never been more aware of Mother Nature’s power . . .

not to mention her breathtaking beauty!!!

image

snowman-border

Hugs,

crystal-1b3-copy-flatfullwidth




I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Click the envelope to leave a comment or to read what the other kids are saying! πŸ˜€

Looking Ahead…

image

Can you believe it?

Here we are in the middle of January.

The holidays seem a distant memory as 2015 begins to fly by . . .

Do you have resolutions? I’ll admit I have a couple.

lt brown divider

My first is to add more organized planning to my weekly schedule.

I’ve never been one to have certain days for certain tasks, but I’d like to find out if that system is more efficient. As a lifelong multi-tasker, I’ve been more likely to keep an overall picture of what needs be accomplished in a given week, and then juggle the chores as I go along. This system works well enough during an uneventful week but things can become extra nerve-wracking when surprises pop up and time is extra short.

For 2015, I’ve resolved to better structure my days in hopes I will get more done.

lt brown divider

And that leads me to my second resolution, which is inspired by a favorite poem!

As a teenager in the 1960’s, I became totally enchanted with a poem by Max Erhmann called, Desiderata (Latin for “desired things”). I even had it on a poster in my college dorm room. Talk about rules to live by! If you’d like to read it again (or for the first time), you’ll find it below.

Because I can be a perfectionist, this line from Desiderata has always struck a chord with me:

“Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.”

Those words are a reminder to cut yourself a little slack, take a long deep breath, and be realistic about how much you can complete when things get hectic.

After all, calm and common sense are keys to contentment.

lt brown divider

Sounds like a plan, doesn’t it?

1.) Refine my schedule to lessen stress . . . BUT
2.) Don’t get so wrapped up in the effort that stress is actually added!

We’ll see. πŸ˜‰

How about you? Any resolutions?

Hugs (and Happy 2015!),

crystal-1b3-copy-flatfullwidth

 

 

 

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Click the envelope to leave a comment or to read what the other kids are saying! πŸ˜€

 

 

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

PeriwinkleFlower Border

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

PeriwinkleFlower Border
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

PeriwinkleFlower Border

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.Β Β Β Β Β Β  (Max Ehrmann, 1872–1945)

Merry, Merry!

image

Hi Kids!

In celebration of Christmas, here’s another sweet “Dearie Doll” by artist, Mary Ellen Smith

Hope Santa was good to you and that you are enjoying the holiday season.

We’ve had a lovely time with family and friends.

Happy, Happy, New Year from Sir Beads and me.

See you in 2015 πŸ™‚

Hugs,

crystal-1b3-copy-flatfullwidth




I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Click the envelope to leave a comment or to read what the other kids are saying! πŸ˜€