Autumn Surprises

After the rain yesterday, I grabbed my camera and went for a mini-walk around my yard, capturing a few pictures. The leaves had scarcely turned color before they were on the ground, although some are still holding fast.

I spotted a single not-too-healthy apple on a tree and looked for signs of more. There weren't any, even on the ground. Where did this one come from?

The flower was a surprise. I have an old potato barrel cut in half filled with petunias. Just when I thought the season was ending, a brand new set of blossoms showed up in the petunia barrel. I don't even know where they came from. They were hiding in the petunias, but I didn't plant them there.

The smell was the most surprising of all- crisp warm air filled with the smell of fresh wood and damp leaves. I wish I could capture it here.

a note of joy to share.

Loving Nothing

I am sitting in a parking lot 4 hours from home to connect to the internet so I can post this week to The Joy Diet. I loved week 1 ! The assignment was to do nothing, think nothing, totally relax and see what happens. I used to do this all the time as part of my daily time I spend with God, but had drifted away from just enjoying being with Him and myself. The first day I had to make myself be still, but after that it was a joy. I'm not saying I spent 15 minutes each day, but when I did it was amazing. I wrote in my journal several images and words that meant so much to me, things I am going to ponder in my heart.
Here is my vision card. I didn't have anything special in mind this week- NOTHING actually:) Last week I looked at my VC every day and it really fit my week.
Can't wait to read the next chapter.
Here's a verse i love that fits this week. Please don't turn me off because of the God thing, but I am bubbling over and had to be me. Oh, the verse....Be still and know that I am God or Let be and be still...

Smiling This Morning

Julie and Julia finally came to our little theatre this week. I went with 3 friends of various ages. One remembers her mom watching Julia Child, One used to watch her all the time, and my other friend didn't know much at all, like me. We had as much fun listening to our 2 friends laugh as watching the movie.

As we left the theatre, one friend was questioning who Amy Adams is. I stopped right on the walk and said,"You have never seen that Disney movie?" She hadn't. and for the life of me I couldn't remember the name of it. So here it is for all of you who have a lapse in memory- ENCHANTED! A delightful Disney movie. I typed it into Google this morning and am listening to tunes from the movie as I type, smiling the whole time.

If you haven't seen either movie, enjoy!

One Last Time This Year

Fall is settling in here in northern Maine, although yesterday it was like summer. I had all the doors and windows open in my house. We have covered the flowers a few times to ward off the frost. This weekend frost threatens once again and we will be out of town. I have decided to let nature take its course. There comes a time to move with the seasons and stop fighting it. So here is one last look at a few of my flowers. I know it's not a big deal to those of you who have done this for years. Because I am so new to this, they bring me joy every morning when I peek out the door to see how they fared during the night. I even have red tomatoes on my tomato plant:)

Joy Gifts

In the midst of noting what brings me joy each day, I don't want to forget to give joy as well. Last week, I took Mom and Jo to Bar Harbor. I had so many reasons I "should" stay home, but I'm glad I didn't. Look at the joy on Jo's face as they watched the ships in the harbor, despite the cold cloudy day. What can you do to put a smile on someone's face this week? When you do, return here and share it. :)

Vision Card

In our Joy Diet journey, Jamie suggested we make a vision card each week as well as noticing what brings us joy each day. I had to clean off my art desk in order to do this project. It was the first time in months that I had attempted any type of art just for me.
First, I made myself a cup of Sugar Cookie tea, which I use sparingly because I have only a few bags left and it is a seasonal tea. I poured it into my favorite white china cup that I purchased from Heidi's Tea Shop before she closed.
Second, I gathered a few magazines. I placed a large yellow index card and glue before me on my desk.
Third the search for images and words that bring me joy. (Right in the middle of it I recieved a call from my friend who lives hundreds of miles away. Her calls always bring me joy.)
Here is the finished card.
Things that bring me joy represented here:

• Space
• Sitting by the ocean
• Reading & Journaling
• Color
• Friends
• Movies like mama mia
• Project Runway and it's color,design and creatvity
• Being outdoor ie. riding
• Me time

Joy Note

Beginning today I am on the Joy Diet journey with the gals from the WJ and 12 secrets. Jamie suggested that throughout the week we note the things that bring us joy.

I was sitting in traffic this week as I waited for the construction crewman to wave me on. It had been a long day of traveling and I was anxious to get to my destination. At my left, a huge boat on a trailer pulled up beside me. I had plenty of time to pull out my phone and snap this pic. Ocean's Daughter brought a note of joy into a weary afternoon in traffic. I pictured ocean travel, old gothic novels, romance on the seas. Lovely.

Traffic moved on and the moment was lost, but returned to grace my blog today.

Put Your Feet Up

This was one of my favorite moments this summer, sitting on the deck at our camper, putting my feet up. What did you do this summer to put your feet up?

I am headed back to the camper tomorrow for a couple of days with my mom, before we close it up. When I get back I want to make some changes here. I'm bored with it, so imagine you followers are too. No change in address, just appearance. Be back soon.

Look Hon....

A few weeks ago, I was in Bangor with a friend and we visited one of my favorite stores- TJ Max. I came out empty-handed. I knew my husband would never believe me without the evidence, so I sent this picture from my phone. Seconds later my phone rang. Guess who?

The Gift of Time

I was responding to my daughter's blog today and I made this statement/question: Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could give the gift of time? Here are some ways i would give that gift.

A shorter work week with same pay for more time for my daughter and daughters in-law to be at home enjoying their lives and families.
An hour per weekend for people to visit with friends and families, instead of hurrying to catch up for the week ahead.
5 minutes a day of pure laughter.
1/2 hour per day to read a good book uninterrupted.
15 minutes in the morning to pray over the day and 15 minutes each night to be grateful for the good things God gave us.
Siesta time - 1 hour after lunch ( they actually do this in some countries).
8 hours a night of pure sleep.
The gift of an hour each week to go back and do one thing over, such as give more hugs to my children when they were small, holler less, listen more, let the phone ring, watch movies together, pay more attention to each moment...
These are just off the top of my head. What would you do with your gift of time?

Smell the Breeze

I love the fresh smell of sheets dried in the breeze. Today was a perfect day for drying. I made countless trips to the clothesline with bedding we brought home from the campers. They dried as fast as I could get another load ready. What a perfect September day in Maine!

Headed Out Tomorrow

With all the traveling we have done this summer, our pit stop has been the camper. It is a convenient and inexpensive place to stay the night. Although, Bar harbor is only 25 minutes away, we have only been to the ocean a few times because our destination was elsewhere. This will be our last long weekend away and my goal is twofold- to rest and to see the ocean. Part of our family will be there as well so I want to relax and enjoy them. I wish my New Mexico gals ( and Johnny:) were going to be there. We always miss you. Leaving tomorrow, so see you next week with new pics.