my blessed life

We are having the most beautiful fall weather here in Kentucky and yesterday was no exception.  I just couldn't stay home any longer, I had to go for a drive!   So I bundled the kiddos into the car (with an awesome book on cd and our "flying creatures" scavenger hunt list), picked up my sister and took off!  We decided to take a road we'd never taken before and see where it led us.  I love to do that! Our first stop was at the charming little church shown above.  It was just too pretty and we had to stop and look around.   Next we discovered the little pottery shop that a friend told us about.  She certainly didn't steer us wrong~the pottery is lovely (and reasonably priced, too!).  I am looking forward to doing some holiday shopping there.   Near the pottery shop was a tiny--but very full--quilting shop.  Beautiful fabrics everywhere!  Since I don't really sew I didn't have a good excuse to go in there (...

We have really been watching this little mama lately.  I was so happy when she chose The Princess' very own birdhouse to build her nest in.  We can't really see anything besides tons of twigs crammed into the little house, she has really built a good  and protective nest.   This morning we watched as she and her *hubby* came and went numerous times, feeding their little brood apparently.  It was difficult to catch them on film, but I managed a couple of shots through my oh-so-dirty window.   I'm not sure what kind of little brown bird this is, they're very small.  I'm not a very good birder:)  Maybe one of you will be so kind as to identify our little bird family for me.  

This morning I awoke to a winter wonderland! Everything was beautifully frosted with snow and the flakes were coming down so prettily. I enjoyed taking quite a few photos around my parents' home today and just had to share some with you. I hope you're enjoying winter as much as I am!

Today I wanted to share a link with you. This is a new blog my sister, Kari, has started. She has just posted a lovely little short story that I thought you might enjoy. She's a very talented writer and I'm glad she's using her gift! The Rose Bush and the Oak Tree at A Discerning Madness .

I should really be hitting the housecleaning hard again today, packing away the Christmas things, finishing my grocery list and putting on clothes that I can actually go to the store in~and I will...in a little while. Right now though I am taking a few minutes out for me. To rejuvenate my soul a little. I'm snuggled up with a blanket and a cup of coffee to browse through my newest Victoria and Martha Stewart Living magazines. They are refreshing to me and it's so peaceful to just sit back and peruse the beautiful articles. It's a rare moment. So while the kiddos are busy building with their new Legos (and even my hubby is building one of Mr. B's new ones, too) I'm taking just a few moments all to myself. Bliss.

I love flowers! And wildflowers have a special place in my heart. They are just so determined and plucky to grow up in the toughest of places. Their intricate beauty amazes me, too. God put such beautiful details into each one. On our recent camping trip to Mt. Magazine, AR, I took several wildflower pics that I just loved. Don't they just make you smile? If you know the names for any of these flowers, please leave me a comment! This post was inspired by my blog friend, Steviewren, who blogs at A Little Birdie Told Me So and recently blogged about wildflowers in her neck of the woods .

I'm loving my newest *high art* on display in our hallway. It's sand art creations by my children. Isn't it beautiful? To visit others' homes and their wall art, click here .

A few years ago, as Mothers Day quickly approached, I was trying very hard to think of a creative gift for my mom. I suddenly remembered...roses! Heirloom roses and, more specifically, the Evelyn rose by David Austin . My mother's name is Evelyn. Isn't that a beautiful, old-fashioned name? Even though my mother really isn't a gardener, she enjoys a beautiful yard. And how appropriate to have her own namesake rose in her yard! This rose bush arrived by mail, very small, but very healthy. It has grown amazingly in just a few short years and is a source of great joy each time it blooms. This year the blooms are just magnificent and they smell so sweet. I just had to share these pictures with you. This year for Mothers Day my sister was able to create a corsage with my mom's roses for her to wear to church on Mothers Day morning. It was just beautiful! This post is linked to the Reluctant Entertainer today.

This week I was given a couple of surprise treasures! This sweet person knows my likes very well, I must say. She had acquired a couple of random plates and "thought I might like them". Might?!?! I love them!! This first one is a dinner plate. It's American made, with sweet flowers and gold around the edges. I plan to hang it in The Princess' room. It flows perfectly with the plates already hanging in her room. This second one is more of the bread and butter size. It's Limoges with a lovely fruit pattern that I don't remember seeing before: "Pomona". I know I plan to use this some where in my living room, but I'm still deciding if I want to hang it or put it on a stand. I love these colors though, it matches so well. Have you noticed the sweet quilted sampler that I'm using for this shot? I love this little piece and recently re-discovered it. I bought it in my pre-child days with the idea of hanging it in my nursery one day. And...

"How does one become a butterfly? .....You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar." Trina Paulus