A Bit of Blue

Three new Robin eggs!!! :D

Beauty

         It is such a beautiful day.  After yesterdays grey gloom and rain, it is quite amazing how quickly things have switched back to sunny and clear.  I am house-sitting right now at my favorite place, and though I am not one to seek large amounts of solitude, it has been a very pleasant two days.  Currently, I am sitting out on the back patio overlooking layers of mountains covered in green pine trees.  When the breeze picks up from the right direction the air fills with the most heavenly smell of jasmine.  A small fountain tinkles softly nearby as several very loud hummingbirds flit back and forth around a feeder.  My mug of earl grey tea (my favorite kind) sits atop my copy of Thoreau’s Walden,which I have been faithfully reading the past few days.  I must admit while Thoreau describes his own beloved surroundings my eyes tend to wander from the page to the beauty surrounding me.  Recently my days have been filled with big plans and big changes all focusing on the future, but I constantly remind myself not to let the present slip through my fingers.  No matter what the future holds, I live now.  No matter where I end up, I am happy now.  I love my Lord.  I love my family.  I love my home.  I love who I am.  
I love my life.    

 

Another Good Bye

          Another visit with Aunt Cindy and Uncle Cliff has come to an end *sad sigh.* After spending a few days in Disneyland with mom and dad, they all came home for a fun filled weekend of movies, games, good food (of course!), and lots of laughing.  As always, their visit seemed far too short, but we are looking forward to them coming out for a long visit over Christmas and through the New Year!!!  Considering how busy we are these days, I expect the next seven months will fly by.  But, not too fast -- I hope!    

Never Say Never

          Whenever the subject of school comes up, my answer has usually been, “I’m done with school.”  But, I have also kept the motto, “never say never” in my mind because whenever I dig in my heels God taps me on the shoulder and points me down some path I had either disregarded or already turned away from.  So, I have once again embarked down the educational route, but this time with a much more definite plan.  If all falls into place, I will complete my Associates degree at Sierra College next spring in Business Administration.  I then intend to transfer and finish out my Bachelors online.  I am still unsure where I will be transferring to, but I am leaning toward National University because of their unique and accelerated program.  At twenty-four, I find time is a higher priority than it once was, and finishing out my education in a timely manner makes the most sense.  I will be taking one class over the summer, four in the fall, and three (or more, if needed) in the spring.  I am really excited about this new direction in my life.  Now I just need to work hard, pray hard, and dream big!          

Another Empty Nest

          The baby robins have grown and gone!  Last Monday the robin parents spent the majority of the day flying around the front garden trying to coax their four fledglings from the nest.  Their adolescent offspring spent their day ignoring the parents.  I finally gave up checking to see if they left, but Rachel was vigilant and at dusk she saw them take flight.  The front feels so quiet now.  I hope they decide to return next year, I can’t imagine a spring without baby robins in it!      

Getting crowded.

Mama robin watching from the nearby pink dogwood.

Daddy robin being the bread -- I mean-- worm winner!

Ignoring their parents.

Getting a little more adventurous.

Almost dusk!

Good luck robins!!!  :D

An English Tea, an Indian Dinner, and a Film to Bridge the Two. Happy Birthday Mum!!!

The Birthday Girl with her Prince Charming.

Glowing pink candles.

Freshly-picked pink roses.

A proper tea.  ;)

One pink candle.  (Have you figured out the theme yet?)

Make a wish!

Roses from dad. <3