{one of my favorite quotes}

I love this quote! What are you enthusiastic about right now?!

YOU are in the driver's seat ...

I'm currently reading "Become a Better You" by Joel Osteen. As I started reading the chapter on Keep Pressing Forward I especially liked this little segment:

"The car you drive has a large windshield, but only a relatively small rearview mirror. The implication is obvious: What happened in your past is not nearly as important as what is in your future. Where you are going is much more important than where you've been. If you stay focused on the past, you're liable to miss numerous excellent opportunities ahead."

As I read that, a mental picture came to my mind of a steering wheel and how WE are the ones in the driver's seat and we control our focus, our destination and the choices we make day to day.

PS: Our moments matter - make them count. Press forward and enjoy the amazing adventure ahead!

Delight in the beauty ...

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” – Maya Angelou

This little moment matters ... slow down and delight in the beauty of YOU and all the challenges and changes that have helped create the wonderful person you are today.

Amazing really.

And the tree was happy ...

(We recently had an old tree removed from our backyard ... The stump reminded me of one of my all-time favorite children's books.)

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

And after a long time the boy came back again.

–”I am sorry, Boy”, said the tree, “but I have nothing left to give you – My apples are gone”.
–”My teeth are too weak for apples”, said the boy.
–”My branches are gone”, said the tree. “You cannot swing on them”.
–”I am too old to swing on branches”, said the boy.
–”My trunk is gone”, said the tree. “You cannot climb”.
–”I am too tired to climb”, said the boy.
–”I am sorry” sighed the tree. “I wish that I could give you something… but I have nothing left. I am just an old stump. I am sorry…”
–”I don’t need very much now”, said the boy. “Just a quiet place to sit and rest. I am very tired”.
–”Well”, said the tree, straightening herself up as much as she could, “well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting. Come, Boy, sit down… sit down and rest”.
And the boy did.
And the tree was happy…

The end.

Such a great little reminder that no matter what, we can choose to give and be happy! :)

Our new (old) house adventure!

About two years ago, my husband and I bought an old fixer upper house. It was built in 1944 and needed a ton of work. The price was right and we felt equal to the task! With every step of this adventure, I am reminded (again and again) of the magic that happens each time we embark on fixing up a room, a chair, a window, a wall or the yard. It feels so good to look around and say, "We did this!"

...This new, old house of ours feels more and more like home everyday!
Join the adventure: Built in 1944

Life is like vanilla ice-cream ...

“The gem cannot be polished without friction nor man without trials.” — Confucius
And ice cream cannot be created without ice and churning. :)

This week - slow down and appreciate the challenges around you - they are teaching you and molding you into the best version of YOU. It may not seem like it at the time but when you look back - you'll appreciate the new flavor and the gem you are becoming...

Monkeys in the window ...

Photo moment: Bellevue, WA / Store: The Paper Source
I was totally drawn in by the Monkeys in the window! :)

PS - There is just something really charming and alluring about brown paper bag monkeys.