August Break: Night Fall

August Break: Garden Goodness

I love my new Olloclip for the iPhone! 

It's August!

 

August means the hot summer nights will be winding down soon. It means that time will seem more abundant as summer slowly says goodbye. It means that Autumn will soon be showing her colors.

It also means it's time to take a wee bit of a blogging break. That means: August Break! The lovely Susannah Conway is hosting once again what is becoming tradition for me every August. I have found myself very short on words lately as I try to make it through this last busy summer month so I'm very much looking forward to a break from the pressure of writing and just sharing my days through photography.

I hope you will play along!

The sweet smell of lavender

Instagrams from the Lakeside Lavender Festival in Nampa, Idaho.

December Views

December Views

December Views

December Views

Relishing December Views

Two of my lovely friends are hosting some great blogging events all this month. I'm trying very hard to participate in both but so far as of day 2 all I have to show for either of them is this iPhone shot.

Things have been busy around here. With the holidays coming I am sure that they will only get even busier. Which is why it is good to take some time out for reflection this month.

Rebecca is hosting Relish 11 this month. All month she is providing prompts to help keep the blog juices flowing as well as a way to reflect on our very busy lives. Visit her Relish Life site to learn more.

Darlene is hosting December Views on her site this month. Its a no rules kind of thing I love. A way to share a little glimpse into your life through pictures. Visit her December Views info page to learn more.

Wishing you all a stress-free and joyful December.

A Sunday Walk

 

Congratulations to Alison B. for winning the Goddess necklace! It will be on its way to you this week! I do love having giveaways here and am filled with so much gratitude that you all stopped by to visit this week.

Seeking Medicine

I have been sick with a cold the past few days and last week was a challenge with very little self love and kindness. So today I sought out Mother Nature to be my healer. I needed medicine and not the kind you get in the pharmacy. I needed to be away from the confines of my home. To hear the rustle of leaves and to smell the fresh air. So we got in the car and drove. We found a quiet pull off along the creek and I was left alone as my husband and daughter continued on. I steadily made my way to the center of the creek hopping from one rock to another until I came to a perfectly formed square rock. I listened to the water surround me on all sides. I watched a moth flutter around like a hummingbird. I heard a rustle in the trees. I dug my hands in the bed of the creek and pulled out a slimy yellow quartz rock. Most of all I breathed.

On the way back to the car it started raining. It felt cleansing and refreshing. I relished it. I stuck my hand out the window on the drive home and felt the cool breeze and the bite of the raindrops on my fingers.

This was the medicine I needed today.

School Days

First day of 1st Grade! I can hardly believe how times flies sometimes. There has been a lot of anxiety leading up to this day for her, I only hope it is smooth sailing for the rest of the week.

Life at the sea

Serenity

The Right Fit

White Sage and Prayer Ties

…where we entirely miss the obvious-that is, that we are all trying to decipher life’s big mysteries, and we’re each following our own paths of enlightenment.”  ~ Dan Brown

For me, finding a spirituality that fits is like clothes shopping. It takes a lot of isle browsing, fabric handling and dressing rooms to find something that works. One dress may look lovely on one person's curvy frame yet the color may not be as flattering on another. Sometimes, later on, our needs change just as our sizes do and we have to set out in the world again searching for another dress.

I've been a skeptic for a very long time but now my needs are changing. I'm not religious and never will be but somewhere out there is a spirituality that fits me perfectly.

Next month I will be circling with a group of local women to continue on my journey. Wise women. I'm hoping to learn so much throughout the coming year. Nothing but good can come from seeking a deeper sense of self. I am ready to explore. 

August Storms

August usually brings a gorgeous display of lightning storms to Idaho, but that also means fire. The haze on the bottom is smoke from a fire most likely started yesterday from lightning. Our backyard yields the most spectacular views this time of year. Both for storm watching and sunset gazing.

A Message