I stepped outside for a moment in the dark of a quiet Sunday November night, noticing the delicate scent of incoming rain as I deposited the last of the Monday-garbage pickup at the curb.
The rustling of an animal towards the edge of the fence, a cat perhaps, or the thought of a skunk or possom, quickened my step ever so slightly, and yet I paused briefly to consider our little house with it's windows illuminated from within against the starkness of the black, starless sky.
Our little house on the once-Illinois prairie.
It's where the majority of my whole life takes place. Within these four walls, in this space in time.
How fortunate, how thankful, are we
to have this place
called HOME.
It's been over a week since I've written and once again I'm pondering the possible end to this blogging chapter of my life. I'd like to make it to 1000 posts but lately, I've been wondering if I'll make it to 900.
Here's a glimpse at my little world over the course of the last week.
Sunset on the night of my parent's 49th Wedding Anniversary. This was taken with my purse-size Nikon, from my placement in the middle of the back seat, as we were zooming along the Interstate towards our dining destination.
The beginning of my Birthday weekend... heading out with the boys in our high heels (and pausing for a mother/daughter photo or two) to see Breaking Dawn on Friday night. It was a hoot - the first time I've ever been a movie where the entire theater was filled and it was so much fun with the crowd response. We had an awesome time!!!
Jim had everything all decorated. The vinyl Birthday tablecloth reminded me of when we were growing up - we always had those, and so I remarked I'm just like a little girl of 7, and Jim added "plus 40 years experience"
Jim's flowers to me - they even matched the tablecloth that he got ☺
I don't feel that I look too bad for 47. I'm feeling pretty good most days.
Getting ready for a little November magic. *wink*
Jim took us all out for a teppanyaki-Japanese dinner on my Birthday night. It was a first for Anthony and my parents. I think everyone enjoyed themselves. ☺
I don't generally like to get up in front of people so I passed and our friend Alex agreed to help with the egg cracking. ☺
I'm loving everyone's expressions in this series of photos... ☺
Jim snapped this and it turned out blurry, but I like it anyway because I look content. There's great contentment in watching other people's happiness.
I'm loving Dad's laughter in this photo.
The rustling of an animal towards the edge of the fence, a cat perhaps, or the thought of a skunk or possom, quickened my step ever so slightly, and yet I paused briefly to consider our little house with it's windows illuminated from within against the starkness of the black, starless sky.
Our little house on the once-Illinois prairie.
It's where the majority of my whole life takes place. Within these four walls, in this space in time.
How fortunate, how thankful, are we
to have this place
called HOME.
It's been over a week since I've written and once again I'm pondering the possible end to this blogging chapter of my life. I'd like to make it to 1000 posts but lately, I've been wondering if I'll make it to 900.
Here's a glimpse at my little world over the course of the last week.
The ever changing November skies and even
a scary Tornado Warning on an unseasonably-warm
day last week!
a scary Tornado Warning on an unseasonably-warm
day last week!
The Tornado Warning Day:
The beginning of my Birthday weekend... heading out with the boys in our high heels (and pausing for a mother/daughter photo or two) to see Breaking Dawn on Friday night. It was a hoot - the first time I've ever been a movie where the entire theater was filled and it was so much fun with the crowd response. We had an awesome time!!!
We always go all out with presents at our house.
Birthday flowers from our neighbor-friend. 
I don't feel that I look too bad for 47. I'm feeling pretty good most days.
My "Birthday Candle"
The Onion Volcano! ☺
After dinner, it was back to our little house on the prairie, for the remainder of the Birthday celebration.
Look at Jim and Sarah in the background. They are so wonderful. They put everything together so nicely - Jim was getting the cake ready and Sarah was unpacking my gifts and putting them away for me, all on her own initiative. Like Mother, like Daughter.
Sarah admiring the card she handmade for me, which she should have - it's fantastic!!!
Sarah's beautiful handmade card. See those "loves"? She hand wrote each of those!!
Look at her neat penmanship. Beautiful words. Special Daughter.
... and then there's Jim's wonderful, romantic card.
Look carefully. He ADDED his own words to make the card personal. Typing up added words in the right font/size and cutting and pasting them into the card.
When I asking him later, why he does such sweet things like this, he replied, it's simply because he knows I love those romantic things.
And... I received this lovely card from my Canadian daughters.
Love doesn't have anything to do with being a strictly-blood-relation, let me tell you. Sometimes the best relationships are those that take you by surprise. I am so blessed to be a "Mom" to all of these girls.
... and then there's Jim's wonderful, romantic card.
5 comments:
Why do you want to stop blogging? You take such beautiful pictures and write such wonderful posts. I will miss visiting if you go away. I don't have any intentions of ever doing Facebook or any other social networking sites. I like blogging -- it's like greeting friends each day and reading the best magazines on everything from crafting, decorating, cooking and just simply being. Looks like you had a great birthday. That's one smoking teppanyaki grill. Did they do the onion volcano? They always do it here at Benihanas. You know, the package I posted about today actually was not complete -- seems someone opened it up and took out some fabric, laces and beads. So crazy it takes forever for anything to arrive, and then there is no recourse when some decides they want to check out what is inside. I am sure your box made it to this country -- but someone decided they wanted it for themselves. :/ Well, I'm off to bed. Take care! Best wishes, Tammy
What a wonderful day, I am so glad they made it so very special for you. Dinner looks great, it would be something fun to go do. All of your photos are wonderful as always. I feel the same way, when people around me are having a good time, I am content.
I will miss your posts if you decide to stop, but I understand why.
I think when we have a place to call home, it's a most sacred place.
I hope you don't stop blogging. I would miss all those beautiful pictures(they would make beautiful cards), I would also miss all the stories, please don't stop. Glad to see you had a nice time at your birthday dinner. I have never been to a Chinese place where they cooked for you. Hope you have a nice Thanksgiving and again Happy Birthday.
What a lovely birthday celebration. The dinner looked like so much fun. Glad you got pampered on your special day!
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