sunset

It’s That Time of Year Again

It’s that time of year again. The time of year where you’ll find me staring at the trees.

Trees without leaves = beauty. Put that tree in the foreground of a sunset or a sunrise. Mesmerizing.

If you follow me on Instagram, you may start to get a little annoyed by the increase of tree pictures during this time of year. Bare with me….{sorry! I couldn’t resist!}

Bare trees reveal the beauty once hidden by leaves.

Last year, I wrote about why sunset trees are so mesmerizing to me ::

Did you catch the spiritual parallel? How will I handle the winter seasons of my life, when I’m stripped down to a few leaves? How strong are my roots? How will I handle it if the winter winds and weather break off a few of my branches?

Have you ever noticed a tree in the foreground of an amazing sunset? The tree takes a back seat to it’s grand display of colors and warmth. But at the same time, they enhance each other. The silhouette of the winter tree against a sunset is just beautiful to me. It reminds me of my relationship with God ~ I’m the tree, He’s the beautiful sunset. Even if I’m struggling during a winter season of life, God is always there to make my surroundings radiant ~ if I take the time to notice.

November 9, 2012

Daydreams :: The Builder

Who’s building your house?

June 2, 2012

Daydreams :: A Choice

At the end of the day, did I choose life or death?

Did I live this day with an eternal perspective or were my choices rooted in this decaying earth?

Everyday we have a choice.

May 15, 2012

My Beach Birthday

A dream that started a year ago.

To gather my closest friends to celebrate my 40th birthday. {22 came!}

A dream to rent a house, on a beach and invite my sisters – friends who have inspired, challenged, laughed, cried, endured, loved & supported me through the years.

A time to relax and enjoy each other’s company.

A time to dig our toes into the sand. A time to let the salt water soak into our hair. A time to ride the waves. A time to search for seashells.

{Greta’s photo}

A time to let the sun kiss our skin. A time to eat plenty of dark chocolate.

A time to rest like an adult and play like a child.

{Kara’s photo}
A time for some of you to reconnect with each other.

A time for some of you to meet for the first time.

It was a dream come true.

Actually it was better than a dream come true. The friendships that started as a result of our time together and the spiritual connection of spending time together and the conversations and the laughter and the tears – above and beyond anything I could have dreamed.

This dream could not have happened without Greg and all of the spouses and families and co-workers who covered our responsibilities for our time away. THANK YOU!

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For more images of our week together, go here & here.

Here are a few posts written by friends that were there: Courtney: 1 & 2, Maria, Reeve & Nester.

April 24, 2012

31 Days of Our Lives :: Day 3 ~ Sunset Tree Tattoo

My appointment was scheduled for 12:30. We picked Eden up from school a little early & Greg drove me to Fu’s Custom Tattoo. We spent about 30 minutes waiting for my tattoo artist, Christian, to make the final draft of my tattoo. I was a little nervous and excited at the same time. It was finally time to put the stencil on, make sure it was in the right place and it was the right size, then Christian went to work.
It took about an hour. Greg took Eden home right when it started then Karrie came and sat with me to distract me from the pain. It’s always nice to have a distraction, whether it’s a friend or your iPod. One of the first questions people (who don’t have tattoos) ask when they see you have a tattoo is, “Did it hurt?” The answer is YES. Tiny needles are piercing your skin, over and over again. Yes, it hurts. You learn to manage the pain as it’s being done, and having a distraction is a huge help. Then once the artist is done, you’re rewarded with a one-of-a-kind piece of art. I love it. Let me tell you more about this design.

Two of things that feed my soul: sunset & winter trees. Put them together and it’s just dreamy. A winter tree ~ bare, maybe a few leaves hanging onto to it or some seed pods. It’s facing the tough season of winter. The season that will reveal whether or not the nourishment and time it took care of itself during the warm, growing months of spring and summer can withstand the harshness of winter. Did you catch the spiritual parallel? How will I handle the winter seasons of my life, when I’m stripped down to a few leaves? How strong are my roots? How will I handle it if the winter winds and weather break off a few of my branches?

So, are you thinking about getting a tattoo? Take your time! I was 33 when I got my first one. Think about the design you want to have. Ask friends where they had theirs done and if they have a favorite tattoo artist. When you meet the artist, look through their portfolio to see if you like the designs that they’ve done in the past. Look for inspiration in the creation around you, or draw a sketch yourself, or search around on Pinterest for some ideas! Spend time & ponder. There is no rush!

Do you have a tattoo? Tell me about it.

There are over 650 31 Dayers! Amazing! Here are a few more that I’m looking forward to reading:
~ 31 Days to an Artful Event
~ 31 Days of Small but Grand
~ 31 Days of Rebuilding Your House & Heart

I hope you come back tomorrow to see what’s featured next in my 31 Days of Our Lives ~ he’s one HOT fella!