"Lonely Boy"

My son posted this awesome video by "The Black Keys" on his blog  today!  The video is so funny and the song is amazing!  I had to post it too... I love it!!  

gardening?

This may be is an odd time to be thinking about gardening but I can't help it!  My mother-in-law just registered "us girls" for the gardening seminar in TRF at the end of February--a valentine's gift to us from her (thank you, Candy!).

People who know me, know that I love gardening.  And people who know me well, know that I love gardening so much that I'd rather be outside than inside ... all the time ... all day long ... please don't make me come inside!

I wanted to post some of my favorite photos from our yard.  These are from last summer.  My family (my WHOLE family!) bought me a really nice camera a year ago and I have gone a little crazy.  Don't know how to use the fancy settings but the AUTO setting works just fine! 

These are some of my favorites...

Amazing glow from a summer sunset...

The apples were wonderful last year.

Apple harvest time...

Can't get enough raspberries.  Wish we had a hundred bushes!

Roses are becoming my favorite.  I thought they would be too fussy but they are actually very easy!

So, hurry up Spring!  

Genius

ordinary teachers

intentional living

An interesting link found on the nester lists resources for intentional living. 

watch Moneyball

We watched the movie, Moneyball, last night.  I love it more this morning than I did last night...it's one of those movies.  It quietly captures the struggle of a man and other athletes who don't neatly satisfy expectations of the sporting world.  The movie is an example of what I love about sports...it's about the team, appreciating your gifts, working together, and thinking outside the box.  And yet these things are not glorified in an unrealistic way in this movie...I like that.  It's just the way you do things.  What a wonderful example of the opportunities that exist in sports.  I'm an amateur when it comes to sports...of course I am.  I'm a mom that watches her boys thrive and struggle in sports.  Amateur or pro, you just know when you are watching something special. Whether it's in a movie or on the field or on the floor.  It is rare and inspiring.

                                        

Funny scene between Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill.

Harry Potter

Merry Christmas and Happy 2012!

What a wonderful week!  We celebrated, enjoyed each other, worshipped, played, laughed, and relaxed!  Couldn't ask for more.  We are all back to school and work.  Not an easy transition but it is ok to 'move on'.  Christmas gift giving was kept pretty simple this year.  Steve did not cooperate, however, and gave me a Kindle Fire!!  I wasn't expecting it as the agreement was 'not to buy anything big for each other'.  He said he never agreed to that but I'm pretty sure he did.  Oh well.  It's over and done and I love it!  Perfect little gadget for reading blogs.  What a great guy. :)

  

A pretty package from me to my mother-in-law...

I love the way the presents look under the tree!

The boys loved their posters!  Simple and fun.  It's easy to see who they belong to...each of their personalities is reflected!

This one is Ben's and I want it.  Best band ever!

And look what sweet Emily made for us!  She painted a favorite quote of ours onto a canvas.  I love it!

Christmas table centerpiece...

I picked up these reindeer at TJ Maxx and love them on the table.  Dollar store ornaments in glass look very pretty.

I exchanged the brown runner for white placemats and packed away the reindeer for our New Year's centerpiece.

Nothing fancy...

Cozy evening light...

It's been so great having Ben home from college.  This is one of his favorite spots...next to the Christmas tree with his laptop!