Spring Break is Here!

When I was a little girl we lived next door to my Aunt Bel.  She had the most luscious lilac bushes in front of her house.  Inhaling their sweet fragrance with my nose buried in those blossoms is a memory I will never forget.  Big fat bouquets of these purple flowers adorned our table tops.  Between lilacs and wild violets, no wonder I have such fond associations with the color purple.

Why have I deprived myself of that simple joy for so long?  Today I made a decision that I need to start asking myself more often -- is this something that I can bring back into my life?  Some things are impractical and must remain dear memories, but other things can relive in our lives once again.  It took a little research, after learning that I live in zone 8 and most lilac bushes do better in zones 3-7, but I finally found a hardy lilac shrub that will thrive in my climate. The blossoms are more of a pinkish hue, but it has a long bloom time.  So a Josee Reblooming Lilac bush will soon be on its way to me!

Here's to bringing beauty into our lives!

More music, more nature, more goodness

My soul is craving all things beautiful these days.  I woke up with a mission in my heart today -- a walk on the beach, connecting with people I love, restoring my soul.

I'll listen to beautiful music as I put away the winter things and bring out the little bird and bunny figurines to open my heart to spring.  Like this music by pop-opera teens Il Volo: Watch and Listen Here. (Click on the pause button for the music at the bottom of this page first, though).

Pen and paper will come out later today -- journal entries, pressed spring flowers, love notes to friends and family.

It's a day to get in touch with goodness.

Houseful of Company :)

Ash has been home for the last couple of weeks and it's been wonderful! In preparation of her move back to California from England, she lugged a suitcase full of books home -- her most prized possessions (what do you expect from an English and History major). We've had some great talks. The older my daughters get, the more we seem to talk about -- from jokes to relationships to philosophies of life to religion to the latest headlines to plain ol' girl talk (fashion, guys, etc.). I'm also amazed at how grounded my daughters seem to be, with a good balance of practical common sense and never-let-your-dreams-die ideology. I'll post pictures later of last weekend's day in Monterey and Pacific Grove.

Dad came in Weds. night and is staying through the weekend. Always good to see him! Last night we watched the movie "Run, Fatboy, Run" which we got a kick out of. Since he used to run marathons, he seemed to enjoy it.

Lys and her boyfriend are on a 14 mile hike in Santa Cruz with a group today -- heading from the hills to the beach. I think Ash, Dad, and I are going to head to a mission for a tour, maybe up to San Jose to a museum -- playing it by ear.

Need to make a trip to the grocery store soon because I heard the Easter bunny is coming to town tomorrow. Never too old for Easter baskets!

Open the Windows--It's Spring Already!

Sneaking in slowly, as if checking to see if the coast is clear, spring seems to finally be poking its head out. I went to Santa Clara yesterday with friends and the sun was shining when we left, but later in the afternoon we were wishing we had brought coats. Today is quite different -- sunny and mild, though I see showers are forecast for tonight (no sign of rainclouds yet). Since I was gone all day yesterday, I threw open the windows and stayed in today -- cleaned, caught up on laundry, mopped floors, washed down counter tops, and on and on. Sarah Ban Breathnach (Simple Abundance) said that keeping orderliness is not a straight-jacket of shoulda's, coulda's.... but rather a shape or foundation for the beautiful life you create every day. I like that thought!