celebrations, grace and sweetness

                                                      (one of my altered pages)
These past few days have been full of celebrations...big and small. It's our wedding anniversary this week ...I just can't believe how fast the time has gone by!! Before I met Tim...I used to wonder..."well, how do you know when you meet the right person". I mean...everyone says you just know...but how do you really know?

(our wedding day...I am beaming! And doesn't Tim look so cute carrying my bouquet??)

What I have discovered is that...if we really listen to our heart, we always know. If we shut off all the noise and buzz and listen to our deepest knowing SELF...the answers are there. But I had to be vulnerable and trusting and hold all of my fears in a space of love to really be able to walk the path of marriage with this man. I count my blessings every single day.
So any-hoo...last night we went out for the most fantastic dinner, you guys. I had ravioli stuffed with crab and ricotta cheese in an Alfredo pesto sauce!!! Heaven! We went to the Old Spaghetti Factory that had the most amazing architecture...20 foot ceilings with hand carved beams and a replica of an old train...And we all laughed and talked and ...counted our blessings for this little family of ours.

(on my easel right now)

I also got to spend a few hours painting away in my studio...listening to old school (Bob Marley)... windows wide open. I discovered these amazing wood panels at Dick Blick and am trying them out...they are delicious to paint on! One of the things I love the most is their really thick sides. And just loving all the play and experimenting of altered pages...digging up old photos to use and journalling and gesso-ing and...bliss. Also...I am finally learning how to use my camera that I got for Mother's Day!! Can you believe I haven't had time until now???

(this morning)

And we bought Tara some new Dora  p.j.'s which she wants to wear all the time!!! And her very latest thing , first thing in the morning when she wakes up, is "I'm tiiiiiirrrrreeeeed!!". Very dramatic and full of laughs and mischief. Can you tell from the pic above?? She is the best of me...the very best of Tim and I.

                                                                     (today on the Pier)
We spent most of the morning at the beach...walking on the pier and playing on the swings. It never ceases to amaze me that we live so close to the ocean...taking full advantage of it! Life is full of sweetness over here and I am appreciating every moment, shouting it out and celebrating these moments. Like so many of us, sometimes I get caught up in all the mundane parts of life (you know, the routine and chores and...) that I forget to savor the joy. But these days you will find me really looking for these miracles of life and celebrating every one of them. I hope your days are full of grace too.