A Wish

Could a person be any happier than this sweet child looks? It doesn't seem so.

This photo fell out of an old, presumed to be empty, scrapbook purchased at an estate sale. 

We don't know who she is.We don't know where she is.

But we know that she was the apple of someone's eye.

Someone who wanted to capture this sparkly little elf on film.

Someone who she loved back enough to give them this amazing smile.

Every time we look at this image we smile too, and think - we should be this happy. 

We have every reason to be.

So, here's the wish , which like most wishes may come true a little faster with a bit of effort on the part of the Wishee:

Be this happy.

At least sometimes let's overlook the wrinkles in our stockings or our faces.

Put our hands in our pockets and ignore the nip in the air. Or savor it.

Be glad someone loves us enough to give us a bad haircut.

Remember that we are very lucky to have a home, a neighborhood, our basic needs met.

Channel this little doll, or any other child or adult who inspires you to look at and appreciate the raw wonders of daily life. 

And even if it is just sometimes - be this happy.

Clean Things Organized Neatly

At the suggestion of NDL, a real photographer carefully arranged these items, photographed them, 

and then submitted the photo to Things Organized Neatly.

 

Today it made it onto that blog with this title: Ten Years of Washing Machine Artifacts Found by a Mother of Three Boys.

Whoo Hoo! We're famous. Or at least the stuff that came out of our collected pockets is.

In case you're wondering, this is not all that was found after the spin cycle. 

(Anybody need a couple dozen squeaky clean golf tees?) 

And of course over time there was plenty of coinage found and dropped straight  into the laundress' tip jar.

  (Otherwise know as Mom's Bloody Mary Fund.)

Thanks, Boys.

Photo and artistic styling: Sam Plasch

Misunderstood

Another wonderful, little, surprise turn of events at Christmastime. 

This one brought to us by Apple and a bigger, equally delightful boy.

The Long Wait

And again from John Lewis, a really well done advert.

With a very sweet Christmas sentiment.

KEEP ON KEEPING CALM

It is more than a bit overdone, but if you just haven't had enough of the Keep Calm and .... phenomenon 

go to Keep Calm Studio and make a custom poster for yourself or a loved one. 

Perhaps someone you know would be happy to find something like this in their stocking.

The Journey

The UK's John Lewis department store knows how important, and difficult,  it is to get it right.



For some it is more of a danger-filled odyssey than a journey.

Take heart oh ye intimidated shoppers. It is truly the thought that counts.

May We Suggest...

...another stop on your tour of garden centers?

Tangletown Gardens is a sight to behold in summer or winter.

It is especially nice on a warm or cold, bright, sunny day. 

Just look at that flaming red twig dogwood available for your holiday decorating needs!

And now, as if Tangletown alone is not enough of an attraction, there is, just across the street, 

the lovely Wise Acre Eatery.

Menus feature food from Tangletown Farm.

Shown here is the Shades of  Autumn salad.

Ummm...bacon steak.

It's like a giant lardon. A salade frisee lover's dream come true.