Spring, at Long Last!

     "For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land."
   The Song of Solomon 2:11-12
   
                                                                      
     Don't those verses perfectly capture what it feels like when spring finally comes?
No more snow, (although I do love snow...) no more long, cold nights. No more short, cold days.
No more hats, and gloves, and scarves; just you and the flowers!
   
     Spring has come ahead of schedule where I live, and I couldn't be happier!
I used to say that winter was my favorite season, (don't ask why) but, I have since changed my mind.
Now,  I would most definitely say that it's spring! (when else do we get to have pink trees?)
It's not nearly as hot as summer, and a bit warmer than fall; so I'd say that it's just about right.

      I always find it exciting to watch the earth sort of come back to life. I get so happy when I see the first buds forming on the trees; I take it as a sign that they're saying, don't worry, the cold won't last forever!
     And dare I say that even, spring cleaning, can be fun? I was actually (surprisingly) ready and willing, when the time came to clean up the yard, and get rid of all of the ugly dead leaves and things; to make room for all of the, pretty, living things!

                                                           (like my cat!)

     So, I guess the moral of the story is that, even though winter is long, and cold, spring is just around the corner. (except if you live in the arctic...because if you do then I am very sorry, and I didn't mean to offend)
And along with that, spring also means, new things. New beginnings, new life, and new adventures!
      
     Finally, I will leave you with this song, because it reminds me of spring, and it's titled, Hope; so I thought it was fitting.

     Sayonara, friend!


P.S. I included a picture of my cat, because I'm pretty sure she is even more excited about spring than I am.

 

Favorite Song of The Moment

So, lately I've been listening to a lot of the band, House of Heroes.
They've been around for a while, but I'm just now getting into them.
I really like their style, and their lyrics.
One song I keep listening to over and over again is, Code Name Raven,
from the album, The End is Not The End.
It's one of their older songs, but one of my new favorites!
So listen, (all the way through to the end, because that's my favorite part!) and tell me what ya think!

        

"Fear not my downcast brothers,

            We are the strong arms of  the law-

By land and air and sea, 

      On wings of destiny we ride!"

A Mountainous Day!

Went to the mountains recently, and spent the day exploring and pic-nic-ing.
There's so much to see and appreciate; and it's a marvelous place to take pictures.
It's even worth the very long, winding, (car sick ensuing), road to get there! 
It was a peaceful, pleasant day. Not to mention; I got some pretty good shots while I was there, so I thought  I'd share a few!

 

A little used forest path.

                                      This mushroom tree was really amazing!
                                      (And what's better than trees and sunlight?)
                                                      

                                                 Nothin'!
              (P.S. Trees and sunlight are my two favorite thing to photograph!)
                                  

 And to top off the day (*pun intended) , we finally made it to the "crest" of the mountain, and got a great view of the city below!

 On our way down, we were pleasantly surprised to see a couple of deer gals!
 (*pun also intended)
  An extra special treat!
  All in all, it was a fun, blessed day, and it was really nice to spend some time in the great outdoors!

Favorite Song of the Moment

Right now I really love the song, Multiplied by NEEDTOBREATHE.
It's off of their latest album, Rivers in the Wasteland.
Their whole album is really great, it's all I've been listening to lately!
So, without further ado I give you...Multiplied!

                                           "Your love is, like radiant diamonds-
                                             Bursting inside us, we cannot contain
                                             Your love will surely come find us,
                                              Like blazing wildfires, singing Your name."

Reading, reading

A good place to read, you ask?
Why, a tree of course!

Where shall I start? (...probably with the first book...but alas, second it is!)

Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry, is the second book in The Giver, quartet.
This story revolves around Kira, and her struggles. She is young, orphaned, and physically flawed.
She lives in a village that is harsh and merciless, especially to those who are weak and inferior.
Some villagers are not happy that she is living there.
Without her mother to protect her, they threaten cast her out, or even kill her.
But when Kira insists that the woman who started the uproar take her case to the Council of Guardians, she is in for a surprise.
The Council has greater plans for Kira, than just letting her live peacefully in her village.
Kira has an amazing gift for stitching, and the Council intends to have her restore, and continue the beautiful
embroidery that decorates the Singer's robe. (An important heirloom that has been around for ages, that tells the story of the world.)
So with this great honor and challenge ahead of her she sets out to become the next weaver who will tell the story of the world that is to come.
In addition to her important job as weaver, she also endeavors make changes in her village and rid them of their harsh ways.

This story will help you realize what's important in life; and will remind you, not to take the little things for granted.

Crochet Coasters!

What you'll need,

-yarn (cotton works best)
-crochet hook size G or H
-stitch marker or safety pin (you can also use a paperclip)

Make a slipknot, then chain 2

In the second chain (or first chain you made) , make 6 double crochets in the same stitch.

Make 2 double crochets in each stitch. You should have 12 stitches.
Make a single crochet, then insert the stitch marker.

In every other stitch make 2 double crochets. You should have 18 stitches.
After each row move the stitch marker to the last row you completed.
On each new row, you should skip one more stitch than the last one.
So, 3 single crochets, then 2 double crochets (in a single stitch)
Then, 4 single crochets, 2 double crochets (in a single stitch)
and so on, until you have reached your desired size.

Fasten off and trim ends, then voila! You have your very own, handmade coaster!

P.S. The sizes may vary some...I have yet to make two identical coasters!

Reading, reading

Hello, all!
I thought I'd share with you, what book I am reading right now.
I began The Chronicles of Narnia, last month and I have really been enjoying the series.
The fifth book, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, is my favorite so far.

Even though I still have two books left, I would definitely say that this series is one of my all time favorites!
I've seen the movies, heard the tapes and loved them all, and now that I have finally read the books
I love and appreciate them all the more! C.S. Lewis has put so much into these wonderful stories, humor, adventure, mystery, suspense and much more. They inspire me to write more, and to write better, and create a story that would last, and be meaningful, just like he did.

So, if you're looking for a good story I would recommend, The Chronicles of Narnia.