Purposefully choosing to ~
Enter into each new day with eyes wide open and heart fully expectant.
Focus on the little things that normally would escape notice.
Capture the delightful, the winsome, the joyful, the amazing.
Claim gratitude in the random discoveries of 'whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy' {Philippians 4:8}.
Keep it simple, short, and sweet. Because life is already complicated enough. And I have no idea what's around the next corner.
a wooden fisherman gazes
patiently atop a harborside roof ...
but the boat is the real deal
we shared a mini chocolate-caramel cake
on Valentine's Day & didn't care that
the napkins were adorned with carrots
there's nothing more winsomely majestic
than a lighthouse keeping watch
in a windswept snowstorm
absolutely yes ... scoop up a bouquet of
bright pastel flowers from the supermarket
especially when they're only $4.67
those sad windows & sagging rooftop
caught my eye ... I happily hear that the
house will soon be returned to its former glory
a shared brunch with friends ...
what a deliciously glorious way to celebrate
the blessings of Sabbath worship & rest
as it encased the boulders at
the edge of the bay
'how do we explain that when you stop at a
diner that has a bunch of ads on the placemat
that we don't kiss the people on the ads?'
my heart beats a bit faster when I spy
abandoned houses adorned with
rusty old hardware & chippy paint
favorite hymn ... she painted a sweet
little bookcase that sits fireside by her chair
for worldwide missions creatively designed
a global pizza ... really!
Have you caught a random glimpse or two of God's bountiful blessings in recent days?
Do tell ...
Linda
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Loved the pictures Linda. The boat one made me chuckle. Sort of like Gilligan's boat...going nowhere. The picture of the cake and napkins gives now meaning to carrot cake (which I am not fond of). And that pizza? Ingenious. Love her creativity. Hope it is never doused.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with 'hope it is never doused.'
DeleteThanks, Bill!
Oh, these photos certainly made me smile, Linda! Love the global pizza and the little one kissing the ad. Lol! Thanks for spreading cheer and laughter, my friend.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
I'm glad you found some smiles here today, friend! Some days they seem to be in short supply, ya' know?
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This is delightful! I may borrow this idea. That snowy lighthouse - love! I know it shows harsh weather that I wouldn't want to be in but the photo also speaks of safety. And the little one kissing the menu? Sheer joy!
ReplyDeleteThanks for telling me there's a bit of delight and joy here today, Debby! Such encouraging words!
DeleteThe mockingbird did not take wing,
ReplyDeletelooked at me hard and long,
and then he began to sing
a cool Van Halen song,
one I know, of course, by heart,
I play it day and night;
my avian pal knew every part
and hit the notes just right.
I wonder why the God of glory
designed this songster-friend?
Where does he fit Creation's story,
is he means to unknown end,
or does his song confirm the rumour
that Our Lord has a sense of humour?
Well, I do believe that God has a sense of humor! Where else would we have gotten it from?
DeleteLet's keep finding laughter each day ...
I am fascinated by the color, lengths and varied design in ice cycles. The winter sunset and sunrises mesmerize me with their dimension of colors. I giggle at the frolics of the sparrows outside my office window ravaging the seed in the bird feeder. The fog freezing on each branch of bare trees. God is all around us when we intentionally take the time to see and behold his beauty!
ReplyDeleteAh, Jean ... you've painted some beautiful word pictures this afternoon ... truly a sign of a creative writer!
DeleteLoved your photos, they always make me smile....thank you for your keen and sensitive eye to things around you.
ReplyDelete- via text -
You're an ongoing fount of encouragement, friend ...
DeleteMay our hearts and minds, eyes and ears always be keen and sensitive to what God is inviting us to.
I laugh when my dog submerges his long nose in the snow and comes up with nostrils full of white, chilly flakes. I Chuckle when my 10 yr old neighbor pops outside to pee his dogs with his flip flops are in dead winter. Oh to be young and indestructible.
ReplyDeleteWho is the menu smoocher? What a hoot. Love the rocks coated with winter wet. It looked like powdered sugar to me
I can picture your snowy scene back in the Hudson Valley. Makes me smile.
DeleteLittle menu smoocher is none other than my sister's grandson. What a panic he is! And don't you love that hair!
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Global pizza! Lovely!
ReplyDeleteI was taken aback when her mom texted the picture! I can't even make a regular shaped pizza well ...
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So many wonderful images, Linda. My favorite is your granddaughter’s world pizza! Wishing you a wonderful week.
ReplyDeleteShe'll be so happy to see it's a big hit here!
DeleteYum.
All your purposeful choices are quite amazing by themselves, but added together, what a wonderful way to live! I could focus on one for each day of the week, rinse and repeat, week after week. So glad you shared at our linkup.
ReplyDeleteAnd that chocolate-caramel cake--oh my! I want some right now. :) And your granddaughter's global pizza. She's amazing. What's been blessing us in Alabama this week is several inches of snow! It didn't stick around long of course, but it was enough for several snowmen to pop up around the neighborhood. :) Today was back up to 57 degrees though, which was very nice too.
'I could focus on one for each day of the week, rinse and repeat, week after week.'
DeleteThat's cute ... and encouraging, too! Thank you for keeping us on the right track as we move ahead through the doors God is opening for us this year, Lisa. I so appreciate you paving the way in my life again ...
Linda, so beautifully spoken, such a blessed post. Thank you for sharing your photos. My favorite is of the lighthouse, Just stunning. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteVisiting from FMF#6
Thanks, Paula ... yep, that lighthouse captured my heart ... and is probably the shot that most spoke to me this month.
DeleteI'm glad you're here!
Linda ... that Valentine’s cake—yes, please. (Love the napkins too!) So much to smile at and be warmed by here. One of my favorite conversations recently was when my 16-year-old daughter told me she had to be done with her homework by 1 so she could watch the Perseverance rover land on Mars. Kinda restores my faith in future generations just a bit ... you know what I mean? :-)
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love the women our girls are becoming?! I share your awe and gratitude. I wasn't even anywhere near where my own granddaughters are when I was their age. God is so good!
DeleteLOVE these photos, but THE LIGHTHOUSE!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, My Friend!
Yeah, for sure, Lulu. Probably my favorite shot in 2021. There's nothing like falling snow to make everything magical and dreamy ... unless you have to drive somewhere!
DeleteEvery photo a delight for the eyes and heart, Linda. Especially appreciated the pastel flowers for only $4.67! You've inspired me to keep my eyes open for bargain bouquets myself--especially since I love both--flowers and bargains! My "random glimpse of God's bountiful blessings" occurred several days ago. Two neighbor-dogs were playing in the snow--running, jumping, and wrestling--having the best time. They made me laugh!
ReplyDeleteflowers + bargains = sheer bliss!
DeleteAnd there's nothing like animals' antics to crack us up ... and keep us young! Just ask Carol, 7 comments back!
All such wonderful glimpses of an inspired life through your snap shots, Linda! From delicacies such as caramel chocolate cake to an abandoned crumbling home. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteIt's kind of amazing what catches our eye, isn't it, Lynn. Do you find that when you have your camera in hand?
DeleteAbsolutely love the lighthouse picture - would be a great gift in a rustic frame! Also the adorable little boy kissing the ad steals my heart!!
ReplyDeleteOf course he does!!
DeleteThat was your hair color at his age ...
Weren't those the days.
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This post and pictures were serendipity. Loved reading the test and seeing the pictures. The global pizza - so cute. Keep capturing these moments and sharing them with us.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you caught the serendipity, Theresa! I'm sure some people think my choices are rather odd ...
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These beautiful photos inspire me to take my camera out on my next walk. Thank you for sharing the wonders that surround you.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to hear what catches your eye, Kathreen! You just never know what's going to come into view ...
DeleteHow fun! I especially loved the global pizza and the boat on a roof. How sweet that the little girl (your granddaughter?) wanted to kiss people on the placemat.
ReplyDeleteIsn't he a cutie? My sister's grandson!
DeleteHe's got his granny's hair {at least when she was that age ...}
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I love the idea of snapshots. A snapshot here and there would surely help me focus on what is beautiful, special, rare, and important to notice. I experience a Hppy moment of serendipity whenever I stop by here, Linda. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSeeing you here makes my day, Barbara! I've missed your beautiful, soothing writing, your moving photos, your quiet presence.
DeleteI hope all is well, friend ...
I admired your discoveries of delight in the unexpected when your post came out, Linda, but I'm finally getting back to it. We certainly need to focus on those little things that we wouldn't usually notice. God's daily grace moments. Your sister's grandson kissing the ad really makes me smile as does your granddaughter's creation and mission-like heart. Love and blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteI hope you've felt God's grace wash over you this week, Trudy ...
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