A Beautiful Year

As most of us do, I enjoy beauty. Whether it takes the form of something tangible like a child's smile or a husband's reassuring touch, or something else, like a feeling of serenity or joy, the need for beautiful things everyday is real.

For me, I've found lately that flowers stir something within me and I have taken to photographing them. Above, the photo is of Jackie taking a moment to savor the fragrance from one of Grandma Hammer's daffodils early last spring. The following collage is of flowers from throughout the year. I think they are beautiful and I hope you enjoy them too!

Autumn Sunflowers

Red & Purple Salvia

Daylily after the rain

Tiger lily from above

Pink tea rose

Canna lily

Double Daylily

My Favorite Season!

Ah! You know the feeling you get when, not even realizing you were tense, you relax your shoulders and immediately feel better? That's the feeling I get when Autumn is here. The hot summer, with it's insistance that you dress in next to nothing, is gone. Cool days and getting to wear the sweaters and hoodies again and nice, crisp nights that make kids and husbands (maybe) want to cuddle just a little closer. The cat brings her soft fur close to my head at night when I am nestled on my pillow and I can hear her mesmerizing purr. These are the best times! The very best times, though, are the kiddos in the leaves! It's so fun to watch Gabe rake perfect piles, Jackie come along and spead them out again and Will just sits there, amazed at the umber leaves because this is his first autumn!

Enjoy your autumn--the holidays will invade soon enough!

Will in the leaves

All the kiddos together

Will getting doggy kisses from Abby