Celebrating The Small Things

Celebrations are often thought of as grand occasions but this month Spiritual Journey Thursday is writing about the celebration of small things. What if I start looking at small everyday accomplishments as building blocks to something larger? As Mother Teresa says, "Be faithful in small things because in them that your strength lies."  

While healing from cataract surgery, I try to accomplish one small thing. This past week, I gardened to beautify the beds. We purchased a cascading water fountain that added an ornamental touch and a pleasant zen-like trickling sound. 

Nature calls me to slow down and go with the flow like my gardens do daily. I need to listen and just take small steps to accomplish larger goals; meditate to find peace. As Rachel Carson says, 'Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts."

I imagine my Virginia garden to be a place for rest and meditation like the one in my Long Island home. If there is a sign to be made for my garden, it should read "Nature is the art of God." (Dante Alighieri)

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• Tomorrow, I shall share the beauty of God's blossoms with my toddler granddaughters.
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  I celebrate my time with my sweet little grandgirls.

I celebrate grandma & grandpa sitting tomorrow.

I even celebrate the challenges of feeling overwhelmed

that will be erased by the girls' smiles.

There is much to do each day

but 

there must be time to celebrate the little things. 

Don't you agree?

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Thank you to Ramona Behnke, Washington poet friend, the host of Spiritual Journey Thursday for our topic. She shares a splendid photo gallery of her recent celebrations at her blog, Pleasures from the Page.

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I celebrate poetry with the host of Poetry Friday, children author Buffy Silverman. I thank her for  for her beautiful nature photography and poetry at her website link, that you can visit here.

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Poetry is the rhythmical creation of beauty in words.

-Edgar Allan Poe

I am in the midst of slowly designing my Poetryliscious Global Gallery of Artistic Expressions but you can see the recent additions from Alaska, Kashmir, Estonia, and poets from across the United States at the Poetryliscious Gallery Padlet here.

Celebrating Granbaby's 1st Christmas

There is something magical about the holiday season and this year was no exception. It was filled with a whirlwind of joyful celebrations focusing around my granbaby's first Christmas. How fortunate I felt to celebrate with Sierra Kathryn and both sides of her family at her home in Virginia. While she was too little to understand the significance of Christmas, it was delightful watching her smile her way through all the happenings and be part of many photo shoots. 

Now, after a weeklong stay in Virginia and a day of cleanup after my New Year's Eve party, I have time to quietly recall 2017's joyful Christmas visit. It was indeed a week to remember and so I record the blessed celebrations in photos taken with my iPhone.

Creating the following digital photo journal reminds me of when my children were little. Photo albums were filled with still photos from my 35 ml camera and processed at the local camera shop.  

CHRISTMAS 2017

C hristmas Card 

H artnett house lit up for Santa's arrival

p R e-Christmas fun

We were in awe of the outdoor decorations of this house in Reston.

People gathered to see the spectacular 2017 Festival of Lights at Morman Tabernacle in Maryland.

We were inspired by the United States Botanical Garden Exhibit of structures made from plant materials.

We enjoyed walking around the White House Outdoor Christmas Tree and then to the Capitol Building's tree.

Santa Team pajamas and hats were a hit on Christmas Eve!

Chr I stmas Day

My children posed in front of the beautiful Nativity Creche at St. John Neumann Church in Reston.

My sister and I enjoyed visiting the creche after Christmas Mass.

Grandpa and Sierra Kathryn relaxed after Mass.

Uncle Derek had so much fun with his goddaughter.

S ierra enjoyed gifts from Santa. 

Chris T mas dinner was luscious.

M ommy and baby had some cuddle time.

Gr A ndma Time was special.

S ierra surprised everyone with sitting up on her own.

A video of this milestone happening can be accessed here.

Joyful memories were made during the Christmas 2017 week. Now that I had time to collect the best photos, I can look back upon them while being away from my sweet little granbaby. 

I hope that your memories were as wonderful as mine and that your family time was filled with joy. Happy New Year to the all! 

I send warm greetings for 2018 to the following writing communities: #sol18 at Two Writing Teachers and

Celebrate This Week with Ruth Ayres.

Weeklong Celebrations

Seeing is a gift that comes with practice.

-Stephanie Mills

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This week, I practiced the art of noticing and wondering.

I choose seeing

life with new eyes. It is

rewarding, a 

priceless gift

to self that

brings joy. It comes

from a desire to be one with

life and takes time to practice.

©CV, 2017

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Take a visual walk with me through my week. Personal and professional joyful connections were made.

 

What events brought joy to your week?

I join Ruth Ayres to Celebrate This Week! Ruth had a joyous week. Stenhouse Publishers hosted a FaceBook Live event with Ruth. Although I could not connect that night, Stenhouse sent out the link for all to watch the presentation. You can watch it here. 

Spring Celebrates Life

Spring is when life's alive in everything.

-Christina Rossetti

Whether the rains fall in torrential waves, there is a chill in the air, or the sun shines brightly, spring sends out messages of love and renewal. Recently on Long Island, there have been many looks to springtime, all leading me to celebrate springtime.

Last weekend there was a twelve hour span of beautiful sunshine for our Shower of Love-a celebration of life growing!

 

This glorious day was followed by cleansing rains throughout the week that brought more life to my gardens. Hofstras and herbs popped in their garden beds. The peonies are ready to burst open and the front planters of colorful flowers are looking regal.

Springtime honors life in its many forms. At the end of this week, I look back on life through a positive lens. There were several springtime celebrations, a baby shower, spring rain showers, a fundraiser for beautiful, handmade African jewelry and accessories, a professional learning opportunity, an art gala, and time to spend with family and friends. 

  

 

Balance and tranquility flowed, as it should when you look at life with a positive outlook. 

May you find positivity this coming week in all that you do and celebrate the wonder of life in springtime!

I am "Celebrating This Week" with Ruth Ayres so please visit Ruth's site to read how the community of bloggers celebrated their week.