Can You Believe It?!

Since I got such a late start as a parent and having taken 27 years to get my BS I can hardly believe that my children are so "on track" with their education! I couldn't be more proud and impressed with their tenacity. This shot of them was from a very long time ago but the picture was set in the center of the candy we used during our cake competition this past Thanksgiving! They still actually hold those same expressions much of the time, today!

Yesterday, after a very grueling presentation my amazing daughter put forth her "Portfolio" and argued it's relevance! It sounds as though the panel she presented to were very tough and a bit challenged by her premise. According to her employer who had been asked to sit on the panel for this year's round of graduate students, said that my daughter [the one rolling her eyes] was "brilliant" and did very well; didn't buckle under the pressure of the panel's daunting questions. So, in a few weeks, she will be a graduate with an MLIS, a Masters in Library Information ???? with an opportunity to make more money and support me in the style which I would love to become accustomed to!

My son will be completing his BA or BS this Fall with a major in Business and a minor in Criminal something............justice or criminology????? and will be a "three time winner; a small business, a college graduate, and a licensed real estate agent!"

I always knew my kids were cute and funny, loving life and laughing out loud............but who knew they were so dang smart?!!! Where'd they get that?

Man..........at their ages I was working in a bar schmoozing with local bankers to increase my tips on Friday lunches! I had little to no 'grown-up' direction [had some fun] but knew that one day I would have to make a turn somewhere.............but where?

So allow this momma to brag just a wee bit today and maybe this Fall:) Congratulations to my amazing children. I love you and I am proud of you!! Maybe they adopted me!?

Progress and Beauty................

PROGRESS:
1. Dolls in progress and I am energized by them; incorporating some new twists.............no surprise there..........right? That's how "I roll". Always something new to make my life interesting and exciting.

2. Lightening the load.................almost every closet and drawer has now been gone over with a discerning eye; what do I need, what do I love, what will I use in the next year! Wow........trip after trip to the second-hand store; most intentional donations..........a few not intentional-but you know there must be some very happy warm person who now dons my heavy winter coat saying thank you! I have to say that my children were instrumental in helping me to see that it is time to clean out and trim down "things". They remind me to be my best self I need to give away what I don't need.

3. Creative endeavors are increasing. Public Do's are a good way for me to use my creative energies. Allowing my creative ideas to be shared in hopes of becoming a better problem solver myself and sharing that along the way. I believe it is also a way to allow mistakes to happen and the practice of not sweating over it! Live it wear it share it!!!

BEAUTY:

It's everywhere! I just have to allow myself to relax enough to see it...........that's easier some days than others but that too, is a work in progress. Right outside my back door, the icicles are forming as the warmth of the day hits the snow everywhere! Beauty IS everywhere if I take a moment to look up.
Two very different shots.................both, in my mind..............beautiful! Taken within minutes of each other, same day!

I hope that you enjoy them too. Off to create beauty my way...........................isn't that a song?

The Fog Lifted !

Good Morning!
The frost was so thick early this morning that I could barely see the Aging Venus or the trees. In fact, it was thick and very foggy..............when the fog "burned off"as they say in the Valley, this is what I found! I wanted to share it with you. Today, is an inside day, a creative day. I hope that you have that too.
Enjoy,
EC

Just So You Know,

This coming week I expect to update intentionalbeauty.etsy.com It has been a long time coming, I know but I am in process with new material. So, please be patient and check in late next week.

I have had so much fun on vacation it has been difficult to get back to work...............I can't remember when I last took a vacation. It was great fun!

Thanks,
EC

Before Evening.......................

After seeing the picture in the post and seeing the responses I went back in to "auto-correct" the shot so that you could all see what it looked like during the day............not when the sun was setting. To the right is what we lived yesterday. I
think my home looks like a boat on the open sea.



Take a look at the road on the approach to the house [just north].......................looks a little bleak. Bet you're happy you are not here! It's cold! It's hard to see how beautiful this place really is in a storm like this. And tonight..........there is a full moon!
See Ya,
EC

IT'S WINTER!

Get a load of this........It is still winter and we can prove it! This was yesterday evening as I returned home from taking my neighbors home from school and having a visit. It snowed ALL day long; a simple steady soft snow. This sky looks dark because it was evening but all day it was like a white-out! The best thing was that it was so gentle and lovely with no wind to speak of and the constant falling of snow was easy to be in.

Anyway,,,,,,,, as you can see we still have winter in the San Luis Valley and we love it! We just returned from a long vacation in Phoenix and Los Angeles! Phoenix was sunny and warm and LA was chilly and rainy but not as cold as here! It is great to have time to vacation but it is good to be getting back to a routine.............never thought I would say that but it is true! Work is good.............

So to all of you who check in...........have a great week and enjoy this time of year. You never really know, at least here in the Valley, if the snow will fly or the sun will shine!

Have some fun!
EC

New Year's Eve Wish

It's January 2010 TOMORROW!

Wishing all of you a happy and healthy New Year! Celebrate safely, put out good energy, laugh with your friends, and plot a good steady course for 2010!


Wishes do come true; a great partner, wonderful children, great place to live, decent health, water! It's true. Wishing the same for all of you!

Love,
Ell