Simple pleasures

I’ve always found it interesting how much comfort can be found in feeling grateful for simple things.

Today I’m thankful for the gift of fresh fruit, oranges to be exact.

sliced oranges

They looked so beautiful with juicy sections glistening in the sunlight.  I love the many shades of color.  Things like this seem so simple, but when you really look at them you realize what a composition they are in themselves.

orange slice

They tasted as sweet as they looked.  Mmm.  Not many things better than a sweet, juicy orange in the winter.

What simple thing are you thankful for today?

A Different White

Yesterday the weather was so warm that my children played outside all afternoon, then treated themselves to homemade snow cones.  I was able to begin painting a couple of things that I’m excited to finish.

The painting, however, will have to wait.

Today I’m sitting curled up on the couch in my husband’s favorite fleece blanket.  It has been raining and snowing all day, and our world is slowly turning white.  The temperatures have dropped significantly, and just looking outside makes me cold.

Although I know the precipitation is a blessing, I admit I prefer a different kind of white:


Remember my ranunculus from a couple of weeks ago?


They stayed fresh and gorgeous for over two weeks!   They simply continued opening up, wider and wider and bigger and fuller.  I am in awe of each perfect petal.


Now a couple of them are in my flower press, sure to bring a bit more happiness soon!

flower press

Upon opening the press (an old yard sale find) I discovered some forgotten wildflowers, evidence of a summer’s day gift from my little girls.  The sight made me long for the carefree days of summer vacation.


For now, we’ll keep waiting while we watch the snowflakes fall…

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