“To be astonished is one of the surest ways of not growing old too quickly.” – Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette
Category: favorite things
Hometown Tourism
“Old friends are memories personified.” — Richard Paul Evans My second big adventure of October was with my oldest and dearest friend, right here in my home town. Is there a bigger hug in the world than spending time with someone you can just be your authentic self with in the place that you call…
Three in one
“Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit and resign yourself to the influence of the earth. – Henry David Thoreau Oh, how I have loved running this fall. Even at night. But today’s run around Forest Park was a dabble in three seasons: Summer’s flowers. Fall’s…
It Was Always About You
“You’re going to realize it one day — that happiness was never about your job, or your degree, or being in a relationship. Happiness was never about following in the footsteps of all of those who came before you, it was never about being like the others. One day, you’re going to see it —…
Every day
“Every day I discover more and more beautiful things. It’s enough to drive one mad. I have such a desire to do everything. My head is bursting with it.” – Claude Monet
Running with the Redbirds
“Unless you give it all you’ve got, there isn’t any sense in playing.” – Stan Musial Today I got to run in a really special event — the Cardinals Care 6k. (“6” was the legendary Stan Musial’s number. Our 6k started at #6’s statue.) There’s only one word to describe this race: amazing. Hugs from…
Japanese Festival
“Friends are flowers in life’s garden.” Today I got to visit my favorite Garden with some of my favorite friends for the Japanese Festival! While it was a little hot and sticky, we got to see some unique people and celebrate another culture. Of course the Japanese Garden was on the agenda. But today was…
Filled
“Spend the day appreciating every little thing that comes your way, and you’ll end the day feeling deeply grateful for your life.” The other day I posted an exercise from Bella Grace, my favorite magazine. Today I’m following it up with another. This exercise poses the question: What are some of the things that may…
15 Things to Savor
“Don’t slide though life. Savor it. Slow down, be kind, pay attention. Because this isn’t going to happen again.” – Carrie Fisher I subscribe to a magazine called “Bella Grace” and it’s one of my favorite indulgences in the world. It’s like a deep, relaxing breath of fresh air, offering exercises and activities focused on…
Morning in the Garden
“No two gardens are the same, no two days are the same in one garden.” – Hugh Johnson Saturday morning in the Botanical Garden. One of countless visits to my favorite place and I’m still finding places that are new.
Search for Street Art: Bushwick Collective
In addition to the events that required tickets, we had one other priority for our trip to New York: street art. New York seems to be a hub for some of the most vibrant and creative street art in the world — especially the Bushwick Collective in Brooklyn. It’s an extraordinary open-air gallery that first…
Search for Street Art: Phoebe New York
In our search for New York street art, I set out to find as many Phoebe New York pieces as I could. I was not disappointed. And I love her. Here are just a few.
Small Stuff
“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in our hearts.” – Winnie the Pooh For me, the smallest things include: nature’s love notes… …fresh flowers… …and really gorgeous light. Not to mention sugar cookies, the tears that flow every single time I hear Whitney Houston’s performance of the national anthem, air conditioning, Peanuts…
Sunday Blessing
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use the gifts that you have received and pass on the greatest of these gifts — the love that has been given to you. May you be…
When I Grow Up
“We are constantly invited to be who we are.” – Henry David Thoreau This week I bumped into a woman at work whom I haven’t seen in several years. She is exactly as I remembered her: strong, elegant, dignified, confident, impeccable. I’ve always admired her. More accurately, I’ve always been awed by her. Everything about her…
Unique Joy
“By being yourself, you put something beautiful into the world that was not there before.” – Edwin Elliott I spotted this quirky tulip during an evening run last week. More than that, it stopped me in my tracks. I marveled at this proud little thing standing where it really didn’t belong. Clearly it was oblivious…
Believe
“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” – Audrey Hepburn Our local Botanical Garden has so much belief. And I will never stop returning for their tomorrows.
Best Medicine
“Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine to the soul.” – Luther Burbank, botanist
Moments of Happiness
“I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness — it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.” – Brene Brown, researcher The first flowers of the season… A smile in a tree stump… A smile caught in a window box in the rain… And a heart in a…
Top O’ the Run to Ya
St. Louis isn’t perfect by any stretch, but we sure know how to do St. Patrick’s Day. We are ALL Irish on St. Patrick’s Day around here. Yesterday I did our annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade Run. It was *awesome*. If you follow this blog, you’ve probably noticed I haven’t been posting much lately. It’s…
40 Ways to Give More Life
“In every encounter we either give life or we drain it; there is no neutral exchange.” – Brennan Manning I saw this article from Becoming Minimalist (link here) on facebook and absolutely loved it. These are little things, such small gestures, but imagine what would happen if we incorporated each of these into our interactions with others? The…
It’s Been Awhile
“Enjoy the little things in life for one day you’ll look back and realize they were the big things.” – Kurt Vonnegut So I’ve been on a little blog walkabout for the last month or so. The absence has not been intentional; time has just gotten away from me. But the days have not been…
Commercial-free and Everyone Wins
Last weekend might have been Super Bowl Sunday, but it also marked the beginning of the Botanical Garden’s annual Orchid Show — which is my Super Bowl. Overall, orchids are thought to symbolize love, beauty, fertility, refinement, thoughtfulness and charm. But meaning can also be found in individual colors. Orange: Enthusiasm, boldness, and pride Purple:…
Don’t Mind If I Do
I mean, even my yogurt insists that I do it. (With or without yoplait’s permission) I always, always keep at least one fresh bouquet of flowers somewhere in the house. Few things bring me so much joy for so little.
hey there, friends 