Winter Berries

I love winter. The crisp, cold chill in the air, sweaters, scarves, pounds of quilts and pillows on my bed. It is here in London. I walk by this tree everyday and today I saw these berries everywhere. I loved it. The red and green foliage against the clear blue sky looked so fresh. I am headed home for an unexpected visit with family. My next post will be up later than normal due to the fact that I am crossing an ocean and some time zones (I am sure I will throw in an extra pic for you also). Please say a prayer for safe travel and for some sweet moments of sharing together.

Melodies

Those of you who know me, know I love music. My iPod is always within reach. I am still holding out hope that iTunes will ask me for my Celebrity Playlist...hehehe. Music is such an important part of my life (despite the fact that I can't hold a note or play an instrument...other than a good air guitar). I celebrate and reflect with it. I worship to it. I tell stories with it. I can pinpoint parts of my life based on a tune I hear. Music takes me to a place that I can hardly describe. One of my favorite things to do is play music to photographs. It evokes all sorts of feelings. This is my husbands guitar. I got it for him so that he would play for me (OK, and others too...he likes to play)....and he does play for me. I am such a groupie...his biggest fan.

Oh and FYI, regarding yesterdays post...today was a beautiful day here!

Dusk

I have posted 51 pictures...2 of those have been of rainy days here in London. Yes, there is a lot of rain...and because we see so much rain, on a clear day, the blue sky seems more blue, the white clouds seem more billowy. The most beautiful sunrises and sunsets that I have ever seen have been here. Unfortunately, I think it is because I am finally paying enough attention to watch them. That is one for me to ponder. This is the sunset tonight from our back porch...absolutely stunning. My great uncle used to say that when the sunset was pink that the next day it would be beautiful...I will let you know.

Peek-A-Boo

I spent the day with some friends and enjoyed a competitive game of peek-a-boo. Mira (aka babySkylark) won...hands down. I really have gotten rusty at that game! Isn't she a cutie?

Grace Like Rain

That is the name of one of my favorite songs (performed by Todd Agnew, download it from iTunes if you get a chance). The song paints such a beautiful picture of redemption. Sins washed away. A new beginning in Christ. It is ours for the taking...we just need to surrender and believe. Like the Prodigal Son story in Luke (15: 11-32), I have needed a lot of grace in my life and I hope it has helped me to be able to give it to others more freely. It's not the easiest thing to give. It can make you vulnerable to pain and disappointment. But the feeling is like no other...it restores my soul spiritually just offering it. It is a reflection of love. I took this picture after my friend Josephine prayed with me today...thanks to my friends and family, for always showing me grace...(over and over and over...)

grace. noun. mercy; a manifestation of favor; kindness.

Piles of Busy Work

What is so funny about these piles of folded laundry? There are 5 piles behind the ones you see in the picture. Yes, I am cringing too! I am no domestic goddess...that is for sure. Every woman has her preferences for laundry. I don't mind washing it, I LOVE folding it (it is pretty therapuetic)...but it takes me DAYS (and days) to put it away. I really dont like that part. Unfortunately, these piles will be here tomorrow...I am in no mood to be caught up on my laundry.

November Sunset

Here we are November 1st. I can hardly believe it. Our time here in London seems to be flying by at warp speed. Today was quite a long day emotionally, so I am hoping to get some rest tonight. This should help. I took this picture out of the top floor window in our home. And don't you love those chimneys? The sunset was beautiful and soothing for my restless heart. It feels a bit lonely around here tonight. The sky got prettier than this but I opted to savor those moments for myself without my camera. I am in awe that the Lord gives us such amazing, vibrant things to gaze upon...AND it is free. How special that makes me feel that my Father loves me so! I am starting to feel better already.

The Force

Meet my two Jedis...Master Sam (Obi-Wan Kenobi) and Master Jack (Anakin Skywalker). There is a lot I could have written about today with my family leaving. Instead, I chose something completely different because we are having such a good time together tonight. There isn't much trick-or-treating here so we opted for a family night with movies, popcorn, candy and pizza. I wanted to make sure the boys could wear their costumes (which they have been wearing for two weeks straight). It was also a chance to show you that our boys have been schooled in the Jedi ways from a young age, as was their father before them. Happy Harvest Day!

Treasured Moments

Today was difficult. A day of denial. I have cried three times. I am positive that tomorrow will be worse as I say goodbye to my dad, mom and my great Aunt Jane. At 12:40 pm our time here, they will board their plane headed 4000 miles away to North Carolina. I will come clean and tell you that I did not take one picture today. As I sit here, I know that fact makes it "almost" impossible for me to have a Photo of the Day today (but between you and me...I never really liked rules...). I decided to post a picture that gave me some joy. I took this of my mother while we were in Paris. I caught her laughing and she didn't see my camera until I had already snapped it. And I think she looks happy and beautiful...I love it. I long for her to see herself the way I see her. This time has been so sweet and I am so grateful for it. Together, we have seen so many things, shared a lot of laughs and reconnected on so many levels. They will be missed dearly. I know that many of you are praying for my peace of mind as my family leaves and I appreciate it...

Garden Nights

We had another day in the city today that lasted into the evening. Our day ended in Covent Garden. It is really one of the coolest areas of the city. There are street performers ready for tips, musicians hoping to make it big and smells of hot Belgian waffles cooking. You can spend hours and hours here in the indoor and outdoor market halls. The stalls are full of handmade gifts, clothes and food and just about anything else you could want to find...it is all here. I took this picture as I was leaving. I looked down to the lower level and there were patrons crowded around listening to an acoustic group of musicians. I liked the lighting, the mood, the colors. It is just the perfect place to hang out.

Halls of the Abbey

When I have gone to Westminster Abbey before, I have never been by myself in a room there. Today was the day. This place is packed all the time with tourists from all over the world! I could not believe that when I looked up...I was sitting alone looking down an empty hallway...so I snapped this as fast as I could. The iron in the windows looks out into a courtyard area that is surrounded by the abbey. It is breathtaking. The Abbey has been here since 1045 and is the resting place for Kings, Queens, writers, painters and many, many others. Princess Diana's funeral service was held here although she is buried at her family estate in Althorpe. This is also the site where Elizabeth was crowned Queen of England in 1953 at the age of 27. SO MUCH HISTORY! This picture seemed very nostalgic to me. Hope you like it.

To read more go to www.westminster-abbey.org/

Window into the Past

Windsor, the Queen's "other" official residence was built during the time of William the Conqueror. It used to be considered the "country home" of the royals and they would come here when they needed to get out of the city and relax away from Buckingham Palace. The drive is just a short hour from our home. The castle is magnificent with its beautiful buildings, lavish furnishings and the meticulously kept grounds. It isnt hard to imagine the lure of this place over the last 900 hundred years. Along with St. George's Chapel, which is on the grounds...it took about three hours to tour inside and out. This is a snapshot of one of the hundreds of windows there.

Enter the web address below to see more info on Windsor Castle...
www.royal.gov.uk/output/page557.asp

Colorful Neighbors

There is something about walking up and down old streets...today we spent part of the day in Notting Hill, which is in the west area of central London about 8 miles from our home. We poked around in antique shops along Portabello Road (you must come here if you visit London). Then we enjoyed the ever-so-sweet cupcakes at the delightful Hummingbird Bakery...the red velvet ones are my favorite! FYI for all you expats...they sell MOTTS applesauce, Libby's packed pumpkin and JIF peanut butter (crunchy and creamy)...at a price! I got this picture as we were exploring today. I love the ecclectic atmosphere on the street, the vivid colors of all the shops and homes and the smells from the different foods that are cooking. Another memorable day here...

Drops of Rain

Rainy days and London are synonymous with eachother. Today was no different...it has rained ALL day (and is still raining as I write this). I snapped this pic looking out the glass window of our conservatory tonight. The light is not the glow of a peaceful sunset, or my flash...it is the reflection of the light fixture behind me on the wall. Just liked the way it all looked together.

Tour de London

Today was a day of sightseeing. We are on quite the schedule trying to fit in so many "must-see" things. I took this pic while on the top of the double decker going under the Tower Bridge. I really liked how it turned out. If any of you have ever seen this bridge, it is painted really cool. There is Carolina blue (is there any other shade of blue?), red and white along with the classic architecture...it is quite the sight to see. You see this, you feel like you are here in London. It was gray and rainy when we started this tour and by the time we got to this bridge the clouds were breaking and the blue skies were peeking through. It turned out to be an ideal day for exploring the city.

My Grocery Day

Another Monday, another grocery day. Life in the fastlane! Grocery time is my time. I wander the aisles...take time to myself. Sad, huh? Welcome to motherhood and all that comes with it. Grocery shopping is now the same as "time for myself"...when did that happen? Today my mother went on her first grocery trip in the UK. I have to add that I drove us there which was an experience...for her! I got this picture so it is proof that we got there in one piece. I have always wanted to take a picture of these carts (or trolleys, as the Brits call them here) all lined up...my eyes goes right to these everytime I go in the store. My mom was fascinated with the fact that the carts move in all different directions because all the wheels turn...

Our Favorite Import

This probably looks like an aisle in your neighborhood grocery store...but NO...it is our pantry shelf here in England, after being restocked by my parents through stuffing their luggage...hehehe. I think there were 18 boxes at last count. Kraft Mac and Cheese is our number one import from the US (with Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies a close second). I just know that we, along with the other American families here are single-handedly keeping Kraft in business. Isn't this just what every American kid must endure at some point? I know I did and so have my kids. I just thought this sight was funny as I opened the cabinet...and then I thought it was a bit silly.

Rooftop Memories

My apologies...my internet connection went down so I was unable to post this until this morning. I threw in a bonus pic!

Our Paris trip has come to a close and I am doing a bit of reflecting my holiday. I went through my endless amounts of photos and pulled out some of my favorites. They had one thing in common. Almost every one was of some sort of architecture. If you notice in several of my Photos of the Day, I look up quite a bit to find my inspiration....here was no different. I think I could have spent my 72 hours in France looking at the buildings only stopping to eat. I am pretty sure I had a couple of narrow misses with cars and bikers while I was "taking in the scenery"...There is something very nostalgic and warm about aura of the buildings there. I think it has to do with the sloped rooftops. They blend in so beautifully with the sky and they add so much character to the neighborhoods. Here is a picture taken out of our hotel room window...


Neighborhood in Paris from an Eiffel Tower view...

A Beautiful Cliche

This sight was so pretty to me....

I understand that this photo is a big cliche...Paris, the "City of Love", the Eiffel Tower, and the sunset. I can see how people might get caught up in the moment in here. This city is beautiful...the sounds, smells, the architecture. As I was taking pictures of the sunset, a newly married French couple were having their wedding photos taken at the same time. It was quite sweet and romantic...

Cliche? Maybe so. But it really was the perfect ending to a perfect day!

Of All the Things...

I am in Paris, France with my mom and my great Aunt Jane (it is a girls weekend). We have been looking at beautiful architecture all day...enjoying places like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral. After going through all my pictures from today, I was expecting to give you this awe inspiring glimpse into this city by snapping a piece of history. I have been here several times now and I think that I am starting to notice and appreciate the things that aren't so obvious. Does that make sense? And of all the things to be moved by, it was this tree next to the River Seine. I liked the large knots in the roots. I liked the texture of the bark, and the way it was hanging over the river so peacefully offering shade away from the sun...it just was very inviting.