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"Thank God for the smilers in the world!"
~ Unknown
~ Unknown
Communication
4 hours ago
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Friday SkyWatch...Two Birds in a Bush
2009 by Brenda Colleen Leyland
I believe these are young redwinged blackbirds.
The neighbourhood Redwing Blackbirds have trained their young families well. Everyday we have a little flock arriving for snacks at the seed feeders. The adult males always announce their arrival when they land in our yard, while the females come more shyly... and much quieter. Mmmmm?
We sighted a pair of young ones resting in the mountain ash as we were sipping our morning coffee earlier today. As soon as I caught them on camera, they flew off. Just like babies, they know when to pose!
It's a beautiful summery day here in northerly Alberta. The morning calmness has worn off as lawn mowers roar off in the distance, while my vacuum has a small workout closer to home.
Then, it's off to sip something cool on my lounge chair in the garden with a stack of books. At present I'm working on These Three Remain, A Novel of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman, by Pamnela Aldan. It's the third novel in a trilogy about none other than Jane Austen's Mr. Darcy. I'm enjoying so far!
I'm off for now... have a wonderful weekend. Find something beautiful you can enjoy and share.
PS. Click here for other Skywatch links.
I believe these are young redwinged blackbirds.
The neighbourhood Redwing Blackbirds have trained their young families well. Everyday we have a little flock arriving for snacks at the seed feeders. The adult males always announce their arrival when they land in our yard, while the females come more shyly... and much quieter. Mmmmm?
We sighted a pair of young ones resting in the mountain ash as we were sipping our morning coffee earlier today. As soon as I caught them on camera, they flew off. Just like babies, they know when to pose!
It's a beautiful summery day here in northerly Alberta. The morning calmness has worn off as lawn mowers roar off in the distance, while my vacuum has a small workout closer to home.
Then, it's off to sip something cool on my lounge chair in the garden with a stack of books. At present I'm working on These Three Remain, A Novel of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman, by Pamnela Aldan. It's the third novel in a trilogy about none other than Jane Austen's Mr. Darcy. I'm enjoying so far!
I'm off for now... have a wonderful weekend. Find something beautiful you can enjoy and share.
PS. Click here for other Skywatch links.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Busy As A Bee...
2009 by Brenda Colleen Leyland
Steady as a clock, busy as a bee,
and cheerful as a cricket.
~ Martha Washington
and cheerful as a cricket.
~ Martha Washington
Bees work for man,
and yet they never bruise their master's flower,
but leave it having done, As fair as ever as fit to use;
So both the flower doth stay and honey run.
~ George Herbert
and yet they never bruise their master's flower,
but leave it having done, As fair as ever as fit to use;
So both the flower doth stay and honey run.
~ George Herbert
It's not so much how busy you are, but why you are busy.
The bee is praised. The mosquito is swatted.
~ Mary O'Connor
Here's wishing you a day that's productive.... and beautiful!
Brenda
The bee is praised. The mosquito is swatted.
~ Mary O'Connor
Here's wishing you a day that's productive.... and beautiful!
Brenda
Monday, July 13, 2009
A Gift Wrapped Life
2009 by Brenda Colleen Leyland
I just found a beautiful blog that I have to share with you. Caryn, I especially thought of you, as I remember you are a wonderful gift wrapper in your own right.
If you love giving gifts and need some creative inspiration for wrapping, you'll want to visit Sande at A Gift Wrapped Life.
Her business advertisement in the latest issue of Victoria magazine, which is where I first found Sande's website, boldly says that her on-line shop sells "gifts so beautiful, women wait days to open them." Now that's tantalizing, don't you think?
Veronique Vienne, in her book The Art of Being A Woman, talks about acquiring pretty things, not only for our own enjoyment but to share with others as well. For, as she goes on to say, 'not all your pretty belongings belong to you. Some of them are destined to be gift wrapped.'
So, here's to the art of living a gift wrapped life........
I just found a beautiful blog that I have to share with you. Caryn, I especially thought of you, as I remember you are a wonderful gift wrapper in your own right.
If you love giving gifts and need some creative inspiration for wrapping, you'll want to visit Sande at A Gift Wrapped Life.
Her business advertisement in the latest issue of Victoria magazine, which is where I first found Sande's website, boldly says that her on-line shop sells "gifts so beautiful, women wait days to open them." Now that's tantalizing, don't you think?
Veronique Vienne, in her book The Art of Being A Woman, talks about acquiring pretty things, not only for our own enjoyment but to share with others as well. For, as she goes on to say, 'not all your pretty belongings belong to you. Some of them are destined to be gift wrapped.'
So, here's to the art of living a gift wrapped life........
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Simply Sunday...Classic Reading
2009 by Brenda Colleen Leyland
I've been reading an old classic about a 16th century Carmelite monk, Brother Lawrence. The book, entitled The Practice of the Presence of God, gives readers a glimpse into this humble man's life as he dedicated his whole life and being to loving God and being aware of His presence.
In the midst of his kitchen duties at the monastery where he lived, Bro. Lawrence learned the secret of a daily, moment by moment relationship with God. The information left to us by other people who knew Bro. Lawrence describe a man that was so filled with love for his God that this love overflowed and spilled onto everything and everyone he encountered. (Even amongst his kitchen pots and pans... and probably any stray kitty cats too!)
If this theme stirs in your own heart, you might enjoy a beautiful 6-minute video I found on youtube the other day. Entitled How to love & worship God, it showcases excerpts from Bro. Lawrence's writings. I found the beautiful music and photography very moving.
To adore God and to love Him, without worrying about the rest. That's keeping things at their simple best, which says it all for me!
On that note, I wish you the pleasantest of Sundays!
I've been reading an old classic about a 16th century Carmelite monk, Brother Lawrence. The book, entitled The Practice of the Presence of God, gives readers a glimpse into this humble man's life as he dedicated his whole life and being to loving God and being aware of His presence.
In the midst of his kitchen duties at the monastery where he lived, Bro. Lawrence learned the secret of a daily, moment by moment relationship with God. The information left to us by other people who knew Bro. Lawrence describe a man that was so filled with love for his God that this love overflowed and spilled onto everything and everyone he encountered. (Even amongst his kitchen pots and pans... and probably any stray kitty cats too!)
If this theme stirs in your own heart, you might enjoy a beautiful 6-minute video I found on youtube the other day. Entitled How to love & worship God, it showcases excerpts from Bro. Lawrence's writings. I found the beautiful music and photography very moving.
"When a monk asked him what he was doing and what was occupying his mind, he replied, "I am doing what I will do throughout all eternity. I am blessing God, I am praising God, and I am adoring and loving Him with all my heart. This sums up our entire call and duty, brothers: to adore God and to love Him, without worrying about the rest."
To adore God and to love Him, without worrying about the rest. That's keeping things at their simple best, which says it all for me!
On that note, I wish you the pleasantest of Sundays!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Amazing Souls
2009 by Brenda Colleen Leyland
The evening was pleasant, and it had that 'wouldn't a cup of coffee taste great right now' kind of feeling to it, so after brewing a pot, I sat down with a steaming cup and my latest treasure from the library, ready to enjoy a beautiful moment in time.
Ahhhh..... this was the life, yes? Except, I suddenly realized all was not perfect in paradise. A posy of rose blossoms sitting on the corner table beside me had long since melted into a moldering puddle. It didn't seem right to be sitting down to what promised to be a beautiful book of ideas and thoughts with that mess sitting there.
So to the garden I flew and brought in newly opened blossoms from the fragrant hansa bush.
Perfect! Now I could relax and enjoy my coffee, my book, as well as the perfumed ambience.
From the first page of Veronique Vienne's book "The Art of Being A Woman" I knew I was going to enjoy what she had to share. Here's a peek at her opening preface.......
"We women are the providers of joy. We can, with our very presence, brighten up the day. Just watch us approach a group of strangers --- in a restaurant, a bus, or an elevator. If we feel good, within seconds everyone around us feels a little better. Our lightheartedness is contagious. With a glance, we can make men stand straighter; with a smile, we can help other women breathe easier. The art of being a woman is the art of lifting the spirits of others.
Indeed, because we are traditionally the life-givers (not only do we bring babies into the world, we are also the designated nurturers of all who need care), the task of reminding people that they are lucky to be alive falls on us."
I especially loved the sentence, "The art of being a woman is the art of lifting the spirits of others." And when I look around at the women I call mom, sister, friend, colleague, I believe Miss Vienne has hit the proverbial nail on the head. Maybe she's found the knot that ties hearts together. For all around me are women doing that very thing. They have learned the art of lifting the spirits of others.
Veronique goes on to say....
"It takes a great woman to spot greatness in other women" .... and "the greatness you celebrate in all women (not just in some of them) is the very quality that makes you great." .... "You never know: the woman sitting next to you could harbour the most amazing soul."
In this wonderful world of bloggers, where we get to meet friends we'd never meet anywhere else, it's just as true. How many times have I come on-line to find each of you, in your own unique way, lifting the spirits of other women, giving us wonderful glimpses into your most amazing souls. What a wonderful treasure you all are to us! Thank you!
So we celebrate you today!
The evening was pleasant, and it had that 'wouldn't a cup of coffee taste great right now' kind of feeling to it, so after brewing a pot, I sat down with a steaming cup and my latest treasure from the library, ready to enjoy a beautiful moment in time.
Ahhhh..... this was the life, yes? Except, I suddenly realized all was not perfect in paradise. A posy of rose blossoms sitting on the corner table beside me had long since melted into a moldering puddle. It didn't seem right to be sitting down to what promised to be a beautiful book of ideas and thoughts with that mess sitting there.
So to the garden I flew and brought in newly opened blossoms from the fragrant hansa bush.
Perfect! Now I could relax and enjoy my coffee, my book, as well as the perfumed ambience.
From the first page of Veronique Vienne's book "The Art of Being A Woman" I knew I was going to enjoy what she had to share. Here's a peek at her opening preface.......
"We women are the providers of joy. We can, with our very presence, brighten up the day. Just watch us approach a group of strangers --- in a restaurant, a bus, or an elevator. If we feel good, within seconds everyone around us feels a little better. Our lightheartedness is contagious. With a glance, we can make men stand straighter; with a smile, we can help other women breathe easier. The art of being a woman is the art of lifting the spirits of others.
Indeed, because we are traditionally the life-givers (not only do we bring babies into the world, we are also the designated nurturers of all who need care), the task of reminding people that they are lucky to be alive falls on us."
I especially loved the sentence, "The art of being a woman is the art of lifting the spirits of others." And when I look around at the women I call mom, sister, friend, colleague, I believe Miss Vienne has hit the proverbial nail on the head. Maybe she's found the knot that ties hearts together. For all around me are women doing that very thing. They have learned the art of lifting the spirits of others.
Veronique goes on to say....
"It takes a great woman to spot greatness in other women" .... and "the greatness you celebrate in all women (not just in some of them) is the very quality that makes you great." .... "You never know: the woman sitting next to you could harbour the most amazing soul."
In this wonderful world of bloggers, where we get to meet friends we'd never meet anywhere else, it's just as true. How many times have I come on-line to find each of you, in your own unique way, lifting the spirits of other women, giving us wonderful glimpses into your most amazing souls. What a wonderful treasure you all are to us! Thank you!
So we celebrate you today!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
It's Raining, It's Pouring....
2009 by Brenda Colleen Leyland
Not sure if you can see the raindrops on my window in the photo. Believe me, it's a most welcome sight, as we've hardly had rain all spring. We were starting to look quite desert-y along our highways and ditches as fields and grassy areas were quite brown. But....... this week we are wet..... and if I was a duck, I'd be happily puddling in it today.
But, with umbrella in hand, I'm off to visit with family today. My brother and his kids are in town (they live in the next province so we don't see them often). It will be lovely to see my two young nieces and one nephew, and see how tall everyone is this year. I have a feeling that when I stand next to my nephew of 13, I'll now be shorter than him! Oh well, us 5-footers have our place too (ha ha).
On that note, I best be going. With my newsletter heading around the next corner (still working on some client material), I'll be able to come and visit you all in earnest!
Have a wonderful day.
Brenda
Not sure if you can see the raindrops on my window in the photo. Believe me, it's a most welcome sight, as we've hardly had rain all spring. We were starting to look quite desert-y along our highways and ditches as fields and grassy areas were quite brown. But....... this week we are wet..... and if I was a duck, I'd be happily puddling in it today.
But, with umbrella in hand, I'm off to visit with family today. My brother and his kids are in town (they live in the next province so we don't see them often). It will be lovely to see my two young nieces and one nephew, and see how tall everyone is this year. I have a feeling that when I stand next to my nephew of 13, I'll now be shorter than him! Oh well, us 5-footers have our place too (ha ha).
On that note, I best be going. With my newsletter heading around the next corner (still working on some client material), I'll be able to come and visit you all in earnest!
Have a wonderful day.
Brenda
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