The Long Journey

One more week!! The suspense is beginning to build in my home now. After my 2nd daughter's big 6th birthday party, it's now time to begin the preparations for another birthday celebration ~ Jesus'. I know that many of you have a difficult time keeping Christ in Christmas, just as I do. It's not hard to get caught up in all the commercialism that is prevalently associated with the traditions of gift giving at Christmas. I am proud to announce that I have not spent 1 dime on Christmas gifts at any of the massive conglomerate stores (you know the ones I speak of ;) I am doing my best to keep Christmas meaningful and avoid large credit card bills for months following the holiday. This is not easy! Everywhere you and I turn, we are being inundated with advertisements and marketing gimmicks designed to play on our guilt, make us whip out the plastic and swipe, swipe, swipe away!! No!!! I will not be wooed! If you are in agreement with me, and share my feelings, I am here to help support you, my friend. We can do this! I believe a healthy dose of denial has helped my cause, too ;) 

Back to keeping Christmas meaningful . . .

Here's a wonderful tradition for Christian families to adopt. I pulled out the decorations yesterday, and my young girls and I adorned our tree. I then also set up our manger scene. This manger scene was handed down to me by my beloved paternal grandmother (I've spoken highly of her before). For years I had always admired it in her home, so when she asked me if I would like to have it, I was honored and extremely happy, too!! :) Thank you, MomMom.

Anyhow, it's a very simple tradition to begin. I placed Mary, Joseph and their faithful donkey at a distant place (high above little hands) within the same room as the manger scene. Each night, after the girls are in bed, I move the travellers a bit closer to the manger, signifying their long journey to Bethlehem. Each morning, the girls look to see where Mary & Joseph are and they get a little bit more excited knowing that Christmas is coming - soon! Once they reach the manger it will be Christmas eve. Baby Jesus will be placed in the manger on Christmas morning (before my girls awake). Just imagine the excitement that this produces for little ones!! :)

It helps that my 2nd daughter understands that Christmas day signifies Jesus' birth. My youngest (#3) doesn't get it quite yet, but she will. With each year, they understand a little more about the story of Christmas. It truly is a magnificent one, filled with wondrous magic. Magic in which I believe.  

    

Here are Joseph, Mary and the donkey on their journey

Their destination awaits them . . .

. . . and this little guy stays put on the tree. ;) 

Do share how you are keeping Christ in Christmas. I'd love to hear from you! 

Be well and happy this holiday season.

All my best,

Barb

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Number 37 and counting!

Happy 37th Anniversary to my parents, Jim & Trudy. :) 

My family and I were graciously invited to help them celebrate their special day with an Italian dinner at a local Elverson, PA establishment, Giovanni's Restaurant. This restaurant has much history as it was Elverson's first post office. The sign you see hanging on the wall is an original. My parents are terrific history buffs, so I felt this photo would be fitting for them and their love of their adopted home town. 

Thank you, Mom and Dad for inviting us to celebrate your 37th married year!

Here's to many more happy, healthy years together!! 

We love you both dearly. 

oxo,

Barb 

My NEW Look!

OH, MY Goodness!! I couldn't wait to share my NEW logo with you!! A good friend, whom I've known "forever," and fellow artist

Leroy Woodward created it for me! Check out "Woody's" artwork when you get a chance. He's filled with unending, amazing talents. Someday I hope to afford one of his original paintings. Still saving my pennies ;) 

Let me know what you think of my NEW logo!!

For more information and to view images of Leroy's artwork, please visit his website:  www.lwoodward.weebly.com/

Thank you, Woody! You continue to amaze and inspire me, my dear friend! 

I owe you many more dinners ;) Love you! 

Peace on, friends,

Barb

at home for Thanksgiving

I have to say that Thanksgiving is a favorite of mine. 

Family and friends gather together, pray and offer thanks to God, contribute glorious food (including pie - thanks, Dad ;), and the fellowship that we experience is the greatest gift we give to one another. 

It doesn't get much better than that!

We hosted Thanksgiving this year at our home. In between all the preparations, and making sure everyone was comfortable, I was able to take just a few shots. I missed my bro-in-law though (sorry, Brian!). 

I hope your Thanksgiving was abundant, special, and filled with all your favorite side dishes and desserts, too!! ;)

I am thankful for you, my friends. You make life extra sweet.

With glorious gratitude,

Barb

meditative morning

Rainy autumn mornings, Joni Mitchell singing in my ear, stirring, creative thoughts, daring to share. Acting on impulses, I close my eyes and open my heart. Listen. Listen. What are you saying? A vision comes to me. Its light, the big beaming kind, coming straight from my center. It glows bright and I am at peace. Meditative. Flow. Love. Dare to be. Dare to shine. Tears, healing, whole.

Notice the feelings rise and fall. The ebb and flow. Must embrace the here and now. Sure, I have suppressed feelings. Wanting. Needing. Change. Love. I am not alone. This is a common thread so deeply wound tight within humanity. Stand up straight – eat your spinach – smile pretty – please me. Please me. Please, what about me.

This I know. I love art. I love to create. I love my life. I love. I do, love. My love overwhelms me. Filling. Then it spills. Overflowing. Is it my creator loving me? Is it the universe loving me? We are love. You. Me. Love. .. Feeling vulnerable. Is this why we hold back and allow a conscious norm to take hold? Balance. Mind. Body. Soul. Soul. Body. Mind. Balance.

Honesty. Rings truth. Impulses.. But, but, no. You are a good girl. What does that mean? Stand straight. Stand by your man. Be a mom. Get a real job. Education? Why? Be pretty. Feel pretty. Act pretty. Say please. Say thank you. Be grateful for what you have. Can I be impulsive too? No. That’s not who you are. You are the steady. You are the normal. You shouldn’t want to want more. Bricks. Mortar. Mortgages. Caregiver. Wife. Home. It’s who you are.

The wind picks up. A chill runs through. Here it comes. Hot tea. Ah… I am still creating. I am still learning. I am still in love. I am still searching. Perfection. Crazy. Maddening. Is this worthy? Am I worthy? Can it be so? Can I express emotion in my words? Needing approval. Is it good? Do you like me? Grateful to share.. my thoughts.. off the cuff.. right here, right now.. this is me.

L o v e is s h a r i n g . L o v e is c a r i n g. L o v e is v u l n e r a b l e. Stripped down to the raw. Explore the self. Explore sharing. Explore love. Explore. Dare to make mistakes. My soul is pretty. My soul is vulnerable. My soul is. This is me. Thank you. Please read me. Read yourself. Thank yourself. Words are great fun. Words are powerful. Eclectic. Riches. Enlightening.

Now, do I dare publish these words before my pragmatic brain tells me “NO! What will they think of you?” Throw caution to the wind! Publish! … “ok,” says she.

Grateful for my creator. This I know.

peace be with you.

~ Barb ~ 

A Good Omen

The first time I ever saw a Luna Moth was in my own yard. I didn't even know what it was at first! But I knew it was something very special, and very beautiful. At the time, my husband and I were drawing up plans, talking to contractors, making hefty decisions about our home life. We had a small baby, and a teenager to consider. Our home was much too small to accommodate our growing family's needs. It was time to either put an addition on or move. Life's grueling decisions...

We had been sitting and chatting about our plans in our comfy tree swing that our strong Hickory houses for us, and as we began to head back towards the house, I spotted her.   

With plenty of "oooo's" and "ahhhh's" and wondering out loud "Is it a Luna Moth?!" I told my husband to stay there and keep an eye on her as I ran into the house to grab my camera! I didn't want to miss this photo op!! I remember I kept saying over and over with great enthusiasm, "It's a sign!" "It's a sign!" My husband just laughs at me and takes delight in my entertaining ways. ;) 

He took a couple shots of me posing with my 1st Luna Moth. It's beauty was remarkable to me; the intricate designs and colors, it's feathery tail wings... Needless to say, we added onto our home that year (2006). This week is the anniversary of that project in its beginning stages.   

Sometimes we need a little reason, or gentle omen telling us that it's okay to go forth ~ put your dreams into action ~ everything is going to work out ~ it's a good time to make the leap, so go for it! This little one was part of my path, and helped to give me the gentle nudge that I needed at the time. This lovely creature will always remind me of the guiding forces at work in our world.

How grateful I am.

Barb

p.s. these film images (kodak 400) were scanned and edited on Photoshop Elements 8

dare I say this, but ...

You, my friend, are not going to believe this! I can hardly believe it myself! After I poured my heart out on the pages of my blog "Truth be told..." last weekend, things began to churn in the universe! Or else they were already churning and I was not able to see the trees, butterflies, and the beauty of all good things in good time through the thick haze of my foggy, threadbare faith. So much has happened since last weekend! I am still a little hesitant to even comprehend the fortunate turn of events, let alone announce it to “the world!” ;)

Prayers have been answered. My husband had an interview at a well-established commercially outfitted construction company on Friday. Things went swimmingly well, and he was offered a job worthy of his skills ~ with benefits no less!! He has yet another interview with a different company this coming Tuesday. It’s either feast or famine, as they say! We are simply in awe of the recent attention, and the job offer that he received. Our glasses met in a toast last evening, as he told me all about his interesting meeting with the owner of the construction company. 

After nearly a year of struggling to find employment, return to some sense of normalcy, along with the means of a steady income in order to earn our way in life, things are actually looking up for us! I would very much like to express my deep appreciation for all your prayers, positive encouragement, and friendly kindness that you have shown us. The emails, comments of support, and phone calls in response to my earlier blog "Truth be told..." overwhelmed me. I was brought to tears on many occasions by your tremendous acts of kindness. It’s true about the nobleness of the human spirit, and I have been reminded of that yet again.

Thank you ever kindly, my friends, for everything! God is good, and definitely works in curious ways sometimes, doesn’t He?! My heart is glad to know He hears us and answers our calls for help, and just in the nick of time too! He’s smiling broadly, probably saying, "I told you so!” ;)

With abundant gratitude, and a joyful heart,

Barb

P.s. I just love this shot of us in our backyard at home. Thank you again, Morgan Taylor, for your talents! :)  

dreaming

It wouldn't be summertime without a little dreaming...

How about you? Have you been dreaming lately?

Here's to your dreams, friends. And long, hot summer days too!

Dream on,

Barb

Comfortable shoes . . .

My comfy shoes. Well worn, and broken in to the point that they hug every nook and cranny just so. Albeit, they aren't the most beautiful things in the world, but they are worth their weight in gold. The first rule in any teacher's handbook is ~ "always wear comfortable shoes. And, if you don't have any, you'd better get yourself some!" 

My life has changed drastically in the past 4 weeks. I'm teaching again! :) All the stars and the planets were in alignment for this, and many prayers were answered when I was offered the preschool/pre-K teaching position at La Salle Academy, our local private Catholic school. I have been welcomed back with open arms, smiles, and lots of hugs! It's been a joy getting to know my new students and reconnecting with past students as well. I have 6 preschoolers, and 17 pre-K'ers. We keep very busy ~ never a dull moment. At the end of the day I can be assured that I'll have glue, paint, marker, or whatever substance we may be working with, collected on my hands, or clothes, or face, or hair, or all of the above. ;) The kids make it worth every moment. 

I won't lie. I do miss my girls, but I'm learning to balance work and home. It's a constant effort. Knowing that they are in good care definitely helps ease the separation anxiety. I am always eager to get home and receive many hugs and hear all the latest news. I can appreciate the weekends with greater intensity and soak up my girls every chance I can.

I miss my photography also, and being able to express myself creatively with my little lens, so sweet and ever so patient. I do sense "her" calling me, and then feel disappointed that I don't have enough time to take her out and about as often as I'd like. But, she understands ~ just like an old friend. ;) I am planning to be available to begin your personal photo shoots again starting April 2. I am especially looking for high school seniors that would like to have their portraits done. So, keep me in mind, or pass my name along. I'd be most grateful. ... I am excited about the family shoots, and weddings coming up, and the "surprise gift" one too ;) (you know who you are!). 

Many things to be grateful for, and to look forward to as well this spring and summer. 

Life is good. God is better. Peace be with you, my friends.

Love to all,

Barb      

One Word for 2011

Looking over my list of new year's resolutions for 2011, it occurred to me to summarize my wishes, goals, intentions, with one word. I thought of many. But the one that I kept coming back to again and again was "heart." A simple word, really, however it strikes a deep chord with me. Some of the best advice my mom ever gave me as a young girl was to do this one thing. She told me to "always follow your heart" { thanks mom! }. Using my heart as my compass has led me to make some decisions about this year.

My second daughter will begin kindergarten in the fall ~ a monumental milestone for a child, and for her parents too. This has made me realize that I need to continue to build upon the educational foundation that supports her thus far and on throughout the summer.

I am happy to announce that I will be reopening my Montessori daycare for a summer program. Although, this time, we will be a Day-School: The Busy Bees' Montessori Day-School. I'll be opening my home to other children in the hopes that I can offer educational opportunities to help build upon their foundations throughout the summer as well. 

I have dreamed about opening my own school for years. But without the proper resources and know-how, I won't get very far. I've thought about getting an MBA in order to serve my heart's desires to fulfill this dream of mine. But that's for another post, another year. For now, I'll make this summer in my in-home school the biggest success I am capable of achieving! So, it is with all of my heart that I go forward this year in the spirit of education. :)

Now, I ask you, my reader, to think about what your one word is. This word should best describe you and your hopes for this year. I'd love to hear your response here in the comments section. I will be doing a drawing for a free, full, 1 hour photo shoot with me from the individual's comments on my blog! Any blog post of mine! What do you have to lose?! Of course, if you live in Ireland or Australia, your chances are slim. ;) The drawing will be announced Monday, February 14 here on my blog!  

Thank you friends, 

Here's to a great year ahead!! 

With a grateful heart, 

Barb