i walked / she sat

L - Nikon / T - Nikon

The weekend was like a beautiful day in April.

"The sun was warm but the wind was chill.

You know how it is with an April day.

When the sun is out and the wind is still,

You're one month on in the middle of May.

But if you so much as dare to speak,

a cloud come over the sunlit arch,

And wind comes off a frozen peak,

And you're two months back in the middle of March."

- Robert Frost, Two Tramps in Mud Time, 1926

outdoor cat / indoor cat

T - ipod touch / T - ipod touch

I was so surprised when I received these two images - one in the morning, one in the afternoon - yesterday in my text messages. Without intention, Taylor took these two images - color yet black and white none-the-less. Fitting for this week of no color don't you think?

I get a few more photos out of her now that she has the 4th generation ipod touch. Think I had intention when I gave it to her for Christmas? I did. : )

exciting / boring

L - Nikon / T - Nikon

I received the most beautiful piece of art in the mail today. It's a Puffy Wall Heart with Birdie Love Bird and I am in love. This piece is beautifully crafted of porcelain. Now I just have to find the perfect place to hang it. Don't you just love etsy? I have to say I'm sort of addicted to shopping there. / i was pretty excited when i first got those packages from amazon. but then i remembered mom had ordered all my text books from there... not as excited anymore. but truthfully i do like my classes so far, i'm just saying this isn't exactly my idea of pleasure- reading books.

clever / smart

L - Nikon / T - Nikon

Because I purchased TOMS shoes at Christmas, I got this clever direct mail piece in the mail the other day. It felt like a very personal "thank you". Directly from Blake himself, right? It said, "wear this bracelet in pride, and know we are all in this together." I'm happy to support the TOMS shoes One for One movement. / the prices of books are completely ridiculous these days. so i ordered mine from amazon - used. it's hard to justify buying them new when you can usually get completely fine used copies.

all i have to say is "don't let school get in the way of your education." - mark twain

white blanket / white veil

L - Nikon / T - Nikon

"In winter we lead a more inward life. Our hearts are warm and cheery, like cottages under drifts..." - Henry David Thoreau

refreshed / thrilled

L - Nikon / T - Nikon (photos taken by friends)

Both of these are photos were taken by friends. I think it's interesting how evident the thrill of snow shows on our face.

The snow is still on the ground and for many those smiles are fading. For Atlanta to have a snow last almost a full week before melting I would say is a record, but I don't know that for a fact. Fact or not, most southerns are SO ready for it to be gone – but not me. I like it. Even today I felt refreshed to walk out in the woods, being careful of my step, hearing the crunch/squeak of the snow beneath my feet, letting the strong scent of pine mixed with brisk cold air fill my lungs as I walk the trails along the creek. But I know it's difficult for many people and for this I understand their delight to know that it will warm to a pleasant 50 degrees tomorrow and remain that way for all of next week. I know, even as thrilled as Taylor was to have it snow in Athens, she is ready for it to melt. It's probably not much fun walking to class being fearful that you will fall and embarrass yourself or worse - tear a hole in your favorite jeans.

ice / fire

L - Nikon / T - Nikon

It was nice to see the sun this morning but the temperatures didn't rise much. I love this view - the morning sunlight casting blue shadows across the glistening snow and my favorite beech tree glowing golden in the background. I walked around the yard this morning with Evee. And she slid around - not being heavy enough to break through. That snow is covered in about a quarter inch of ice making it difficult to get around. You can't walk with a light touch - you have to be bold and firm and crunch right down.

Today I watched from my window as 3 young boys challenged each other to the farthest ride down the hill in my backyard. They worked that hill slick - taking them further and further. It was fun to watch. After they left I wanted to go try that hill myself... but I didn't. / the smell of the kerosene and the sound of spinning fire were really neat contrasts to the drips of the melting snow and the cold that nipped at our noses. 7 inches of snow got us 3 days off of school and it was a really nice break to have but now it's going to be extra hard to get back into the swing of things. i've had a nice time getting readjusted to being here but i'm definitely ready to get into this semester and see what it holds for me. let's just hope i don't bust it walking down the hill to my classes tomorrow.

snow day / snow day

L - Nikon / T - Nikon

Everybody likes a snow day don't they? Well how about two or three? I, for one, enjoyed staying at home – a nice fire and good book, some more time in the studio and I'm good. Others would say they had cabin fever by the second day and might just go stir crazy by tomorrow. Two snow days in Atlanta is a lot and for school children there will be a third. When the mail is not delivered you know it must be bad right? With temperatures in the teens again tonight that ice on the roads is not improving.

I do have to admit it was nice when a friend came over today and took me out to eat at a Mexican restaurant, Starbucks and for a hike in my favorite woods - The Big Trees Forest. I felt alive out there. The scent of pine was strong and the air so refreshing. It really did me good. / three days off from school! i think that's a record in the south. we're missing the first days of our new semester but you don't hear me complaining. however i do have to say it's hard to hang out with people when you can't drive. a walk in to town for pizza proved treacherous. haha. and i'm too scared to sled on sheer ice. but days off from school... that's cool.

warm bread / warm chair

solo post - L, Nikon

Today it is chilly outdoors – lots of wind and pending snow in the forecast. But inside it is toasty warm – the warmth of the fire, and the sunshine on the chair invited me to sit and read... but I had work to do. Not dreaded work like laundry or vacuuming, or even taking down Christmas, but finally a chance to get down in my studio and work. After a slice of cranberry bread, fresh out of the oven, I set to work. I'm happy to say it was a very productive day. And honestly, I'm hoping for that snow that is in the forecast. It's just as exciting to miss a work day now as it was to miss a school day in days past, don't you think?

expression of love

photos by Taylor

The holidays were great and now it is back to work and school. We had fun times with my family this holiday. There were big birthdays to celebrate (my younger brother turned 50 this year and the twins turned 10). Our actual gift giving didn't take place until the 28th with stockings, and presents, and hand-painted Santas, and games, and puzzles, and hot spice tea. But it was kinda cool - when everyone else was back to the usual day-to-day, we were still celebrating and enjoying the holiday. The dogs enjoyed playing with the children and visa versa, and the kitties learned to tolerate each other, I believe, even enjoy each other. The New Year was brought in with our own fireworks display and roasting marshmallows down at my campfire, fire writing, story telling and laughs and then... everyone had to head back home.

Taylor got an extended time off but I had to get back to work. And it's been, or seemed, like one of the hardest work weeks yet. Working until 1am one night and til 10 another night really threw me off - hard after having so much relaxed time at home I guess. But... while I was away working long hours the kitties slept together, Taylor took some photos of my rings for me so I could add a new listing to my shop and even cleaned the house - isn't she sweet. Now I have made it through the first week back and hope to get back in the groove real soon. I've been a bad blogger friend for way too long now. I want you to know it certainly is not personal. I appreciate all of you who continue to visit. Please don't write me off your list just yet.

looking back / facing foward

photo collaboration by Leslye and Taylor

I look back on 2010 and I feel rich in life. It was a year filled with many blessings and new experiences. But there are things in that old year that didn't go exactly as planned or things on the list that weren't quite accomplished . So I look to the New Year - to 2011 - with determination and feel excited for a fresh start and new beginnings.

I hope 2011 brings you many blessings - a year filled with happiness and joy in all that you do.

"For last year’s words belong to last year’s language

And next year’s words await another voice.

And to make an end is to make a beginning.”

- T.S.Elliot