Sunday, March 15, 2015

Sunday Gratitude

It's hard to believe that another week has passed so quickly.


Our week here started with foggy mornings. Often the coastal fog hangs around for quite a while and eventually burns off to blue skies and bright sunshine. On Monday instead of going to my Jazzercise class I went to the Laguna for a walk and some very foggy photos. It was a beautiful start to a new week and set the tone for the days to come. I enjoyed the fog, the wonderful trees and the many birds that call the Laguna their home.


We finally had some rain again - not much, but a little is still better than non at all. It was enough to get some moisture into the ground - not only the garden was thankful!


This week I once again realized how much I love where I live. Although Santa Rosa has a population of 160,000, it often feels more like a small town. When I go to our neighborhood market I am always greeted; the sushi men throws a "how are you" to me, the butcher has a couple of jokes. One of the staffers and I usually stop for a brief chat and a laugh - she has been working in that market forever. At the post office - not the main one but a smaller branch - waiting in line is seldom boring as there is always someone who strikes up a conversation. The clerk is super nice and has a delightful positive attitude. If I need a pick-me-up I just have to go there!


I spent a creative morning with my friend K. She was sorting through photos, I was creating graduation cards (soon in my Etsy store). We chatted, sat outside on her deck, talked about gardening and I got my "dog fix". We usually just spend three or four hours together, but these hours always feel like a mini vacation.


Yesterday it was so warm that we had our first BBQ and ate dinner outside. Afterwards we sat around the fire and had pie for Pi day. I love these warmer days when I can finally drive with the windows rolled down. It wasn't too warm but not cool either, just right for having the windows open in our home all day long. The perfect weather.


And finally - yesterday I received my US passport in the mail! Wow - that was fast. It took less than two weeks; I'm quite impressed. The passport is beautiful - every page inside looks different with pretty pictures and great quotes. Of course I love it!


You might think everything is nice and pretty in my life. It is not. There are enough challenges and not so nice things happening in my life just like in everybody else's. However, I have decided to look at the bright side and focus on those things that bring light and happiness into my life.

I hope you can do that with your life as well. I wish all of you a wonderful week.


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Do you have a graduate in your life?
Send her or him a handmade card from my Etsy store.



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14 comments:

Laurie said...
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Laurie said...

Loved your pictures! Sounds like you had a very nice week. Hope more like that comes your way.

Laurie said...
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Elephant's Child said...

That does sound like a wonderful week.
Love your fog photos. And the seed pods. Always.

Unknown said...

Schöne Woche hast Du gehabt, Carola :) Die einsame Rose im alten Laub gefällt mir sehr und die Gräserbilder auch, ich liebe solche Bilder :))
Und nen tollen Ausweis hast Du erhalten, ein richtig schönes Bilderbuch ;) Muss da nun ein Stempel rein, wenn Du nach Deutschland fliegst?

Liebe Grüße
【ツ】Knipsa

Linda Kay said...

Carola, have to get my passports out before we go to Maine, as we want to go into Canada from there.

Pamela Gordon said...

I enjoyed your post, photos and what you have been doing. It sounds wonderful to have your windows open in the car and house to enjoy the warm air. We had a blizzard yesterday with about 25 cm. of snow (a foot!). At least the sun is shining today. Have a wonderful week.

21 Wits said...

Beautiful pictures, especially the gentle fog of morning, very special. We actually hit 70 degrees yesterday, and believe it or not, we might get rain too! Normally for Minnesota we could still be deep in snow, but not this year! Hooray!

Nancy said...

I feel better just visiting with you today....Your shots make one feel calm and all is well.....

Laura said...

BEautiful, beautiful wildflowers!

JoZart Designs said...

I really enjoy your pictures and the way you see the world around you. The second one looks just the same as here in the North of England looks for 6 months of the year!
I'm grateful as y'day our little fraulein had major hospital tests and was given a clear result. They checked her 18 month old brother (to allay DD's worries) and he too was fine. Tomorrow I'll be there to hug them.
Jo x

Michelle B said...

I am swooning over your fog photos. So Gorgeous! I like your attitude. Looking at the bright side makes life a whole lot happier. Have a great week!

John's Island said...

Hi Carola, I feel fortunate to have found your blog. Well, you are a positive person and that comes through in your posts and adds a bit of joy to my day. Your creative photography is a real pleasure. I especially liked your closing statement ... all is not perfect, but focusing on the positive is the best way of life. Thank you so much for sharing. John

Bethany Carson said...

That flower in the first photo is gorgeous! Glad you got your passport; looking on the bright side is always the best way to go. Hope you have an awesome week!