WOW!! This collect from Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel is so sumptuously gorgeous, so visually stunning and beautifully designed and staged. I am in design heaven! Give yourself and treat and watch. I need not say more.
I have this lovely little deck of angels cards with simple artwork. I have been drawing one a day lately. Today I drew the Angel of Responsibility and was delighted with its message; a sweet reminder, and I decided to share.
The Angel of Responsibility
“My ability to respond makes me feel accountable. I am joyfully responsible for my life.”
“Whenever we use our ability to respond with our talents and capacities, to all that is ascribed to us, we are being responsible. This can mean using those talents and abilities for the good of all in a light and joyful way. Responsibility is only a burden when we forget to use our talents and cut ourselves off from the flow of spiritual energies that we are always waiting to help us whenever we can respond.”
So in light of all the responsibilities which I may experience as burdens, I am reminded responsibilities give me the opportunity to serve and access my talents, capacities, gifts and wisdom. I get to seek out the “teacher” present in each and every task, to access the God given lessons as I am schooled in patience, obedience, loyalty, balance, humility, stewardship, etc. and also reap the delight in a task tended or completed.
…And thanks and gratitude to all the Angels who are with us everyday providing guidance, support, protection and encouragement.
A compassionate woman extended a beautiful act of kindness towards myself and my husband last night. I was so thankful and filled with gratitude I did a little dance of joy around my kitchen table. Everyday miracles, answers to prayer are extended through kindness everyday, all day from one being to another. Most come in a simple form, for kindness is a humble sharing. Some come in big bold packages for that is the vehicle it arrives in, nonetheless, the giving and receiving end of the gift of kindness leaves its mark upon us. It opens up our hearts and allows the blossoms of love, generosity, and compassion to fill our cup. It is a grand running over as we are filled to the brim. When we extend kindness it is not bound by linear action, it moves forward, backward, sideways, up and below. It moves through, around, beyond. Kindness can be given where there is love or no love, forgiveness or not, anger or peace. It can be present at all times and in all circumstances. Kindness is an endless grace which softens the hardest of hearts, healing in the gentle sweep of its extension; innocence and purity personified. It is truly a hallelujah moment. Sharing kindness brings a gift to others and ourselves, as the old adage is true “In the giving is the receiving”. Pay it forward 
I keep an eye and ear toward new. Now I love old, vintage, tried and true and nod respectfully to that which cannot be improved, yet there is a plethora of new to be discovered (possibly on their way to becoming tried and true), just sitting around the corner to bring joyful delights into the everyday. Whether it be a new sound, artistic expression, authored beauty; fresh interpretations of the tried and true or the dawning of a whole new way to relish in the abundance of creativity. It is an adventure for me which brings pure satisfaction.
Here are a few new finds which have made their way to top of my list. Two musicians, two authors and two artists. Enjoy, pass them along and be adventurous.
Toumast ~ Musicians from the Niger Republic, of the Tuareg people. I love their sound. Very beautiful and soulful. They have been around for awhile, (Ishumar was recorded in 2007) and recently made their way to my ears and brought a little dance of joy ~
Tinariwen ~ is a band of Tuareg musicians from the Sahara Desert of Northern Mali. Around since 1979 they came into a wider following around 2001. This song is from the album Imidiwan.
Teddy Wayne is a fresh modern voice in contemporary literature. His excellent first novel, Kapitoil, is sharp and clean, earning Wayne a prestigious fellowship from The National Endowment of The Arts and the 2011 Whitings Writers Award. Accolades for Kapitoil are far and wide. This book was chosen by our local Novel Idea for 2011
Erin Morgenstern recently authored The Night Circus. A beautiful novel set in the arena of a magical circus. The story is intricate and multilayered in design and scope. I found the reading rich and poetic. Morgenstern imparts lyrical descriptions of black and white scenery which is sated with colorful imaginings and details. Treat yourself.
Hannah Larkin (my niece) is a delightful woman with an adventurous spirit. She creates original artwork for note cards, invitations, wedding announcements, stationary, etc. Her designs are beautifully drawn with attention to detail. Elegant to simple her unique eye and skill are a treat to behold. Hannah does custom designs as well and is currently available through Etsy. See more of Hannah and her work at Michelle Cross Photography
Michelle Cross is photographer with an intuitive romantic eye. Michelle’s perspective is youthful, fun and elegant. Whether capturing portraits, weddings, scenery or still life her eye is consistent in creating a contemporary image perfectly in the moment with a timeless quality; lovely.
In the thinning of the veil, celebration of ancestors, end of the harvest and shortening of the “light” day as we move into the time of winter and earth sleep . . . in the falling of leaves where trees reveal their skeletons and soil cools to cold . . . with the scent of apples, spices; bounty gathered; for those ancestors who have gone before us; their remembrance sharing the family gathering, stories told around a table, a fire ~ a saint story ~ ~ ~ a ghost story. In the shift of darkening days, buzzing bees, sprinkler play and berry gathering fading into the background of summer past ~ leaves scatter, blooms fade. Don the costumes, light the bonfire and jack 0′ lanterns, fill the cups and spread the table, assemble bounty as offering upon the altar of thanksgiving, layout the sweets; sugar, skulls and treats; the past and present walk the earth in the altogether.
Summertime in the High Desert is short and deliciously sweet; Don’t waste a moment for the winter is long, cold and gray. So in celebration of blooms, nectar, bees and bounty, a trip through White Shell Gardens. Oh Thank You, Thank You for the glory days of summertime bliss.
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I will be away for the next 10 days to 2 weeks. In the meantime I am posting a few “love” notes. . .
~ Be happy, be well, be mindful, be kind, be the One you have been waiting for ~ “work out your own salvation with awe and trembling”, the journey of life . . . and know that God is GOOD. Share goodness and drop all the other b.s., look to the heart and live the truth of your existence, know who you SERVE, be brave, bold and beautiful, and don’t forget to pray and dance, my favorite Supersize!! life combo.
Start with a little POV (point of view via karmatube)
A little music for the love of voice.
Wise words from my wise brother Tim . . .”Faith is not built so much on what God has done in the lives of others. Faith is built on remembering what God has done in each of our lives personally. Faith is built on remembering…”
Remember creativity is limitless . . .
It is a beautiful summer day. The sun is shining, birds singing, butterflies flitting, blossoms blooming. There is much happening in our world these days to cast a shadow upon the light; yet again it is a beautiful day. All the tumultuous and raucous echoes of hardship and grief bounce off the surfaces to rebound rebound rebound; yet it is a beautiful day. The burden of loss sifts into the floorboards and becomes the dust we wash from our feet; yet it is a beautiful day. Things beyond our control burn up the crops, flood the plains and break the shoreline; yet it is a beautiful day. All the rockin’ and rollin’ of the physical planet and Her inhabitants is dizzying; yet it is a beautiful day. In the midst of one thing, there is another. . . and it is a beautiful day.
Beautiful Day ~ original poem by Sadh Bakshish Kaur
Beautiful Day by Aykanna
