simple things

i found a new blog that i really like called simple as that.

there is a challenge there for sharing something simple that made you smile.

this is one thing that really made me smile yesterday:

here's the story behind it:

there was a plant in our garden that did not want to grow anymore (no smile).

i was starting to think about what i would replace it with:

perhaps a magnolia tree?

while i was running errands i came across a sign that made me happy

"japanese maples - $25"

(you know i love a deal)

brilliant, now i knew what to put in the garden!

i chose the tree i wanted and went to pay for it - came up as $18!

don't you just love when that happens?

i brought the tree home, 

got some dirt under my fingernails and voila!

a new tree in the garden.

a simple thing that makes me smile!

did i mention that i love japanese maples?

lofty

i thought lofty meant grand or great or something like that...

i was way off...

oops.

i kept the title anyway - i like it 

and i know you wouldn't judge me.

i had this great ('lofty') idea a while back of a way to open up the girls play space 

and give selah the bunk bed she's been hoping for.

well, almost a bunk bed...

a loft bed that would actually fit in their room.

presenting the ever so functional 'lofty' loft bed:

i came up with the design.

jude created it.

i captured it.

tag team c&c - right?

booyah!

~

emery & selah love it!

and with 4 pieces of furniture (2 beds, dresser and bookshelf) 

grouped together now, they have even more room to play!

this one of a kind 'lofty' bed will be 

on the market in about 5 years.

bidding starts now!

next step

just signed up for an online photography course in the fall!!

it's offered by karen russell, who is based in oregon.

registration was at 6pm pacific time - 9pm here.  

had to leave a meeting a tad early to get home to register 

because i had heard it fills up fast...really fast.

there are two options: full student or audit

i went with audit, 

but the competitive side of me wanted to click full student 

just to see if i was quick enough to get in to one of 40 spots.

i guess i'll never know.

i am quite excited about this.  

i've been thinking about next steps with my photography

and i imagine this will be a great stepping stone!

apparently these are the gargrave stepping stones?!
borrowed the image from wikipedia

and a side note:

as i blog i've been watching a spider crawl all over the wall (and art) by my desk.

jeepers!  it's a quick one.  

where'd it go?

and another note:

so encouraged by your comments on my last blog - thanks =)

little man

so fun to see evan today.

'little man' is growing up!

 such a calm and content boy.

his mommy and daddy are doing so well.

 soon he'll have to share that ball...

because this little man will be a big brother come september!

 he'll be a good big brother - i know it.

...love auntie

bloom

this is selah's favourite flower - she's been watching and waiting for them!

a beautiful iris stands alone in full bloom.

bloom: "the state or period of greatest beauty, freshness or vigor"

~

i have been blogless for a little bit.  

kind of bogged down.

not in full bloom.

feeling busy and tired these days.

after not having uploaded my photos for a week, 

it was nice to come across the pretty photo above

(taken in my parent's garden last week).

even when i feel like i'm busy and/or moving slow, 

life goes on around me...

beautiful & new.

thankful for that.

i would like to join the iris in full bloom,

but not sure how to get there these days.

i would love to hear what helps you 

feel like you're at your best, 

like you're in full bloom.

~

after a busy day indoors 

(a fun new project - photos to come), 

it was so lovely to look out the window this evening and see 

that our irises have started to bloom as well.  

made me smile.

selah will be so happy!