Food for the Spirit

My husband and I love to take our daughters on road trips. They don't have to be far in distance, but it is nice when we feel like we've really gotten away----even if it is just for an afternoon. Sometimes we splurge and spend a night, maybe two, at a motel so that we can fully enjoy our surroundings and explore a little bit. Last weekend was one of those such road trips. Having fallen in love with Sequoia National Park during an overnighter last May, we couldn't wait to return, and we got to explore King's Canyon National Park, which connects to Sequoia National Park from the north end, as well.

These drives are so rejuvenating for us (even while our bodies rebel at being in the car for hours on end). Such beauty surrounding us at all elevations and the opportunity to get out and take photos, feeling a greater connection to the amazing offerings before us...it is what the spirit needs every once in a while!

There is so much to see in this wonderful world we live in. Not everyone lives near Sequoia/King's Canyon National Park, but the beauty is everywhere in different forms. I encourage anyone who is feeling uninspired to venture out into their surroundings and see them in a way you never have before. Take a camera and look very close and from a distance. It can be life changing and healing, and almost always inspiring.

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My Mom's Favorite Things

My mother is one of the most deserving people I know. After raising four children with my father, working for most of her adult life as a nurse anesthetist, moving with Dad across the country in order to be closer to their children and grandchildren, and making it to as many recitals, performances, graduations, birthdays, and other important events as humanly possible---not to mention the last four months of taking care of most of the necessities of running a household as Dad has been recuperating from a string of unfortunate accidents which have been making this less than a banner year for them thus far, my mother deserves flowers, candy, a dinner out, a trip, some nice jewelry, and a day being pampered at a spa! Unfortunately, the economy has affected all of us and our love for her is being expressed in other ways! In honor of Mother's Day this year, I put together a little mini-treasury full of items inspired by some of my mother's favorite things. I wish I could fill your day with all of these today, Mom! :

From left to right:

LilloArts, CierraSweets, Botanicart

ScarletBeautiful2, Cyrilplace, DogArtStudio

WeeBitArtsy, HalMarie, PJRodio


Happy Mother's Day to you, Mom!

And Happy Mother's Day to all of you out there who are lucky enough to be mothers!