Wordless Wednesday

 

 

✿~Peace & Love~✿

Kindness & Snow

“Kindness is like snow –

it beautifies everything it covers”

Khalil Gibran

Technically this isn’t snow in this image, it’s hoarfrost (which we’ve been delightfully blessed to be having quite a bit of here lately), but who’s being picky? Certainly not me. 😉

So HI YOU GUYS!!!

Sorry for ‘shouting’ all in caps, but I’m excited!

But I’m not excited with this new editor thing. Ugh. Probably old news to you all by now, but it might take me a while to get used to it.

So, I’ve sort of been away from here for months and you know what? I’ve sincerely missed you all! ❤

I have no explanation really, but I did start back to work in the beginning of October. I feel like I’ve been on survival mode for like, ever. You may relate, yes? And that doesn’t promote much inspiration or creativity. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had many moments where there’s been both of those, but I guess maybe I just haven’t been able to take the time nor had the energy to share. Plus, do you ever get tired of yourself? Like, do you ever feel like you’re always sharing the same thing and have nothing new to offer? I don’t know, like I said, I don’t really have an explanation. And then new habits and routines form and before you know it, it’s been months since you’ve shared on your blog…

Even now, I’m squeezing this post in before I have to hurry off for work. But I saw this quote and just had to take this time to share. I’m feeling it so much…

I have more to say, but I’m gonna have to leave it there for now. I hope you all are well. I’m sending out so much love to all of you!

 

 

✿~Peace & Love~✿

Mandala Monday ~ Christmas Gifts

Happy Mandala Monday!  I just thought I would share a few photos of the lovely mandala coasters and set of magnets I got this past Christmas from my nephew and my sister. They’re so delightful and they make me happy – (the gifts and my fam 😉)!

I had both of these things on my Amazon wishlist and was so excited to receive them!  One of my love languages is gifts, so I always feel extra loved when people give me gifts.  Granted, it is a common tradition to exchange gifts at Christmas time – especially with family, but it still makes me feel extra special whenever I receive a gift!

Here is a stock photo I stole off of the Amazon listing so you can see all the great mandala designs on the coasters.  They’re all so pretty, it’s hard to chose a favorite…

And those coasters will come in handy while I’m drinking all of the fruit-infused water concoctions that I’ve set my mind to making in the new year.  The color of this one looks especially yummy doesn’t it?  Strawberry, blackberry and pineapple. Mmm so refreshing…

🍹

The magnets are such darling little things!  They were tricky to photograph because they’re only about the size of a quarter and have a glossy finish, so these are a bit blurry…

These will come in handy too, as my sweet Granddaughter loves to draw, color and paint pictures for me to display on my refrigerator.  Maybe I’ll have some to display from my Grandson one day too.  We’ll have to wait and see if he enjoys art, as he is only one year old, but he seems to like being involved in anything and everything that his big sister is doing.

Speaking of my Grandchildren…

I could share hundreds of photos I snapped of them over the holidays, but I’ll spare you from all the scrolling.  I do love these ones of the two of them though, because of the warm, loving memories I have of them helping me decorate my tree…

My Granddaughter always insists on wearing her ‘strawberry dress’ (which is too small), whenever she comes over.  But it makes her happy, so we just let her. Even though it’s winter. 🙃

🎄❤

And I’ll share this one too, because of the pure and simple joy of it…

Oh, how I love my Daughter and my Grandchildren! 💕

And while we are on the subject of children (and this looks like it’s for children), and it’s Mandala Monday, one other mandala-themed gift I received this Christmas was this mandala sidewalk chalk stencil kit from my mom…

Another stock photo, but that can’t be helped – it’s winter right now and everything is covered with snow, so I can’t exactly take it out and play with it just yet.  Maybe for a future mandala Monday…

I hope your Monday is off to a good start!  Wishing you beauty and inspiration today and in the coming week!

 

 

✿~Peace & Love~✿

Seasons Merge

Cold winds swirl

autumn leaves twirl

two seasons merge into one

when snow joins in

adding a frosty dusting

of winter magic

 

© Julie Rehnelt 2019

 

But only for the weekend.  Thankfully!  😉

We had a bit of snow here in Minnesota.  Everyone is groaning “noooooo!”  Except me.  Don’t get me wrong… I was too at first, when I heard the forecast – if you’ve been with me very long, you know that autumn is my most bestest favoritest time of year, the last thing I want is for it to end prematurely.  Heck, it feels like it’s barely even gotten started and there’s so much more enjoying I want to have.  But, rather than dread or resist or groan about the cold and the snow – which we have zero control over, wouldn’t it serve us better to try to find the beauty in it instead?  It’s there, it just might require a little shift in perspective to see it…

 

Wishing you warmth and beauty today and a perspective that brings you joy!

 

 

✿~Peace & Love~✿

Betwixt Winter and Spring

Sun-kissed evergreens

their boughs heavy laden with snow

shed tears of joy

as they bask under warm, golden rays

Sparkling droplets dangle like jewels

frozen

betwixt winter and spring 

 

© Julie Rehnelt 2019

 

 

✿~Peace & Love~✿

Snowy Sunday

This morning I awoke, went downstairs to put on some coffee, and opened the front blinds to this…

Oooo so pretty!!!  Truly a winter wonderland!  It had rained last night before the snow began, so the snow had frozen to all the tree branches.  It was glorious!  Don’t get me wrong, I’m pretty much feeling as done with winter as everyone else around here, and eager for spring to come, but it’s hard not to come alive with excitement when winter puts on such a magical show.  This photo doesn’t do justice to how lovely a scene it was.

Out every window was a beautiful sight.  Then I looked out my back door at this…

That’s when reality started sinking in… I was going to have to clear away all that snow.  And it was HEAVY!  But coffee first!  😉

As I was getting all bundled up to head outside, I decided not to get right to work.  I think that’s been my problem.  Well, not a “problem” so to speak, but I’ve been on “survival mode” all winter (I’ve kind of had to be) and haven’t taken as much time as I normally would to be out in it and just enjoy the beauty of it.  I do love the snow…

Usually I’m one of the first ones out there and my neighbor always comes out with his snowblower to snowblow his measly 5 feet of sidewalk just as I’m finishing up.  But this morning, he came out around the same time as me, and as I was digging out my car, he did this…

I live on a corner and the side of the house is the longest area of sidewalk for me to shovel.  I want to say it’s like 50 feet, but I’m not sure, I could be exaggerating a bit.  Anyways, this was a TREMENDOUS help to me, like oh my gosh you guys, I’m so grateful!  Thanks so much, Bill!

 

I need a snowblower…

 

After digging my car out and shoveling my driveway, I decided to take a little walk down the street before starting on the front sidewalk.  The sun was up and the clouds had parted to heavenly blue skies.  With the snow on all the tree branches it was so gorgeous…

 

For some reason, I just kept walking.  Probably because it was just so magical, everywhere I looked was absolutely beautiful.  I purposely kept my phone in my pocket, I knew I couldn’t truly capture the beauty I was seeing anyway, and I just wanted to savor it.  Eventually, I got to the river and came upon an old train bridge and took out my phone to snap a picture…

I used to jump from that bridge into the river as a kid.  What a dummy haha!  As I stood there enjoying the sight (and the childhood memories), a beautiful male cardinal came to serenade me.  His bright red feathers, a brilliant contrast against the snowy branches, his song such a delight to hear.  It felt like a gift just for me.  ❤

 

Going for this little walk was just what I needed on this snowy Sunday.  And it was much more fun than shoveling.  😉

 

Although, I do love “Limey” my little lime green shovel…

He’s gotten me through a lot this winter.  🙂

 

I’m off to run errands now with my Seester.  Hope you’re enjoying your Sunday, or whatever day it happens to be when you read this.  Wishing you beauty and joy!

 

 

 

 

✿~Peace & Love~✿

Silent Sunday

 

My soul listens to the silence of snow falling

 

Frosty flakes descend from the heavens

floating gracefully to the earth

poetry in motion

covering all of nature in a fresh blanket of pure white

saying

hush now, be still, rest

 

My soul listens to the silence of snow falling

 

© Julie Rehnelt 2016

~

 

Sorry, I have no photo to share with this one today, just my words as I sip my coffee, watching (and listening to) the silent snow falling outside my window this Sunday morning…

❄❄❄

 

 

 

✿~Peace & Love~✿

Snow Art

So beautiful, creative and unique, like crop circles in the snow!   😉
I’m a huge fan of #14…

TwistedSifter

‘Snow artist’ Simon Beck creates the most amazing temporary artworks using just a compass, string, measuring tape and a pair of snowshoes. Beck graduated in Engineering from Oxford University but decided later on to leave his office job in order to become a cartographer.

In December 2004 after a day of skiing, he got the idea to draw a star on the small frozen lake in front of his place. His sense for orientation in combination with his passion for outdoor and physical activities inspired him to complete a snow creation. The day after, looking down from the ski lift; he was impressed by the result. After the next snowfall, he repeated the exercise by creating an even more complex drawing. For Simon, a new passion was born.

Beck’s creations have garnered him hundreds of thousands of fans online. His Facebook page boasts over 280,000 Likes and he has just…

View original post 663 more words

The Wintry Adventures of Little Snow Pup

 

Whenever it snows, Little Snow Pup is always on high alert.  For he knows that surely fun and exciting adventures await him on the outside.  So donning his brand new, warm winter coat, he heads out into the white wintry world…

 

And what he finds makes him very happy!  Little Snow Pup just adores fresh snow, it makes him feel really frisky!

His favorite things are rolling around in it…

All the way around…

 

And catching snowflakes on his tongue…

He says “Mmm… these snowflakes are so refreshing and delicious!”

 

Little Snow Pup is a brave dog and ventures out across the snowy tundra, boldly going where no dog has gone before, leaving a trail of paw prints behind him…

One small step for dog, one giant leap for dog-kind…

 

But even though he’s having tons of fun on all his wild adventures of frolicking around in the fresh snow, after a while, Little Snow Pup gets cold and starts to shiver.  He’s just a tiny little fella after all…

 

And his feet get especially cold, so he wants to be picked up and carried inside.  His human bends down, takes him gently in her arms and says ” Come along then Little Snow Pup, lets go inside and get you all warmed up.  Don’t worry little guy, we’ll come out again another day and have many more wonderful snowy adventures…”

The end.

😀

 

 

 

✿~Peace & Love~✿

Shocking News!

 

Hey guess what?  It snowed here again in Minnesota.  Typical.

 

~

Well, even with as much as I’m longing for the return of the green and growing things, I’m not gonna let a little thing like getting a bit of snow in the springtime get me down.  There is still beauty to be found.  Everyone is all in an uproar about it, complaining.  Hush now people, it’s gonna melt.

Last year it snowed in May.  Now that was something to gripe about.  😉

 

✿~Peace & Love~✿