inspiration.

Dig within. Within is the wellspring of good; and it is always ready to bubble up, if you just dig.

~Marcus Aurelius

i find myself constantly looking for inspiration lately. it's as if i must find it in order to function as a better mama, better photographer, better blog post, better person in general, to live each day to the fullest and see the joy. i try to find it in the everyday, and often times in the mundane details of running (or trying to) an efficient household. it's no secret...the jig is up...i seriously SUCK at keeping a tidy house.

yes, my house is free of dust and my floors are usually in tiptop shape...but keeping it free of clutter, toys, and other stuff is like that is virtually impossible...for me:) hey, but i'm owning it and it's okay. i know that when i am 89 years old, i will still be looking for the things that i need because quite possibly i didn't put it back where it belonged the last time i had it. i really hope i won't have dentures 'cause that won't be conducive to my social life i am sure. ha.

i sit here with my background noise-of-choice (cause i need noise): the holiday-it's fab. oh, that quaint little english country side chalet nestled between the snow covered trees, bright blue sky and warmed only by a small fireplace...divine. a dream. a perfect escape. i'm totally going to hook myself up with something equivalent in the vacation department. one day.

knowing that a fabric swatch, a book, a song, a call from a friend or the longing face of a 3-year old to go outside and play street hockey could and often does open new doors and efficiently get the creative juices flowing, it's power. empowering.

of course, there are those days when feeling inspired or creative comes at a slower pace making me to tired to look and that's cool too, but mostly i think, it finds me and kicks me in the booty which leads me to my list of happy stuff from the last few days.

my first new t.r.e.a.s.u.r.e...

i have never gone to a flea market...not a real one. i adore the ideas and photos. it's loaded with the old and beautiful. the worn and re-loved. now i'm looking for a vintage loaf pan!

creative inspirations...it's everywhere and it is one of the best gifts you can give yourself. end of tangent.

other things that have made me happy this week:

a baby brother sleeping with his big sister in her room. just because they wanted to have a 'sleepover!' "i don't have school tomorrow, mama. can my baby brother sleep in my bed?"

we didn't think it would work, but it did and it was precious. love those kids...so so much.

beckham's happy and excited face when he found his new bike in the foyer. he wanted a big bike for a big boy and it needed to be blue or red with a kick stand! an important add-on...a horn so it would make noise.

"it makes noise mama!"

another happy:

a surprise box of gifts from my family in michigan.

beckham running after daddy's car in the morning to say goodbye to peyton for the 10th time and to give daddy just one more 'boosie!' (kiss)

this has turned into a morning ritual.

my lowfat coffee treat...half a splenda, a bit of milk, cinnamon, and a dask of cocoa powder.

the madeline's french cakes are for the kids but the name on the package makes me want to have another little girl, name her maddy, move to france and become master cake maker.

$5 game from publix that keeps me picking up colorful little plastic bunnies off the floor, but the kids stack them over and over again while i make dinner, the laughter (some arguing) is why it made my happy list.

planting these little seedlings...

watching them grow...

a few days later after some love, too much water, and some-- why-aren't-they-growing-tears...

best happy thing of the week:

dancing in the rain. not me. them. way too cold for me, but they asked/begged and i have to say...i love it when they teach me to slow down and enjoy the rain as only a child can...

feeling so blessed for the love that i have and for all of the new and exciting things happening around me. digging within, i am learning, is a gift we give ourselves. well, i am off...i have my mini-shoots tomorrow and forgot how early i need to be up.

***to all the readers/commenters/personal inspirers, THANK YOU for all of the sweet comments. i treasured every single word and i wish i could gift you all with something special...or invite you all over for brunch. that would be amazing.

speaking of gifts...

the winner of the beautiful egg necklace is...drumroll... #14 (i counted each person's comment once, and i didn't count my own responses to readers. #14 of 47 comments won!)

Kbethel.

please email me at heidi976@earthlink.net and send me your color preference and your mailing address. congratulations!!!

enjoy your weekend!

lots of love,

heidi