SURPRISE!!

 
After a few snowdays and false starts, the kids in my class surprised me with a birthday party this afternoon...they made me cupcakes, popcorn, and home baked bread..then they showered me with handmade cards, flowers and a spa gift certificate...such a wonderful class..such a wonderful teacher...I am a lucky woman!

She's over it!!

 
"We went to Lauren and Taylor's for a double birthday dinner to celebrate Dave's and my birthdays (which are 5 days apart)...after dinner Dave worked for a couple of hours on their driveway and sidewalks with his snowblower....Lauren was most appreciative as she has had it with winter, and slip sliding all over the place in her "cute" little car!

Black and White Brunch...

 
Thanks to my dear friend, Traci, for hosting a beautiful brunch for us this a.m. She really outdid herself, right down to my favorite lemon cake with Black and White birthday candles! I am lucky to have such wonderful girlfriends and that is truly the best gift one could get for her birthday, now isn't it!

Calm Chloe....

 
"The idea of calm exists in a sitting cat."-Jules Reynard (Our cat Chloe; not the least bit excited to have some of my birthday cake today)

A little bowl of cheer...

 
White seems to be the color of the moment, but now and then you have to shake it up with a jolt of color...and what better color is there than red! A small bowl of summer sweetness on a winter white snow day (again)!

Season of Ice...

 
"Wind high and cold, the sun low, short its course, the sea running high. Cold has seized the birds' wings; season of ice, this is my news."-Irish Poem, 9th Century (The seagulls were so cold at the beach, they didn't even move as I came up on them to take a shot)

Sit and listen...

 
"Remain sitting and listen. Do not even listen, simply wait, be quiet, still and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked, it has no choice, it will roll in ectasy at your feet."-Franz Kafka....(a quiet bench on Bailey Beach)