weird weather

As if the weather was not quite sure about what to do today, it presented us with a very strange mix of melting and freezing and as if to make up for the lack of certainty, it came down with an extreme amount of rain.

birch

The birch trees in the front yard with their radiant and bright bark are like sunshine against the white of snow.

higher vibe

It took nine years to finally see Kurt Elling live - that he sang higher vibe made it a dream come true. This man is truely incredible, wow!

candlelight

The gloom of the day matched our mood, but we fought back with tea and candlelight and felt better by nightfall.

Wii

The best diversion for a kid not feeling well and mom suffering with her. We have been busy at Hogwarts today.

feedback

Work revolving around creative processes often lacks a quantifiable and measurable outcome and it is easy to get lost in it. My mind needs feedback like my body needs air and water. It moves me forward, makes me better, inspires me and makes my work become tangible.

blue skies

Blue skies smiling at me at Sophie's snow boarding hill. It makes you want to grab a board and try it ... or maybe not.

hub man

Sometimes it is really tiny, little things of fun that can make me smile, like USB hub man. He might look like a tortured fella, but he happily dedicates his whole existence to provide me with many USB access points.

flowers

Sunshine was streaming through the kitchen window, getting caught in the prism and throwing a rainbow on the flowers. There is something very happy about rainbows.

winter beach

The fierce wind was blowing wicked cold, but my ten year old had requested a winter beach and how can I deny her that? We got rewarded though, with very intense colors at the beach in Maine.

green

After two month of hiding every vegetation under the snow, the big melt revealed some green in the garden, incredible.

gift

Thank you my dear friend for sending me some California sunshine in bottles. This one was the funniest label of all three and I had to laugh out loud every time I passed it today. Who ever came up with that idea? I drink to you Californians and hope to have some wine with you some time soon, incidentally, I have been into California Zinfandel lately.

comfort

Comfort is hard to find on some days, which is why there is such a thing as comfort food. Tonight we had German milk rice with cinnamon sugar and a jar of peaches from a very nice friend's garden - definitely comfort!

morning sun

A very bright winter sun was illuminating my Buddha this morning, a very inspiring and peaceful beginning of another day.

"In the midst of winter,...

...I found there was, within me, an invincible summer." ~ Camus

I took this photo when summer was oh so slowly winding down to make space for fall, just like winter is winding down to make space for spring - exactly half a year ago.

1000mg

of Vitamin C with Electrolytes, B Vitamins and other good stuff makes a nice fizzy drink and is my weapon for fighting a bad cold. It is not clear yet who will actually win, we are teeter tottering about since a couple of days. I hope I win, and not just because I am very competitive.

alstroemeria

Thank you alstroemeria for giving us a little bit of spring without being too bright yet. And thank you Trader Joe's, the only place one can afford such luxuries.

tea cups

Each set different, each set definitely beautiful and classic. Even though at times I am a little scared something might break during their use, it would be silly to just have them in the cabinet collecting dust. I love my tea cups and I'd rather enjoy them with that risk than not enjoying them at all. Otherwise, what else would be the point of having them?

mail

How fortunate to have some pleasing mail for a change - my favorite magazine from Germany, a catalog from Sweden with a plethora of wonderful spring clothing from my favorite designer and the New Yorker. Big cup of tea + reading material like this = happiness, pure and simple!

contemplation

I am not sure what she is thinking about, but she looks lost in contemplation, obviously enjoying her moment of rest.

winterwonderland

Thank you spectacular, breathtaking, awe inspiring, beautiful and magnificent snow. What a nice surprise to wake up to.

juncos

The juncos seem very timid this year, sitting in the apple tree, eying the seeds in front of our window, but not getting quite the nerve to come over. They are such handsome sparrows. I'd be scared too, if cats would watch me eat, thinking about their next meal...

solitude

After spending a day jumping from one social situation to the next, I thank you solitude for having been my much needed companion tonight.

giving

It is so much fun making little gifts for friends. As nice as it is to receive, I do think there is more joy in giving.

constrast

The light and shadow of the sun were dancing on the snow this morning, leaving a sparkling world. The sunlight made this day bearable, a day with only one redeeming quality: that even bad days eventually end and make way for better ones. The good days are only good because there are bad days to provide contrast and contrast make this world an interesting place.

overjoyed

It is such a nice thing when the UPS guy wades through the snow just to hand you a little package. Even nicer that it is the new Kurt Elling CD that will officially come out next week. And nicest of all: listening to it is utter bliss and joy! A little slice of heaven - sigh...

creature comfort

Whatever is going on in Greymalkin's little head, I would love to have a peek into his thoughts.

flag

When we lived in Pennsylvania a house without a flag would be an exception and every season or occasion would come with it's flag. It was always nice driving around and looking at the different ones out there. Funny, beautiful, cutsy or simple, they had no purpose but bring a little joy into every day. So when we moved here, one of the first things I did was to attach the flag pole. Whenever we leave or return, the flag is waving at us.