Rose Colored Glasses

It is SNOWING in April. I could barely drag myself out of my warm bed this morning and then dreaded having to bundle us all up in our winter coats to go outside. Later, while leaving to go pick my oldest up from school, my youngest paused on the way to the car and literally stopped to smell the flowers. These tiny purple ones have suddenly appeared everywhere around our house and he laid down flat on his belly on the sidewalk and took a big whiff, "Mmm.. smells sweet and yummy." I, on the other hand, was trying to rush him into the car because I was freezing and we were going to be late if we didn't hurry.

I am aware that as adults we sometimes miss these special little moments because we're in too much of a rush all of the time. So, how do we see through the eyes of our children again? How do we look past the dreary sky and the cold wind and appreciate the smell of a tiny purple flower? I've decided that it might require rose colored glasses. And we're in luck, because when Jamie was visiting, she just happened to have an entire bag full that she was planning to give to Goodwill. :)



So, for the rest of the day, I have vowed to try to pull myself out of this gloomy mood, take a deep breath of something sweet, and fill my day with colorful happy moments.

I thought a good place to start was with a healthy snack to energize my sluggish body. I used to blog a lot about food, health, and nutrition.. but recently I have had to evaluate my heath and change my diet a bit, so I have been following more of a Whole (organic) Foods/ Mediterranean type diet lately. I will write more about these changes soon, but for now.. I had a snack of Late July Organic crackers, spread with Laughing Cow light cheese, topped with avocado slices, and a squeeze of fresh Meyer lemon. On the side I had some juicy Cara Cara orange slices and a handful of cashews. I am feeling more uplifted already!



And for a sweet treat, reminiscent of warmer days.. indulge yourself in Purely Decadent's non-dairy, non-soy, Coconut milk chocolate ice cream with banana slices and vegan peanut butter cookie crumbles (from a past blog of mine). Mmmm...



My oldest has been working for the past week on this colorful Star Wars poster using the free candle wrapping paper from the other day. Just looking at it instantly brightens my mood!



I LOVE Charlie Harper Illustrations and I have been waiting a month for these to go on clearance at Old Navy! We got a set of alphabet cards (which if you turn over makes two large floor puzzles), a letters board book, and a puzzle. I have been wanting to start working more with my youngest on his letter sounds and recognition and these are just too perfect and oh so pretty! Now, go get yourselves some before they run out! :) We are also all loving Kashi's Whole Grain Puffs cereal drizzled with Agave nectar. Yum!



I have also received some lovely gifts recently, including a belated birthday gift basket from Jamie full of E.L.F. products, that smell of coconut and instantly take me away to the beach! Sigh.. only 2 more months and we will be there for real! A copy of "Mary Jane's Farm" from my papa which was a sweet surprise to find in the mail. :) And a couple gifts I picked up for myself, including a pin cushion that has kept my littlest one happily busy for a few minutes so mama can put her feet up and look through the colorful and inspiration book, "The Gentle Art of Domesticity" which I borrowed from the library recently. Talk about sweet eye candy! You can also visit Jane Brocket's gorgeous blog at www.yarnstorm.blogs.com



I hope these photos help lift your spirits a little, and I ask that you take time today to slow down a bit today and appreciate the sweet smelling, colorful beauty in your own lives. Enjoy! :)