[9:52]

As you’ve seen from last week’s post, Spring comes early to my area, and while most everyone else is in the throws of winter in February, we are blooming into Spring… but you can see I’m not ready for Spring…Winter just barely got here and she’s already moving onto another season. I guess I might not cling to it so much if we had more rain this month, but it’s been slow on the rain and snow side and it makes me worry that we will continue in our drought another year longer… you see it’s a bit sad seeing so much brown for such a long period of time, and we get virtually no rain come Summer.

And although I do love Spring, I also long for the peaceful quiet when the snow falls and a silence falls over everything covering it in a  blanket of white… true I don’t live in it, and only see bits and glimpses of the fluffy white stuff, but for us rain is associated with Winter as well, it is when we get the most rain and all the pastures turn a beautiful green color, the rain brings peace to my senses, it calms me the way the snow does when it falls, because of our mild winters I long for them… they are late coming and soon to leave….so here is my ode to Winter although she leaves us in California much to soon….  ~Shirina

 

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This week’s weather in Minnesota has been all about change and transition… we’ve had some warm and almost balmy days, with the light having that spring-like quality that only happens after a sudden thunderstorm.

And we got to celebrate a birthday with some much needed play outside.  In February!!! That’s a first since my niece was born 10 years ago! : )

We’ve also had days where I woke up to giant snowflakes falling, creating long snowy commutes.

Change and transition… it happens… in every part of our lives… weather, jobs, relationships, where we live, how we age, our bodies, our health, love & loss… life. A lot of change is out of our control and really hard, because it hurts.  But I believe that something good always graces us after a really difficult time, we may not see it for a while or understand it right away, but it will come.  Change, both good and bad, it shapes us… it is just a part of this crazy, wild, beautiful and yes sometimes painful thing called ‘life’ and I am choosing to roll with it.  ~Michele

[8:52]

By the time February rolls around, I am seriously craving color and light. Bringing fresh cut flowers into my home is one of my favorite ways for dealing with a lingering winter landscape outside.   This week we got a little spring tease, which felt so good.  One day was close to 50F degrees and the air had that hint of spring… warm sunshine and a little balmy humidity. So good!! We’re back in the 30’s this week but at least I know we’re on the back end of winter now.  big hugs~ michele

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As I drive around town I notice the walnut orchards which still are bare and have winters day on them…
The only thing vibrant is the mustard weed growing on the orchard floors… I do love the starkness in the walnut trees and being able to see the way they arch towards one another. I love seeing the bare branches, and the texture of them, and meanwhile the almond orchards are in full bloom showing their bright vibrant blooms for all to see.  Spring… I do believe she is coming to my area if not all ready here, she arrives early in February every year and as the seasons come and go.. quicker and quicker, I count myself lucky to live in an area that’s surrounded in orchards, especially in Fall, Winter and Spring… it’s when we’re the prettiest. yes Spring has begun and I’m going to try to capture all it’s beauty…wishing you all Spring in your heart even with snowy days ahead xo ~shirina

 

[7:52]

Some special thoughts from Shirina and I on this Valentine’s Day Sunday…

With you I am home.

One day you will learn how to give and receive love like an open window and it will feel like a summer day everyday.

I’ve learned… That it is not what I have in my life but who I have in my lift that counts.

 

The word Love can mean so many things in so many ways, it’s kindness in a stranger’s helping hand, it’s the passion and fire that we have for our loved ones who mean the world to us, that one day evolves into knowing that they love us with their entire being and show us daily how important we are to them, those who love us on our bad days when we’re unbearable and encourage us when we’re feeling defeated… Who hold our hands when we’re afraid…

 

It’s the parents who hold their children tight and let them know they will love them until their last breath… it’s the way that friends inspire you with pure goodness in their heart, truly wishing you happiness and joy.. to the kind deeds we do for strangers and those whom we will never know… Love is so many unspoken words and love is also for you in loving and cherishing who you are… Love is…. everyday… in all moments, in all that we do. ~shirina

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Valentine’s Day… a day for celebrating love… for being extra grateful for those you hold dear to your heart.  Hold the ones you love close today… lots of hugs & kisses and whisper sweet-nothings in their ear… then do the same every day of the year, for life is a gift and it is short and Love is all that matters.

When I saw you I fell in love and you smiled because you knew. ~William Shakespeare

Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same. ~Emily Bronte

You are my sun,
my moon,
and all my stars.
~e.e. cummings

How beautiful to find a heart that loves you,
without asking you for anything,
but to be okay.
~Khalil Gibran

We are not trapped or locked up in these bones. No, no. We are free to change. And love changes us. And if we can love one another, we can break open the sky. ~Walter Mosley

Love to you all ~michele

[6:52]

I’ve begun to realize that you can listen to silence and learn from it, it has a quality and a dimension all it’s own.

Sometimes, life slaps you in the face with beauty, screaming at you to take notice. Other times, it whispers in your ear and just suggests that you stop,  look up, and take a deep breath. ~Tyler Knott Gregson

No one is you and that is your power.

Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.
~shirina ❤️

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Do you ever think about the wonder of it all… how we are here, living all these different lives but yet connected… and all around us, miracles are happening everyday, without most people even stopping to notice?

‘We live on a blue planet that circles around a ball of fire next to a moon that moves the sea… and you don’t believe in miracles?’

 ~michele xoxo