Grateful For Our Beautiful World

There is so much turmoil and there are so many things that concern me about our government, society, economy, and overall our future.  But I can still look outside at the mountains and palm trees and think "what a beautiful world."  I am so grateful that.  It helps me realize who's still in control.  God has given us life and such a beautiful planet to live it on.  I truly enjoy life despite all of its issues and I know that He has great things in store for me, my family and all of His children.

Stay forever grateful it is a wonderful feeling to just let that emotion grow inside you.  I love the beauty that surrounds all of us and there still is so much of it we just need to take a minute and actually notice.

I want to capture that beauty and share it; sharing a sign that God is still with us and still has us in His hands.  I truly believe He wants us to enjoy life and not to focus on all of the negative.  Why else would He create something so amazing?


Images, pictures, photographs can never compete with the experience of actually going somewhere and seeing it for yourself.   But there are many artist that come so very close; they draw you in and capture your imagination.  Their imagery pushed me out the door to explore those captured moments for myself, a big part of what made me land in California.

I am taking in everything since we moved to Palm Springs.  It has such a rich history, so much culture and so many amazing events to enjoy... but yet there is still a wildness that goes along with being located in the desert.  What a thrill!

A beautiful Watercolor of a Palm Springs Golf Course from MaryHelmreichWatercolors at http://ow.ly/kvdmr




A wonderful vintage Postcard capturing the fun and beauty of Palm Springs that still exists today!  Found in ThePostcardDepot at http://ow.ly/kvbAg

Beautiful Photograph capturing the Palms at night found at BreathOfAnAngel at http://ow.ly/kvao8

A Landscape Photograph of Joshua Tree National Park just outside of Palm Springs found in Etsy shop Myan Soffia at http://ow.ly/kvdNI

A wonderful Print that captures the wild beauty of the Desert Found in ETaddeiPhotography at http://ow.ly/kvebk

Whenever I feel stressed I try to get to the beach; it clears my mind and just takes away anything that is bothering me.


Beautiful SeaScape Print from InBetweenPhotography at http://ow.ly/kv7ZU

This beautiful Print was found at Etsy Shop Deeper at
http://ow.ly/kv8kR

I seen my first dolphins in the ocean (not in an aquarium) at Long Beach a couple weeks ago and they have been on my mind since.  I tried taking a picture but only have a few of just the fin as they are going back into the water (fast little guys.)  There were a couple of different pods swimming together throughout the day, it was one of the coolest things I have seen!  Since I couldn't get the shot I thought I would share this wonderful set of cards I found with you.

A Wonderful Card Set From Randy Ruby Photography at
 http://ow.ly/kv8m6

What beauty do you see?  What makes your heart swell with gratitude?   Please share and if you would like me to post some images from your area email me at ButterflyInTheAttic at yahoo dot com (family friendly of course.)  I would love to share.

Spiritual and Inspirational Sunday - God My Loving Father

I thoroughly enjoy Joel Osteen's sermons and messages; he is positive and up lifting.  Joel often delivers a message that I really need and has directed my faith in a way that has brought me much joy. 

Just like many of us, I grew up in a household were the focus was not so much on "God, the loving father" but "God, He who should be feared."  While respect is a crucial part of any good relationship there has to be a balance and if that balance is missing many other components will also be missing.  When a person only fears God and does things out of the fear of what will happen if they don't, love, trust, joy and rejoice all take a back seat or are even completely absent. 

Me as a kid ;)

In my younger years most of those were missing for me and I acted mostly out of fear for the wrath I might receive if I didn't behave perfectly.  Talk about pressure on the human.  Unfortunately it is has taken me this long to shed many of these old teachings and embrace my God as the loving father He is.  I am truly happier than I have ever been and I find myself wanting to do the same positive things but now it is done not out of fear but for love.  Love the Lord Thy God and Rejoice. 

I hope that you have a very blessed Sunday.

Inspirational and Spiritual Sunday - Dreams

This is one of my most favorite quotes by Joel Osteen.  It restores my hope and helps me press on.  I hope it inspires you also.  Please feel free to share this beautiful promise.
Blessings

Spiritual and Inspirational Sunday

Have a very blessed Sunday

Spiritual and Inspirational Sunday - May 6, 2012

Just want to say first - Happy National Postcard Week!  It starts today and I hope that my fellow postcard enthusiasts get many many postcards this week.

Often common everyday things can have deep meaning to someone without any real logic behind it.  I am a very strange mix; I have a degree in math and science and can be very logical but the other side of me firmly believes in God and miracles.  I also firmly believe that God did not create a boring orb for us to mundanely walk on but He created a mysterious planet for us, if we just start looking at things from different perspectives.  Most of us have had many "odd" things happen some good and maybe some bad but they all come down to a simple fact that there are no logical explanations for them.  I love a good mystery and think that maybe that has made it easier for me to hang in there when the times get rough vs other people who do give up.  I want to know how the story ends and part of the fun of any mystery is to read a chapter and sit back and try to figure out what just happened.

Mourning Doves are a very common bird in most areas of the US and often like to be around people; this would be the logical side of my brain working.  My mystery loving side doesn't care if that make sense I prefer this story: Growing up my Grandmother Lily had a passion for birds that she shared and nurtured it in me.  I still absolutely love birds; from the sweet little sparrow to the crazy and loud California Blue Jay.   Her favorite birds were Mourning Doves, she told me a lot about them and why she liked them.  I was quite small when she died so I don't remember everything but that they represented peace and they are like people and mate for life. 

Over the years and several moves I have noticed that my Mourning Doves travel with me.  It doesn't matter if it is an apartment with no yard or a town house with a yard they are there.   In fact when I first moved to Fresno (the first time I have ever lived away from Wisconsin) there was a family that built a nest above our patio light.  They laid eggs and I was able to watch their off-spring grow and eventually leave for their own future.  Although they are common I have always felt that they show up right at moments when I need them. 

When my Grandfather died this winter I was very crushed; I had not seen him for a long time and I couldn't go back to the Midwest for the funeral.  On that day four Mourning Doves sat on the rail by my home and stayed their all day.  I would like to believe it was my grandparents (all of them now passed on) there to comfort me and remind me that they are at peace.

Whenever I see the Mourning Doves I feel that they are my little angels; there to remind me that I am watched over, to comfort me and to remind me that my grandparents loved me.  Maybe it's silly but then how do we know they are not? I know that if Grandma Lily had a chance to choose what form she came to visit me in, it would be her favorite bird, the Mourning Doves.

May you have a peaceful and blessed Sunday and don't stop looking for the mystery.

Spirtual and Inspirational Sunday - April 29 2012

I have always had a passion for birds.  I have had bird gardens and spent endless hours watching the Midwest landscape transform from a grey and frozen Iceland to a colorful rainbow full of life with some simple but strategically placed feeders.  Often it was more entertaining to watch out my picture window than to see what was on television.  I kept my feeder up year round changing them out for the seasons with anticipation of what seasonal visitors I would have.

This beautiful Graphite Pencil Drawing can be purchased from ETSY shop CarolineArt at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Carolineart?ref=seller_info

One summer, when my children were small, our nectar feeder was frequented by a special little hummingbird.  This little friend wouldn't just flit in and out as would her fellow hummingbirds, but she would sit for a minute lightly perched on the little plastic piece and spend a minute with me while I did dishes.  I noticed this for a week and as she darted away I also noticed that she had taken the same path coming and going.  Out of curiosity I followed in the direction that she had gone and noticed her busily moving around my grandmothers crab apple tree.  Then just as quick as I was able to spot her, she flew out of my view.  I did this routine for a couple days until on one warm sunny day I noticed on one of the lower branches a tiny little nest.

This wonderful image of a hummingbird nest is printed on beautiful notecards that can be purchased from ETSY shop DollsEyes at http://www.etsy.com/shop/dollseyes?ref=seller_info

Her nest was a beautiful little home, about the size of a tiny tea cup, lined with soft thistle and covered in sturdy lichen.  And inside this cozy little home was two miniature eggs.  I brought the kids to visit her every day.  We would stand on an embankment that was just at the right height to see into the little nest with out disturbing her duties, anxiously awaiting the new arrivals.  A few days past and the eggs were no more.  We barely could see the little darlings because they were so tiny at the bottom of that tea cup but we could see movement and knew the special day had arrived.

We spent the next couple weeks amazed at the little mother's dutiful care and how rapidly her young ones grew.  Within 3 weeks they looked just like Momma and they barley could fit in their tiny home.  Shortly, her feathered children left their nest and were on their own adventures. 

It was such a wonderful learning experience for my children and for myself.  My little friend and her brood will never be forgotten; she brought us a little miracle that summer that many people do not get to see.

My husband captured another little friend for me while I was at work this week.  She has been visiting our water fountain often and I am terribly curious to whether she has a nest near by.  Nature is often my inspiration and with the not-so-fun week at work my husband was thoughtful enough to bring to me just what I needed.  Some lovely pictures of our new friend and the most heavenly scented rose from our garden.

My inspirational thought for this week is that no matter how hard people try Don't let them take away your joy.  Your joy is a gift from God and no one has the right to steal that away from you.  Be happy my friends and many blessings to you.

Spirtual and Inspirational Sunday - April 15 2012

Most of us have times in their lives that it seems a bigger obstacle has been placed before us and we sometimes just stop; we stop trying, we stop living, and we stop hoping.  Many internalize these moments and don't share them with anyone including God and another great many of us will tell everyone about it but God.  I have seen my share of miracles during my life time and believe that yes with God we can move mountains; I have seen it and I have moved a few.  But during times of trials the memories of our miracles may be farther in the distance than we need them to be.  So my goal starting on this Sunday after Easter is to remember, always, that With The Glory Of God I Can Move Mountains and my life is testimony to that. Amen