Park Time With Penny

Someone was grumpy this morning, so we went to the Finley River Park to play!

Grumpy Penny and her baby, Tracker.

Arriving at the park, we stopped to read this board. I am just now realizing that it says, "Continued from the other side". Doh! I'll have to read that side next time.

We head toward the water.

We can see Chigger Chalet across the way.

Penny hears people playing at the baseball field so off we go!

We hang out on the bleachers for a while and try to capture a decent selfie. 

Her face! So funny!

After many failed attempts and lots of fun, we go back to the trail by the water.

For the first time we cross through the creepy graffiti tunnel. 

On the other side we follow a trail for a few hundred feet and arrive at the hidden side of the dam! WOW!

We played in our new spot for a long time. We tried for one more selfie before calling it a day and then gave up! 

The water is so clear in the winter. The patch of trees in the center of the river is the "island" where the two eagles I watch live. Eagle Island. No sighting of my feathered friends today so we go home.

Penny had so much fun and was fast asleep in no time!

I'm so glad we had a chance to go to the park and take advantage of this gorgeous day. Missouri is famous for its crazy bi-polar weather, and I hear it may snow a bit this weekend! What a great January we have had! 

~ Love & Light ~

Children Are Magic

When you don't have kids of your own, it's easy to forget how inspiring spending time with them can be. I always come away with a renewed sense of wonder and an appreciation for the magic all around us after spending time with a young one.  Seeing the world through a child's eyes is healing and reminds the spirit of its purpose here on Earth. 

On Saturday, I had lunch with my friend Rcena. She had her little niece Emma with her. Emma is two years old, was so well behaved, and a lot of fun to spend time with. I enjoyed watching her try the different foods at the Aviary Cafe and name the decorations she recognized. Watching her reminded me to view the world around me with fresh eyes, and to appreciate the little details, like the sour of a fresh lemon or the warmth of a cup of coffee. 

Emma enjoying her juice.

If, like me, you don't have children, consider finding a few to hang out with from time to time. It's one of the best ways to lift your spirits and bring a smile to your face!

~ Love & Light ~

Pull The Local Wool Over Your Eyes, Or In This Case, Your Ears

Recently, I entered a giveaway from Re-Grow Roots, and I won! My prize was a hand crocheted ear warmer (my choice of color) that is made from handspun wool and alpaca fiber from Foil, Missouri! I chose red for the color.

I love the color of this yarn!

Re-Grow roots makes handmade crocheted crafts with mother earth in mind. You can take a peek at some of their offerings at their Etsy store, and follow along on Facebook for future giveaways and more updates. You know how excited I get when I discover a local business I can get behind, and Re-Grow Roots is a proud Missouri business!

Take a closer look at this luscious local yarn!

These photos cannot convey the quality of the fibers. This ear warmer is thick, chunky, and well put together. There is no doubt it is superior to mass produced winter wear, which makes the crafts from Re-Grow Roots ideal to give as gifts. With the long Missouri winters we endure it is nice to have a variety of warm accessories to choose from. The next time you are looking to add to your wardrobe or need a gift for a friend, keep Re-Grow Roots  in mind and peruse their goodies first!

Stylin' and toasty warm in my Re-Grow Roots ear warmer.

~ Love & Light ~

Annual Sickness Event

It's becoming a yearly event. Every January I get whatever is going around. Today is day six or seven that I've been ill. I've lost count at this point. I am feeling better though, so I thought I should post something to let you know I haven't abandoned the blog, I just haven't the energy to do anything creative right now. If you too are feeling like crud, you have my sympathies. I hope to be back soon!

~ Love & Light ~

2015 Brings The Cold

Arctic temperatures through Wednesday this week. It feels like winter now, but the sun is shining and the ground is dry. If the snow doesn't find us here in Oz, it won't be for lack of cold.

I rise in the mornings at 6:00am to do yoga. From my studio this morning I had a view of the gaggle of Canadian geese that call the Finley home. They were still curled up in oval shapes waiting for the sun to rise. A most curious sight.

Geese on the river before sunrise.

The eagles I wrote about several weeks ago are still here. Mark woke me up the day before yesterday when he spotted the male putting on a show over the water. I was so happy to see him again, but even more happy that he made an appearance for Mark. I wrapped myself in a blanket and we went out into the cold and watched him until he took off south following the river. 

The variety of birds on our patch of paradise is many. Right outside our bedroom window is the tiniest, most cute little nest. It has fluff springing out of it in the most adorably schizophrenic way. 

Tiny bird's nest at Chigger Chalet.

My sister Sara and her brood were here for the New Year. All of us went to dinner one night and we came away with a photo of the sisters.

Sara, Dallis and Leanne. Photo by Simon Ball

Sara and I also got a chance to get away for a girl's lunch with the old school crew. The six of us grew up in the hood together. 

Cynarra, Sara, Charmagne, Leanne, Christa and Alicia. Photo by random employee guy on his break. 

Group selfie! 

My brother-in-law also caught a sweet moment between me and his daughter Mallory after the belated family gift exchange.

Leanne and Mallory. Photo by Scott Cisco

Penny got a new present too!

Penny and her Christmas bone. That thing didn't last long!

I have so much on the to-do list for January! I have much to accomplish before we leave for Ireland next month. The year of The Sheep could prove to be my most productive yet. Sheep can only move forward, (seriously, the can't go backward.) and they are tough and resilient. Mark and I were both born in October of 1979, making us both Sheep according to the Chinese zodiac. This year is so ours!!!

~ Love & Light ~