“Reflections of a Dreary Day” even the geese were quiet and pensive.

It’s been a while since I participated with Outdoor Wednesday’s with Susan at Southern DayDreamer.

I have been working a lot, but I have to admit that the dreary weather has not given me any encouragement to go out in the cold!

 (I’m telling you its been COLD — darn it!)

I am anxious for this quote I found to come true :

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” Anais Nin

Soooo… I am thinking about a little remodel on my BLOG– you know, just change some colors… layout. I am hoping to have it up and running by weekend… or maybe first part of next week. So, be patient with me if I am a little slow in responding.

REMEMBER:  Friday~~Finding Beauty

Join us while we celebrate everything (and anything) Beautiful

The post should be up approximately 8:30 PM (MST)

When we change the way we look at things the THINGS we look at change.

Wayne Dyer

TTFN~~Claudia ♥ ♥

Valentines week is one of such fun!

Romance yes… but I am thinking of  TRUE LOVES…

I sincerely LOVE beautiful clouds in the sky…

… And horses! Look at his ol guy… Awesome old beard don’t you think? Oh and his eye lashes- Yum!

Take a moment to visit Susan at A Southern Daydreamer where out door party abounds.

Love Quote of the Day–

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.”

Helen Keller

Have the best week — find something Beautiful around you and join us on Friday for Finding Beauty!

TTFN~~ Claudia  ♥ ♥

Isn’t this old rusted out Silo amazing? I really couldn’t find a road to get  close up– but this gives you an idea.

This particular day is a perfect example of the Dipity RoadI wander.  My intention was to head up the canyon to scout out something but instead (Serendipity) — I had a happy finding! I think the abandoned Silo looks like a very cool quilt. I could imagine all the hard work that went into this, now gorgeous, worn and tired– but still a beautiful building. 

In FACT I found TWO happy findings!!

Rounding a winding road I looked into a young tree nursery…  a bit beyond was a group of 4 BUCKS bouncing and playing. I stopped abruptly and backed up.

 (I know… one of these days I am going to be smacked into by another person not watching the road!)  The blog “gods” are watching out for me I guess.

I slowly came down the gravel road… *sigh* and of course they stopped their antics. In fact, two bounced off before I could focus my camera.

They watched me very intently. I stayed pretty quiet so they seemed to not mind my interruption and watched me back.

Do you see the kids swing set? Well, before I so rudely interupted their play — they had that “horse” swing just dancing.

This is where I wish I owned a video camera– would’ve made YOU-Tube for sure

This young guy look like he has been a rascal in the past and someone clean his clock.

Look– he has had one of  antlers knocked off.

Can’t you just hear his mother– “Ohhh yes…it’s all fun — UNTIL someone gets hurt!”

They got board of me and started to leave…

As I was turning around I noticed the two that had bounded off initially– they hadn’t gone far–

Ok–  they were not the bravest of the four– but they had their buddies backs!

I thanked them all for a lovely day– a Serendipitous find!

I hope you all find something Serendipitous along your Road today…it’s there if you take the time to look.

TTFN~~Claudia ♥ ♥

“Each second we live is a new and unique moment of the universe, a moment that will never be again.

 And what do we teach our children?

 We teach them that two and two make four, and that Paris is the capital of France.

When will we also teach them what they are?

We should say to each of them: Do you know what you are?

 You are a marvel. You are unique. In all the years that have passed, there has never been another child like you.

Your legs, your arms, your clever fingers, the way you move.

 You may become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven.

You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel.

 And when you grow up, can you then harm another who is, like you, a marvel?

You must work, we must all work, to make the world worthy of its children.”

~~Pablo Picasso~~

Just a thought to give you mid week as we join together with Susan from A Southern Daydreamer.

And REMEMBER!!!  See you on Friday~~Finding Beauty

TTFN~~  Claudia ♥ ♥

Can you tell the storm came in from the North?

These are the kind of storms that some states would take “Snow Days”

But not here in Utah– we love it (okokok we still can’t drive in it) be most everyone owns a shovel and certainly a pair of gloves.

Salt Lake City, as many of you may know from the Winter Olympics that were held here, mainly resides in a valley. East and West sides BIGGG ol Mountains. When the wind doesn’t blow and a snow storm stays for a bit our Valley fills with a fog like situation– Weather people call it  our INVERSION. People cuss it because not only is it foggy and dreary but also mixed with all the emissions from cars and chimneys.

It still, for me, provides with some great shots if I can get out and find such wonders.

Still I listen to everyone complaining about the dreaded INVERSION –

Enough everyone!!! 

Because invariably the winds blow — the snow storm end– and the FANTASTIC blue sky peak out once again!

Please stop by and visit Susan at Southern Daydreamer — see what other Outdoor Wonders are shared.

Have a wonderful Wednesday– See you Friday–Finding Beauty!

TTFN~~  Claudia ♥ ♥  

Getting settled into my new home has kept me very busy… (I will be posting before and afters soon) but in the mean time Mother Nature has had us all freezing our hinnies off.

I find myself whispering- hearing the quiet- a far off goose or perhaps a passing train. I shoot shots like this to remind myself years down the road, when we are complaining that it’s been forever since we had a snowy winter– that back in the winter of 09 -10  the country, collectively experienced Cold. It will be another one of those things we all have in common. (okokok…Sept you southern coastal peps!

Shhhh! listen — there isn’t anything like this time of year. I might be crazy, but I am really enjoying the contrast. It’s a time where our lives slow down, we spend more time in our homes, enjoying one another’s company and perhaps cuddling up with a good book. It’s a time to watch what is going on around us with more detailed purpose.

Please stop by Susan’s –A Southern Daydreamer and the others over at Outdoor Wednesday. My guess is that I am not the only one sharing winter wonderland photos.

REMEMBER— This Friday will be my 100th post with a Give away– Also our Friday- Finding Beauty.

 I would really enjoy you all sharing what you think is beautiful in your life.

Enjoy your Out Door Wednesday! Have the best week!

TTFN~~  Claudia ♥ ♥

See this lovely photo??  Well…………….. I need some techie help

Here’s me putting my “plea” button on!! Help me Rhonda! help help me Rhonda!

I wanna take this wee photo

And make it into a Button for my Friday – Finding Beauty kick off.

Any smart wonderful dear hearts out there that could assist me?

I do not have a clue as to how to create the button with text small enough for you to read it … let alone have someone copy the html to put the button on their site. *sigh* alas … I need some help for SURE.

In the mean time — love that Susan at Southern Daydreamer!

TTFN~~ Claudia ♥ ♥

(A)

Can you see the difference?

(B)

I have decided to print a couple of my favorite shots for my new place. ( I haven’t been able to call it home yet.) I’m working on that… trying to make it mine.  

(C)

Tweaking some just a bit — Which do you prefer?     

 Between A & B  — then  C & D

(D)

Share with me your preference– These are kind of like life– the same just tweaked a bit for beauty sake. (but then do you like the natural, untouched shot?)

 Below is one that I am enlarging for over my sofa. I’m excited for this project however nervous about paying money if I don’t like them… ugggh.

I believe that this very well be my last post of this decade…

I know some say this decade doesn’t end until NEXT year but I was listening to a radio talk show the other day and he insisted that the “techies” all say that 10 is the end and 11  the beginning of the new decade. Well, I have decided that 2010 is going to be my year and then next ten years MY decade— so I want to get this started.

Be safe as you usher in the New Year! It’s a time for new beginnings– make them wonderful ones!

Stop by Susan at Southern Daydreamer to visit the others celebrating the Outdoors…

See you next year–   I love saying that– always makes me laugh.

TTFN~~Claudia  ♥ ♥

Does this photo look familiar? Hopefully it should –  my header??

Yes, this is the same spot I love to visit and walk– only this visit was in  Autumn this year.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I think of Mother Nature like I would any typical contemporary woman– she has tons on her plate.

In Summer there is pressure here for sure— there is much expected  and she wants to  look her best.

Break out the best dress!  The colorful eye shadows and of course just the right touch of blush in the cheeks.

Or it’s like putting on the best for your family or boss — nothing goes unnoticed, every detail is perfection.

Even Mrs. MR. P… (you remember her  Him don’t you?) As you can see I had my late night Brain Freeze and thanks to commenters I have corrected my gender error  

Then there’s Autumn… or FALL…

Mother Nature worked hard all summer long (ran the kids to every summer camp and picnic possible) so she needs a much needed rest.

 She was the first NATURAL BEAUTY– only with out her make up on. Still gorgeous with out all the trappings.

She is excited to have the days shorter so she can kick off the high heels and put on her Tennies!

She can relax and curl up in her jammies and read a good book… even cook some comfort food.

And she doesn’t have to ask ANYONE– if her butt looks fat in these jeans!  (well, if I imput He / Him in for Her then the joke isn’t funny any more    (Dont you just HATE when that happens??)

Back to Funny School 101 I go!!  — For those of you who have asked where this garden is — Salt Lake City.

 It’s another fantastic Wednesday. Come celebrate with others over at A Southern Daydreamer.

Also Beverly at How Sweet the Sound with Pink Saturday.

Here’s to hoping your Fall is a relaxing and much needed rest– just know you are still beautiful!

TTFN~~ Claudia  ♥ ♥

They say a picture is worth a thousand words…

Nuff said.

Happy Out door Wednesday— enjoy the beauty that surrounds us all.

TTFN ~~ Claudia ♥ ♥