I have been working on the Easter Swap project– so my mind has been focusing on Spring.

Yesterday was below 30 and snowed – SIGH- I am confident spring will arrive… sure I am … spring has never been skipped before. Has it?

Have a lovely week.

Visit Mary’s Mosaic –at Little Red House.

TTFN ~~ Claudia ♥ ♥

~~Welcome to Friday~~Finding Beauty ~~

Spring is teasing us in Utah– beautiful blue sky day then over cast and 38 degrees the next! I am yearning for some green and March is the perfect month to celebrate the onset of spring  and start working on Easter.

Oh!!  Remembering to announce last weeks winner of the One Year Celebration… drum roll please...

Stephanie in Atlanta

I emailed you so, be sure and get me your address to mail off your card.

Congrats!

~~~♥ ♥~~~

This week will be a little on the simple side of Beauty

I love bunnies– all sorts of bunnies.

I have several in my home — and EASTER just gives me more excuses to display them. (as you may note– I love groups of 3’s– probably because there was 3 of us girls growing and up and I had 3 lovely children and because 3 is just a great GROUP.

Porcelain Bunny

Fluffy Bunny

Easter Bunnies on my entrance table

and… Real live fluffy bunnies (this past spring)

It’s for certain– SPRING is on it’s way– might be a lil late but still it’s just round the corner.

Have a Beautiful weekend!

If any of you have a post about anything lovely or of good report be sure and SHARE your link with us!

TTFN~~ Claudia ♥ ♥

Visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday

Also

Melissa @ the Inspired Room (this well about a lil whimsy)

Share with us you Beauty you see all around!

Welcome to Friday~~Finding  Beauty

A Rose by another name would smell as sweet. (Shakespeare)

Beauty is in OUR hearts– not what others say about us.

I typically don’t like to use this forum to talk about Oprah or who was on her show…

But yesterdays story line fit right in with today’s topic– Friday~~Finding Beauty.

Jessica Simpson has been hounded by the media for years. They have been, to my definition, down right cruel. While she opened herself up to media gossip when she did a reality show I don’t think just because she is a “star” gives them the right to say the things they have said.

Bannedinhollywood stated the following about her:
Notice the mom jeans meant for overweight moms. Notice the two belts pulled tight as to prevent the muffin-top effect. It’s no wonder that this performance was at the 99.9 Kiss Country 24th Annual Chili Cook Off in Pembroke Pines, Florida.

Oprah asked her if she minded telling what size she was in that photo.

“Size 6″ ——- SIZE 6!!!  and they call her FAT?

Starting in March Jessica will be hosting a show called “The Price of Beauty.”

She shared a photo and video of a former Paris Model who was scolded by a photographer for being over weight– (he told her she had to loose 10 pounds before she would work)  which then lead her to be in a fight for her life as she now battles anorexia. Isabelle Caro has posed nude for bill boards asking Parliament to create a law that will not allow models to model if they are too skinny.

We women are particularly hard on ourselves.  I remember my father,(I am sure thinking he was “helping” me) saying that if I lost 10 pounds I would be pretty.  Negative comments about any one’s body NEVER helps or motivates  them and only perpetuates poor self esteem.  My entire life I have battled my weight and thinking poorly of my size– feeling LESS than others who had the better body. I think I was a size 12 back then. I would KILL to be that “over weight” again. What was I thinking?

My body has put up with so much from me. I am working very hard to find myself beautiful just as I am.  As I work on becoming more healthy– for my body’s sake– I will remind myself that my beauty comes from my heart– NOT what the scale says.

When we change the way we look at things– the things we look at change– Wayne Dyer

Celebrating my one year anniversary — GIVE AWAY — $50.00 Gift Card at Barnes and Noble

4 ways to enter…

1- link your post correctly back to our Friday~~Finding Beauty
2- become a follower (by email click on the top left note on the side bar)
3- encourage a friend or fellow blogger to join us in FBB have them link (you will get TWO entries for this)
4- and of course! be sure to comment — love those comments!

Be kind to yourself!! Remind yourself how Beautiful YOU are.

How to Participate Guidelines

1. Hit publish for your personal blog- Be sure to mention somewhere in your post you are joining with us at Friday~~Finding Beauty
2. Once that‘s completed, click on the title of your post. Highlight this and copy it (this is your URL or Permalink)
3. Paste the url into the appropriate Mr. Linky box in this post.
4. Type your name in Mister Linky box in this post.
5. Click on “Enter.” Now we are celebrating together.
6. Please link back to this Friday~~Finding Beauty post so that your readers can find other wonderful examples of beauty around the world.
That’s it! Like my children used to say– “Easy-Peasy”  If you have any questions, feel free to email me: cwphotography(at)live.com.  Thank you so much for sharing your BEAUTY!

Don’t forget to visit Beverly at How sweet the sound — where everyone on Pink Saturday is joining.

TTFN~~ Claudia ♥ ♥

What is Beautiful?

Beautiful — by Websters dictionary definition : –adjective
1.having beauty; having qualities that give great pleasure or satisfaction to see, hear, think about, etc.; delighting the sensesor mind: a beautiful dress; a beautiful speech.

Recently I recieved several emails saying that they “would’ve joined in Friday finding beauty but their post just wasnt pretty enough.”

*hands on hips and kicking the dirt!* Hrrrumph!

This celebration of beauty was NOT meant for perfection.

 
Whether it’s something physically beautiful or some kindness we see… This project is designed for us to slow down a moment and record that beauty to be enjoyed again and again.

It’s meant to help us change HOW WE SEE our lives and appreciate it more.

That’s the beauty of a blog- we capture the moment in time for us to revisit and others to be touched and… like the snow ball rolling down the hill, continues to get bigger and bigger and more “beautiful”.

I stopped by my sister’s office the other day to have lunch with her.

Sadie, the official door greeter, gets to come to work and welcomed me with a darling smile.
 
My sis works for a lovely family owned business. Her particular job is all about numbers–Uggh

(I am so right brained I limp– so numbers would NOT be beautiful to me…)

She dolls up her office for each season or holiday — surrounding herself with what is beautiful to her…Family and whimsy.

Can you tell she has a bit of Spring fever?

One day, just for appreciation, her awesome boss had a print framed and delivered to her office.

Look at those wonderful colors!  Now that’s beauty to me– not the print entirely– but the thought that came from an appreciative boss.

Taking the time to say how much they value her daily efforts was simply BEAUTIFUL.

On the way out Sadie thanked me for stopping by and reminded me to come back soon. (She obviously has attended charm school.)

March will be one year that I have started blogging– cant believe it! I will be having a GIVE AWAY next week– there will be several ways to enter.

1- link your post correctly back to our Friday~~Finding Beauty
2- become a follower (by email click on the top left note on the side bar)
3- encourage a friend or fellow blogger to join us in FBB have them link (you will get TWO entries for this)
4- and of course! be sure to comment — love those comments!

So let’s get the fun started! Friday~~Finding beauty.

How to Participate Guidelines

1. Hit publish for your personal blog- Be sure to mention somewhere in your post you are joining with us at Friday~~Finding Beauty
2. Once that‘s completed, click on the title of your post. Highlight this and copy it (this is your URL or Permalink) 
3. Paste the url into the appropriate Mr. Linky box in this post.
4. Type your name in Mister Linky box in this post.
5. Click on “Enter.” Now we are celebrating together.
6. Please link back to this Friday~~Finding Beauty post so that your readers can find other wonderful examples of beauty around the world.
That’s it! Like my children used to say– “Easy-Peasy”  If you have any questions, feel free to email me: cwphotography(at)live.com.  Thank you so much for sharing your BEAUTY!

Remember to visit Beverly at Pink Saturday –such fun goings on there. Also, Melissa at the Inspired Room is always quick to inspire us in beautifying our homes.

TTFN~~Claudia ♥ ♥

Designing a new Bathroom is one of my favorites!  Easy to change with the seasons, I find it one of the more creative rooms– meaning, when you wash your face every day you don’t have to think about it– thus we have time to “think” on other things and let your mind wander.

My newest BATH–

Some of you might recognize the Art on the wall from some of my postings.

~~Who wouldn’t enjoy a day at the spa?  Total pampering, body being soothed and showered–ahhhh.

Especially in today’s financial stress, not many of us can afford that extravagance; but we could create our own GET AWAY –focusing on our Bathroom and our daily rituals.

~~Creating a Beautiful Bath Ritual~~

Rituals are mysterious and satisfying and very personal.

Prepare the right elements– to create the right ambiance.

With a focus on our senses, our daily Rituals can help us be kinder to ourselves and become the better us we want to become.

Sight– flowers or Art
Hearing– Music
Touch– soft or rough scrubs 
Smell– scented oils and candles
Taste — who wouldn’t love a cool glass of lemon water

 

Most of the time, I am a shower girl… but when I need to distress and calm from a stormy day I fill the bath.

Did you know that one of the earliest successful treatments for mental illness was a variety in water and bathing treatments?

Again — I refurbished my Paris Bathroom — I haven’t tired of the Paris Or Black and White theme

7 ways to enhance our Bath time Ritual

Organized- keep beauty products in small drawers or boxes – keeping clutter to a minimum
Music — quiet music enhances a soothing bath, or can energize you as you start your day
Candles– or soft lamp light– Dim the lights and light the candles for a soft romantic visual
Pictures — have a beautiful picture you can look at while you lounge in your bubble bath
Basket of scrubs and sponges– to the side of you tub
Towels– your body will appreciate thirsty towels
Thick Terry Cloth Robe– Put this on while your body is still damp- it’s better for you skin and helps to create a beautiful bath ritual.

Even our Model Homes invite us in to relax and help us rejuvenate.

Have a Beautiful week– Stop by Melissa at the Inspired Room,  Beverly’s Pink Saturday and Mary at Mosaic Monday.

~~TTFN~~Claudia ♥ ♥

Join us by Following the Below Directions– Please remember if your link is removed it’s because you didnt link back (sorry)

1. Hit publish for your personal blog-  Friday~~ Finding Beauty post.
2. Once that‘s completed, click on the title of your post. Highlight this and copy it (this is your URL) 
3. Paste the url into the appropriate Mr. Linky box in this post.
4. Type your name in Mr. Linky box in this post.
5. Click on “Enter.” Now we are celebrating together.
6. Please link back to this Friday~~Finding Beauty post so that your readers can find other wonderful examples of beauty around the world.
That’s it! Like my children used to say– “Easy-Peasy”  If you have any questions, feel free to email me: cwphotography(at)live.com.  Thank you so much for sharing your BEAUTY!

Shhhh– Just a day of watching clouds go by…

Frost wet air makes almost a water color effect.

Rhapsodies in white
and the fairest of blue,
pre-nuptial visions of tufted preludes
and painting a picture
within the mind’s eye,
I watch clouds perform
as they softly float by.

© Annette Nasser

Enjoy your Outdoor Wednesday with many others over at Susan’s click here .

Dont forget to join us on Friday~~Finding Beauty!

TTFN~~ Claudia ♥ ♥

Welcome to Friday~~Finding Beauty

What is more BEAUTIFUL than Love?

Having a love affair with Valentines Daystarted as far back as 4th Grade as I recall. Ahhh yes… Jeff Simons (Dark hair, Dark eyes… *sigh*)

Decorating the inevitable shoe box was the start of Valentines week— then my teacher  made sure that each of us HAD to write a Valentines card to everyone in the class!  I love that thought now years older… she taught us that even if we didn’t “really like someone” we still had to enclude them and be NICE.  I think everyone should be taught to be nice. Seems the world could use a bit more Nice-ness.

Back to Jeff Simons– he put a card  in my  decorated box that said “Be My Valentine” then chased me on the play ground and slugged me at the swing set. 

( I think it’s weird how kids show their affection isn’t it?)

Presently in love or not– Valentines Day is a reminder of how important LOVE is in our lives.

I LOVE the way brand new little babies feet feel and smell.

This picture in my home is MY reminder of how love should be to me…

Love is everywhere…

Couples are everywhere…

These two are VERY in love…

And I LOVE putting up little Vignettes to celebrate Valentines Day because I don’t have a box to decorate.

But I do encourage you all to take a moment to share the love you have for your friends and family in writing– they are treasure keepers.

When I was VERY young, I loved watching Art Linkletter who had a segment about “kids say the darndest things” … in that spirit here are some of the cutest definitions of LOVE–

From a CHILD’S point of view

~~*I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.

~~*Love is when mommy gives daddy the best piece of chicken.

~~*Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.

~~*When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.

 

Don’t for get to visit Beverly at Pink Saturday

Melissa at Inspired Room

And Mary at Little Red House

TTFN~~ Claudia

~~~ ♥ ♥ ~~~

Now~~~JOIN WITH US as we  CELEBRATE The Beautiful !

PLEASE follow the directions

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  ♥ ♥

Oh my goodness! Do any of you ever find technical difficulties when you post your blog?? *sigh* lately I think I must not have been fulling paying attention but uggh my apologies for the mess.

BACK to Monday Mosaic — with Mary at Little Red House.  Like many of us she is thinking about Spring.

As you know I do love snow… but lately its just been cold-ish and I am struggling to find something to shoot.

So, I purchased some inspiration. *sigh* I know kinda sad huh?

I want to thank all of you who have so diligently supported me. But I don’t know a lot about you. So If you don’t mind. Come out from behind your anonymous-ness ( is that a word?) and share a bit.

All of us are creative– even if you don’t admit that you are. Each of us have been given talents we seldom tap.

Those of you who blog, are writers; even if you are like me and are reluctant to call ourselves that. Share a little of your creative mind today and tell us… Let’s make a memory

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ STOP!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Before you leave — be sure to comment on the below questions!! Pleeeease

1- If you were a Disney Character who would you be?

That wonderful dog in Lady and the Tramp that resembled Mae West.

2- In basic Fairy Tale world – who would you be?

One of Sleeping Beauty’s  Fairy God mothers — Flora or Fauna — Wait! Merry weather

3- If you walked into a Piano bar and someone handed you a mic what song would you sing?

Any song from Sleepless in Seattle

Hahha!  Share please! Would love to see the silly side of you.

Have a wonderful week.

TTFN~~ Claudia ♥ ♥

♥Welcome to Friday~~ Finding Beauty ♥

This year, when I decided I would start the Friday~~ Finding Beauty — my goal of course was to create a successful meme– but it was a bit on the selfish side for me.

Like many, the negative voices in my head have played too large a  part in my life– often times I felt I was negative– thus when we focus on the negative we have more negative in our lives. 

And simply the more we focus on the positive and beautiful the more our life becomes positive– you get the idea, especially for those of you who have read The Secret.

Albert Einstein said– “Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is the definition of INSANITY.”

Change ISN’T easy. I needed skills that would help me change.

~0~

Three ways to motivate change:

1– Pain– When pain of remaining the same overrides the pain to change.

2– Discipline– Do what you have to do, when you have to do it, whether you feel like it or not.

3– Understanding, that you will spend your life in pain. The pain of discipline or the pain of regret for not changing.

~o~

So– I decided to CHANGE how I looked at my life and become more grateful. Create an ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE.

Bill Gates said “In Business and Life, you don’t get what you WANT only what you expect!”

Studies have shown that one has to repeat an action 21 times before it starts to become a habit– So I challenged myself every time I stopped at a stop light to look around and purposefully look for some BEAUTY. I have been doing it for over a month now and I laugh at some of the things I see.

This week I pulled up behind a bus full of kids. As boys will sometimes do, they started sticking their tongues out and crossing their eyes… I laughed. Then I remembered I had my camera with me…

I think this was a great example of what BEAUTY is– it was there…and I captured it.

Thanks to you darling boys, who made my day!

When you change the way you look at the things– the things you look at change! Wayne Dyer

Don’t forget Beverly at How Sweet the Sound On Pink Saturday.

And Susan at Inspired Room.

Enjoy the beauty we have all around us!  ♥ ♥Claudia ♥ ♥

Now Join with us as we celebrate BEAUTY–

1. Hit publish for your personal blog-  Friday~~ Finding Beauty post.
2. Once that‘s completed, click on the title of your post. Highlight this and copy it (this is your URL) 
3. Paste the url into the appropriate Mr. Linky box in this post.
4. Type your name in Mr. Linky box in this post.
5. Click on “Enter.” Now we are celebrating together.
6. Please link back to this Friday~~Finding Beauty post so that your readers can find other wonderful examples of beauty around the world.

(Sorry but if you don’t link back to us your link will be removed.)