Stillwater Stroll

 Welcome to a sunless somewhat snowy but always friendly quaint little river town of Stillwater, Minnesota and all its winter glory downtown.

"My life is like a stroll upon the beach,

 as near to the ocean's edge as I can go."

Henry David Thoreau

Wait, no it's more like, "I pray this winter be gentle and kind, a season of rest from the wheel of the mind." John Geddes 

and it's the St. Croix River and one of this year's snow sculptures. This is the second year of Stillwater's Snow Sculpture Contest.

Winter has arrived.

I had the most delicious lunch at Stillwater Proper 

and you can see for yourself below.

"Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. Now, you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water my friend."

Bruce Lee 

Extremely wise Blueberry.

Dear Winter, the story of us is,

 I'm really over this and I miss days 

filled with sunshine. 

"Winter is not a season, it's an occupation."

Sinclair Lewis 

There is always something so perfectly wonderful 

about winter.

I believe.

Can you see my reflection?

Nothing could be more fun than a day at the table, creating.

"Every mile is two in winter."

Dear Winter,

I'm breaking up with you.

I think it's time I start

 seeing other seasons.

In case you're wondering I was driving home smiling after my day in Stillwater. It's always there patiently waiting to be enjoyed, adventured and admired. It's a place I spent many a Saturdays with my mother and children. It holds many memories.  Always something to do. Paddle boats eager to paddle you on weather permitting of course. Stillwater is a place that picks me up like a visit with an old friend and the comfort of its wisdom and trinkets of joy. 

Thanks for stopping in and strolling along with me.

Take good care of you.

Bewitched Broom and Critters

 Welcome to another post for

SATURDAY'S CRITTERS

"When it feels like the world is going crazy, I look at my dog and know that everything is right with the world and that goodness still exists!"

Sweet little Emme is always ready to play!

The animals in our lives have so much to offer that my heart is always happier around them.

Animals are a gift even the wooden ones!

"Really now, are you going to throw it or just keep on holding it?"

The eyes are the window to your soul. 

William Shakespeare 

Remember,

"Stop acting so small. You are the universe in ecstatic motion."

Rumi

"Everything that is made beautiful and fair and lovely is made for the eye of one who sees." Rumi

Can you believe your eyes? 

Yes, it's actually standing up without any assistance!

Live Life Happy

 

"Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder. Help someone's soul heal. Walk out of your house like a shepherd." Rumi

Live Life Happy!       Learn to spread your wings.

 and if you're lucky you may stumble upon a 

Spread your wings and let the fairy in you fly!

Thanks for stopping by and may your week ahead be adventurous and filled with happiness and wellness.  

Winter Blitz

It's been a wild winter pretty much all across the United States and here's a bit from my neck of the woods.

There is good news. Spring begins here in 2 months and 1 week! Officially that is.

The life in front of you is far more important

 than the life behind you.

Joel

I have a mantra that keeps me positive.

I remember that every season has opportunities for growth, joy and moments to flourish rather than wilt-away.

These are a couple of photos from the parking lot where I work

 I even brought one of my snowmen to work that day.  Driving in and out can be treacherous.

It's all about stringing small pleasures together 

as much as possible.

From downtown Lakeville last Tuesday

 our snowstorm was moving in.

On this day I was living and driving in the quiet, barely a car on the road taking a long way home from the dentist in joyous expectation of what tomorrow's weather would be. 

and so, this is the next morning.

Hardly joyous!

But once I made it out of our driveway it was smooth sailing.

Wednesday morning consisted of much shoveling and plowing to leave our driveway! It was a mixture of heavy frozen slush underneath fresh fluffy snow.

SO!

Inspiring words on a mug!

One more mantra for these days.

"Remember to delight yourself first,

then others can be truly delighted."

Sark

A human being knows when to take a moment to enjoy the inside of shopping malls and other places like below. 

Dogs on the other hand (like my dog Misty) if the weather is warm enough, she'd play all day in the snow.

Sometimes your imagination is better than the Real Thing.

No snowman can be enjoyed or appreciated until you've shaped it with your own hands and placed a scarf around his next. The broom is optional.

Take hold of the here and now.

It's all yours.

and

Be creative. Eat well. Sleep better. Find some sunshine.

Art can save your life.

Reading takes you to the best of places.

Today only happens once, so make the most of it.

Wishing you all the best and days of joyful moments and fewer winter struggles, as last week served for us. 

Thanks for stopping in today and please

take good care of you.

To The Close of 2022 and Critters on Saturday

 Hello to all dear friends and family! 

This SATURDAY CRITTER'S 

post brings good cheer and wishes to you all for a new joyous and prosperous new year ahead!

"The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes."

G.K. Chesterton

My daughter's kitties!

Let your spirit soar! Go for the unreachable!

Hope and Smiles from the threshold of the year to come, 

Whispering 'it will be happier' Alfred Lord Tennyson and everything you've ever hoped for if you just believe it to be so.

"Really guys, are you serious?!"

Yes... yes, we are. My youngest son's dog Rusty! 

Athena is playing with the cat's toy!

"Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page books. Write a good one." Brad Paisley

My grand pups are going to be ringing in the new year with us!

"Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right."

Oprah Winfrey

My youngest son and Bugs!

"I hope you realize that every day is a fresh start for you. That every sunrise is a new chapter in your life waiting to be written." Juansen Dizon

Athena's first encounter with the white stuff. Yes, indeed Alabama got snow again!

You don't always need to understand your journey in life- just live in the moment before you.

"Sometimes our light goes out but is blown again into instant flame by an encounter with another human being." Albert Schweitzer

Or when we change up the things we do, even like driving home a new way. 

Of course, we all know Snowmen have more patience than people sometimes, that's why we love them so much!

Hanging with my Gnomes, as they gather around the birdhouse built by my son, Dan.

"Every experience no matter how bad it seems holds within it a blessing of some kind. The goal is to find it." Buddha

"Every piece of the universe, even the tiniest little snow crystal, matters somehow. I have a place in the pattern, and so do you. Thinking of you this holiday season!" T.A. Barron 

I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for following along with me again this past year, and for letting me into your lives as well. Here's to another wonderful a year ahead for us all.

Take good care of you.

Happy Critter Saturday

As 2022 comes to a close very soon, we're honoring a few critters within our worlds. 

"Our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks."

Samuel Johnson

 Welcome to another

 

SATURDAY'S CRITTERS

and I'm also posting to City Daily Photo

"Life is like a mirror

Smile at it and it smiles

Back At You."

Peace Pilgrim 

"Life does not have to be perfect 

to be wonderful."

 Annette Funicello

Hurry come quick! Santa is trying to escape!

Unplug, go outside and see what you can notice, there's a gigantic world around us waiting to be discovered. 

"Life is a paradise for those who love many things with a passion."

Leo Buscaglia

"If you realize how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought."

Peace Pilgrim

On guard!

Have you ever stopped and wondered just what thoughts your dog might be thinking?

"This is a wonderful day I've never seen this one before."

Maya Angelou 

My daughter sent this photo of her kitty Sparkle, who appears quite content, or rather Queen of Everything, please don't bother me now!

"Appreciate everyone and everything in your life."

Wayne Dyer 

If you're always trying to be normal, you'll never know how amazing you can be."

Maya Angelou

"Having fun is simply holding on to the joy of each day."

Judith Harlan

So, these next two photos occurred by accident as I was experimenting with my hubby's new and powerful cell phone. My daughter decided to send me one from her phone with her pups. Adorable right?!

And this is my Peacock which was my first attempt at highlighting what I wanted from the photo and eliminating the rest.

It appears after a rain/snow mix and eventually turning to all snow and now the deep, very deep freeze that winter is here to stay for a good long while.

Thank you for your visit

Take good care of you and don't stress too much this holiday season.