Irma's Dreams Come True

Remember the School Photo series I did a while back? Well, today I received the very best and most thoughtful gift... photos of one of those school children. It was dear Irma, all the way from Paris!

I knew I was in for a treat when I saw the wonderful envelope, complete with a great illustration of Irma...


Inside were the best pics of Irma, traveling all around Paris...


and visiting places from one of her, (and my) favorite movies, Amélie, which takes place in lovely Montmartre, a village in the north of Paris where Irma now happily lives with the lovely Véronique of Verte Adélie...


This is Irma in front of the Café des Deux Moulins which is where Amélie worked as a waitress in the movie...


(I hope she orders the crème brûlée d’Amélie Poulain!)

I bet she thinks she's back in Lancaster County, Pa. in this photo...



Irma visits Basilique du Sacré-Coeur and rides the merry-go-round...



For Irma life is now a cabaret...



I adore each and every photo, but this one was my favorite... Irma in Roscoff, Brittany... she now finally knows what the ocean smells like, which was her most burning desire when she lived with me. (Everyone should know the smell of the Ocean, and I am so happy that Irma has now experienced the magic and beauty of the seaside.)



Seeing these photos of Irma makes me feel as if I have wings... I know my heart does, for it is flying with happiness. Thank you Véronique! xo

Happiness is...

A smiling Mo!


Her little body is starting to fall apart, but her spirit and mood are as happy and positive as ever. The vet saw her the other day, and declared her a true miracle. He has no explanation as to how she has made it this far.

A birds nest with lovely brown specked eggs, found right outside one's kitchen window....



Exploring the love of stitch with a new series of work...



May each of you find happiness today everywhere you look. xo

Laughing with Mo

Sorry I haven't been posting this week, or visiting everyones blogs much, but I have been deliberately trying to slow down, and smell the proverbial flowers a bit. I think I need to do this more often. It feels good. It clears my head, and believe me when I say, my head needs clearing. It's all cluttered with too much thought. Mo had a bit of a rough week. Lots of congestion and some bad breathing problems. We spent a lot of time this week just being with each other. Appreciating each day. Way more then we ever thought we'd be blessed with. Lots of gratitude. We also made time each day for a good laugh. As you can see, Mo loves a good laugh.

I have some new work that I will be showing next week. Until then, have a happy weekend with the ones you love and the ones that make you laugh. xo

Everyday Pleasures

Note: I originally did this post with different images, but apparently the pictures were not showing up for people visiting my blog, (a big thank you to those who let me know, as I could see them fine!) I am starting over with new pictures, and will share the first batch next week when they feel like co-operating with me! Please let me know if anyone is still experiencing problems seeing my images, thanks!... And now for my post!

Last Friday I did a post on why I like the Green Dragon Farmers Market. Over the last 12 years, during the spring and summer, we have gone there almost every week, yet last Friday was the first time that I had ever brought my camera along. Looking for blog inspiration, I was encouraged to zero in on and capture snapshots of what made this a happy place for me, and that made it into something extra special. In keeping with that intent, to step out of my head a bit more, look around at my surroundings and zero in on what brings me joy, I have decided that every Friday I will do a post on everyday pleasures.

The way the farm woman around here all hang their laundry, way up high, on long wash lines.


A beautiful horse peacefully grazing on dandelions.


A mysterious old, blue lock box in the middle of a field. I wonder what's inside?