Orange and Blue, Color Harmonies in Nature

Yes, some days I am quite stressed and think, " Come on, how much more can I handle?", but then there are days like today, a day without any other obligations than to give undivided attention to my son.

I don't have a pic., but I have a scene description to brighten your day and put things into happy perspective:

Bits and I picked up sticks in the yard, went down to the park and played and played, then came home for lunch outside sitting in chairs on the back walkway. As always, Bits takes a bite and then runs away distracted. He caught sight of something fluttering around, and in his blue shorts and orange shirt, he chased through the long grasses after a teasing monarch butterfly.

A true photographer would have had camera in hand to capture such visual harmony, but I am not a true photographer, I am a mom, sitting in the sun enjoying her little one find fun in the nature around us.

It's not Really Summer, Until you Lay in the Lake

Life has been more than a little busy, I am exhausted, and yesterday I ran out of chai tea. After an already long day, and a 3 mile walk (anyone know if it is really 3 miles around the lake here, or does it just feel like 3 miles), I had to go grocery shopping. I could not put my poor family through another day with me moving about without my morning (and afternoon) cup of chai.

Saturday, I helped out in the morning with a yard sale at our neighbor's home. We then splurged and went for lunch at the Deli and saw four(?) baby foxes in the ditch playing and enjoying the sun. Later we walked down to the beach and Bits splashed and splashed and laid down, fully clothed, in the water.

Today, I have a huge to-do list and am thinking I need to take a double dose of my vitamins to get through it. The bugs are here and biting and the sun is up and shining. We have ants making themselves at home, coming in right through the front door, and sandy clothes still hanging on the line out back--summer's here.

I'm not Sure if I'm Ready for my Sandals Quite Yet

The sun is staying up later and later into the evening and the temperature is warming up ever so slightly. Here we go again, bundling up and getting our walk on.

We've braved the chill here and there on evenings, but nothing like the regular amounts of walking we had been doing in the summer and fall. This evening it almost felt like we were getting the bounce back in our step and can sense spring is on its way.

We walked a little further than normally we do on these cold evenings, and I snapped a pic. made available from a hidden woodpecker.

My mind is jumping to summer by the lake as I look at these beach-esque snowy surfaces. The slow thaw is making some textured forms out of the built up ice and snow. A couple of these remind me of those rocks you can break open and find quartz hidden inside.

Again, what incredible sights awaiting to be seen if only we take the time to do so (including the sight of one bundled toddler with rosy cheeks and nose).