Cocoa pups...

My students are currently working on a poetry unit. To be fair, I've written a few of my own to share. Here's a haiku about my predictable, sun-loving miniature dachshund.

just like a sun dial

she floats through the house to find

the perfect warm beam

"...it will be so peaceful that not even a dog will bark." Exodus 11:7

bring on the rain...

Rain? Who posts a photo of rain for Love Thursday?

It started around lunch today. This almost foreign substance trickled from the sky, and then slowly a steady stream began to fall. We need it so badly. Located in what’s categorized as extreme drought, it was a beautiful sight to see puddles of water standing in my yard.

I think about the pond that my daddy designed and built. Now it's not much more than a withered wasteland of stumps and mud trying to maintain some water. If he were still here to see it, his heart would be broken; therefore, I feel much love for today’s rain, and I have faith that the pond will refill.

“Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.” James 5:7

Best Shot Monday...

Nothing says "here comes spring" like bursting blossoms of pink set before a clear blue sky.

Are we there yet?

"The flowers are springing up, the season of singing birds has come, and the cooing of turtledoves fills the air." Song of Solomon 2:12

going to Atlantis...

Yesterday we ventured to the fabulous Fox Theater in Atlantis (that's what the Goose called it) to see the Atlanta Ballet perform Cinderella. While the interpretation of the story was a little difficult for my five-year-old to follow at some points, the experience was no less than magical.

After the performance we twirled and chasséd throughout this exquisite structure. Having only been once as a preteen, I can now appreciate why it is always prefaced with the word fabulous!

"For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance." Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4

look closely...

I couldn't resist posting this one as well because if you look closesly, the bottom leaf is shaped like a heart. I also like the texture mixed with the light and shadows.

What do you think?

as promised...

On this Ultimate Love Thursday, I picked this flower just for you. Happy Valentine's Day!

"As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. " Proverbs 27:17

signs of spring...

Today was one of those days when my blinds begged me to open them. As they unveiled the crisp, blue sky and invited the sunlight in, I noticed my camelia bush is in full bloom. I immediately went for my clippers.

Next I, attempting a Martha Stewart maneuver, submerged several of the blossoms in water. Even though I thought it really looked smashing in my living room, we took the arrangement to Nana for an early Valentine's Day present.

Maybe there will be more for Thursday.

"Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come," Song of Solomon 2:12

gearing up...

My kitchen table is a sea of silly sentiments and suckers. Therefore, this Love Thursday shot shows us preparing for next week's Ultimate Love Thursday.

How do I love thee? Let Sponge Bob count the ways!

"This is my command: love each other. " John 15:17

this little light of mine...

While searching the internet last night for information to support my next teaching unit, the lights flickered and then suddenly everything that was warm, cozy, and well-lit became dark, silent, and a wee-bit spooky.

With the hum of the computer and the furnace absent, my miniature Dachshund, who is more hound than Dachs, decided to fill the eerie silence. A few aarrrooooo-rooo-rooos later, and I was able to find my candle lighter. (Thanks to my neighbor down the street who has me hooked on Yankee Candle.)

Realizing there was not much I could do, I decided to take my primitive lighting and go read in bed. Then I saw it. The exquisite beauty of this powerful source. I had to have a picture of my burning flame, and thank God, my camera is battery operated.

I snapped about seven or eight shots and then crawled in the bed with a renewed appreciation for a light that is always ready and available. This one was my favorite, but I have no idea how I got it.

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16