Distant Heart

This morning started out rainy, and progressed from there to "Noah Start The Ark".

I grabbed my umbrella to try to find some inspiration, and came across this heart in the distance. As I walked closer, the heart disappeared.

I guess some hearts are best viewed from afar!

Snowy Afternoon Fun

It started snowing a couple of hours ago.

Darlene of A Dancing Mango challenged me to see if I could find a snowflake in the shape of a heart. Of course I could not, but I found the next best thing! So, Darlene, these hearts are for you!!!

This snowy heart I found tucked into the crook of an old oak tree ...

And my mom found this beautiful snowy heart on the icy pond. It was gone just a few minutes later.

"Dirty" Potato Chip ...

I guess they are called "Dirty" potato chips because they keep the peel on, and sprinkle them with cracked pepper.

They are marked as "No MSG; No Artificial Colors/Flavors; no hydrogenated oil; No Trans Fats", and so on.

If you read the label, however, as I am now learning to do, I find 8 grams total fat (12% daily allowance); 1.5 grams Saturated fat (8% DA) and 210 mg sodium (8% DA) per 1 ounce serving.

Sigh.

In other words, these chips are still NOT exactly "Heart Healthy"!!!

STROKE UPDATE: I had my second follow-up appointment yesterday. My blood pressure is still a little high, so my doctor put me on a different medication - and quipped "Well we have to get this blood pressure down - you cant be hogging ALL the miracles you know"!

Frosty Queen Anne's Lace

Christmas morning dawned cold and clear, a beautiful day.

The thick fog from Christmas Eve left this treasure -
A delicate frosty Queen Anne's Lace heart ...

Merry Christmas Everybody!!!

I found this huge stained Christmas stocking in a box that had gotten wet when the roof leaked. I decided to wash it in the washing machine, not realizing that it was a little too far gone to be rescued.

When I pulled it out of the dryer, I laughed myself silly ... there, amidst the worn ruin of Santa and his bag of toys, was a perfect heart ... and a Christmas dove.

Merry Christmas to all of my friends out in Blogland. May you have a day of wonder and peace ... and a Christmas miracle of your own.

Frosty Blade of Grass

A frosty morning - a blade of grass ...
Curled up into a heart.

Another Squash Heart ...

Yes, another squash heart ... this poor little heart-shaped acorn squash got left outside (and frozen solid) during our 'arctic blast'.

Maybe now I should call it "squashed" instead of just "squash"???

Gee I'm Glad Cows Don't Fly ...

I didn't see the bird that flew overhead,
But he left this present for me.

Did he know he left me a heart?
Somehow I think not.



But it is so perfect, I just had to share it!

T-Shirt Surprise

I went to put on my favorite blue t-shirt, and realized it had holes in places that would have embarrassed me had I actually worn it in public ... but I knew it would eventually have a new life.

Several years ago I made some rag rugs with a handmade loom. I have been slowly cutting up my old t-shirts into strips in order to start making another rug.

I was cutting up my old beloved shirt, when I suddenly noticed one of those pesky holes was a heart! I dropped my scissors and reached for my camera ...

"Gopher" That Heart!

Even the gophers seem to be 'hearty' around here!

Or maybe I should say - finding hearts is a 'dirty' business, but someone has to do it??? Snicker.

Knothole!

Today I am inspired by Lois of Tallahassee Daily Photo to go through the pictures I took during my recent long week of staying close to home.

I found this knothole in a piece of bark - in the woodpile right outside the front door!

There is much beauty to be found, when we would ordinarily just walk on by.

Thank you for the reminder, Lois!!!

The Last Roses of Summer

They hung on
After the frost.
After the rain.
After the cold.

They hung on
For me,
I think,
To find their heart.

To warm my own.

And yours.

Butternut Squash

With its vibrant orangy-yellow colors, this beautiful heart tasted as good as it looked!

'Feather Tree' Up Close

I stared out the window at this heart all day long, waiting for the sun to be just right.
Finally, it was.

It wasn't until I got up close that I noticed the heart within ...

From the Bottom of My Heart ...

I thank you all,
From the bottom of my heart

For your prayers, your thoughts
When my world fell apart.

God heard your prayers
And lifted the curtain

A true miracle occurred!
Of this I am certain.

A little while longer
I have been given

A gift, a wonder,
A heart-felt present.

Bughouse Hearts

We always called them "bughouses" - they hang from the old oak tree in front of the house. They start out hard and green, and end up dry and brown - and are a favorite snack bar for blue jays and pileated woodpeckers, who peck them open to eat the bugs inside.

I couldn't believe my eyes yesterday when I found not one, but two bughouse hearts. Hanging out together just over the sidewalk.