Springtime, Rain, Coronation

This has been another crazy spring! The weather has waffled between cold and too hot, too soon. Yesterday and today we are back to colder and rainy. It's pouring right now and I'm loving it! I've always been a fan of a rainy day. Perhaps I should be living closer to the coast or somewhere like Portland or Seattle where they get a lot of rain.

Speaking of rain, did you watch the Coronation of King Charles? A bit of a rainy day for it, but I loved all the pomp and circumstance and the historical rituals involved in every aspect of the day. Since I get Britbox streaming TV, I watched the British coverage. Next best thing to being there. It was broken into three episodes like a mini series. A very long day for all those involved but so important. Everything from the coach, the horses, the military, the decor, the clothing, the crowns... it was all amazing to see! The music was also beautiful! I love an orchestra and a choir! 

Here's a glimpse of my springtime.

Beautiful pink blossoms!

A Snowfall of Blossoms. What happens when the spring winds hit.

And the Barbies! I bought myself these off of eBay. Sold my childhood Barbies years ago and decided I wanted to own a Barbie again. The one like I originally had was listed at $350!!! Not on my budget, so I bid on a couple of affordable ones. This replica of the 1959 Barbie is now 30 years old! The replica!!! The Arizona Jeans Barbie is 28! Where do the years disappear to? I'm watching a GAP Barbie right now, hoping the price won't go too high. I'm a jeans and t-shirt gal so I love having a Barbie in jeans!

"Cool shades!"

"I think we're headed to very different parties."
"Love your jacket!"

I've been keeping myself busy with audiobooks, working on the Grow Me A Story challenges. Posting springtime photos to Instagram and Facebook, pushing myself to get back to journaling every morning, listening to their Dreams and Bones Podcasts (you can listen to these on the website or wherever you stream your podcasts), and I'm also writing a bit. Lots more that needs doing, which is why my blogging has taken a hit. I'd say I'll do better, but I don't want to make empty promises. It is on my huge to do list, so we shall see. Until next time!

© 07MAY2023 ajjahner

May Prompts #4

 And it continues... I am almost caught up on prompts. 

17. How has your writing life evolved in the past three months?

I have become more desciplined in the writing of morning pages, also called the sowing seeds of creativity. I have finally pulled out my book, dormant since 2013, and started to read through what I had and making notes for changes and additional story ideas. I have found a new confidence in my writing ideas and abilities. I have spent time on a few creative writing projects and prompts. I have done a few more blog posts. I feel my writing is moving in a positive direction, one that will bring fruit. One that will take me to my next level of writing. I credit this to the class on The Artist's Way which I signed up for through Grow Me a Story.

18. Write about a time when a wise woman made a difference in your life.

I can't bring one specific moment to mind. My mother and my grandmother both imparted so much wisdom and faith to me in very different ways. They are the women I would go to when I needed counsel, along with a couple of dear friends who were also will to listen and give thoughtful, compassionate advice. I don't choose to go into detail on any of this. I will say that finding a wise person who will listen with their heart, as well as their ears, and will thoughtfully speak from their heart is a priceless treasure. be they woman or man.

19. What is your favorite flower that blooms in May? Why?

I get excited by any flowers that bloom in May. Here in the Treasure Valley that can change from year to year depending on the changeable Idaho weather. Most Hyacinths and Tulips have bloomed and are gone by early May, as well as the Forsythia. My favorite of all the flowers is the Lilac and this year it is still in bloom! I love the purple color. I love the heady fragrance. The look of the delicate little blossons. They also remind me of my grandpa. He loved them too! He pruned our bushes into small trees and they were beautiful! I have a photo of him standing next to his last Lilac "tree". It was as tall as he was, and so beautiful. Lilacs are the flowers of happy memories and the early sign of a beautiful summer season to come.

20. Use the word "garden" as your prompt today.

Garden. I see grandpa out weeding, pruning, watering, harvesting. He was the gardener, as was his father. I am not a gardener. I can barely keep my houseplants alive. I do appreciate a lovely garden though. I have memories of rose gardens in parks in Caldwell, Nampa, and Boise, Idaho. My husband and I visited a rose garden on our honeymoon in Portland, Oregon. We also visited the Japanese garden while there. It was so serene and peaceful. I love a garden that is green and simple, with water features, rocks, sand, and statues. I also love a garden that is an explosion of color. It's like a party for the senses with all the different fragrances and the varying shapes and colors of the blossoms.

21. What was the last article or book you read that inspired you? Why was it inspiring?

Saturday, which happened to be the 21st, my sister brought me a very rough, beat up copy of the Amplified Bible with both Old and New Testaments. It had been gifted to her by our grandma after grandpa had passed away. She has now gifted it to me. It was originally given to our grandpa by his parents in 1965. I sat and thumbed through it, reading highlighted passages. It was inspiring, not just because of what the scriptures said, but because it had been held and marked and cherished by my grandpa. It is the second Bible of his I am privileged to own. Well loved books like this one are an inspiration. Something to treasure and to reread again and again.

22. What color caught your eye today, and why?

Blue. It started with noticing the beautiful blue sky when I opened the front door to get my Sunday paper. Blue is the color I chose for 2022. I was also wearing a blue Star Wars t-shirt. As I sat sipping my morning coffee, I realized how much blue is already in my home. A blue curtain at the kitchen window. A blue and white quilt hanging over our sliding glass doors. Different shades of blue from cobalt to a seafoam blue green. Little dog salt and pepper shakers; book covers like Harry Potter, a Vera mystery, and more; a dark blue Old Navy metal cup I use as a pencil and pen holder; the blue pen I an writing with. Blue all around, and more to come as it's my current favorite color!

#growmeastory

© 23MAY2022 ajjahner

Random Childhood Memories...

This post was originally started on my mom's birthday in the early spring. I'd been remembering an odd assortment of things from my childhood.  Summer images. The way a certain yard looked with tall, bushy shrubs, long un-mowed grass that would swish as you walked through it, cellar doors on the side of a white cottage leading to a dark unknown below. A little ditch that ran alongside the yard, overflowing on irrigation day, creating a fun place to cool off. A thin wire fence, the kind that curved gracefully at the top like little hills running along one after the other. Smells of hot summer air, grass, fading flowers. Sounds of push mowers and from a home somewhere in the distance, a power mower. Hollyhocks standing tall, a huge bumblebee slowly making it's way from flower to flower. Images, scents, and feelings imprinted into my memories. Bits of summers past. Sweetness. Serenity. Summertime.


© 8Jul2015 ajj

Violets & Kittens...

For dad... who left us on a Friday, 22 years ago today.  He loved animals and flowers.  My violets bloomed this spring, for the first time in several years, and this forgotten image came to mind...

nose pressed to flower
soft kitten breath on purple
the violets dance

I hope this verse conveys the curiosity of kittens, exploring a world new to them.  Treasure your loved ones, your days, the beautiful world all around you.  Enjoy life.  Breathe it all in.  Rejoice in the simple moments.

© 20APR2012 ajjahner

Cold, Grey Tuesday...

We finally got a bit of sunshine yesterday, and again for a little while this morning, but it's been a long, grey day.  Overcast and gloomy, with a bit of rain.  And cold!

Even on this chilly day, my heart is in a sunny place.  I've been visiting some very colorful blogs.  I also found some lovely, free images over at The Graphics Fairy, The Vintage Moth, and The Feathered Nest.  I've been mentally preparing some craft projects.  I think I'm in a springtime frame of mind... crafting, yard sales, flowers.  And, in the spirit of "thinking spring" today, here is some free art for you to use.  These images are all from Dover Publications and are royalty free, so right-click away and take one or all!  (Hint:  Click on the picture, it enlarges to full size, then save it to your files.)

A Favorite of Mine... Little Peter Rabbit!

01-11-11

I love when numbers line up in certain ways.  Like today's date, 01-11-11.  It's my  cousin-in-law's birthday... she's married to my cousin... I don't know if that's an official category for in-law's, but whatever!  Anyway, Happy Birthday to Robin!  Like I told her on FB, today she really is #1!

Actually, she's a #1 in my book every day of the year.  Robin is one of those people who just makes you smile.  She's always got a hug and a laugh for you.  If you're in her home, she's the most considerate hostess... making you cups of coffee, making sure you're comfortable.  It's like a vacation within a vacation!  I haven't had the fun of a visit since my 25th Anniversary trip in  2006.  Here is Robin...  (Hint: click on photos to enlarge)

Robin, showing her flower display (yes, I made her pose for this)

Always making the best of everything, Robin took an old broken down dresser and transformed it into a showcase for flowers.  She said she was channeling Leah, my mom, who had a knack for making "something" out of nothing!  Robin, I hope you are having an amazing birthday!  Sending love and hugs your way!

Kent, Robin, Grandma, Grandpa, Jenn, Andy at Camp long ago...

Also must send "up" a birthday greeting.  Today would have been my Grandpa's birthday.  Yes, I still miss him... the twinkle in his eye, the love he had for people, his commitment to God.  He loved the fact that he shared a birthday with Robin, his oldest grandson's wife.  Happy Birthday Grandpa!  Thanks for the love and the laughter...

Brenda Photo Challenge - Purple

To see my "Purple" entries for the Brenda Photo Challenge, go here:

Nitajos Photos

To see the other participants photos, Be sure to click on:

Brenda Photo Challenge

Go to the comment section and click on the names.

This will take you to each blog to see all the entries.

Have a blessed day!

Mind Wide Open Contest

I had so much fun participating in this art contest. We all had to begin with the same image of a girl. This picture is the wall hanging I created, plus a closer look at the collage image.

Spending time creating this was really relaxing. My piece was a Remembrance of ladies in my life... Grandma loves purples, pinks and flowers; Mom loved anything Victorian, floral and lacey (the lace and heart were hers); butterflies and flowers are remembrances of Lucy (my mom-in-law).

You must go to Mind Wide Open and view all the entries (link is over to the right... just click on the image). There are 33 pieces of absolutely beautiful art interpretations. I had such a hard time choosing a favorite. There are many pieces I would love to own!