A Giveaway! { Em bel' ish }

Just in time for Valentine's Day, I'd like to welcome back a dear friend of mine and dedicated reader of this blog with a beautiful giveaway.  Renee, the lovely and talented creator of  Em bel' ish.

Renee creates ethereal jewelry and sells it at her Etsy shop as well as local markets.  I've been lucky to call her my neighbor and friend for almost three years now.  My collection of her pieces has grown substantially - I swear, there is not one single piece in her studio I wouldn't love to own.  For Valentine's Day she's added a collection of heart necklaces to her Etsy shop that are simply beautiful and affordable {think Anthropologie or Sundance without the hefty price tag.}  And for Denverites, Renee has started doing home trunk shows.  If you're interested in mixing up cocktails and inviting your besties over for something really fun, you can contact Renee on Facebook for details and information about hosting a trunk show at your home.  Be sure to "Like" Em bel' ish on Facebook, too.  She does giveaways over there and you can always keep up with her local whereabouts.

For Mama May I readers, Em bel' ish is giving away this beautiful necklace - Mexican fire opal nugget with a Peruvian opal drop - a sweet valentine to one lucky reader.  To enter, leave a comment, something about love, or fill in the blank right now I am loving ______.

Comments will be open from now through Wednesday, February 1st.

I'll start.  Right now I am loving this quote. “When you learn, teach, when you get, give.”  -Maya Angelou

And my new/old 1950's Foldex 20 camera, a gift from sister and brother-in-law.  I'm waiting on a replacement spool and then it'll be good to go.  Can't wait!

You?

Happy Weekend! 
xo,
katie

Grey and Blue

Yesterday I kept my camera close to me.  Something about the day made me want to capture slivers.  I think it was the quiet pace and the blue/grey tones, the combination of solitude and color matching exactly how I felt.

My dad is slipping away right now and soon I will be in Iowa with him.  This week my days have been plagued with Hospice calls and contacting services for information about after-life care, which has left me feeling caught between two worlds and breathless at times.  This week my days have also been filled with vivacious color which is my children and my family, an evening out to dinner with some of my best girlfriends, and short strolls essential for a dose of fresh air and deep breathing and small moments to stop and reflect on something as simple as a brown branch that made me think of a hand touching the blue sky, a high-five, infinite beauty.

:::

I feel as if I should leave you with a joke or something light, however, I'm not much of a joke teller.  As time goes on I will be able to tell you more about what forgiveness means to me though, and that I truly believe we all have a restart button waiting to be pushed when we're ready to change the path of our life's story if that story needs some redirection.

And, the next time I'm back here I have something exciting to share with you...

Until then, be well. 
Chat soon!

Musings

Some days I look at my little ones and something is different.  Of course I see them almost all day, every day, but sometimes I glimpse past their tiny fleshy bodies.  I spot something deeper in their crisp blue eyes.  I feel something more than the brush of perfect fingers on my face.  Perhaps it is winter's pale veil, but lately I have been able to deeply see more of them, a gift for which I am very grateful.