Sunday Inspiration: Easter

 

Favorite March Moments

March felt like a month of extremes.  From the roller coaster ride that the weather put us through (40's one day, 70's the next, then back to 50's with lows in the 20's), to situations and circumstances that had me struggling to find my peace at times.  But I am making every effort to stay focused on the positive.  So let's take a quick look at some of my favorite things from the month of March!

On the first weekend of the month, the Man of the House and I had a little date day.  We started with breakfast/brunch then went to see "Dune". Afterwards,  we went and picked up our new refrigerator.  

My daughter and I took one day and went to Biltmore Estate together.  We walked through the gardens and conservatory, had a nice lunch,  and took my grandson to see the baby farm animals.  Who can resist baby piglets, lambs, and chicks?  Not me!

My Christmas cactus surprised me this month by blooming again. This has never happened before!  I'm not sure what, if anything,  I'm doing differently, ' but apparently the cactus likes it.  Does this make it an Easter cactus?

The cherry blossoms bloomed this month.  The tulips are now opening up.  And there are tons on buds on my azalea and lilac bushes.  I can also see the peonies popping up out of the ground.  All the beautiful flowers are an added bonus of springtime.

I had a day this month when I had my feelings trampled and felt as if my heart had been broken.   That was definitely NOT a favorite moment.  But, it did remind me of the people in my life who love and care for me.  They allowed me to vent and provided a shoulder or two to cry on.  Does it take away all of the hurt? No.  But it certainly helped ease the pain a bit. And those people are absolutely some of my favorites.

What are some of your favorite things from March?

Thankful Thursday: March 28, 2024

 

I Am Thankful For:

Sleep

Planning my next crochet project 

Coffee and a good book

Textung with my cousin

Meeting my husband for lunch

Cherry bloasoms falling like snowflakes

Getting compliments from strangers about my hair

My appointment went well

Weekends

Trips to Sam's Club

Getting take-out for dinner

Tulips blooming

Getting back on track 

Veterinary care

Sunday Inspiration: In the Storm

 

Thankful Thursday: March 21, 2024

I Am Thankful For:

Lunch with my dad

Spending time with my son

My husband's flight getting in on time

Blue skies

Springs-like breezes

Early morning thunderstorms

Listening to the birds sing

When the rain stops

Lunch with my husband

Big yellow and black butterfly

Falling cherry blossom petals

Bangers and mash

A morning cup of tea

A delicious St Patrick's Day dinner

People who actually care about my feelings

My husband bringing me flowers

My husband making dinner

Rest

The first day of Spring

Sunday Inspiration: Your Peace

Thankful Thursday: March 14, 2024

 

I Am Thankful For:

Spring/Easter decor

Almond butter

Hobbies

A phone call with my mom

A doggy GoPro vest

Getting an appointment sooner than expected

The cherry tree is starting to bloom

My grown kids doing things together

Listening to my son play his guitar

Moving on to the last phase of making my sweater

The breath in my lungs

A good book club meeting

Homemade Lo Mein

Having curly hair 

Beautiful Spring flowers

Baby animals

Beautiful late winter days

Peace

January and February each brought their own busyness, challenges, and turmoils.  So, when it came time to select a word of the month for March I knew exactly what that word would be.  The thing my spirit was craving at that moment- Peace.

I'm talking about that sense of inner calm,  despite the situations and circumstances surrounding you.  It's not about living a life completely free of troubles or hardship.  It's finding acceptance and tranquility amidst the storms. 

Peace can't be found it in the house you live in, the car you drive, the job title you hold, or the amount in your bank account.  It doesn't come from likes or follows.  

Peace is found in acceptance and mindfulness.  It's knowing who you are, what you believe in, and having a sense of purpose.  It's found in the things and processes that quiet the mind and bring joy to the heart.  

Peace also means a sense of control. Knowing the activities, people, and things that are hurtful to your inner peace and limiting or eliminating them. It is being aware of and capturing negative thoughts rather than dwelling on them.  And cultivating the things, activities, relationships,  and thoughts that nurture your inner peace. 

I find my peace when I sit by the water or take a walk in nature. I find peace in the repetative process of my crochet. In a good book and a warm beverage. It's in the quiet mornings when I spend time in prayer and gratitude. In the calm of holding my baby grandson as he sleeps. In the warm touch of holding my husband's hand. 

What nurtures your sense of peace?

Sunday Inspiration: Yourself

Thankful Thursday: March 7, 2024

 

I Am Thankful For:

When it sounds as if ALL the birds are singing at once

Hot tea

Getting a "bonus day" this year

Rainy days

Having love in my life

Quiet time

Movie date with my husband

Going out for breakfast 

A new refrigerator

My daughter and the grandsons coming over

Front door is repainted

Sunny spring-like days

Buds on the cherry tree

My mom celebrating another birthday

The tulips are coming up

Sunday Inspiration: Inner Peace

Welcome March

Happy March, y'all!!  This is going to be a good month.  I can feel it in my soul.  The blog has a new name and I have some new ideas be brewing for the next few weeks.  Spring is right around the corner, and Easter is coming in early this year.  

My mother is celebrating a big milestone birthday this month.  It can be challenging to see our parents age, especially if they have health challenges. But I know that I am incredibly blessed to still have mine here with us! Happy early birthday, Mom!

I had high hopes that our renovations on the exterior of the house would finally be completed in February.  They were not.  In fact, there was no new progress.  This month marks a year since we started this process.  And, to be honest, it's starting to get a little tiresome. 

My dachshund, Max, needs to be scheduled for his semiannual exam with the veterinarian this month. And I am extremely nervous about it.  He's due for a rabies vaccine.  The last time he had one, it didn't go well. He had a reaction - vomiting, hives and his little eyes swelled up.  We ended up at the emergency vet for a steroid shot and left with a round of prednisone.  So... Yeh, I am so worried about him having to get another!

My reading list for the month starts off with Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros.  I also need to read Incredibly Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt by the 11th for book club. Other than that, well - who knows. Maybe I'll look through my TBR list for a book set in Ireland in honor of St Patrick's Day.

I am crocheting a new cardigan for myself and looking at a couple of more projects to start when this is done. I started playing with my embroidery machine in February and plan to create a few more items in March.

I had mixed results for my February goals.  I did get the bedroom closet cleaned out and reorganized, but I didn't get to the closet in the craft room at all. That one will have to wait for another month.  I attended my first book club and enjoyed it very much. I did not exercise three times a week.  In fact, I exercised less than I did in January.  I'm not proud of that, but it is what it is.

My goals for March:

• Purge and reorganize purses
• Finish crocheting  current project
• Walk at least 3 days per week

What are your plans for March?