It’s the little things…

Trying out my new brainy phone this week—I downloaded a magnifier app—ideal for moms getting that fuzzy close vision.  I went to try it out on the nearest bit of print matter—a box of biscuits. 

And oh, what’s that little speck?  A bit of chocolate I presumed.  But no, it was this little lady ( :  strolling about looking at all the delicious words ( ;

So I strolled about the house and snapped shots of all the delightful little things that make me smile inside…

 for the memories…

 And the imaginings.

 See the bashful youth as he summons courage to propose to his princess…

 

Tiny tidbits of nature too,

 

collected long ago by curious hands…

Kept and treasured, just because…

Handmade curios …

 Dad’s rocking horse

Mom’s dainty medicine pouch with the Bambi fur…

My miniature paper creations …

and that first pair of little knit socks that I could never bear to give away…lest there never be a second pair.

 

Souvenirs from first travels abroad as a teen…

from the airport in Amsterdam…

and a little shop in Spain…

These are some of my favorite little things--of little worth to anyone but me, but to me, a delight…Sometimes, it’s the little things that bring a smile.

--LS

Have a look around you and see what your ‘little things’ are, and share a smile with me ( :

Walkin’ in the Rain

There have got to be some perks for going walking in the rain…



… and so there are ( :


Fungus looks especially lovely on a dim wet day…



…as does this old giant draped in green…



But home again, home again, is my favorite place to be… and look who came to visit so she could be featured here in her snazzy polka-dot ‘get up’!


A small speckled visitor
Wearing a crimson cape.
Brighter than a cherry
Smaller than a grape.

A polka-dotted someone
Walking on my wall.
A black-hooded lady
In a scarlet shawl.
© Joan Walsh Anglund


What an incredible bit of workmanship, don’t you think?!
Wishing you little bright spots for your week too!

--LS

Ladybug and 'Capetillar' Daze

Have you ever seen ladybugs swarm? Neither had I till today. Must have been the radiant sunshine. Sarah was standing at the sliding glass door and noticed a ladybug and then two and three... and then all sorts of them bustling about on the door and the side of the house. Then we looked and the air was filled with the little winged fellows zipping about looking for a cozy place to hide for the winter.


This hibernation idea seems to be catching...The Bearded Woolly Bears (caterpillars mind you) are out in mass today too. I walked down the highway for a bit and saw dozens of the fuzzy crawlers in various states on the warm black asphalt. My guess is they are drawn to the warmth and then only too late discover this is NOT a safe place to curl up for the winter! Oh dear. (I redirected this one to the bushes. ) Apparently these caterpillars produce their own anti-freeze in order to weather the winter. Then in the Spring they get on to pursuing their destiny-- becoming Isabella Tiger Moths!

Well I turned off the highway up an old logging road that now treads through a cleared landscape giving an awesome view out over Malaspina Strait. I found a dry spot to sit and take it in-- just a tumble of abandoned logs with grass and ferns popping through and trailing blackberry clambering over....a spot to nestle in and feel the sun hot on my face and listen to the young alders do their song and dance and hear far off the gentle hush of a lonely stand of old firs, left to grandparent the next generation. And before I knew it I was curled up and in hibernation mode--recharging my batteries with the stillness and peace...