Hi folks! How do you like my new blog design? Since this year is focused on Whispers From My Garden, I asked the lovely and talented Tara DuBois of Unbound Website Creations to design a new header with some of my garden photography.
As I wrote back in January, my 2014 objectives include writing 500 words a day, learning photography via the 365project.org daily photo challenge, getting recertified as a Fairfax County Master Gardener, and maintaining my daily meditation practice.
Yesterday marked the 70th day of the year, and I’m happy to report that I have yet to fall off the wagon. Having said that, my jeans are getting a little tight since I haven’t signed up for any races this year and, as a result, haven’t been running as much. Gives me a chance to practice eating more mindfully and squeezing in running at different times of day. The crazy amount of snow we’ve had this winter hasn’t helped (and more may be coming next week!).
My writing output has been channeled almost exclusively into the book, which is finally coming along fast and furiously. I changed course late last year, shifting to a different concept that is flowing nicely now. My solo retreat helped me get organized, just as I had hoped.
What I’ve found between writing and taking photos daily is that I have a fixed amount of creative energy to work with each day. Compromises need to be made, so I’ll be blogging a little less while I’m churning out book chapters.
Today, instead of writing, I thought I’d share with you a little sub-set of my 365 Project. My experiment with photographing water droplets falling on a rose evolved into a full illustrated version of the Sound of Music‘s “These Are a Few of My Favorite Things” song lyrics, customized to my own life rather than Maria von Trapp’s (or Rogers and Hammerstein’s). Hope you enjoy it!
These Are A Few of (Martha’s) Favorite Things
Raindrops on roses
and whiskers on kittens (in our house, bunnies)
Bright copper kettles (orange cast iron pots)
and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things…
Cream colored ponies (puppies)
and crisp apple streudels
Doorbells
and sleigh bells (Cody’s bells, representing the many places we’ve travelled)
and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese (wrens) that fly with the moon (snow) on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things…
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes (had to borrow a friend’s girl for this one)
Snowflakes that stay on my nose (car) and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things…
When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I’m feeling sad… (no need to add more energy to these things by photographing them!)
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don’t feel so bad.
What are your favorite things and how can you honor them creatively?
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Scott says
That Schnitzel looks so good! Must be lunch time.
Martha says
I switched the email send time to 1:00 p.m. — I should probably write some more mindful eating posts to read during lunchtime. Thanks for the comment, Scott! Guten Appetit!
Marcia says
You, Martha, are one of my favorite “things”/people. What a delightful gift. Beautiful photos, positive energy, and an inspiration to us all. Thank you!
Martha says
Thanks for the lovely and encouraging comment, Marcia! Glad you hopped over to the site itself, since our email version seems to have a few kinks to be worked out. Always love hearing from you, my friend. xxoo Martha
Mary Michelsen says
Went back to look at some of your past posts. I LOVE this “favorite things” blog. This is the song that I sang to my kids when they were little. It is also the song I sang to my niece, Gianna, on the day she passed away. She was born with Aicardi Syndrome and passed away at the age of three. This post gave me fond memories of singing to her. Thanks for sharing.
Martha says
Oh Mary, this means so much to me. What a gift you gave to your niece. This is how we stay connected to those who have gone before us. They are only a heartbeat away. <3 Martha