A 2014 Resolution!

I definitely want to explore this path!

Medieval alleys of Bussana Vecchia in Liguria, Italy (by fede0253).

Peonies from @TraderJoes Thanks @carolynhimes for the idea.

"I love little children, and it is not a slight thing when they, who are fresh from God, love us." Charles Dickens

"You are worried about seeing him spend his early years in doing nothing. What! Is it nothing to be happy? Nothing to skip, play, and run around all day long? Never in his life will he be so busy again." ~Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Emile, 1762

I love this enchanting path.

Footbridge at the Old Mill in North Little Rock, Arkansas, USA (by justpics2007).

My Big Sister and the Train Horn

My gifted and beautiful sister, who was thirteen years older, died three years ago yesterday, February 19. 

She lived in the Northern California mountains.  Very close to her home were train tracks.  When we talked on the phone and the train would blow its horn, we would stop talking so that I could listen.  I loved trains because they reminded me of special times during my childhood when my mom and I would take the train into Chicago from our home in Indiana.  Chicago was the "big city" to us living in a small town.  I felt so special on that train!

I've been especially tuned into the sound of the train horn in the distance from our home.  There is comfort in that sound because of what my sister and I shared during our phone conversations. 

In the recent past, I've explored locally with my GrandGirls via train trips. I experienced that special feeling again as the trips were the first time for them on a train!  One of the best parts of those trips is hearing the train horn as we rolled along.

There are tastes, tunes, smells and sounds that awaken good memories.  Is there a sound that brings you a little comfort?

A great idea for the kids during Spring break!

Make roads, train tunnels AND caves out of one cardboard box. This craft is essentially free, made of recycled materials and toys you already have at home and will keep kids occupied for HOURS. 

Head over to PBS Parents to get the how-to!: http://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-for-kids/tunnels-roads-cardboard-caves-playset/

Mmmmmm!  Sipping on a cappuccino in this splendid spot.

Spending a beautiful summer day at http://www.cottage-home-and-garden.com/

A beautiful path to explore.

Picturesque streets of Èze, Côte d’Azur, France (by jsmjr).