heads bowed in thanks...

We have enjoyed an abundant rain this week... It was still misty this morning when I walked... And, their pretty heads were bowed as if to express thanks...



I am just going to share a few sites from the morning walk...



There are fourteen miles in the Azalea Trails...



And, every one of them are gorgeous in their own special way...

You might think I would grow bored with them... mile after mile... every day...

But, you would be wrong....

I can never get enough... I drink in this beauty and always want more...

This canvas of color only lasts a few weeks in the spring...

And, it leaves me looking forward to the next one...

I've been eyeing this little one longingly lately... ;)

A Walk for Amanda...

Since the time change, my walks have been in darkness. My precious daughter asked for some photos of the neighborhood... so, I walked later for her. The shadows are still long from the early morning sun... but, you can still see the beauty. Oh, how I wish she was here to walk along with me and share this magnificent blessing! Can't you just smell that wisteria?

These guys just ENJOY their lives! They are always playing and greeting the passerbys.

I love the way you find mansions and bungalows scattered throughout the neighborhood. No cookie-cutter version here. =)

I look forward to the day we can take Little H for a walk along this path...

Truth

A dove-gray fog filled my neighborhood this morning: wet, cool, soft... a gentle caress to walk through... filled with a heady, earthy, rich scent. I sucked in deeply. I gave thanks.

As I ventured along, I pondered a subject recently encountered on another blog regarding truth. The author's point being that the truths we hold dear may not be self-evident. I guess I would argue that "truths" are always "self"-evident and less often "other"-evident. Those who share similar values and convictions see similar "truths." Those who do not... obviously, do not.

There is Truth. My guess is that even the most fortunate soul only partially grasps a piece of Truth. Our egos, our minds, our experiences, our environment, our families of origin and the folks we meet along the way all shape our belief systems. I'm guessing none of those influences represent the Truth well. And, even the most studious and devout seeker is not immune to the ego and its contaminated thinking. I am always amused at the self-examining, pontificators (include myself here). We tend to elevate ourselves because we "consider thoughtfully." We enjoy a cliquish, snobbery clothed in do-gooderdom (I know I have made up a few words).

No ego there.

But, I enjoy seeking the Truth... for me it centers around a merciful and loving God. I find evidence of that Truth in soft morning fogs...

Another of My Projects...

No before pictures on this one...



But, believe me, this looks very different than it did when we started...



View from living room, through dining area to kitchen...



The arches and built-ins and the original chandelier in the dining room... all excite me!



The real reason for this post is to send pictures of the tile flooring to my daughter. =)

Here's to all of us who feel the need to "save" the old ones...

I just love the old tile floors.... LOTS of scrubbing!

One of the bedrooms...

THEN there is still the need for an exterior "make-over," all in due time... all in due time...

Kitchen Shot

A quick "kitchen shot" to join in Carmi's Thematic Photographic at Written, Inc..

Inside the Brick Street Bungalow

Well, the "cold front" hit this morning and it is pouring rain with the temperature dropping. So, I did some early morning (dark) photos inside. These photos are of the living area of our Arts and Crafts Bungalow. Originally, the trim would have been stained, not painted. However, when we bought it, the trim had already been painted and I like crisp white trim... so, it is still painted. In the Arts and Crafts movement of the early 20th century, the fireplace/mantle was the central element of the living area. The lines of the architecture are clean, simple, almost masculine. This style was a reactionary response to the ornate Victorian design that preceded it. It is my favorite.

As you can see, I don't stick to the period with my furniture. I love to be comfortable! =) These are The Pig and The Foo Boys, all gifts to me. I love my Boys.

The dining room photos were taken on another day.

Next are the "before" shots... As you can tell by the many sample colors spread all over the rooms, I had a hard time choosing. At the time I was taking fifteen hours of upper level finance classes and it was during finals. I had what we refer to as the Taco Bell Incident where I burst into tears (not typical of me at all). All the other diners were looking at Evan like he was a meany. I was just stressed over the color gold to use. I am grateful for a patient, loving husband and a wonderful paint contractor, Ray Wallace!

Amanda, my daughter, says I will be changing colors soon... I am preferring the more tranquil tones these days... but, Tallulah looks good with drama...