That's what friends are for.

They make you smile when you feel like crying.

And when you do cry (while wiping your eyes with your hands, because you never remember to carry Kleenex), a friend quietly gives you a handful of soft tissues.

They share a history, and forgive the follies of your youth, as if some of it never happened. But they remember the good parts. And remind you of them.

They share some of the same joys as you, but have hobbies that are unique enough as to keep it all interesting.

They sometimes call on a random day just to check in.

They email you on 'milestone days'- whether big or small, they think of you. Because even though some of the milestones may seem small, they know the small ones feel big to you while you're in them.

They care enough to listen, and smile, and ask questions. (Even if you're boring them to no end.)

And even when both of you get busy, and the conversations aren't as frequent, or the emails not as prevalent, you just know that things are okay. That they're still them, and you're still you. And everything is good. Because when it comes down to it, you just know that they think of you, and you think of them. Everything is good.

They have joys and deep sorrows of their own, and love and lives of their own. But they care about you in the midst of it all. And even though they're the better friend in the relationship, they still love you. Because that's what friends are for.

So today, I am thankful for my friends.

I am thankful for chocolate.

And I am especially thankful for friends who bring me chocolate.

After all, that's what friends are for.

"True friends are always together in spirit."

(Anne Shirley) - L.M. Montgomery, authoress

Sweet.

I've heard it said that hobbies are an important part of a full life. That's even more true when someone's hobby involves time practicing the culinary arts, and that said someone happens to live in my home. On a cold and cloudy day, Paul was of the mind to spend time making lots (and lots) of chocolate chip cookies. Not just any chocolate chip cookies, though. When Paul was a young man, he would visit his friend's house, and they would eat these delicious cookies straight from the freezer. After we were married, Paul often mentioned how good they were, so a few years ago, I called his friend's mother for the recipe. Good thing. Because these are some of the best cookies. Ever. (Especially when I don't have to be the one in the kitchen...)

Enjoy:

Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies

(makes 6-8 dozen)

1 c. butter, softened
1 c. butter-flavored Crisco
2 c. light brown sugar
1 1/2 c. white sugar

[Cream the above ingredients together.]

4 eggs, beaten into above mixture

1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

(Mix the above 2 ingredients thoroughly in the batter.)

Stir in:

1 c. chopped walnuts (if desired)
2 (heaping) cups chocolate chips
5 c. flour


Bake at 350 degree for 5-8 minutes, until the cookies are puffed up a little, with just a little shine to them. Edges should be very lightly browned.

Cool on racks.



Then go ahead and eat them. You'll smile.

"A man practices the art of adventure when he breaks the chain of routine and renews his life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints."

-W. Peterson

Regroup: (v) to become reorganized in order to make a fresh start.

One of my favorite places to be is outside in my gardens, digging through the dirt, noticing little details. Feeling warmth from the sun. Hearing the small sounds of life around me. And I'm really missing it. Gardening is the best stress release for me. Suffice it to say that I'm definitely feeling the lack of gardening in my daily life right now.

So I have a choice. I can get anxious and verbalize my worry about looming exams and new clinical rotations, or I can take a minute to breathe and be thankful. To remember that I have four people inside my home who make me happier than I ever imagined. To be thankful for a supportive, understanding husband who smiles with those blue eyes, helping to take my stress away. For 3 little kids who say such funny things and give such joyful little hugs when they bound off the bus after school-- who are growing so quickly into little people with whom I love to hold a conversation. I can be thankful for a healthy family, a warm home, a clean place to lay my head at night. I can choose to remember that there are so many who are hurting in unspeakable ways through the loss of their families, homes, and livelihoods. So many who are searching for hope through the ruin and rubble that surrounds them.

So I miss my garden, but I found the next best thing. Because there's nothing like a little walk in the yard to remember that hope springs forth, and even in the midst of a season I strongly dislike, there's beauty. Beauty in the spent asparagus fronds that still stand, so delicate, but somehow strong enough to stay erect. Beauty in curling grapevines that will soon be covered with large green leaves. There's hope in the climbing hydrangea vines that cling to our brick house-- because in a few weeks, little white buds will appear, making me smile. There's beauty in the light cast on the snow, showing colors that I have no adequate name for. Beauty that is coupled with my favorite golden hour of warmest light. All the colors of winter that I didn't see from a distance come together and make me realize that this little season of our life will pass, too. But while we're in its busyness together, we can actively seek out the brightest parts, and let the daily hindrances recede into soft focus. We can realize that there's beauty right in the here and now. And then somehow, this little season of our life really doesn't seem so stressful after all.

"One day at a time-- this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering."

-Ida Scott Taylor, English author

Happy.

~

'Just a little photo that makes me smile. Part of a little project I'm working on:

It's your Birthday...

~

"We wish you many more, health and wealth and friends by the score!
Cut the cake, and let's eat some more; Happy Birthday to you!!"

-John McCutcheon

(Photo taken at this wedding)

It's my littlest sister's birthday today, and I hope she'll still speak to me after I just announced it to the world...

Feel free to leave Kara birthday wishes in the comments!

Love you, Kee! Have a happy one!

Bibliophile.

~

I may have mentioned once or twice that winter is not my favorite of seasons. However, I do sometimes like winter Saturdays. Especially when they start with Paul's pancakes in the morning, family errands later on, and library visits midday. And they continue, slow-paced, in front of a wood stove.

"The love of learning, the sequestered nooks,
And all the sweet serenity of books."

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

*Note: Nora is a busy little girl, and had a previous engagement; thus she was unable to be a part of our Saturday excursion.

Day 284.

The other evening, I realized I had forgotten to get the mail. As I was ready to walk outside, I noticed some beautiful golden light reflected on the brick in our sunroom. So I grabbed the camera, took some images, and got the mail. Then I turned around to come inside. And what I saw from the outside-looking-in made me happier than golden evening light ever could.






I wasn't happier than golden light just because they were all playing together without arguing. (For once.) Not just because the expressions on Connor's face tend to make me giggle. I wasn't happier than golden light just because I love them with everything I've got. I was also happy because it was Checkers they chose to play. Because it's my game. The game I played constantly with my Grandpa Ryan when I was a little girl. Some of my happiest memories involve those alternating black and red squares. I smiled, and realized how important and long-lasting simple time spent with children can be. And then I realized that I don't do those kinds of things enough. So I opened the door, and sat down to play. I won't say who won. [But I will say that all that Checker playing with Grandpa Ryan paid off.]

"Sweet childish days, that were as long
As twenty days are now."

~William Wordsworth, "To a Butterfly"

The back-story behind the "Day" posts can be found here: Inspire.



~

This is it.

Just popping in to remind my readers that today is the last day to use your 15% off coupon for your gallery orders. For those of you who would still like to take advantage of the sale, the coupon code is: BETSYJO15. The coupon expires today (Thursday 1/28) at 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time. The coupon is also valid on Prints for a Purchase items, with all profits being donated to our current charity, Autism Speaks.

Thanks for your support!

And because a photography blog needs a photo in each post (well, I think so, anyway) - here's a little memory of the beauty from a Connecticut summer:




Oh, I can't wait to be outside in the sun again, feeling its heat on my back as I try to catch up with little toddlers, camera at the ready. I can't wait to run down to Harkness on a weekday with the kids, packing up sand toys and soccer balls, sunblock and sandals overflowing their tote. I can't wait for long evening walks with no rush to get the kids into bed since it's not a school night. I can't wait for the dirt to slide between my fingers as I pull weeds in our garden. I can't wait for the sunlight to warm the lavender in my flower beds, so I can run my hands along the stems, smelling its heady fragrance as it moves in the breeze.

But.

It's January. So, I'll just have to wait with happy anticipation.

For now.

"Summer afternoon - summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language."

~Henry James