Ordinary Day

I dream of accomplishing remarkable things. I have great ambitions. I imagine the feeling of satisfaction that the completion of some extraordinary achievement would bring. But I have begun to wonder if the single most remarkable accomplishment is in fact making each moment count. If in reality the greatest achievement is faithfully completing the ordinary tasks of today.  To make the most of the opportunities I have been given today, is that not success? I think it is.

Bloom where you are planted

Thoughts of Spring - Blog Party

Spring around the world

California

I grew up in the beautiful state of California.

Spring comes rather early there. I remember the daffodils pressing up through the frozen ground in February. I loved the feeling of running barefoot through the pear orchards full of white fluffy blossoms when the little blades of grass created long paths of fresh vibrant green between the rows. It seemed the warmth of the sunshine was never far away no matter how cold the winters were. 

I think my favorite thing to get a whiff of must be freshly mown grass, though wild blackberries ripening in the hot august sun is a close second. There is possibly nothing better than sinking your teeth into a home grown, freshly picked, golden delicious apple still warm from the sunshine.

But for me life isn’t about living in one ideal location. Learning to find the beauty where I am is imperative, however difficult it may be.

 Tennessee

While in Tennessee studying in University I discovered spring brought forests filled with layers of white and sometimes a splash of pink created by the blooming dogwood trees and crispy cool mornings with mist hanging in the air.

 Romania

The year I took out from my studies to volunteer at an Orphanage in Romania impacted me in countless ways. My memories of spring there: The beauty of the white fluffy blossoms from the cherry trees in the play yard, the snow-bells blooming on the forest floor, and in the evenings the sound of the cuckoo bird singing from behind the house. The children and those of us caring for them were ecstatic when it was warm enough to play outside again and go on long walks through the fields.

 

  

England

Despite living near London, the school where my hubby studied wasn’t entirely surrounded by city. When spring came the fields turned green, flowers started blooming, and my favorite were the bluebells that created a carpet of blue in the small woodland across the street. Such a rest for the eyes after a winter of gray skies and rain..

Estonia

For now we live in Estonia. A country that I’m still discovering, as I attempt to master the language. Spring they say is coming, but it’s not so easily seen yet. The sun rises higher in the horizon each day and I’m hopeful that soon there will be green somewhere outside, but for now it’s just in my window.  

 It’s been almost 2 years that we’ve been married. I’ll be honest, I knew nothing about Estonia before I met my husband. I’ve learned more about geography and history and visited more countries in the past two years than all the rest of my years put together. Marriage does have a way of helping you grow and learn things you never would have otherwise!

The value of relationships and the importance of making moments count, two of the many things I've been learning recently!

Blog party going on now over at  Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground.

So go check it out. I love reading Lynnette's blog!

In the Spirit of Spring

        Spring is coming, but just not fast enough for me. So I've tried to bring an early spring inside my house by planting a few seeds. I started these last week, so now I'm eagerly counting the days until the little green leaves start poking up through the soil!

I used egg cartons to start my seeds

Starting out with a few herbs and also some flowers.

Planted, and watered, and now they're soaking in the sunshine

Tears and Celebration

Photocredit: Liis Treimann

      This week has brought the loss of many lives, it has brought heartache, tears and emotions too deep for words. And this is sadly true across the world, some places have felt more pain than others.
      On Sunday a tragic fire took the life of 10 young people in an orphanage here in Estonia. Yesterday was a national day of mourning. While the tears are still falling time keeps going. Thursday is Estonia's National Independence day, a day of great celebration. Two days involving entirely opposite emotions packed into one week.
      While struggling to deal with the loss of so many innocent children it hardly seems possible to pull through something so horrible and celebrate the life that we have. And too rejoice for the freedoms this country experiences.
      From tears to celebration. It's a depiction of life really. When tragedy has touched our lives, we must hang on to hope. Remember there is a morning coming when all the night of this dark and awful earth will be forgotten in pure joy!

A recent photo I took on the island of Saaremaa