Weekly Winners (Feb. 14 – 20)

Snow to sunshine. Tennessee to Texas. This is my week in photos.

For more weekly winner participants, head on over to our hostess, Lotus (aka Sarcastic Mom).

Snow moved in the night of Valentines Day, making my city a winter wonderland once again.
Snow moved in the night of Valentine's Day, making my city a winter wonderland once again.

Much like the dove with the olive branch, this patch of green grass heards the coming of Spring in a few weeks. It fights through over an inch of snow to reach for the sunlight.   *Photo appeared on Nashvillest this week.*
Much like the dove with the olive branch, this patch of green grass heralds the coming of Spring in a few weeks. It fights through over an inch of snow to reach for the sunlight.

*Above photo appeared on Nashvillest this week.*

Powdery snow settles for a rest on tree leaves.
Powdery snow settles for a rest on tree leaves.
What is it about fresh snow that makes a grown woman into a giddy child? Atleast, you know, when she doesnt have anywhere to be that day.
What is it about fresh snow that makes a grown woman into a giddy child? Atleast, you know, when she doesn't have anywhere to be that day.
Im forever amazed at the beauty of the world from above. A palate painted by God of fields, trees, streams and lakes.
I'm forever amazed at the beauty of the world from above. A palette painted by God of fields, trees, streams and lakes.
Mr. Smith can fuss all he wants about Southwest, but I am loyal customer. My flight was half an hour early, which I am so happy to say is NOT unusual! The staff is always an absolute pleasure, and they are definitely the best deal in the industry!
Mr. Smith can fuss all he wants about Southwest, but I am loyal customer. My flight was half an hour early, which I am so happy to say is NOT unusual! The staff is always an absolute pleasure, and they are definitely the best deal in the industry!
From snow in Nashville, to sunshine and 60s in Texas, dandelions give a beautiful pop of color in a deep green field of thick grass.
From snow in Nashville, to sunshine and 60s in Texas, dandelions give a beautiful pop of color in a deep green field of thick grass.

Reaching for the sky, the trees look for sunshine and rain to grow... perhaps wed be good to take note of their approach to life. Take the rain with the sun and be grateful for both.
Reaching for the sky, the trees look for sunshine and rain to grow... perhaps we'd be good to take note of their approach to life. Take the rain with the sun and be grateful for both.

Am I barking up the wrong tree? Twisted and knotted and rough.
Am I barking up the wrong tree? Twisted and knotted and rough.

All of my photos available on my Flickr stream.

The Lenten season

Lent. The period of time between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. The 40 days of preparation for Jesus’s resurrection.

I’ve been amazed by how many people are participating in “giving something up for Lent” this year, and it’s really made me feel good and hopeful. It’s been several years since I seriously gave something up for Lent. I’ve, year after year, set out with something in mind only to have to fall by the wayside a few weeks in. I’ve even failed to follow not having meat on Fridays!

Tonight at a buffet. A brother and a sister filling cups of ice cream. Little Boy: “OH NO! We weren’t to have any sweets!” Little Girl looking at her bowl of ice cream: “Oh well!”

I had to laugh at that exchange to myself. It was about when I was that little girl’s age that I, too, gave up candy for Lent. I made it! I slipped up by having a chocolate mint after supper one night, but I justified it by saying it was for fresh breath. Funny how I remember that so clearly.

This year, for some reason, I’m approaching Lent with a whole new (or perhaps a very old) frame of mind. I’m going at it full force. I even found out about Stations of the Cross in Nashville, and I hope I can make it one weekend.

I’ve decided to give up Dr. Pepper and Beer for Lent. The beer won’t be too tough. When I am at my parent’s house, I just don’t drink it much. It’ll be difficult, though, when I go home, as its just the thing to have when socializing. The Dr. Pepper, however, has already proven difficult. I saw a real sugar Dr. Pepper today, and I itched to grab it.

I’ve thought of a third thing to do for Lent, and I think I’m going to go for it. Even though I’m technically starting it a few days late. To write a blog entry every day of Lent. THIS will be the tough one, as some days I’m just too tired to be creative. Other days, I frankly just don’t have time. But in the spirit of my last entry, I think its a challenge I need to take on for myself.

So brace yourself. Time to put this blog on 10.

Or rather 40.