My 2012 Vision Board

After my post yesterday I realized there might be some that don't know what a vision board it.
Here is my vision board for 2012.
It isn't that pretty, but what is on it means something to me for this year.
It gives a focus.  My word for the year is there too.
At the beginning of each year a group of women friends get together to make their vision boards.
It is a fun gathering filled with things to drink and munchies,
talk, laughter, and cutting things out of magazines.
At the end of the day we share our vision for the coming year.
We are encouraged to put a picture of ourselves on the board.
You see I am dancing in my pink tutu.
The map represents planned travel.
There is always tea.
I won't explain each thing because some are personal just for me,
but it should give you an idea what I have in my heart for 2012.

Winter Moon

Does the moon sometimes just capture your heart?
Does it make you stand up and notice?
A couple weeks ago it was one of those moons
and I just couldn't get enough of looking at it.
Finally the camera came out and I played awhile.
Oh what fun I had by the light of the moon.
It was one of those nights that I just had to dance.
No one saw me, but I was dancing.
Recently this quote appeared on my vision board
for 2012:

I dance daily, watched or not!

Do you make a vision board at the beginning of the year?
Do you dance daily?
Does a beautiful moon just make your heart sing?
I hope so!

A Day like no Other

The Magpie's Fancy had a 5 minute writing assignment this week and I decided to participate.
We were suppose to pick a picture from 2 years ago, study it a few minutes, then write for 5 minutes.
I love writing free of any constraints and focusing on a picture.
The following is what came from my pen.

It was a day much like today, sunshine, clouds and a little rain.
Not a particularly cold day, but a day like no other.
I was beginning to think spring might come.
The sign was guiding me forward and showing me where I came from.
It was taking me to something new, a celebration of longevity, a celebration of love,
and a celebration of what was yet to come.

Signs like these always cause me to smile as they head us in a direction and give the miles.
Oh how long those miles can seem some days, and yet before you know it you are there.
Sometimes it is the traveling there that brings us JOY as much as the arriving;
the arriving and the smiles.  The warm hugs at the other end.
How special and treasured they are.
We travel far, we travel near, we travel most anywhere for that special smile
and that special hug.

Up over the hills and down through the valleys life takes us on that journey.
A journey of greetings and goodbyes, a journey of love and sorrow.
The journey and following signs is all more special because there are smiles and hugs,
sunshine and rain and clouds - yes, that is a day like no other.
A hope is glimmering, a future is here.
Take JOY in the moment - savor, dance, smile, and hug.

What is in your Cup?

Do you drink more tea in the winter?
Do you drink a different tea in the winter than you do in the summer?
What tea is in your cup today?

Lately I have been thirsty for what I call "hefty" teas,
something black and strong.
I have been finding Pu-er with ginger to satisfy this hunger.

From James Norwood Pratt's book, New Tea Lover's Treasury comes this quote:

"In the old days, when Pu-Er tea was transported by horse caravans from the production areas to the the town of Pu-Er, the caravans had to travel through tropical rain forests.  The moisture in the air caused the tea leaves to ferment (turn moldy, perhaps?) and enriched its flavor.  As people liked the flavor of the naturally fermented tea, the tea producers began to introduce a fermenting process for Pu-Er.  Unlike green tea which is best when the leaves are fresh, the older the Pu-Er, the better its flavor."

Doesn't this quote create wonderful images of the tea traveling by caravans through the rain forest?

My first exploration into Pu-er took me to an 8 year old lovely cup of tea.
Now the exploration is on and I have tried several others,
but I am partial to this first one because is was delightfully smooth.

Time in a Bottle

Special birthdays only come along every 10 years or more.
We are celebrating my husbands birthday here today.
There was a dinner party for him with close friends
and we shared stories of times gone by.
The bottles lining the table were part of my husband's collection;
so the invite said we would be sharing time in a bottle.
More than that we had a wonderful collection of memories
from many friends and family.
The memories were tucked into these envelopes and
tied with a tag that said:

"Sometimes you will never know the true value

of a moment

until it becomes a Memory."

anonymous

Treasure those small moments because they do become memories.

Munro

Let me introduce you to a very special dog in our family.
This is Munro.
He is in training to be a companion pet.
His owner right now is a niece-in-law.
She has trained many dogs and
Munro is the latest.
He is a sweetie and someone will be very fortunate
to have him by their side one day.
I have always known these dogs served a very special purpose,
but recently in my own neighborhood I observed a dog in action.
As I was waiting at a stop light a dog and companion walked across
the cross walk in front of me.  When they arrived at the curb the dog
stopped and curved it's body gently in front of the companion causing her to stop.
She then stepped up and again I could see the dog guide her away
from walking into a pole.
Today I celebrate dog companions, they are very special indeed.

Exploring

Not so very long ago I went exploring.
I love the outdoors and vintage delights.
Discovering beauty in my surroundings is definitely one of my passions,
especially when it involves the out of doors.
Even on a blustery, Winnie the Pooh sort of day,
I love wrapping up in mitten, warm coat, and a scarf,
and venturing out of doors.

Do you love exploring?
Where do you go when you go exploring?
Is it outdoors or a mall?
There are many ways of exploring
and I hope each week presents you with opportunities to delight your soul.

Happy Chinese New Year!
Open your doors and windows to let all the bad flow away,
then welcome the new year with a fresh face.