{ January 10 on 10 }

1. Annabelle's Grannie Annie desk in the morning light, displaying some of the oh so charming artwork of her said darling namesake. 
2. Lucy, bright eyed after her morning nap.
3. she's so cute, that I can't stand to only post one from this set
4. Jack " reading" in the sunlight
5. the master to-do list (mostly home improvement projects). Interesting side note: I love David's handwriting so much!
6. first thing on the list: clean out basement. I can't believe I am posting a picture of my scary basement on my blog. Thank you 10 on 10 helps for keeping it real around here.
7.  a family hike, we needed some fresh air after having been in the dusty musty basement all afternoon
8. Annabelle's all smiles as we race home to put on the tea kettle
9. the only way to drink hot chocolate, learned from the Candy Man ( but you might know him better as Mr. Happily Ever After himself)...who has seriously mastered the art of improving + enhancing among other things: popcorn,strawberries, and hot chocolate by adding the right candy too them. Are you curious now? Sorry but it just wouldn't be fair to give away all his secrets now would it?
10. scrub a dub dub, happy baby in the tub

{ you too can be a millionare }

"  Many people in ordinary circumstances are millionaires of cheerfulness. They make their neighborhood brighter, happier and a better place to live in by their presence; they raise the value of every lot for blocks around them.

The world is beginning to see that people who can radiate sunshine and carry gladness and good cheer wherever they go, although they may be poor, are of infinitely greater value to society than the millionaire of money who pauperizes everything he touches, and everybody who comes in contact with him ,by his close, contemptible methods.

Largeness of the heart and generosity of the soul make millionaires of character who are worth more to the world than mere moneyed millionaires.

The time will come in the progress of the world when we shall not have to depend on rich furnishings, costly tapestries, and gold plates. Character will become so enriched in the upward growth of the world that the surroundings, however costly, will be considered but a cheap setting of a precious life-stone. Cheerfulness is a potent factor of success."

 -Anonymous

{ Bittersweet}

{ source }

    So many thoughts and feelings kart wheeling around in my heart these days. I have been avoiding typing this post up for well over a week now and it makes me cringe and my eyes fill with tears, to type out the words, words that say that Grannie Annie is no longer in this world with us. It seems at times to be both unthinkable and impossible. And our grief is deep and yet tender as our memories of her are such sweet ones. Without her, all feels even less right with the world than it did before. Of course we are so glad for her, as my Annabelle said so sweetly the morning I told her that Granniebelle's was now in heaven with Jesus, " Mommy now there is one Annabelle here and one Annabelle in heaven and someday there will be two Annabelle's in heaven...and how happy it is for Granniebelle to get to be young again."

  Words feel inadequate right now. But if ever there was a memoir that deserves to be written and read
by many, it's hers.  Rachel calls it Grannie's "essence" and to capture that in words would be such a beautiful thing.  I can see here in my minds eye right now sitting in her little chair on Blue Jay Corner, sipping half cups of coffee and snacking on cheese and black licorice, with that sweet sparkle in her eye and something funny and encouraging and wise to say. She'd never let you go without a hug, a kiss and a " I love you honey." She had the gift of loving unconditionally. She was a life giving person. She choose joy. And found that joy in Jesus. She was a beautiful artist, and embodied so many of the qualities that I hope and pray I will over time grow and mature into. Thankfully from what I hear not everything always come naturally to her, which gives me hope. She was lovable in every way.  We even wrote a little book about it. 
And I dearly love what David's Mom said was one of the things she loved about her Mama, taken from the 90 Reasons We love you book: " I love the way you call life bittersweet, and while you acknowledge the bitter you chose to dwell on the sweet. "
It is my wish to pattern my life after her dear heart.
 
2011 most of all was a year to say both hello and goodbye to two who I hold in dearest places of my heart. And to marvel at the beautiful circle of life.  I am in awe of our faithful and good God, as I dance my way into this new year. But more about that later. It has to do with my New Years Resolution, and I am certain it's one Grannie Annie would be proud of.