Tree Tops

The perfect place for a tree house.

The Life You Love.

I seem to be acutely aware these days of people who are doing what they love and making a living from it. Such a simple concept and yet I feel as though most of the world is never given the luxury of being paid to do something they don't really consider "work." I'm not sure if I can go so far as to say that's how life's supposed to be. But, I really believe that to be given such a gift is one of the most powerful opportunities for change.

When people are passionate about what they do for a living, things happen. They happen because someone has a heart to see the fruits of their labor not only survive but

thrive. Isn't that what we should all desire from our life's work? To see it positively effect the people around us and in the process, be changed by it ourselves?

I want to have the courage and determination to run after those desires God has placed on my heart to pursue. I don't want to let the fear of failure or mediocracy keep me from taking leaps of faith into achieving the dreams and ambitions He has set before me. So here's to finding a sense of passionate purpose; to loving what you do and doing it everyday.

Floating Umbrellas.

Imagine That.

Every now and then I see a picture of something that only exists in my imagination, in my dreamiest of dreams, and it's incredible to think that these things are someone's reality:

{a} a space with just a bed and an amazing view

{b} a hideaway room full of books and a fort to read them in

{c} a rambling house tucked into the side of a mountain

{d} a tree house that goes on forever

The House by the Lake.

Today is a family day. Tim is off work and all I want to do is spend the rest of the day at home making baby food, tidying up and watching Downton Abbey which is a new British mini-series. Or just series...perhaps not mini. Anyways, it takes place in England which allows me to vicariously live out my past life via the scenery and is set during the twenties - an age of sophisticated fashion, manners and classic British aires.

Oddly enough, this afternoon offered the rare opportunity to be transported back to English soil... at least in spirit... when I visited a nearby estate that is up for sale with my dad and brother-in-law. Being close to the lake, many of the neighboring homes are vast in size and value, especially those that sit right on the water. This particular home, which is priced at just under one million dollars, felt straight out of the pages of the well preserved memory I keep of England. There was even a hint of London hanging in the clouds today - cool, gray and heavy with moisture.

All I could think of, as I excitedly bounced from one corner of the property to the next was, "I can't imagine what it's like to live in a place like this." Not just because of the wealth required (did I mention there are tennis courts, a guest house and a conservatory with a fountain in the middle?) ... but because of the possibility of being surrounded by grounds that seem enchanting even on a dreary day like today. The fact that the house has been vacant for three years gave it an extra sense of curiosity, like Lady Craven's garden in The Secret Garden. The view of the lake from the back of the property was pretty breathtaking too (sorry for the shaky camera work):

Ten Things.

Inspired by a recent post on my cousin's website, and in light of the jump start I've already gotten on my "year of accomplishment" I've decided to make a conclusive list of ten things I want to achieve this year. I've asked Tim to do the same.


Doing so brings to mind my past affinity for goal.set.achieve. and the adventure that mindset brought to my life. The biggest being my move to England five years ago. Truth be told, I haven't set any big goals since then. Call it what you will, whether lack of vision or the fact that since that time I met, married and had a baby with Tim (which was a dream come true in and of itself), I think it's high time I start dreaming big again.


Dreaming apart from God is unwise, so I want these goals to be pleasing to Him as well, knowing all the while that, from my point of view anyways, they will only be achieved with His help. I've given us until the end of this weekend to make up our individual lists. I haven't decided whether I'll share those lists on here; it will be dependent on how personal the goals turn out to be.


I'm already excited for December 31st, 2011 to see where the list has taken us. I'm hoping for twenty check marks next to twenty dreams!

Isle of Man.

You haunt my dreams in the most beautiful way.

Were you a dream?

Our time together seems as though it were but a fleeting breath.

Then, now and always at the mere thought of you, time stops. I have peace of mind.

Oh, how I miss thee.