300 days of beauty, day 14

“Many people will walk in and out of your life, 

but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart”
~ Eleanor Roosevelt

 [love these kids. Missouri farm fun. so sweet, too short.]

I am rich in friends and I don't take this gift lightly. As a mom, I love seeing the blossoming friendships of my kids--honey for my mama heart. Friendships change, it's the natural ebb and flow of the world, but I believe that some of their friendships will last across the years. And each and every kindred-spirit-soul-stirring connection will leave the best kind of footprints.

300 days of beauty, day 13

Topping the list of favorite places in the world, my kids choose our friends' farm in Missouri. D actually requested to come here instead of Disneyland. We have been blessed to visit three times and my kids can't get enough. How sweet it is to have the three kids of our dear friends become treasured friends to each other also. 

They played for hours in this hay loft (until we told them enough, as the air quality did not seem excessively beneficial long-term.) During our time here, my kids are treated to freedom of exploration like we could never give them in the city. And we are treated to the company and conversation of great friends.

300 days of beauty, day 10

I'm going to brag. I totally took this picture and it is one of my favorite photographs of all time. My husband didn't even think that I took it, and it remains free of any surgical alterations. 

The most magnificent aspect of this photo has nothing to do with the photo itself. I traveled by myself to Amsterdam to be with a very dear friend. On this day through late night, we walked the canal-lined streets of Amsterdam, cameras in hand, and captured the city. I have no other friend who enjoys photography as much as I do. (Her abilities far outrank mine, however.) So, as we strolled, I never felt as if I had to apologize for holding her up. I could halt and linger and observe the beauty and unending photographic landscape around me. In my mind's eye, that day stands with crystal clarity, much like the canal tapestry I saw on this enchanted April evening in Amsterdam. 

Friends. Adventure. Beauty. 

Food for the soul.