I had such a great day today, spending time shopping and having coffee with my YDD. These are some photos of LITTLE MOMENTS in a florist shop:

This Oscar who was out for a walk with his stuffy toy. When his Mom asked him to sit so I could take a picture, he dropped his stuffy toy and lay down. He was shy and did not want his picture taken, so I had to take it while he was walking:

He is such a cutie!!

It was a beautiful, sunny autumn day - what a treat!!

A day and a weekend filled with so many LITTLE MOMENTS!!

When I went for my workout walk this morning I saw this baby seagull, well it isn't really a baby anymore but seagulls act like babies for a very long time. As you can see this one is almost full grown but they sit a peep at their parents trying to get their attention and, I guess, get them to feed them. It really is a pathetic sound. Mom was sitting a little ways away completely ignoring her noisy off-spring. A LITTLE MOMENT that I wouldn't have taken any notice of if Ihadn't had my camera with me.

I have a friend who is going through a very difficult time right now. Her son has had major surgery for cancer and her neighbour that lives below her in her apartment building has been harrassing her through the manager of the building. He complains about her making a noise between 11:00 pm and 7:00 am. She goes to bed at 8:30, wakes at 5:30 and then goes downstairs to the library, to use the computer, until 7:00. It is her word against his and they have chosen to take his word. She has been given an eviction notice and is sick with worry about where to go as she is on a basic old age pension.

I am relating this story as a reminder for those of us who have good health and a warm and comfortable place to live to be grateful for what we have and notice all those LITTLE MOMENTS that make life special.

I am so happy to be carrying my camera again. I got out of the habit after my camera was stolen last year. There are so many special LITTLE MOMENTS when I am walking, especially at this time of the year when there are so many beautiful colours. There aren't too many coloured leaves on the trees yet - except for this tree that I can't remember the name of. I love their fiery colours. I used to have two or three of them in my front yard in Kelowna. I also had a huge maple tree in the back yard that turned brilliant yellow in the fall and there was a golden carpet on the ground. I loved that tree:

This one was taken last night in the pouring rain:

When I used to carry my camera I was always looking for something to take a picture of and now that has returned, I am so much more aware of my surroundings, more connected.

Today's LITTLE MOMENTS are the signs of autumn. On Thanksgiving Day the signs of Autumn are everywhere. The winds have a real chill, the day is gray and rainy and the leaves are turning many shades of red, orange, yellow, green and brown a stunning contrast to the gray of the stormy skies.

Noticing the LITTLE MOMENTS keeps us connected to ourselves and the world around us in a positive and joyful way.

I forgot my camera again when I went for my walk and I wanted to take a picture of some ducks. Some were pecking away in the grass and others we in the water. I believe they are the ones that an Aquabus driver told me were only here in the winter. I will try to get a picture another day and put it here.

I have noticed since I have been doing this I am noticing more. A seagull today that was brown and white and I wondered if it was a young one. I was also noticing the needles on some pine trees and a little sparrow in the bushes. I am definitely seeing more and appreciating more.

I talked to my GD on her birthday. That is a very precious LITTLE MOMENT!!

Granddaughter Chelsea and Great Granddaughter Chloe

SUNRISE ON FALSE CREEK
Today's LITTLE MOMENT is my neighbour thanking me for the Christmas card I gave her. It is a photograph of False Creek. She said she has it on a shelf right at the front where she can look at it every day. It is such a great feeling to have your creativity appreciated. These are the two pictures I used on my cards.

There is no picture for my LITTLE MOMENT today. My daughter arrived home safely from her Christmas trip back east. There is always that little bit of unease when a member of the family are travelling - especially in the winter - so it is always a relief when they have arrived home safely.

MEMORIES AND LITTLE MOMENTSMy Christmas tree is at the foot of my bed so I lie in bed and look at the decorations and lights last thing at night and first thing in the morning. This morning I was thinking that it is almost time to take the tree down and put away all the magic until next December 1st. My decorations are a combination of old and new. Some very precious old ones are memories from my childhood Christmases, there some made by my Daughter and Granddaughter when my Granddaughter was little, some made by my Mom and some from my marriage when my girls were small. A decorated tree that is a record of the 71 years of my life. The little white bird is new this year along with some red birds and bows. They are a symbol that even though I am in my seventies, each day can bring new experiences and possibilities.

MAY EACH DAY OF THIS NEW YEAR BRING MANY PRECIOUS NEW EXPERIENCES AND POSSIBILITIES FOR EVERYONE.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE

Hope 2011 is filled with special little moments that fill your life with love, joy and peace.

TODAY'S LITTLE MOMENT:

One of my favourite things to do is sit in a coffee shop and read. It was many years before I could relax and slow down enough to enjoy this past time. My favourite coffee is Artigiano but there wasn't one of their bistros in the area where I was today.

RELAX AND ENJOY THE LITTLE THINGS!!

LITTLE MOMENTS

Today I turned 71. I wanted to begin a new blog to celebrate this day and also begin a new, positive celebration of my life with a record of "HAPPY MOMENTS" I experience each day. I would like to share these and maybe - dare I say - little bits of wisdom that I have picked up or learned over the years. I will keep my Natures Brushtrokes blog to record my artistic accomplishments and my Crazy Quilt blog for my sewing accomplishments.

My first HAPPY MOMENT was last night at dusk. I looked up to see this beautiful combination of urban life and nature and had to take some photos:

My second LITTLE MOMENT is from today and one of many special moments that I had today. My birthday started with my EDD phoning from NS and wishing me a Happy Birthday. I had already opened her gift of 8 free training sessions and a Starbucks card. At 11:30 am YDD arrived and gave me a the gift of a ticket to Circ de. Solei in March (with her of course) - something exciting to look forward to. Then we were off to the spa for a massage (a Christmas present from her) to start the day - wonderful! Then we went for lunch, window shopped, had a latte' and she bought chocolate at Purdy's. My girls are in the process of teaching me how to take better care of myself and become a Diva! I have, for most of my life, lived very frugally and, as a result, not been particularly nurturing to myself and not allowing myself to have nice things. They are both good shoppers buying things on sale and really into self-care. It's all about having fun with how to dress and take care of yourself - like Sarah ban Brathnach's Simple Abundance. So our window shopping ended at Sterling Shoes and I bought these two little Guess bags that were on sale for $25 each - regular price $65. I love a bargain!!

My second Little Moment, treating myself to these pouch purses:

When I arrived home there was a message from my Granddaughter and one from a very good friend that I hadn't spoken to for a while. I spoke to them both this evening.

Those were my special moments for last night and today. The most special one being spending the whole day with my YDD and being completely spoiled.

In one month I will be 71 years old. I have created this blog to record my journey through art and creativity in the coming year.