For Haven's Sake

an entrance

So it's been a while since an internet find has brought me to tears of joy. What a great entrance and beginning to a life shared together. I hope their joy and sense of humor carries them throughout forever. Just wanted to spread the love.

With Love- V. 

adventures in doing

I couldn't stop myself. By Sunday night I was teary-eyed and finished. With all four books. I didn't want to say goodbye to my vampire friends. So quickly they came and went. I know it's silly to get all caught up in good fiction and boy was it good. A love story filled with romance and adventure, trials and sweet victories. I think this may become my annual summer saga, next time I'll just go slower instead of chomping at the bit. Oh, sweet romance.

Here are a few photos that I captured this weekend and below... well,  I couldn't help myself again, I just had to ask.

What has your heart been whispering lately? My heart whispers to me all the time. Vanessa, how about this? or Doesn't that just tickle our funny bone, let's give it a try! But there is a slight problem. Sometimes it feels as thought my heart isn't connecting clearly with my head, my hands and feet, my back bone. It's as if I have no core strength. My shoulders heavy with expectations, a mind filled with worry and feet that are as stagnant as a leaf caught under a rubber tire in a storm. The current of life seems to be flowing right past me and I'm stuck staring at the sky, full of whispers. 

How do you get from A to B? Do you write a list? Do you quickly gather your supplies and get to do-ing? Do you pray or meditate? Do you discuss your idea with a friend? 

And I'm curious as to what your heart is whispering to do, to experience, to create. 

A few whispers of my own...

01. Sew a quilt

02. Print a few of my pictures for our home.

03. Be better about sending pictures of Lane to family. 

04. Sew two aprons, one to wear while I'm cooking and one while I work.

05. Take a walk every day. 

06. Write my Morning Pages.

07. Prepare simple & healthy meals during the week.

08. Send a care package to someone I love.

09. Practice yoga three times a week.

10. Keep taking pictures.

11. Create a vision board for our home and begin one room at a time. 

12. Simplify and give away what we no longer use to goodwill. 

13. Prepare the house to be painted (sigh).

14. Read with Lane every day. 

15. Share with you, on For Haven's Sake, three to four times a week.

I welcome you to join me in getting things done, pursuing healthy habits and following your heart. I believe that faith is action, sometimes this means to get off our hiney and cross something off our list and sometimes that action involves nothing more that being present for the moment of life that is before you. To honor not just our goals but also the blessings and opportunities to love that are right before our eyes. Right now this involves me signing off and preparing tonight's supper. 

With Love - V. 

a is for anticipation

I finished it. 

I couldn't help myself. 

I stayed up till the wee hours of the mourning, wide awake. Page after page. 

Captivated. 

I've tracked down the next book in the Twilight series, picking it up this afternoon. 

I'll have to find some way to function today, not because I'm a bit sleepy but because while I give hugs and kisses, water plants and prepare dinner somewhere in the back of my mind I will be amongst the anticipation of impenetrable love, thrilling suspense and vampires. 

I watched the trailer this morning. I've moved it down on my Netflix cue. It wouldn't be fair to my imagination if I let Hollywood fill in every gritty detail for me. No fun in that at all. Although I do picture the two main characters as Kristin Stewert and Robert Pattinson. Um, can you blame me?! 

With Love - V.

twilight

We went to the public library on Monday and while perusing the "recently returned" carts, out the corner of my eye, I spotted a black hardcover of the new (well, new to me) cult classic. I was surprised by my excitement, peering around the room as if some punk kid were going to mistake me for being much older than I am and pounce me for thinking I could just walk in and out of the place with such a lucky find. When I walked up to the check out the kind woman seemed to be excited for me as well. "Would you like me to put the next book in the series on hold for you?" she asked kindly. "I read the whole series in a week!" she went on to say. "Well , that would be great" I replied, and I quickly stashed mine and Lane's books deep in my bag. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face the whole ride home.

I tucked Lane into bed last night, poured myself a cup of green tea and dove in. 

I stayed up well past midnight.

Feeling giddy and fourteen again.

Stopping briefly for a glass of coke and a slice of left over pizza.

I just love how books can take me into a completely new world. For a couple hundred pages I make new friends, travel across borders, develop book crushes and imagined heartbreaks. I learn new words and revel in the author's creative expression. 

I made it halfway thru. I had to force myself to close the pages and climb into bed. 

Have you read it? Have you read anything lately that I should be putting on hold at my local library?

Do share.

With Love- V. 

getting down to business

I came across Christina Courtin's stunning voice while reading my Daily Candy newsletter, "she studied classical violin at Juilliard, playing with the likes of Yo-Yo Ma, Kanye, and Beyoncé, before transitioning to honky-tonk-inspired singer/songwriter." I'm glad she transitioned, she's amazing. 

and some thoughts in the early morning...

: Dear Jill (The Bachelorette), I don't blame you at all for kicking off the guy who could only discuss important business in hopes of getting down to business. Ed's a bit of a dud but at least the guy can share his feelings with you. I know there were problems in the fantasy suite but let's not forget that you both were exaughsted from swimming in the reef and over exposed to the sun.  I could have sworn that you said the desire for him wasn't there for you as well but let's just overlook that, he did fly his emotional parents out to meet you and you do have a common interest in a saturday night of cards. Now Kip, he showed up didn't he? He may be the sure bet but we'll just have to wait fourteen more days to find out. I would say that you're a good judge of character but you did keep the show pony and the foot lover around till only three episodes ago. I won't say anymore. Hopefully your girlfriends have.

: I know. I know. It's only television. But that's what makes it so fun. Laughing at the expense of others. And when I say "others" I only mean reality tv stars. really. I still get a kick out of America's Funniest Home Videos and I'm always taken back by how dressed up everyone gets to laugh at sledding gone awry and cats walking into screen doors. In fact, let's put on our sparkly shoes today and have a barrel of a time. 

With Love - V.