words and thoughts

I sit and write
words slip away
and rain falls softly
dripping down the window
like melting ice
forming puddles
on the chalk-covered ground
while I write
on the couch by
the wet window
and sip warm tea
smelling the spicy scent
wondering why
the wind whistles
as it blows.
(a small poem by me)

Some late-night poetry and thoughts during a rain storm.

loads of love,
Hannah

Just a note...After so much thought regarding this, I've decided to definitely end lovely photo. I truly loved the several months that I hosted it off and on and have been so grateful for all the responses. However, I feel it's time to step away from my meme and pass it on. If you'd like to host lovely photo, send me an email and we'll work something out.

simplifying ( my summer lists )

I have so many words that I want to write, so many things I want to say -- dreams and plans that are spilling out into everything. Since I have a week off of ballet, there's a slight lull in the everyday craziness -- which is odd, yet calming at the same time. So let me just begin by saying...thank you.

I'm so blessed and grateful for your prayers, sweet words, and kind comments. The performance went beautifully, and was an amazing production. My mom was the official photographer and once some photos are released to the press, I hope to share a couple shots with you. Perhaps when we receive the DVD, I'll put up one of my variations. We'll see.

But despite the beauty of the day, there's always an underlying tone of melancholy tinging the end of the performance. It's beautiful because it happened -- it's the culmination of a lifetime of moments, leading up to the one final moment where all the world seems to truly be a stage that was meant for you to dance upon. Yet at the same time, after roses sit softly in vases and the world is quiet, you know that there will never be another moment just like that. And that is why it is beautifully melancholy -- joyful yet sad all in the same second.

So I sit here and write, amidst shouts of siblings laughing outside, and I smile. Summer is here at last. And with summer comes summer lists and plans; dreams that we desperately want to be realized in these few months. But, this summer, my summer list is a bit different. I'm striving for simplicity in these few months. And these are some of the ways I'm planning on doing so...


getting rid of excess
clothing, shoes, and stuff
and keeping only what I really need

go to bed earlier
and wake up just in time
to watch the world wake up

cut out things that clutter up my life
get rid of the weeds
so that I can blossom

start each morning by
reading my bible and
praying

spend more time
with my family
working, playing,
or laughing

do the first things
first
work before play

Tidy my room
and workspace
daily

use my time
i n t e n t i o n a l l y

and...

live each day
like it's
my last
(Ephesians 5:15-17)


That's my summer list. What's yours?

Loads of love,
Hannah

ps. I started a 365 project and would love it if you'd follow along on my flickr.

a short hiatus

Just wanted to let you know that I'll be taking a brief break from blogging. This weekend we have our Spring Ballet performance and it's going to be crazy busy. Would love your prayers for a wonderful weekend and a wonderful performance. I'll see you all around Monday, friends! Can't wait to catch up with you then.

loads of love,
Hannah

lovely photo wednesday

<a href="http://manyrandommusings.blogspot.com/search/label/Lovely%20Photo%20Wednesday"><img vspace="none" hspace="none" alt="Lovely Photo - Wordless or Not-So-Wordless Wednesday at Aspire" src="http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/tt255/ElvishAuthoress/LovelyPhoto.png" align="center" /></a>
Hello lovelies! Ready for another Lovely Photo? I'm going to be absent most of the rest of the week due to some summer planning as well as our Spring Ballet performance, but I'm hoping to pop by and see your lovely photos! And speaking of photos...what are some of your best tricks to get pics of willing models? This picture of Gracie? She was definitely unwilling. As soon as I snapped the image, she stepped away from the garage and went inside to play Apples to Apples. I'll blame it on the heat. Or the fact that she's tired of me saying, "one more picture." You decide. ;) What to do about siblings who are ready to chuck your camera? Hmmm...that's the question.

Linking up with Supermom, Project Alicia, Live out Loud, Dear Crissy,
Better in Bulk, and then, she {snapped}, and ♥ The Paper Mama

If you haven't played along before, link up your lovely photo and tell us a bit about it, or nothing at all. Write what you want or don't say anything, but share a picture and link it up below. Then, remember to bloghop around a bit and comment on at least three other entries. Make sure to include the button or a link back to Aspire in your post. Have a lovely day!



loads of love,
Hannah

golden hour loveliness

There is something so beautiful about the fleeting few minutes during sun rise and set that photographers call golden hour.

For some exiguous and precious moments, the world is bathed in golden light as the sun makes its daily trek across the horizon.

Everything is painted in soft hazy colors that glow.

I love this. As the day winds down and time slows, minutes slip on by and the sweet softness fills the air with warm light.


What's your favorite time of the day?

loads of love,
Hannah

ps. I'm guest posting over at pastor's girl's ponderings today about how not to do a photoshoot. It's a purposely pretty silly post where I poke fun at myself for my lack of fashion photo finesse. Just sayin'...;)

shortcake at sunset

Summer days


call for shortcake for dinner



excuse me

make that

homemade gluten free strawberry shortcake


topped with delicious berries



and slathered with sweet whipcream

eaten at sunset


while sitting outside

on a hazy summer evening


I love days

like this


loads of love,
Hannah

also...Thank you all so much for your sweet comments! I read every single one and couldn't stop smiling; blessed by and thankful for all of you! You made my birthday even more special. (and a big hug to my momma who posted a birthday blip -- love you lots!)

read and respond....

...as today is Hannah's 15th Birthday...

Of course, I her mother, had to hijack her blog. I was on her computer {using photoshop -- and sigh -- yes, half the time she has to help me} looking for some pictures and pulled these that were some outtakes from a recent photoshoot.  I've seen her working on them  {for her photography site} but I love them as they seem to capture who Hannah truly is -- a beautiful daughter of mine, who can be silly, is a thinker, and blessing to our family, and deep down has this beautiful heart and love for the Lord.

So, now, what are ya waiting for?
Click that comment link and leave sweet Birthday wishes!!

Thanks so much, Hannah's blogging friends!

{love ya, Hanni girl}

~mom