celebrating the little

I've been thinking a lot lately about savoring little beauties. Although it's a constant theme for me I sometimes forget, become bogged down by the day to day. By worries. By the cold. By doubts. Oh, lots of things can sabotage us.

We don't have to let them.

I recently realized that I haven't been getting outside enough. I haven't wanted to. Even the days that aren't so cold seem too cold to me. Walks with the dogs have been quick. But I need good long walks outside. So we've been taking them.

Lately every time I'm out there I see snow hearts on the sidewalk.

Love notes from winter.

It hasn't been an especially beautiful winter. Not much to photograph.

But, truly, there is beauty everywhere. Even if I'm not photographing it, I should be looking. I need to be seeing.

The other day while I was painting there was a burst of snow. Fat, beautiful flakes floating past the plant-lined windows of my studio. The scent of jasmine and paperwhites. The paint on the page. The taste of my Earl Grey tea. I felt truly present and in awe of the beauty around me.

I've been enjoying other little things, too. I finally repotted my geranium cuttings and that little bit of gardening done in the kitchen sink and at the kitchen table felt so good.

I've been savoring food. Making big pots of delicious soup (I made this one the other day). Enjoying my quirky tastes and creating sardine sandwiches with minced onion, chopped olives and a squeeze of lemon juice (ok, that did send Matthias out of the room one day, but I loved it). I drank pink lemonade at lunch in a wineglass with a pink straw cut down to size.

Every day gives us chances to celebrate.

What have you been celebrating lately?