Snow? In June? No. [Grin] Cottonwood fuzzies. They're piling up along the roads and fences, pretending to be snowdrifts. They're not fooling Millie. She runs through them at top speed leaving a cloud of cotton in her trail. She turned to me this morning on our walk and I nearly fell over laughing; she looked like Santa's best dog, what with all the beard-like fuzz hanging from her lower lip.
It's magical here today. I've noticed dozens of folks having picnics and cookouts. What a way to spend a Colorado Friday! I swung by the market after passing everyone by and bought scads of cucumbers, mint and yogurt for a sweet little summer dish that's calling my name. (I'll share the recipe tomorrow.)
Doesn't a picnic sound glorious on a day like today? I found the perfect spot... the place where we'd surely enjoy a gourmet supper this evening if only you were here. It's down by my old cabin and a stone's throw from the river. I love it there. You would, too. I'm sure you would.
Yep. There. I have a blue embroidered table cloth and pretty, cornflower-blue dishes. It would be airy and light and relaxing and deeply, deeply satisfying, just like those picnics they show in Life:Beautiful. Have you seen this magazine? No? Really?
Okay. Comment below and tell me what makes your life beautiful... from the simple to the complicated... from the ordinary to the rare. (Be sure to leave your name!) Tell me what makes your life beautiful and Millie will draw three names on Wednesday so three of you can get a free year's subscription to this breath-taking, soul-reviving magazine.
Life:Beautiful? Definitely. Hope your weekend - picnic or no - is beautiful as well. -Brin
Okay. Comment below and tell me what makes your life beautiful... from the simple to the complicated... from the ordinary to the rare. (Be sure to leave your name!) Tell me what makes your life beautiful and Millie will draw three names on Wednesday so three of you can get a free year's subscription to this breath-taking, soul-reviving magazine.
Life:Beautiful? Definitely. Hope your weekend - picnic or no - is beautiful as well. -Brin
85 comments:
Hi Brin and Millie - You are having some wonderful times to share from life in the outdoors! What makes my life beautiful? The blessings of family and friends (like you) who share their lives with me. My sweetheart and I are leaving in just a bit with our little trailer and fishing boat. Heading up to a beautiful lake on Mt. Hood for a few days away. Together. Just the two of us. Out in the world where God has painted the most fantastic pictures for us to see. I will come home with a deeper understanding of life. Beautiful! ~Adrienne~
Simple things and family fun make life beautiful to me. Seeing joy in the small things like painted toenails, a bubble bath with a cup of tea and a good book.
Have a wonderfull weekeend!
oh ick! I'm very allergic to cottonwood fizzies. Found that out the hard way on a hike in New Mexico, had my one and only asthma attack then.
What makes my life beautiful is just being in it! I love everything that goes on and enjoy learning from it.
Molly
ps, Longview is muggy and oppressive at the moment, but not as hot as a few days ago.
What makes my life 'beautiful'?
Like Adrienne, the love of friends and the memory of family - mine is gone. Where would we be if we couldn't remember back to those who loved us so dearly?
I love the beach - sitting on the edge of the water, under and umbrella with a book and a journal. (By the way, thank you for the recommendation of THE SACRED ORDINARY.)
~Madelyn in Alabama
www.xanga.com/madewyn
Hi Brin- I love to watch a puppy discover things for the first time! I'm sure Millie and my little Lily would be the best of friends!! The simple little things in life are what make my life beautiful. That perfect cup of coffee, a snuggle with my pups, a comfy chair and a book, magazine or journal, a smile or hug from one of my boys, an "I love you" from my husband, line dried sheets, quiet prayer just between me and Him, rain on a tin roof...those are the kind of things that make my life beautiful.
Absolute madness. My sister's boyfriend got arrested and she moved out of their place quickly; my brother in law got arrested and now my DH's whole family is going into counseling together; my DH's child support is going to double by the end of the summer and we are barely making it as is, we definitely won't be able to save for a house now.
These things make my life beautiful, because I know that the Lord will work it out. He always cares for me.
What makes my life beautiful?
Hmmm, lazy summer afternoons spent reading on the porch of my lake house! And only taking a break to go pick fresh, juicy blackberries!
I find so many things that make life beautiful... a perfect, juicy peach, the "pop" of a champagne cork, cookies hot from the oven, strawberry shortcake with real whipped cream... ooh, I'm hungry now. The magazine looks gorgeous.
My life is full of beautiful ordinary things. My gray bowls stacked in the cupboard, the blanket forts my sons build, my orchid that has been in bloom for nearly 2 months. Sunlight pouring through my windows, fresh, white linens neatly stacked, little voices calling me mommy. Fresh fruit arranged in the fruit bowl in the kitchen, a thrifted glass plate, spinach salad, and plums. My husband, my sons, my sisters -- all of the love that fills me up. Most of all... God's immeasurable grace.
I would have to say that God's rich blessings make my life beautiful. The sunshine, the rain, the green of the grass and soft summer breeze, all from God. Knowing that He loves me and will supply my needs, beautiful. I have seen the magazine once, around Christmas and loved it, havent been able to find it since. The place I bought it from hasn't had it since! Please put my name in the hat, I would love to win a subscription:>)
Hi Brin. What makes my life beautiful? My two beautiful children. We've come a long way me and them. Mama, Marky and Arwen, with God's help, into this world with love and happieness with the hard times riding on our coat tails. I love your blog. You are a sweet and special person. I hope God continues to bless you.
~Elena
Hi! I love your blog and have enjoyed the past several posts. I also have seen the magazine that you are giving away and would LOVE to have a subscription to it!!
What makes my life beautiful?... Seeing the hand of God in even the small things. Knowing that He is in total control and watching my family grow in their trust of Him. He has placed us in a beautiful area with four distinct seasons; a tourist area with lakes, woods, lots of country - beauty everywhere.
I enjoy your blog.
What makes my life: Beautiful? Being next to my husband, whether it's sitting together in church, riding in the suburban, on the sofa, walking side by side in the mall. Wherever, whenever as long as it's side by side, it makes the vision in front of us beautiful. I enjoy the added grace of experiencing life with his added perspective. That's a Life: Beautiful, and it's my gift from God.
Mmmm, what makes my life beautiful?
The sweet, simple life of trusting the Lord for every moment of every day... being reminded through precious blogs that I can find beauty in everything, if I just stop and look around me.
Thanks Brin for sharing such beauty with those of us living in 113 degree weather, but longing to hit the road to a cool mountain retreat!
Blessing to you and Millie!
Wow! I'd love a shot at that Life: Beautiful magazine...looks lovely and inspiring.
What makes my life beautiful? My handsome husband and my beautiful (6month old) son. Watching my boys play together and watching Max learn more everyday!
What makes my life beautiful? Well today is my 51st birthday as well as my parents' 54th anniversary.. and we are still all around to celebrate the day together!
Lori in Fresno
Loving you makes my life beautiful. If you won't come home then call me, okay?
Life is beautiful. I love music, sun, snow, birds singing, church chimes, good food, good friends, family, laughter, working outside all day then taking a shower and being totally exhausted. Love your blog, btw.
Hugs from my husband...sweet dreams of the little one we have yet to meet (we're adopting from Russia)...being able to play old hymns (poorly) on our piano...old photos passed down in my family...soft grass underneath my bare feet....surprise phone calls from old friends...Yummy coffee drinks my husband makes on Saturday and Sunday mornings for me :)
heatherlbrandt (at) verizon (dot) net
our adoption story: www.russianblessings.wordpress.com
It's a BEAUTIFUL thing in itself to read everyone's comments on what makes their lives beautiful. My life is beautiful because, like everyone else, I can wake up each morning and thank God for such a wonderful, blessed life! I just came through some hard times, and I love Jesus for loving me enough to give me those hard times. The gift was my character and knowing that He made everything right again! How BEAUTIFUL is that??!!!
My life becomes excedingly beautiful when there are empty laundry and ironing baskets, and an empty washer, dryer and clothesline. I love doing laundry, especially when I can hang it on the clothesline. But with 4 small children, 2 in cloth diapers, and a very hardworking (i.e. dirty) husband laundry can get a little overwhelming. Today has been a very beautiful day. 4 loads of laundry and the ironing done by naptime.
Heidi
For me...it is my garden. I am not exactly a gardener, but I sure can pick pretty flowers and plant them in my yard!
I always think my life would be more beautiful perfectly arranged like that lovely picnic. But it is in the mess that the true beauty of God's provision -- husband, daughter, son that I couldn't imagine having just five years ago -- shines through.
Thanks for sharing your sweet heart with all of us.
flowers from the garden
Looks like a great magazine...
Wow! What a question.....so many things to choose from. But I have to start with my family. My husband and 2 boys definitely make life beautiful.
Thanks for your beautiful posts...I find myself checking in often!!!
Jessica
Reading a good book on a warm lazy summer day, hanging out with friends and family, my animals ... all of this and more make my life beautiful!
~~Mary Jane~~
Oh Brin,
What a gorgeous place for a picnic. I'll bring the potato salad... you'll love it. :o) Wouldn't that be fun?! Well, you and Miss Millie will have to enjoy instead and share some photos.
Life. Beautiful. What a GORGEOUS magazine!!
What makes life beautiful to me is my family. We are so busy raising our children, and we homeschool, but is is coming with such great rewards. People always compliment us on how sweet our children are, and they are just such a joy. After a crazy childhood with a young, alchoholic mother, it is soooo beautiful to have a happy, healthy, Godly family. God is soooo good! :o) I literally almost pinch myself every day. :o)
Blessings,
Mickey
Hi Brin, Lovely sounding picnic and lovely place to be. We are off on a picnic this Sunday to celebrate daughter no.4 getting into the Uni of her choice! I think the decorating theme will be polka dots.
What makes my life beautiful - it has to be my lovely family - hubby and four beautiful daughters. Also the contented purring of our cat lying on me seemingly with not a care in the world.
Hope you have a lovely weekend. Thanks for all your share.
Sheila
What makes my life beautiful... rocking my 1 year old son in the rocker that is great grandfather made and just singing to him. Sweet moments.
I can just imagine Millie looking at you and thinking, "Uh oh, Mom, I really thought it was snow." I can just hear you giggling. :)
My life is beautiful because I have faith in the Lord and he gives me a new day, each day, to make something wonderful happen. Even if it is just thinking about an adorable puppy and a young lady that shows me the world as I've never seen it. I am content.
Carolyn A. xxoo
The little things:
Seeing my siamese cat, Mable, curled up next to me.
My husband never calling me by my first name, but rather his name given to me: Mrs. B.
Our little log cabin on the Lake of the Ozarks, our summer home.
Riding on the tube while my husband drives the boat and bouncing around the waves while he turns around and smiles.
Taking a boat ride with just my dad and I.
The simple things that revolve around family. That's what makes life beautiful to me.
-Johanna
One thing that makes my life beautiful is watching my parents with my 3 year old daughter. I love to see my Dad and daughter feed chickens together & walk hand in hand down to the pasture. Or see my Mom telling her an animated story or dancing around the living room like a ballerina with her.
~Victoria
What makes my life beautiful are my 3 children Brittni, Amber and Noah, living in Hawaii with its beautiful sandy beaches, and having been a hula dancer since I was 5 years old, and...Oh! mangoes...sweet ..and juicy... Gods faithfulness is ever present even here on this little speck I call home.
Thanks for your inspiration Brin.
Well, aside from my amazing husband and my wonderful children, God has made my life beautiful with the gift of music. No matter what my mood, or how the day has gone, a few moments at the piano singing a worship song or a good old hymn touches my soul in amazing ways.
Thanks for letting us in on what makes your life beautiful!
"He" makes life beautiful!
Raeann
I love that magazine, just found it this spring! There are so many beautiful things, moments in life. But one day stands out in my memory. The day my dad and sister and I hiked to the top of a mountain and released my grama's ashes to the wind. The beauty of the scenery; the quiet, windswept peak; the green valley below; the blue sky above; and the sadness mingled with a rush of joy just to be there together, sharing the moment.
It's the relationships (family and friends) that make my life beautiful...and heart of gratitude.
My life is beautiful because of HIM...my Beloved Bridegroom King...the ONE whom created beauty...the ONE whom gives me life. HE makes it all beautiful. Just look out at that BIG blue sky, The vast sea, tree lined rivers, multitude of flowers, mountains, and meadows, quiet and song, He gives it all to us. HE is so beautiful and makes all things lovely. "He is altogether lovely, chief among ten thousand, this is my beloved, this is my friend." He makes my life beautiful.
I thought right away as I read your post, and then as I read the comments, the same as RobinJ.
The trials in my life have made it beautiful. Because God uses everything (good and bad) to teach me things. I think this time I have finally learned, and now I can see how beautiful my life is. I gave it all to God last week, and now there is nothing more to worry about - I can focus on the beauty now...of everything.
-kathryn
What makes my life beautiful at the moment? I could list many things. 2 and 3 year olds seem to have that affect. At the moment I think the thing that makes my life most beautiful is having a little girl (2) who loves "pretties" (flowers). She'll spot a flower any size, any color from anywhere. From the biggest rose bush to the tiniest pansy hidden beneath a hedge. The same little girl will then get down into the dirt with me and pick up "woms" (worms) with complete excitement as I tell her how they help make the "pretties" so pretty.
I clicked on the magazine link, and I actually gasped. "Life:Beautiful -- Faith for your journey"... you mean a pretty magazine for US, which doesn't neglect the cornerstone of our lives, the One who makes it all beautiful? Yay!
Right now my life doesn't seem very beautiful. Major work challenges - feeling so insecure and so overwhelmed; personal challenges including medical costs, and chaos at home. How embarrassing it is when tears come down like it's nothing unusual in the middle of a random conversation? Ha. My heart is focused on managing troubling situations while I'm talking about a juice drink to a coworker, and my eyes fill and then spill over. :-}
So. All of this to say a friend reminded me of the beautiful scripture (isn't God's inspired word, just so inspired and beautiful?): "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Beautiful indeed.
Blessings to you, Brin, on your beautiful journey of discovery.
Lana
Lots of things make my life beautiful-God's creations all around me but especially my family and holding my new grandbaby!
Nicole
Making homemade popsicles with my four year old and almost 2 year old. We use smooshed up fruit (well, more like pulverized once we and the potato masher are done with it), and press it through a strainer (low tech so the girls can have lots of ways to help). Eating popsicles in the heat of Georgia is definitely a beautiful thing! :)
There are so many beautiful posts!
For me it would have to be anything in the garden. God's presence is everywhere there.
That's when I'm headed early this morning. Out to putter before it gets too warm.
What makes my life beautiful? These days its a phone call from my Marine son in Iraq. Just hearing him say *Hey, Mom*, and knowing that, at least for this moment, he is safe can light my entire week!
Polly
My son, my husband, my kitties and my gardens. All a beautiful feast for the eyes. Ellen
Brin, This is such a complicated question: what makes my life beautiful? To see God's nature everywhere, and its glory, and to know that as breath takingly awesome as it may be.........that He has something even Better in store for me later! That is what makes my life beautiful. (p.S. Thanks for the photos they are great!) Candy
Things that make my life beautiful and rare....
Making my husband laugh out loud - verrrry rare and so all the more special when I do.
Afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason - my special extrememly rare treat. This so beautiful it is nearly indescribable.
I am in the UK so if you are keeping it US based only would you please give my 'vote' as an extra to the next person who comments?
Thanks for your lovely words and pictures.
I'm so enjoying the scenery!
What makes my life beautiful? Early mornings when I sit on my front porch, listening to the singing of the birds and watching little "critters" run through the yard. Rocking in the rocking chair and having my quiet time.
Late at night when I'm going to sleep and I hear sirens in the distance... knowing my son is home safe and sound and not driving the country roads.
Hi Brin! I discovered your wonderful blog a couple of weeks ago and couldn't stop reading! We have several things in common (I'll share more at a later time). One of the things, is a love for a sweet dog named Millie. Our family dog, Millie (Lady Millicent de Land), just passed away last year after 14 years of amazing life.
What makes my life beautiful and rich is God's love, my twin boys, my family, and friends. And all of life's simple, extraordinary things in between!
Hmmm... Let's see... My husband, my children (no brainer), Worshiping at church, But simply?.... American cheese, a good book, a nice breeze and sweet Iced Tea.. really.
I am loving all the posts and pictures and Millie's shananigans!
What's the status of the RR guy :)
Roxanne
What makes my life beautiful...my flowers and herbs, husband, DD, family. I have a good life an it really is beautiful. I just have to remember to take the time to slow down and take a look sometimes.
Leigh Ann
Hi Brin & Millie
It really does look magical where you are! A picnic with cornflower blue dishes set on a pretty cloth sounds like the perfect way to celebrate the First day of Summer! I haven't seen the magazine Life:Beautiful but it looks very much like a magazine I found (and loved) ages ago called Lily (many of the contributers are the same too).What a generous giveaway Brin! When I was thinking of blog names - I was going to use "The Lovely-ness of Daily-ness" and I think that's what makes life beautiful for me ~ my family and wonderful pets and all the "every day" happenings :-}
Hi Brin and Little Millie,
My family (4 kids and hubby and Haggen, our Border Collie) love to camp. We love playing in the river and sitting at the ocean. We also enjoy Saturday morning breakfasts all together and snuggling on the couch to watch a good flick. Being with my kids and watching them grow is such a joy. Thanks Brin, for your lovely blog.
Ruthie
Greetings Brin!
Thanks for asking such a wonderful question. I enjoyed reading all of the other answers, as I'm sure you did too!
What makes life beautiful?
For me, it's colors, textures, movements and shapes.
Everything from the way a giant kite dances in a hearty breeze, to the weave of an antique French basket, to the colors of the sky right after the sun disappears below the horizon line, to the way our hands are shaped, so that they fit together perfectly.
:-)
Layla
Hi Girls!
My daughters make my life beautiful.
I hope that all is well, and this summer provides an abundance of beauty!
love,
Kali
Hmmm, there are so many beautiful things about life. One of them are those brief moments in the midst of crazy, hectic fun or sublime merriment where you pause, take a deep breath, glance around meaningfully, and realize just how blessed you really are--that profound stillness filled with thankfulness directed to the God who has graciously allowed us to enjoy all things.
Brin & Millie,
Thank you for sharing your beautiful summer with me!!! My dad passed away a year ago and days later my mom shared she had been keeping from us that she was very ill. We found out she has Alzheimers and we just moved her into our home. I have felt so alone at times and it has been a heartbreaking year for me. Your blog has been a haven for me during these hard times and has been a blessing to me this summer as I am able to get away for a while and be able to take a wonderful vacation with you and Millie. I have LOVED every minute ( every post ) of it and thank you both for having such a special blog for me to enjoy :)God always has blessings for us and this summer your blog has meant SO much to me!!!! Life:Beautiful
I lost your e-mail last year after getting a new computer.
This is going to sound so cliche, but my kids make my life beautiful. I often think that before I had kids, I was living life in black and white (kind of like Dorothy in the first part of the Wizard of Oz). Then, we had kids and everything took on new meaning. Life exploded in technicolor and even the little things seem so much richer than they did before.
"Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting"
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
:-)
Life is beautiful when God does things that you can not humanly explain and you can give Him the full glory He deserves without thinking you are worth it!
Life is beautiful when you still love the husband who stood at the altar with you 37 years ago and pledged his love to you.
Life is beautiful when your 34 year old daughter ,who has not been able to have children, finds out she is pregnant!
Life:Beautiful...the scent of line-dried sheets, fresh-brewed iced tea on a hot summer afternoon, the scent of lemons, beautiful roses growing in my backyard, hydrangeas snipped from my neighbor's bushes, sunshine and blue skies, the scent of fresh-cut grass.
What makes my life beautiful? Three things, Jesus (salvation), family, and good health!!!
Blessings,
Sher
pWhat makes my life beautiful today is finding a new magazine I never knew about... Having a chance to win a subscription...reading your blog....recovering from a full weekend of visiting family.....:)
you seem to be having the best time!
happy things- red summer berries
-my new giant red plastic cups with daisies on them from target
-the baby fresh from the tub
-new magazine in the mail
-ironed sheets on the bed
-brushing our new shih tzu puppy
-being the only one up in the house at night and knowing everyone is sleeping safely in their beds
Brin, you always seem to find the most beautiful spots. I love seeing your adventures and hearing about God's blessings. To me what makes my life beautiful is hearing my eight year old granddaughter laugh. She's pretty reserved so when she laughs it's a big deal. My life is beautiful when I can rest and read and think about things that make me smile. God has been so good to us, how can we not appreciate Him and His beauty?
Hi Brin, I'm finally back online after moving and finding the computer to hook up, your blog was the first I had to catch up on! What a grand time you are having, I only hope you can leave it to return to your beloved Freeman House! The one thing that makes my life so beautiful is my faith in God, it's all around me, it keeps me going and keeps me strong to enjoy life and all it has to offer! I've never seen that magazine, but would love a chance to win a sub.
What makes my life beautiful? What a wonderfully thought provoking question. My life becomes beautiful when I take time to see everything through my 3 year old daughter's eyes. When she plays dress-up - I see how beautiful it is to be a woman. She points out a beautiful flower with so much excitement - I slow down a little bit to see the beauty in God's creation. She is such a beautiful gift. I am so blessed.
I forgot - my name is Amy.
Hi Brin - Another east Texas gal here - with my Chocolate Lab Jake!
Beautiful to me - when my 3 kids all became Christians and were baptised; when all three of my kids come home and we are all the original family again, when we spend an evening eating, visiting, catching up and making new memories and reliving old ones! Have a great trip! Vickie
What makes my life beautiful? Friends, family and bringing them together!
My life is made beautiful by not only my daughter, my family and my friends, but by living in a country where I'm free to worship God without hiding. I'm so very grateful for that.
What makes my life beautiful? The community of Christ-followers that I am apart of; the process of renovating our new-to-us farmhouse; the love of my friends and family. These things and more make my life beautiful and make every second more enjoyable than the last!
~April C. in OK
Hey Brin,
I don't know if you remember me, but I am Shelly's friend, Kathleen. I just have to tell you that I love, love, love Your Messy, Thrilling Life. I envy your brave and adventurous soul. Whether you believe it or not your life is very thrilling to those of us who don't dare venture out of our comfort zone. Anyway, I am living vicariously through you. Oh, one more thing, I think Millie is just precious. Isn't she just the best listener and comforter. You couldn't ask for a better companion. Be safe.
agreed, life: beautiful is a wonderful magazine. i can't resist adding to the list...
babies discovering everything for the first time, laying on my back in the cool grass watching clouds pass over head in a clear blue sky, my nieces' uncontrollable giggles, my husband's gentle touch, rays of sunshine reflecting off a crystal clear lake, the sound of a babbling brook, the mischievous twinkle in my grandpa's eye, a crackling fire on a cold winter night, the fragrance of lilac blooms in the spring, eating fresh cucumbers still warm from the summer sun...
What makes my life beautiful?
Really appreciating every little, wonderful thing and person
What makes life beautiful? Gee, what a question! It would take too long of a reply to list everything. But in a nutshell - I realize it's all things simple and everyday yet taking the time to appreciate it and giving the glory all to the Heavenly Father, creator of all things beautiful. I'm going to focus on slowing down and realizing the beauty of so much more after reading this post. Thanks for the reminder of our beautiful life.
Barbara in AR
Knowing that whatever circumstance we are faced with, we don't have to go through it alone.
Many things have made my life beautiful. Most importantly is my son as he is truly my gift from God.
Many things have made my life beautiful. But none so important as my son; he is my gift from God.
What makes my life beautiful? Walking out the backdoor and being greeted by goats, chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, dogs and know they actually love "talking" to me each morning as much as I love seeing their beautiful faces.
Hi Brin
LOVE your blog! What makes my life beautiful is listening to all and any kind of music. It comes from and speaks directly to the soul and is so universal. Enjoy your time in the cabin; I will be reading every day. I am having trouble with my account but you can reach me at jerryveach@comcast.net
Karen
What makes my life beautiful? Family, friends, finding beauty in the everyday. Simple pleasures. Life with my camera. Lovely.
WOW! 83...now 84 comments Brin...my goodness, life is beautiful isn't it! Only with the love of Jesus! Big hugs! Minnesota Kathi :)
my life is beautiful because I am happy with myself or at least happy enough so see beauty in everyone and everything.
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