Stoping to admire the beauty

One of the blogs I follow recently wrote a post that reminded me to stop an enjoy some of the beauty along life's journey.  I get so busy that I forget to look at, let alone really enjoy all the beauty around me. We are currently trying to get some projects, along with a bunch of cleaning, and some decorating done for a huge 90th birthday party for Grandma next month. (Of course, this doesn't include all the regular chores, errands, and schooling. :D) I do enjoy putting up fall decorations, more so than any other.  In fact, except for Christmas, I guess I don't really decorate any other time of the year; unless you count picking flowers for the table as they grow. There's just something about fall though. I love all the pumpkins, gourds, leaves, and acorns used in fall decor. Maybe it's just because fall is my favorite time of the year. 

I hope I'll be able to remember to put up some photos of the decorations the girls and I will put out.

But enough about work!  This post is about beauty!  Focus!! (Don't you talk to yourself? Please say yes - if only to help me believe I'm not crazy.)

You may remember this photo I posted awhile back, showing

the climbing black-eyed susan, vining up my shepherds crook.

I thought it was so cute.  I guess I haven't been paying much

attention to it lately, because.....

this is what it looks like now.  I know that hummingbird

is still in there somewhere.

Beautiful

The tomato plant that I thought was so pretty as it started

growing over onto the deck has also gotten quite a bit larger.

It's under the swing now, but still producing tomatoes

A lone marigold blossom is lovely in it's simplicity.

One of the climbing black-eyed susan blossoms.

Nasturtium

The pinapple sage has also started blooming; adding one last touch

of color to a garden that's finishing up for the year.

Hummingbirds love these little flowers.

Then there's all the beauty you can't really get a picture of.

One of your children singing a song just for you, or climbing on your lap to cuddle; making your favorite breakfast, or trying to keep their siblings quite because they know you need a nap. It's hearing one of your older children sitting down to read a story to their younger sisters, or having one of them come up with a "great idea" and watching all the others get excited and join in on the action. It's hearing the children go in to read, or talk to their great-grandmother; watch a movie or TV, or just take some project they're working on in the room with her, just to be with her for a little while.

Sometimes the beauty we really need to pay attention to along life's path is the love we express toward one another.