Behind Ballet

Behind the dance studio, there is this alley. It can lead you around our small downtown the back way. Up ahead, a right turn, then left turn would take you to a children's bookstore. If instead you took two left turns, you would come to a bicycle shop. But, if you pivot to your right from this spot, a few steps lead you to the back deck of a local coffee shop. It was a little less than a year ago that friends at dance introduced me to this place. Turns out they have great tea, hot or iced, and Italian soda in a plethora of flavors. Also, the cozy atmosphere and same people at the counter give it a hospitable feeling. Add a few friends, and it's a favorite place to go. I always did like alleys, but it's these special, quiet spots that make them so mysteriously magnetic.

Big Store, Bigger Sky

There is a particularly large furniture store about an hour's drive from our house. Though it's not convenient to reach, we found ourselves making the trip there today. Old buildings and sun peeking through the clouds provided interest during the car ride. . .  

We walked into the store hopeful (side note: I found it fun that my sisters' boots and coats coordinated). . . 

We walked out tired, but with helpful information on bookshelves. On the way home, the sun officially said hello. . . 

And I was glad that there is more sky than store to be admired~ Megan

Pouring Rain, Books, and Beauty

Last week we went to a literature festival, driving past fields of green. . .

We parked and walked from building to building, hearing from authors and illustrators. . .

I took notes while listening to Jeanette Ingold, Stephanie Tolan, Henry Cole, Leslie J. Wyatt, and Ard Hoyt. . . 

I admired a particularly fascinating tree. . . 

I appreciated this bit of sunshine on the ground, especially as it was a rainy day. . . 

I laughed as I ran through the ran and my umbrella flipped inside out. . . 

 and I took pictures from my seat in the car as we came home and beauty whooshed by. . .

because the path keeps curving and there is so much to see at every now. . .

Blessings~ Megan

Hello, November

The first weekend of November I participated in a piano competition. It was a couple of hours away from home, near a beautiful state park and barn, so the rest of my family came and we turned it into a kind of day trip.

Do you see the reflection of my piano music in the window?

After overcoming cold hands and shaky fingers to play my pieces for a judge with a very Russian name, we took advantage of the beautiful weather with time outdoors.

First off was a state park. . .

Next we went to a barn. . .  

Chickens and roosters have such vivid personalities!

Finally, we conquered a corn maze. . .

It was a refreshing time spent together! Happy November~ Megan

Painting the Week and Playing Catch-Up

We arrived home late last night, so today has been full of catch-up. Suitcases have been emptied, piles of laundry washed, and my calendar painting finished.

This week, I used Cath Kidston masking tape I purchased in Ghirardelli Square to add texture to my calendar painting. Aren't the patterns darling?! 

It is very nice to have everything in its place. May your week be full of order~ Megan

Comfort Outside Comfort Zones

Saturday morning was the annual Salvation Army Omelet Brunch. For the past few years, my mom has gone down early to help. My dad, sisters, and I have then come down a little while later and we have eaten breakfast together. This year, though, the routine changed a little bit. I was old enough to help.

My mom and I arrived at the old brick building bright and early. We signed in, picked up red aprons, and went into the chapel. Tables were set, coffee was being made, and my mom explained to me what would happen.

There were three main jobs: Filling cups, swapping baskets running low on donuts for baskets full of them, and clearing dirty place settings.  

I am not very outgoing, especially with strangers. Quiet usually describes me. Not shy, but quiet. This, added to the fact that I was by far the youngest person there, made me thankful for my mom. Things sounded simple enough with her there walking me through it.  If I had any questions (or problems) I could simply ask her. She was my comfort zone.

Then the peaceful chapel transformed into a dining room. There were more and more cups to fill. More and more baskets to exchange. More and more place setting to clear.

I found myself on the opposite side of the room as my mom. She was close, but not close enough to talk for me, if I couldn't find the words to say.

But, the words came.

I experienced the beautiful result of serving: losing oneself. 

There was the shield of service I could hide behind. I was not just Megan, quiet and unsure. I was in comfort outside my comfort zone.

Before long, the shift was over. I took off the apron and was simply someone ready to eat breakfast.

It was good to be back in my comfort zone, but I was glad that zone had grown. 


Continuing with gratitude. . . 

 216. Omelet Brunch

217. Donuts

218. New friends

219. Aprons

220. Rainy days

221. Blue Skies

222. Fresh fruit

223. Books on CD

224. My journal

 225. Popcorn/Smoothie dinners

 226. Plane tickets and new suitcases for a upcoming trip. My dad is having to go out of town more often with his job, and we are going to go with him in a few months. It will be Youngest Sister's first time on an airplane, but Middle Sister hasn't flown since she was a baby and I haven't flown since I was five. My dad has been sharing with us some of the rules about what we can and can't pack. For instance, he says we won't be able to bring our regular-sized tooth pastes. I just hope knitting needles are allowed. . .

227. A jog with Middle Sister and my dad

228. The right words

230. Expanded comfort zones

May your week comfortably stretch you~ Megan

Hearts Like Doors

A picture I drew in 2nd or 3rd grade

 186. Poems tucked away-- in both the basement and my memory 

187. Pink treats for a friend's fun movie party 

 188. Dripping chocolate

 189. Mom's wisdom when the brownies cooked too long

190. Mom's wisdom in general



191. A delightful book. Youngest Sister was the first to hear it and Middle Sister read it next. They seem to revel in asking me what part I'm at and then looking at each other and mysteriously saying that I haven't come to the big secret yet. After that they laugh and tell me they're teasing. I know they are but I still wonder. . .

192. Movies to curl up with on cold nights

193. Playing with cute little girls and boys somewhere in between being babies and toddlers in the nursery at our church

194. Two round blue eyes of one little girl looking into mine. Too small for speaking, she sat peacefully on my hip and we traveled around the room. I would ask if something looked fun to play and she would simply shake her head. Content.

195. Quiet confidence more effective in opening (my) heart than any words

Happy Valentine's Day! ~Megan