Don't you love cupcake baking kinda' days?

With sprinkles.

Lots of sprinkles!

You can never have enough sprinkles.

Happy hump day!

♥, Sylvia

Do not let your life be like a shooting star,

which lights up the sky for only a brief moment.

Let your life be like the sun,

which always burns brightly in the heavens,

bringing light and warmth to all those on earth.

Let your light shine!

~Matthew Kelly~

♥, Sylvia

I remember it like it was yesterday.

We were sitting on the patio on a Saturday afternoon in May. We talked for hours, describing our vision to each other. Our dream of owning our own business.  It was a dream that started twenty years ago at a very different time in our lives when we lived in Texas. But it's funny how dreams resurface and the timing couldn't have been better.  My husband was at a crossroads; the real estate industry had taken a downturn and everything in our hearts told us to move forward with our new goal. We continued creating, envisioning and pondering how and when to take the leap.

Fast forward to today. Our emotions, energy and resolve have been on a crazy roller coaster ride. There have been many roadblocks, red tape, and stop and go's but we've pressed on. Today was a huge step forward; we signed the lease to our 5,000 square feet facility. We have a lot of work ahead of us again as we start the count down to open for business. 

This quote fell on my lap at the most opportune time... "Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It's the courage to continue that counts."~Winston Churchill.

We're collecting all of our courage to realize our dream. 

Thank you for your support and for allowing me to share with you. 

♥, Sylvia

Years from now the heart

Will bear out its journey

And retain the magic

It is always learning.

Years from now the heart

Will listen to silence

And hear reverberations

Deep inside the earth.

The heart will trust itself

To heal, and, when in doubt,

To trace the perimeter

Of its own brilliant soul.

Years from now the heart

Will exist as the perfect

Point of entry for all

The lightness of this world.

Corrine De Winter

~Sharing with 52 Photos Project~

~Sharing with Focus 52~

♥, Sylvia

In some Latin American countries today is el Dia del Amor y la Amistad (Day of Love and Friendship). I love that friends are appreciated also; isn't that wonderful? 

We all have friends who enrich our lives every day with their support, encouragement and love. They are a part of the people who shape our lives and fill all the corners in our hearts. 

People who teach us to see the miracles we'd stumble over every day. To see things anew, stand tall and dance for joy. 

People who are the light of our lives.

Happy Love Day!

♥, Sylvia

You know my photography style right? My comfort zone is photographing still life.

I was excited to see Janice's photo prompt for this week at Focus 52.  All I had to do was look around at the things in my home office. I keep a special shelf on my desk full of my favorite books of poems and quotes. I immediately spotted this lovely book of poems; one of my most recents thrift store finds. 

As you know, anytime I have money in my pocket and time on my hands I think of two things; books and photography. 

By the way, I'm so glad you're here. Have I told you that lately? Well, I am!

Thanks for stopping by, for your lovely comments, your "likes" on my Facebook page and for allowing me to share my stories with you. Thank you.

~Sharing with Focus 52~

♥, Sylvia

I am reading The Rhythm of Life by Matthew Kelly and I highly, highly, highly recommend it. The excerpt below is so powerful I just had to share it with you. If you are in need of a book that shakes you up, inspires you and motivates you to be a better you, then run to the nearest library or store to buy it! 

I have a dream for you . . .

that you have complete control over your mental and physical faculties and that you are slave neither to food, nor drink, nor any other substance. I dream that you will be free, that you will have freedom in the truest sense of the word - the strength of character to do what is right in each situation.

I have a dream for you . . .

that you are able to discern the people, activites and possesions that are most important to you. And that you are able to give each of them their time and place according to their appropriate priority.

I have a dream for you . . .

that you have the courage, determination, firmness, and persistence to perform the tasks that you choose, decide, and resolve to perform. That you perform them with a commitment to excellence and attention to detail.

I have a dream for you . . .

that you discover a unique talent that leads you to dedicate the professional aspect of your life to some work you can be passionate about. I dream that you may enjoy the rare privilege of spending your days in meaningful work. That you serve your neighbor, your family, and your community in this occupation and that by it, you are able to provide for your temporal needs.

I have a dream for you . . .

that you grow in wealth in every sense of the word, that you are never in need, and that whatever your wealth is, you share it with all you can.

I have a dream for you . . .

that you find true love. Someone you can cherish. Someone who makes you want to be a better person. A soul-mate who can challenge you and love you. A companion who can walk with you, know you, share your joy, perceive your pain and heartache, and comfort you in your disappointments.

I have a dream for you . . . 

that you discover a deep and abiding interior peace. The peace that comes from knowing that who you are, where you are, and what you do is essentially good and makes sense; that you are contributing to the happiness of others; and that you are progressing toward becoming the-best-version-of-yourself. 

~Matthew Kelly~

The Rhythm of Life

♥, Sylvia

"People think a soul mate is your perfect fit

and that's what everyone wants.

But a true soul mate is a mirror,

the person who shows you everything

that is holding you back,

the person who brings you to your own attention

so you can change your life."

Elizabeth Gilbert

Happy birthday honey!

I was blessed the moment you walked into my life.  

You have filled my heart and my days with happiness and love.

~Sharing with This or That Thursday~

♥, Sylvia

Happy weekend my dears!

Tomorrow is the hubster's birthday and we're thinking about going to Texas Roadhouse. It's casual, good food and reasonable prices... my kinda place!  Although, I had to hobble and wobble out of there the last time we went. 

Are you watching the Super Bowl on Sunday? Do you watch it for the game, half-time or the commercials? I'm not super crazy about either team but I'm looking forward to visiting with good friends.

Hope you have a fabulous weekend!

♥, Sylvia

Golden light comes through my office window and Kosmo has declared this his space.  The window faces the front of the house where he can observe the neighborhood. It's the perfect spot to soak in the sun when it's cold outside. 

Dogs come when they are called,

cats take a message 

and get back to you.

Mary Bly

Look at the expression on his face.  I think he's in sunbathing bliss. 

~Sharing with Focus 52~

♥, Sylvia