Forever Young

I hold a special place in my heart for this song. It was played during our father-daughter dance at my wedding and (thanks to my Dad) it's always been a personal favorite. This children's book made me feel all warm and fuzzy. Cute idea.

Hey, I Know Her!

 (c) Eleanor Busing

I've known Lolly since the summer of 2004. She's a Charlottesville native who's living abroad with her husband in London. Can you tell that she's an interior designer in the making? Her home tour left me wanting to re-do everything in my own apartment. Her style is clean, classy, with subtle modern touches. Oh, and did you catch that her space is only 560 square feet?

New Music Tuesdays

This used to be Kurt Vile's band. It still sounds a lot like him. And Springsteen too, don't you think? It makes me want to dance around the house Stephanie Tanner style.

Still

Still features a post a day of natural objects found by blogger and photographer, Mary Jo Hoffman. What I like about this is that her gatherings are simple things that we can all find out our own back door. Sometimes it just requires a double take to see such beauty. 

The Priest

My dad, brother, and I went for a chilly December hike on Saturday. It definitely felt and looked like winter! Despite the cold temps, it was great getting outside, stretching the legs, and catching up. Afterwards, we rewarded ourselves with pizza and beer because that remains to be the best post-hike treat. Ever.

I can't help but think of this time last year. I was far from home and unemployed. The holidays made for a difficult and blue couple of weeks. Now I'm only a quick hour away from the people I love most. Getting to do these kinds of outings is such a gift. I look forward to exploring more Virginia trails come 2014.

An Insane Christmas List

via here

My personal favorite is a little thing that can turn into anything at anytime. Genius! I'll take one of those, too. 

Nelson Mandela

(c) The Guardian

There have been amazing words, thoughts, quotes, and speeches given by the great Nelson Mandela. I thought I'd share a few.

It always seems impossible until it’s done.

No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

The time for the healing of the wounds has come.

The moment to bridge the chasms that divide us has come.

The time to build is upon us.

I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom comes responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended.