Mount Elbert - Colorado - 2004
It's a new beginning... May God continue to bless you and your loved ones...
Happy birthday dear hubby!
I took this picture as we were arriving in Sao Paulo. I love driving, but during a road trip with my family I feel more comfortable in the passenger seat with my camera ready to complement the fun! While I enjoy the view, I take a few shots to make some fond memories.
A little longer here with you... it's such a perfect time to wish someone you love how much that person means to you... Look around and thank for the beautiful things, like the gift of a friend, a husband, a wife, a child or acquaintance who's been there for you in good times and in bad. That is unconditional love...
A good reason to have chickens is to be able to collect fresh eggs and have a regular supply of delicious eggs to try new recipes. We visit this farm once a month but I would love to live closer to enjoy all the good things there.
White meat is in and it makes a perfect Sunday roast! But I started to wonder what kind of meat my family was eating when I saw a mass-production farm for the first time. The first set of pictures shows my husband's family farm where they raise organic chicken for their own consumption. Chickens there have room to roam and eat. The kids love to throw kale from the garden fence and watch the chickens running to eat their natural food!
As for this set of pictures, it clearly shows what goes on my mind when I see non-organic chicken sold in supermarkets, so sad... There is a campaign called Chicken out in Europe and you can read more about it here too.
There is nothing better than waking up to the sounds of the birds early in the morning. I have fun observing the birds across the farm. It takes time, but time seems to go slower when we are away from computers! And I feel free as a bird, going up and down the garden, with no schedules, no conference calls, just me and my camera! When I start to get bored, I watch the birds. The parrots pictured above come every morning!
Saffron Finch (Sicalis flaveola, canario-da-terra) standing on a lime tree. It is a common bird in Brazil that nest in cavities, like abandoned Rufous Hornero (Furnarius rufus) nests and house roofs. The male is bright yellow with an orange crown and the female is olive-brown. A lovely bird to watch.
What a refreshing moment after a long hot day, when the afternoon pouring rain hits, I stop everything I am doing and sit on my couch for a few moments just to watch and hear the sound of a good soaking rain.
When I am traveling and it rains, the washed out roads and the steam coming out dissolving the landscape look so beautiful to me.
And last... After the rain... there comes the sun up in the sky awakening the right seeds in well-prepared soils... I hope (pray) that the soil of your heart is ready enabling fruitful seeds to grow in the days ahead or to realize the value of the fruits that you already have in your life. Have a blessed weekend.
Over the holidays we visited family and I enjoyed some quiet time fishing with the kids. Time goes by so quickly when we are not working...
Working at a large company has its benefits, like discounts (from the bank, stores, and hotels), a retirement program and... well, it does not happen often, but we had a training program at a nice hotel!
Innovative and eco-friendly. My new flip-flops are comfortable, water-repelling and slip-resistant on wet surfaces. What else? They are hand-crafted and made from recycled car tires and... they were so cheap! Besides, I think they are cute and I can't get them off my feet now that Summer is here.
May your year be filled with beautiful and bright colors.
Hope you all had a great Christmas. I really want to keep this blog going next year and I thank you for visiting. A friend of mine painted this Nativity scene and when I looked at Mary the first thing that came to my mind was that she looked hopeless and scared. I can relate to her, first child, away from family, looking at the baby and thinking "Will I be able to take care of this baby?" Joseph, on the other hand, looks so happy, like my husband did when he first laid eyes on our children. How beautiful it is to think that one child changed the world and gave us hope of eternal life with Him, a lesson of faith, hope and love. My best wishes for a Happy New Year!
Every year the Christmas decoration around town has little surprises. This year they decided to use recycled PET (soda) plastic bottles and thousands of electric poles have an unusual decor. At night, the ornaments are lit and create a beautiful and colorful effect.
