corner view~mineral

Annabel and Shawn contemplate the mineral rich river between Squaw Valley and Truckee, California, Lake Tahoe area

There was still snow on the mountains.

The pine filled air was rich with vibrant life.

It was so green there, I was virtually drinking it in.

corner view~vegetable

Do hot hot peppers count?  I think so.  I grew these a couple of years ago.  I got so many more than I was able to use but aren't they so beautiful?

Stay tuned for some gorgeous shots of our summer travels thus far...

Happy corner viewing friends!

first stop, the hugging saint

I love my friends, old and new.  I love my kids.  I love my husband, and that he works so hard so we can travel every summer.  I love Amma.  She is amazing.  She always remembers us.  My kids work hard during the year and always donate some of their money to Amma for her various charities.  They have been doing this since 2005, when they were little.  Generally Amma doesn't take money donations when people go to meet her but she seems to appreciate the earnestness with which our kids bring it to her and always makes a big deal out of it.  This year Shawn brought her a bag of money.  She said "Ohh!!" and smiled at him and gave him an apple.  He was so excited.  She asked us to sit near her.  We watched her hug people for twenty minutes.  Each person she was so happy to see.  The kids were watching this and observing her love and patience.  It was striking to them.  Amma teaches so much when we watch her, we see how she lives her life.  I love that this wonderful humanitarian is igniting the hearts of my children with love for their fellow being.

corner view~animal

I think swans are some of the most beautiful, elegant animals there are.  This one lives in California, and I recently had the pleasure of meeting her.

Stay tuned for more on our adventures thus far.  Suffice to say we are now on part two of our trip and things are going well, and we have had some wonderful times despite current illness, unexpected changes of plans, and accidents resulting in a couple of fat lips...

Because like the swans, that move so gently and peacefully, I am remembering that in stillness I find my peace, and somehow I am experiencing this daily. 

corner view~imagine

I am imagining how happy I will be tomorrow to fly on a plane to one of my favorite places,

and see one of my favorite people!

Packing now.......................

our annabel

7th grade, end of the year school dance

Has been writing songs on guitar and working on her singing this year.
Her newest YouTube video is here
She covers "Hurt" by Christina Aguilera.