Happy Birthday to Me!

Today is my birthday!  Alas, I am holed up at the office (7 more working days of tax season...) but I celebrated over the weekend by getting my nails done, enjoying a delicious Indian dinner with friends (which is exactly what I did last year!) and then dancing the night away.  I was so lucky to have my best friend in town for a second year in a row (I'm so spoiled now) and it really made everything extra special.  

 Tonight J and I are going to a nice dinner and then I hope to stay awake long enough to relax at home!  These looooooong, looooooong work weeks + workouts + sleepless nights have officially caught up to me and you can tell by my blog.  I hope to be back soon, friends.  I don't like that work consumes my life and leaves me with little energy to do much else.

And since it's Tuesday... how about one of my favorite songs for my birthday:


"...Oh, it doesn't mean much... it doesn't mean anything at all... and sweet surrender, is all that I have to give..."

Cherry Blossoms

"Upon waking, many people consider the coming day with trepidation.  Because of the natural human tendency to focus on what we fear or dislike, it is easy to unwittingly send a message of unrest into the future that negatively impacts the quality of our day.  However, while our lives are busy and frequently replete with challenges, they are also rich with joy and experiences worth savoring.  We can attract this natural bliss by starting each day with a message of love.

When you send love ahead to your day, that feeling will manifest itself in your interpersonal interactions, your professional endeavors, and your domestic duties.  Tasks and circumstances once made trying by your own anxiety are transformed by your caring, and you will find yourself approaching life's subtle nuances with great affection."

"If you are commuting to work, transmit love to the roads upon which you will drive, your fellow commuters, and your parking space.  If you have colleagues who arrive at your workplace before you, send them good wishes... Sending love ahead to everyone you will meet and everything you will do can ensure that your day is suffused with grace.

If you have difficulty directing love to those situations and individuals you deem particularly frustrating, consider that the warmth and tenderness you project can change your life for the better.  Each morning in sending this love, you will exercise your power to control the ambience of your existence and color your day with a positive force."

The passage above is from one of my companion books, DailyOM.  A source of inspiration and comfort for me.  And I think we all need a small dose of positivity for this day in particular as we are awake an hour earlier than usual! :)

And I hope these photos of the always lovely cherry blossoms can remind us of the beauty that surrounds us.  I might be stuck in an office during the day but when I venture outdoors this time of year I can't help but love the beautiful blooms I see all around me.  These trees are at my parents' home and they're close to 20 years old.  See the knobby tree trunk?

Happy Monday!  

Mother's Day

I spent Mother's Day with my mother, of course!  We visited the Cactus & Succulent Show in the morning and stopped at a nursery before heading home to work in my parents' garden.

My parents' yard is so lush and pretty and it feels like a big, quiet, private park!  I took some shots of the oh-so-gragrant roses and other treasures around the property.

And, of course, I can't forget a snapshot of us!

Celebrate Earth

Happy Earth Day!

James and I are heading back home from Tiburon today and when we get home I will be planting some more succulents for our yard to celebrate Earth Day.  I'd like to make planting a tradition on this day!

I love these photos I snapped of the pretty plants at the zoo a few weekends ago.

What are you doing to celebrate Earth Day?  PS - Happy Friday!

Endless Possibilities

"When nothing is sure, everything is possible."


[Margaret Drabble]

I found these gorgeous Ranunculus blooms at my local Trader Joe's.  I bought some for my desk at work and some for our house - such a simple way to brighten a space!

Love This Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

These flowers are from places we visited on our honeymoon - so bright, colorful, and happy!