| |
|
It's All About the Ride
 Meet twinkle my driving companion. He digs Volkswagen Passats like I do. He jumped into my car one day while we were having coffee at Starbucks and has taken up residency. He's living the good life, sitting on the sunroof catching some rays, so happy the sun is shining today!  It's time to work out and get into shape for summer and swimsuit season! This car has amazing speed and Twinkle likes to drive fast- it's all about the ride baby! Labels: "twinkle", Design, designerm, Maggie Summers, photography, Volkswagen Passat
Merry 'Christ'mas
 Merry Christmas to all. May the love of Jesus Christ fill your hearts with joy and peace at Christmas and always. As for us, we are blessed beyond compare this Christmas because we have and treasure each family member and friend, and the unique way each one enriches our lives beyond compare. Thank you. Labels: Christ, family, love, Maggie Summers, Merry Christmas
Blessings Abundant
 God has blessed our family so abundantly. To you and yours, we wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving. Above is a salad that almost didn't make it to the feast in time! Labels: Maggie Summers, photograhy
Challenges & Courage
I've been an avid reader all my life and have been focusing lately on following Jessica Watson, the 16-year old Australian girl sailing solo around the world in 8 months, non-stop on the Ella's Pink Lady . You can follow her daily blogging as she posts from somewhere out in the ocean as she sails around the world. She left just 9 days ago from Sydney, Australia. Prior to Jessica's solo trip, Zac Sunderland from CA, USA set the record as the youngest person to sail solo around the world and completed his 13-month trip on July 16, 2009 at age 17. His record was surpassed 6 weeks later on August 27, 2009 by Mike Perham, of the UK. You can read Zac's blogging journal of his completed solo sail (his trip started in June 2008-see his archived posts by month, in the right-hand column of his blog page). It's interesting to read both Jessica and Zac's blogs and compare their similar circumstances and challenges they face(d) on a daily basis. As a parent I don't think I could watch my child take on such enormous and dangerous challenges alone. It's easier to understand when you read their family's backgrounds. Sailing is an integral part of their daily life and is what drives them. That said, I have amazing children who have faced their own enormous challenges and I am so proud of them. Every person has their own path to walk (or sail) in life. I am always encouraged and inspired by those who fight against all odds to survive and have such enormous courage and will power. I have the will to fight, yet some days feel I fall short of courage (defined as mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty). I trust that God has a guiding hand in Jessica's life today, and each day ahead. Labels: Challenges, courage, reading
Fall Colors
   We took a drive through the countryside today to look at the fall colors. The day started out sunny, then turned gray and overcast with rain showers, however I was still able to capture these images. The most amazing discovery was an infestation of lady bugs we encountered at a lookout point of an indian earth lodge. The walls, floors and just about ever square inch of the earth lodge was covered in thousands of lady bugs. Their colors were so different, no two were the same. I love fall colors, especially red barns, lady bugs and the red leaf of the burning bush.Labels: "door wreath" fall, "red white and blue", fall colors, lady bugs, Maggie Summers, photography, red barns, scenic
Name That Car
 I recently purchased a new car and I absolutely love it! I had to have a name for it so I spent some time thinking about it. The color of the car looks silver from a distance, but when you pass by it, turns a white-gold metallic color, quite unique I think. So, I decide upon the name "Ingot" which means a bar cast of gold. It's also a German made car, incredibly fast and fully loaded. I completely understand the phrase "total driving experience" because that's what I have when I drive my new car! I took this photo from my Blackberry. Labels: ingot, Maggie Summers, new car
Holidays
 K and I taken during the holidays spent with my family. Spending time with family means more to me than anything. I am so fortunate to have such a wonderful family and extended family. Some recent photos taken over the holidays, moments I will always cherish! Labels: family, holidays
Freezer Jam
 When my parents were here for a visit, Mom left us some of her homemade freezer jam. It was so delicious that when we got down to the bottom of the jar I had to do something quick, (lest we have mutiny on our hands!) so I made a dozen jars of strawberry freezer jam. As long as I can remember, my mom, my grandmother, and great aunt, have been making homemade freezer jam from the fruits of their gardens, so I'm carrying the torch. The batch I made was so yummy too, and as you can see, I made it just in time for my birthday. "Why not treat myself?" I said. :)
It's been fun giving away more than we've eaten so far, but don't you think sharing things that make you happy, give you more happiness in return? I do. Have a great weekend! Labels: "family traditions", "strawberry freezer jam", family, homemade, Maggie Summers, preserves, strawberries
Tree Business
   Hugging makes a person feel good doesn't it? Hugging lets the person know you really care about them. Do you give real hugs or perfunctory hugs? I really dislike perfunctory hugs, so I give the real thing, every time. So today, I challenge you, give someone a hug and mean it! Labels: hugs, illustration, Maggie Summers, patterns
The Four Dollar Photo
 While my parents were here visiting last week they parked their motor home in a local park. We took them for a tour around the park, then K and I climbed a tower where one could see for miles upon miles in every direction. We took a few photos and I found myself hugging this beautiful tree that had long limbs going out in every direction. It inspired me to do the illustration in ( see my previous post of the little girl), one that tells it's own story. The photo illustration was also inspired from the same thought- though with a twist. To see the above photo illustration and others in a sharper format, click here.
When we went to the park to drop my parents off on the last evening at their motor home, the person at the entrance to the park insisted we pay $4.00 (the fee for all day entry). You've got to be kidding me?! For just 10-15 minutes? My mother had just gotten out of the hospital after having complete knee replacement surgery, and the distance was too far to even walk from the main gate, so we paid the fee. They could have given us a 15-minute pass. As it was, it was almost 8pm, at which time (we found out on our way out) the booth closed and you could drive in and out without stopping or paying a fee. We all understood the park person had a job to do and rules to follow but he handled us in a very poor manner considering he knew it was almost 8pm and could have shared that tidbit of information. The money wasn't a big deal, but the principal of the matter was.
Needless to say, my parents left immediately, instead of staying the rest of the evening as planned (even though they had previously reserved and paid for that night). They wanted to get an early start heading home, so that just gave them an additional reason to leave, and up until then they had really enjoyed the park. People forget that great customer service keeps people returning and telling others how great a place is. Not going the extra mile once in a while can go a long way to destroying a business' reputation. The state park lost otherwise happy customers because they had the wrong person as their "director of first impressions."
Now you can see why I included the dollar bills in the photo illustration. :) Blogger seems to make these illustrations lossy or unclear.
Labels: "Margaret Albert Summers", collage, illustration, Maggie Summers
| | |
Tonight's game was otterly incredible, with the Saints winning the 2010 Super Bowl. The Colts were leading until the second half of the game and they unfortunately became dinner for the Saints. Smells fishy to me...
