Monday, April 28, 2008

Butterflies and scrap goodness...



I'm back- wow, two posts in one day. =) I love it when that happens. Well, I actually love it when that happens and nothing else in my life has had to 'suffer' as a result. Laundry is done, kids were bathed and they're all tucked in and sleeping right now. We even had Oreo ice cream cones this afternoon and I baked muffins to go along with dinner. So I feel justified in posting again here.
Even though I don't really need to justify blogging to anyone...I just feel better myself.
{ It must be the pregnancy...I feel like I have to account for squeezing things into my life right now, and I'm also trying to let go and get out of a few committments. So this is all just part of my thinking process. The old ongoing question...should I keep blogging or not? For now I'm going to keep at it. Hope you don't mind. Thanks for listening to all this self-talk. =) }
Okay.
Butterflies are all over these days- in textiles from bedding to clothing to paper goods. I really love the simple shape. Butterflies always make me think of Teagan too...she loved them and her last birthday cake was even in the shape of a butterfly at her request. The past few days I've had lots of 'butterflies' in my stomach too as this baby just seems to be moving and active so much of both the day and night.
So how fun for me to get the new Scrap In Style Trendsetter Collection and have it be full of butterfly goodness. I was able to make one mini album so far- you can see it in full here...and if you want to get your hands on the Collection itself, it went on sale in the SIS Boutique here today.
Those little colored butterfly notecards I just had to have after I spotted them at Barnes & Noble while we were on our date yesterday. I always have someone I need to send a note to...and these just seemed the perfect way to say so much. Anything really. From "I'm thinking of you", to "My heart hurts for you" to "Let's grab a Starbuck's soon!"...these cards pretty much cover it all in my opinion.
And now, just for fun, why not leave me a comment telling me what simple thing you love about nature, and by Thursday I'll pick a name and send one of you a card in the mail. "Just for fun...just for reading Nitty.Gritty." Ciao for now!

44 comments:

mamatwoboys said...

I love the greenness of the grass. I know that is not a real word but after a LONG white winter in Iowa the grass seems so bright and deep and rich and GREEN!

Unknown said...

I love the peacefulness that I feel when I am with nature. It is when I feel closest to God. Especially when I am up in the woods at our summer home in Boyne Falls.

jax said...

Quite simply, birdsong. Can't get enough of it... I'll stop what I'm doing to listen to the sweet chirping of a finch or sparrow. Even the blue jays make me smile! Happy Spring!

Renee said...

I love the sudden surprise of touching a plant and getting the sweet smell of lavendar. It's like a kiss from an angel...

sarah, rsm said...

I love the light sky well into the evening ... the gathering of birds at my feeder ... the return of a warm breeze ... and the ever-present sun/Son.

Anonymous said...

How incredible sunshine is for the soul after a couple of gray days in a row. God sure knew what He was doing - He IS light, and His light for our days brings much peace and joy, especially in contrast to some cold, dreary skies preceding...

Jennifer said...

I love wildflowers ... just think they're such an unexpected nice burst of color.

Karlynn said...

Roses! Beautiful roses, intoxicating scent, perfect color, but yet with thorns on the stem. Everytime I'm pricked by the thorns, I'm reminded of how much God loves me. That's why I have several rose bushes in my yard.

Karlynn

Gretchyn said...

Hummingbirds. Amazing little creatures! Especially fun to watch them while laying on a hammock in the summer sun, enjoy the breeze and the buzz of their wings as they zip by...

Anonymous said...

We went to the NW last summer and what I love about nature is what is different in another part of the country that seems new to you. When we moved to OK it was the wild life (armadillo, rattle snake, bison, even the scorpion). Also the small mountains. Being from soy bean and corn country it doesn't take much to satisfy me or be new to me. Didn't God have a wonderful idea to make our country so different in so many areas!

Anonymous said...

I love:
-Singing birds when I wake up.
-The plant in our garden that has all white flowers and one red flower.
-The smell of fresh-cut grass.
-The feel of sunshine on my skin.

Marva said...

I love and frequently long for the calming effect being surrounded by nature has on me. I grew up in the country and now that I'm living in the 'burbs, I miss the serenity of the country. Sometimes I just need to jump in my vehicle, take a long ride out of town and find a quiet place to be. I find it soothing and just what I need at times.

Anonymous said...

My mom died when I was 18. She was an artist and had a special "thing" for ladybugs. Now, whenever I see one, I like to think it is a message through God that my mom is okay. Have a good day!

Anonymous said...

The sight of the green grass and trees after a good rain and of course, the birds singing.
Nancy

Jacque said...

I love birdsnests. I love to watch the birds build them, and then sit on their eggs so plump and patient. I love when they are so busy feeding their babies, and then taking the nest down when it is empty :)

Melanie said...

I love that first morning in Spring when I hear birds singing outside my window, it's so refreshing and reminds me that mild weather is on the horizon.

Anonymous said...

I Love all the green everwhere . . . so beautiful and lush! Like another world. God rocks! Jeane W.

Scrappytbear said...

I love that trees seem to be purposely shaped just right for small people to climb up in them, and sit for what seems like forever getting a true "bird's Eye View" of their little neighborhoods because when they finally climb down the nicely spaced branches, they tell me all about what they saw up there, and how it must be so cool to be a bird and actually live in that tree.

Kim said...

Smell of the air after a rain. I even like a good spring/summer thunderstorm! I wish I could bottle it!

Anonymous said...

Living here in MN, I love the hope of the buds on all the trees and bushes, the red ones on my maple tree, the green ones on the birch, and someday if it gets above 45 degrees, they WILL OPEN!!

Anonymous said...

Clean, thick, white snow in the winter (and Im one of those very few who like it throughout spring too!), the first daffodils in spring, butterflies in summer and the changing colors of leaves in the fall. Isn't God amazing?

Lea L. said...

What I love about nature is it is just further proof of God's amazing love. He has the power to make these magnificent mountains and valleys and huge bodies of water....yet He still has time for teeny tiny insignificant me? I live in a gorgeous state, and I am constantly in awe of His creation....and the fact that He loves me even more. Amazing.

HUGS Jody!
~Lea

canhowell said...

I live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the ocean is so overwhelming to me. I live a block from the sea and when I walk to the end of my driveway I can see the water. As far as my eyes can see there is no end to it. That is my Lord's love for me! No end and I am so blessed! My God is an awesome God! Have a great day! Much love and happiness!

LAJJmom said...

I love the sound of a warm breeze through the leaves on a tree, a beautiful pink and orange sunset, rainbows and when the suns rays come shining down through the clouds. The last one is probably my favorite. It is like God is saying, "The rain is over and I am still here.". Love that!

Susanne said...

I have a pot of daisies and every morning I look out on my porch and see a few more buds about to bloom. I just love that anticipation of seeing something grow and become something beautiful!
Susanne

Anonymous said...

i think the smell of our lilac trees is what i love most. they are blooming for such a short time and when they are here the breeze brings their lovely scent into the house

Dana said...

I love watching and hearing the wind through the trees. Ever since he was a baby, my son has always loved to hear wind through leaves and I started noticing it because of him.

Unknown said...

This is kidof a silly one, but when I'm at the beach (which I don't get to do very often in the desert), I like to give my self a "natural manicure" and get some lotion, mix it with sand, and scrub my hands and feet with it. It's the best exfoliant, and it's totally free!

Anonymous said...

Jody - I'm not commenting so you will send me anything. I just wanted to state you said it yourself...the simple thing I love about nature....

Nature is wonderful because it is so simple.

Thank you, God, for such a blessing.

Jenny said...

I love the smell of hot pavement after a summer rain. I love the sound of a babbling brook meandering through the woods. I love the sweet taste that comes from fresh honeysuckle. I love the beauty of the morning fog resting on a pasture. I love the feel of thick bark on an oak tree.

I guess that covers all five senses!!! *smile*

Anonymous said...

I love when the Magnolia trees bloom...it always tells me that spring has sprung!
I also can't get enough of their soft petals...when they've fallen to the ground, they make for a great photo opportunity!

-kelsey, a fan of your blog :)

Unknown said...

the vivid colors that are evident. I think after the grayness of winter it is truly spectacular that God provides the beautiful colors in spring.

~kim

Anonymous said...

I just Love:
-the Appalachian mountains
-daffodils
-really loud thunderstorms
-seashells
...and here in Raleigh, NC where we had a year long drought and nearly dried up our water supply in 2007, I have to say that these days I am a huge fan of downpours :)

*there are some beautiful answers to today's discussion question, so I doubt mine will win... but I do have a random request for your calendar if you will mark me down. We share the same birthday and I would love a souvenir birthday card from the blogging genius whose stories I have been following for the last couple of years. I will be 28 on December 20 :) I know that is the most shameless (haha bordering on obnoxious?) request ever, and you will be very tied up with your newest little one come December, but if I might win a Nitty.Gritty.Goodie let me know and I will email my mailing address :) wow that was long!
~a birthday "twin", Kimmie in NC

Anonymous said...

p.s. this might be helpful: my email address is kwaller@ecanc.com ;-)

surfmomma4 said...

Hi Jody, I hope you keep on blogging I enjoy reading your posts so much. Living her in the Keys the ocean is a daily thing, but sometimes looking out over the water the light hits it just right and it looks like a sea of diamonds, and I;m reminded not to take it for granted..have a great day

~cassie~ said...

I love the smell of the air in the spring...after it rains...the way the grass is greener, the sky seems bluer...after the winter season is behind us...Spring makes nature seem so much more real to me...God is so evident in our lives...Just look outside..

Kimberly Scott said...

ohh you inspire...

okay, so i love the dew on the grass. it reminds me of morning breakfasts outside with my mother...our life was so hard at times...and walking across the lawn with her, made time stand still...thanks for invoking my memories:)

loves,
kb

Stacy said...

I love, love, love opening my eyes in the wee hours of the morning (say 5 o'clock) and laying in bed just five extra minutes listening to the birds sing their sweet morning wake-up song. I live in Michigan and with the winter we had this year, the sound of the birds is just the confirmation we need that spring is right around the corner.

I have become an avid reader of your blog and I just have to say...keep blogging, sister!! You and others have inspired me to start my own blog to keep family up to speed on our lives and thoughts. So thank you...

Staci said...

I love watching the birds eat at the feeder.

angie said...

I love the way that it smells when it is going to rain, is raining or has rained... don't get that much her in AZ, but I LOVE it!
Angie

Lorie said...

I love blue skies with white clouds that look like cotton candy.I also love the calm sound of waves coming up on the beach.I love the sand by the ocean and I think about the verse in Psalms 139 that says Gods thoughts about me
are more than the sands on the beach-that's unbelievable.
I love your blog and I pray for you.
Be blessed!Lorie

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love crocus! They are like a rebirth. Spring is here!!

Adrienne A

Anonymous said...

It hit me today...another reason I love nature.

It always comes back. No matter how hard it's hit, nothing can get it down.

I feel like I'm like that. But, I love seeing it in nature.

I was outside watering some plants and flowers when it this realization struck me. 'Cause I almost lost two of my plants to a freeze this winter. But, they didn't die. And some of my plants go dormant during our hot summers, but they keep sprouting back up in the fall.

Nature takes hits. But, it will always come back smiling atcha...with a flower in its lapel.

I like that about nature.

Anonymous said...

the heady, intoxicating smells of spring in my neighborhood as i walk; the lilacs, the hydrangeas, the lily of the valley, the magnolia trees; i breath it all in and it fills me up.. and all the while i can barely behold the spectacular dance of the colors
in front of my eyes.
rose