The Be-Happy-Tudes (Vol.1)

Well Hello, July...and good day to you, friends!

I've enjoyed my much needed reprieve from online-time and am looking forward to diving back into the world of blogging. From the looks of things around here, your long holiday weekend was filled with life's pleasures in abundance: good food, good friends and good times. As was ours.

I spent one of my recent days off editing photos and as I began sifting through the folder marked "Random", I paused. And then I smiled. Each of these photos, in their own unique way, make me happy. Thus, The Be-Happy-tudes was born.

I am happy and I am thankful for so many things.

I am happy and thankful for bizarre, but temporary afternoon showers that end with double rainbows that arc over our home.

I am happy and thankful for fresh flowers and our tiny home, even though we have yet to paint the living room that beautiful shade of celery green (see the paint swatch?) that took me almost a YEAR to convince Phil to agree to. I am a master at procrastination.

I am happy and thankful for the Rainbow Shower trees that are in bloom this time of year. Come visit and stand under one of them while they rain flowers on you...it's exhilarating - I promise you that!

I am happy and thankful for a cart of fresh, colorful and "clean" food (but if I am being honest, I am not always happy shopping for these at Costco).

I am happy and thankful for my own version of Pasta Salad that filled the bellies of friends and my husband for our 4th of July beach BBQ. It was quite tasty, if I do say so myself (and for the record, I put the feta cheese on afterwards because "not everybody likes cheese", according to Phil. Boy, was he wrong!)

I am happy and thankful for dates with my husband, checking out new restaurants and enjoying happy hour cocktails and pupus (appetizers...Hawaiian style).

I am happy and thankful for late afternoon drives upcountry, where we make impromptu stops to soak up our surroundings and take in the view.

I am happy and thankful for lazy beach days, when I can get Phil to sit still and just BE.

I am happy and thankful for eyes that can drink up the COLOR of my surroundings. Inspiration is everywhere, friends.

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I am happy and thankful for my patient husband who may not completely understand my obsession with snapping seemingly random photos, but still tolerates me when I bark orders to "Wait! I need to get this photo!"

And I am happy and thankful for each of YOU, who read this blog and who have taken the time to comment or send emails. My last post spawned a number of emails from new readers (hello and welcome!)...thank you for saying hi! I am working on my responses to each of you and it may take a bit of time, but I wanted to acknowledge your kind words and your presence here...thank you!

Be happy and be thankful. Have a beautiful day!