365 gratefuls by Hailey & Andrew Bartholomew
This inspired me so much. I read it through once and plan on keeping it on my desk as a reminder of how important it is to be grateful – even when things are not always what we wish for! I love the photographies and the collections of moments from people (of different ages and gender) from all over the world. Such an amazing project. I really believe in the power of photos + words. Check out their webpage 365 grateful – and their soon to be launched film (below is a little video they made about the project).

Bibelens perler. Møt fortellingene med Kristuskransen by Martin Lønnebo
I’ve been familiar with the Pearls of Life that bishop emeritus Martin L. once made to help him (and others as it turned out) in his prayer life. He has written several books about the wreath, but I love how his words in this one is centered around one story from the bible at a time. Reading the story with the wreath in hand opens up and makes the biblical stories more powerful to grasp and keep an hold on. There is just something about holding the wreath in my hands that help me concentrate and be in the moment, close to the bible and close to my self. It’s a gem of a little book that is best taken in slowly. (I’m not sure if this book is translated to English right now, but some of his books are).

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. One year of seasonal eating by Barbara Kingsolver
I’ve heard so much good about this book and finally got it in my hands today. I have already started reading it and feel connected to the story already. I really do believe that we need to think through and maybe drastically change how we eat and how we produce food. I can see a post in the future about this one. Already eager to grow and produce more of my own food.

Call The Midwife. A True Story of the East End in the 1950s by Jennifer Worth
I never thought I would love this book. But I do. I learn so much about how life in the 1950s were. I did not even knew I wanted to learn about it, but it intrigues me non the less. I’m going to see the movie once I’ve read through the book.

The Full Cupboard of Life by Alexander McCall Smith
I love this series. It’s so full of heart and warmth and life wisdom. I’ve been reading it through several times, but the series always end back in my current reading circle. It’s so easy to grab when I have nothing else I want to read – and even after several reading-through’s I still find the stories and conversation fresh and endearing.

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
I have to admitt I have never read this one through. I really do not know why. It might be because of all the cleaning and clearing in the first chapter. (Haha!) This year I started with good intentions in January, but I have not picked it up since February. Many other books makes me happy, but I would think this is the right book to read (all the way through) in a year when HAPPY is my One Little Word – don’t you think!! (I think this book is a blog post waiting to happen to!).

Harry Potter og Halvblodsprinsen by J. K. Rowling
We are still going strong on our reading HP. In a few days we will be beginning reading this one, just have to watch the No. 5 movie since we finished that book yesterday. I love reading this to MT and I hope he won’t go tired of it until we are finished reading them all together. Books is such a good way to connect, and also to talk about the hard stuff of life.

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So that was my list of books currently in the reading pile. Thanks for reading along.

What about you? What books do you read and have you read something lately that you’ll recommend? (I love to find new good reads!)

THIS WAS MY DAY:
05:45 – MT is up bright and early today. Goes downstairs, leave me to sleep another hour. 07:15 – I jump into the shower.  MT leaves for school and I get some breakfast. I walk Ferdinand. Thankfully I remember to bring my camera. 09:05 – I get ready to leave for church (funeral). Ferdinand have to wait at home. 10:03 – Arrived at church. Final touches on the sermon and last preparations for the funeral. 13:15 – Stops by the store on my way back home. Ferdinand is so happy to see me. Get outside to clear out the mess in my car (or rather some of the mess…). Get the mail while Ferdinand runs around happy to be outside. Makes some lunch/dinner (cheese sandwich). Ferdinand does not approve of not getting anything of the meal that smells so delicious (but it’s too spicy for him!). 14:30 – Make a phone call. 14:50 – MT is back home. 15:00 – Meeting with the organist. Preparing the service for Sunday (Confirmation). 16:00 – Devotion at the elders centre. 17:00 – Meeting with the youths for one last practice before the big day on Sunday. 18:05 – Left home to watch the last few minutes of MT’s soccer match. Thankfully I saw 2 of his goals for the team. Sadly they lost the match, and MT was a bit grumpy about that. 19:30 – Went to the farm for a short visit as we were in the neighborhood. MT watched TV as I talked with my parent(s) about everything and that. 21:50 – I realized that our short visit had turned long and we got ready to leave. We saw several deer down in the field (too bad it was too dark to photograph them). Stopped by the store on our way back home. 23:23 – Went for the last walk of the day with Ferdinand. 23:52 – Send in my tax return online. Went upstairs to say good night to MT, but he was already asleep (good thing he has the day off school tomorrow). Stayed up a while surfing the web. So good to have a little bit of time to myself before bed. 01:05 – Good night!

THANKS FOR READING – how was your day?!

The app is called Happier and it’s free. Click the link and learn more about it. And if you do join – feel free to add me as friend.

Small steps in search of a happier life. Not because I need to be happy all the time (no one is – and it’s not a goal to be either, this life of ours is complicated enough as it is – we don’t need to add impossible goals to the mix), but mostly to learn to be grateful for what I have. I know there are some good in the little things. I just have to look and notice.

I’m ending with a little gem from Sunday morning. MT and Ferdinand in bed, one reading – one sleeping, both cuter than words.

Happy I captured the moment with my phone (the camera that is always with me)…

Atletic.

Artistic.

Curious.

Reader.

Silly.

Smile.

Talker.

Creative.

Friend.

Brave.

Now I’ll better go and get the house ready for birthday party later today. Happy Monday!

It was only hours before he had sat there in his carrier not understanding the meaning of the words he read. He most have said it out loud for suddenly there was another man standing beside him asking him: ”Do you understand what you read?”. It was Fillip, one of Jesus’ disciples, and as the man went ahead with his journey Fillip came with him and helped him to see how the prophecy came true in Jesus. How Jesus gave his life so others could live, how he was resurrected so we could have a hope for a future beyond this life. 

His whole life got different then and there. Now he understood so much more of what he had read. Now he also understood that he needed Jesus more than he ever had needed someone else, being a man of power as he was. When he saw the water stream ahead he tuned to Fillip asking for help to get baptized.

Do you believe with you whole heart? Fillip answered. And together they went down to the shore and the man got baptized then and there. Changing his life forever.

This week I will live, believe and pray with my whole heart too. Opening up for good things to happen. Living the length and the width of my life. Hope you’ll join me!

click here for more sunday thoughts

Brenè Brown – I love every one of her books that I already have and her last one Daring Greatly is on my to-read list. She talks about how shame keeps us from living with out whole heart. She gives examples and writes in a way that both makes me understand what is happening – and makes me think. Her books is best read several times. She has a beautiful and newly redesigned website.

Tracy Clark – is a photographer and author, most know for her founding of the site Shuttersisters.com and for her books Expressive Photography and Elevate The Everyday. I’ve really found a lot of inspiration for my photography in the first book and the second one is on my to-read list.  

Karen Walrond – a author and photographer I found last year. I love her blog Chookooloonks and love her photo style with her rich and colorful images. She reminds me to see for beauty everywhere – most of all in my fellow human beings and in my self. I love how she portraits people so beautifully how they are. So far The Beauty of Different is her only book, but I think she has started her second book, so look for that in a year or so.

Alexander McCall Smith – an author I’ve been reading for quite some years. I find myself rereading his books more often than not. Especially the series about Mma Ramotswe; The No. 1 Detective Agency. It is a funny read with lots and lots of life’s everyday wisdom. A real feel good book – or rather books – there are over 10 in the series already.

Yrsa Sigurdsdottir – a new to me author this year, but I’ve read five of her books already (thanks to a friend introducing her to me). I love her writing style, how she keeps me on my toes throughout her books – one of them especially ended each and every chapter in suspense. I struggled as much with putting the book down as picking it up to read after dark. It was scary, entertaining and highly interesting. It’s called I Remember You and it’s not for the faint of heart

Jennifer Worth – also a new to me author this year, have written a book about the life as a midwife in East End of London in the 1950s (this was also a recommendation from a friend). This is an interesting documentation about how life was in this area over 50 years ago. I have not finished reading it yet, but so far I’m intrigued. It’s called Call of the Midwife (and you might have seen the film already).

I’m stopping here. I’ve found quite a few more good reads along the way, some that are long time favorites too and not mentioned above – so look for another book post later in the year. I always love a book recommendation, so if you have – please share in the comments. I’m also looking for good thing to read for my kid or for him to read by himself.

Wishing you a blessed weekend!

Lately I’ve edited most of them with the Pic-Tap-Go app, although I think it makes the photo loose some of the quality (if I wanted to print these in larger format). But I love the ease of the app and how I can layer the effects.

Thankfully the snow is melting away at an impressive speed. Can’t wait for spring and summer to take over. I want to grow vegetables and feel the sunshine on my face.

What is the weather around your place?!

Credits: Credits: Template by Nettio Designs. Papers and elements from Today Tomorrow Always by Erin Kay Studio (as part of The Digi Files for April 2013). Font is Curier New. | Words: I’m no big fan of getting up early in the morning. I’d much rather sleep some more, to be honest. But give me a morning stroll by the oacean to wake up and I’ll sing out loud and clear: MORNING IS GOLDEN!

The photo was taken last year on confirmant camp early Sunday morning. It was so beautiful down by the beach and I needed the fresh air to get through the last day of camp. I was tired. I always am. But, then, that is all part of the experience of camp.

Thanks for looking. See you around!

for more posts on scrapbooking click here

Happy Wednesday - hope you find some GOOD today!
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Favorite Capture is a series of post showcasing just ONE favorite photo. I love to show a whole lot of photos, I want to tell the full story – but sometimes, sometimes, just a photo is enough. Most photos will be new and recent, but there will also be some good old favorite photos every now and then!

This year I’m thinking of having birthday weeks celebrating – and not only birth day. I’m not all sure we’re going to pull it off since we are not that good of planners – and we have to do it with a thigh budget – but a few of our favorite things to do together doesn’t cost much anyway.

Since MT isn’t reading here (and doesn’t understand English all that good anyway) – I’m going to think a little out loud here. MT’s Birthday Week starts today and I’m not yet sure how this is going to turn out.

If any of you celebrate birthday weeks I’d love any recommendation sent my way!

This is my thoughts:

• Write him a note each day with things we shall do or places we are going (much like how we do it in December – our Advent tradition). I know MT likes this approach of secrecy.
• Make – at least – one of his favorite meals and watch net-TV as we eat (he loves that! And we don’t do it too often because I like to talk with him during meals).
• Go someplace unexpected. A walk or some sightseeing, at least somewhere he has never been before. Not to far away, though.
• Make invites together for his celebration with his class mates. Prepare the party together too.

This is as far as I’ve come. I’d better get stated on the note – and what’s in the making today. He’s getting home from school in a couple of hours.

Happy Monday to all!!

This is from last year, he turned 9. Love that smile!