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January slipped by with surprising speed, and also an incredible number of beautiful days, though I’ve now grown a bit tired of layers upon layers of sweaters.  Winter days lend themselves to slowness, either way.  Here’s some prettiness that I’ve collected over the past few weeks:

1. Sunday morning was meant for staying in bed.  I love that we have our church on Saturday night so all day Sunday can be a lazy day of rest.

2. Last weekend I ran the second race in Pike’s Peak Road Runners Winter Series – the farthest I’ve run in far too long. It was perfect running weather, 50 & overcast.

3. Spent some time crafting this bit of loveliness with a friend.  Always find an excuse to do arts & crafts.

4. I mean, honestly.  And I’m not even a cat person.

5. Holed up at one of my favorite Starbucks for some work time this weekend – there are big projects in the works, but big projects always seem to come with a lot of little tedious steps.  Getting there slowly.

6. A few of my favorite things: the Art Institute in Chicago & stained glass.  Love these classics by Marc Chagall.

7. Where he hangs out every morning, watching the birds, and making huge shadows with his fluff.

Ok, I’m off for the rest of the day to eat Super Bowl food (and well, maybe actually watch some of the game?) and hang out with family. 

Hope you have a week full of pretty moments!

Filed in:Life
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  • haleyFebruary 5, 2013 - 1:48 pm

    I love Pablo Neruda! and your cat is just adorable!ReplyCancel

    • Annabelle MintzFebruary 5, 2013 - 1:53 pm

      Thanks Haley! I hopped over to your blog and that “you me & coffee” painting is the cutest thing 🙂 watercolors are something I really enjoy!ReplyCancel

amn_behappy2

You’ve heard me talk a bit lately about some big ideas – and although big ideas can be awesome (better, definitely, than no ideas at all), they can also be overwhelming and before long, the very things that initially made you happy can start to frustrate and deplete you. Part of that problem is that I try to eat the elephant all at once, and another part is wanting to be at the end before I’ve walked through the beginning. So I’ve decided that today, to be happy, I will focus on one thing at a time, and taking one step at a time. Today, I’m going to tackle the elephant one bite at a time, and that huge project that’s looming over my head will get done one little mini project at a time. Today, I’m going to be OK with being at the beginning.

If it’s planning that trip I’ve been looking forward to forever, I’ll worry less about the price of flights and which museums we’re going to visit, and more about the moments I’m going to collect and the people I’m going to connect with.

If it’s working on that video project that’s still hovering like a cloud in my head, I’ll worry less about a lack of equipment or experience and more on the story that wants to be told.

Today, every step of the way, I’ll remind myself that today I can be happy, not only when I arrive at the finish line, and that one step at a time is more than good enough.

(beautiful double exposures found here)

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This is a Blog Hop! Head on over to artsocial to see the other participating posts.

Filed in:Happiness
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  • jessicabilesJanuary 24, 2013 - 2:52 pm

    Happiness is definitely a choice. Which I find annoying. I would much rather it be a natural and constant occurrence. 🙂

    I’m visiting from the blog hop!ReplyCancel

    • Annabelle MintzJanuary 24, 2013 - 3:08 pm

      Welcome Jessica! Thanks for visiting! 🙂

      Wouldn’t that be great if it happened automatically? I’m hoping that it gets easier the more you chose it!ReplyCancel

  • Louise Edu (@Laid_Off_Mom)January 25, 2013 - 7:09 am

    Hi Annabelle! So happy we’re all a part of the Be Happy Crew! I’m loving that “elephant” reference hehe =) I’m much the same as you. I can get all too excited about a new project that I worry right away…and stress a lot sometimes. Forgetting that the best part is “creating.” I took a small hiatus right after the holidays to re-focus, to create without having to plan, and to just be “me.” It’s amazing how great you feel when you don’t have to stress about all the lil’ things. XOReplyCancel

    • Annabelle MintzJanuary 25, 2013 - 12:19 pm

      Thanks Louise! That is so true! And I am really enjoying being part of the group 🙂ReplyCancel

  • CelestineJanuary 25, 2013 - 6:45 pm

    This was the same problem I’m having actually… But, like you, I’ve one to realize that we CAN take our time and enjoy the ride. Thanks for sharing! It’s always great to know you’re not aloneReplyCancel

    • Annabelle MintzFebruary 2, 2013 - 11:14 am

      Thanks Celestine, it definitely is encouraging to know that you are not the only one who feels that way! Here’s to taking things slow 🙂ReplyCancel

AZsnow_title

So apparently, it isn’t JUST saguaro cacti throughout the entire state of Arizona.  This is stuff you know, but never think about.  Aside from taking these photos, I think I hid out inside the whole weekend that we were in Pinetop – not really prepared for this level of winter when I came to Arizona for Christmas!

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I can’t complain though, because coming from the Midwest, I am a huge believer in the whole “if you’re gonna snow, go all out for crying out loud” winter philosophy.  And this made my inner-Midwesterner very, very happy.  Feet of snow, people – it had been many years since I had been trudging through feet of snow.  It all seems to make everything quieter, more serene and peaceful.  Not to mention what a thing of beauty those icicles are, as long as you’re not standing underneath them when they’re falling from the roof.

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Speaking of beauty, check out Sandy up there – only a few weeks old and already a major ham.  She’s an internet star over on Striped Cat Studio’s Dog Stalking series, not to mention the calendar she’s currently shooting.  Above is Ms. January – and this would be the February look:

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It doesn’t get much better than puppies in the snow, right?

Filed in:Travel

Just got back from a way-too-short visit to Chicago (though really, aren’t they all?) so I may or may not be daydreaming that I actually had some time while I was there for my favorite kind of R&R.

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Somewhere to sit // like the steps of the Art Institute

Something to sip // like a big mug of tea from Argo

Something to style // like this cozy chic camo

Yes, this sounds like the perfect thing.  Although, it’s supposed to get up to 60 today here in Colorado – I’m not sure I’d want to trade that with chilly Chicago!

–

(Sources: Chicago poster // Camo duds)

Filed in:Daydreaming

I’m a little late to the party, but nonetheless, today I’m linking up with one of my newly-discovered blog favorites (and fellow Coloradan!) artsocial.

amn_behappy1

Yesterday was my Friday.  And, as if it really needs to be said, Fridays make me happy.  There are two major reasons that this is true: one, rest, and two, potential.  Seems like there is so much spare time for extra sleep and extra adventures.  And not that there’s anything wrong with appreciating the weekend, but since yesterday was my Friday but it really was a Wednesday (long weekend to visit the family in Chicago!), that got me thinking.

What if we lived like every day was a Friday?  What if we actually learned to live restfully instead of waiting on the weekend to catch up with ourselves?  What if we appreciated every day for its unique potential, instead of mentally accepting that we have to put off happiness until the weekend?  I know I would much rather live that way!

I suppose it’s all about attitude and intentions.  And as you know around here, I’m all about everyday adventures, but I’ll also be the first to admit that there are day that I get caught up in routine and the other non-exciting (or negative) parts of my day.  I am learning to be more mindful of the thoughts I think in passing moments and realizing more and more that I can change my perspective from a “just wait til the weekend” to an “every day is beautiful and worthwhile and a precious gift” mindset.

So here’s to everyday happy, and everyday Friday!

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Want to check out more awesome people participating in the be happy linkup? Click on over here.

(image 1 / 2)

Filed in:Happiness
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  • KateJanuary 17, 2013 - 10:32 pm

    I think this is so true–it’s easy to wait for the weekend to think you can relax mentally, but it’s so arbitrary! It’s kind of like waiting for New Year’s to make goals isn’t it? We’d all be better off if we just made goals/relaxed when we needed to, but for some reason it’s not that obvious.

    On another note, I love that picture of the girl in the snow–I’ve been wanting to find a way to use it myself for ages!ReplyCancel

    • Annabelle MintzJanuary 20, 2013 - 8:44 am

      Thanks Kate! Exactly, New Years is also a great example! And that girl in the snow – I almost didn’t use her because I got stuck in the black hole of tumblr trying to find the original source…you don’t happen to know it do you?ReplyCancel

  • Meghan JohnsonJanuary 19, 2013 - 6:42 am

    I think being mindful and present is the best thing anyone can do for him or herself, right here and right now, to achieve more peace and happiness. Unfortunately it’s not always the easiest thing to do! But this post reminded me of the importance of the effort, so thank you.

    I love those images, especially the hanging bunches of flowers. Gorgeous!ReplyCancel

    • Annabelle MintzJanuary 20, 2013 - 8:45 am

      Totally, Meghan, it can be really hard! Especially when there are great things ahead it can be easy to focus on those instead of enjoying the gift you have in today. But I find that the more often you remind yourself, the easier it gets after a while 🙂ReplyCancel

  • aviralkulshreshthaJanuary 21, 2013 - 6:01 am

    “every day is beautiful and worthwhile and a precious gift.” Nicely said. Thanks for sharing such incredible article. I am following you. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Everyday is best day |January 21, 2013 - 6:39 am

    […] Be Happy // Everyday Friday (amnmusic.wordpress.com) […]ReplyCancel

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