Maybe it’s too easy to find beauty in the flowers I often bring home from the supermarket?  The assignment was to notice the beauty.  I noticed beauty in the grocery store when I chose the three types (3 bunches for $15 was the special price).  I noticed beauty when I decided how to arrange them in the vase.  And I noticed again when I took the photo and chose it for the “beauty of the day” award.

It’s a bonus day for me, then, if I was that aware of the beauty around me! Feeling happy that I made this New Year’s resolution.

What will I feel in December, I wonder?

Cross country skiing at one of my favorite local ponds here in Brattleboro–actually this one is in the little community of Marlboro:  South Pond.  It’s remarkably different when people are swimming and boating on it in the summer.  Today it felt pristine.  So many people cross country ski back here–but even if there are 10 cars on the road, you might not see anyone.  Feeling truly blessed.

Cold today, and yet the snow was pretty.  I liked how it was coming down, but I am not sure the photo reflects the beauty as well as what I saw in person.

Sky at night… almost forgot to think about the “beauty of the day” today.  Glad I thought of it when I did–haven’t noticed the moon for a while! One advantage of getting dark so early still?

Look up.  Always look up.

Reminded today of the lesson I learned while a college exchange student in Sevilla, Spain, desperately missing home. I spent so much time there lost, trying hard to remember which street to turn on, looking for clues in the graffiti on the walls, and concentrating on not stepping on dog poop on the sidewalk.

One day, I remember looking up.  I don’t know why I did.  But when I changed my focus, my perspective changed, too.  The giralda–this famous statue–was glistening in the sunlight.  The whole world seemed better.

Still holds true!

“Kids” at play in the snow-covered garden.  Feeling like this is really not all that deserving of the name “beauty of the day”.  Wish I were more excited about winter… and remembering that this is why I decided to do this.  I noticed something pretty.  I am out here, looking for something positive in my least favorite month of the year.

Today was a challenge.  Nothing struck me as all that pretty… but then I remembered this fellow, and shot him while he keeps watch.

It is winter, but the water plants I brought in to try to use again in the spring are happy.

Who can resist the cheery face of an amaryllis? Easy choice today!

Whole family went for a walk in the cold today.  This is the view from part of our driveway.  Kind of cool, even if it is winter.