& April

& here we are marching into April! That is, with this post. . .  happy official May:) But while April is still fresh, here's my recap of the month. . .

First off, I'll admit that April contained phrases like 'piano recital', 'college visits', and 'checking account' that made me nervous. A lot of good filled up a lot of days, keeping my attention more divided than usual. . .  

I'll begin by sharing things of which I don't have pictures:

A few special opportunities popped up for me at church in the forms of talking about the Ark of the Covenant in the girls' Bible study, reading a passage of Scripture in church, and then helping with the Maundy Thursday service.

At dance, I finished learning choreography for the Helen Keller ballet. I am continually amazed at my teachers' gift for choosing unique stories and portraying them with both depth and beauty. So much joy to appreciate visually and audibly even as we dance about someone's joy despite their lack of sight and hearing.

On the school end, life was quite normal. I reached the point in the year when you see the end of subjects, yet still have a ways to go. 

Now for the things of which I do have pictures: My dad took the photo above when we went to see a play of The Screwtape Letters. It followed the book to a T and was very well done! 

As it was quite a drive for us to get to the theater, I had time that Saturday to finish my triangular knitting project. 

Another fun project was making these panda cupcakes for. . . 

Youngest Sister's birthday! (yes, she has a cake in front of her. . . no, we didn't go into a sugar coma. . . the cake was enjoyed on her actual birthday and the cupcakes at her family birthday party :) 

The third project of the month was decorating Easter eggs a bit differently—not sure we quite got the hang of it, but it was an enjoyable experience :) 

Another enjoyable experience? Celebrating Easter along with my Meemaw and Youngest Sister's birthdays! 

Then my week of crazy started. School and dance Monday.  My first college visit Tuesday. 

(Best part of the visit? The library. Coolest. Place. Ever. )

School, dance, then my second college visit Wednesday into Thursday. This visit was more fun as it included going with a friend and staying with my cousin in her dorm. . .

I was delighted to enjoy their sweet company along with ginger peach tea at the local coffee shop! 

School, piano lessons, dance, and a piano recital finished the week off strong on Friday. 

And, despite my nerves, the month unfolded somewhat beautifully. 

Looking forward to what awaits in May. . .  

Also, do you have any advice for me on college? I'm definitely in the gathering-information stage. As far as a major goes, I'm torn between english and physics. 

Looking up as well as forward. . . 

fireside

mother | daughter

my mom knows

Paris black tea is best on Monday mornings,

living room furniture is meant to be rearranged,

bookshelves are the best furniture pieces,

Amazon books should not come bent,

breakfast is a good time for philosophizing,

school schedules are supposed to be tweaked, 

TJ Maxx is an unpredictably great store,

soaking in epsom salts is the best care for sore muscles, 

and talking to Jesus is the best care for you soul. 

I hope she also knows I like being her daughter.

What happens?

When your PopPop has MS

and takes a tumble

through the hospital 

and into a rehab center? 

When your Gramma has Dementia

and will stay with you 

for 2-4 weeks 

while he recovers? 

When it's week four of school 

and you have 

six-month-old puppies 

in ninety-degree heat? 

Walk the pups around the block 

Wonder why the leaves are already changing colors

Make tea, trying all three chai kinds in the drawer

Read on the patio swing in the shade, tea in hand and pups at play

Visit PopPop

Write 

Breathe thanks that solving the equation isn't up to you.

Behind Ballet

Behind the dance studio, there is this alley. It can lead you around our small downtown the back way. Up ahead, a right turn, then left turn would take you to a children's bookstore. If instead you took two left turns, you would come to a bicycle shop. But, if you pivot to your right from this spot, a few steps lead you to the back deck of a local coffee shop. It was a little less than a year ago that friends at dance introduced me to this place. Turns out they have great tea, hot or iced, and Italian soda in a plethora of flavors. Also, the cozy atmosphere and same people at the counter give it a hospitable feeling. Add a few friends, and it's a favorite place to go. I always did like alleys, but it's these special, quiet spots that make them so mysteriously magnetic.

Flowers, Flowers, Everywhere- day 15

A visit to The Butchart Gardens. . . 

A welcoming turtle. . . 

A dress on display made out of napkins. . . 

A pleasant direction and eager crowd. . . 

Flowers, flowers, everywhere. . . 

The Sunken Garden

The bees were in paradise

Hello!

Guess who loved the panda on the carousel? :) 

The Rose Garden

The Japanese Garden

The Italian Garden. . . and the people who were everywhere

Leaving the flowers and going back to downtown Victoria. . .

Through Chinatown. . .

Stopping for tea. . .

Then visiting a couple of craft stores where I found (more) delightful yarn. But despite the yarn and tea and people and bees, this was a day of blooms. Blessed blooming to you~ Megan