October 7, 2010

10 Things I Love - Unranked*

A gracious invitation was extended from Toni at Diggin' in the Dirt http://signaturegardens.blogspot.com to participate in this 10 Things You Love to Do game.  I've seen several bloggers playing recently and really enjoyed their posts.  We rarely get the opportunity to see a multi-faceted view of our blogging friends and this game provides that view.

The rules are:  1.  Inform who invited you.  2.  List 10 things you like to do.  3.  Invite 10 others.

As the title implies - these are in no particular order!  *A little Blotanical humor!

1.  I love spending time in the garden - any garden really, it doesn't have to be mine; day dreaming, praying, working, reading, photographing, playing with my kids or dog, watching wildlife, decorating, sipping hot tea, listening to the wind, entertaining friends and family.  It is my most treasured spot and I'm extremely grateful to be able to spend as much time there as I do.


2.  I love watching the Dallas Cowboys!  Although I grew up in the D.C. area, I come from a couple generations of Texans and so have been a Cowboy fan since I can remember.  My mom is an avid fan and would surprise you with her passion and knowledge of the game!  Her passion rubbed off.   It's a guilty pleasure to sit with my boys and watch the Cowboys! 

Dallas Cowboy Training Camp
 3.  I love watching sunsets on Lake Travis.  There is a nice little cove that we sometimes anchor in, unpack a picnic dinner and settle in for the sunset.  It is one of the most peaceful places I know.


4.  I love feeling small.  Let me explain...I'm constantly amazed at how small, as humans, we really are.  I'm humbled by the vastness of the world and all the intricacies of how it works and that makes me feel very small.


5.  I love my family.  I love serving them and spending time with them.  And as hard as it is sometimes, I love being the mom of teenagers.  It's very cool to get those glimpses into who they are going to be as adults and those moments give me great joy.

Stealing a kiss - because when they're teenagers, that's what you do!

6.  I love cooking and entertaining friends and family.  Most of my friends think I'm coo-coo because I actually like going to the grocery store.  Mostly, I just like the limitless possibilities to be found there!  I mean, really, your imagination can go crazy there - all the ingredients you might need are right there at your finger tips!


7.  I love creative expression.   In others, I'm inspired and through my own, I'm fulfilled.


Photo taken by Martha Moring Photography


8.  I love making mosaics.   I started in traditional stained glass but saw an artist working in glass on glass mosaics and was hooked - the richness of color is fabulous.  Again, the possibilities are limitless and that makes my spirit soar!


9.  I love spending time with my girlfriends.  God has blessed me with the most amazing circle of women friends and my heart is filled with gratitude for them.  They are passionate about life, funny, fiercely loving, intelligent, prodding at times, and loyal.  I would be lost without them. 

This is my best friend and photography mentor, Martha.  We're both UT alumni and in this pic we have our horns up although it looks as if we're making the #1 sign!

 10.  I love being married to my husband.  We've been married 20 years and I can't imagine my life without him.  He texted me yesterday - I love you - no reason for saying that - just do.  Ok, my heart melted and I thought, man, he is good.  He is the most genuinely kind person I know and I treasure him.


Photo by Martha Moring Photography
 So part of the game is for me to extend the invitation to 10 bloggers.  I'm new to the blogosphere so don't have 10 off the top of my head but if you're inspired through this post to play along please leave a link in my comments section and I'll post it on my blog. 

As always, thanks for visiting.  Leave your comments if you'd like - I love hearing from you!

17 comments:

  1. What a lovely post. I seriously teared up a few times. You know I adore, love and treasure you too, right?

    I feel like you may have thrown the gauntlet down here a little. :-) I guess I may have to do a post myself!

    Thank you for being my BFF! You know I am so very, very proud of you, Ms. Whimsical Gardner Blogger!

    --M

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  2. It's so nice to learn more about you, Cat. Love that stained glass! And I have to say that your daughter looks just like you. In fact, I thought she was you at first, but I wasn't sure if you'd wear low-riders. Although I'm sure you could pull it off. ;-)

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  3. Bring it on Tita - I would love to see your post!!

    Pam, LOL! Oh yeah, it's been a while since I rocked any low-riders but thanks for the compliment!

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  4. Well, Cat . . . this is so very touching . . . your text message really brought tears to my eyes. How sweet and lucky you both are to have found one another all those years ago. I think the photo of you stealing the kiss is precious. Even though I do not really like to do this sort of thing I so enjoyed reading your post. You might like to make another page for your blog and put all this there. It is lovely to know more about you. Have a great weekend with your dear family! ;>)

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  5. I enjoyed reading about you, Cat. I love your glass mosaic! Also, I had to smile when I read the part about having to steal kisses...I know what you mean with teenagers you have to get them when you can. :)

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  6. Hello Cat - I loved that and thought now here is someone I would like to meet! Especially like the enjoying feeling small and the teenagers.

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  7. Hi Cat!
    I love your blog and I'm so glad you found mine so I could find yours! We have so much in common. Whimsy and glass mosaics, a girl after my own heart! Using your words "nothing creepy implied" :) And to top it off your a zone 8 too!

    Your 10 favorite things are wonderful. I will have to try to follow suit and link to your blog.

    It's great to meet you!
    Annie

    P.S. And I would love to hear your similar story about the jump into "blogland."

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  8. I so appreciate all your kind comments. I don't usually like doing things like this either and it was difficult to put myself out there in such a way. I will say though that the actual exercise was grounding and thought provoking and I am glad I did it. You guys are all so awesome and I'm so glad to be in blogland with you!

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  9. This made for a wonderful read. I am glad to know you better.

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  10. Very enjoyable insights, and wonderfully supported by the photos, which are excellent as always.

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  11. This is a wonderful post indeed. The story and the photos gel so well...especially of the one you stole a kiss resulting in that 'look' on your boy! It's funny. My son is 13. He'll freak out if I were to do that.

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  12. So pleased to read about the other side of Cat.

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  13. Your mosaic is SO creative!! Love it! You used the glass gems too? What did you use? Stained glass pieces? I'm curious how you've done it. Mine are all with glass gems and sanded grout for the outside. I can see how you totally love yours and it is sure is in a great spot! P.S. I looked at your blog earlier but did not go back far enough to see this post. Did you perhaps post on how you made your mosaic? I don't see a subject label area so if you did can you please send me the link or post it here so I can see how you made yours. I love it!

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  14. Your blog is wonderful! I enjoyed visiting and seeing your beautiful photographs of plants, wildlife and family.

    Your life is rich with many blessings.

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  15. This post really stirred up a smile... it is very heartening to learn about the things you love to do... I like the 'small' part, as I always believe that we are mere mortals, with faults here and there, and remain small and humble we must...

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  16. It is the husband of the Whimsical Gardner here. I am so blessed to have this amazing woman in my life. And all the things that she loves make our life truly joyful. I am one lucky guy!

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  17. so. I just saw this. Cat- read about your mom loving football and the Cowboys. I lost my mom last week- and guess what? She LOVED the Dallas Cowboys- her daddy was from Corpus although we were all raised in CA. - Love your blog, and your passion and your stories. Blessings out to you, keep it up. xo Loree

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