"Keep looking up"

Blessings in life come in all shapes and sizes.  Some of them are obvious, while others stop and make you think.  In most cases, you don't see these situations coming - and you don't even realize them while they are in motion.  Instead, you turn to walk away from the stranger that started a conversation with you, and think "ohmygosh, I think I was supposed to learn something from that".

Something just like this happened to me yesterday.  I had gone to an old veterans school to take some pictures.  The school is no longer in use, and it is mostly deserted.  I only saw a few faces during my adventure, but one chose to talk to me.  He was an older gentleman, and I'm not sure where he came walking from because when I got back out to the parking lot, there weren't any extra cars.  He saw that I was taking some photos, and casually asked if I got any good ones and if they would be in a magazine.  If only he knew how much I hope to be printed in a magazine!  We chatted a little more... and he offered me some words of encouragement to keep at it and to "keep looking up".  As we parted ways, he told me he would look for me in the newspaper.  I love how he reaffirmed my goals and gave me such encouraging words.

I'm still smiling thinking about what he said to me.  We always have the opportunity to make another person's day.   I'm excited to share with you some of the photos from yesterday's adventure!  If you think any of them should be a magazine cover, let me know. :-)

A smile is contagious and the smallest comment can mean so much!

I hope you'll smile today!

-JB

Dodging raindrops... and other adventures :)

Spring has sprung, and it has been raining a lot!  Thankfully the grass is a beautiful shade of dark green, and I've really been able to capture the essence of the season in a lot of my photos lately.  All of these photos have stirred up within me the desire to find out if I have a green thumb.  Up until this point, all of my plants have been self-sustaining - meaning they are plastic.  They don't depend on me in any way, and I'm not going to lie, I didn't mind that they were so low maintenance. 

About three weeks ago, I got a callalily as a gift... and it is THRIVING!  So I must be doing something right.  Since this venture appears to be going well, yesterday I ventured out to the store and bought some gardening essentials and a variety of vibrant little flowers.  I planted them before the night's rain - which was great because I didn't have to water them!  Tomorrow I'm going to plan some cornflower seeds that my best friend gave as part of her wedding favor.  I'll be sure to share some pictures from this new adventure... I'm excited to see what blossoms!!!

My best friend's parents both have very green thumbs!  Their property is beautifully landscaped, and I hope that someday I am half as successful as a gardener as they are!  I took a few shots while I was visiting the other day... I hope you enjoy!

Hope everyone had a great Wednesday!!

-JB

Bed and Breakfast Bliss - A stay at Wayside Inn

I love the TV show "Everybody Loves Raymond".  I'm not sure if you've ever seen the episode where Ray and Debra go away for a romantic weekend at a bed and breakfast, but let me tell you, it is more of a nightmare than sweet dreams.  There's a certain stigma about B&B's, and given the episode from "Raymond", it's really no wonder why.

My experience however, was VERY different.  My husband and I stayed at the lovely Wayside Inn located in Ellicott City, MD last month.  The experience we had was breathtaking, instead of burdensome.  Honestly, neither of us had ever stayed in a B&B.  I think he was a bit nervous because he is more of the quiet type. His parents must have instilled in him the concept of not talking to strangers at a young age.  I, on the other hand, never learned to heed the warnings of strangers from my parents and will talk to almost anyone. 

Upon arrival, we were greeted with a cheerful host and a beautiful bouquet of fresh red roses in our suite.  The roses were their gift to us as honeymooners!  How sweet!!  Once left in our room, we had just about any TV channel you could ever imagine, a large jacuzzi tub (yes - a bathroom in our own room!), and the softest sheets I have ever touched!!!  Everything about the house was so clean that I'm sure it would have passed the white glove test with flying colors.  The dining rooms were set up in such a way that you could dine alone or with others... we of course chose a quiet table to ourselves and then enjoyed one of the finest breakfasts that we have ever eaten. 

Our stay was a dream!  I took a few photos that I will of course share with you all.  If you ever get the chance to get away and stay near Baltimore in Ellicott City, I do hope that you will be guests of the wonderful hosts at the Wayside B&B.  What can I say, our stay made me a believer in bed and breakfasts!

Have a Happy Monday!!!

-JB