Beauty in the Everyday – Jennifer Michie

February 8, 2021 / 0 Comments

Pretty Snowflakes

A long stroll this morning took me down to the seafront and along the shore where the pebbles were covered in snow. Then, up to my favourite set of beach huts; their vibrant colours standing out in illuminating contrast against the white frosting; icicles dripping from the edges of their roofs.

Stealing myself against the cold, my feet carried me further to a favourite stopping place. I stood on my tiptoes to gaze over the stone wall to see if the goats were up and out of their little hut. To my surprise, they were out playing in the snow. I paused and enjoyed the moment; lost in the calm serenity of the winter morning; as the goats romped about in their field.

All the while, pillow sized snowflakes were softly landing on my hat and shoulders. It was magic. In that moment I felt blessed. I walked back home with Patti Page singing in my ear and a heart full of happiness for all the beauty around me. It was a good start to the week!

August 15, 2018 / 0 Comments

Hunger

I love to dance. I am constantly dancing around the house while doing stuff and I used to have the perfect spot in the woods where I could bust a move if I so chose. However, over the past year the local council have been doing a lot of work in the woods and much to my sadness they’ve been cutting down large sections of trees. My perfect hidden dancing spot disappeared with one of their larger tree removals.

However, I have recently discovered a new nook and this morning after a 3 mile run and a long stretch over the back of a tucked away bench, I walked home along this hidden path and in an open nook, danced my heart out to Florence. There is something exhilarating about dancing alone to your own rhythm.

May 24, 2018 / 0 Comments

Raindrops On Roses

This peachy beauty was covered with raindrops from the morning’s shower. She had survived the deluge we had last night, when many of her other delicately petalled sisters, bursting forth from their leafy emerald green stems had not.

May 3, 2018 / 0 Comments

Lilacs

The lilacs are starting to bloom and I’m seeing the world through purple coloured glasses.

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January 10, 2018 / 1 Comment

Two Foxes

I ran through one of my favourite neighbourhoods this morning and right past one of my favourite houses that has a giant dog statue who sits on their porch. He is dressed up for every season and holiday. Today he had on his Scottish tartan tam and scarf, to ward off the chill that was in the air.

I stopped running just before I hit the footbridge over the train tracks. Sometimes I enjoy sprinting across it, it’s like you are flying through the air as you run across the bridge and disappear amongst the tree tops.

This morning I had an inkling not to run. When I have that feeling, I know I’m in for a treat. Sometimes it’s a robin who talks to me from the apple tree or a muntjac who is munching on grass along the banks.

This morning, it was something truly special. I came out from under the trees, just in time to see two foxes strolling up the hillside by the tracks. They walked slowly and then one stopped to let the other one move to the front and then they disappeared into a thicket and down into their burrow.

It made me so happy. My heart was singing. I’ve been worried about my foxes, I haven’t seen them in a little while. So, I’m pleased to know that there is a cozy den, nestled in the banks by the train tracks where two foxes live and this spring when the wildflowers come out, if I’m really lucky, I’ll see cubs rolling around in the grass.

{Imaged HERE // Pinned HERE}

November 30, 2017 / 0 Comments

Goodbye, Autumn

After the dipping temperatures this week in England, I think we might have truly kissed autumn goodbye. Tomorrow, the beginning of December definitely feels like it is ushering in winter with its very presence.

I came across an article today, while blog reading that seemed to capture the fleeting nature of autumn. The initial fleeting beauty that slowly ebbs away toward the bleakness and bareness of winter. It was produced by filmmaker Jan van IJken who captured a murmuration on film between 2014 and 2015 in the Netherlands.

I’m completely fascinated by murmurations and I hope that I am lucky enough to one day see one in person. I shared another video about them way, way back in 2011. The noise in Jan van IJken’s film is almost deafening in places. It is like the almighty roar of waves crashing onto a beach. Incredible!

{Found via This is Colossal}

November 17, 2017 / 0 Comments

Magic in the Air

This morning, there was magic in the air. I could feel it. The world was iced in a hoar frost. The sun was rising and it was warm when it fell on my face. The sky was crystal clear and a robin egg blue hue. I saw a bit of a rainbow, a muntjac nibbling acorns in the woods and one of my favourite four-legged buddies was waiting at their gate for me, for my good morning “hello” and kisses.

I couldn’t ask for a better way to start my day then surrounded by the beauty of the world at my feet. And I’m thankful and blessed that I’ve been given the eyes to see it. There is beauty everywhere, sometimes we might have to look a little harder for it, but it is there nonetheless.

October 17, 2017 / 2 Comments

A Tree

This is one of my favourite trees. I pass it almost every morning on my run. I love watching it change with each season. Against a backdrop of an almost white sky this morning, it looked hauntingly beautiful. I want to climb up on that brick wall and place a row of pumpkins along it. I think the tree would like that.

March 27, 2017 / 0 Comments

Here Comes the Sun

It was cold and misty on my run this morning. But as I rounded a corner, all of a sudden the sun came out of nowhere. It came and went so quickly, like the flash of a camera going off. But, I did manage to capture the sun pouring through these blossoms before it disappeared again. It made me happy. Spring is definitely “springing”!

December 12, 2016 / 0 Comments

Spinning

I am not a fan of spiders, I’ll admit. I like when we keep a nice distance between ourselves. But, I cannot deny that they create beautiful work. Spun as delicately as lace. And the strength in that interconnected filigree of thread is incredible to behold.

On my walk this morning, dew hung heavy from every surface imaginable and I spotted spider web after spider web that were bejewelled with dew. When the murky morning light hit them, it was almost as if they were studded with diamonds.