Beginnings

Washington DC- May 18, 2012

Sometimes our focus is on the path ahead of us.

Sometimes we watch others as the begin

with hope and wonder.

There's No Denying It

Avon by the Sea, NJ- July 20, 2011

There is no denying it-

I  am drawn to  

the beach

the shore

the sand

the salty air

the crashing waves

even though I do not swim-

my heart belongs to summer into autumn.

While away in the mountains of Utah, my husband embraces the snow covered mountains and skies with the ski crew. Yes, I can ski (on greens and slowly), but generally I am happier when I don't have to jam my feet into 2 pound boots and strap boards to my feet.  So, I  pretty much do what I do when I am home; find a project and work on it.  I am working on last years photos of our daughters wedding in July.  I am having a blast. 

While playing with the wedding photos I  found all my unprocessed beach photos. My husband and I went to the New Jersey shore the week before the wedding. We are blessed to have great friends who allow us to visit at their home every summer.  We decided to stop there on the way to the wedding, and it was the best way ever to prepare for the wedding weekend in Connecticut.  I arrived lightly tanned and relaxed.

So there is no denying it;  although I try to be amenable with winter, my heart belongs to summer and autumn.  And it was just so delightful to be immersed in beach photos on this wintery day in the mountains. In fact, I was surprised to look up and no longer be able to see the mountains out the window... it was a white out of snow!

Perspectives from Below

 

 Avon by the Sea, NJ 

The past hangs in my memory like a wedding dress in the sunlight-

Shimmery and a bit hazy - 

white tulle and faulty hemlines.

August 2, 2011 Small Stones
perspectives from below by Teri H Hoover

What in the world is she talking about? I am off reliving last weekends wedding and my past in general. I said to a friend I am in awe of this life. I am surprised at having two grown children. I am surprised at the dog laying on my couch, head hanging precariously close to the edge. I am surprised at the people I have touched and the people I have annoyed. I am surprised that I have taken up writing a blog. I am even more surprised that I have taken up writing at all. I am surprised that every time I am confused or off balance I am lovingly given a moment of balance.This is truly an incredible life. 

The photo above is the underside of my daughters wedding dress. I was working on a hem that was missed among the 5 or six layers of tulle. I was stunned by the sheer beauty found beneath a wedding dress hanging in the beach air by a window - I would have missed this the incredible perspective from below if there had been a perfect hem.

Such a wonderful surprise to be found in a faulty hemline.

The Wedding of Sara and Peter

My note to family and friends-

07-26-2011

To each and everyone one of you- thank you for all your thoughts, love and blessings. 

 

The short version:

The wedding of Sara and Peter was filled love, laughter and exquisite evening light.

All of My Days by Alexi Murdoch- The song Sara and her dad came down the aisle to-please click the link to listen- you won't be sorry.

`

The long version:

It was 5:45 PM and most all of the key pieces had magically found their places. (Just under a year of planning might have had a bit to do with that.) The second floor dressing room was lined with windows overlooking the Long Island Sound. The wedding dress was taking it all in from its lofty vantage point -still on its hanger and covering up over half an armoire. The sun was a bit less oppressive than it had been at noon and a very slight breeze created ripples of diamonds on the water. 
 

From the dressing room vantage point we could see the helpful crew of friends working to secure a place for each of the four little lanterns. Spying us they gave cheery waves. The 20% chance of rain at 6 PM brought minimal cloud cover. And the breeze puffs over the the Long Island Sound, tugging at hair tendrils and and ribbons of tulle; did little to cool things down. White chairs fanned out on the green grass in front of a white gazebo tucked into a hedge of blue hydrangea. Beyond the waiting chairs, gazebo, and helpful friends the water was almost white now as the sun hovered two hours from sunset.

 

It was about 6:20 when things become a series on vignettes in my head- I have no idea if the wedding started on time. I remember being flooded with light as we stood on the deck waiting to descend to the gazebo on the lawn. My my mind flickered to fretting briefly that the heat would be too much for Sara's grandparents; who stood at the front of the procession. Cie appearing from no where holding my arm. Sara's voice from behind me talking to the flower-girl, Alexis. Blue deck umbrellas blocking the view of the water and the guests. My sparkly shoes peaking out from under the hem of my blue dress- surrounded by brilliant white floor boards. The small walky-talky used by the one of the many staff who guided us forward with precision. The cool hand that touched mine as it was angled into proper placement. The safe presence of my sons suited arm. And then we stood at the top of the stairs, I remember that first step down, I do not remember music, just the upward gaze of many faces. Then we were on the lawn pausing, feeling calm, continuing down the aisle lined with blue hydrangea. Alexis single minded and focused was down the aisle and seated before you could blink. And then Sara and her father stood radiant at the top of the stairs. And then everything left me but the but the sound of a strumming guitar – and all was filled with a song, which pulled the heart open and gave one room to feel a blessing in every breath.

All of My Days by Alexi Murdoch- (please click the link to listen- you won't be sorry)
 `

 

Sassy Mouth Photography

.

Much love -

Teri 

` 

Last Thursday

Brides House, Roanoke, VA- June 2, 2011

 The dresses are in...

  

And mine fits just perfectly, they had to take up the hem a bit- but that is all. All that walking paid off.

A Contribution-and Valentines Day Wish

Take Word Challenge blog-  

This weeks word-"Romance"

Hilton Head, SC- Oct 5, 2010

The world is caught up with an ideal - young romance; full of promise.

Nashville, TN

But at my age I am more in tune with long lived love

that goes beyond the hype of romance-

Moab Utah-2005

 So on this Valentines Day 

lets put aside fairy tale love.

And remember love that despite or because of our humanness comes from a place of faith. Remembering that we are here to encourage and enable, to lift up and bring light. 

Love that is found after years of a sublime moments
sprinkled in between the harshness of real life.

 

Life of shared challenges and loss.

  Of things sometimes carried alone -with someone standing right next to you.

Of missed chances and perfect synchronicity.

 Blending the journey of two amidst the noise and contradictions. 
Being certain that we indeed are here in a world of blessing.

Room for Grace

Roanoke, VA- Nov 22, 2010

We

My daughter and I 

In a room filled with a flourish of white.

On the door of the dressing room was the word 

Grace



-really!

Who Invited the Clouds?

Atlantic Beach, NC- Oct. 10, 2009

Clouds made a dramatic entrance

5 minutes before the ceremony was set to begin-

At least they were well behaved.

Well done!