Love, Laughter, and Life

Adventures With a Book Lover


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Sunday Peace

Soon, my flowering quince will look like this! The buds are there, hints of lovely color peeking out. The beauty of spring is refreshing. Gazing at blooms is such a peaceful activity. Maybe that’s why they say to stop and smell the roses. And, I’ll add, gaze in wonder as you inhale.


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Haiku Moment: hope

from dark and frigid

unseen grasps for blue and gold

hope springs eternal

hope by Angie Quantrell

Yakima Valley


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Haiku Moment: sentry

pause, observe, alert!

feline surveys her queendom

sentry on duty

sentry by Angie Quantrell

Monet in the Yakima Valley


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Book Share: Look by Gabi Snyder

Look

Words by Gabi Snyder

Pictures by Samantha Cotterill

A Paula Wiseman Book, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2024

Oh, this is the one to read today! This picture book is filled with hope and love, beauty and patterns. Beautiful!

Thanks to Kathy Temean and her blog, Writing and Illustrating, I won a copy of Gabi’s gorgeous book. Thank you both!

Each time I’ve read Look, I’ve been filled with the JOY of discovery and delight. There is so much to be found on each page, and the colors and words make the journey effortless and thoroughly engaging. With the detailed cut-paper illustrations, patterns pop from the page.

My Goodreads review:

This book is absolutely gorgeous! Filled with hope and love and a search for patterns, the poetic words by Gabi and the cut-paper illustrations by Samantha combine to make a beautiful journey for a young reader. A day in the life of a young child who goes out and about with his mother. LOOK helps the reader see the wonder of it all and allows them to take a peek at the grander picture of the whole world, but also at the tiniest of details. Ten thumbs up.

Happy reading!


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Haiku Moment: splendor

creep and cling, burst forth

glorious beauty tumbles

splendor for the eye

splendor by Angie Quantrell

Siena, Italy


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Haiku Moment: eye candy

miniscule planets

avian winter treats drape,

walker’s eye candy

eye candy by Angie Quantrell

Yakima Valley


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Haiku Moment: anything

lines, zags, speckles, dots, holes

heart, tower, treasure, or picture

rocks can be anything

anything by Angie Quantrell

rocks from her enormous rock collection


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Sunday Peace

Welcome to 2025! Over the years, I’ve changed the name of this type of post. Sunday Moments and Sunday Joy are just a few of the titles I’ve used. This feels like a good year to focus on Sunday Peace.

Whether rain, snow, ice, or sun, be brave and stand strong like this little pansy in one of my uncovered plant pots. Peace to you.


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Haiku Moment: bumper crop

abundant marbles

cluster for birdy harvest

feathered bumper crop

bumper crop by Angie Quantrell

photo by Angie Quantrell

Fall in the Yakima Valley


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Haiku Moment: lounging alone

lounging alone on

glistening bed, to showcase

my excellent form

lounging alone by Angie Quantrell