My bloggy-friend, Amber, takes some of the most awesome pictures of her children (of course, she's working with some really great material) and visiting her blog makes me feel all warm and fuzzy - sort of like sinking into my favorite over-stuffed chair and sipping on a deliciously fruity red wine.

Letting down and inspiring tranquility, when chaos threatens to dampen even the strongest of spirits.

Then I got this idea.

After taking the kids to school this past week (can't remember which day, exactly, as they all seem to sort of meld together after a while) I walked the dog and then - trying to avoid the rather large piles of dirty laundry - I walked around my very dusty house, pushed passed the unopened mail, picked up my "current projects" folder that I managed to drop and then tried to decide what to tackle first.

Feeling even less inspired, I grabbed my camera and headed outside.

Afterall, it was a picture-perfect day and - though, I started to panic thinking I had left the camera on the soccer field, somewhere - working in my gardens is a guilty pleasure.  Best done alone with my thoughts.  A time when getting dirty was key.  As a child allowed to play in a mud puddle and just being happy living in the moment.  The deeper I dug into the soil, the stronger the release.

I planted a shade garden - that runs from my backdoor and right under the kitchen window - which is one of my most favorite places to sit, especially very early in the morning before the rest of the house wakes, and I can't think of a better place to start Picture Perfect Thursday:

I call this photo:  "Still" - A bit dusty, a little disheveled and slightly worn - perhaps even looking a bit overwhelmed, don't you think? - she is still able to look passed the weeds and keeps her focus on the beauty that is all around her.  A picture-perfect reflection of what I'm feeling.  Right now.

[If you would like to join me in sharing a "guilty pleasure" for Picture Perfect Thursday - let me know in the comments section of this (as well any future) post.  I'll link to it and hopefully, we'll get to learn a little more about each other.  What do you have to lose?  A little time, perhaps?  It's all about YOU, babe.  Surely, it's time well spent!]