Saturday, August 22, 2009

Second Star To the Right!

"And straight on till morning."
That, Peter had told Wendy, was the way to the Never land.

FromFawn-105

Welcome, welcome to my adventure in staying young at heart.

Be sure to visit all the other wonderful adventures of participants listed here on the left side of this post.

There are a few things that are key to having a youthful heart. The first of which, is the ability to DREAM!

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‘To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe. ~Anatole France

And sometimes if we dream hard enough we might actually be able to fly.

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This summer my children and I took our adventure to Never Land. Here is my Lost Boy and I as we discover the second lesson in staying young at heart is the courage to EXPLORE!

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“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” ~Mark Twain

And chances are good that while you’re exploring you’ll find ways to save those memories. Lesson Three in Staying Young at heart – CREATE!

Don’t just daydream, Create those dreams.

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Make those dreams a reality.

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All it takes is Faith, Trust and a little Pixie Dust.

Create a place where your imagination can soar… where you can remember all of your adventures both real and imaginative.

Some pursue happiness - others create it.” ~Author unknown

Look at what magic a few discounted garden trellis’s, clothes pegs, thrifted sheets, curtains, and a few fairy lights and wings can create. An outdoor room perfect for learning the fourth step in staying Young at Heart. - IMAGINATION!

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With a little Imagination you can be anything you want to be.

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Princess as Tiger Lily and her garden.

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Believe me the garden is real, as is the Princess and her dwelling.

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As for Itchy the Dog, well she can only dream she’s as helpful as Nana. Personally I don’t think she quite has the imagination skills to make that dream a reality.

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With a little Imagination and an enchanted shell necklace…

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Maybe, just maybe you’d grow a mermaid’s tail.

Sorry, I just couldn’t resist the classic little mermaid pose.

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Hope loved being a mermaid and even insisted on acting out the Fifth Lesson in Staying Young at Heart – FINDING JOY!

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And you bet she enJOYed every moment singing like Ariel.

Joy is not in things; it is in us. ~ Richard Wagner

Ever notice how something as simple as blowing bubbles can entrance and entertain a toddler for hours. For them it’s Magic!

And MAGIC is our Sixth Lesson in Staying Young at Heart.

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Love and magic have a great deal in common. They enrich the soul, delight the heart. And they both take practice.” ~Author unknown

And finding ways to make the magic last is a talent and gift to be cherished.

Yesterday evening in the parking lot of our grocery store I spied two children pointing at the sky. I stopped loading my groceries and looked up to see the most beautiful pinkish popcorn shaped clouds in a brilliant blue and lavender sky.

It’s Magic to witness the beauty in the small moments. The Sunset, the twinkling stars, the smell of a rose.

Sadly, the two children and myself were the only ones in the entire busy parking lot that embraced the magic and soaked up it’s beauty and joy. How much of this magic do we miss as we hurry through life?

Lesson Seven in Staying Young at Heart – DISCOVER!

Try new things. I’ve honestly never made a Sand Castle until this last week.

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With just a bucket to scoop wet sand and a stick I made a Discovery.

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I discovered what kids everywhere know - that it is actually quite fun to build and create and discover new things. I’m already planning Castle number 2.

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“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” ~Plato

Lesson Eight – PLAY

When was the last time that you played an enjoyable game? If you quit playing because it is a child's sport, then you are wrong. As George Bernard Shaw said, "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing."

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And while you’re playing – Beware of HOOK!

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Hook was so focused on being number one and squashing anything and anyone that annoyed him he lost sight of the true treasure life can bring us.

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And that true treasure isn’t gold, wealth or high esteem from your fellow pirates.

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Sometimes we bury that treasure, neglect it, and forget about it.

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Thankfully, there is usually, and band of people willing to help remind us of the importance of Lesson nine – FRIENDSHIP

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“If out of all mankind one finds a single friend, he has found something more precious than any treasure, since there is nothing in the world so valuable that it can be compared to a real friend.” ~Andreas Capellanus

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More often than not some of your dearest friends are family.

The adventures you have with your friends and family can either help you become more like Hook or they can help you stay young and nourish your happy heart. So do you surround yourself with leeching pirates or magical fairies who constantly sprinkle pixie dust on your head and take you for enchanted adventures?

My wee fairy girls helped me create a magical village in the branches of a cedar tree in our backyard.

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Filled with fairy homes reminding us of some of our families past fun adventures.

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We couldn’t resist adding a Mermaid Lagoon as well.

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So many fun memories from a truly unforgettable summer.

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I promise our adventure to a Youthful heart is almost done. It does take a little work to be a kid. Don’t forget lesson number ten - BELIEVE

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Believe in dreams, joy, magic and everything else and no matter how dark the night, how bitter the trial, you’ll be surrounded by peace, comfort and hope for a brighter future.

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Isn’t that what being a child is?

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I do believe in fairies, I do! I do!

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I believe in Light. It’s enchanting.

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And helps us find the way when life is dark and worrisome.

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Michael: Mother, can anything harm us after the night lights are lit?
Mrs. Darling: No, Precious. They are the eyes a mother leaves behind to guard her children.

The final and most important lesson in staying Young at Heart is LOVE! To Love Life and Family is the truest source of joy and happiness we can ever find.

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So the secret to staying young and having a happy heart is simple. Dream, Explore, Create, Imagine, Enjoy, Magic, Discover, Play, Friendship, Believe, and Love.

Now if your a kid, this post was unbelievably long, probably a wee bit boring and your itching to visit all the wonderful other party participants listed on the left hand side of my blog. Check them out then go create some youthful magic of your own. But before you leave drop me a comment. Say Hi or Tootles? Whatever floats your make-believe boat and you could win a little fairy packet. I'll pick a winner next Saturday!

And Thanks for letting me share my adventure to a youthful heart!

27 comments:

Jenny McGee said...

I am first to comment on your beautiful blog entry. I love the lessons and need to practice some of them more. thanks,

Shannon said...

I am going to bookmark this post and read it over and over again. I have tears in my eyes. Fawn, you have a gift. God bless you!!!

This must become a book one day.

Denise said...

Thank you so much for doing this...I need to be reminded OFTEN to stop and "play". Thank you for writing this...I see a children's book ifn your future!
Dancingly, Denise

Trena Doll said...

beautiful!!!

permanentcloud said...

so very cute! :) i absolutely adore nana!

permanentcloud said...

so very cute! :) i absolutely adore nana!

❀~Myrna~❀ said...

Hi,
Your blog Partiy is so Beautiful and Inspiring . I will be back to savor it. If you or anyone missed my party post please go to: http://myenchantedhome2.blogspot.com/2009/08/second-star-to-right-blog-party.html
I'm new at this , I started last night , then got uo at 6 and have been working till now .To make a long story short. I think it ready now. Please come & visit. Thanks for the sweet comment on the Oz Party.
~Myrna

❀~Myrna~❀ said...

Hi again that address is
http://myenchantedhome2.blogspot.com/2009/08/
second-star-to-right-blog-party.html
~Myrna

Kiwi said...

That was an awesome post. Thanks for reminding us how to stay young at heart. I'm going to forgo all my plans of doing household chores today and go EXPLORE & PLAY with the people I LOVE the most in this world my family.

Anonymous said...

WOW, Fawn! your post is so uplifting, magical, and enchanting (not to mention your great photography)! I am sooo glad that I participated in your blog party! And I'm so grateful to have you as a blog friend :)
Missy

laterg8r said...

those are fantastic lessons :D
LOVE the look on their faces when they see the pirate - priceless!

You put so much into this post and it shows - love the little mermaid coming out of the water too!

Harley Dee said...

Yay, the day is finally here :) I had to wake up to bake a birthday cake and get hubby ready for work, but my magical adventure will be posted later :)

Loved your post, it was wonderful! :)

Justabeachkat said...

What a wonderful post...so many great ideas and special memories! Thanks for sharing.

Hugs!
Kat

Beth said...

Oh, Fawn! Your party was beautiful! Your family is so luck to have a mom keeping the magic alive. Thanks for letting us participate! Setting up our party took me right back to my childhood, making fairy and mermaid houses in the flowerbed with whatever I could find...
Magically yours,dear blog friend!
Beth

Caleen said...

What a great imagination and a fun Mom you are.. I loved reading your lovely adventure and being a part of it.. What wonderful lessons.. Thank you for the gift of imagination, play and adventure.. I enjoyed visiting. Now.. on to more adventures!

Perky said...

Beautiful! Thank you for this! What a remarkable blog post! I love the photos!

Chandra said...

oh I wish I would have known about this party...I hope you do it again! I would have done it! Sorry I missed out on it...come by and visit me again. ;)

Teresa said...

I DO believe!

Thank you!

~Mama Cayman ;) said...

Everything at your house looks like so much fun, FawnDear! As always, you inspire me!!!

Hugs!
~Susan:)

ByLightOfMoon said...

FawnDear,
I adore your party post and it shares so many wonderful thoughts, memories, imaginations, truths, inspirations, etc. I could go on and on. You have made a very special blog party even better with your magikal fairies treasures! How adorable! I only wish I was so talented?

I share my party also on my blog and many thanks for starting this. I hope it shall continue on forever as it never grows old what we have in our imaginations. And, your post shall never ever be too long... Smiles, Cyndi/ByLightOfMoon

ByLightOfMoon said...

I am back FawnDear to share that I loved all the bloggers posts who took part in the Second Star to the Right Party. I have had such fun traveling around to the invites. So much food, fun, dreams and excitement was in store for us.
I adore your sandcastles, did you see mine? ANd your tree of faieries is so enchanting. I have to make a chandalier for our garden gazebo of lights and stars. And, I have got so many new ideas from your party. I adore your yard party and thanks for the invites to the fun!
Smiles, Cyndi/ByLightOfMoon

Anonymous said...

AWESOME party! I love the fun you gave your children--and us (vicariously!).

Janell said...

Wow, beautiful! Can I bring my kids to your house? :)
You have inspired me. I've been reminded lately that when I take the time to PLAY with my kids, the energy and inspiration to enjoy it always comes.

Natalie said...

Hi!
I don't care that I am the 24th person to comment, I just want to say that your kids are so lucky to have you as a mom! MY mom is never doing things like that. We don't have a big backyard so we can't really do stuff like that. Who cares that I am 11? I can believe in fairies, can't I?
Anyway, you totally inspire me! I don't have the tools to do all the crafts that you do, but if I did I would!
On another note , now I think if you can clean the Room of Terror then I can at least clean my room, for goodness sake.
Yes, I realize this is a really long comment. Fawndear, check my blog for My Trip to the Other Side of the Country: Coming soon!
Tootles!
Nat

Nikki via The Scarlett Rose Garden said...

What an incredible post! I'm so sorry I missed the party. Just found out from one of the WOO Gala attendees!
Yes, we need to play often, and look at pink popcorn clouds!
Loved the darling little mermaid.
You can see my Neverland post from last Halloween~
http://rosescarlett.blogspot.com/2008/11/back-from-neverland.html
Best,
Nikki

Jorgelina said...

Hi!
A wonderful entrance. Much creativity.
I absolutely adore nana!
Your party was beautiful.
Hugs

Jocelyn Christensen said...

This is so wonderful. I love all of the lessons in this post!