It’s been a relaxing winter for me – which has been nice. Quiet. Full of introspection and self-evaluation. I’ve been reading a lot, watching movies, and listening to great music. I finished a quilt I’ve been working on for the better part of a year (if not longer). I chopped all my hair off – a decision I both celebrate and regret – sometimes in the same day, and I’ve taken up running again.

My plan for January-March was to recharge. To feed my soul, fill my spirit, learn, love, grow. Evolve. I’m in the thick of that journey and I love it.

So much that I wanted to share some of the things that have been inspiring me lately.

In case they might inspire you, too.

Reading: I just finished “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years” by Donald Miller. This book. Oh goodness this book. I need to devote an entire post to this amazing work – but only once I finally find the words adequate enough to describe it. This book is like music; it’s a perfect soundtrack to a wonderful life, and I hope that it plays forever in the background of mine.  I’m currently reading “Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice On Life And Love From Dear Sugar” by Cheryl Strayed. I’m 22 pages in and I already know that this book is going to plant roots so firmly in my soul that I’ll never again live a day without it.

Listening: I’m really loving Ben Howard these days. I’m listening to The Head and The Heart radio on Pandora, and I’m sort of in love with Taylor Swift’s new album, too. And I don’t care what that says about me. Or how “unhip” it is to like mainstream music. It’s more unhip to hate things because your genre or lifestyle says you should. Imagine Dragon’s album has been on repeat play many times this month, and will likely continue being heavy in the rotation.

Watching: Now that “Gossip Girl” is over, I’ve been spending my weekend nights watching movies. Most recent favorite is definitely “Moonrise Kingdom.” This movie was beautiful and inspiring and I wanted to throw myself into my TV so I could photograph every last ounce of it. I saw “Les Miserables” in the theater, and I liked the movie, but I LOVE the story. I have ever since I dove headlong into the novel when I was a teenager. Jean ValJean is an amazing literary character and his struggle and triumph and life was portrayed SO well in the film. The only character I was disappointed in was Javert. Russell Crowe was underwhelming in every way. “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen” was unexpected. It was soft and quiet and soul-filling. It was wonderful.

Now I want to know what’s inspiring YOU right now?? Have you read any books or watched any movies that stirred something inside of you? That made you want to shout about them from the rooftops?? If so – please share. The winter is far from over — and I need more soul-filling.

I think maybe we all do.

And because no blog is complete without photos – here are some shots of the girls in the snow.