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The Sunday Creative - Abundance

The theme for this week's Sunday Creative Challenge was Abundance.  For me abundance is all about nature and the gifts God gave to us and this earth.  From the warm dirt of the earth to the bright light of the sun, we've been given an abundance of riches.

I'm in awe of the way it all works together.  The earth and sun work to grow plants that fuel our bodies and provide the air we need to live.   The wood of the trees we use to built shelter to keep us from the rain and snow that in turn provide the water we need to quench our bodies and to keep the plants and animals alive.   The elements and ores found in the earth provide the vitamins and minerals we need for healthy bodies and to make the tools we use to prime the earth for more plants.  Not only does God and nature provide the things we need to live, they provide beauty in abundance.  How blessed we are to live in this beautiful world.

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Music Week Day 2

Welcome to day two of music week here at my little corner of the world.  This week's posts were inspired by a great sale on mp3 albums at amazon.com.  As I read through the list of $5 picks I started sorting it into two parts - the albums I already had and wish I'd managed to buy for five bucks and those that were going on my wish list.

I'm always on the lookout for new music and, because I buy so much, finding good deals is a huge bonus.  I'm guessing some of you are the same, so for the rest of the week I'm going to highlight some of my favorites.  First up, the music from amazon's sale that is already part of my collection and I can vouch for:

• The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You: One of my favorite bands and albums of the past year, I'm dying to see them live.
• Ray LaMontagne - Till the Sun Turns Black: Not his latest, but an all-time favorite, I'm almost always in the mood for a little Ray
• Sara Bareilles - Little Voice: She just came out with a new album last week, but this is the one I fell in love with, her songs will make you happy
• The Fray - How to Save a Life: The title song was a little over played for my taste, but still a decent album
• Amos Lee - Supply and Demand: This one has had a ton of play in my iPod over the past few years, one of those artist I turn to when I want to relax
• Coldplay - Parachutes: Their music is always good.
• Court Yard Hounds - Court Yard Hounds: From two members of the Dixie Chicks, this album made up part of my summer soundtrack, the perfect pick for a long road trip.
• The Garden State Soundtrack: An older album, but full of great artists before they became well known.
• Bebel Gilberto - Bebel Gilbert: Takes me back to my years in Rio, such an amazing voice.
• Sugarland - Love on the Inside: Full of great songs you can't resists singing along with.
• Darius Rucker - Learn to Live: Former Hootie lead singer did something right when he went country,  This album is full of amazing songs
• Dierks Bentley - Up on the Ridge: Dierks did a bluegrass album that even people who aren't bluegrass fans will love.
• Jaron and the Long Road to Love - Getting Dressed in the Dark: Former pop singer makes me laugh with his clever songs.  Saw him live at the Ryman, just him and a piano, this guy has talent.

See something you like?  You can find them all at Amazon (and I promise I'm making nothing from them for sending you here - just the satisfaction of helping you find cheap tunes.)  Amazon $5 Albums

A sneak peek:

Do you have an tips for discovering great new music?  Any other sources for finding great deals on music?

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Top of the Mountain

I can now say I've been to the highest peak in the West and the East - I made my way to Mount Mitchell during my time on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  I had lunch at the restaurant at the top - the food was so-so but the view was amazing.

What I loved the most were the trees up at the top - the wind, weather and pollution had all had an impact on the way they grow - making for some very interesting looking trees.

I've been waiting for weeks for this album to come out - I can't wait to download it next week and the song is a perfect fit for my time spent on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

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Beautiful World

One of the things I love most about living out of the country is that while I'm gone it is much easier to ignore  the negative stories that seem to saturate the media in the US.  While I'm in Delhi I almost never turn on the local TV - I get my news by picking and choosing from online sources - making it much easier to skip or skim through the really negative stuff.

I believe that living this way for the past four years has changed my view of the world.  I feel that without the media telling me what I should think and feel I'm better able to make up my own mind - and since I choose to see the world in a more positive light I think I'm in a happier place.

Don't get me wrong, I know there are problems in the world, I see examples of the ravages of poverty on a daily basis.  I just try to keep my focus on the slow improvements that are happening, the similarities we all share and the beauty in our differences.

This post is brought to you by a gorgeous song I heard this morning that got me thinking, "Beautiful World" by Dierks Bentley and Patty Griffin.

Dierks Bentley   More CMT Music   More CMT Music Videos

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Escaping Delhi

Last Friday was a holiday, so five of us decided to get out of Delhi for the long weekend, this is our adventure:We were barely out of Delhi and Leo was snoring (literally) in the back seat of the Innova.
The landscape outside the city isn't that different from what I'm used to seeing in the Western US
Passing through a small town along the road
The hotel for Friday night
The Neemrana Fort-Palace was built in the 1400s
And renovated in the 1990's
The courtyard outside of my room
At sunset
The hotel had dozens of levels
and exploring it was better than hiking
It was the coolest hotel I've ever stayed in, even if it was slightly dirty with barely average food
Saturday, we were off to another city/hotel, but not before stopping to check out the process for moving stone slabs up the hill
Halfway there, when we broke down
An hour later and much sweatier than planned, we arrived at stop two, the Pataudi Palace
The former home of a famous cricketer
Leo FINALLY got to get up and personal with a camel
On the way home, bad luck struck again with a flat tire
Luckily, we broke down in front of a repair shop.

What a fun trip - it was great to get away from Delhi and see a tiny bit more of the country. India really is a fabulous place. In honor of our road trip, one of my favorite road songs, Dierks Bentley's "Lot of Leavin' Left to Do"

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Free and Easy

After two weeks in Delhi I've finally seen more of the city than the apartment and the local market; with a little time on my hands this weekend and access to a car and driver I got out and saw a few sites (and found a salon for a mani/pedi - I have my priorities straight!)

We first visited the Lotus Temple, not quite the type of temple I'm used to, but it was beautiful. They had us remove our shoes about 100 yards before we got to the temple, which resulted in very black feet (thus the need later that day to find a salon!)

On our way to the Lotus Temple we passed another temple/church where people were lined up to go to their regular service. The line was enormous! These people had to have been waiting 3-4 hours each. It was a beautiful line, all of the women were in their best sari's with all the beautiful colors. It's quite a change from my normal world where we all tend to dress in shades of black and gray.

After our visit to the Lotus temple, we went to Lodi Gardens where there are wonderful walking paths and the remains of 3 temples. The gardens are is not far from our apartments and the hub-bub of the city, but even in the middle of this crazy city they felt peaceful.

In the spirit of getting out and exploring the world, today's lyric comes from one of my favorite road warriors, Dierks Bentley, his songs seem define the part of me that wants to be on the road to the next adventure. This song helps me to remember to stop and enjoy life's journey every day and not to let myself get caught up thinking that life will start or be perfect when "something" or "someone" comes along.

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Free and Easy on the Road I Go

Got the sun shinin' on me like a big spotlight
So I know everything is gonna be alright

Ain't no tellin' where the wind might blow
Free and easy down the road I go
Livin' life like a Sunday stroll
Free and easy down the road I go

If you only get to go around one time
I'm gonna sit back and try to enjoy the ride

I could make a million or wind up broke
Free and easy down the road I go
Can't take it with you when you go so
Free and easy down the road I go
Someday I know it's gonna take me home so
Free and easy down the road I go

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