The challenge this week from Beth at I Should Be Folding Laundry was “peace”…and I have to say that we don’t have all that much of that around here most of the day. Mackenzie is going 120 mph all day until she passes out, and when she’s not all crazy, it seems like the dog is. Sometimes I think they plan the day out so that I get as little done as possible. 😉

But as I tried to think of something peaceful to photograph this morning, I was stuck with the peace in our home at that moment. I don’t know how I could have photographed it but the cool fall air has already been gracing us with its presence each night and into early morning. Ayla was outside enjoying the coolness, Mackenzie had gone back to sleep (after waking up at about 4am to play — she thankfully napped a bit again until about 9) and I was not yet pounding away on my keyboard. Traffic was light outside, no big trucks or planes…it was truly a moment of peace. I wish I could have bottled it!

This was my view out the front door as a stood basking in the peace.

And then I realized this is probably the most peaceful creature in our home!

My husband inherited a couple of bonsai trees from his grandfather recently, and he seems to find a lot of peace in grooming them. Unfortunately we need a forest full of them to really keep him busy with the pruning. I’m working on it though…already found a few trees around here that will probably work. I foresee a bonsai addiction coming on!

A sure sign that I am at peace, is when there are no lights lit on this monitor…meaning Mackenzie is asleep. This baby monitor is seriously worth gold!

When we went out walking the dog, I took my camera along (kinda hoping to get some shots of my friend’s garden for Garden Life) and I found a few more things that made me think of and feel peace.

Like this field which was recently plowed and will not get to rest a while until the winter wheat comes up. But is a field ever really peaceful with all the creatures underneath and the growing of seeds planted? Or the animals that track across it in search of food every day?

But for some reason, sunflowers always seem to make me peaceful. And we are not only lucky enough to have some growing in our courtyard this year which are quite tall, but there is a green area near the fields that is being turned into a wildlife area where a whole band of sunflowers and other flowers have been planted. It just makes me smile every time I see it.

What comes to mind when you think of peace? I’m guessing there are going to be lots of really good interpretations of peace this week. So if you enjoy photography, pop over to You Capture.