Life

Life January 18, 2016

2016 Word – Whole

Welcome 2016.

Crazy – right? I can’t believe it’s already 2016. My daughter will be 16 this year. I will be married 22 years this year. 2015 was a pretty full year, and I can’t even start to imagine what this year will bring. Hopefully joy and fun and learning. I know it will probably bring other things too – things that I wouldn’t wish for, but will probably have to see through. And that’s ok – it’s all the parts that make us whole, not just the good.

So when I was thinking about this years word for Ali Edward’s One Little Word class, nothing was coming to me. It was towards the end of December, and I thought this year, I might be growing into a word – since nothing seemed right. And then on Instagram, Ali posted her word for 2016, and it was like I had been hit with a ton of bricks. That was my word too. I struggled against it at first, I mean, having the same word as the class instructor, well, that just didn’t feel right. But since then, I’ve given in and let “whole” come over me.

And it has.

I began looking up quotes and meanings to help me really begin to get to know my word. And then I heard Karen Grunberg say something on the Paperclipping Roundtable that hit home for me. She talked about thinking about how you want to feel, and allow that to help guide your decisions, your projects, etc. Well, that’s exactly what I needed. Because I haven’t been feeling “whole” lately. But when I thought about why, I was gettin’ nothin’. And that’s because I hadn’t really defined it for me yet. What is whole to me? How do I want to feel that embodies whole in my life.

Granted – I’m not totally there – I mean really, it’s January, people! But I think feeling through the word will help me define my intentions for this year, and learn to feel whole.

That being said, I hope to start a series of posts: “My Whole Life”, that will document the insight I’m given or living through my word this year. I look forward to sharing!

What’s your word this year?

Creative August 24, 2015

I Spy

Here are a few peeks at a little last minute craftiness I put together for a “Grease” themed dinner we had this past weekend. Just a few family members joined us, but I had a great time setting things up. I plan on doing a full post later, but thought it would be fun to give you a peek.

Enjoy!

Creative August 20, 2015

3 for Thursday

Welcome to 3 for Thursday – a place where I talk about what’s happening in my life right now. Not always sensical, but always me. Sometimes a random collection of things, but really what’s happening…this week in my life.

1. This necklace. I saw a tutorial for these adorable leather pendant necklaces on Delia Creates (here). I just had to try it! I love how it turned out. The perfect addition to a casual outfit. I definitely need to do more jewelry…I’ve missed it.

2. Enjoying the last bits of summer. Been hanging by the pool. Trying to find time to head out on the boat. Really just savoring all those summer things before Ashley heads back to school, the weather becomes cooler and the leaves start falling off the trees.

3. Teen room redo. Well, this one has been a long time coming. Ashley’s room has bee pink and green forever…and she’s not a pink and green kinda girl anymore. I think we’re headed for some blues. Can’t wait to get it done so she has a comfortable space.

What are you filling your days with?

Life June 15, 2015

Summer coffee

I love coffee in the morning. No matter how many things I read about how bad it is, or can be, I won’t give it up. It’s a vice, and I’m ok with that.

But sometimes hot coffee in the summer is hard to do. When it’s 74° at 9am, hot coffee just doesn’t sound refreshing…or enjoyable for that matter. So what’s a coffee girl to do? Because skipping the coffee just isn’t an option!

This morning I had some leftover coffee in my press from yesterday and decided to try some iced coffee. The result is just another reason why I won’t give up my coffee.

Here’s what I did (please note that the amounts are estimates, I didn’t measure anything):

2 cups cold coffee
1/3 cup coconut milk
1-2 tsp honey
1 tsp vanilla
Dash cinnamon

Mix everything with the wisk immersion blender, pour over ice and get yo’ mornin’ started!

Life April 30, 2015

3 for Thursday

Welcome to 3 for Thursday – a place where I talk about what’s happening in my life right now. Not always sensical, but always me. Sometimes a random collection of things, but really what’s happening…this week in my life.

Getting ready to travel. I’m going away. It was a last minute trip, and I’m so excited. Just me and my friend Annette. In Europe, for a week. What could be better? I think it’s just the break I need right now. Time to take my mind off the things that stress me out right now, and sit back and relax. Take in a culture WAY older than the one I’m embedded in. I don’t know what it will bring, but I’ve decided to be open to it. See where it takes me – see where it takes me when I get back.
More travel journals.
And – because I’m going on a trip – I’ve been working on more of those travel journals. Remember my first one here? I loved that one – and decided to give it to my daughter. I found some more fabric and tried 2 more – to see how it went. I really enjoy making them. Soon I’ll post a tutorial. I need to practice my process first. I will be making more. I made an insert using some Gelli plate printed paper, which I’m using as my bullet journal. Then, I discovered that my Ranger Dylusions Dyan Reaveley Creative Journal (5×8) fits as an insert. Brilliant! I was going to make an art journal insert using mixed media paper so I’d have something to “art” while I’m away – and this saves me time (I still want to make one, though).
Podcasts.
I’ve been listening to some new podcasts. I’ve spent most of the last year listening to health related podcasts, and while I’m still listening to some of them (ya, some of them I just had to cut out!), I’ve found some new ones that are just fun to listen to. And that’s what I need right now – not someone telling me all the things I’ve probably got wrong about my diet, my activity and my general life routine…they are just an enjoyable way to pass the time while I go back and forth to work. What are they? I thought you’d never ask. Just 2 for today – The Thrilling Adventure Hour: I started listening to this one back in February, and just love the hilarity of it! It’s “a podcast in the style of old time radio”, and the stories are just silly. Which, these days seems to be the best way to hold my attention. On one of their recent episodes, they mentioned another one – Spontaneanation with Paul F. Tompkins. This one was started by one of the actors on The Thrilling Adventure Hour, and it’s just an improv-ed show. Also really funny. So, if you are like me, take a listen, and laugh.

Creative April 9, 2015

3 for Thursday – My Life right now.

Welcome to 3 for Thursday – a place where I talk about what’s happening in my life right now. Not always sensical, but always me. Sometimes a random collection of things, but really what’s happening…this week in my life.

Lacrosse – watching this girl play. It’s her first year, and the school has only had the team for 2 years, but I love watching her play! I need to learn more about the rules, and what the calls are, but seeing her enjoy herself makes me happy.
Gelli printing – Yes, gelli printing. I’ve been taking this class – Printmaker Pro from Roben Marie Smith, and it’s been so inspiring. I start printing and realize that hours have gone by. Seriously. It might be an issue. But only because I forget to eat. And sometimes sleep.
Travel Notebooks – You can see the first one here. I can’t wait to make the next one. And a few for friends. But I’ll probably make about a dozen for myself. I don’t know exactly what it is about notebooks – but I.seriously.love.them. Partly it’s the process of making them too, I think. I just love doing things with paper, and making a notebook just feels incredibly useful. Even though I might never put anything in them. They are “for” something. Maybe that’s it! Either way, I’m going to make more.

What’s going on in your life this week?

Life November 16, 2014

Charcoal for white teeth?

I made tooth powder. Yes, it’s black. But that’s the charcoal in there. From the reading I’ve been doing, activated charcoal helps to whiten teeth. I’ve been using it for about a month, and I will say, I’ve noticed a different in the whiteness of my teeth. But also, definitely my toothbrush. Not so white anymore. So, if you are going to put activated charcoal in your tooth powder, be prepared for that.

I really like this powder, but my family isn’t so convinced. They like the “foam” they get from traditional toothpaste, but I dislike the garbage found in them! Things like sodium lauryl sulfate and flouride – haven’t been linked to good things and if I can avoid them, why wouldn’t I? So, I’m working on finding a squeezable or liquid paste that they might enjoy better. Until then, I might not purchase anything at the store (wink, wink).

The recipe below is a combination of ones found by Wellness Mama and Mommypotamus. Both excellent resources for natural wellness. Check them out!

DIY Tooth Powder

Ingredients

2 tblsp bentonite clay
2 tblsp calcium powder
1/2 tblsp activated charcoal
2 tsp neem powder
2 tsp powdered mint
2 tsp xylitol powder
1 tsp baking soda
20 drops peppermint oil
10 drops cinnamon oil
5 drops clove oil

Directions

Mix all dry ingredients. Add essential oils and mix, breaking up the lumps. Store in a non-reactive container.

To use: dip wet toothbrush in powder and brush as normal.

Life September 6, 2014

My diagnosis.

Ok. It’s not a medical diagnosis. It’s something many have gone through before. And many will after me. Down-sizing. It’s left me feeling a little lost. But also inspired. Could this be the turning point that propels me into something different? Something I’m passionate about?

Dare to be.

That’s what I’ve decided to do. Consider the possibilities. Look deeper at what’s meaningful to me. Heck, what do I want to be when I grow up?? It’s time to take this opportunity and do something. So that’s why I’m here. I’ve been hearing people say start blogging. Not just one person. I read a ton of blogs and there have been more than a handful that have said it. I think they are talking to me now. So here I am. Glad to meet you. I’m on a journey, and hope you’ll stick around and chat. I know it’ll be hard and probably I’ll get things wrong a lot, but that’s better than not trying.

Right?