A Day to Remember

It was a cold, cold weekend here with three feet of snow just a mere two hours north of us. It was hard to believe the pictures we were seeing on the news. 

But then, just on cue, the clouds parted, the temperatures rose and the sun shone on the memory of those that have served our country.  

Our sweet, sweet neighbors were out in full force with over 300 hundred flags, to mark the day. It was touching, to say the least. Monday was a beautiful day to remember and be thankful.

Friday's Quote

This morning was an early one. It didn't need to be either, thank you four legged friend. Instead of being grumpy about, I got his day started, poured a bowl of cereal and climbed back in bed to listen to the rain, take in the comfort of a cool morning and sneak in a few more quiet moments. 

You may see in the middle of this picture [in between the lotion on the left and the bud of flowers on the right] another picture. I was asked to make a vision board recently for what I wanted to usher into my life. Round one was well, challenging. I was totally over thinking it and by the end of two weeks, I didn't have much to show for it. With some gentle guidance I was set straight and was able to create one with a bit more ease. 

I've taken pictures of said vision board and placed laminated copies here and there around the house, including my nightstand, dressing table, the back of my hang tag on the review mirror in the car, etc. The goal is to ensure I see my vision, reinforced throughout the day to help usher in those things I want in my life and to help recognize them when they do happen. 

On this rainy Friday, as I hold my vision and intentions close, I leave you with this, 'Such a simple concept, yet so true: that which we manifest is before us; we are creators of our own destiny. Be it through intention or ignorance, our successes and failures have been brought on by none other than ourselves." Garth Stein 

Brimfield in May

My husband, parents and I made the trek to Brimfield on Friday. All week the word on the street was that merchandise was moving. Vendors were happy and so was the crowd. 

There was a time or two before we left when I thought, 'I bet things are picked over. Maybe it's not worth going at all.' Ha! Not even close to being possible. 

One: the sheer amount of stuff is mind boggling. It throws me into a state of sensory overload that takes me a good hour or so to mentally process. 

Two: I've learned that a decent amount of sales on the first day or two are between buyers. Some of those buyers are the ones actually at Brimfield. 

With miles and miles of fields and vendors, there is no need to worry about things being picked over. You could go on the last day and still find plenty to look at and pick through. 

One of the other things I learned as I was picking through things [vendors chat among themselves openly and there can be some informative nuggets of information] is that the May show has the most variety and the most amount of things, which makes perfect sense after a winter full of collecting. 

The July show tends to get so hot, that many vendors skip it all together. I for one, I am a bit hesitant to attend this show for that exact reason. 

The September show is where you can supposedly find the most bargains. After a long selling season, vendors are ready to unload those items they have been lugging around. 

Whether or not this is all actually true, is probably debatable, but it does seem fairly logical. Having attended twice in May and once in the fall, I have to agree with this nugget of info. 

All in all it was a wonderful day. Not too hot, not too cold and more treasures than the mind could process or even see in a day. I was on the hunt for doilies, spoons and a few odds and ends here and there. 

We started out in a field with tons and tons of cool, modern furniture and I began to think doilies was going to be like finding a needle in a hay stack.

Most of the morning was spent just browsing and having fun taking pictures of this and that....

...including an air plane. I mean really, of all things. An air plane. It just cracks me up the things you see. 

After lunch I was refueled and ready to begin looking again and quickly started seeing things of a bit more interest.

[My mind has been thinking and thinking about how to upcycle these shoe stretchers. They are just way too fun]. 

In the end, I found a fabric vendors with tables of doilies. I was so overwhelmed there are no pictures. I almost walked away because I couldn't process it all, but my sweet guy insisted we stay and take our time going through things.  And wouldn't you know, there were a few that were exactly what I was looking for!

Country Girl

At heart, I am a country girl [that appreciates the finer things imported from city life] and that's exactly how I honored my special day this past weekend. Having just been back from the city, I was in need of wide open fields, flowers, and some barnyard animals. 

There was a point when I was strolling around, at my own pace, snapping pictures and taking it all in, that I realized how far I've come in a few short months since making some big decisions on how to care for myself. 

I've learned self-care is a lot more than what I put into my body, it's also about feeding the mind and soul on a daily basis with what will fuel it and that there is no template for this. It's been an amazing journey re-learning what I thought I knew about caring for me.  

As the journey continues, I am more quickly able to identify what depletes my energy, fills me up and what I need on a daily basis to not just survive the day, but thrive. For so long, I was in survival mode, trying to make it from one day to the next, not able to consistently be energized and truly happy.  

At this point I wouldn't say I mastered it, but in the spirit of being gentle, I am gaining ground every single day towards 'glowing' and being 'nourished' in more ways than one [two of my 2013 words]. 

It was such a gift to see and feel these changes on my birthday. A day that had no other numerical significance or meaning than the one I gave it. Between this and being surrounded by family, friends, animals and places that I love, it was all more than I dared to dream for. 

As I blew out the candles on my whole food, utterly delicious key lime pie, I found myself deliberately wishing for more than I ever have before. Wish, after wish, after wish. 

Thinking big. Dreaming big. Now that's where it's at. 

City Girl

This past weekend I celebrated my birthday as a city girl in the Big Apple. It was a birthday, numerically that does not have much significance, and yet it was one that means more than I can put into words at the moment [perhaps more on that later in the week]. For now, how about a few photos? 

Arriving in the city, we headed straight for the high line, which we laughed about immediately. This 'city girl' is a true country girl at heart and needed a little greenery and a park like setting to help with the transition, even if it was only for a a day. 

Is this not the cutest little pretzel stand you've ever seen?! Yes, yes, I know. It's empty and yet I still adore it.  

One of the things I love about the city is that there is always something interesting to look at. Artwork surrounds you at every turn. Sometimes it's loud and bold...

...other times, it is more quiet and feminine. The other thing I love about the city? All the wonderful food and foodie shops. 

It's a good thing we walked, and walked and walked some more because oh how good the bread.

The bounty of the city was plentiful, just like all the wonderful wishes from family and friends that left me feeling full and deeply loved. How grateful I am.

Friday's Quote

During a beautiful mid-day walk at work this week, I literally stopped to smell the flowers. There's nothing like fresh new blooms to keep me mindful and in the moment. 

Without stopping to do this, I could have easily missed, my furry friends, and I do mean friends. We go way back. A few years ago, around this time of year, I was out walking and noticed a mama duck and her ducklings in the pool. They were adorable swimming around, but I also noticed she also had no way of getting her ducklings out. They were simply too small to climb out. All afternoon I fretted about their fate. I even called the grounds crew to see if there was something they could do. They said they would the carpentry shop build a ramp, but by end of day there were no signs of a ramp.  

I'll make a long story short and spare you the details of my panic, sadness and the many calls I made that afternoon in an effort to save the ducks. I raced home, had my husband quickly build a ramp and we raced back out to install it. As we arrived, the grounds crew were getting ready to install a ramp [in a diplomatic way, I do believe I asked what took so long]. 

And now each year, as the crews ready the pools for spring and summer they install ramps, in each of the pools, for the ducks. This literally makes my heart sing and helps me believe even more in the song that has been playing in my ear during each walk I take this week, 'There is beauty in the world,' by Macy Gray.  

'Stop and smell the flowers

And lose it in sweet music and dance with me

There is beauty in the world

So much beauty in the world

Always beauty in the world

Shake your booty boys and girls for the beauty in the world

Pick your diamond pick, pick your pearl 

'Cause there is beauty in the world

All together now' 

Fresh

It is an amazing spring weekend here. Things are almost fully in bloom [finally], the birds are chirping and the weather is a comfortable warm. And two successful, back-to-back hangings is just icing on the cake. 

The aftermath in my studio from prepping for the shows didn't even put a damper on things. 

For the next few weeks, I plan on taking a little break from creating some canvas mixed media collage and work on a few other types art projects that I've been wanting to get to. Oh and the yard could use a little TLC, well maybe more than a little. 

There's also an upcoming show I hope to get into, so be prepared for some fun new notebooks posts and some other new goodies as well. 

Friday's Quote

On the beautiful Friday, when everything seems to be blooming, I leave you with these three quotes from my tea bags this week.

'The beauty in you is your spirit.' 

'Feel good, be good and do good.' 

' A relaxed mind is a creative mind.'