Friday Happies!

Enormous sunflower at Mom's.

What's up, y'all? Is it just me or have the days and weeks just been flying by? It feels like I just put together a Friday list like two days ago! Wowsers. Well, it's time to get some happy juju flowing to gear up for the weekend.

Got any plans? I've got a few, but they mostly involve...well, I'll guess you'll find out on Monday! Now heeeeere's the list!


*I love this hat for Fall & Winter. I want to wear it and pretend I'm Carmen SanDiego, or some other woman of mystery and intrigue.

*I really enjoyed this young lady's article about Hermione and the need for strong, intelligent female characters in literature (and TV and movies etc. etc.). Well done, you!

*This thought has crossed my mind too.

*I love a tassel. I have a feeling if I owned these, I'd just rub my face on it all the time. Also, nerd-alert...love the name (Potterheads, am I right?).

*I'm fairly certain that this is what I sound like talking about any subject I'm interested in, and all my friends and family are my Bill Cosbys...Cosbies? I'm going with Cosbies.

*Some ABC's for happiness!

*Just makes me smile every time I see it. Shake it!

*I was late to the game to find Kid President, but I just adore him and the message. This one made me  laugh and tear up and feel so inspired and joyous. That means its time to do something!!! What will be your Space Jam?! Just love it. Play ball. 

*Well, this may have been me this week! It may have been, but I've still gotten in nearly seven miles so far!

*How I missed this the first and second time around, I know not. But I literally donkey laughed while washing dishes the other night when it came on. Dickies, yo!

*A great Carol Burnett  show with Betty White (looking damn foxy if I say so), Steve Martin and of course Vicki Lawrence (Thelma Harper woot woot!!).

I hope y'all laugh and smile and have a wonderful weekend, and if you have to work- you can make it through. Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations and it'll be a damn good day (or two in this case).

Later, y'all!

Personal Sanctuary

Image

If I could wave a wand and make the perfect sanctuary for myself today it would be a tiny bungalow somehow on the East/Gulf Coast and in the mountains (remember I said magic wand). I would have a brilliant homestead and gardens. Little idiot goats and chickens, some real Dick Strawbridge shit. A lovely porch in the shade and wind chimes smattered about.

Inside would be spare but cosy, clean and simple. A space for everything and everything in its place. There would, of course, be a serious bath tub because I'm a water baby.

There would be a fireplace with a beautiful (uncluttered) mantle.

There would be a wall of books. 

I would have counter space in the kitchen so I can make delicious and lovely things without knocking over my clean dish rack or having to pause to relocate things.

My bedroom would be a fluffy, calm and peaceful place with a really good fan and a nice morning view.

There would be a well-made, long wooden dining table outside for feeding and entertaining those I love on lovely nights. A small table indoors for tea and conversation or romantic dinners.

Tucked into a particularly lush corner around the back of the house would be a secret outdoor shower for the intoxicating experience of showering out in nature (perfect for the exhibitionist in me but private enough for those not quite so inclined).

This is where my mind goes when I daydream. My goal is to simplify enough to make this a reality.  I look around my house now and I get overwhelmed. I've gotten rid of such a tremendous amount of stuff and yet it still feels wonky. So I took some time today to nail down some images that inspire my future sanctuary so that perhaps I can manifest it in my present state. Have my sanctuary better represent my mind (which says so much about how my house is making me feel these days too, ha!)

What would your ultimate sanctuary/compound look like, feel like and smell like? I'd love to know!

I hope you have a truly wonderful day!

Yummy Sanctuaries Part Deux

Some people thoroughly dislike cooking. I find it helps clear my mind. I love creating something tangible from all the ingredients. I zone out a bit and revel in the creativity and delicious aromas. There is something meditative about all the chopping and sautéing and simmering. The melding of flavors and creating of something new and exciting or classically comforting. It brings me joy. Today, check out these yummy sanctuaries and create one for yourself. Perhaps a favorite childhood recipe or something exotic and spicy! Try to take some time to really enjoy the process of feeding your body. It's a beautiful thing.

*Garlic & Thyme Quinoa Patties. Crunchy and yummy! I may have to make these this week.

*Edamame Hummus...Intrigued! I bet it's sweet. I'm going to have to try this one too! Would you try it?

*Chicken Avocado Lime Soup?! Yes, please!

*Zuchinni Crust Pizza. I cannot wait to find out what that tastes like!

*Because Autumn is on her way! Pumpkin Ravioli with Browned Butter Sage Sauce. Good grief, that sounds incredible.

*I love a galette. They're so easy and they make me feel far fancier than most other "easy" recipes do. Plus they're a real crowd-pleaser! Potato Galette with Wild Mushrooms!

I hope you have a truly wonderful day!

Image courtesy of STL Cooks.

A Creative Saturday Meditation

Hello, friends! I hope this Saturday finds you well. I know from personal experience, it can be challenging to take a few minutes for yourself to decompress, or de-stress. Sometimes I get so frustrated at a lack of inspiration, I busy myself with nonsense instead of taking the time to beckon inspiration to me.

 Today, I want to walk you through a different type of meditation. A meditation for awakening your creativity. Steal some time today and play this song. Close your eyes and let your imagination run wild. Have trouble quieting a busy mind? Try these ideas:

*As the song begins, imagine a glorious blank canvas in your mind's eye. Now picture a fat drop of watercolor paint plopping down onto the page and morphing into different shapes as the music moves you. A dancer, a running horse, a waterfall- whatever your mind takes you to, go with it. Leave perfectionism at the door. This is your place, your sanctuary, your escape from stress. No one can see this but you, so don't allow any negativity or judgement in. Or try this...

*Imagine a day beginning as the song does. Let your imagination create the environment and watch the weather change as the song does. Is it a beach on a cloudless day? A mountain view and a trickling stream? Perhaps walking through a lush forest or bobbing in a canoe on a lake? Are you watching a storm roll in? See what your mind wants to create. Let it take you there. It's only four minutes, but what a difference it can make.

You'd be surprised at how much good little exercises like this does. Cobwebs are swept out and perspectives, inspirations, and positivity trickles in. I hope you enjoy this one, I certainly have.

I hope you have a truly wonderful day!

Small Sanctuaries

Image from BHG.com

I love love gardens and plants. I however, have never really lived in an apartment conducive to growing them. Small yards (destroyed by my two dogs), windows with little or extremely dim light... Argh! And yet, I'm always perusing Pinterest for more inspirations on my future gardens and ways to make the best of my current situation. I have a small succulent garden on the teeny weeny windowsill in my kitchen. It is about all I can finagle at the time. I glean a lot of peace from my miniature garden. I have a tendency to meditate there for small stolen moments. I often look out to the night sky and look for the moon, or watch the rain hit the glass. Sometimes, if I'm being a good girl, I watch the sun come up and drink a warm mug of lemon water. It's important to have a place for peace and a sanctuary. So, for some fun littles today, I thought I'd share some cool ways to have a garden space inside your home and some inspirations for your yard, if you have one or just want to dream of one.

 Try to cull a small sanctuary for yourself. Even one little herb plant or flower will do the trick. Connecting to nature even in a tiny way can have a hugely soothing affect on your psyche and in how you approach your day. It can ease anxiety and help you gather yourself before a heavy work day or a big test. Make for yourself a peaceful place. You deserve it.

*A garden made of ladles!

*Where I'd spend the morning alone and the evenings with my loved ones.

*This one made me laugh. Fire escape plant shelf!

*A tabletop succulent garden how-to. 

*Oooh! A tabletop water garden! I love this idea!!

*One way my itty bitty backyard could have some impact! While you're at it, my Garden board on Pinterest. I seriously escape to it for inspiration all the time!

I hope you have a truly wonderful day.