Isn’t it funny how sneaky life lessons will creep in when you least expect them? Those that tend a garden space know that springtime is particularly rich with these little gems. As a transitional time between the more defined “winter” and “summer” seasons, spring is changeable by its very nature, one day rainy and cool and the next bright with sunshine and warmth. And every year is different, too. To expect every spring to be the same is silly, and I’m not sure why it surprises me every year to find it cooler, warmer, or wetter than the year before. It seems every year, I must learn the lessons of…
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Embroidery Thread Organization
I can’t claim any particular embroidery thread organization genius or hack that will change your life. But there’s something immensely satisfying in taking something that is a mess and organizing it. I’m not a particularly organized or tidy person, but even I find that creating order out of chaos, however simple or small the project may be, is rewarding and comforting. This is especially true when there is disorder in other areas of my life. So I hope this post will give you a hint of inspiration and a little motivation to tackle one of your own organization projects. Before & After Embroidery Thread Organization Boy, what a mess! I…
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Later ~ Better Known as Never
I have to laugh at myself. This post heading was in my journal for almost two months without a single word written. A few paragraphs and a few months later, I decided it was time to buckle down and finish. But as usual, life got busy, and I set it aside. This post has been about 6 months in the making! In the case of this post, my “later” didn’t turn into a “never”, but like most of us, I constantly battle procrastination and the guilt that can come with it. But recently, I’ve been adjusting the way I think about procrastination. The Art of Procrastination Sometimes it feels like…
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Mentors I’ve Never Met
Mentors are amazing. These people influence our lives and change our perspectives. They take the time to teach, advise, counsel, and train—what a gigantic blessing. I can think of many people throughout my life that I would consider mentors. There’s Florence, the wonderfully patient 96 year old woman who taught me how to knit, or Margueritte, one of my first bosses when I went back into the work world after years as a stay at home mom. She taught me about “rechoosing” rather than changing your mind. Mentors & Teachers of the Digital Age In this digital age, we are lucky enough to choose mentors from various people who share…
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Elegant Economy ~ How to Live Well on Less
I would be remiss in my journey of learning contentment if I didn’t talk about finances. All those words that spring to mind—saving money, frugal living, economical, simple living, thrifty, budgeting—some are decidedly more appealing than others. But the most charming expression for dealing with this topic comes from a favorite book, Cranford, by Elizabeth Gaskell. The term, “elegant economy” is described by the narrator as something practiced with fervor by the genteel middle aged widows & spinsters living in a sleepy little village in the middle of the 19th century. The story glides gently along, but the daily lives and wonderfully vivid personalities and quirks of these worthy women…
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How to Use Skittles in Everyday Communication
Let’s have a little fun and look at how skittles can add a little pizazz to everyday language. Because I often struggle to articulate the swirling mass of thoughts tangled up inside my brain, I am constantly looking for ways to help me express myself. Connections and pictures pop into my head and they provide clarity as well as immense enjoyment. So I thought I’d share one of these connections/pictures that I’ve been having fun with lately. Here are 3 ways to use Skittles in everyday conversation. “How are you doing? Fine, and you?” I’m starting with my favorite way to use skittles in conversation. Because I work from home…
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5 Things I Learned From Wearing Chanel No. 5 Every Day
Chanel No. 5 has been my favorite perfume for many years. In my 20’s, an interest in vintage style and fashion introduced me to the iconic scent and I have loved it ever since. It makes me feel classy and elegant and catching a whiff makes me feel like a more put together version of myself. But somewhere along the way, I began hoarding the perfume and instead of wearing it, I saved it for special occasions only. I ended up saving a single bottle for over 10 years–sniffing it occasionally but never wearing it or spraying it. Then, last year something shifted. I started wearing my Chanel No. 5…
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Cozy Winter Teas
When the weather outside is frightful, I drink tea. Drinking tea is more than just consuming a liquid beverage. It’s evocative of warmth, comfort and a sense of well-being. And that doesn’t even account for the different flavors, herbs, and vitamins that add their own layer of enjoyment and health benefits. I’ve put together a list of a few of my winter time tea favorites. To make the list, each tea had to be affordable, available at my local grocery store, and one that I reach for on a regular basis because it’s just so good. I tend to do caffeinated teas in the morning and herbal or rooibos in…
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A Hint of Spring & a Dash of Hope
January is a time when I often feel a little bleak. There is no particular reason except the cold rainy weather and the bare trees seem naked and gloomy. As I write this, I am watching a bird cling to the bare branches of a tree blowing furiously in the wind. I mentally cheer it on. “You’ve got this! Keep hanging on!” Maybe I am talking to myself, too. At times when I feel a bit windblown by life, it’s nice to think of things I can look forward to and spend some time appreciating the beauty of simple things. Soon I’ll begin to watch for the green blades of…
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Finding Inspiration
Finding inspiration for creative pursuits can be a challenge, especially in times of stress or emotional turmoil. It can feel like searching for the proverbial needle in a haystack or like trying to find a pen in the depths of your handbag. Somehow it always manages to hide even though you know there’s a pen in there somewhere and your purse isn’t that big. Brewing a Cup of Inspiration When I stop to consider when and how the creative spark comes or doesn’t, the common denominator for me seems to be “thinking time”. The time to create is an obvious part, but I’m talking about something different. I like…
