A Little Holiday Angst

I love the holiday season, really I do, but it seems like every year it comes around faster and faster. No sooner than you pack away the holiday decorations, then it's time to pull them out again and start all over. Is it just me who feels that way? I sure hope not.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love that the  focus is on blessings, family and food. Speaking of food, although there is nothing better than sitting down to a nice spread,  quite honestly, I find the process of getting it to the table a bit overwhelming. I envy people who look forward to preparing their holiday meals. For me, however, by the days end, I'm exhausted. I sound like a holiday Debbie Downer, don't I?  I assure you, I'm not.

Now when it comes to table decor, that's where I love to dwell. Although my table never looks quite like the grandiose ideas and pics I see in blogland and on Pinterest, I have to say I sure have fun trying. LOL.

I love tablescapes, however, I don't love the storage requirements that come with accumulating tabletop accessories and multiple sets of dinnerware. Instead, I prefer to repurpose  reinvent, rearrange and use what I have. I have to say, it's extremely hard to resist all that retail tabletop goodness, especially around the holidays, but I'm getting good at doing just that.

I love this centerpiece box. I am putting this on the top of my DIY to do list.

You can find instructions for this one at The Idea Room.

I'm on the hunt for grey plaid napkins. I'm turning into gray fanatic.  Haven't found any just yet so I might even settle for a grey print or solid grey.

I found these linen napkins at Anthroplogie. The color description reads neutral but they sort of have grey undertones, I think.

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Although they are adorable, the $118 price tag, most definitely is not. Ouch!

And since blue is my other favorite color, these caught my eye as well.

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This lovely is $12. A set of 6 for $72? That's still a little pricey for napkins. Perhaps, I will  resort to making them as well. Hopefully, it all will come together in time for the big day.

How about you? Are you ready for Thanksgiving? Do you enjoy the large meal preparation?

An Unexpected Presence

Hey! Where did you come from? I didn't plant you. You planted your own seed. You arrived all on your own.  So unexpected. But noticed and welcomed by me.

I cleared the garden for the winter soon to come.  You're all alone, thriving on limited sun and unpredictable temperature changes characteristic of fall weather.

I will water you, notice you and appreciate the surprise of your unexpected presence.

Repurposed T-shirts

Can you recognize the origins of this crocheted piece?




I don't know why, but I have a fondness for undershirts, specifically white undershirts that are no longer suitable for their intended purpose. Yet after they have yellowed or lost their shape, their softness lingers, making them deserving of repurposing.

I wanted some color so I dyed some of them in varying shades of blue and grey.

Next, I ripped the shirts into strips and started crocheting the strips together. Since I was making a bath mat, I wanted to capitalize  on the natural  softness; however, the softness disappeared into the texture.

I needed some inspiration and happened upon this Pin.

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Immediately I was smitten and used some blue yarn I had laying around to try out this technique.

I like the result, however, due to the thinness of the yarn there was openings I really didn't want. I will have to invest in some thicker yarn and give it another try.

I do enjoy the experimental  phase of  maker projects; it gets the creative wheels turning,and imagining different scenarios while incorporating inspiration all around. It doesn't matter that things don't work out as intended. Making is a process that doesn't need to be rushed but savored.

To be continued......

What have you repurposed lately?

Tiny Living

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I am in love with tiny homes. How about you? Although not for everyone, I finally realized why I am in awe of them; they require you to live consciously and with intention. 

The limited space forces you to make hard decisions about all of your possessions, choosing the ones that matter most. Each choice has to be necessary and everything has to have a purpose. 

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I am drawn to tiny house living because it reminder to rid my home of the needless stuff that is not serving a real purpose so that I live life with only the possessions that reflect my intentions as well.

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I’m thrilled that HGTV has tiny house programming. Multi-function design ideas are necessary for the small space footprint, DIY construction, solar panel technology and mortgage free lifestyle is so engaging.  

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I know it looks cozy and wonderful on the big screen. In reality, it will most likely remain a fantasy I will forever entertain in my head. Just the same, tiny house living is a great source of ideas for anyone that lives in a space challenged home where square footage is almost as precious.

How do you feel about the tiny house living? Fad or here to stay? 

Easy Summer Dinner

Summer dinner doesn't get any better than this! Oven free, quick, colorful, and healthy, what more can one ask for? 

Tuna pasta salad atop romaine lettuce, fruit and sliced peppers from the garden, easy peasy! Served with a glass of ice water with a spritz of lemon (not pictured:) I'm in heaven.

What's your  favorite quick summer dinner?

A Gardening Perspective

I like to garden. I wouldn't say I'm terribly good at it, but it brings me joy just the same. It made me realize that I don't have to be good at something to enjoy it.

I like experimenting and watching things grow - slowly, quickly, or sometimes not at all. Perhaps, in time, as I gain more experience, the results will be more predictable; however,  for right now it's a learning experience filled with magnificence and uncertainty . Even a struggling plant is a reminder of patience, nurturing and contemplation.

Sadly, the Sugar Daddy Peas didn't make it.

My gardening space is rather limited as most of my yard is concrete. I use pots to give myself a little more room.

I am in love with my herb pot. I planted spearmint, basil, rosemary and thyme all in the same pot!

Almost daily, I snip a piece off for mint tea or to add a pop of fresh flavor to dinner. It's my new favorite thing that makes me pause, appreciate and bask in thankfulness. It's the littlest things that get me everytime.

Although things may not turn out as intended and things get a little unruly,

I can still make the best of the outcome, appreciating whatever harvest shows up.

After all,  it's a huge journey from seedling

to mature plant.  No matter the outcome or whatever happens along the way, it's all good and rather magnificent.

How is your garden growing?

Just Words

You know the saying. A picture is worth a thousand words. But does it work the other way around? Can a thousand words be worth a picture. To my recollection, I never published a post without a picture. I might have but I don't remember as I've been blogging since 2009; this is my second blog. You can find my first blog here.  Often, I have something to say with no pictures to accompany my words. Taking pictures diminishes my attention. It robs me of the present moment I am trying to capture. It keeps me from taking in each single minute of goodness. Quite honestly, it is the pictures that hold me back from blogging regularly and consistently.

So picture this. A group of women, moms, sitting in a classroom, a fairly large room, more empty seats than filled ones. They are attending a journaling workshop, one that I created and titled "The Art of Journaling". The intent, my intent was to introduce them to journaling, a practice that saved me in the hopes that it will offer them clarity, insight and resolution in their lives as well. 

I had no preconceived expectations. I had them participate in two journaling practices. I was blown away by their willingness to share their innermost thoughts and feelings. Their honesty and raw emotion generated laughter as well as tears. It was moving. It was powerful. I was thrilled by the authenticity within their words. I wanted to inspire them but I was inspired deeply.  I walked away thankful, appreciative and grateful for this opportunity as I dwelled in purpose, my purpose. I just wanted to linger in each moment. 

A post without pictures, telling a story rooted in present moment.  Although this isn't a thousand words, I sure hope you get the picture just the same:)