Perfect Protest

 

I love, love loud music.

If you pass me on the highway you will most likely see me singing at the top of my lungs.

My teenage daughter rolls her eyes at me about twenty times a day.

I love road trips.

My home is often a calm, quiet home.

I add cinnamon to my morning coffee.

I adore BBC movies and TV shows.

I am forgetful.

I support gay rights.

I hope to read all of Jane Austin’s books…someday.

I often start projects and then don’t finish them for days, weeks, or months.

I love celebrating with food!

I read more than one book at a time.

I consider myself to be open minded.

I am currently at a creative “roadblock”.

I have a major sweet tooth.

I believe that everyone has kindness in their heart.

I am a cat lover.

I carry a  notepad with me everywhere so I can write down the things I need to remember.

I love Lake Michigan!

I wear my heart on my sleeve.

I enjoy flea markets & Yard sales.

I try to listen to my womanly intuition as often as possible.

I love Belly Laughs!

I enjoy cooking & sewing, but am not very good at either.

I love learning & trying “new” things.

I am emotional.

I hope to take a painting class in the spring.

I quite often go to La La land in mid conversation with people and then have to tell myself to focus!

I consider myself a good listener even in spite of having frequent trips to La La Land.

I have a loud, boisterous laugh.

I like to debate about things I feel passionate about.

I am flexible.

I cry after watching EVERY episode of Extreme Home Makeover.

I once watched a Extreme Home Makeover marathon…I went through a whole box of Kleenex and was puffy-eyed all day…I will never do that again.

I am not perfect.

I am inspired by the Perfect Protest.

Join the Perfect Protest Movement with Brene’ Brown.

 

Discovery Moments: Tree of Intentions

I was able to spontaneously get together with a dear friend of mine for an evening of creating.

We decided that we would get out some paint and see what we could come up with.

I had been wanting to work on crafting a “Tree of Intentions”.

Here is what my creation turned into…

What do you think?

Linking to:
Just Something I Whipped Up @ http://www.thegirlcreative.blogspot.com/

Making the World Cuter @ http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com/

Toot Your Horn Tuesday @ http://www.sillylittlesparrow.com/

Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ http://www.somewhatsimple.com/

Show & Tell Friday @ http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Creative Share Wednesdays @ http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/

Favorite Things: Items that get me through my day

320 Sycamore & Funky Junk Interiors are hosting a 2010 My Favorite Things party today.

I have a few items that help me to get through my day and thought I would link up to the parties.

This is what helps me to get ready for bed...

This is a favorite wine of mine when I need to unwind...

This is a MUST HAVE in my medicine cabinet...

I don't leave home without this chapstick...

I have to have this in my coffee every morning...

This is my favorite midafternoon snack...





Gathering Inspiration & Gratitude

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Please read this post….wonderfully written!

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I LOVE this Manifesto @ LULULEMON Athletica.

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WISHSTUDIO

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A new LOVE of mine is Brave Girl’s Camp! It will be on my wish list to attend someday!

A chance to win a Soul Restoration online Giveaway at Where Woman Create.

Please read Melody’s real life experience in Seeing Past What It Seems….very moving!

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{5} Things I am grateful for this week!

1. The arrival of Friday…busy week at work…need the rest and relaxation of the weekend.

2. An evening with good friends.

3. Wonderful coworkers.

4. The chance to work on some holiday creating.

5. My amazing sister for always having an open door when I need her.

What are you grateful for this week?

Blogtrotting to Northern Michigan

My home town is located in what is commonly known as Central to Northern Michigan. Which central is exactly what I consider us to be. Travel an hour in any one direction and you have an abundance of opportunities for fun, cultural, seasonal activities.

Travel an hour to the North brings you to Traverse City.

The home of The National Cherry Festival, beautiful beaches and wineries, Grand Traverse Bay, and The TC Film Festival (founded by filmmaker Michael Moore).

Searching for Petoskey Stones…

Grand Traverse Bay…

Our collection of Petoskey Stones and other beach findings.

See my post highlighting my Lake Michigan beach glass collection.

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Travel an hour to the South brings you to Grand Rapids.

Home of the ArtPrize, Van Andel Arena, Frederik Meijer Gardens, John Ball Park Zoo and West Michigan Whitecaps.

Feeding birds at the zoo…

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An hour to the West brings you to Ludington.

The home of the S.S. Badger and beautiful beaches.

Family day in Ludington…

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Travel an hour to the East brings you to Mount Pleasant.

Home of the Soaring Eagle Casino and Central Michigan University.

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Michigan is truly a beautiful state! See Pure Michigan! and the Michigan flickr group.

PURE MICHIGAN: LUDINGTON

See more of my posts showcasing the Michigan splendor!

Silence

A Walk In The Park

Autumn

Shades Of The Season

My Favorite Season

River walk

Bliss to Me

http://www.blog-trotting.com/

Daily Om: Decorating Life

Decorating Life
The World as Home

There are few things more thrilling than having a new house or an empty room to decorate. Our imaginations soar as we consider the many possibilities. In the same way, our lives offer us the opportunity to express ourselves within various contexts, to ask ourselves questions about what we want to see as we move through our days and how we want things to flow. Some people do this instinctively, moving through the various environments they inhabit and shifting the energy with their presence. These people have a knack for decorating life. This can be as simple as the way they dress, the way they speak, or the fact that they always bring a bouquet of wildflowers when they come for a visit.
As we move through the world, we make a statement, whether we intend to or not. We shift the energy one way when we enter a room dressed elegantly and simply, and another when we show up in bright, cheerful colors and a floppy hat. One is not better than the other. It is simply a question of the mood we wish to create. What we wear is just one choice we can focus on. The way we speak to people, or touch them, shifts the energy more profoundly than almost anything else. The words we speak and the tone in which we say them are the music we choose to play in the world that is our home. Some of us fill the space with passionate arias, others with healing hymns. Again, one is not better than the other. We are all called to contribute.
Just as we consciously create an environment within our homes, we can consciously choose to decorate life itself with our particular energy. Ideally, in doing so, we express our deeper selves, so that the adornments we add to the world make it more meaningful, more beautiful, and as welcoming as a beloved home.

© 2004-08 DailyOM - All Rights Reserved

A Simple Woman’s Daybook

FOR TODAY
Outside my window...

It is dark and getting colder. Warmer than normal weather has spoiled us here in Northern Michigan.
I am thinking...

About if I want to take a road trip tomorrow afternoon to do some shopping or just enjoy a rainy afternoon at home.
I am thankful for...

My family.
From the kitchen...

Spaghetti on  a Friday evening. Friday is usually designated to our night to eat out, but I had such an easy week that I felt like cooking when I got home. Homemade apple crisp…from my sister’s kitchen. She called me and said on your way home from work stop and pick up the apple crisp I made you. What a treat!!!
I am wearing...

I have had 3 different outfits on today. My work outfit, My jeans and favorite sweater when friends were over for a while and now I am in my comfy clothes.
I am creating...

Space in my craft room to get ready for making gifts for Christmas.
I am going...

No where tonight, but may go to Traverse City or Grand Rapids to do some shopping sometime this weekend.
I am reading...

Beautiful You & The Shack
I am hoping...

To spend a few hours this weekend in my craft room.
I am hearing...

music from my blog.
Around the house...

It is quiet. Everyone is fast asleep while I take some “time” for myself.
One of my favorite things...

Is my morning coffee with Fat Free French Vanilla creamer with a dash of cinnamon.
A few plans for the rest of the week(end):

Shopping road trip, organizing the house, watching a movie, Saturday night out, and hopefully time to relax.
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

I took this photo on my way to work one morning this week. I loved it because the sun looked like a full moon with all of the fog covering it.

To see other Daybook post visit: The Simple Woman’s Daybook .

Gathering Inspiration & Gratitude

My kids have always been little collectors of all things nature.

Even at 12 and 15 I still find stones and other treasures in their pockets as I am doing laundry.

Check out this post at Indie Fixx. A collection of collections.

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A WHOLE page of free downloads at FEED YOU SOUL.

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35 Simple Ways to be BEAUTIFUL

One of many great posts at Tiny Buddha.

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Worksheets & Ebooks at A BEAUTIFUL RIPPLE EFFECT

My new favorite blog!

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A free coloring page at Beauty That Moves.

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5 things I am grateful for this week...

{1} A Saturday evening with friends that I love dearly.

{2} A easy going week at work.

{3} Time to get my craft space in order.

{4} All the inspiring things in blogland.

{5} My creative juices are flowing abundantly.

Wishcasting Wednesday

Jamie asks us this week “How do we wish to grow older?”

I wish to grow older celebrating myself, my family, and my friends.

I wish to grow older enjoying all of life’s infinite possibilities.

I wish to grow older saying “YES” to JOY.

WEE BIT OF ME…

{one} do you collect anything? if so, what and how long have you been collecting?

I don’t really have a huge collection of anything. I used to, but I don’t like clutter so a few years ago I went through all my things and if it didn’t fit into these 3 categories:

1) Love it! 2) Family heirloom or 3) Useful

I gifted it to someone else or took it to Goodwill.

I have a few small collections of things I LOVE like: Pedestal milk glass containers, white platters, and silver picture frames.

{two} what is one cleaning tip that you swear by?

Scrubbing my sink with Baking Soda makes it shine to the hilt.

{three} who would you call for bail money?

My boyfriend, my brother or my sister.

{four} what is one thing you miss about being a kid?

Being able to eat anything you want and not gaining weight.

{five} name a few of your guilty pleasures.

McDonald’s Carmel Frappe….yum!

{six} how early do you start your holiday shopping?

Sometimes I will pick up things at the after Christmas sales. Usually stocking stuffer items and just other small things throughout the year. I really try to make a lot of things, buy something totally useful, or give something to spark a family member’s creative juices.

{seven} what is a family tradition that you would like to pass on to your significant other/children?

Watching the seasonal holiday shows…Rudolph, Frosty and so on. We didn’t have them on dvd or video when I was little so it was always a treat to watch them on TV each year.

{eight} what do you consider your greatest achievement?

My children and my house. 

{nine} what do you do to pamper yourself?

I have a few things I like to do for myself.

* My morning cup of coffee.

* I like to buy a book from my amazon wish list as a treat to myself.

* A Chai tea from the bakery

*I love to bring home fresh vegetables and fruits.

{ten} if you were to start your own restaurant, what would it be called? 

Who knows

Idea File: Winter Décor

I love decorating for the seasons! Fall and Winter are my favorite seasons to decorate for. Unfortunately this Fall I was too busy to get out the Fall décor so its now time to begin gathering ideas for Winter.

A peek into last year’s décor…

I want this year to be light & simple!

My colors: Blue, Green, Silver & White

Every year I host a party to celebrate the holidays & the Winter season.

Here is some of the inspiration I have gathered for the party.

Gathering Inspiration & Gratitude

I love Michelle’s 37 things before I am 38 list.

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Welcome to the Serendipity Factory.

Our mission is to be a resource for encouragement and inspiration. We honor people for being true to themselves and their dreams. We believe in collecting and sharing happy discoveries that make the world a brighter place.

Serendipity Factory is a must read!

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Sign up for the Daily Truth at the Brave Girl’s Club.

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FIVE Things that I am grateful for this week:

{1} A small road trip, relaxing dinner and a good game to watch.

{2} A fun-filled Halloween night.

{3} For always having Sunday as my “OFF” day.

{4} A nice day to finish up remaining yard work.

{5} The two great kids that helped with the yard work!

Stop on over at Organic Sister to see what others find inspirational.

You Capture { Silence}

One of the themes for this week at YOU CAPTURE is SILENCE.

Our wonderful Mother Earth is getting ready for her silent season.

The leaves have all fallen and are no longer rustling in the breeze.

Foliage has turned brown and the air is crisp and colder.

WEE BIT WEDNESDAY

{one} do you still use a checkbook?

To pay some bills and to give my children checks for school items, but other than that it is Debit Card or Cash.

{two} what size shoe do you wear?

7-8 it varies sometimes.

{three} scary movies or happy endings?

Happy endings!!!!

{four} do you prefer spontaneity or stability?

I prefer stability, but I do have my moments when I like to try something new or do something different from what I am used to.

{five} what is the most embarrassing cd that you own?

Jennifer Lopez…I think I have a couple of her cds…oh my!

{six} do you watch reality tv?

I do watch “some” reality t.v., but tend to get burnt out on it after awhile. I’m not into watching people act crazy stupid on t.v. to get famous.

{seven} what is your favorite home-made meal?

hmmm….I have to think on that one for a minute…I love my grandma’s home-made potato soup.

{eight} do you have any allergies?

Lucky for me “no”.

{nine} if you could open your own restaurant/store, what would it be?

Oh this is any easy question for me…Book Store/ coffee bistro shop…with a fireplace and a cozy seating area for reading and sipping on a warm drink. I would host all kinds of things like book clubs, author spotlights, art workshops, holistic workshops, a women’s group and whole lot more. Unfortunately the area I live in doesn’t have the economic base to support such a thing….yet. Keeping my fingers crossed

 

{ten} would you ever go skydiving (or have you been)?

I might try it.