Life in Focus

In Focus Friday

I've been away..adventuring, playing, working, exploring, and appreciating the little joys when I find them.  Hope you are finding joy this summer too.

In Focus Friday

We are all missing our boy scout who's off having wonderful adventures...and we are ready for him to come back home to us.  Yes, just one more day of missing.

Have a joyful weekend!

Happy Father's Day!

Feeling so grateful for this man...that gave me a start in this life and that continues to be a teacher, friend, and hero to me.  The look on his face as he's watching me says it all "pride, joy, fatherhood".  I am blessed to be his daughter and cherish every minute that I get to spend with him.  

Happy Father's Day!

Inspired Spaces :: The Garden

I've been thinking a lot about my word for this year and how it has helped me consciously live a happier, more energetic and creative life.  I now look for this inspiration in my daily routine and have been working on surrounding myself with those things that speak to me, fill me up, and make me happy. Ultimately, I want to come home to inspiration every time I walk in the door...even when the laundry is piled high and the dishes are dirty. All of this has translated to different areas of my home that I call "Inspired Spaces".  Periodically, I'll be sharing glimpses of these spaces that I've created on my blog and would love to hear about your inspired spaces too!

Our 1st summer vacation weekend was spent watching fireworks, eating ice cream, and digging in the dirt creating our very special inspiration garden. 

We wait all year through changing seasons including very cold, stark winters to see this space come alive again with vibrant colors, sweet smells, and singing birds.  I love to see how it changes from year to year and also how it remains the same. At the end of an active summer day, it's where I usually find myself sitting with a cold drink while I soak up the inspiration and energy this little garden provides.

It doesn't take a lot of space to enjoy this touchstone to nature.  A simple pot with colorful flowers and a special adornment that you find at a flea market will do.  To sit by it daily and feel grateful is good for the soul and highly recommended!

I hope you enjoy an inspired Tuesday!

Summer is here!!

The school year is over, summer is officially here, and we're celebrating!  We're so excited for this very special season and have big plans for TONS of FUN!

It's time to get this party started...ready, set, GO!!

Have a happy Monday!!

In Focus Friday

  Nothing is too small to know, and nothing too big to attempt.       -William Van Horne

Summer Stories

I'm really looking forward to spending lots of time in this spot this summer...in the shade under this willow tree with a good book (and kids by my side.)  I've picked out my stack of summer stories to read and I'm diving right in.  Here's what's waiting for me...

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris ::  I've heard so many good things about this series that I just had to pick up the first one and give it a try.

The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs::  This is one that's been on my shelf forever and I forgot it was there. I'm hoping to do some actual summer knitting along with this read.

Little Bee by Chris Cleave :: While wandering around the book store, I picked this one up and read the back and was instantly intrigued. 

The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen :: This one looks like a fun story with an inspiring message.

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks :: My girlfriend passed this one on to me and it looks like a good love story.

The Friendship Test by Elizabeth Noble :: Another passed on to me by a friend that's finally made it to my stack.

As I've mentioned before, I'm a big "read for information" kind of person and find myself now craving the escape of a really good story, just for FUN. I think this summer is the perfect time to do just that.

Have a wonderful Monday and happy reading!!

5 big things :: summer productive list

So, now that I have my summer playful list in place, I'm spending some time thinking about my productive list.  There's some stuff that I'm really looking forward to working on and the idea of using the summer to get ahead on this productivity makes me really happy!  There's only 5 things on this list (instead of 10 like my playful list) but they are big things! Of course, I could come up with 10 for this list too but I'm trying to be realistic.  :)  Here goes...

1. Finish photography course and earn certificate :: I am so so close and have a list of photo projects to accomplish by the end of the summer.

2. Plan and schedule for A Christmas Carol play :: Since I'm the director of our youth theater next fall, I have to spend some time with my creative vision and organize my thoughts into a game plan. It will take some time for sure.

3. Refinish and reupholster kitchen chairs :: OK.. this has been on the list for so long that now my kids are asking me when it will happen.  You know it's bad when you sit down and sink below the table (not good at all!)

4. Create a backyard retreat :: I'm hoping for trees and shade and some pretty flowers...birds and butterflies and a cozy place to read...maybe even a fire pit for roasting marshmallows. Sounds heavenly!

5. Clean out and organize craft studio :: This is long overdue and I'm ready to change up and refresh my space.  I'm hoping to have this done before Camp Scrap starts! 

Stay tuned...

10 things :: summer playful list

Happy June 1st!

I'm back and can't tell you how excited and happy I am that I turned the page of my planner and I'm now looking at the wonderful month of June!  A fresh new month full of possibility and promise and lots of summer fun!!  I'm spending some time getting ready before the kids get out of school and making a list of productivity and playfulness with emphasis on the playful part. :) Here's some fun things I'm planning on doing this summer...

1. Day trip to Meijer Garden :: This place is so beautiful and I can't wait to take my kids to experience it!

2. Friend day at our house X 3 :: Each kid will get to plan a full day with their friends at our house.

3. Firefly party :: A summer get together on the deck with cold drinks and firefly fun!

4. Pajama day and read in :: Picking 5 books that I want to devour this season and making time to do it.

5. Strawberry picking and make jam :: Definitely NOT missing strawberry picking this year!

6. Make poodle skirts :: My parents are celebrating their 50th anniversary with a sock hop party...FUN!

7. A day at the wave pool :: A sun soaked summer tradition and so much giggly fun!

8. Camp Scrap! :: Getting ready for lots of summer scrapbooking fun with May!

9. Family vacation to Utah :: A trip that we've been looking forward to for years...so excited!

OK..I'm now off to make my summer productive list and will be back tomorrow to share.  

Hip hip hooray..here comes summer!!!

looking up and finding balance

To say life around here has been chaotic would be an understatement...and this morning I am picking my head up, looking around, and realizing that it's been almost 3 weeks since I last spent any time in my blog space.  That's too long, but I guess it was a necessary leave of absence. 

Among some of the difficulties, my in-laws were in a car accident which put my father-in-law in the hospital with broken ribs and complications leading to pneumonia.  He is doing better now but still can't come home and is being transferred to a rehab center for several weeks.  It's been scary and hard on everyone. In the meantime, my kids have all come down with some sort of funky throat virus/cough that gave my oldest a sever case of laryngitis that he's had for close to three weeks with trips back and forth to the doctor. I've been teaching a lot (almost every day) which is great and I love it, but with everything else going on, it's left little time or energy for much else but running the household on auto pilot.  Of course, there's been lots of good and happy stuff too...like award ceremonies, track meets, scout meetings,concerts, and plays that are filling our time. Through it all, we're counting our blessings and working on our "go with the flow" attitude but it's been challenging. I've let go of my balance lately and it's beginning to take a toll.

But today is a new day and a fresh start to a new week!  Things are getting better...and I'm looking for balance again.  It doesn't take much but without these few important self care basics; eating healthy, exercise, creative time, & a few minutes of stillness each day, life can spin out of control and I lose focus fast.  I'm trying to remember that doing these things is like putting the "oxygen mask" on myself first so that I can be a better me for everyone else. I wish I could remember that.

So today I'm looking up and finding balance...it's amazing what you see when you take the time to look up.