I hope you're having a beautiful Thursday, dear hearts. My days seem to fly by. Trying to slow things down is like trying to hold a tiger by his tail...

The boy started his junior year of high school yesterday. Junior. I cannot believe it.

I have been very busy with a new project that I'm so excited about it. Before I tell you about it, I want to make sure it truly happens. Don't want to jinx things, right? *wink*

I spent last weekend rearranging all the furniture downstairs. I love doing that. I haven't for a while so it was especially fun for me. I even painted some walls to freshen things up a bit more. It feels like a new house now. Moving things around costs nothing, but gives me so much pleasure. The boys like it too. We are all marveling at how different everything looks. Now I'm plotting the same thing for the upstairs area...I highly recommend moving your furniture and wall art and everything else around if you feel like your space is getting a little stale. It makes a world of difference. I usually take a couple days to do it...I move some things, then think about their new location, then move some more...it takes time. Cleaning and organizing as I go adds even more time, but it's all well worth it. I always get the cleaning and organizing bug in the fall. How about you?

Thank you for stopping by, and thank you for being you!
Much love...xo






Hello, dear hearts. I've been busy. You know how much nature inspires my work. I have been working on several designs, inspired by the beauty of nature, for the past few months. Along these lines, I may have news for you soon as well. If all goes according to plan...

I hope you all have a beautiful weekend.  Try to spend a bit of time doing something just for yourself. A walk, a book, a project, a letter, a sketch, an old classic movie, a new recipe, a long soak in the tub, whatever it is you love to do. You're worth it!

Much love...xo




Happy Wednesday!







Summer project - Redoing the boy's room.
New paint chosen by the boy (Teton Blue by Behr), applied by yours truly.
I love to paint!
Crown moulding installed by Ron.


We found the most gorgeous old barn door.
The boy wanted to make a new bed for himself (with Ron's help), 
and this barn door will be the headboard.


Rusted and worn to perfection.


From my Study in Succulents project.


Found this sweet little stool at my favorite treasure shop.


Another found treasure. 
These gorgeous horns may need some work, but when Ron's done, 
they will be magnificent again.

  

Twin gifts for two very special ladies.


 Grape leaves!


 A gift from Ron. 
Did you know I collect old locks and keys? 
Shocking, right? *wink*


 More from my Study in Succulents project.


This little machine gets quite a workout around here.


Calm and peaceful, sometimes.

Happy Wednesday, dear hearts. I hope your week is wonderful thus far and will continue to be so. This summer is winding down. How is that possible? Our summer was different this year. It feels to me like The Summer That Never Was. Do I feel that way every year around this time? Maybe to some degree...I don't know. Today, the sun is out, there is a mild breeze, the birds are singing, no one in the neighborhood is running their leaf blower or weed wacker, and I have a bored teenager on my hands. I guess if that doesn't define a good summer day, nothing does.

So here's to making the last weeks of summer count. Every single day. My unsolicited advice? Wake up with a smile, even if you have to force it. I read that if you are feeling stressed, force yourself to smile for a few moments. The real deal smile that crinkles your eyes. The study showed that you will actually lower your heart rate and have a more positive outlook. It works for me! So give it a try...

Much love...xo







Happy Thursday, dear hearts!

I've been thinking a lot about our last visit to Mammoth. If you follow this blog, you probably know how much I love that mountain town and all the surrounding area. Even the drive from here to there is close to my heart - my favorite road is Route 395. This is the second summer we have not been able to make it there, and I feel a bit forlorn because I miss that part of the world terribly.

Today I'm thinking of the Road Less Traveled. I think it's so important to take the road less traveled in the journey of life. It is certainly not the easiest route, sometimes it's extremely difficult. The thing is, I never want to feel like the road most traveled is the most appealing way to go. If you take the bumpy, rocky, dusty, challenging road you will become closer to your true self. You will learn so much more and appreciate the little things, get a new perspective on what is truly important. It may be slow going, but that can be a very good thing. You may meet the most wonderful people along the way. You will be inspired and touched and changed forever, even if in a small way. You may come to realize your true meaning in life, become motivated, choose new goals. You may find the love of your life or rediscover your true love who has been right beside you for a long time.

When confronted with that fork in the road please consider both, and if you choose the road less traveled there's a very strong possibility that you will bump into me...

{a peek at my 395 wall}


Much love...xo





Easiest Lemon Cookies.




This recipe is as easy as it gets, and the results are delicious. These little cookies are a real crowd pleaser. I've been making them all summer and the boys love them.

I found the original recipe at allrecipes.com but I made a little alteration to the recipe. You can check out the original here.
 


Easy Lemon Cookies

1 (18.25 ounce) package lemon cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup canola oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup powdered sugar

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Pour cake mix into a large bowl. Stir in eggs, oil and lemon juice until well blended (I blend the batter by hand instead of bothering with the electric mixer). Drop teaspoonfuls of dough into a bowl or onto a small plate of confectioners' sugar. Roll them around until they're lightly covered. I drop 6 - 8 spoonfuls at a time to make things move along quicker. Once sugared, put them on an ungreased cookie sheet. I flatten them just a tad with a fork before putting them in the oven.

3.Bake for 6 - 9 minutes in preheated oven. The bottoms will be light brown, and the insides chewy. I get 3 - 4 dozens cookies, depending on how big my teaspoonful scoops are.




I hope you'll give this one a try, dear hearts. They're so quick and easy. A great go-to when the kids have friends stopping by or you need a quick little dessert to whip up. Super easy! I especially love them with freshly made iced tea in the summer months. I always make sure I have a box of lemon cake mix on hand just in case.

Much love...xo