Oh, just look...

 

Oh, just look at that creamy, vibrant red!

My fingers are dirty today as I paint.

It all began early this morning. I bounced out of bed, prepared the coffee and paused to snap this photo...

You see, I always stop at this window, each morning, so that I may peek out at the sky, the pond, and our land. I never want to miss out on any magical happenings taking place on the other side of this window!

Then I saw the assembly line that I placed onto the dining room table the night before. My "to do" for today.

Christmas ornaments.

Yes, it's time if I want to stay ahead of the game. Several of these are custom ornaments for a client who orders every year...and, a year in advance.

I have some fresh ideas and changes coming soon! I will certainly tell you all about it soon!

It has been a very quiet past few days here with my hubby being away and only having myself and two dogs to tend to. We have been outdoors, in the garden...

 

Harvesting salad!

We have been walking, patio sitting, reading, playing, shadow dancing.

Thinking about this guy...

Going through more pictures from last weekend's trip...

I have enjoyed a few naps too!

Enjoy your weekend, my friends!

XO

 

Happy June!

Hello, friends!

And hello, June!

I sit here on this beautiful night...

Listening to the rain outside.

Burning indoor candles with tropical scents.

Going through photos on my iPad and just thought I'd share!

On our way home from our family visit last weekend, these retro gas pumps caught my eye!

As did this old church.

Our prairie yard is always a fun place to romp...

With a camera in hand!

Some guests dropped in to greet me!

And then they had to dash!

Did I tell you that I'm growing pumpkins?

Oh yes!!!!

Even white pumpkins and blue pumpkins!

Our flowers are blooming beautifully.

It's patio season all over again.

 

Beautiful skies.

Playful fur babies.

This is our life right now.

I hope that yours is beautiful.

Hello, June!

Until next time...

Savor each day!

Xo

 

Create Your Own Wonderland...

Aaaaahhh, Friday!

My first week back to work, completed.

Pure bliss, it is...

To now be sitting outside on our patio, hearing only the birds and the locusts. In my shorts and a tank top...

Exhausted, but quite content.

It certainly was a terribly stressful week with new students, new schedules, new challenges, and much chaos...

But overall, I really do enjoy my life.

At the end of each crazy work day, I remind myself that it's entirely up to me to create my own "Wonderland" kind of life.

For me, it is essential to remain creative, even through the not so pleasant times. Not always easy to do when the mind is cluttered with work thoughts and the eyes are drooping.

A few of the days this week, I forced myself into my art room.

To this journal.

My play journal.

With a cup of coffee very close by and a paintbrush in hand...

Sitting.

Admiring pretty paint colors.

I soon felt my mind and body de-stressing.

I allowed myself to drift.

To a far away land.

 

A place where anything is possible (because I am the creator).

A place where polka-dotted mushrooms grow.

After painting for about an hour each evening, I found that I was able to feel a sense of accomplishment by bedtime. I had made time for my greatest passion and I was able to sleep more soundly.

It's up to us to keep our lives wonderful, through the good times and bad times, right?

Not everyone loves art as I do...

But we all cherish something.

Even the simple things fill our hearts with joy, we just need to discover these things and work them into our daily lives.

 

I noticed that our flower gardens have really bloomed into a palette of lovely colors recently!

We planted and nurtured each one.

Joy.

Yes, each flower will soon disappear once Fall sets in...

But in my Wonderland, I replace blooms with pumpkins. I welcome the new color palette of orange, brown, gold, and red.

I will pamper myself with new hot cocoa flavors.

I will spend many evenings buried beneath a fluffy comforter and a good book.

These are just a few ways in which I keep my life a Wonderland!

How about you?

Please, share!

Wishing you all of fabulous weekend!

XO