Beginnings & Endings...

I often think about times of my life as drawers in some kind of chest.

I open a drawer,

I experience,

I close a drawer

...and open another one.

Today closes a drawer on my summer vacation. Tomorrow opens one for a brand new year of teaching.

It was a very good summer.

It went so quickly...but life seems to go more quickly these days.

And I can open this drawer up again...

Let Them Eat Cake

It was a good little party at Grama's house and I so enjoyed making this cake.

23 Years Ago Today...

...my sweet daughter, Michelle, was born.

Happy Birthday!

You certainly have made the world a more beautiful place.

Love, ~Mom xo

Keeping me from working...

I can't put it down.

Even etsy's Danita and Pam Carriker (both of whom I've purchased from) are "layered throughout"!


I'm in art journaling heaven.
Won't you join me?

~Kathy

A Teacher's Thoughts...

I am planning and preparing.

Do students know that teachers can be just as nervous, excited and anxious as they are when summertime ends and a new year of the unknown begins?!

Good Morning!

Hoping you enjoy your Saturday!

Leaning Toward Greens...

I am excited to be using my favorite color in the new living room, soon!

Thank you for your comments

...and stay tuned!

Top Left: by jenniferramos
Top Right: PaintingPrints
Bottom Left: boldandnoble
Bottom Right: decomodwalls

Journaling Inspiration

Whenever I feel I need help, I am truly blessed, because I then get my answer. While I don't know how that answer will come my way, I am open. When I needed inspiration, I discovered Roben-Marie's Blog "Every Life has a Story". I love it because she celebrates life and creativity, and inspires...so much.

I recently filled up a summertime journal and felt that I "should" date and begin another one. I didn't even know which new one to pick up because I didn't even know what I would do with it. That confusion doesn't seem so troubling now. I feel like choosing one of my empty journals (yes, I found so many journaling treasures on etsy!) and beginning....

I wish you creative inspiration to paint, write, draw, discover....And if you need a little help getting started today, maybe this will be a good beginning for you, too. I hope so. ~Kathy

Kira's Blog, A Girl and Her Journey, Journal Girl

Lavender Love

I have always loved the soothing and lovely scent of lavender. I grow it in my garden each year. And even though I didn't have a green thumb at all this season, my trusty lavender plants came back to make me smile. I breathe in their amazing smell whenever I walk outside.

I am amazed when I drive, that there seems to be a spa or even two or three spas on every block. I create my own private spa with DancingMooney's soaps, and now with her incredible new sugar scrub cubes! How cool are these? I love them.

And, if you love the scent of lavender, you must try Refabulous' eco-friendly lavender dryer sachets! I've ordered them twice already because I L-O-V-E them so much! They scent my laundry ever-so-softly with my favorite smell...fresh, light, lovely....natural!

And they last a very, very long time...like forever...but you can also refresh them with her lavender essential oil too!

And...since I am on the subject of lavender, I made a gift set with lavender-violet colors using my beloved Matryoshkas that you know I adore!

Hope you have a restful, peaceful happy day today. Breathe in your favorite smells of wonderful and don't forget to stop and smell the roses too. ~Kathy

In Need of Decorating Ideas and Colors!

So, in thinking about colors to paint our newly drywalled living room, we are considering a warm golden-parchment-orange...

...or shades of green. Help me! Have any great, inspiring decor photos to share? We're talking about a lot of light coming in the windows and in the glass doors, and white frames and moldings...not wood.

Thanks for sharing! ~ Kathy

Click on photos to view:

Top pillow by ecokaren.etsy

Middle photo wall art by ChuckEBrydWallArt.etsy

Bottom Pillow by kainkain.etsy

Summer, Don't Go!

Why does summertime have to go so quickly up here in the northeast? Sure autumn can be great, but nothing can beat that short and sweet season of summer, the season of freedom.

I look extra closely now for sweet summer things to burn into my mind, to save during the long winter, so I can revisit the warmth when I need it most in the cold darkness of February.

Summertime art is abundant in Danita's etsy shop! I love her artwork with bright colors and an awe inspiring style, so I just had to purchase these:
Aaaahh...

But I still covet these:

Enjoy each moment. Do one summery thing each day. Go barefoot. Find fireflies.

Open the wondows. Sip coffee outside. Listen to children play on the tire swing.

Take a walk. Drip ice cream. Watch a hummingbird.

Breathe it in and save it.

Good morning!

Have a lovely day!

Climbing to the Peak

... of Mt. Cadillac, Acadia Nat'l. Park, Maine

It was breathtakingly beautiful and peaceful. Once up there, you can turn 360 degrees to see Bar Harbor, Nova Scotia,...all down around you. I felt as if I had been let in on a secret.

~Kathy

All we are saying...

...is give peace a chance.

In celebration of the anniversary of Woodstock and the incredible stage presence of Sir Paul McCartney at Fenway Park, last week where I, and so many thousands of people, sang in joy together....

... here's to peace and love. ~Kathy

Peace. Love. Necklace and Peace.Love.Keychain from MiaBeads.etsy

Moose Sightings!

I really wanted to see a moose when traveling through New Hampshire and Maine last week, on our trek. It was an exciting goal to have on long car rides, too...!

I hiked and climbed every woodsy area, and searched every swamp, but alas! It wasn't in the cards for me on this particular tour of the northeast. Maybe next time, but here are some very cool moose sightings on etsy to soothe me:

Top photo: ApplewarePottery

Second photo: nydampress

Acadia National Park, Maine

So beautiful... I could have stayed here for days hiking, sitting on the warm rocks, listening to the crashing of the waves.

A perfect day. I hope you can travel to this national treasure, too. ~Kathy

The Traveler

Hi there! I have not fallen off the face of the earth, only explored it! Due to an extended trip to an out-of-state wedding...and the beauty of the northeast... I am still gone, with limited access to the internet, but I am thinking of you and I'm getting all kinds of inspiration (and photos) to share! I'll be back soon.

~Kathy