{Autumn Wine Drive}

Hello and Happy Saturday!!!

I thought I would share a few photographs from a recent wine drive trip!
We have quite a few wineries not too far from our home.
If you live in the area....I have to say....it's super fun thing to do for the day:)
Here's the link:)  Southwestern Michigan Wine Trail

Anywho...I was really appreciative to have nice weather for our day!
I've been a little down lately and being in nature is always my prescription:)

It's just been one of those times where everything seems to be going wrong.
I've had ring worm, pink eye, a cold that won't end, another infection that started on top of where the ring worm was, and now I severely strained my back:(
It started to really get me down.....I went to visit my grandma the other day and on the way over I just started balling. Asking myself....what the heck is going on.

But then I stopped "picked myself up off the ground" and started to think maybe all of this is trying to tell me something.

I tend to be a go...go...go...how much can I accomplish kind of person.
And I tend to let things get to me......sometimes I dwell on things just a bit too much.

I think sometimes in life....you have to stop....and just put the brakes on.
Listen to what your body and your emotions are telling you.

For me....I think my body is telling me....that no...I can't do it all.....and sometimes I just need to let things just be. I can't control everything:)
It's ok to just slow down.
So I wrote out a little list....a priority list.
What is most important to me.....vs.....what am I actually spending my time doing:)

and you know what came up most......just slowing down and appreciating being outside.
Walking around my yard and "tinkering"....listening to the birds.....watching the geese fly over.....breathing in fresh air...
I've been so focused on making jewelry....constantly feeling like I have to keep creating new designs....crafts for the blog....on and on...that I haven't even been spending time doing things that truly bring my heart happiness.....and I think it's starting to show in my health.
And I am the kind of person that prides myself on being healthy!

So time to slow down and accept that I can't do it all.
Accept that i'm not going to make everyone happy.
Accept that when relationships go awry....it's ok....I like to think of it as a weeding process.
If you are who you truly are.....you aren't going to be everyones cup of tea and that's ok:)
You don't want to spend your time with people that don't truly make your heart happy.

If there's one thing I know.....life is too short to be anything but happy!

So when you might start to feel yourself getting stuck in a rut....feeling unhappy....feeling rundown....
make a list and see what comes up most often for you....what do you value.....are you spending enough time truly doing what you value!?!?!!?!?

Alright....back to the wine drive:)
It was just such a pretty day and my heart was so happy!
Happy to see so much beauty right where I live:)

Rusty crusty things....grape vines as far as the eye could see.....autumn flowers.....and happy people enjoying their vino!!

I practiced taking pictures
and am so excited to tell you.......that I am taking a photography course at a local college!!!!!!!!!!!
YEEHAAWWWWW....photography also came up plenty in my list!
The perfect way to blend my love of the outdoors and love of being creative!

I hope the course teaches me a few things! I am very excited to take it....can't you tell!!! heehee!!!!

And yes....I truly believe that.....you are always right where you are meant to be......

and I also think ..... that even though you might want something different....like a different career...etc.

It won't happen until you learn what you're supposed to learn from your current situation.

So.....slow down and appreciate right where you are.

Learn to appreciate each situation in your life.

awww....had to throw that one in too!
Because sometimes I forget to be appreciative that I have someone who truly loves me.
It's so easy to become complacent in relationships. I've been really focusing on being more thoughtful and appreciative of my husband. Not always easy to do after almost 10 years of marriage and i'm sure it get even more difficult after 20 years or even 40 years!

In a relationship....
so many quotes or thoughts come to mind that i've been thinking about lately.
Be the change you wish to see.......
You get what you give.....
You can't change anyone but yourself....
Things I always tell others.....

But lately....i've been re-telling myself all of those things.
been trying to be more giving and thoughtful with my husband, with my friends and even with my family:)

Guess what......the more you give of yourself....the more you get back:)

Well I sure hope you have a appreciative and happy weekend!!
Get out there and do something nice:)

"Follow your heart, but be quiet for a while first. Ask questions, then feel the answer. Learn  to trust your heart." Unknown