22.10.11

{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

19 comments:

  1. You are touching a chord with this Heather - it's so easy to overwork when you love your work, and gradually your life silts up.
    So - I'm off to borrow a dog and walk him!

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  2. Oh! I'm so happy for you! Visiting and taesting wine with the one you love! I grew up in wine country and I miss it so much! Beautiful photos by the way :)
    Sarah
    http://lifewithsarahb.blogspot.com/

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  3. i feel like i am living this post (besides the awesome wine tour!)

    you know i always used to think that once i had an ah-ha moment and realized something big then that was it, i was done with that lesson.

    that is sooooo not true. life is about constant movement, constant change and constant growth. i regularly have to work myself out of the SAME exact rut. i am a people pleaser (to tough extremes) who really struggles with my self image/esteem. but you know what, that is life and eventually, after a million ah-has about it, i will spend less and less time in that rut. as long as i am having those moments i will be okay - it is when i stop learning/growing that i will have something to worry about.

    you need to take care of yourself. take the time to do it.

    i look forward to seeing what you learn in that photography class!

    have a great weekend heather!

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  4. Heather, I love that you are always trying to better yourself and improve who's already a great woman! Eager to see how your class goes. My son and I are going to take a photography class together this winter. There's so much to learn!! Have a happy Sunday!

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  5. Heather~
    You have a beautiful life and have been blessed in sooo many aspects. You have a man who loves YOU! You have a beautiful family, friends talent.. it is great that you are trying to better yourself.. but always remember.. you are so so blessed with some things girls can only dream of. ( me inparticular!)
    Enjoy the sunshine and your man!
    Smiles~
    Gypsea

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  6. Heather,
    I have always wondered how do it all!
    It's good to slow down sometimes it seems to change the view.

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  7. You are just like me, always on the go, seeing what I can get done, go go go! it is hard to just sit and relax sometimes. I am glad that you got to get out and enjoy the beautiful area an slow down. Take care of yourself and enjoy the moment, things will get done, that is what I keep telling myself. :)
    xoxox

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  8. Great post Heather...it's true, we tend to go, go, go and forget a lot of the really important things in our lives.

    Sometimes a slow down is just what the doctor ordered! :-)

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  9. Oh you poor girl! I hope that you're on the mend and that your beautiful wine trip with your hubby helped you to regroup and just "be". :) I truly believe that you are spot on with saying that with all of these things happening to you physically, it was your body's way of telling you to slow it down and take a deep breath. Hugs to you, sweetie - and do more kickin' back, would'ya...?? lol!

    xoxo laurie

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  10. I've always wanted to go wine tasting. It looks like you had a great time! I love all of you wonderful pictures!

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  11. Hi Heather!

    Well, you are a girl after my own heart...we try to do it all!

    And yes, sometimes you can.

    But find time to do things that make your heart sing and your mind feel refreshed.

    Life is such a crazy journey...enjoy the trip and if you can, keep the expectations simple, so that you won't feel like you have failed, if you don't achieve them all.

    That has been my down fall. And the thing the one thing that has made me often feel less than successful...at what ever I do. Keeping my expectations soooo high.

    I love your happy go lucky blog!

    Stay strong and drink a nice glass of bubbly!

    Best and hugs to you!

    xo kelley

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  12. Hey Heather ~ Haven't seen you post in a while, so I just wanted to wish you a blessed Thanksgiving! Hope you are well! :)

    xoxo laurie

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  13. What an insightful post and I hope you've put your thoughts into action and slowed down a bit. You deserve to be at your best and you're absolutely spot on about slowing down sometimes. Also, to add to your thoughts on relationships, I always add in my prayers, "Make me worthy to be my husbands wife." It always makes me try harder to be a better person, and wife to my husband and appreciate him more. Your posts are always so colorful and upbeat. I do appreciate the happiness you bring. Have a great weekend!

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  14. come back...come back...wherever you are!!!

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  15. Hi there! Happy New Year!

    Okay, now that I've been nice...can I fuss for a bit?! Where are you? Why aren't you blogging? Don't you know you're needed here in the Land of Blog?

    Seriously, I hope all is okay?

    BTW...just like my blog post tonight expresses - YOU are important to me. Thanks for your friendship.

    Hugs,
    Kat

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  16. It's been a long time (too long)!
    Hoping you're okay.

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  17. I'm sorry to hear about you straining your back. Health problems really make us unhappy. Hang in there things will turn around. Listen your body. If it says it's tired then rest. Your body is always talking to you. You need to tune into it like a radio station.

    -Zane of ontario honey

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Hello.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment! I really appreciate your thoughts:):)