{Happy Autumn Day}

 Hello...Hello.
How are you today!?!?


Lately i've been sort feeling like i'm at a crossroads.
I've been questioning whether or not to quit blogging.


I absolutely love it.....but sometimes I feel like it takes up so much of my time and wonder if it's really worth continuing.......
That's probably why you've noticed a slow down in my posting.


There are just so many things I want to do and accomplish and it's just hard to keep up with it all.


Like....learning to use my camera.....i'm proud to say....I haven't taken it off the Manual Mode since I got it! But.....it takes MUCH LONGER to get a single decent photograph!


I told myself I would spend 15 minutes each day photographing random things! I am a learn on my own kind of girl....but I wonder if I might need a class or two.


Either way....I am just taking some time to decide what is really most important to me.....so that I can focus and not spread myself too thin.
Know what I mean!?!?!?!

 The other day I decided what I really needed was a simple country drive.
Nature...in any form....allows my soul to rest.
Gives my spirit a renewed perspective.


So I loaded the girls {my dogs that is} into the car, turned on a little Garth Brooks {country drives call for country music in my opinion} and started driving!

It was just what I needed.
I found so much beauty in the simplest of things.
And my heart started to feel refreshed and happy.




I allowed myself some time to reflect on all that I am happy and thankful for.

Sometimes just taking a little down time is all you need to clear your mind.

And stopping to talk to cows along the way helps too!

 I have no doubt the farmer thought I was nuts as he drove past me standing on the side of the road photographing his cows.


But I think the cows were happy to have a visitor.
They all came up the fence to say "hello!"

 Almost made me want to move to farm so that I could have a pet cow!!!!!
I think I would name her Lola.


Haha! So fun to dream right. And really...I wouldn't make a very good farm girl.
On second thought....maybe I would.
I am a dirt rustler....rugged kind of a girl.


You know....I looked up the definition of rugged the other day....because I was using that word in describing my jewelry and I realized that it also fits me as a description.


So maybe....my designs and who I am as a person are starting to flow together.
Maybe that's why I am feeling so right about Simple Daisy lately.
I don't know......but I am much happier with the rustic...ruggedness of my designs.
Rugged....perfectly imperfect...shaped by life's experiences!

Back to the cows...

It was so funny that all the cows were shoving their way up tot he fence to see me:)
and this sweet cow seemed to be saying....wait...come on....let me get up there too...
I was just standing on the side of the road smiling and laughing!
Laughter is so good for you:)

 Taking time to just think is so good for your spirit!
Do you take times like that for yourself!?!!??

 And never forget......that rules are meant to be broken:)


It's ok to change...grow....as life's experience move you along....just keep focused on the positive and remember that life is just so short.....we can't waste one day doing things that don't bring our hearts joy!


And if we HAVE to do things that don't bring joy...find a way to look at the positives of the situation:)

Have yourselves a very lovely and inspired weekend!!

"It is up to you to decide whether or not you’re ready to be free, really free. This pertains to your relationship as well as your activities in the world. You are limitless, if you choose that! Your freedom comes from letting go. Freedom means empowerment to be, do, go, feel, whatever your heart tells you. Only you have kept yourself from having this freedom out of some misunderstanding of what your responsibilities really are. Your responsibilities are to your Self. Serve that truly, fully, and you serve All." Alma Daniel

{autumn inspired decorating}

Well hello there:)

How are you doing on this Sunday evening!?!?

I don't know about you but I thought a lot about 9.11 today and it really made even think to myself just how precious life is and that we can't waste one day not appreciating it.

Sometimes we get caught up in the day to day grind....

and life can get pretty stressful.

but just stop and think about how stressful that day was when it happened 10 years ago.

think about all that the families who have lost someone go through.

No matter what is going on in life........the important to remember is that we have one.

Thanks for letting me share a feeling:)

If you came to dinner or spent any amount of time with me ...

you'd know....I like to share feelings:)

I say to my friends...come on let's share a feeling.

I say it at work....ok....let's say one nice feeling about the person sitting to your right.

Yes...some people...ok many people...think i'm nuts.

But I don't care....I don't think people today share their feelings enough.

So go ahead....share a feeling with me today:)

Ok...fine...enough about feelings.

This weekend my husband was out of town for the whole weekend on a golf trip.

Do you sense a bit of giddiness in my tone!?!?

Well you're right! I LOVE it when my husband leaves for a little bit!

Don't get me wrong...I adore him...

but just as much as I adore him...I adore my time alone!

This weekend while he was away....

I nurtured my creative spirit:)

I spent the weekend creating Simple Daisy happiness and

I redecorated ...including painting the walls...of our dining room!

He'll be surprised:)

And even more surprised to know he'll be laying hardwood floors in the weeks to come:)

Of course...I had to pour myself a nice glass of vino before I got to the task at hand.
Painting walls and drinking wine can be very interesting:)

Anywho...I've just been wanting a cozier feeling in the dining room....a relaxed, comfortable feeling.

So I switched everything up...
bought new curtains, a curtain rod {that's too small}, a new light fixture, a simple jute rug, plates {need chargers}, napkins....and painted the walls!
Now I just need pillows for the backs of the chairs!!
Maybe i'll find some next weekend at the Country Living fair! So excited to go:)

I love...love...love it! It's so cozy in there now! And the chalkboard wall....well i've wanted to do that since we bought the home 6 or so years ago!! I finally did it...and I couldn't be happier:)I have chalkboard walls everywhere else in my home....so why not in the dining room:)
 

Now I can write happy little reminders to myself....whenever I feel like it!

It's kind of hard to tell in photographs just how happy and cozy it looks now! But trust me....it looks pretty nice:) Hope my husband likes it! He'll be home later this evening:)

And I just freehand painted this little sign....C'est la vie!! Such is life! How true is that:)

Ah well......such is life! Fits for just about any situation!

So there you have it....a little autumn inspired cozy decorating inspiration:)

Simple and happy!

And it will be even more happy when I finish.....

Have a lovely, happy, inspired and creative week:)

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on."  Robert Frost

{Autumn in the Midwest}

Hi there!!
Happy Wednesday to you:)
I've been just rolling on through this highway we call life!!

Yes ... truthfully ... I would rather be at the beach.
but i'm not and autumn is in full swing here in the Midwest.

There is a particular beauty when it comes to

autumn in the Midwest.

The trees light up like firecrackers against

brilliant blue skies.

The scent of campfires waft in each breeze.

Crisp nights bring way to snuggling up to a fire.

Seasonal cooking turns to comforting soups and breads.

It really is a spectacular time of the year.

And this autumn has been just perfect.

We recently enjoyed an autumn camping trip to Turkey Run State park and had a lovely time…..hiking, photographing, eating, drinking and just plain enjoying the beauty of the earth!

Here’s to a little photo tour of the
autumn i've been enjoying
in the Midwest~

Hope you enjoy:)

It really was nice to just get out and be free.

No cell phones...No computers...just the campfire, friends and a little vino:):):)

Hope things have been well with you and that you have been enjoying nature wherever you are:)!!

“As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.” Henry David Thoreau

{Autumn Wreath & Squash Soup}

Howdy...

How are you!?!? Guess what....it's FRIDAY!! Can I get a

woot woot:)

The weather recently took a turn for the worse...

but I don't care...

the leaves are delightful and I am bursting at the seems with creative inspirations!!!!!!!

Have you been able to tune into your

inner creative spirit

lately!?!?!?!?

Hope so......

Since the weather turned yucky ... I thought it might be a good time to listen to my taste buds and whip up some healthy and delicious soup:)

As you know...i've been beyond stressed lately! And I wanted to thank you for taking time out of your busy days to stop by and say hello...

I really appreciate it and your positive comments more than help me get through stressful times!

Do you know what else gets me through....

nourishing my creative spirit

I like to get creative

crafting...cooking...

writing in my journal about all my hopes and dreams....

making pretty jewelry..... 

and drinking wine {heehee}

This week...I enjoyed creating this meal!

ps....the cayenne pepper makes this soup...in my opinion:)

Along with the soup...

I made this salad.

And before I forget to mention it...

I wanted to tell you .. the reason I don't ever give you exact measurements in my recipes is because

1. I don't use them and

2. if you really want to find wonderful recipes and cooking instructions ... there are a million places to get them.

My goal is to give you a springboard, an idea, a place to start.

 I want you to explore your inner creative spirit...

get inspired here and then go out there and do what you want. mix it up....maybe you don't like the seasonings I use but you do like squash...

well then by all means....do what makes you happy:):):):)
Start with an idea and then move forward....
in your own direction!

Sure hope that's the feeling you get when you stop by and I hope I do inspire you just a little bit!

Alright...the salad!

I have to say..this was super delicious!

Even in the winter or autumn...it's still important to eat your greens:) 

Guess what else I crafted this week....

well if you're a facebook sort of person....you would already know what i've been up to!!!

but here it is!

A super cute...super inexpensive autumn wreath!

After one particularly strssful day at work I came home....

poured a glass of vino...turned on Pandora's French Cafe station...and got busy making my inner creative spirit happy....which in turn...made me HAPPY!!!

I love the wreath and I especially love it against my blue front door!!!

Let me know if you decide to make one too:):)

and here's what else i've been up to....

Hope you have a fabulously relaxing and creative weekend:)

We're getting my nephew...having a few friends over and we're all carving pumpkins!!!

I love that:)

Oh and if you haven't had the opportunity to get to know Liz of Shorely Chic....you should! She is positively amazing!

She was recently interviewed by My Home Ideas and included me in her interview. I almost cried:) Words can't even describe how happy I feel that I inspire others....

That's what life is all about....be inspired and inspire others!She is my inspiration...she goes out there and works hard to follow her dreams. She ROCKS!! And I can attest that her beach scented candles are sublime....you can order them here:)

Thanks Liz:):):)

‘Be brave enough to live life creatively. The creative is the place where no one else has ever been. You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. You can’t get there by bus, only by hard work and risk and by not quite knowing what you are doing. What you’ll discover will be wonderful. What you’ll discover will be yourself.’ Alan Alda

{Autumn Inspiration}

Hello there & Happy Saturday to you!
Hope you are enjoying the long weekend:)


I know I am! I woke up early so that I could enjoy a full day of happy crafting before I head off to a tailgate party:)
Sometimes it's just so nice to stay home and get crafty!

First up....
if you happen to have any sheet metal or galvanized metal lying around.......you could make a happy little magnetic starfish!
We have that stuff lying around since my husband uses it for his work but you could buy it at Lowes or Menards!

All you have to do is:
draw out a starfish
cut it out with metal scissors {I think that's what they're called}pound it to give it some texture
paint it
drill holes in it
use twine to hang it!
Easy...peasy!
And cute I think:) :) yes....no!?!!??


I also worked on autumnfying my home!
Since you know I love all things aqua blue and turquoise...I thought it might be ok to keep it around for my autumn decorating. Sort of a beachy autumn style!

Plus I didn't want to make new pillows just yet for the dining room.....since they are blue I thought I would just add a little more blue with the orange!

Oh and I got the candle holders from various thrift stores and just painted them!
I love how they turned out:):)


Well you know i've been making those crates.....
so I figured i'd build one this morning to use on my dining room table.
I think I am getting obsessed with building things.......thank goodness my gramps taught me how to use power tools:)


I love it! I think the blue and orange looks super happy:)
What do you think???
I might have wanted to do more cream instead of aqua.....but then I thought it would be good to just use what I had!

A very beachy autumn:):):)

I also spruced up the fireplace mantle......

wine bottles and twinkle lights.....how could you go wrong!?!?!?

and of course just after I snapped these photos I decided to have my first indoor fire of the season. It is pretty chilly here

today:(

Darn....would have been a much cuter photo. Owell!

Hope you have a super creative long weekend!!!!

Everyday is a winding road
I get a little bit closer
Everyday is a faded sign
I get a little bit closer to feeling fine
~Sheryl Crow