I entertain.

Since I caught a bit of a spring fever this week these images spoke to me.

The windows were open all day, the flip flops were on and I wanted to plant a flower bed...*sigh*

Tonight I will dream of the perfect brunch on the perfect deck...

What do you think?

Has this nations crazy weather have you dreaming of warmer spring days?

The setting:

Source: 4inspireddesign.com via Eefje on Pinterest

The dress:

Source: Uploaded by user via Wendi on Pinterest

The cocktail:

Source: marthastewart.com via Nell on Pinterest

The grub:

Source: veggienumnum.com via theBlackMartha on Pinterest

I create.

I am starting yet another art/ therapy class and am in the midst of creating an art journal.

This little snap shot really spoke to me since I have hit a bit of a wall in putting mine together.

This one here is a travel journal found over at Living Life Creatively.

I will try to post some of my latest stuff soon. :) 

Source: bouncingbonbon.blogspot.ca via Vanessa on Pinterest

Learning to love thyself...

Yes!

Yes!

Yes.

Listen to the quiet voice telling you exactly what you love & do it!

Learn about it.

Take time for it.

Cultivate it in your heart.

What are some of the things that you are passionate about?

Source: lisacongdon.com via Michael on Pinterest

I smile.

The sun is finally out over here! 

Happy Tuesday everyone. 

Here are a few shots that make me a bit happy today.

What a great idea! This is a refurbished antique mirror with teal chalkboard paint as a message board.
Love.

Source: bhg.com via DIY Magazine on Pinterest

What a great print this is.
Aint this quote the dang truth!

Source: lottashome.com via GEORGE GINA & LUCY on Pinterest

I am always looking for inspirational creating spaces.
This one is just beautiful! I just love the giant pin board!

Source: flickr.com via Andrea on Pinterest

I process.

When I feel down I turn my favorite music up real loud, pour myself a glass of wine and look for beautiful things.

I make myself, even when I do not feel like it.

Lately, I find those beautiful things and something else makes my heart sink.

Oh, what a season this is.

This year:

My beautiful Moms heart failed.

Our hearts broke.

My strong Mom had surgery to repair her hurt heart.

My amazingly strong Mom recovers...

A storm came & destroyed.

People that I loved passed.

A woman that I love is trapped in a disease that I pray a cure is found...soon.

I continue to deal with infertility and pray that I find peace in whatever God has in store for our family.

My home is on the market & I pray that the perfect buyers heart is being prepared to take over the care of our first house. To love it. To build a family in it. Once these buyers have bought this home that we would find the perfect place to settle for a long, long time.

For those of you who read this blog on a regular basis I apologize. I have been quite depressing lately & I feel bad that you have to read about it. That said, I find this blog a place for me to process my stuff and this is my stuff lately. Lets all pray that a new season is a-comen!

God is good. All the time. Period.

On that note, you are amazing and loved and I thank you SO MUCH for stopping by and for being patient with me!

Have an amazing weekend. oxox

Source: emilys-little-world.blogspot.com via kathy on Pinterest

I cook.

Because I am sad.

Because I am feeling drained.

Because I am tried.

I want someone to come over and make me this & to sit and eat it in peace while catching up on my overloaded DVR.

Isn't it nice to dream. ;)

It has been a hell of a month & I want chocolate.

Source: willowbirdbaking.com via Mackenzie on Pinterest

Oh Wednesday!?

Rather than trying to put my upcoming rant into words at this moment...
This picture depicts exactly how I am feeling at this moment:

You know the feeling?

Source: Uploaded by user via Dorothy on Pinterest

I create.

I know I have always loved to create art. Whether it was by putting an outfit and jewelry together, redecorating, writing or painting.

When I found the online courses that I have been taking over the last 6-months or so I found out why.

I love to create art because it is therapy for me. I work through my junk and my joys through art.

It makes me happy, it makes me feel better and I have some serious breakthroughs while doing it.

How amazing is that?!

I am not saying I am good! I am saying that it is more of a "for me" thing. 

Source: couragehopestrength.tumblr.com via Melissa on Pinterest

This is me. I am learning to love her.

What fun it is.

Learning to love ones self.

This can be complicated.

Today, I am asking that you accept the beautiful you that was created by an amazing artist. An artist that knew you long before you took your first breath. An artist that loves you more than you will ever know. An artist that looked at you, your life, your gifts and said: "That is good."

I do not know about you but the combination of a challenging year, the holidays and some heavy family stuff have me struggling with accepting what this stress is doing to my body. (aka weight gain)
Is anyone else having the same problem?

Todays mission: Love you for you & do something nice for yourself. This can be as simple as a cup of tea or as luxurious as taking a bath after dinner.
You are loved. You are amazing.

Source: bravegirlsclub.com via Maria on Pinterest

I love to smile.

Hello Monday!

I thought this quote was appropriate as come Monday morning my list of a million things to do is running through my head...*sigh*

Sometimes its just best that you quiet the voices, brew some good coffee and sit down with a book.

This thought although not possible at the moment makes me smile. 

For those of you in the trenches at the moment; what activity helps you to clear your head and put things back into perspective?

Source: gnihciew.tumblr.com via Christy on Pinterest

I am inspired.

I read THIS article a few months back.
*Click and read!!*

I did post it on my Facebook page, so a few of you may have already read it.
It is still on my mind...
I have tried to write a little something here a few times and give up. Read the article; let it speak to you and go get some pictures with your loved ones this weekend!!!


This is a pathetic collection of me with my daughter. It is time for me to get over it and get in some pictures with my little love...

I cook.

Source: simply-delicious.co.za via Kayla on Pinterest

I admit I have NO idea where I found this recipe.
It is one of those recipes that I had scribbled on an old electric bill envelope. I finally did a little cleaning up in my recipe binder and rewrote it on a pretty piece of new paper. ahhh
Now, to get to the recipe; it is a household fav!

Peanut Chicken

3 Tbs olive oil
1-2 lbs chicken breasts, cubed
1 red bell pepper
1/2 tbs ginger (I like to use a microplane)
1-2 heads of garlic (also use a microplane for garlic)
1/4 c peanut butter
1/2 c soy sauce (I use Braggs liquid aminos) 
1/2 c stock (low sodium, since you get plenty from the soy sauce veggie or chicken stock)
2 Tbs sesame oil
1 small can sliced water chestnuts
Green onions (as garnish)
Peanuts (as garnish)

1. Heat 2 Tbs. oil in large stove top pan (I personally use my cast iron for every...thing!). Add chicken and chopped red pepper. Sate (about 5 min). Remove and set aside.
2. Add 1 Tbs olive oil, ginger and garlic. Sate lightly. Add peanut butter, soy, sesame oil & stock. Stir into a sauce. 
3. Add water chestnuts, chicken and peppers.
4. Serve once chicken is cooked through. Garnish with green onions, peanuts and grated carrots if you wish.
This can be served over steamed broccoli, pasta or rice. : )
Enjoy!

I create.

First of all, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I am determined to change a few things this year. That said, I am a bit freaked out about it.

For one; our house is on the market. I know God is in control of this situation and to be honest we do not really have a plan if it sells. Lilly needs a yard for a swing set and a dog. ;) The yard we have now is just not cutting it. I also need to be closer to my family. We will see where this road leads.

Secondly, I am determined to keep up with my art classes. They have just brought me such peace over the last few months and have taught me so so much about myself. Invaluable. 

Lastly, I guess I still need to chip away at getting healthier as my doctors have confirmed once again my incapability to conceive naturally. Well, since my journey to have our beautiful Lilly three years ago I am determined to work on my health issues naturally! I am in acupuncture 2x weekly, determined to get back into my yoga routine and will keep going where the peace is with quite times and art classes.

*Insert happy dance here*

Now please excuse the random pictures but I have a bit of catching up to do obviously...

My Lilly is getting too big...This is her Merry Christmas face!

There is always a pricess around these days. Why not on Christmas?!

One of the Christmas decorations around this joint. These may stay up all year. Love em!

Oh yes, Santa brought me a pair of adorbs cowboy boots!

Probably the only girl in NJ sporting a pair of these ladies, but I am okay with that!

My New Years outfit and cocktail. My oh my how times have changed! ;) 

This little reminder is hanging on my kitchen wall adorned with some white lights.

I am thinking it is the perfect 2013 reminder!

One more creation: I have been playing around with baking clay lately. Super fun!

There you have it. A little catch up.

Love you all and hope that your holidays were reflective and inspiring for the year to come.

Lets talk again tomorrow. Shall we?!

ox

Peaceful. Quiet.

While I am not a huge fan of being cold and snow...I love the absolute quiet it brings.

Doesn't this picture make you want to grab a cup of coffee and quiet your soul?

Oh it does!! :)

Source: cant-wait-for-christmas.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

I do understand this...

On a night that I am left wondering why horrific things happen to little angels...

On a night that I thought would end a pretty crappy week filled with things that I thought were a pretty big deal but in comparison mean nothing...

On a night that my sweet little three-year old blessing is safely tucked in her bed upstairs I am reminded that this life rarely makes sense. This life is filled with unfairness. This life is crazy. This life is sad. 

20-babies were taken away from this earth in a nightmare of a way today around 9AM EST.

I do not understand.

I do not understand much these days.

But I do understand this; I understand this without a shadow of a doubt and for this I am grateful.

May Gods protection, peace and comfort fall upon those that lost babies and loved ones in the massacre in CT today. I pray for your broken heart and I pray for its healing today...and for the many many days to follow...

Oh the holidays...

I know that for many people this time of year is a struggle for one reason or another.

There have been deaths.

There have been storms.

There have been illnesses, surgeries and pain.

There are memories.

Good ones.

Bad ones.

There are dreams, hopes & regrets.

The one thing that does make my heart happy and my feet want to dance is that I am loved by the King.

The celebration of His birthday is coming!!

May we remember this when we find ourselves going to that un-celebratory place in our minds.

Now; go(!!) sing & dance! ;)

Source: Uploaded by user via Cheri on Pinterest

Gratitude

In addition to being extremely grateful for everything that I have I am grateful that I have just enough. Right now. Right here.

I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving. I pray you take time out of your day to be alone and to be extremely grateful.

Source: crushculdesac.tumblr.com via Chris on Pinterest

What I am most grateful for is I have a savior with a strong cozy back to carry me on whenever I need it.

Source: Uploaded by user via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Complete Canvases...

Here are a few pieces that I thought I would share from my Brave Girl Art Class.

I feel like they all need a bit more love but here they are as of now...

This little cheery lady is the cover of my art journal. 

I hung this one on the wall straight ahead of my front door.

I guess I needed it to remind me of what to be as I leave into my day and return home to my family each day...

This piece is going in my kitchen, right smack dab by my coffee maker.

Its a good reminder as I start my day. :)

Time for a Friday Chuckle!

Wishing you all a good Friday and a relaxing weekend!!

I know I have  been a bit heavy lately so I figured it was a good day for a little giggle on the old blog today.

:)

Source: riddlepe20.newsvine.com via RubieAlbrightSH on Pinterest

Source: pinstars.info via Ok on Pinterest

Source: via jessica on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Lizzy on Pinterest

Source: inspiringbydesign.com via Christy on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Jillian on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Jillian on Pinterest

As I ponder Thanksgiving...

I have shared a few of these videos on Facebook over the last few weeks. Today, I thought I would dive a bit deeper.

As I sit and ponder Thanksgiving and all of the many people and things that I am super grateful for I also can not imagine what is going through the minds of the people that lost their earthly possessions. While I know as Christians we are to not store up riches on earth as ours await in heaven, however we are human. We like our stuff. Our homes make us feel safe, our homes are where we have wonderful memories that have been created throughout our lives. We have favorite things, favorite shoes, the best winter coat, the family photos, the quilt that our grandmother made that you were saving for your daughter... 

While I know for a fact that the people I know that lost everything are grateful for their lives & their families there may come a point where they are just pissed that they lost their homes & their stuff. 

I pray for them during this time.

I remind myself every single morning when I get out of my bed in the morning that there are people down the street that lost everything. You too need to remember these people. Remember the storm. 

I know that there are many people that just want things to go back to normal around here but I pray that we do not forget those so very close to us that are still trying to get a grip, build a new life and may be going through a new stage of grief here very soon.

A few YouTube videos:

Union Beach: This is where Ryan's grandmother raised 7-children & lived for over 60-years. This is where many people that we know lost everything.

This is one of many of the lines for gas after the storm. This particular line went for miles and led to the Wawa gas station at the highway near our house. While we wanted to film this we didn't so I am glad someone caught it on film. And you wonder why we had to go to odd-even fueling days around here?!

Here is Sea Bright. Our beaches, our restaurants, our fond fond memories...