What Spring Looks Like to Us...

As promised, a post chock full of pictures...and not much else. I think these images do a great job of telling the stories that my words could not.

Life has been good. Really good!

Happy Spring...

Happy 1st Day of Spring to all of you! I have many pictures to share from the past couple of days. We have spent so much time outside just enjoying the beautiful weather. So perhaps tomorrow will be a big day of just photos. Till then...

Winter Scenes : : My Backyard...

Okay, okay...I know I keep saying I'm done with these. But...1) I love them and 2) Maya is sick today so my moments with two hands {to type a longer post} are, like, non-existent. And 3) Maya was literally up all. night. long. last night and Brent and I got maybe 2 or 3 hours of sleep and no one wants to hear my sleep deprived ramblings...trust me! Plus, we had a very pretty snowfall yesterday and Maya and I were out first thing in the morning shooting some pretty wintry pictures and I sooooooo want to share them with you! So cozy up with the hot beverage of your choice, hit play on the video for some gorgeous background music, and get lost in our winter wonderland...

What's in your backyard today? Are you sure? Perhaps you should look again...

Happy Saturday, my friends!

Scenes of Winter : : Blues...

I'm feeling scatterted this week; trying to get back into the rythms of everyday. I have so much I want to say...but until I can get my thoughts a bit more focused, I thought I'd spend a few days sharing some scenes of winter around here.

Today, I share shades of blue inside and out.

Hmmmm...I beginning to think that winter blues are a good thing!

Happy Monday, everyone!

Pure Magic...

I'm so sorry I haven't been back to tell you how the Open House last Saturday went. Once I had fulfilled my weekend obligations I felt light and carefree and giddy with creative freedom! {meaning I no longer had to spend every single free moment making product, packaging, wrapping, etc.} So, I took a couple of days to utilize my time in purely frivolous ways...and I LOVED it!

Anyway, Saturday was truly magical. The turnout/sales aspect was good. But everything else...well that was pure magic.

A light snow fell all day, coating all the grass and trees, but leaving the roads bare for safe traveling. Brent and the girls took off early for a day of visiting leaving me to do some last minute preparations. I love mornings. LOVE them! And to have an hour in the morning...all to myself...to prepare for a day of selling my wares...Folks, I cannot say what something like this means to a girl like me! I sipped coffee, ran the vacuum, laid out cookies and cocoa, took some pictures. In that moment, I knew that if not one person walked through the door of my Open House that it had been a great day.

But in fact, business was good. And the snow added to the Christmas spirit. I couldn't even help myself when I ran outside almost every hour to try to capture just some of the magic all around.

And as the day drew to a close, I felt that the only thing that could complete such a beautiful and cozy day was a cup of seafood bisque! {Yes, I dream of food A LOT!} As if the Universe had heard my plea, one of our favorite restaurants was offering their famous Shrimp Bisque...perfect for take out!

Days like these show me more than anything how important, monumental even, that the little things in life are. Life is not about big promotions, Caribbean vacations, four car garages, awards or prizes...it's ALL about pretty snowfalls, hot cocoa, twinkle lights, and a little time alone to run the vacuum!

Hello September...

...it's so nice to see you again!

I cannot believe that I was actually ready for September to begin. All August long, I felt for sure that I would be hanging onto summer with absolute assiduousness. Life can surprise you...along with your own strength and character, sometimes.

September has also meant the re-opening of the soap shop!!!! To be truthful, this nice long month that I "took off" was the first time in many years that I have taken a vacation and did not think about work much at all. Yes, I made soap and did a few various other work-related tasks...but anyone who owns their own business knows that the fun parts constitute only a fraction of the work.

Anyway, I thought that I would have trouble getting back into the work swing. But if felt good to open up the shutters and dust the cobwebs off the old shop this morning. I'm getting excited about the upcoming season and impending events. Also, I've missed my customers: missed our interactions, missed our tiny conversations, missed our shared visions for perfect gifts, etc.

So, what have we learned from our month of August {that was truly all about growth and learning for me}? We learned that change can be good...when the timing is right. We learned that letting go is hard, but essential for growth. We learned that taking time off is essential and refreshing. We learned that being gentle with ourselves is one of the most valuable tools in helping us be our best, most authentic selves. And we learned that, while being lazy is super fun, getting back to work feels good too! There is a time and a season for everything.

Please stop by the shop, say hello, and join me in welcoming September!