31 Days: Day 30 of Everyday Beauty

Day 30: Silence

Yesterday due to hurricane Sandy the power went out for about 2 hours un the afternoon. There was true silence in our house. No hum of any electronic device. I lit candles in the fireplace. We snuggled under blankets. I read my children books slowly hearing my voice cut through the air like butter. There was no need for shouting to be heard.

I don't want to minimize the hardship faced by others during this time, but for a few hours yesterday I was grateful for this time with my family. It was beautiful.

Day 26 Everyday Beauty

I have taken a few days away because important family business required my full attention. Important family business including carving pumpkins, making costumes, and lugging a locomotive and a princess around several city blogs requesting candy. It was lots of fun. In fact it was beautiful. This is what everyday beauty is all about.

Everyday Beauty: When it is Hard

Day 22

Sometimes the house is a mess. And the kids are whining. Sometimes you have deadlines and you are weary. And dinner still needs to be made. You might feel over extended and frustrated. Can you still see Everyday Beauty?

When things get like this (and they do for everyone) I like to takes at a little itty bitty level. I see beauty in:
that I have a home or shelter of any kind; that I have a family however grumpy they may be at the moment; that I have work to help me provide; that I have food to eat.

I know it is simple but for me it helps put things in perspective and put me back in a place of gratitude. It is beautiful.

Day 19: Night Rituals

Day 18 & 19 of Everyday Beauty.

There is dirt under fingernails mine included. There are bits of rice dried and stuck to little chins. Patience is thin and bones are weary.

There are baths and giggles that wash away some of the ache. There is snuggles and books and I love you. Than there is arguing over blankets and other silly things.

Finally there is sleep. It is beautiful.

Everyday Beauty: Don't Overthink It

Day 17

Did you ever notice how a child finds such personal accomplishment with each piece of their artwork. They believe with their whole heart that it is pretty or beautiful. They look past any imperfections and so much more. Isn't it fortunate that we seem to be born this way. Isn't it unfortunate that we grow into a state that we allow the imperfections to glare at us.

Tonight try to look at the world with childlike eyes. It really is beautiful.

Everyday Beauty

Day 15

Marriage is a beautiful thing. There are days that it doesn't feel that way. There are also days that it is such a comfort to know that another human took vows to honor, protect and love you forever before God. Can you ask for anything more?

Here is to seven happy years of marriage to this guy:

Everyday Beauty: Seasons

Day 14

I am so thankful to live in a climate with seasons. It gives the heart and mind so many chances to start anew. To never take for granted the now. It's just beautiful everyday.

Everyday Beauty: Frosty Morning Run

Day 13

I am not a good runner. I am pretty slow and I do not have the best form. But I run anyway.

I run because I feel healthy and strong by my own standards. I run because there are many who can not and I never want to take it for granted.

This morning was COLD. The kind of frosty that you can feel in your lungs. The first really cold fall day. It was beautiful.

Everyday Beauty: A Lesson From My 2 Year Old

Day 12: Everyday Beauty

She doesn't like me to comb her hair.

She likes to wear a princess dress and crown even when ghastly inappropriate.

Sometimes she has peanut butter on her cheeks and prefers to keep it there.

She has one pair of favorite shoes and wears them everyday.

And yet she is beautiful. Every. Day.

What would life be like if we all stayed so innocent?

Everyday Beauty: Deep Breath

Day 11

Sometimes all you can do is take a deep breath. You can feel the sun warm your bones. You look up and see the blue sky and know that it is enough.

Everyday Beauty: Homemade Soup

Day 10

This soul needs some soup. We are in the process of selling our house. This means a lot of running out the door at the last minute after cleaning all afternoon. It means eating somewhere simple and cheap and to pass the next hour. It means coming home and finding mud tracked everywhere. It wears you down after a while.

I took advantage of today to make some hot healthy soup and and make this place feel like home a little longer.

And it was beautiful. What replenishes your soul?

Everyday Beauty: Ugly slippers

Everyday Beauty: Ugly Slippers

Yes those are MY ugly slippers. Yes they are on my coffee table. What does any of this have to do with Everyday Beauty you ask?

My ugly slippers on the coffee table are a symbol for my time. Me time. No kiddos, cooking, cleaning, or hubby just me and my slippers. It lasts for approximately 15 minutes.

I wish I could say I do something productive, but I do those things throughout the day. Ugly slipper time is about gummy bears and bad tv. Its about being LAZY and it is beautiful.

Everyday Beauty: Day 8

Day 8: Love

I can not write this series without a day for Love. We say the words so easy or maybe we don't say them at all. Next time you say it, say it slow. Cherish it and soak the moment in. Find your most sincere voice. Realize how amazing your life and this world are because of it.

31 Days of Everyday Beauty: 10 Minutes

Everyday Beauty Day 7: 10 Minutes

What can you do with 10 Minutes? Can you take 10 minutes and fill it with everyday beauty?

I can take a deep breath. I can say a prayer. I can pour a cup of coffee and savor the taste. Give thanks for those that helped bring it to my lips. Give thanks for so many things. I can take another deep breath and feel a sense of calm come over me that will help me throughout the rest of my day. 10 minutes is a gift. Every minute is a gift. What will you do with them?

31 Days of Everyday Beauty Day 6

Everyday Beauty Day 6: Good Friends

I am an introvert. Seriously. I am so content to keep to myself almost always. As a child I hid away in my room with a good book for hours. It was my happy place. That has never really changed.

My husband is a people lover. He is one of those people that knows everyone. I have learned over the years to go along and enjoy the ride. Tho difficult at first I am almost always happier having shared experiences with others and am so thankful for the relationships that have grown from them.

It makes everyday beauty even more so.

31 Days of Everyday Beauty

And so it begins the 31 Days Series!   I struggled this year in finding my voice in this blog.  My busy fingers were doing most of the talking for me with Blue Leaf Boutique doing so well and a full family life at home keeping me busy, the blog took a back seat (or maybe it was really in the trunk, under the hatch.  You know were you keep the spare tire?  Yes, that is where it was.) 

And as the Nester and other superb bloggers were gearing up for 31 Days, I was unsure if I really had a seat at this years 31 Days Table.  But a little voice said I did, and I just love listening to that little voice.  It is my friend.

So for the next thirty one days I will be posting everyday about a simple but oh so important topic:  Finding beauty (and inspiration) in the everyday.  As an artist I get asked all the time where my inspiration comes from, or how did I come up with that idea, or some variation.  I fumble for an answer every time.  I think the reason is because the answer is too simple.  It comes my life everyday.  It comes from the seen and unseen.  The morning light catching my little girl's hair, the tweet of a bird in the background so common you almost don't hear it, the smell of dinner cooking as my son completes his homework.  It is all so beautiful but it is all so common it is easy to miss.  But for the next thirty one days I am going to relish as much as I can.  Capture the moments on this blog and share them with you.  I hope that in joining me on this journey, that you are able to share in them with me and in turn capture and relish your own moments. 

Thank you!

31 Days of Everyday Beauty: Road Trips

31 Days of Everyday Beauty: Day 5

Day 5 already! Everybody loves a road trip. A few hours in the car complete with snacks and a sense of adventure. Pictures to be taken. Naps to be had. Coffee to be drank. Songs to be sung. The trip is as wonderful as the destination.

On the road or at home wishing you everyday beauty.

31 Days of Everyday Beauty: Cleaning Day

31 Days of Everyday Beauty: Day 4

There is no reward without the effort. I am one of those strange folk who enjoys to clean. It is a renewal of vows with my home. I reorganize not only my objects but my mind and spirit. It creates a sense a peace and a place of calm for my whole family. Everything works better when things are where they belong. I breath deeper, think clearer and love better. And that is a beautiful thing.

Tell me do love to clean?

31 Days of Beauty: Falling Chestnuts

31 Days of Beauty Day 3

Autumn afternoons are to be savored, for they are the last of summers warmth before the brisk air of winter. Changing leaves are comparable to an artists canvas. Chestnuts fall from out of our neighbors tree. The kiddos love to be the first to find them and present them to Dad as a gift. We hear the snicker of squirrels in frusteration as we round them up.

Hope you are enjoying this journey of finding beauty in the everyday.

31 Days of Everyday Beauty: Morning Rituals

Day 2 of Everyday Beauty

We stretch. We turn off the alarm. Open our eyes to the sunshine or at least the soft blue glow bringing the promise of sun eventually. For me I find a little one, or two, in my bed. I breath in their sweet heavy breath still in their slumber. Kisses are essential. I move slowly as to not disturb. I smell coffee and hear the soft banter of ESPN on a low volume. My husband, the early bird, is already prepared for the day. I feel full of gratitude to have a house so full.

May your morning be full of everyday beauty.