A Snail's Pace

That is how the last week feels.........in slow motion. 

The fog has lifted, and I am ready to continue on my mission.  That is one of my dad's favorite things, "Don't forget the mission!"  Stay focused and don't let anybody else or yourself keep you from the "Mission".

The mission is to continue on this path of creating a home based business.  Is life always 3 steps forward, then 2 back and then forward?

When in doubt, jump in the basket chair for a snooze!

 

Hand painted silk by my dear friend, Miss K

This will turn into a pillow!

 

Today I have much house/home things to complete.  Dishes, laundry, cleaning fans, the yucky day to day chores.  I forget where I read that our housework should be our meditation.  That works when I decide to be grateful that I have this humble home, and running water, and the fans to dust!  I am blessed.  I want to remember it and give thanks for it.

 

Tomorrow is the start of the last quarter of this year, 2013.  It has been a really good year for me.  It has been a really hard year. 

These incredible loving furry friends make every day full of love for us.

I wish you a day filled with love!

 

 

Quote for the day:

 

"Where love is concerned, too much is not even enough."

 

Pierre Augustin de Beaumarchais

 

 

Creating a Homestead

That is what we are working towards.  A piece of land where we can grow food , raise some animals, plant some flowers, and let some chickens run around!  Oh, what I wouldn't give for a couple of dairy goats, and some rabbits and one big ole pig! 

I wonder what that schedule would feel like, in rhythm with the seasons and the land?  I struggle with remembering what order things should be done and what I just want to see NOW! 

My priorities change daily. One day I just truly want the compost bins built...and they are finished now!  The next moment,  I realize that we have not planted any fruit trees this year.  Nada, Zilch, Nothing! I am hoping to put some more berries in the ground soon, as well.  The winter veggies are still calling out, "Hey, don't forget to plant us!" Not one thing planted, yet!

I am inspired by this last spring & summer.  It was fun.  We grew food.  Not everything we had hoped for, but great lessons were learned!

                               More Eggplant Today!!

You know what we are having for dinner!

Eggplant Parmesan!

Fresh Basil!

 

 

Yesterday Afternoon Sky

The light is amazing right now!

 

I am in love with the idea of building a "cob" wall across the front of the yard!  They are so beautiful.  They last forever, and it could be inexpensive, just labor intensive!  Our first pizza oven can be a cob building project!  I can't wait for spring!

 

Here is a site to check out some beautiful photos and great info.

http://www.barefootbuilder.com/index.html

www.cobcottage.com

 

These from the latest Mother Earth News Magazine for October/November.

 

I would love for us to build my hubby a Man Cave that was a  "cob house"!  Oh, that could be so cool!  Lots of rock, woodstove, big tv, and lots of insulation, so he can blast that yucky punk rock band he loves, Guttermouth!  Oh, yes it is true! It just makes me want to run screaming out into the woods!!!

 

Orange Marigolds and Friend

I am so looking forward to giving Beekeeping another shot.  We will try and try and try and we will become Beekeepers in this lifetime!  We have our outfits!  It is sort of like we are all dressed up and have nowhere to go!

Last years hive.....I don't think lavender was their color, but it was sure fun to paint!

 

I love this guy, he is bringing home the honey!

 

 

 

This is so wonderful.  The weather.  The temperature.

All the goodness of Fall is starting!

 

There is so much to plan for next year, but I don't want to forget to take a moment and realize how much has been accomplished so far this year! 

 When time and money are factored in to realizing your dreams.  You must remember to look at all of the baby steps, the pieces of the puzzle, just one foot in front of the other each day, every day and the miracle just evolves.....you create your life, your peace and your happiness moment by moment....It does not all have to happen at once nor does it have to be perfect.  That is the best part.

Just day by day and season by season you can build your dreams.

 

Quote for the day:

 

"Everything you do right now ripples outward and affects everyone.  Your posture can shine your heart or transmit anxiety.  Your breath can radiate love or muddy the room in depression.  Your glance can awaken joy.  Your words can inspire freedom.  Your every act can open hearts and minds."

 

Davide Deida

 

 

Autumnal Equinox

Wow, today is amazing!  It is so beautiful outside.  The temperature is absolutely out of this world!
The breeze is fantastic.  I have been out on front porch having ice tea and raisin toast on this Fall morning!!

I have been under the weather and what an amazing day to lift my spirits!  Yesterday was the Local Antique Tractor & Farm Show.  Our bee club had a booth.  I did not get to go, but saw some wonderful photos from my friend, Beelady.  This community is so incredible! 
                                                                        
                                                                    Morning Light on Cannas

The light has shifted!

The garden is ready to sleep!

 

One definition of the Autumnal Equinox I found was...............

 "This is the day when both the daytime and nighttime are of the same length, which has been long interpreted to mean the world is in balance.

Fall is considered the season of balance, a time during which you can restore balance to your own life."

 

I really like this definition.  It always sounded so crazy when people said they felt the difference in the season, BUT..........

 I feel it and good changes are in the air, and I am thrilled!  This is one of the most wonderful things about living here in the Southeast, the Seasons!!

 

Black-Eyed Susans

Time to harvest the seeds for next year.  I did it last year, but was really lame in storing them.  Not one came up.  They were not in a cool spot and not contained properly.  Bad Seed Saver!

Lesson Learned!

 

I do not know the name of these, but they surround the front porch and give us a little privacy from street. 

 

Orange Marigolds from seed

These are so pretty this year.  Next year I want to do a big row in front of house.  They are just happy and healthy and bushy!

 

Peaceful

that is how

I feel

 

I hope you have a peaceful day, as well!

 

Quote for the day:

 

"Nothing can bring you peace but yourself."

 

Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

 

A Simple Day

Today I wish us all a Simple Beginning, Middle & End, to our Day!

 

 

Forget

Why do we forget

that the snow

was born to

melt

and the leaves

were born to

fall

and the sun

was born to

set?

Why do we forget

that the snow

was born to dance

and the leaves

were born to

float

and the sun

was born to

rise?

Tyler Knott Gregson

Poco A Poco

Another of my favorite Spanish phrases!  It simply means Little by Little!

That works for me.  Today more organizing and before I know it, it will all be done!

A dear friend once told me, just do 15 minutes at a time.......I now set my phone for 1/2 hour timers and then do one project until it rings......It is working. Poco A Poco....

I have found that by breaking down the future projects on this little homestead, it makes my dreaming not so impossible.  I know that the trees have to be cleared for the flower fields.  Ok, not this year.  I know that we can create a seed room this fall.  I know we can have a small hoop house built by the new year.  I know that we can save for a new ladder and finish the gutters on my mom's front, which would mean we could landscape, as well. Ok, that is a big maybe!  It is just a series of steps, and years from now, there will be meandering brick paths that lead from one incredible area to another.

I can't wait for the outdoor kitchen!  Yes, enclosed with screen, but a fabulous breeze can flow through the area.  There will be an artisan bread/pizza oven! Yummy!
I need to do some research! Can we break ground in 2014?  If we win the lotto........or not!

We can't lose our dreams or hopes.  We just need to make long term and short term plans for them.
Then they don't seem so impossible and when we know it will happen, we can set it aside and keep dreaming!  All dreams in order of possibility!  Dreams Delayed Does Not Mean Dream Denied!!  Ha, ha!  Dream On, fellow dreamers..........

The cinderblock garden is Screaming, "Help, we are overrun with weeds and bolting basil! Help!"

See I just need to schedule 15 minutes!!!

Poco A Poco!!

 

Quote for the day:

 

"Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence is the key to unlocking our potential."

 

Winston Churchill

The Quiet

I love the quiet.  Nothing but the sounds of life.......the dogs barking, the birds, a truck going by the house, oh, and my favorite the trees moving!  I can hear them right now.  It is just gonna get better, because when the trees start shedding their leaves, there is an incredible quiet in the woods.

I do not like to talk in the morning.  I am told I am alot like my favorite Aunt Dot.  She liked her coffee in the morning and did not have the need for chit chat.  Yes, that works for me, as well.

I don't need nor do I like the TV on unless there is something specific I want to watch.  It irritates me  when I hear it on during the day.  My grandparents, they had it on from the time they woke up, until they went to sleep.  It probably was still on, I just don't remember! It just does not work for me.

The Quiet Woods

 

There is much left to be done in the Sewing Studio.  Today I will focus on putting stuff away.  Organizing so I can actually find something!

 

 

Quote for the day:

 

"Slow down and everything you are chasing will come around and catch you."

 

John De Paola

The Movement of Piles!

Yes, the mess is on the move!!  You know how sometimes it seems like an endless moving of "Stuff" until we find it the right home?

Stuff from Closet - Reorganization Needed!

 

This is how our home feels right now......but I feel a breakthrough today!

The closet was painted a lovely light gray.

 

Now, just fill it up in an organized fashion!

 

Doorway will be eliminated....

 Wall built for bookshelf!

 

Half of the Drywall up!

 

Drywall Complete

 Ready for Mud & Sanding & Paint

I am always blown away by my husband's ability to do just about anything and do it well!  Knock down the Walls, OK!, Move the Electrical, OK!, New Drywall, OK!

Plus it all looks really professional!  I just need to keep him supplied with oatmeal raisen walnut cookies and things go pretty smoothly!  Thank you, Dear Husband!

It was such a wonderful Fall-like weekend.  No air conditioning, just wide open windows and fresh air.  The light looked different on the trees.  There was an occasional breeze and it was cool, just a refreshing temperature!

Wall near laundry room painted... 

 Ready for cubby shelves!

I am thrilled by our progress and now want it to be done and get to work.  Kiara Kisses Etsy store needs attention.  It has basically 3 pillows and 3 hats in it.  I need to figure out how to attach all the social media stuff.  As crazy as it sounds, I am not even sure what Twitter is or heck, what is Tumbler??  I just need to do a little each day and learn, and then call the kids from my old job!! They are all so smart and know how this kind of stuff works!!

 I need to take photos of big bag of hats.  They are not even listed!  Just crazy, how can it sell if it is not out there!  I have so many ideas, so much fabric and I can't wait to get going......I am so excited, good things are coming, I can feel it! 

Yes, I will say it again and again and again......BABY STEPS, JUST BABY STEPS........

Quote for the day:

 

"They always say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself."

 

Andy Warhol

 

Do You Love Color?

As you probably noticed from the few photos of  the new paint in the Sewing Studio, I LOVE COLOR!!

My whole life I have wanted to embrace color.  For a time I had a  hot pink living room!  Yes, it had a flagstone fireplace with the most amazing greens and greys in the stone.  An old wooden mantel and big, white over-stuffed sofas.  There were tons of ficus trees and the art was huge, a big canvas of pastels featuring flower fields!  I loved that room.  In winter, when it was so cold at the beach, I would have a roaring fire and the pink walls just glowed!!

We had bright orange walls in our living room, dining room & kitchen in Mexico.  It was one huge room, but there was very little wall space, actually.  You looked out at the ocean, and it was such a happy room.

I am planning on painting our kitchen a beautiful lavender!  I grew up in the 70's.  I was around alot of wonderful hippie people and I remember "hippie kitchens"!  My memories are lots of jars of beans, rice, herbs hanging, incense burning, and Jimi Hendrix playing!!  You get the picture.  I am planning on creating a "Purple Haze" kitchen!!  Oh, it will be so cute......a project for another time!

So when I was deciding what color to paint the Sewing Studio, it made me think, "what environment will help me create this new business?". I knew I did not want beige, not inspiring....I am not in a pastel mood, oh no!  I needed bold, beautiful, jewel tones.  Something rich, with an elegant, old world feel. 

Are you familiar with the designer Billy Baldwin?  He is famous for alot of interiors, but one of his most photographed is his fabulous, Red Room!  It was in Diana Vreeland's Manhattan apartment!  When you see the room, you just want a dirty martini and a pair of bell bottoms!! I have always wanted a red room, but never had the opportunity, Until NOW!

Hubby's Future Desk Area

Not that boring tan/beige!!

 

Same wall - Fabulous Rich Red!

 

Next wall to Paint....

 

What?  Is that a Sewing Machine I Spy!?!

 

There will be a 8' x 4' piece of white pegboard above the sewing table.  It will have the same 3' white crown moulding creating a frame.  It will house scissors, thread, rulers & stuff!!

 

Today I start in the other end of room. 

There will be a 4' x 8' cutting table centered at this end of room.

 

This wall will be cubby-hole shelving, floor to ceiling.

Hopefully it will  house all fabric and supplies!

 

Above the hubby's dresser will be all cork board for the Inspiration Wall!

 

The door on the left will be framed in and furred out to one even wall space.

I have an old used bookshelf and I will paint it black and hopefully it will store sewing/design books.

That is on the work schedule for this weekend!

 

If I seem overwhelmed this picture says it all!!

Our dining room!  Yikes!!

 

 Quote for the day:

 

"There is magic...in the deep-jewel-colored room, warm and mysterious, where you discover its many beauties as you sit, seduced slowly."

 

Billy Baldwin

Animal Love

Unconditional Love......that truly is Animal Love!

  They bring so much love and laughter into our lives.  They just crack me up.  Their personalities are amazing, their interaction is so intricate and their love for this whacky family we have is so apparent!

Sweet Sauve (Pronounced Swavee)

It means smooth in spanish.

His full name is Sauve Rico Downey

Smooth & Rich

 

King Max of Chicory Mountain

Max taking a snooze....sshhhh.....

 

Play Time - Gnaw the Snout!!

To the untrained eye, this might look like a bad situation!

But it is just Harry gnawing on Sauve's snout!!

Just a Good Morning gnaw!!

 

The Princess Puppy Girl

Daisy posing so patiently.....

She loves to snuggle!

 

Harry Manfred Downey

Harry has a way to look into your very soul..

He is an old soul with the biggest heart!

He showed up one night in Mexico.  He walked all the way to

the top of the little mountain we lived on...all skinny, scared, dirty and so

very hungry.  I knew he was never leaving.  My hubby

said only for the night....the rest is history!

 

The most incredible eyes!

 

Kiara waiting patiently for her Sewing Studio to be up & running!

She loves her naps!

 

 

  They all wag their tails, give kisses unconditionally and only want a good belly rub!

How lucky and blessed am I!?!

 

Today I will continue painting and  organizing.  I will take the time to love these awesome animals!

Creating this Sewing  Studio is fun, but work, lots of work.......

I feel so incredibly grateful for this opportunity!

Thank you God!  Thank you Universe!

  Thank you Kind Husband!

I cannot wait to show you the result of that effort!

Stay Tuned......

 

Quote for the day:

 

"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out."

 

Robert Collier

 

 

 

DAY TWO - New Found Respect for Electricity!

So the day started off with finishing the floor plate, so no creatures would come up from the crawl space!  Yikes!

NO CREATURES!

 

Floor Filled and Creatures Foiled!

Thank Goodness.....

 

Husband & Wife Disagree.....

Wife Wins

 

Yes, it was up into the attic again.  This time to make a new junction box for moving some electrical. I am freaked out by the thought of a fire starting, my hubby is not.  I really wanted to have a fire extinguisher ready for any emergency situation.....

Imagine we are up in this old attic.  It is up these rickety pull down stairs.  If something went wrong, the thought of running down to find extinguisher could be near to impossible to do in a timely manner!  Oh, the debates of remodeling!  I won, better safe than sorry!!

 

Cutting a hole in the old roof to get to the top of studio wall. We have to fish a wire down for the new plug.

This is in the carport roof area!

 

Snack time - Ice tea & fudgesicles

 

Wire fished out of wall!

 

Junction box almost complete

 

McGyver creates new electrical plug!

What an Awesome Husband!!

Who knew a simple plug was so much work?

I respect, respect, respect my electrical outlets!!

 

Spackled and ready for paint....

Just one corner today, but more to come! 

 

Enjoying his desk area with that new gorgeous wall color!!

McGyver Rocks!!

I LOVE MY HUSBAND!

 

 

Quote for the day:

 

"Action and reaction, ebb and flow, trial and error, change--this is the rhythm of our living.  Out of our over-confidence, fear; out of fear, clearer vision, fresh hope.  And out of hope, progress."

 

Bruce Barton