Soul Sharing

I've been thinking, lately, about fall and why I seem to love it so much.

For someone who shivers her way through the colder half of the year, it would seem unfitting that I adore autumn. But I do. And more specifically, I adore the pivotal moment where late summer melds into fall.

So, while driving down the road the other day {windows still down, warm breeze kissing my cheek} I noticed the first few golden leaves along the roadside and it hit me. I love this time of year because it feels like a big, deep, relaxing sigh. On one side of the road was summer; all twisted vines, thriving weeds, hot and sticky and fighting for space. On the other side of the road was fall; spacious branches, babbling streams, open skies and leaves that had finally finished their duty and were able to just let go.

I have always loved this time of year. There is something that feels right about it for me. Everything feels like less of a fight. Traffic slows down a bit. Hair and makeup are much easier to maintain. Fewer schedule demands. More time at home. And, for some reason, I feel more creative and introspective. Don't get me wrong, my cold blooded body loves the heat of summer. But my heart and my soul will always feel at home in the fall.


*photo from Dress, Design, Decor

Fallish Finds {from Etsy}

The skies around here are turning exceptionally bright and clear. The shadows are deepening and the air has a slight bite to it. This can only mean one thing. Fall is just around the corner. So, in honor of all things autumnal, I thought I would share a few of my recent favorites from Etsy, starting with this pumpkin pin cushion from SeaPinks.

Little rain drop earrings from MiniCyn.

I love the artwork from corid. This bird painting has the most beautiful colors.

I'm not much of a cat person, but these little smiling guys from Marjji always stop me in my Etsy tracks.

It's Wednesday, loves. Hang in there.
xoxo ~Jo~ xoxo

In the place...

So, you know how I'm always saying that I wish I had pictures of such and such to show you? But I tend to forget my camera. And photos are a pain in the hiney to upload and resize. But guess what? I love you guys enough that I remembered my camera this time when we went to the river, and I took the time to resize the photos and upload them for you! Excited? Sure you are.


So here it is. My new favorite swimming hole. All shady and secluded. Quiet and clean. The water is so clear, as you can tell. That hole there beneath the big rock? Looks like you could wade out in it, right? Yeah. That hole is about 7-8 feet deep. For real. I dive off of the rock on the left all the time. The boys like jumping off the big rock on the right the best.

The shade got a little chilly after swimming, so we headed down stream to the sunshine for a while and the boys dug for crawdads. That's my hubby in the red and white shorts and our friend and his two kids.

I'm not brave enough to grab a crawdad. The guys found several, from teeny tiny to scary looking. I'm not sticking my fingers in there.

See why I love Sunday afternoons at the river? Hopefully there will be several more before the weather turns too cool. Of course, I'm thinking a little fall photo shoot in this location would be beautiful. Don't you think?

Just a Thought

You know what I don't understand?

Soap that looks like food.

I just don't get it.

Odd Inspiration

Sometimes inspiration comes from the most unexpected places. For instance, every time I put these sheets on my bed I get the urge to paint. I have had these sheets for years and years. They are worn in and soft. And the color combinations are the most beautiful, if not odd, that I have ever seen.

Life can be quite a downer sometimes. Like when I realize that even if I am inspired to feed my creative soul, I don't actually have to time or the energy to do so. I am one of those people who cannot force myself to be creatively productive. After work I come home tired, make dinner, do whatever housework I can fit in and squeeze in my workouts before a shower and bed. You see, when it comes down to it, my artistic soul tends to get pushed aside for the more essential things.

This is sad, people. Very sad. I'm not sure where I'm going with all of this. It's just what is on my mind lately. Am I the only one? Do you find it hard to find time to nurture your soul?

Empty Thoughts

Hello friends.

It's Monday yet again. And all too soon. All I learned from being off work a week is that I don't like going to work. Of course, I guess that's why they call it work.

Thankfully, I did accomplish a few things besides housework on my week off. Unfortunately, it took me until the end of the week before I started being creatively productive. I guess my mind had to take a real vacation for the first part of the week and not be bothered with my lofty ideas. I'll share some more on my creative endeavors later.

I wish I had an outpouring of inspiration and fantastical writing to grace you with this Monday. But work has left my brain weak. And I really have to go muster up enough energy to workout right now. I just didn't want to go too long in between posts. I love hearing from you and even when I am quiet and cease to comment on all your blogs, just know that I am still there. Reading. Smiling. Gleaning strength and beauty from your words and photos. Here's to a new week.

xoxo ~Jo~ xoxo

Confession

Hello Friends,

I guess I got a little carried away and forgot to tell you that I am "on vacation" this week. Whew! A week off from work, thank goodness. Here's the cool part; I haven't even left the house! I am so thrilled to be able to stay home and get some stuff done. I love getting up in the morning and sitting on my porch. I love being able to drop everything if I have a new idea. I love being able to see the mama deer and her little speckled fawn in my back yard and the turkeys and their brood of 17 babies. Yes, seventeen was the last count! I love being home.


Which leads me to another confession: I'm not much of a traveler. It sometimes seems as if blogging is synonymous with traveling. Bloggers are always talking about where they have been, where they are going, or where they hope to go. But not me. I'm quite content to take a little trip to the NC coast every now and then, just a six hour drive away. My husband and I do hope to someday be able to visit Ireland. But that's about it. I am completely content to be a homebody. As a matter of fact, traveling seems like a whole lot of work to me. Just the thought of it makes me tired.

So, there you go. Now you know that I would rather be home than anywhere. Home is where my heart is. ;)


*now, if only I had a hammock hanging in the midst of a bunch of lavender. gorgeous photo from Dress, Design, Decor.