Showing posts with label birthday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label birthday. Show all posts

Peek at My Weeks (Oct. 24-Nov. 6)

 How fun is this two-week peek? It begins with my birthday!

My main request for my day was that I didn't have to cook. So, Pat ran out for breakfast and picked up my choice of doughnuts!

Secondly, I wanted to go to the beach. It was an overcast and dreary day (which fit my mood), but we headed to The Gulf for lunch and drinks. 

I enjoyed a mojito with my meal of filet mignon and crabcakes while looking out over the Gulf of Mexico. It was all SO GOOD!

Usually, I spend my birthday out shopping, but I saved that for Monday. This meant to Tuesday was consumed with catching up on chores and errands. I did stop long enough to take a gander at this little guy. 

Wednesday was spent busting out a few more overdue tasks like taking pictures of products and for videos. I was relieved to get that done. I even began tackling the last jewelry project in my Bead Box. Hopefully, I'll have that reveal for you in the next several weeks. 


As I sat out on the porch on Thursday morning, I enjoyed my visit from a furry neighbor.

I took care of a few tasks before heading out for a little shopping, a visit with my mom, and a meeting. It was a busier day than I even remembered. 

After getting the house cleaned, I puttered around the craft room and spotted this tiny moth in the window. (No worries, he was escorted outside later.)


I also eked in a little gelli-printing fun.


I spent a huge chunk of Saturday working on some of the steps for the Magpie's Nest Workshop from Aimee Bishop
And, I did clean all that up before a couple of friends came over to watch football. Then, I pulled it all out again Sunday morning!

Sunday afternoon was spent with my mom and a visiting cousin. Then, I handed out candy for Halloween at my mom's house. 

Most of Monday was consumed with announcing the winner of my giveaway and getting the new Variety Paper Packs in the CraftyHope Etsy Shop. 


After all that excitement, I let myself walk around the property a little. The bees on the loquat trees always soothe me. 


I got my errands and chores managed on Tuesday but felt a little lost creatively. My copy of The Artist's Way came in (a birthday gift card purchase for myself), and I spent some time reading it. It seemed to help!

Though, I'm not exactly sure what happened to Wednesday. I took care of a few things but didn't accomplish much. 

On Thursday. I spent almost the entirety of the day thrifting. There were three estate sales and a thrift store involved. And, I racked up!

I would have loved to have spent more time at the last sale. It was the home of a local artist. But, there were so many people there and so many inspiring pieces that I became overwhelmed. I did get a few tools and some wire, though. 

After all that inspiration, I was able to focus a little more on Friday. I finished a few pieces that I'm donating for a silent auction fundraiser for a friend's friend. 


And, after some housecleaning on Saturday (it HAD to be done) and an inspiring video from Tiffany of Southern Gals Designs, I began folding folios for a new junk journal. 


A friend came over for the Alabama football game in the evening. It was INTENSE, but we won!! And, I got a little silly with my glasses and Zoe's tail. 


And that was my last two weeks. Today will start my real journey with The Artist's Way. So, we'll see how that goes. 

Here's some of the inspiration I've found and shared.

How's life treating you?

Peek at My Weeks (Oct. 18-31)

I'm running two weeks behind again. Technically, it's really just a week, but I've got two weeks to share with you. Since there's so much to cover, let's get to it!

On Sunday, the 18th, my eco-prints from the day before had dried and were beautiful!

We worked out in the yard some, trying to get an area clear before we had the shed moved. Pat picked up this shelf from the place where it had been since we moved it. I seriously thought it was just a section of a broken shelf. But, it turned out to be this. 

He called it a baker's drying rack where you slide in trays for the bread, doughnuts, pastries, etc. I can TOTALLY see painting it up real pretty and using it to store and dry papers. Can you see it?  I can't believe I've just left it sitting out in the yard for five years!

Pat's sister and her partner came over to help us move a few things with the help of the tractor. 

Then my silly sister-in-law got in the bucket of the tractor. I couldn't help but snap a quick photo of the two of them. 

Monday was all about running all the errands. I felt like I was busy all day long. Then, I got a happy surprise in the mail.

This was an amazing package from my friend, Ginger, who is currently in Japan. I knew she was sending me something, but this package of awesome just blew me away! Thank you, again, Ginger!!

On Tuesday, I worked general business-y tasks before pouring myself into an art journal page. 


And, our new TV was delivered!


In the afternoon, I helped Pat get prepared for the shed to be moved. 
This included taking apart our fire pit since it was in the direct path of where the shed would be traversing. 

After a busy business day on Wednesday and a new quote for the tree service that we're still waiting to have done, we had the shed moved. It was creepy and cool to watch two guys with a "mule" move it across the yard.


Thursday and Friday were spent with my niece in Mobile while my mom and step-dad went up to Birmingham for him to have a procedure. Meanwhile, my niece was running a slight fever as I freaked out that she might have the virus. After we got her a doctor's appointment for Monday, I spent much of Friday trying to find out where and how to get her a Covid test. Fortunately, that came back negative and my step-dad's procedure went well also. 

Saturday was my birthday. I really didn't do much. I had previously purchased some tube watercolors and spent part of the morning getting them into an organizer for easier use.


In the afternoon, we went to friends' to watch the Alabama football game before returning home for a little celebratory cake.

Tiramisu is my favorite!

On Sunday, it was back to yard and housework. While Pat fiddled with something on the tractor, I gathered a few found objects for a little assemblage.


Monday meant more errands almost all day. On Tuseday, apparently, I knocked out loads. However, I have no idea what that means, it's just what I told myself in my journal. I believe I also shared my Halloween lampshade on Instagram.


We had a delicious tofu ramen for dinner. I love that there's so many options for toppings!

We should have been prepping for Hurricane Zeta on Wednesday. But, I did my best to try to ignore the fact that another one was headed our way. Instead, I worked on getting my Gothic pieces finished and the blog ready to go in case we lost power. (We did lose power for about 11 hours) The storm was a lot of wind and rain, but definitely less scary than Sally. I hate that I had to send Pat out in it to pick up my niece from work, but fortunately, they both arrived home safely. 

On Thursday morning we assessed the storm damage. Fortunately, the only real damage was a large limb down.

While the power was off, we went ahead and started up the generator for the essentials.

Coffee and phone charging!

And, I did a little doodling to keep myself occupied.


The power was back in the late morning so I was able to get back on track before long. We did lose it again on Friday for about an hour and a half. After that, I ran out to Fairhope Brewing Co to pick up a treat for myself.
Thay had a special flavor release of my favorite Judge Roy Bean (Coffee Stout). In addition to the Tiramisu and Salted Caramel, there's a Thin Mint and a Cocoa and Cayenne. I knocked out the household chores when I got back to the house, keeping the beer as a reward. Once dinner was finished, I dipped into the the beers while we watched The Mandalorian. I tried the turamisu and cayenne ones and enjoyed them both. I'm looking forward to the other two as well. 

Saturday was Halloween, and I stayed busy all day, ending up at my mom's to watch the Bama game and help hand out candy to the few trick-or-treaters she had. And, that ended my last two weeks. The days have been busy while it seems I've accomplished nothing. Ah well, on to the next!

And, if you're looking for inspiration here's what I have for you. 

Whew! I hope that's plenty to get you inspired for the week ahead. Here's hoping it's a good one. And, if you're in the states, make sure you get out and VOTE if you haven't already!!

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Peek at My Week (Oct 20-26)

This past week passed in a blink! I guess that's because I kept myself pretty busy.

We started the week on Sunday with what we call "Puppy Fun Day." Basically, it's our attempt to get outside and drag Zoe with us on an adventure of some sort. We even took the niece who lives with us!
While out on one of the trails I spied an enormous dead grasshopper. He was almost as long as my hand. After spotting him, we spied a few more. The one above is one of the live ones we found. Apparently some people think it's gross, so I'm sorry if this weirds you out.

As usual, Monday was full of knocking errands and chores off my list. Those bled into Tuesday.  However, I did work on a few creative endeavors.
I've been mad over playing with my bead loom!

That evening, I did something else a little out of the ordinary for me.
I went to Pat's band rehearsal and took pictures for the studio. Fun. 

Wednesday was spent at my mom's where we celebrated my birthday with a delicious cake baked by another one of my nieces.

Thursday was my actual birthday, and I spent it out and about shopping for new clothes. After shopping, we met some friends for dinner. 

I spent much of Friday just playing in the craft room. Pat did interrupt me to go outside and check out this little guy he found in the grass.
It's a tiny green tree snake. Isn't he cute!?

I also made a run to the store to pick up a few new supplies including this set of watercolors I've been wanting!
Fun!

And, Saturday was all about college football.
Roll Tide!

As for inspiration, that lacked some too, though I did find a few tidbits.


And, that's it. I'm already running behind this week with everything. So, I'll leave it at that and wish y'all a wonderfully creative week. 


Peek at My Week (Sep. 8-14)

I felt a bit scattered all week, unable to focus on getting pictures taken. But, looking back over the ones I did take, I actually accomplished quite a bit. 
Pat needed some new shoes, so we set out on Sunday for a little shopping. I picked up a pair of rain boots for myself too. I've been needing something like this for feeding the chickens and walking the yard, but my tiny feet have made it difficult to find galoshes to fit me that aren't too childish. These are kid shoes, but just right for me!

After working in the yard, I played around in the craft room much of the day - working on an idea for a set of Halloween-themed wall hangings.

That project took up most of Monday too!
Once I got them done, I took them out to the booth at the antique store on Tuesday. I am working on a tutorial video for them, so stay tuned for that!

Wednesday was a day with my grandmother.
We also celebrated my step-father's birthday!

As usual, Thursday was about catching back up and kicking tasks off the list. I did let myself step outside for a bit where these seed pods on the Japanese Maple caught my eye.

Zoe joined us for snuggle time on the couch that evening, but was more interested in her ball than the snuggles. 

While Zoe ran outside Friday morning, a cicada shell on a nearby pine tree caught my eye. Who remembers collecting these as a kid?

From there, I worked on yet another paper project tutorial. I hope to share these really soon! Don't worry, there have been jewelry projects in the works too. 

I enjoyed another birthday celebration on Saturday. This time, it was for my Goddaughter who is turning four! Afterward, we headed to another friend's house to watch the Alabama vs. South Carolina game. Roll Tide!


The week was low on pictures but high on getting things done. Here's a little inspiration for you!

I'm already deep into a few more projects for the week ahead. But, I'm absolutely looking forward to it. What do you have planned for the week?

Peek at My Week: Oct. 21 - 27

I never quite know where each week will take me, and these little peeks have been such a fantastic way to journal. I hope you don't mind.
Sunday was all about getting stuff done. I edited pictures and readied blog posts.

Trying to get rid of some over-ripe bananas, I made a yummy banana bread.

While I was busy inside, Pat finished up the floor of our back deck.

To celebrate his work on the deck, we went out for coffee. Even Zoe got a puppuccino. You'll have to head to Instagram to see the video of her enjoying it. 

After taking care of some of the household errands and delivering a pair of earrings on Monday, I began stocking my bead box by sorting through the items in my inspiration jar. 

It wasn't long before I had picked out the main pieces for each of the sections of the box. 

I took a break to re-charge by walking the trails in our backyard. I'm always stricken by the beauty of this oak tree with the sparse magnolia growing near its trunk. 

On Tuesday, I went to my mom's and we celebrated my birthday with my favorite dessert!

As I continued to work on stocking my bead box on Wednesday, buttons were pulled out!

After I did some personal birthday shopping, we had dinner with friends to celebrate. We ended the night at the new Little Whiskey Christmas Club in downtown Fairhope. It's a fun little place all year round!

My bead cabinet saw some serious action as I finished filling up the bead box at long last. 

Look at that beautifully stocked bead box!

Friday saw the start of a new project that I'll likely reveal in the next few days.

We watched an epic high school football game on TV as Tua's brother played against Bear Bryant's great-grandson. If you're not into Alabama Football, none of that probably made any sense. Ha! And, our friend made this amazing ratatouille as part of dinner during the game.  It was almost too pretty to eat.

Wanting to get away from the house for a bit, especially since we were at a stopping point on the deck, we headed to Elberta, AL on Saturday for their German Sausage Festival. It was a beautiful day, and the festival was packed. 

As we were leaving the festival, I spotted this tree with these amazing flowers. I have no idea what it is, but the shape of these in their large clusters is so interesting. 


For a little more inspiration and beauty, let me share what I found interesting online this week.


I think that's probably plenty enough inspiration for us all! Here's hoping your week is full of all kinds of amazing!

Bead Box 19(ish) Stocked

  Confession -  this isn't really number 19, as it's been over two years since I shared one of my bead boxes and have gone through a...