Living a simple life

I just love summer, the cookouts and fun times with family...there's nothing better.
This year I'm going to spend alot of time with mine,I'm way past due . I've spent these past several years burying myself in my work, doing shows and just generally being way too busy.
What was it all for ? Sure I met alot of nice folks (and some not so much) and the money was great, but really was it worth being away from the people I love ? God sure has a way to open your eyes and grab ahold of you when you become too complacent in your life. Now I realize that sometimes when one door closes,another opens. So many changes have happened this past year as a result of our economy,unfortunately some of my friends and I have had to make many difficult decisions. Everything from cutting back on costs & production, getting out of the business completely or closing shops and for some of us getting back into the mainstream workforce . One thing we've all learned from this is new ways to re-invent ourselves . We're getting back-to-basics by returning to the things that stirred our artistic passion way back when we all started. Running little shops out of our homes, setting up at flea markets & small craft fairs ....Once again we're having fun !! When your work makes you miserable, it's time to rethink ...bigger isn't always better.
When I'm enjoyng the outdoors with my family I will think about all those years I spent hustling heavy boxes of candles in the August heat and be ever so thankful for the simple life

What's New ?

I've really been enjoying this weather lately. After being cooped up for what seems an eternity, I am quite overjoyed at any rays of sunshine that come bursting through the windows !
The neighbors are sending their kids outside with plastic bags to clean up all the debris left behind during "Snowmaggedon 2010". Luckily, I cleaned my yard and gardens very well during the fall and early winter months, my skills get better with each passing year. The day was cruising along nicely ,so I decided to head outdoors and feed my daughters bunnies, that way they could enjoy a little morning snack while relaxing in the sun .
Little did I know that one of the bunnies decided to "check-out" during the middle of the night and head to Bunny Heaven. Poor little guy, he crawled into his hut and went to sleep....
forever :0( If that's not bad enough, then I have to spend the rest of my day figuring out whether I should bury him myself or wait for my hubby to come home and do it. Then how to tell my little girl her bunny has died ...what's a mom to do ?! She took the news as best as can be expected for a 9 year old, her sister took care of removing the bunny and putting him into his coffin, then the family gathered for a memorial service in the backyard.
R.I.P Bun Bun, we'll miss you :0(

Eye of the Beholder

Do you ever feel as though you need to get away from your surroundings from time to time ?

I get that way quite often, more so in the long winter months. My favorite "escapes" are the days that I go poking around at the various antique malls & thrift stores. I feel so blessed to have a variety of these places in my area, that are just a hop-skip-jump away ! I'm usually not looking for anything in particular, I just enjoy seeing things that were once part of some one's home long ago and wondering how they used it. I'm sure it was out of necessity and not for decorating purposes.I'm always drawn to kitchen/diner items, my goodness there's no end to this stuff !Considering that I inherited all of my grandmother's & mother's things ,on top of all that I have "found" over the years , you would think I'd have some sort of self control purchasing anymore...HMMMM... not so much . I could fill a couple retro kitchens with what I have and then some ! I think that the reason I love this style so much is that it brings back fond memories of going to Bill's diner with my family in the 70's . I sure hope that at least one of my daughters will follow in my footsteps and want a retro kitchen of her own someday. Until then, maybe I'll see you at the Olde Stark Antiques Fair this weekend ..........