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Surviving Grief & #SpreadTheKindness Link Up #159
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, the blogging world is inundated with so much cuteness in love themed everything from heart motifs on sweaters and tee shirts, jewelry inscribed with words of love, and gift guides for all of your favorite Valentines. But for me, at least this year, Valentine’s Day weighs me down heavy with grief. But not my own grief. The grief of my child. If you recall last year on Valentine’s Day, my community suffered a great tragedy when an entire family was lost in a house fire. (I mentioned it briefly here and here). One of the children was a friend and classmate of Archie’s. And while…
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Childhood Grief & #SpreadTheKindness Link Up #120
I had planned on talking about the Law of Attraction for today’s post. I even had it titled that way and sat down to write the first sentence. But I couldn’t get the words to flow. Because there is something else weighing heavy on my heart the past few days. And while it is not a topic that I would normally discuss in a #SpreadTheKindness post, it is the topic that is overtaking all other thoughts in my mind right now. And something is telling me that it is what I need to be writing about today. Maybe for me. Maybe I need your support, advice, suggestions, prayers. Or maybe…
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Style Imitating Art | “The Lovers” by Maude Kaufman Eggemeyer
About Style Imitating Art Style Imitating Art is hosted by Salazar of 14 Shades of Grey, Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge, and Marsha of Marsha in the Middle. Style Imitating Art challenges us to draw style inspiration from pieces of art. Every other Monday, one of the hosts, acting as presenter, selects an inspiration image that they will each post on their blogs. The following Monday, each host shares her art inspired outfit. Participants are invited to submit their art inspired outfits to the presenter by 10:00 p.m. EST on the Tuesday following the hosts’ art inspired outfit posts. The following day, Wednesday, the presenter will share all of the submissions on her…
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3 Things You Can Do to Honor Your Fallen Soldier on Memorial Day
Memorial Day is more than just the unofficial start of summer. It is a day to honor and pay respect to those who have died while serving our country in the armed forces. For many families and friends of fallen soldiers, Memorial Day weekend may be the only time each year they set aside to gather and commemorate their loved ones, but you can still honor your family member or friend in other ways throughout the year. Consider the following three ways that you can honor your fallen soldier so that they are never forgotten. 1. Tell Their Story One of the best ways to honor your fallen soldier is…
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“Sunday Morning” by Norman Rockwell | Style Imitating Art
I am so excited to present my first artwork as a co-host for Style Imitating Art with Salazar of 14 Shades of Grey and Terri of MeadowTree Style! If you have been following me, then you probably know that I have been an avid participant in these challenges for the past year. In fact, the very first one that I joined was on January 13, 2021, for Gumball II by Charles Bell. I had so much fun with that first one that I never missed another challenge for the next 12 months. So when Salazar and Terri were looking for a new co-host, I was quick to volunteer for the…
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The Last Days of Summer & Link Up On the Edge #260
“To say it was a beautiful day would not begin to explain it. It was that day when the end of summer intersects perfectly with the start of fall.” Ann Patchett “Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.” William Shakespeare The last days of summer are winding down quickly as cooler weather has already drifted down upon the North Country. I am currently sitting on my couch wrapped up in a giant cardigan, leggings, big fluffy socks, and my favorite cashmere writing gloves because as soon as the temperature dips down to about 65˚F (18.3˚C) or below, my Raynaud’s Syndrome really starts to torment me. If you are unfamiliar…
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3 Tips for Improving Your Mental Health and Well Being & Link Up On the Edge #249
When it comes to making changes to improve and boost mental wellness this year, there are many factors to take into consideration. The past year has been challenging for many of us and the increase in mental health issues is evidence of this struggle. New mental health diagnoses as well as worsening of already existing mental health conditions are at an all time high as we begin to emerge from a world that completely shut down last spring. As restrictions are being lifted everywhere and we slowly move forward into a very new world, it is imperative for all of us to focus on positive changes for our mental health…
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Style Imitating Art: The Child’s Bath by Mary Cassatt
About Style Imitating Art Style Imitating Art is hosted by Daenel of Living Outside the Stacks, Salazar of 14 Shades of Grey, and Terri of Meadowtree Style. Style Imitating Art challenges us to draw style inspiration from pieces of art. Every other Monday, one of the hosts, acting as curator, selects an inspiration image that they will each post on their blogs. The following Monday, each host shares her art inspired outfit. Participants are invited to submit their art inspired outfits to the curator by 10:00 p.m. EST on the Tuesday following the hosts’ art inspired outfit posts. The following day, Wednesday, the curator will share all of the submissions on her blog. You do…
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Style Imitating Art: Aurora Borealis by Frederic Edwin Church
“Then that’s what the Northern Lights are. All the lives that we’re not living.” Adi Alsaid “I was searching for the northern lights in the ice-cold spheres, of your empty eyes.” Clairel Estevez “She looked directly up into the Northern Lights and she wondered if those cold-burning specters might not draw her breath, her very soul, out of her chest and into the stars.” Eowyn Ivey It is time for another art lesson and an outfit that was accidentally inspired by a painting. But first, a bit about this creative little style series… About Style Imitating Art Style Imitating Art is hosted by Daenel of Living Outside the Stacks, Salazar of 14…
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The Fab 40’s: Black is Beautiful
The color black is one that most of us wear with some amount of frequency yet it is a color that we don’t really discuss in terms of meaning and symbolism in the world, in our lives, and in our wardrobes. When Ada presented this month’s Fab 40’s theme, I was not at a loss of wardrobe items to create a head to toe black outfit. I have always been a fan of monochromatic black outfits as they create the perfect canvas to combine dark and mysterious elements or to add bright and bold bits that will stand out with vibrance against the dark background. I have learned during my…
