Home Is Where You Hang Your Heart

This hallway just needed something…you know? Although I’ve not even gotten a fraction of our Paris pictures printed, I did have an opportunity to make this 3-piece canvas art collection for our home recently. The middle canvas measures 10x10 and the two side pieces measure 5x7. All this takes is 2 patterned papers, a matted 5x7 photo, and a few embellishments. The large letter “P” was printed on my cricut and the Paris letters on the right are chipboard. I also painted the edges of the canvas a deep brown color to mimic the framed look. I would have to look long and hard to find anything even remotely Parisian to hang in my home. This one just fits.

What better way to decorate your walls than with the people and places you love most! In this case…Paris!  It was such a magical trip and this little trio reminds me of a wonderful trip and how lucky I am -- every time I walk in the door.

Eat, Pray & LOVE!

I finished the book on Thursday, 8/12 and saw the movie on Friday, 8/13. I enjoyed both of them for different reasons. I don’t think the movie is true to the book by any stretch. Books are almost always better.

As a big Oprah fan, I remember when this book came out. I remember hearing about it, and seeing it all over the shelves of book stores. I remember seeing it and just not being that interested – even though Oprah recommended it. So the years went by; and then one day after hearing the movie hype, I mentioned it to a friend. Well, she’d had the book from the beginning but never read it. Turns out she was waiting for someone to read it with. Hello! Julia read it with her best friend. So, right then we committed to read it together. So I bought it. I started reading it the next day.

I am SO glad I did. I think that the universe (GOD) really does bring you what you need, WHEN you need it, and not before. Perhaps I wouldn’t have been open to the message back then. Now, regardless of what delivery method you chose to get the material, I think there are certain universal truths to things in life. I’m not 35. I’m not homeless and loveless and clear across the globe on a spiritual journey. I’m just someone that has thought certain things at one point, experienced some of life’s biggest tests and sometimes reading about the author’s trials helps the reader see a reflection of themselves, or about things they are not willing to face or things that they wish they had dealt with and forgiveness’s that still need to be made. It helped me. It made me laugh. It made me cry. It made me THINK and FEEL. It opened old wounds. It made me step back and reevaluate things in my life. It touched me.

So I’m just grateful. Glad I gave the book a chance. Glad I had a friend who encouraged me to read it. It is a vivid reminder to each of us that we are on a journey as well - even if our life’s journey isn’t in exotic places. I would heartily recommend reading the book (before you see the movie) as there are many hidden gems of wisdom in its pages. And, who doesn’t like a good book? 

After you finish the book…go see the movie. It’s even better with your best girlfriend.

Fresh Trout

This past weekend, we were able to get away for a nice 3-day weekend and share some quite time in the Wyoming hills at Bill's favorite fishing spot (which has to remain unamed in order to protect it). He gets in the river upon arrival and does not get out until way past our agreed-upon departure time.

Me? I don't fish, but I do love to eat them! Nothing better than a fresh trout cooked in the hot coals of the fire pit -- doesn't get any fresher than that.

How many did he catch? Only between 35 - 40 (to our best recollection). Really. No fish tales here.

Jumpin' on the Band Wagon

Blog - a verb or a noun?

I like blogs.  I visit some regularly.  I love some and am only luke warm over others.  I think I should have my own.  Right?  Of course, I should. I know what I like and I know what interests me...so, here I go.

God knows, I love a good story.  So, it's official -- I blog (definitely a verb).