From small and simple things...

Seeds planted and sprouted?
Check!

Raised garden bed boxes built by me, myself and I ?
Check!

Making the kids help me dig up the grass and prepare the site?
Check!

Boxes stained (because they had to be "pretty") and filled with dirt and little seedlings?
Check!

Herbs planted in a pot and watering schedule burned into my brain?
Check!



Plants growing like a master gardener had been taking care of them? Not a novice like myself.
Check!

I did it!!!! I can't believe it really. I set out not knowing what I was doing at all :) I am watching these little beauties grow every day. I harvested some of our beautiful and DELICIOUS lettuce last night for a salad.
I am so proud!

Soon these flowers will turn into summer squash. Yum yum!

These buds ^ are the start of my cucumbers.

And last but not least, are my carrots, all lined up. Growing like mad.
Soon I will have tomatoes, watermelon, onions, broccoli, peppers, corn, and green beans as well as everything else I mentioned to harvest. Woot woot!

Planting a seed and watching it turn into our food... AMAZING!

Go plant something!

xo Emily xo

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do
They're really saying I love you.

I hear babies crying, I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll never know
And I think to myself what a wonderful world
Yes I think to myself what a wonderful world.

-Luis Armstrong

Aren't we so lucky?

Take time to smell the roses, or in this case, the exquisite southern magnolias ;)
Best thing I've smelled in years.

xo Emily xo

Double vision

I feel so happy!
A year ago I felt extremely happy as a mother raising my children, but the little niggling voice that kept saying that I needed more "me" time was now yelling loudly in my brain.

I listened and began to pursue my desires as an artist and I feel so fulfilled. Taking a blank white canvas and turning it into a picture, something of beauty, something that makes me and the recipient smile, feels out of this world.

Having a customer come back for another piece of my art was one of the best feelings I have had yet in this journey. A sweet lady in Mexico, New York has not one, but two of my pieces now. The beautiful poppies above, she bought from me last November.

She loved this painting that I did as a present for a friend, and she asked that I make her a bigger one, just like it.

So here it is. Birds of a feather... part deux.

I am so grateful for the abilities God blessed me with.
Did I mention I felt happy?

xoxo Emily xoxo

I'd be a happy camper...

If I could camp like this !

Y'all already know of my extreme LOVE for the English Country living magazines. I was flipping through an issue from last year and well, these pictures were just too beautiful not to share. The colors just pop. The patterns and prints are mixed together so harmoniously.

One thing I miss about living in England is that no matter what... you took a holiday (vacation). Even if it was a weekend getaway, popping a tent in a field, staying at a B&B, popping over to Europe on the ferry, whatever. Just something to recharge your batteries. I LOVE that about the English and Europeans. I can't stop reminiscing now about my days camping in France with my sister before I was married and became a mommy. Good times!!

Anyway, our family haven't treated ourselves to a real holiday this year but I tell ya, I could live in a dream land like this, forget just camping. There is so much inspiration in these pictures. So many things we could all do to make our yards and gardens look and feel more appealing to our senses.
Summer is almost here, so get your thinking cap on and start planning a camping trip or making a beautiful outdoor oasis.













Cupcake ice cream cones...I love it.

xx Emily xx