how I start my day

This is how I start my day.

Lace up the running shoes, and head out. Lately I've been getting in 2.75 miles each morning. My run takes me through my neighborhood, across the local high school campus (where I attended high school) and a loop around our largest city park with a walking trail, then back home.

School starts soon, and the football team has been having early morning practice on the freshmen field. I hear the coach barking directions and the sounds of the players as they slam into each other when I go by.
On the large field behind the school, the marching band has been practicing. All week, practicing moving in formation (or whatever you call it). Today, they were practicing with their instruments, I love hearing a marching band. It was such fun listening as I looped around them.

My morning runs have become more enjoyable and meaningful than just a method to stay healthy. It’s time away from distractions (ahem . . . the computer) to let my mind wander and think, set goals and dream. You know spending time dreaming is important right? Because if you don’t dream, how can you have a dream come true?
I started running seven years ago. From a running-phobe to a half marathon in six months. I began training with Team in Training in August and ran the Phoenix Rock N Roll Half Marathon the following January.

Hey! That's me crossing the finish line in Phoenix.

Whats with the red hair? Step away from the color bar Mrs. Nichols.

I’m training right now for a 10K this October. It’s a Halloween 10K with costumes and everything. I love Halloween and I thought this would be such a fun run to get me motivated. After that, my goal is another half-marathon in the spring, and then a full marathon next fall in Chicago. I really want to do at least one full marathon.

I took this photo right after my run this morning. I needed a self portrait shot for an about you tag game on Flickr. If you’re interested you can read more here.

So, tell me. How do you start your day?

join us . . .

I have such an exciting announcement.

You may have noticed a new blog button on my side bar.

It's official, the group has begun.

I would like to invite everyone to join our photo collaboration!

 

mortal muses at ... http://mortalmuses.blogspot.com/

"mortal muses is a group of like-minded female photographers from the USA & Europe. Each day one muse will post a photo based on a weekly theme and select a companion photo from our flickr pool. Visit with us each day as we celebrate the beauty of everyday life and friendship.

You don't need a blog to join -- you can just join our flickr pool, check out the weekly theme, submit your photos, and we will take care of the rest. Get creative....get inspired....and share your vision of the world around you."

Photographers of all skill levels are welcome! Don't worry about your camera or your expertise. Your photographer's eye and passion will guide you. Please join us!

grab our button & spread the word

a trip on the Weinstrasse

I was lucky enough to get out of town over the weekend, and take a drive through one of the most scenic areas in this part of the Midwest. Located just west of St. Louis, along the Missouri river is an area known as the Missouri Weinstrasse.

Without a doubt, it's one of the most beautiful drives in the area.

rolling hills . . .

the fields are so green right now, we've had an abundance of rain and high temps

came across a small field of sunflowers . . .

 

unique barns . . .

 fanciful fences . . .

side garden in full bloom . . .

time worn buildings . . .

of course rows of these . . .

which inevitably leads to a glass, or two,  of this . . .

If you ever make your way to St Louis, it’s well worth your time to visit the Weinstrasse. In this small area you will find over seven wineries, the Katy bike trail, antique shopping, restaurants, B&Bs, friendly people and beautiful scenery.

just a country girl at heart

I do believe I am just a country girl at heart. I love watching the seasons change in the fields. Driving two lane back roads, spotting the old barns still standing. Seeing the corn sprout in the spring, watching it grow tall and green, nearly blocking the sun, and turning withered and brown in the fall. Some of the stalks to grace our holiday decorating, celebrating the fall harvest. The cows in the pasture quietly contemplating. The clean air. The quiet. The velvety black sky exploding in a river of stars that twinkle like natures diamonds. The sounds of the night. Frogs calling for a mate in the pond, the owl softly calling who, the yip yip yip of the coyotes in the distance. In all the seasons, at all times of the day, when you take the time to slow down and listen and experience it, life in the country is a marvel.

I’ll be away from the computer this weekend, driving the backroads. Hopefully I’ll enjoy a glass or two of wine and come home with a new vintage treasure . . or two, and a memory card full of photos. I’ll catch up with y’all when I get back.


Have a great weekend!

special delivery

When I got home from work the other night, I found this fun envelope waiting for me in the pile of junk mail.

Seriously? Wouldn’t you just love to get this in the mail? And the funny thing is at first I had no idea who it was from. Hand addressed. And illustrated?  From New Jersey? I don’t know anyone from New Jersey.
Then I recognized the drawing, sort of.
Maegan from Madeline Bea, Life Set to Words hosted a week of giveaways to celebrate her New Blog Open House. If you’re not familiar with Maegan’s blog, you must go see it. She is super talented and she takes the most dreamy photos. But that’s not all. Maegan is also very supportive and encouraging to other artists, whereever you find yourself on your life artist journey. This spring she hosted Creativity Boot Camp, a free two week creativity e-course. The response was so positive, she has continued it with the Sunday Creative:

Welcome to The Sunday Creative! In this space, each week, on Sunday, I will offer a creative prompt; just one word that you can use as kindle for your creative fire in a project which I hope you’ll consider sharing here!

Okay, so want to know what was in the cute envelope? You guessed it. I won one of the giveaways. How fun is that?

Note cards, all wrapped up in pretty ribbon. Such a sweet presentation.

Aren’t these the cutest note cards? They are from Kim at Kimberly Renee.

Isn’t it fun to get a handwritten note in the mail? We so rarely do that anymore. These little cuties are going out in the mail today, hopefully to brighten someone else’s day. How about you? When’s the last time you received a personal note in your mail box? Why don’t you make someone’s day. Send a note to a friend, for no reason other than to brighten her day.

"The better part of one's life consists of his friendships."

- Abraham Lincoln

Thanks to Maegan & Kim.
 

makeover magic

Life is just a bowl of cherries . . .

{my photo SOOC}

. . . especially when you have bloggie friends like Kim.

Not only is she uber creative she is super warm and friendly and generous. {did I mention her free textures?}

And? She has been featured in the recent issue of Artful Blogging magazine.

 Not once but twice in the same issue. {I just found it at the bookstore last weekend, what an awesome publication} Kim Klassen café is featured and her collaborative blog with Prairie Girl, 2 Blessed Beyond Belief is also featured. Both blogs are overflowing with beautifully inspired photography.
As part of Kim’s Inspiration stay-cation, {again free} she posted a Photoshop make over challenge. Participants could submit a SOOC photo and Kim will choose at least one per week to work her Photoshop magic. See where this is going? Yippee! My bowl of cherries was chosen.

You can see her magic here. And? Today is 2 for $2 texture Tuesday, the day to get two of her gorgeous textures for $2. Hurry, today is the only day to get the textures she used on my photo for $2.
Thanks Kim, you made my week!

fab 5 list

Kim at Kim Klassen Café is having a linky party. She asked readers to share five of their favorite decorating blogs and link up. I have wayyy more than five, but I’ll start with these.

This photo is from Maria at Vintage Simple. Her kitchen re-do was featured at Design Sponge and in print in the Better Homes and Gardens Kitchen and Bath Makeovers. Maria is sooo sweet and her home is just what her blog says, vintage simple.

Tara at Blondie n sc  Oh my, the vintage goodness, and lovely photography too.

Jennifer at the Old Painted Cottage Be sure to check out her home makeover under the Cottage 8 tab and the Cottage of the Month feature,  *swoon* be warned, you’ll be there awhile.

Heather Bullard  Heather is Senior Editor of Flea Market Style magazine and her blog is full of beautiful vintage cottage inspiration. Check out her recently completed chicken coop!

Chris at Just Beachy, she’s had a shout out in Flea Market Style magazine, and no wonder. Her home is beautiful with that lovely beachy feel. And? This woman is amazing with the power tools, she builds and remodels all by her grown up self.

Like I said, I have wayyy more than five fav decorating blogs that I read. I could post five every Sunday for weeks and not list them all. Perhaps this will become a Sunday regular feature.

How about you? Want to play along? Post your fav five decorating blog list and add it to Kim’s linky party here.

before & after, a photo edition with mouse over!

To cultivate a garden is to walk with God ~ Bovee

I think I finally got it! The mouse over thing, that is, not a winning lottery ticket.

{hover your curser over the photo above}

There are plenty of tutorials on the internet to teach you how to do this.

Jerry at Shadowhouse Creations

Ree at Pioneer Woman Photography

and

Jill at Sneaky Momma Blog Design

to list the few I looked at.

Each person has a slightly different way to achieve the effect. I finally was able to get it to work for me by using the code from Jerry. Your mileage may vary.

I spent hours yesterday playing with PSE and processing about a dozen of my flower shots for a project I'm working on. I used a texture from Kim Klassen on the above photo. Kim is incredibly creative and talented, and her blog is full of beautiful photography. She is also generous with her knowledge and creativity. On her blog you can find great free tutorials and recipes for post process work. Beginning Aug 2, Kim is offering a free inspiring e-course called inspiration stay-cation. Be sure to pay a visit to her blog and soak up some inspiration goodness.

Have a great week everyone!

The Sunday Creative ~ Denim

This week's Sunday Creative prompt is denim.
Everyone is welcome to play along. Just click on the button to see what other creative souls have posted.



Come join us!

Happy Birthday U.S.A.!

1. '49 Jimmy - Americana Style, 2. http://flickr.com/photos/30215982@N03/4742773290/, 3. Untitled, 4. IMG_0168, 5. The Post, 6. Patriotic Windmill, 7. patriotic bike, 8. Come Sit With Me, 9. Rusty stars, 10. IMG_4586, 11. 101_1251, 12. patriotic us mailboxes, 13. stars and stripes

All photos found in the Pioneer Woman Photography Assignments pool on Flickr. Go. Look through the pool, so many beautiful photos. Thank you to all of the above photographers for use of their photos for this mosaic.

Have a safe & happy Fourth of July!