A Little Inspiration

The Everyday & The Surprising

Hey, Friday is here! Personally, it's not that I don't like the weekdays, because I do. However, I find the weekend something worth celebrating. I can spend some time with the Gman, kick back, enjoy time with the people I love, do a little more creating, and do things I don't have time for during the work week.  So in my book, the weekend gets the thumbs up. Happy almost weekend gang.

I was looking through the pictures I've captured on my phone and camera over the the last few weeks and thought I'd share a few with you guys.  I need a little inspiration. The rain has returned for the moment. Kind of a bummer, when yesterday's sunshine was so welcome.

Previous to this week, the sun made it's presence known. We were happy to get a couple walks in. The hound and I were off to the field the days it was sunny. 

This is why.

'Hello Pam. Hello Lucan', say's the Sun.

'Hello back', says the hound.

Sometimes we get to meet new friends in the field. I nearly stepped on this guy. I think he's a Pickerel Frog. Cool, huh?

Another thing about the last few weeks.......garden tomatoes. We were late in planting, but that's ok because we're still getting tomatoes when most people's are done. That said, there is supposed to be quite a drop in temps tonight, so I'll have to go pick what's out there and then cover the plants up if there are any that aren't quite ripe.

Is there anything quite like a fresh, garden tomato sandwich?

The recent Harvest Moon was big and beautiful. Unfortunately, my camera just wouldn't cooperate and get a good still shot. Much to my delight, when I opened this one up, there was a heart of a moon shooting through the sky.

A sun angel greeted us in the field one day. Can you see it? The head, the wings. As plain as day.

Today, before the rain started, there was beautiful morning light. So I walked over to the field to get a shot of the gray skies that were on their way, against the changing Fall trees of the field. The field had other plans for me though. Oh, hello Mr. Heron. 

We call them B52s. Why? Because when they take off, they're huge. Just like a B52 Bomber. And so he did.........

To top it off these few weeks that were filled with great stuff, my blogging pal Bonnie over at {Paper.Keeper} bestowed upon me (seriously people, how often am I going to be able to say I had something 'bestowed upon me'??) an award. An 'Inspirational Blogger Award' to be exact. Thanks Bons. Your'e the best and right back at ya.

If you haven't been over to {Paper.Keeper}, I highly suggest you do. Bonnie doesn't shy away from talking about the personal stuff and feelings that most of us have, but maybe don't share. Whether its, turning an ordinary night into an extraordinary night and making memories, or how one thing can make all the difference, I can always count on Bonnie to get me thinking and make me smile. So I say thanks Bons. Isn't it great how you make connections that matter, really matter, over the internet? I'm so happy to have connected with Bonnie. She's a great support. She's also smart, funny, empathetic, adventurous, and kind. I love her from New Hampshire to California and back. So in the spirit of the award she sent my way, here's what I'm supposed to do.

The Rules:
1.) Copy and Paste the icon on your blog- done
2.) Thank and link back to the blogger that nominated you- check
3.) List 7 things  about yourself – done!
4.) List blogs that inspire you – fini!


Seven things:

1. I constantly edit myself. Whether it's writing or illustrating or photography, I'm always wondering if it's good enough. 
2. I met Gar while going to college in the Bronx. He was a friend of a friend's friend (did you get that?). We all crammed into the friend of a friend's (Gavin who we still see every chance we get) parent's Duster, went to see the Rocky Horror picture show in New Rochelle, and that was it- end of the story. Or the beginning, depending on how you look at it. On our first (and pretty much only) 'date', he took me to the Empire State at night. There was a saxaphonist playing outside and we shared a giant pretzel with mustard. Love those kind of memories. Like they just happened yesterday. 
3. I took dancing lessons, on again, off again for many years. I started with ballet and tap when I was just a wee lass. Continued with both and added Jazz. I can still do my 5 positions for ballet (it's not pretty, but I can do them), shuffle ball change, shuffle off to buffalo, and end with a little Bob Fosse jazz hands.
4. I was a cheerleader in high school. I could do a split, but I have never, ever, ever been able to crank out a cartwheel. My attempts are pathetic. I just freeze.
5. I have been called many different things in my life: pammy, diddlebain, pamela, whammy, pele, sis, pam the wham and more.
6. My girlfriend Tina and I have been best friends for over 40 years. Gulp.
7. I have a lot of wonderful Aunts and Uncles, many of whom are not blood relatives, because my parents settled in NH while most of their family was in NY. I don't subscribe to the notion that it takes blood to make a family.

The bloggers who continually inspire me (if I know you personally and want to share this award with your readers, feel free. If not, no worries. Your call.):

The Pioneer Woman
[The Pioneer Woman is one of the first blogs I read on a regular basis. She absolutely, without a doubt, always makes me laugh and I think more laughter would make the world a better place.]

Hybrid Handmade
[Cari-Jane is a most talented artist/metalsmith/jewelry designer and has become a great friend. That isn't why I'm including her in this list. Her posts are a time to stop, and reflect on the little things we often miss. In the midst of days when we're pushing, pulling, and fighting to find time, her blog is a respite from all that busyness. I really appreciate that.]

Maison Decor
[Amy is a very talented interior designer. In the time I've been following her blog and have come to know her, I have watched her make her dream come true. Amy took the leap and opened her own store this spring, just a bit south of me in Malden, Mass. Well you see, Amy took an Annie Sloan Chalkpaint class and everything has kind of ballooned from there. Amy is now the stockist for Annie Sloan Chalkpaint in Malden and now in BOSTON, where she recently opened her second store. Talk about a wild ride. I have loved reading every little bit about Amy's buisness journey.

High Heeled Life
[My blogging pal Celia is on a different kind of journey. I journey to create a new kind of life for herself after and accident completely changed the course of her life. Her stuggles to make it in this 'new kind of world' are honest and heartfelt. She also makes time to enjoy tea, which I believe is more about remembering to take time to smell the flowers and celebrating the small moment, than about the beverage she's drinking.]

Canelle Et Vanille
[I don't even remember how I came across Canelle E Vanille, but I'm so glad I did. Aran is the most unbelievable food stylist and photographer. Her pictures always inspire me to do better. They are amazing.]

All Things Luci Rae
[Traci is a quite a ticket. This mom of a two year old and crafter extraordinaire,who always has a furniture project in the works, did something I don't think I'd ever have the guts to do. She went on TV. Now, she didn't just go on TV and share how to do a craft project. Traci went on TV and competed in Craft Wars. AND she brought her dad with her as her 'assistant'. In the process, Traci became the first contestant on Craft Wars to be sent packing with her glue gun in hand, but she did it all with her head held high and laughter in her belly. The best way to handle such a scenario, yes?]

There are so many bloggers out there who inspire me, I could go on and on.  What I'd like to know though, is what bloggers inspire you?


Freeform Friday

This one is inspired by one of Bonnie's 'feel good' posts and I'm sending it out to Cari, who has done a lot of packing this year and isn't quite done. It's a sentiment that's well worth remembering. Click here if you're reading my email.




Ciao for now,

PS- The October Giveaway launched this week.  $175 of 'made by hand, with love' prizes. Did you enter yet?