Adventures on the Road

Sometimes an idea can take on a life of it's own. That's just what happened! Hubby and I decided to take a road trip and it turned into an adventure in discovery. We started our trip on Monday and went to see my brother in Indiana. He had surgery recently and was home recuperating. I was happy to see he was taking good care of himself and that he seems to be healing well. I was relieved to see him in person phones calls just don't cut it at a time like this. As our visit came to a close we set out for Layfette. As we headed down the highway we took a detour and found this beautiful covered bridge and have made a note to self...come back for a visit this summer!



Back on the road we had the best time watching the scenery, having conversations, and listening and singing outloud to two CD's our Emily gave us at Christmas. The group is called, "Straight, No Chaser" and these guys are fabulous! (You can check them out on utube it's worth the time!)

 During one of our stops we happened into this wonderful pharmacy that had an old fashioned soda fountain. It was the best fountain soda I've ever had. Hubby was very busy reminiscing about his childhood experiences at a local soda fountain he visited as a young boy. Fun!

 Had to share this picture. It is the oldest billboard in the entire US. It can be found on the old route 66.

 As we toured along we visited dozens of small towns and enjoyed the many Christmas displays. This home got my "Best of Show" vote for it's old fashioned appeal.

 This photo is out of sink but is so pretty I had to add it. It is the view from the covered bridge.

Tomorrow I'll share more...Think Antique Malls!

Girl's Week-Emily's Graduation

The next leg of my journeyy through Girl's Week was my daughter Emily's.  We relaxed, had coffee, fabulous conversations, and shopped the local Goodwill store.  I love the time I am able to spend with the girls...cherished moments.  The pictures are actually from Emily's party celebrating her graduation.  Today she is officially a Paralegal and tomorrow maybe Law School!  John and I are so proud of her accomplishments.

Brian and Brandon relaxing and enjoying some conversation.

Baby Karli exploring the steps. She is the newest addition to friend's Jenna and Jeff's family.

Auntie, Uncle, and a very sweet cousin!

The grandma's...these ladies are both in their 80's can you believe that!

They are Beautiful!

Brian's niece and brother-in-law.

My sister Rosie and two of her darlings!

It was a wonderful day of visiting, stories, giggles, fabulous food, friends, and family.

God really is good to us!

Girl's Week goes to Chalkfest

Girl's Week took us to Chalkfest.  A wonderful creative adventure for all who participated whether artist or critic, visitor, or creative muse...

May your creative juices flow!

A Walk through the Flowers

          Our walk begins at the lake and the water lilies are in bloom.  

Enter through the arch and stroll slowly up the stairs.

Wildflowers and tiger lilies.

The colors are so rich and vibrant.

I love hollyhocks. They say home to me as we always had hollyhocks growing along the side of our home growing up.

Get a bowl there are ripe berries just waiting to be picked.

I love the randomness of this garden space.

Linger as long as you'd like...I spent hours enjoying it all.

Have a joyous, nature filled day...and join me for Day 2 of my Girl's Week journey at Amanda's New Digs.

Amanda's New Digs-Day Two of "Girl's Week"

    The next leg of my "Girl's Week" journey was to visit daughter Amanda and see her new digs.

She recently accepted a new position with the Marshfield Clinic and has had to make a quick move.

So she has moved into an efficiency apartment in town. It is on the second floor and is adorable.

A picture of the Marshfield clinic; Amanda's new employer.

We had a great time and did a lot in a few days.  We shopped the second hand stores,

had some wonderful meals together, played at the farmers market, and just explored the city she is now calling home.

These sculptures greet you when you enter the city.

These wonderful creatures are all made of recycled metals.

This last picture is of a mural dedicated to all our soldiers and veterans.

Our time together was fabulous and it put my fears to rest. You see when she told us about the apartment she had found I had visions of a dirty, disparaging downtown area and I feared she would not be comfortable or safe, God has been good to her. The new environment is clean, active, and safe. Amanda can walk to shops, restaurants, and coffee houses.  She is only minutes from work and now has time to shop for an apartment that will become a long term commitment. Our little girl has grown up and is doing what she always dreamed of doing.  She is a pediatric social worker being of service to infants in need and their families. We are so proud!

With that I am on my way to my next stop...daughter Emily's and Brian's.

Girl's Week in Wisconsin

     I had the best time traveling the country side of  Wisconsin and over the next few days I'll share my adventures.  My first stop was the "Girl's Only Weekend "with my younger sister Linda.  Her in-laws have this wonderful cottage on a small lake in the Kettle Moraine area.  The weather was beautiful, the wild flowers were in bloom and the lake was just waiting for us! We spent the weekend relaxing, sharing conversation, the water, and some wonderful meals. I am blessed to have a wonderful sister who is also a wonderful friend.

As we got unpacked I couldn't wait to take a walk down to the water.

The whole spot reminded me of lake side vacations we had taken with our parents as children,

The stairs ascend all the way down to the water.

At the bottom of the stairs is a second cabin that is adorable.

And the lake! I loved swimming, the row boats, and just communing with all the nature that surrounded us.

It just says RELAX! or PLAY!

We swam 3 miles on the second morning. There was a small sand bar at the other end of the lake and Linda wondered if we could make it? Just like kids we had to try!

This is the entrance to the property from the lake to the upper cottage. It is almost magical enough to be a the inspiration for a poem or short story. Note to self!

On Monday we visited an Antique Mall, had a fabulous lunch, and said our good-bys.  I miss her already! But she is only a phone call away.

Tomorrow we'll take a walk through the gardens...then onto daughter Amanda's new digs!

Just for Today

                    The marsh off highway 26 on the way to Tybee Island, Georgia is a beautiful. 
                  I took this picture from the car as we made our way to our most recent vacation.

The beauty of Nature is a reflection of God's artistry that always buts me in a place of peace and calm.  It reminds me to take a moment to reflect on what is really valuable. Life, love, family and friends, and the         freedom to be creative in all I do.

It has been a busy week  filled school, class, domestic duties, and a phone call that brought sad news of the death of my dear friend's father.  It is a sad time. A time to reflect, lend support, and pray for the family as they mourn their loss. He was a loving dad and a great conversationalist.  I will miss our conversations and his subtle sense of humor. 

Just for today I will cherish the gifts that God has given me.  Just for today I will be unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful, and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me.

Savannah in Full Bloom

I am back from vacation and as wonderful as it is to get away I am happy to be home.
I had needed an opportunity to get centered and regain my focus.  I had been feeling out of sorts and disconnected from people, places, and things in my life but I am back!  God always gives me exactly what I need no matter what.  Hubby and I spent spring break in Savannah and at Tybee Island. I had time to slow down, and enjoy the beauty that was around every corner!  The gardens were breathtaking and I relished every moment of our visit.

I had questioned so many things in my life and know that it is okay to question but far better to embrace faith.  I have been blessed with the opportunity to go back to school and study to recieve my masters.  When finished with my program I will have a Reading Specialists degree.  I hope to continue teaching and put more energy in my writing.  I continue to work on a website for students and parents focused on Reading and Language Arts.  I hope to provide a comprehensive site that will assist traditional and homeschool students.

These are big goals but I know that if I take it one day ata time, one step at a time I will be guided to the realization of each of the paths layed out before me.

Inspiration comes in so many forms and the willingness to go forward comes from a strong belief that if a task is worthwhile it can be accomplished.  

So for today I will embrace life and each moment of inspiration as a gift.

Have a day filled with the joy in your own inspirations revealed and realized through your personal journey.

It's all about the Gifts of the Season...

These Christmas lights were so beatuiful I couldn't help but try to capture them.  The city of Geneva, Illinois is awash in lights to celebrate the season.  I was attending an Education Seminar in a nearby town and took the opportunity to visit this beautiful city to do a little Christmas shopping and have dinner.

This shop window was so quaint and so inviting!  I wandered in and found a delightful mix of holiday decor and an array of Paris inspired accessories.  In a word, "Beautiful".

The other shop I visited was called Simply Sassys.  It was a little winter wonderland.  There were candles in the scent of pine needles, decorated trees with ornaments made of porclein, blown glass, chyrstals, and an assortment of other characters made of fabric and some unusual items. (I'll share pics tomorrow!)

The shopkeeper was a sweet woman who chatted and shared stories about each of the gift lines she had to offer.  Handmade jewelry, soy candles, and snow people are just a few examples.  It is a crafters paradise!

In the midst of a day I was granted a moment to explore, meet new people, enjoy the holiday light displays, have a delicious meal, and be thankful for the understanding of the real reason for the season!

May your day be lit with the glowing warmth of this blessed season.

Be Your Own Travel Guide

You know how I love to travel. The idea of a new place, new people, culture, cuisine, and all the special things to be discovered has such a strong draw. But, alas I can not always hop a train or a plane and go. However, the images here can take you to anyplace you'd like to go!

The trolley car is beautiful. The seats comfortible and the scenery captivating.
Come on take a seat, relax, and enjoy the ride!

This beautiful trompe l'oeil trolley is the entrance to a unique little mall in Frankfurt, Illinois.
Since I'm on the topic of travel I'd like to move onto another opportunity for travel.

A good book is like taking passage on a fantastic trip.

Reading has taken me to England while absorbed in Pride and Prejudice, to any junior

high school in Zen and the Art of Faking It, or on a journey across America with the photography book by Jake Rajs.
There is nothing better than a cup of tea or fresh brewed coffee, a comfy quilt, and a book to get lost in.

Where will your travels take you? I'm on my way to a rural community in small town USA with Things I've Learned Lately, by Danae Jacobson.

Until later...read on and enjoy the journey.

Galena or Bust!

This past weekend John and I took a road trip through Illinois and Wisconsin. Our first destination was Galena.
While sitting on a bench outside one of the local coffee shops we noticed the building across the street and giggled trying to imagine why a door appeared leading to no where. John's humor...Watch the first step; it's a long one!

These are just a couple examples of this inviting area.

Just a few shots of the city taken from the car as we traveled the countryside.

While in Galena we attended a festival and although it was cold (46 degrees) it was a fun event.

Aren't the quilts pretty. I just love the colors and the obvious creativity that went into their creation.

This display was one of my favorites! I have seen pictures of bottle trees but had never seen one up close. This idea is going in my must have someday file. I'd love to see them sprinkled throughout a garden space.

This wreath just said welcome to me. It was made of a twig base and a scaled down choice of

florals. I was drawn to the simplicity. I can just picture it on someone's door welcoming guests in.

Now all the walking and looking and all the sightseeing left us hungry. These were the best looking, best tasting caramel apples ever!

Here's John filling out raffle tickets. They were 6 for $5.00 and the money went to support a very deserving charity. They were raffling beautiful gift baskets.


The entire day was fun filled and best of all a terrific change from our busy work weeks. It was a bit of relaxing fun to provide some balance to our lives.

For more information on Galena, Illinois and all it's wonder go to: http://www.galena.com/