Sad Goodbye to Some Pet Chickens

We had some sadness around here last week.

Here's the heartrending story
and what these plucky little gals taught me...

Two of our beautiful backyard hens 
were taken by a coyote -- 

in broad daylight, no less.

We did not get fancy with their names
when we brought them home 21 weeks ago.

We called them Buff, Red, Lacy and Gertrude.

Having never kept chickens before,

I had no idea I'd love them SO much!

I handled these little cuties daily since

bringing them home

as hatchlings.

Buff in particular was a sweetie.

She loved to cuddle!

I'd pick her up and she'd snuggle 

right into my neck and nestle there, 

making contented little sounds.

She did that even when she got big.

Today is a Big Day

Today is a big day.

It marks the beginning of

stepping into a new dream...

of taking a leap of faith...

of taking a fork in the road

and moving in

the direction the heart is calling.

The story will unfold over time.

But today...

Today

I just want to acknowledge

and give gratitude

for the support and the ability
to take these brand new steps

into 

Today.

31 Days of Gratitude

Cultivating gratitude 

is a profound practice that brings more joy, more creativity, and more abundance into your life. 

How? It acknowledges and strengthens 

your relationship with that living spark or presence in all things. 

It brings your focus to the possibilities that are ever-present, reminding us of the 

miracle of living. 

And in doing so, you'll feel more relaxed and less stressed.

Want some of that good stuff?

Yes, 

I thought so. 

If it takes 30 days to develop a habit,
I wonder how deeply our lives will be enriched after 31 days of this practice?

Come along on a 31-day journey into Gratitude and find out. Read a post each day to help you center in the attitude of gratitude this season.
You'll learn techniques to increase your gratitude
and you'll leave with a smile 
every day.


Bookmark this page for a link to each of 31 days right here:

Nature's Hues: Early Fall

Fall will not be outdone by Spring. It dons a wardrobe just as spectacular. It gushes forth a colorful harvest, drawing all of nature's creatures to its vast, bountiful table... 

Picking Out Fall Gourds

You ready for a Fall field trip? We gotta get some gourds and enjoy the scenes of fall. Jump in and take a ride with me! 

Off we go!  To a plant farm where you'll see much more than this amazing planted Chevy. It's a beautiful day and I've got some key tips to share with you about picking out fall gourds. 

But first, you've gotta see these sights...

Dancing in the Rain...Finally!

It rained!  It RAINED!  

Finally!

The nighttime pattering on the roof whispered a promise.

Morning Light revealed a simple blessing...

The earth drank deeply.

I danced with the drops...

...that fell freely from the sky...

The flowers dipped and whirled in step with each splash.

Leaves cupped their hands and drank greedily.

The field sighed deeply with relief.

We are grateful

for life's simple

blessings

Check out 

how we helped the wildlife through a blistering summer of drought.

More "Beauty of Nature" here

{I host a weekly linky party. Come find out more here!  I'm sharing this Life's Simple Blessings ~ Dancing in the Rain with...Monday:  Craftomaniac, Making The World Cuter, Alderberry Hill, Skip to My Lou, Cherished Bliss; Tuesday:  Not Just a Housewife, Nap-Time Creations, The DIY Dreamer, Tip Junkie, Today's Creative Blog, Savvy Southern Style, Uncommon, What We Wore & Made, Gingersnap Crafts, The NY Melrose Family. Elizabeth & Co.; Wednesday:  The 36th Avenue, Live-Laugh-Rowe, Someday Crafts, The Trendy Treehouse,  Snap; Thursday: Johnny in a Dress, My Repurposed Life, Tidy Mom, Shabby Nest; Friday:  Funky Junk Interiors, Anything Goes, Finding Fabulous, My Simple Home Life, Romantic Home, French Country Cottage, Tatertots and Jello, Thirty Handmade Days, Naptime Crafters, Stuff & Nonsense, One Creative Mommy; Saturday:  Be Different Act Normal, Tutus & Tea Parties, Positively Splendid, Sew Country Chick; Sunday: Nifty Thrifty Things, DIY Project Parade, Under The Table and Dreaming, My 1929 Charmer, Sew Darned Crafty}

It Feels like Fall!!

I can't hold back another second! I know it's August but the last few days have been cool around here, and although it's dryer than the Sahara, it feels like Fall! 

And something about Fall always incites in me a sense of exhilaration. It's like no other season. There's an excitement, an expectancy, a desire to connect with nature and friends. 

Out of Season

The leaves turn brown and fall
For want of a quenching rain
Giving the appearance of an autumn
Come swiftly and unexpectedly.


It wasn't your season
To fall

Nature Calls: A Bobcat Visit

We interrupt this blog for a special visitor.

Nature inspires me and my hubby like nothing else. So imagine the commotion when this visitor appeared within 5 feet of our patio door!

Funky Little Teapot: Tea for Two

I love tea. It is the first thing I make when I get up each morning. 

I love to make it very strong. I top it off with a teaspoon of agave and a splash of {soy} milk. It is a comforting wakeup call without making me jittery.

I purchased this funky, whimsical teapot and tea cups at an art fair several years ago.

The teapot cracked me up with it's frumpy little bottom and... 

...quirky little spout.

I fell in love with the swirls in the teacups. Like frothy-sweet milk swirls in a latte, you just wanna lick them!

Celebrating {Mother} Earth Day

How will you celebrate Earth Day?

After sprucing up your nest, doing some yard work, attending festivities, hiking, or otherwise enjoying the outdoors, here's a refreshing idea: Make your own Lavender Cream Soda. 

Sometimes Beauty is Fleeting

Sometimes beauty is fleeting. Like light through spring petals, it is so ephemeral and exquisite that your breath catches in wonder. You take notice. Appreciate.  Have you ever known a person like that? One who could light up a room, touch hearts, touch lives... Only gone too soon? It is all too vast a mystery for the mind to comprehend. But the soul whispers ....


                             even though the bloom falls away


    there is the fruit. 


           And within that, new seeds.

Thank you for the light that you shared while you could, dear one.

Bunny Bean Peat Pot Baskets

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These adorable little bunny "peat pot" baskets are the perfect organic welcome to Spring!    

Here's how you make Bunny Bean Peat Pot baskets:  Just begin with a basic starter pot.

Spring Forward!

Nothing says Spring so cheerily as pansies. They'll make your spirit spring forward right along with the clock! Just look at that happy little 'face.' 

As I create a special fun treat to share with you, I just had to give you a peek at the luscious colors of nature.

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Such a lovely, fresh breeze for the soul!  


Wanna see what these pretty little posies are planted in? You're gonna love the Bunny Bean Peat Pot baskets!

I'm also Springing Forward with an updated look and layout over here at I Gotta Create! Read about 5 lessons in the creative journey on my Bloggy Makeover 101 *post here.*

Q: What is your favorite sign of spring from Nature?

Irish Lucky Charms, 

DIY Leprechaun Kisses... 

Plus, 17 Sensational St. Patricks Day Projects from the Kiss Me I'm Irish linky party are posted *Here.*

Party with us! A fresh link opens every Wednesday at 7pm CST! For the most current party info, *Click Here.*  
I'm sharing these pretty pansies at:  Monday:  Craftomaniac, Making The World Cuter, Marvelously Messy, Project Queen, The Girl Creative, The Gunny Sack, Alderberry Hill, A Round Tuit, Skip to My Lou, Cherished Bliss, Northern Cottage; Tuesday:  Not Just a Housewife, Sew Crafty, Tip Junkie, Today's Creative Blog, Uncommon, Oopsey Daisy, Gingersnap Crafts; Wednesday:  The 36th Avenue, Blue Cricket Design, It's Overflowing, Nest of Posies, Savvy Southern Style, Someday Crafts, The Trendy Treehouse, Very Merry Vintage Style, What We Wore & Made; Thursday:  Shabby Nest; Friday:  Finding Fabulous, My Simple Home Life, Romantic Home, Tatertots and Jello, The Shady Porch, Thirty Handmade Days, Faith Trust & Pixie Dust, Naptime Crafters, Too Much Time on my Hands, Classy Clutter, Stuff & Nonsense, Craft Junkie Too; Saturday:  Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, French Country Cottage,  Sisters of the Wild West, Sew Country Chick; Sunday: Nifty Thrifty Things, Under The Table and Dreaming, My 1929 Charmer, Sew Darned Crafty

Party Hat Parade!

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It's the Party Hat Hit Parade!  I dare you to try not to smile when wearing one of these colorful, festive and fun hats. Impossible!

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Smiles and laughter are inevitable in these rockin' party hats!

Ever Feel Like This?

I've been curled up hiding away {but not looking so cute} because I've been under the weather since Friday. I'm not good at feeling bad. I always try to fight it. I have a hard time accepting and surrendering...there's always so much to do! 

Strange Beauty

WARNING! Do not touch or pick these. In their rather alien-looking beauty, they are toxic.

Pin ItOh Honey! See those?!! Pull over, please....

Those words aren't unfamiliar to my sweet hubby. But REALLY. How could I pass by these strangely GORGEOUS things?