BEAUTY IS A LIFESTYLE THING

Hello Spring ! Welcome to renewal If you are like me, you went way off your Keto or Low Carb lifestyle during the holidays, right? Every year I do go off because who doesn't want to taste a sweet treat or maybe indulge in fantastic carb laddened cream sauce...and then every year I beat myself up because I either added X number of pounds or inches to my body and waistline. This year I've done something different; I've stopped that! NO, I did cheat, I did indulge in rich extravigant foods but this time I gave myself grace. I didn't allow myself to feel guilty or sad about it, instead I asked myself to up my level of activity when I did not exactly follow my lifestyle foods. I added more steps or exercised more. I have been more gentle with myself and I am finding that it is working. It works in the sense that I have less desire to cheat and it helped me to go back to my Keto lifestyle easier. I stopped makin...

I put my cushions on my patio chairs after we had a string of temperatures above our normal temps. of course I became Spring feverish! I know you did too. I even heard a motorcycle in the background and knew the warmth of Spring was near! I really did enjoy this cup of tea outside and it was 70 degrees, But the great Midwest and Mother nature has other ideas. While all the while my little bulbs are starting to burst all over. Spring Flowers! When the flowers begin filling in, it's just a gorgeous show. This winter however, we have found diggings, bulbs pulled out and mulch strewn about! We have found we have many furry friends like the voracious vole,the sneaky squirrels, and the big bellied bunnies who all have had a meal or two in our fine outdoor restaurant. Anyway, this Fall I have to replant the majority of my Tulips, the Tulips must be the preferred feast. So now that it's back in the 20's and the 30's, I've ditched the outdoor grill for making and baking in...

Where I live the climate and weather isn't warm yet, So I like my interior design to feel alive and fresh, and never overdone. I fell that sometimes our surroundings set the mood in your daily lives if it feels all tired and worn out; you might just be as well. How To Keep It Fresh Early morning Sunshine The first thing I do, especially if it's sunny, I open the curtains. I accept what nature gives us. Yes, I even open the curtains on a dark and dreary drab day. I try to embrace nature (and that's another article for another day) and that does help me get my day going.  I'm sure no one disagrees that when it's awfully cold out the sun does help make it a better day.  My dining room's location is just to the right of the foyer in my house, so any guests that enter will first see our open floor plan to the back of the house and fireplace and mantle, but immediately after, they will glance right and that takes in the view of the dining table. I always ha...

ReImagining Things I used to own several mass-produced Easter trees. Well, over the years and many kids later, needless to say, they broke. So Today I'm reimagining these trees. (I had saved the hanging little Easter ornaments) I shopped at my home, and in my study, I found two (very) old white-painted metal urns! They are so cute and perfect for these mini-trees. They are super heavy so they actually can hold up some weight. I went out with the dogs and found a few branches. (I pulled some dead ones, they are quite brittle though). I figured I'd give them a coverage of white spray paint, but ultimately I liked their natural state, so I left them with no paint. Assemble I added dry floral foam cut to fit into the little urn. Then stuck the sharp edge of the branch directly into the foam. I added a bit of white glue surrounding just the foam and branch for extra added strength. I didn't want to use fake Easter grass, so I added green natural moss (the g...

Credit:saintpaulaudabon.org Spring approaches and the nests appear everywhere! Every year at my house we get a very endearing duck couple and they meander around our back lot and decide each year to sneak beneath the underhang of the fireplace. Mrs. Robin does return every year and roost amid our gigantic Colorado Blue Spruce tree. Generally, birds such as Robins, Doves, Sparrow, Cardinal, and Ducks (Mallards) will return each spring to lay their eggs. But don't be mad about this, while ducks will meander way to go and seek other ponds of life once they have roosted, the others will tweet good morning songs for you until the fall or when it gets too cold. Your home has lovingly been chosen by these birds because you offer them a safe habitat. They feel there is enough food, water, and safety here, that they are happy living among your family while raising their own. Please do not rip down their nests, they artfully gathered many little things like sticks and leaves and s...

Spring is in the air and I promise this modge podge of mess will become great and beautiful spring crafts that anyone would love to put in their house!  And in fact you can easy peasy by using things from around your home and refashioning it into something else (some people call it upcycling), I save thing like ribbons, broken frames, candlesticks, and I buy grapevine wreaths by the bulk. I use my dining room to stage most things, it is a bright and uncluttered room that if I don't finish my projects no really has to walk directly through it!   I do use things from nature like leaves and sticks. I use things like old wooden box, covered boxes, candy dishes and even margarita glasses to make nests for bunnies and birdies! I'll post finished pieces soon. Have fun and Happy Spring! *Not                 pictured here are all of my bunnies & Easter stuff. Also things needed are patience & glue gun.