Ahhh Autumn...

The cool breeze, the sun casting long shadows in the late afternoon, the vegetable garden starting to turn from green to warm shades of gold. Football. Oh sorry, did I ruin it for you with the "F" word? ;-) oh I like football alright which is probably a good thing because as my sister says we become football widows in the fall. That's ok it gives me time to work on things like this!

Awhile back I started re-illustrating a book my sister wrote. As I evolve as a painter/illustrator I find things I once did seem subpar and I'm fine with that but I really feel this little book of ours is special and it deserves my best. So I've started over. This was the first page and I'm just about done with the first chapter. It feels amazing and since the first chapter is about autumn I wanted to share this. 

I always keep a book close by that inspires me. It reminds me that with dedication and hard work anything is possible. Your dreams will come true!

I also recorded the fact that my water is pretty clean...that almost never happens!

I keep this photo on my phone as a screen saver, to remind me what is waiting for me when I get home from work. My lovely paints and my opportunity to get lost in a dream! 

I hope you all have a dream you can get lost in! Even if it's a book, spending time out in nature, knitting something cozy, or being with the people you love. 

Till next time! :-)

-Shelly

A Game of Random Blogging

Hello! Let me first warn you this post is going to be a pot luck. Just a little bit of everything. Honestly this post could be broken into a few but I'm feeling like sharing! :-) 

Ok...on your mark, get set, totally random stuff!

I'm totally addicted to these spicy California rolls from Luckys Market! I'm eating them at least 3 times a week for lunch. When I'm not eating these I'm trying to eat this...

Fruit salad, hummus and crackers, a cheese stick. I've been using the My Fitness Pal app. It's really helping me track my calories!

You know, so I can eat stuff like this.

Next bit of randomness...

My sweet husband got new glasses. I think he looks very handsome! I love a man in glasses.

Look at all these crunchy leaves! It looks like fall. This picture was also an excuse to show you my new shoes! I love them! They're Swedish Hasbeens...they are very comfy!

Look at that lighting! We've had loads of rain the last few days...we needed it as evident from the crunchy leaves!

Scary!

Oops, I mopped the kitchen floor and forgot to bring the mop and bucket in. Just look at that mess from the storm!

Ok now...just so we're really keeping this post random, I thought I'd show you what's been growing in the parking lot at work. A zucchini and a tomato! How wild is that! No pun intended . ;-)

Ok that's all the random I've got for now. Hope you are all amazing and as excited about fall as I am! Talk to you soon!

Summers Best

It's hard to believe its summer. We have the windows open and I almost need a sweater! I thought I'd show you a few pictures from the garden. I didn't plant anything till it was almost to late, but I'm glad I finally did...I think we'll be able to at least enjoy some late summer goodies!

We've also been enjoying picking some of natures finest for indoor enjoyment! 

Off to work I go, hope you are enjoying your weekend wherever you are! Hope your weather is as wonderful as it is here in the Bluegrass. 

Oh I almost forgot, the Fancy Farm Picnic is this weekend. Mitch and Allison will be facing off. I have to tell you I love the Fancy Farm Picinic for one simple reason. It's so very American. The parts I love...white painted fences, old fashioned red white and blue bunting, and BBQ. It almost makes you forget there is something political happening! ;-)

Root Beer Floats & Hot Summer Days

There are two things I love on a hot summer day. 

1. Watermelon

2. Root Beer Floats

Obviously number one would be the healthy choice but you see hubby and I took a trip to Ikea. There were these cute little white glasses. Once we got them home I realized they would be so cute for root beer floats. You see it's all about aesthetics, not dessert, not about making a healthy choice. It's about what looks good and using the things you have. Yes. Aesthetics.

Speaking of what looks good. We also got a new desk!

I'm hoping for a new sofa soon as well. Unfortunately our TV bit the dust so that was a purchase that is now delaying the sofa. But in time! 

Hope you are all well and soaking up this wonderful summer!

Shelly

A Few Lovely Days

I don't talk too much about my job but I really enjoy it and lucky for me I don't dread going. Have you ever had that job? The one where the thought of going was awful. I once had a job I hated so much that I would leave 15 minutes early just so I could drive by it and pretend I was just going to keep going and never show up again! Of course I'm way to responsible for that and I always turned around and went in. We'll I don't have that problem now but I do enjoy my time off. Unfortunately we had a small fire at work earlier in the week and will be unable to work while cleanup is happening. Fortunately I have wonderful bosses and their insurance covered everyone's pay. While I have this little bit of time I'm getting caught up on some things around the house and spending some time with my husband. We've worked in the yard, strolled through used book stores and had wonderful meals outside enjoying the beautiful weather. 

Here are some photos from our breakfast at The North End Cafe. I had Peach Blueberry Cobbler Pancakes and hubs had Orange Spice French Toast! Deliciousness!!! Hope you have all had a wonderful Fourth of July Holiday!

R&R

What an amazing day. Yes it's hot but I don't care. I spent the entire day with my husband (we rarely have the same days off) and it could not have been better! We  started off with breakfast at a cute little cafe then spent the afternoon shopping. I picked up a little Kate Spade case for my phone...pooka dots...I love me some pooka dots, then relaxed the rest of the evening. Also, I painted my toenails red.

New Bird Feeder!

I know...that's not a bird feeder, it's a colander full of kidney beans. I just wanted to say something about kidney beans before I get to the bird feeder. Umm, they are so pretty I think they deserve a new name. Kidney beans makes them sounds like gross organ meat that kids across the land would not touch with a ten foot fork. I make a motion that we rename the kidney bean! If you have any suggestions please share!

 



 

OK, now on to matters of bird feeders. I picked up this bird feeder over the winter and am just now getting around to putting it out. I've stalled on putting it out because it's so cute (I think it looks like a tiny modern house) and I don't want the squirrels to mess it up. I know they have to eat too, but they completely destroy every feeder I put out. It makes no sense to not put it out, but I had to wait till I was mentally prepared to have my new feeder turn to chewed, clawed lumps of plastic.

Alright! So far so good, the birdies are enjoying it, the "squirrel baffler" that it's hanging from appears to be working! Maybe the shape of this one is not interesting to them! This is awesome!
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Well, it was cute while it lasted...OK that squirrel is pretty cute too. Have a lovely day lovely people! I'll talk to you soon!

-Shelly