Busy August

Summer always goes way too quickly. It was busy busy busy, but I wouldn't change a thing. Working full time for my daughter gave me such bliss...and hours everyday with my granddaughter, Andi. Love love love!

My favorite novel has always been The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd. Now that I've read her latest: The Invention of Wings, it is my new all time fave. Have you read her books?!

Sharing great books is wonderful! I just finished The Beautiful American, historical fiction, and LOVED it too. Got any good ones you'd recommend?

Happy Sunday, friends

Love, kath

colorful footprints...

Journal playing

about summertime paths I've been on

and

moments to remember.

I am still so thrilled to be able

to nurture my self

and 

fill up.

My heart bursts with gratitude,

my soul is filling with Light again,

my teacher self is refueling and reflecting,

amidst sunshine & blue skies.

I can actually feel the four walls

coming apart and floating down

into little bits of inspiration

and better ways to teach.

We fit twelve months into ten,

and then relearn how to slow down.

It's quite amazing.

This morning,

I finished redoing my Spelling curriculum

for the year...

but I did it with my journal 

and art supplies on

one side of the dining room table...

and my coffee in the center.

It's the simple pleasures...!

I think, for myself,

there is nothing better than

accomplishment mixed with freedom. 

~k

I'm Back...

...adjusting to life outside of the classroom

and to Not Rushing Around...

...because first I threw a huge Luau.

Now I am relearning how to

Be.

Last night, I sat quietly

on my back porch,

looking at the flowers

and then the moon.

Aah.

~k

Summer Mornings

Sitting outside in the cool of the morning...

...sipping coffee

with barely a breeze

moving the freshness of the air,

...and only the sound of cicadas

and a few birds, but not too many,

and I have found my bliss.

I will always be a summer girl

~a morning person...

"Hey there, coffee girl..."

~k

My Texture Walk...and Journal

Yesterday evening, I took a "Texture Walk"

around my yard

 It then turned into a "Color Walk" 

because I have surprise orange poppies this year

...aaah....love....

Then, it led to this journal page.

Here are some details.

Thank you for looking and

for sharing in my texture walk of color!

 What inspires you most in nature?

~k

Making it Happen :: Art Journaling

I have spent much of the past week completely alone.

After 10 months of constant

talking and listening and doing, doing, doing,

it has been a big change.

This alone and mostly silent time

has been spent decompressing and reading,

thinking,

breathing,

praying,

meditating,

walking, thinking about my life

and my place in this big world.

Yes, I am an introvert who re-energizes with quiet time.

Could you tell?!

But this is more than that.

This is a monumental leap for me.

More later.

Just be now, though.

 Feel the unending Summer

and lose the urge to keep count of dates and deadlines.

These will be the days without number.

In friendship,

~kath

Nurturing My Self

I find myself struggling to hold onto a

fleeting

summer vacation

by photographing the beauty in each of my days

and journaling it.

Permanent records

of something

only permanent

in my Self.

Though born in the winter,

I am summer.

~k

Summer is...

...bliss.

Summer is:

a butterfly garden

big, pink, tropical flowers for curtains

sandals

walks

spontaneity

days without clocks

sunshine

bluebirds.

Summer is bliss.

~k

Feel the Heat

Hotter and more humid

ground cracking from drought

I can't remember a tougher six weeks of summer weather

Wondering if there will be a rainy day

but still a good summer

simply because it is summer

~k

Celebrating...

Celebrating...

much.

Best to you,

~k

Beauty in This Day

 Inside, looking out

Taking that Teal step...outside

(see, I told you I really got this color!)

All my life I wanted a deck, a patio, or a porch.

I will spend my summer here

at last

and I am filled with overwhelming gratitude

to be feeling some health again

with time to Be.

I shall not take a warm moment for granted.

I love being quietly at home

with my camera,

a good book,

my notebook,

and my favorite Sharpie pens.

Sending love,

~k

oh, it's just me...

...sayin' hi.

I've been missing you.

It is June and I have been running on empty.

It's almost done, just tomorrow (Friday) to go.

The children are gone for the summer

and it's just me...

...and a thousand piles of paperwork.

And miles to go before I sleep, but...

...when I walk out of the building tomorrow evening,

I will have completed a year

that was hard.

•

I seriously LOVE this photograph,

not only because it's beautiful,

but because it perfectly portrays how I am feeling

at this moment.

It is summery hot and sunny out and

I can feel peace knocking...

but I am fatigued.

Forgive me for posting before this is written and completed

but I am finding it to be a perfect resting spot

and I didn't think you'd mind.

You are so nice to me, afterall!

♥

Love, ~k

Carefree August Days

Today's journaling...

{Photo of blue hydrangea garden- credit: Victoria Magazine}

Beginnings & Endings...

I often think about times of my life as drawers in some kind of chest.

I open a drawer,

I experience,

I close a drawer

...and open another one.

Today closes a drawer on my summer vacation. Tomorrow opens one for a brand new year of teaching.

It was a very good summer.

It went so quickly...but life seems to go more quickly these days.

And I can open this drawer up again...

Hello Blogger!

Hello! I am beginning to Blog, so be patient with me as I go on this route of discovery!

Mid July and my tropical hibiscus is blooming despite the cool weather we have had most of this month. Isn't it lovely? It's what I'll think about in the winter!

I have so many ideas for you and for PaperPumpkin.etsy! Stay tuned for the fun!

Thanks! ~Kathy