A "Me" Day

Do you ever take a "Me" day?
Plucky Maidens Junk Fest at McMenamins in Troutdale was just that sort of day.

I arrived early and watched the vendors busily setting up there wares.

I strolled through the grounds just taking in the perfect weather sort of summer day.

Don't you just love the yellow pom-poms hanging in the trees?
Oh dear, I am laughing at this photo now.
See the woman leaning over checking out the wares and the smiling
one in the black dress?  Too funny!  I think I had better make
this picture larger, so you can see.
Just others out enjoying the day, chatting with friends, playing, and smiling.

It seemed like I was most taken by the apparel I saw.

But found a few other things appealing to the eyes.

 

This was a gorgeous child's dress of silk from I.Magnin's.

The softness of the colors here delighted the eyes.

A creative artist making beauty out of vintage fabrics.
I will visit her store sometime.

It was fun just to watch women trying on hats.
I stood there for awhile and watched.

 

This is a place one can dream, finding just the thing you know you can't live without.
What I came home with was a green metal tool box, just what I was looking for.
One day I will share it with you, as it will hold tools of art not hammers and nails.

Yes, yesterday I played.
I hope very soon you find time to play.
It is good for the soul.
Happy Weekend, dear friends!

Good Morning New Day

Where do you love to sip your tea on a summer morning?

What delights you?

The view is priceless.
The tea soothes my soul.

Breakfast of fruit and tea bread make me happy.

Join me from your part of the world this morning
and we will sip in quietness, just enjoying the view.

Passion

Passion
A glimmer only do I see
A spark takes hold and begins to shine.
Only a spark at first.
It grows
It ignites
It envelops
and consumes.
The fire has been created
and soon it dances with exuberance.
It is said a fire becomes
the color of the heart.
Yes, reds and gold
and heat do sing in my chest.
In this my singing heart
I find passion.
Passion is of the heart
A Joy not to be contained
a fire burns there
I know it does
I will dance and embrace this heart full of Passion,
this heart of God.

~m.miller

Keep the Spark Alive

At the park recently I found art by young children on the fence.
Oh yes, it is art from the heart and tells the story true.

Relyn, my blogging friend from Come Sit by My Fire, recently asked me
how did I find time to be creative when my children were young and I worked full time?
What a good question.  I have always had a creative heart and a burning
passion to create; so how did I do it?

For a young mom with a busy schedule maybe something on this list
will help you find a way to fulfill your creative spark.

1. Set aside a couple hours either one evening or on the weekend just for you and making something.
Keep it simple, so you can see results quickly.

2. Have art supplies and make time for creative projects with your children.  I also did art projects
with neighbor children and on Wednesday evenings with the children at church.
Most often I avoided paper because those got destroyed before they got home.
It could be something with clay (I found someplace to have things fired), painted rocks, yarn ropes,
a little paper such as paper bag puppets, and built simple bird houses.

3. Planned and had creative birthday parties for my children. 

4. From time to time I would take a creative class just to have a set time and learn something I didn't know.  One time I signed up for a class and didn't even know what it was, I just knew it was something creative and I needed a time out place to go and play.  One time my family camped in a sheep pasture for a week, so I could take a week long course on learning to spin and make natural dyes.  Now this was when I had a new baby, so I hadn't gone back to work yet.   Having a supportive husband helped with this excursion into creativity.

It is so important for a creative soul to keep the spark alive.
I know many of my readers don't have young children and work, but may be able to add to the list.

What have you done to find creative pursuits while raising young children and working full time?

Monday's Quotes

 

I will not cut my conscience to fit this year's fashions.
~Lillian Hellman

Yellow

 

 

Yellow is my favorite color.
It is the color of happiness and sunshine.
It makes me smile just as a sunflower does.

For the month of August Marmalady's is
having a yellow teapot special,
while supplies last.

For $5., plus shipping priority mail $12.35
you can have a happiness, yellow teapot
for yourself or a friend.
They come in either a 3 cup or 6 cup size.

Just email me at marilyntea @ gmail.com

Magic

There is a magic in the moment when being visited by nature.
A magic that delights and sings to our heart.
Hummingbirds, lightning bugs, and the song of
the quiet nights sounds.
I watch for this magic in anticipation.
Rejoice in the small things for they are sent by God.

What are you noticing today in the small things of magic sent by God?

Photo taken just outside my breakfast window.
Each morning Joey and I sit in anticipation, watching!