Merry Christmas!

Snow Day

Today is a snow day for us Coloradoans. Currently the white stuff is falling down in buckets (does it snow in buckets, or is that just rain?), and I’m trying to avoid shoveling the driveway for as long as possible, which admittedly isn’t a great strategy when it comes to snow removal...



The weather, of course, threatens to put a serious damper on Halloween festivities, but it does make for excellent holiday inspiration. And since I’m currently working on some holiday DIY projects, this snowy day is a perfect fit to get me into the mood.


Later today (Yay!) I’ll be listing my first ever project download for purchase in my online store, so I thought that I would give you all a sneak peak by sharing a few photos with you. These pictures, plus the winter wonderland outside, make me want to cuddle down with a soft blanket, some hot tea, and a good book.



That is, after all, what snow days are for.



Stay tuned for more details about my store, and come back tomorrow as we pick up on this week’s Be An Original theme: exploring who we want to be!

Mountain Morning

Every year sometime toward the end of September I have a little ritual. It involves me, a crisp autumn morning, my favorite mountain park, and my journal.

I come here to reflect over the year, and to think about the future.

Some years I have big decisions to make, and I seek this park for the peace and quiet it offers--a chance to get away from my computer and cell phone and just listen to my heart.

And listen to the rushing mountain river, too.

This year I didn't have decisions to make, per se, or even big goals to set for the future. Mainly I just sat in the sun and rested.

I thought about what I've journeyed through over the past 12 months or so, and where I'm headed.

And I'm not sure if it was the beauty of the scenery, or the fresh quality to the mountain air, but up in that canyon I had the wonderful sense of new beginnings, like a turning of the season. A clean slate. A clear morning.

Needless to say, it was a good way to start the day.

What introspective insights do you have this fall? Share your comments below, or email me at shillberry@stephaniehillberry.com.

After these Messages...

I'm not stalling because I don't have the new series completed yet.

Really.

I'm not.


That's Not the reason why I want you to view these lovely pictures, taken this weekend on a walk just outside my back door.


I want you to see how beautiful the countryside is.


And ponder the wonder of nature.


And perhaps occupy you until I post again later today...

So, in the meantime, please feel free to view more of these lovely shots from our nature walk by visiting me at Flickr (click here!).

And to read an introduction to the new series (Starting Today!), come back and visit me here. I promise I'll post it.

Just as soon as I figure it all out...

Pretty Things

Every now and then I have to write a post filled with frivolous, pretty things. Because...you know...I'm a girly girl.

Naturally first on my list is food, since my favorite part of cooking by far is how the food looks (something my husband Does Not fully appreciate...). Above is a photo of my breakfast--fresh blueberries with whole grain waffles and syrup. Delicious!


This chunky red pendant is the next pretty thing on my list. It is this week's raffle giveaway, even though I'm tempted to keep it for myself...



I've had this gorgeous, unbelievably soft, fuzzy pink yarn for awhile now, but after my recent knitting binge I've been eyeing it more and more. Don't be surprised if this pretty ball turns up in a photo of a finished project soon!




I have my friend and neighbor to thank for this new Jill Bliss journal. I saw hers a couple weeks ago, and immediately begged her to tell me where she got (I'm always on the hunt for pretty new journals). And I was so excited this weekend to hunt down one for myself. Don't you love the pages of poppies, and the floral cover? I even love the grid pattern since I'm kinda particular about writing in straight lines(I know--I'm weird like that...).




Finally, I've recently fallen in love with this new blog, A Creative Mint. Creator Leslie puts together the most beautiful vignettes, usually based on a color theme. It is like candy for the eye. Take a minute to check out more photos by visiting her link.

What are your favorite pretty things? Share your comments here!

Well--I'm off for a full day of errands! Thanks for reading and I'll talk to you soon!

Previous Related Posts:
Knitting Binge
Five Things I'm Loving
Ode to Pillows

Retro Summer on Flickr!

Summer invites cameras, don’t you think? Especially if you’re planning to spend the days like I am, enjoying the community, eating good food, & appreciating nature. In other words, making good memories.

Get to Flickr!
It makes sense, then, that I would naturally think of Flickr as a great way to share our summer experiences. And it is my earnest hope that as you’re hiking or swimming or bbq’ing with friends that you would snap a few shots and upload them onto Retro Summer ’09 on Flickr.

I'd Love to See...
Here are a few pictures I’d love to see:
* slices of your favorite summer berry pie
* the beautiful scenery from where you live (or where your travels take you)
* the contents of your beach and/or pool bag (in other words, what are you reading and/or listening to these days?)
* summer projects you’re working on
* a local landscape that you admire
* snapshots from your 4th of July festival
* a home design project you’re tackling this summer
* your garden
* your favorite bike or walking trail

You Get the Picture
I could go on and on, but you get the picture (pun intended). So bring your camera along this summer, and I’ll do the same! I can’t wait to see and hear the tales from your Retro Summer ’09!

To visit the Retro Summer Flickr group, click here!

Previous Retro Summer posts:
visit Retro Summer's webpage for all the latest!
Plant Nerds & Cookie-Cutters: a glance at the topics ahead
Oh How I Love a Good Field Trip
Favorite Things

Saturday Sussie: Photo E-Course

note: Saturday sussies are amusing finds I encounter during the week.  I like to share them for no other reason but because they strike my fancy, as every sussie should.

I ran across a promotion for Unraveling, an online course by photographer Susannah Conway, and thought it looked intriguing.  

The e-course, beginning on February 16th, focuses on exploring different aspects of your life using photography and writing.  Each week participants are given a photo assignment along with some questions to ponder about the pictures they took.  The purpose of the course is to reconnect us with different pieces of our personalities, lives and relationships.

Sounds like a fun challenge to me!  

Click here to learn more about fees and details, and to sign up for the next course.

Don't forget to come back on Monday to read more about Nesting and to meet 2009's first Marketplace Maven!

Previous Saturday Sussies:

the Non-DIY Scrapbook

Handmade Journals

How About Orange