Summer Goals

So, summer will officially begin tomorrow with the arrival of the solstice. I have been doing a lot of soul searching lately and I've decided on what my summer goals will be this year. Every year, a lot of us try to decide on what to do to maximize the summer weather. Some of us want tans, others want to shed a few pounds. Others hope to spend more time with their families and maybe have a nap, once in a while.

I think that all of the above options are great. I love the beginning of a new season, because with each new beginning is a sense of hope. Well, at the end of summer, when we look back on how we spent our time, we often think about all the stuff we wished to get done, but didn't. Then, we look forward to what the fall will bring.

I've learned that it doesn't really matter if we don't get everything accomplished. Most of us get eager and make our lists too long. As long as we have achieved, at least, some of our goals how can we be down on ourselves? As long as we take time to appreciate the summer, even just once, it won't be wasted.

So, this brings me to my summer goals. Today, while out with my dog walking, I enjoyed smelling the buttercup's scent wafting in the air and I took in the view of the green trees, the flowers, and the lake; observing how lucky I am. I have seen the same view for decades; and every summer when I see the green trees, or in the fall when I enjoy the crimson and bright orange leaves, it's as though I'm seeing it for the first time and I'm grateful every time.

I was grateful, today, to enjoy the summer experience with a new doggy family member, to be blessed with a new friend to love and to start anew.

Then I began to think about gratitude and blessings and what I wanted my summer goals to be. So, aside from wanting to read great books, having as much fun as I can, and being successful in the garden.. my biggest goal this summer is to do kind things for those whom I love. Random acts of kindness, in a way. I am one of those who believe that if God blessed you with a gift it's best to share it. So, I am going to use my crafty gifts and I'm going to make gifts throughout the summer for friends and family whom I feel very lucky to be blessed to know. Sometimes, I think I don't deserve such awesome friends or family and to thank them for their friendship, I'm going to do something random for them that will make them smile. It will be fun to surprise people too. I'll keep you updated on the process, and when I get new batteries in my camera, I'll post on the garden too. Until then~ Toodahloo!

It's June! I've Done A Craft!

So, in my previous post, I stated that I was working on a project. I am still working on the project, but so far, it has not come out the way I hoped it would. However, I did do another project, which I'm excited about. I made a handbag! I joined the Better Homes and Gardens website last year, and I love it. I get e-mails from them showing craft projects and gardening projects and recipes. It is really inspirational to look at some of the home decorating projects that they do, and the e-mails keep my creative energy flowing. Needless to say, I am a big fan and very thankful for this website! So, the other day, they showed how to make different handbags and they provided the instructions on how to make it. I went to the store, and I got cheap fabric and I made it, so here it is!

I added a pocket on the inside for money, and I took the advice from another who wrote that they added a button closure. I love it! It has six pockets on the outside; so, I can have my phone, my player, my sunglasses, etc. free and easy to find. This will be a great summer bag. The kicker is, it was so darn easy to make!

I'll post my other project once it's completed. Until then~Toodahloo!