Misty Woodland

A warm spring day is never ruined by a little rain and fog.

I found the woodland looked especially enchanted clocked in a thick veil of mist.

Take a peak at what I discovered...

Droplets of dew look almost like strung jewels as they cling to the delicate threads of a spiders web.

The limited light of the sun is reflected in the water collected on the veining wild grape leaves.

Heavy with moisture, a black vulture feather lays on the lichen covered rock.

Water droplets catch the light and add shimmery accents to the soft white flowers hanging over head.

Misty weather can sometimes accentuate beauty, and add a little unexpected wonder.

I hope these photos inspire you to enjoy an outdoor adventure this weekend!

Thank You

 Thank You.

Two simple words that mean so much. 

To actively show gratitude to others is a simple way to give joy.

 Gratitude can be expressed in many ways. One simple way is with a  Thank You Note 

Express your gratitude to someone this week. Click on the phrase "Thank You Note"
and link to a printable Thank You Note. Give a little thanks to someone in your life.

An American Classic

the drive-in movie theater is an American classic from a time long gone. 

This once mainstream event had passed me by - I had never been to a drive-in theater. 
I was completely unaware of the vintage charm they posses, until now. 

I was surprised to find the vintage steel speaker boxes in perfect woking order. 

The soft lighting cast from the speaker hookup gave a dreamy glow as the 

daylight begans to fade.

The style of these speakers spoke of a time gone by and invoked a vintage setting to the 

modern accommodations.  

Outside, the day faded into dusk. Then dusk faded into night.
The show was about to begin.

From the comfort of a cozy car, I happily stayed for both movies shown. 

  

After midnight the second show had come to a close, and it was time to drive home.
As we drive away into the dark night, I could not help but feel a little nostalgic for a past 
I have never known. As the nights start to grow warmer - I will be back again.

There are not as many of these old fashion drive-in theaters showing films as once before.
For a listing of drive-in theaters near you check the website listed below. 
http://www.drive-ins.com

Take Action On Your Dreams

A new week is upon us - time seems to pass so quickly in the spring.  

This week is all about getting things done - before spring tuns into summer. 

The quote above is simply stated and serves as testament to the power of action. 

It is easy to dream up ideas, but turing ideas into reality takes work. 

This week I encourage you to find motivation, and take action on your dreams. 

You have the power to make it happen!

Simple Wildflower Arrangements

Spring rain has arrived and delivered a wave of buttercups & daises. 

A relaxing way to bring a bit of spring into the home is with a wildflower arrangement.

A few tips to keep in mind while preparing flowers for arrangement.

1. Cut stems as long as possible at an angle

2. Trim off all lower leaves

3. Place cut stems in water immediately

Wildflowers easily lend themselves to a simple casual arrangements.

Design elements to keep in mind are color, texture, and silhouette.

Pick one color to showcase, then add a secondary color to complement the pallet. 

Grass stalks that has gone to seed offer hight and texture variety 

to the arrangement.

A gathering of smaller blossoms make a big impression when grouped 

in dozens. A cuff of variegated hosta leaves add a finished look to the 
arrangement while reinforcing the color pallet.

The silhouette of these wildflower arrangements are slightly symmetrical 

as it offers more structure to the loose natural form. 

I have found the more structured the flower, the more asymmetrical the 

arrangement should become.

I hope these tips encourage you to attempt a wildflower arrangement of your own.

Wise Words

The wise words found in the quote above illustrates the power of thought. 

Positive thought has the power to propel through almost any circumstance.

 I hope this idea helps you to create a positively wonderful week.

Sparks Of Joy

There is something special about a warm night at this time of year. 

I watched the sun set while listening to the sounds of crickets and frogs in the warm still air. 
The warm dark stillness made it a perfect night to play with fire.

With sparklers, a lighter, and camera in hand - here are a few photos of what was inspired.

I hope these photos inspire you to make some sparks of your own this weekend!

Say More With Less

 It is easy to get caught up in the "More Is More" mentality. In all actuality sometimes less is more. 

Over explaining concepts and ideas can render out all the intrigue, 

sometimes it is best to leave a little room for imagination. 

This week encourage yourself to say more with less.

Outdoor Art Appreciation

DC is a unique city. One of the unique qualities that I find endearing is the abundance of public art, 

in particular the outdoor sculptures. The photo above is part of the Ulysses S. Grant memorial 

created by artist Henry Merwin Shrady. 

Many of the sculptures serve as memorials to those who helped to build the 

United States of America into what it is today. The photo above is a sculpture 

by artist Jacques Jouvenal, of Benjamin Franklin.

While the souls of these pioneers are long gone, the sculptures live on to 

inspire, and serve as a visual testament to the importance of art.

The photo above is a statue by artist Charles Henry Niehaus, of John Paul Jones.

The craftsmanship and attention to detail in these public sculptures are inspiring. The character 

in the photo above is a detail of the water feature at the base of the John Paul Jones memorial.

The sculptures not only serve as memorial for well known humans, but also 

for beloved animal companions. The photo above is a sculpture of 

Franklin Delano Roosevelt's dog Fala created by artist Neil Eastern.

I hope these photos inspire you to go out appreciate the outdoor art in your area.