Finding: Ten More Random Things

Hello my sweet friends, I hope today finds you well and not to frustrated with “Spring” weather. I handle cold weather fairly well for awhile and then I seem to go from not bothered to down right angry about the weather. So, to keep things light and fun today, I thought I would share “Ten More Random Things”.

Well, as I am sure you can see, I decided to create some pretty little graphics today. Sometimes, the simplicity of doing this just puts me at ease. But really, in this case I just altered and worked with the designs I found here. I make all my edits in Photoshop Elements, and I pretty much learned what I know from video tutorials. If you are interested in learned for yourself, here is the where I linked up the tutorials I watched. They are really geared for scrapbooking, but I use them for all kinds of things and it teaches you the basics of the components of PSE.

My next thing I want to learn how to do is work with brushes. Does anyone know a good video tutorial to teach how to use them in PSE?

And speaking of graphic images, you may or may not have noticed that a few things are slightly different around here. The header is simplified, my logo is ever so slightly adjusted and overall all things are a little more cleaned up and simplified. Hopefully these changes make navigating and finding your way around a little more easy.

Although I knew pretty readily what I was looking for, I did not do these changes – that would just be cray cray! All of the changes were made by the ever talented and sweet Aimee at By Aimee and Co. She also writes a fantastic blog called Fancy Little Things. It is worth a stop by to both of her sites – you won’t regret it!

And if something doesn’t seem to be working right, please let me know and we will get right on it!

Notice my use of the expression “cray cray”. If you don’t already know it means – crazy, as in really crazy. I am not sure where I picked it up but maybe it was the same place where I picked up the word “wonky”. If you follow me on Facebook I questioned whether or not “wonky” was actually a word or something I made up. Turns out, it is in fact a word – and it is a British Term.

The funny part – I have noticed the last few weeks that these little petunias have been using both phrases also.

Quite the little reminder that they not only “do as you do”, but they also “say as you say”.

Noted.

Last week we, Hubby and I did one of our favorite things.

Since Sunshine was in Kindergarten, we have gone to each of the girl’s classrooms to teach them about making syrup.

As they have gotten older, it has gotten more and more scientific to tie in with their science lessons at school. The kids really like it and the teachers always seem to appreciate it. The one thing has remained consistent – they get a chance to taste and compare sap, imitation syrup and the real deal.

The day was a little bitter sweet for us though.

We realized it was our last go.

Next year, they are both in middle school and our careers as “maple educators” are complete.

Insert sad face.

Where did the time go? It was astonishing to see some of the original pictures in the slideshow of them sugaring.

And of my favorite pictures, Hubby sugaring when he was a boy…

A few weeks ago, I had a chance to participate in a blogger meet up event. It was a great opportunity to meet bloggers in my general area and it was organized by Hometalk.

The hosting location was at Cutting Edge Stencils.

In attendance: Our Organizer Kelly of Eclectically Vintage, Miriam of Hometalk, Jennifer of City Farmhouse, Evey of Sweet Songbird, Owner Jana, Me, Laura of The Shed, Jennifer of Days of Chalk and Chocolate and Owner Greg.

I really did not know what to expect, but it was a fantastic day. I loved meeting all the other bloggers and I was so inspired by the owners of Cutting Edge Stencils and the company in general. Being in their offices you just got the sense that they had a great company culture. The owners, Janna and Greg were inspirational

They taught us about their amazing products and how easy they are to use.

Oh, and case you are wondering, I am not being paid or sponsored by them. Well, they did provide a lovely lunch and a warm place to meet, I am sharing about them today because I want to.

Lately, my memory has been going back in time somewhat – remembering things I hadn’t thought of in a long time and with great clarity. As we are still working through the details of our office makeover, I am remembering my grandfather's office with great clarity…

His big metal desk in front of the window, his old school leather and metal desk chair, his picture of the Flatiron Building that now is on my gallery wall, his rubber band ball built up over many years.

I remember the only time I was in there was if my Grandmother was sewing something, because her sewing box was always in there.

And I remember his completion certificate to the Dale Carnegie course he completed on February 21st, 1967 – signed by Dorothy Carnegie.

And by someone who’s name appears to be Fur G. Vest. Really?

Of course, I know those details so well – because I have it!

Maybe going hand in hand with number six, I am currently rather obsessed with office supplies.

Starting with this stapler found a few weeks ago on One Kings Lane. It was stupid expensive – but I am justifying it by saying it was my birthday. That is my story and I am sticking to it.

And the obsession continues right on to these gold binder clips I found at Staples.

And these black Dixon Tinconderoga pencils.

Now, to have an organized place to put them all would be amazing. One step at a time.

Recently, I had a total full circle moment.

This picture has been on my bulletin board for years.

It is a tear out from quite a few years of ago of Jen O’Connor of Earth Angels Studios. She lives locally here, and Country Living did a story on her folk art sales and luncheons that she at one time hosted at her home.

For awhile, I had dreams of holding similar events at my home, but after a few attempts, those dreams are on hold at the moment.

However, Jen does still hold events in the area periodically. I attended several, but never had the courage to introduce myself.

Two years ago, I attended one and introduced myself. Then we ran into each other at a 5K of all things and then I attended her event is Saratoga Springs last fall.

When we saw each other then, we made plans to meet for lunch – and we did. We met at her house and went to a Tea Room for lunch.

But the full circle moment for me was going into her studio. She has all guests sign her stairs (love this idea!) and so she asked me to do so.

She was beyond kind, encouraging and inspirational.

From a magazine tear on my wall to signing her stairs.

It was a reminder to me that although I have not come as far as I would like (don’t we all feel that way?), that I have come so far.

Both in my business and who I am – and continuing on my journey to figure out more.

Knowing that Easter is just 10 days away, I have done no decorating with the exception of planning out my table setting. We have quite a large group coming now and I have no idea what we are planning to cook. Final head count as of tonight - 22.

But what am I dreading, well besides the cleaning part?

Finding all of those darn little plastic eggs. I have no idea where they are but I know wherever they are it is one of the attic areas and it will not be warm.

Ugh.

As much as the bunnies and eggs of Easter are cute, sometimes they are a distraction to what Easter is really all about. I will admit, I have not done great on keeping focused on it this year. But I figure there is no time like the present to try and start to do better.

I love this project from Christina at The Frugal Homemaker – a pretty reminder.

And there it is, 10 random things to share with you!

Thanks so much for reading and wishing you a great day!