Gratitude + Love

Sunday Stroll

A couple months ago when we were in Oahu, we came across a lot of chickens running about in the oddest places and I couldn't help myself when I came upon this mother hen and her chicks. I took several shots, but to me, this one says it all. Be brave. Go out and do whatever it is your heart desires. Explore the world. Travel. Meet new people. Try new experiences. Follow your heart and dreams.

It's that time of year where kids are graduating from high school and summer is about to begin. And for me, it's a time of reflection...When I was 19, I ventured out of my very sheltered life and experienced the real world. I remember having no fear other than how am I going to get from here to there. As I've aged, I take less chances, travel less and just do what needs to be done. Well, for some reason, this year has been nothing like that at all. I seem to have awakened from hibernation and am alive and breathing once more. And I can't tell you how amazing it feels! I count my blessings and thank God everyday for the gift of life I've been given and I say this with sincerity.

I may not be blogging as much as I'd like to, making enough pots or paintings, but know this:

I am LOVING life and so very very grateful to our Father up above and to those who have put their lives on the line for all of us here in the US of A.

Have a blessed and safe Memorial Day weekend my friends!

~Stephanie

Happy Holidays!

flying home

I've taken a little time off from the studio this past week. Did a little traveling, ate too much, and now back home and ready to work! I hope you all had a wonderful day with loved ones. I know I did! I am so very blessed and thankful for my husband, family and friends...and to all of you!

 

Run girls, run!!!

Full of Gratitude

© samos 2013

the morning came early for me today and that's okay. i have a lot i want to do and more that needs to get done. but before i start, i'm going to finish my tea and share with you a few things i'm so very grateful for...

1. God, the breathe of life and opportunity he's given me 
2. my amazing family, near and far
3.  a life full of love and happiness with my soul mate
4. my gift to create with my mind and my hands
5. friends. too many to count or name. without them i wouldn't be who i am today.

Composting Gratitude

morning sun © samos 2012

 

I was reading my friend's blog this morning and was reminded how fortunate

 we are to live in such beauty.

I'm surrounded by tall pinon pines, the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, and

of course all our critters.

 

Lumpy saying hi

our Lexi girl

Neo eating breakfast

 

* (Daisy and Oscar didn't want to participate in picture taking today.)

 

 

As most of you know, I love gardening! I am by no means anything like my father who is an AMAZING gardner, but I like to dabble... I've had a small vegetable garden for the last six years and I'm finally ready to get a little more serious. By serious, I mean I need to start composting and get that darn green house built! Anyways, yesterday my parents stopped by for lunch and then Dad and I  built my compost bin! I've been needing to do this for quite some time and just haven't got around to it...

 

 

compost bin out of pallets

the corner that i enter to tend to the compost

 

It is a very easy bin to build. We used FOUR wood pallets that my husband salvaged from work. Each one was tied together with wire and then we used twine for the gate. After we finsished, we decided that we could have used twine for all the corners but the wire worked fine. Now that the bin is made I can start adding organic scraps from the kitchen: coffee grounds, unused fruit and vegetable skins, eggshells...oh, don't forget about the aged horse manure. No shortage of that around here!

 

Do you have a compost? I'd love to hear about it!