Often, in trying times, we search for joyful purpose. We seek joy in our art, in cooking, and, for me at least, in the garden. As you may know by now, I am very fond of growing plants and love watching them develop throughout the seasons. After years of hard work, my garden is finally a somewhat affordable laboratory filled with wildlife, … [Read more...]
How to Grow a Climbing Rose Bush
If you are curious about how to grow a climbing rose bush, then welcome! In this journal entry, I want to share some insight and tips on what works for me in my cottage-style seasonal garden. Whether you are just getting started or a bit rusty in the garden, you may already know that we year-round gardeners LOVE our gardens! We are especially … [Read more...]
Tips for Maintaining Mental Health During Covid-19 (coronavirus)
Learning to manage and cope with anxiety during the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, whether living in a hotspot or an untouched charming rural town deep in the mountains, this is an extraordinary time for us all. The Covid-19 global pandemic causes us all to question so much about our daily lives. It threatens our family, friendships, work, … [Read more...]
How to Grow a Container Garden: 10 Tips to Get Started
Have you been curious about starting a garden but think you don't have space? I'm here to encourage you to start a container garden today! 'Social distancing' is a new term we now live with, and as it has forced us to live masked and often isolated lives, we can still create a bit of calm in our lives by growing a garden. And yes, you … [Read more...]
Paper Dolls
I've learned the importance of making paper dolls during a global pandemic. With everything going on in the world around us, I felt that this month wasn't the right time to track our progress on anything in particular. If anything, most people have found themselves consumed with surviving the global pandemic and what they need to do … [Read more...]
Losing Weight and Living in Balance
Today I'd like to talk a bit about losing weight and living in balance. Despite all of our planning, invariably, life will test us in every way. The beauty of pursuing a balanced yet loosey-goosey approach of living enables us to have a bit more wiggle room to stay afloat when things fall apart. Developing a balanced approach to deal with … [Read more...]
The challenges of turning a hobby into a business
Sometimes, when we turn a hobby into a business, we can often lose the very nature of its intention which is to bring us joy. Creating more joy in our life takes effort! And yes, that means that even joyful hobbies require us to keep showing up to do the work. But, hobbies push us to learn new skills which calm our mind and leads to true … [Read more...]
Sketching 101: 15 Creative Tools for the Beginner Artist
In this sketching 101 journal entry, I want to share 15 creative tools for the beginner artist that will not only improve sketching skills but improve artistic confidence as well. Not only do I know that sketching every day helps to reduce stress, but a sketch every day will also offer you an opportunity to document the things that inspire … [Read more...]
How to Navigate the Holidays: tips to navigate the holidays with less stress, less debt, and a joyful heart
Are you wondering how to navigate the holidays and stay aligned with your inner values? This blog post is for you! ‘Tis the season for sharing time with family and loved ones. Fair to say, we look forward to creating beautiful and joyful memories with and for our families but frequently stress pays a visit and, if not managed, triggers us to … [Read more...]
Spreading JOY via Seasonal Living Magazine
It is with great joy that I share the news that I am featured as a floral designer/illustrator in the Winter 2019 edition of the online Seasonal Living Magazine for designers! It truly is an honor to have my Joy Tracker featured. I feel the significance of this collaboration is quite meaningful. I also think it's indispensable for collective … [Read more...]