Sweet Inspiration

I just came across the coolest blog today. If anyone has not already came across it...you must! The link is : http://homegrownhospitality.typepad.com/homegrown_hospitality/ So much great stuff here...definitly worth a few minutes (I warn you...you will be here much longer!) I think I found a new favorite for 2009 already!

So long 2008...

As the year 2008 draws to a close and a new year fastly approaches, I find myself looking back on an incredible year yet very optimistic as to what the new one will bring. They always say that the older one gets the faster they go by, and I can definitly agree with that fully. It seems just like yesterday that we were ringing in 2008 and here we are about to bid it a fond farewell in our history books. This year was definitly a huge one for me. So many monumental things happened this year to myself, my family, my best friends. There have been ups and downs, changes, good news and the not so good. But all in all, it has been full of many blessings...for which I am always so thankful for. Of all the things that have happened this year, there are definitly some things that have moved me in one way or another and that have definitly made me learn more about myself and the choices that I make in my life. I am so thankful that I have a passion. So many people do not have one, and I could not imagine my life without it. Of course, this passion is my scrapbooks and love for photography and the visual arts. It has changed my life in more ways than one and has made me so much more aware for all that I have that money could not ever buy. If anything, my passion has taught me and continues to teach me about what really does matter and what truly defines happiness. I have made this journal for 2009. I made it to sit on my desk and to continously be a visual reminder for me on keeping my perspective and reminding me of the importance of practicing the many important values for enriching my outlook and approach on everyday life. Speaking of passion, I could not help but include some photos my husband took on his most recent trip sledding to the mountains in BC. The pictures are stunning, and I love that we both have something in our lives, which we can call our own, that we both love to do and can share with each other. I love that he has something that makes him happy and that he looks so forward to doing when he gets the chance.

So long 2008...it has been a great year with many memories that we will cherish forever.

Welcome 2009...I cannot wait to begin creating more!

So good for the soul

Today was an absolutely fabulous day. I had the chance to visit and catch up with some of my best girlfriends this afternoon. Even though we are all on our own, doing our own thing, with our own lives, living apart from one another, we all still remain close at heart and I absolutely cherish the times where we can be together just hanging out like it was high school again! However, things, circumstances and the issues we all presently are faced with have significantly changed since then...haha! Of all of the things that I am most proud of in my life, is the relationships that I have formed with such amazing girls. My friendships mean the world to me, and these girls are true beauties in every sense of the word. They have all worked so hard and faced ups and downs of various types and sizes, but their spirits continuously shine through no matter what. They have been there for me in so many ways, over all these years, and I cannot thank them enough for everything they have done for me! We had such a great day discussing everything! I am so thankful for today in so many ways. It was so good for my soul. And a great way to start a brand new week...and a brand new year!

It's About Embracing the Spirit of the Season

Christmas is fastly approaching and so will be the hectic days of last minute running around, getting here and there, prepping, adding that last finishing touch...so I thought I would post my thoughts for the beginning of the season a tad early, in hopes of being a bit more organized (and perhaps starting my 2009 resolution a bit earlier??) In any case, I came across a verse that I thought perfectly summed up my thoughts and feelings on what Christmas and the entire season is really about. Not presents, not baking, not food, not music...basically a restoration and reflection on what is a gift for us-that we can give to our own self...to our soul, our spirit, our humanity as a whole. This Christmas... end a quarrel. seek out a forgotten friend. dismiss suspicion...and replace it with trust. write a love letter. share some treasure. give a soft answer. encourage youth. manifest your loyalty in word and deed. keep a promise. find the time. forgo a grudge. forgive an enemy. listen. apologize if you are wrong. try to understand. flout envy. examine your demands on others. think first of someone else. appreciate. be kind; be gentle. laugh a little. laugh a little more. deserve confidence. take up arms against malice. deny complacency. express your gratitude. go to church. welcome a stranger. gladden the heart of a child. take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. speak your love. speak it again. speak it still once again. Have a wonderful holiday season everyone.

I Found Treasure

"Treasure this day, and treasure yourself. Truly, neither will ever happen again." ~Ray Bradbury

Speaking of treasure, check out this super cute journal I found today!

It is the most inspiring little book I have come across. It is filled with blank pages just waiting for stories to be told, while at the same time each back page on the bottom left hand corner is filled with an inspirational quote. A simple reminder for anyone, that no matter what, to just stop and enjoy and reflect and savour the moment one is in.

It seriously is the cutest little book ever!

Perception

Lately it has been a struggle to find the joy in everyday. Not that there really is a reason for a struggle, it just happens to be that way. It is funny how every so often a person can hear a story, or talk to someone, or see someone who will inadvertently make you take a step back and completely re-evaluate a situation that may have been causing one grief, stress, or heartache. I think there is so much more meaning to chance meetings, and unplanned conversations. I really believe that everything that happens to us in a day is all meant to teach us something more. However, it is up to us to try and make meaning of it. Today that chance meeting for me was when I was just reading up on some blogs and I came across this quote that Heidi Swapp used for a class she was teaching. It was included in her project materials, and I just needed to read something like this today. "See things as you would have them be, instead of how they are" ~Robert Collier All of a sudden, when you read this and reflect, something better comes to light. Things may just not be that bad after all!

Digital Fun

So, I finally got my hands on my disc from the photographer for our wedding. It seems like they took forever to arrive, however I tried to be as patient as I could be. Of course, I could not just let the photos "be" so I did some of my creative editing and here are a few of my favorites!

As for other stuff going on, Matt and I had a busy weekend in Edmonton getting some Christmas shopping done and enjoying some family time with Matthew's mom's side of the family. It was a great chance to visit and catch up with aunts, uncles and cousins since we have not seen most of them since the wedding!

It also looks like it is going to be a busy week ahead. However, I think everyone is in the same boat with the amount of craziness and business within all our lives, so somehow when I think of that it makes it so much easier to deal with and handle! We are all busy people and just all trying to get through and enjoy this time of year the best that we all can.

It's all about perspective and intention. Living with intention...something on my mind more and more lately. I think it can be such a critical aspect for an individual's mental health and overall happiness and contentment. I am reading a book right now that touches on this factor. It is still that whole notion of "living in the moment" and being "present". Gotta keep those things active in my mind!

As for unexpected news...I just recieved an email from an individual with Simple Scrapbook magazine and a layout I submitted is going to be featured in their May/June 2009 issue! How exciting is that! I cannot believe the first layout I have ever submitted is going to be featured in a magazine. Very cool. So hopefully everything all works out and come next year I will get to see my work in a magazine. I am very lucky!:)

So, as I prepare to start another week I think it is important to just take a moment and count the little blessings that have showered our day today.

And look forward to tomorrow!

It is going to be a great week.

More Stuff

I still have been working on some projects and layouts with pictures from our trip to Mexico this past September, and I am really liking the outcome! I had the idea for this mini album when I was actually in Mexico and made sure I jotted it down, so I would not forget it. I really love the concept, and I tried to keep things simple and not too complicated, as I just wanted to focus more on the natural beauty and stories of the pictures themselves. Little embellishments, little detail, little stress...it all came together so nicely and I really love the simplistic nature of the project. Here is a sneek peek of a few of the pages from my mini album. Here is another 12 x 12 layout that I completed for our big scrapbook. I used the picture I had taken of Matt and I on the beach at sunset...definitly one of my favorites. I loved the colors that I used, and of course the making memories paper and embellishment line. I just love all of their products and am truly addicted to buying them. They are so inspiring to use and I think they look so great on pages. I am loving how this album is coming together. Nothing is planned, or in any particular order...it is just being completed as I am feeling ready to, or inspired to I guess. Ultimately it is just our diary of the time we spent in Mexico, and our favorite moments, memories and photographs. It will be so nice to have to look through again and again, whenever we want to relive the time we spent here together. To me, this is what scrapbooking is all about. Capturing the memories, freezing time, and using our albums to bring us back to truly important and memorable times in our lives. I absolutely love it. It purely and simply just makes me one happy girl. Let's all be a little happy today!

Image of Peace

After having such a hairy week at work, I just needed to find some peace. I stumbled across this picture I had taken a couple of years ago in the late fall, and I just love it because to me this symbolizes just that... peace. It is so easy to get caught up in the fast pace, hectic, sometimes annoying and troubling drama that one can find to begin creeping in one's daily life. This week was one of those for me, however I refused to let it get the best of me and tried to cope the best way I could. It's just all about perspective and choices, and choosing to take one path over the other. I have made the choice to be the better person, I have made the choice to not take things so seriously. I have made the choice to choose patience over impatience. I have made the choice to look on the brighter side of things. I think I made the right choice.

Thoughts for Today

Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude. ~Denis Waitley

December is Officially Here!

It is officially December. Time really does pass by, and reflecting back on the year of 2008...I have had a year of so many wonderful moments, memories, and change. It really has been a year like nothing else! My parents turned 50, my Gido turned 85, I got married...there really has been some incredible moments and I am really blessed to have experienced them all. I am definitly ready to celebrate December, and all of the little and big things that it will bring. I am beginning to get ready for holiday shopping, visiting, baking, eating...just to name a few. It has been challenging to get into the whole Christmas spirit for me this year (not sure why) but I am becoming more optimistic and aware of using my time and energy wisely, versus worrying and procrastinating about nothing. Life is too short to not enjoy the little moments that we are faced with each day. Today is also the first day for my first entry in my December daily album. It is so nice to have a project already made. Just pop in a picture, add some journaling, and a mini-layout is done! Before you know it, the album will be complete! I love the feeling of completing projects and adding them to my collection.

I just had to snap this picture today of my dog before heading off to work. I think she is so pretty, and Matt and I just love her to pieces. She brings so much joy to our life.