A Sweet Life Rocks

Autumn Love

The same thing happens every year.  I am fully enjoying summer, and then I feel the longing for Fall.  I want to make the most of the short summer season when I can soak in the sun and grill burgers on the deck, but at the same time I want to bake an apple pie and sit at a campfire in the cool evening air.

Oh, if only I could have both at any given moment.  How does one enjoy the anticipation of a season change, yet not lose a single drop of sunshine in the current climate?

Honestly, as I typed that last line I considered how the words are both a practical question, and a life lesson.  We must be whole heartedly present in each moment every day.  Be Present.  I just took a pic of my morning coffee the other day with this message on it.  I purposely chose that mug for fun that morning.   

Staying present, then, means staying here - right here - in the center of the totality of what has already been planned for that moment.  Staying present, right here in the moment, also means our attention is given to the priority at hand.   That might be a person, job, task or event.  It might be prayer and devotions, or a super busy day of work that absolutely needs to reach completion in a timely manner.

Staying present takes determination and focus, but it is not all hard work.  There is such beauty in the moments that pass by so quickly, and we must slow down to savor them.   How is that done?  

    Reduce Distractions.

Celebrate the wins.  Big and small.

Identify the important moments of the day.

Listen more.  Talk less.

Savor the process.  It's addictive and habit forming.

These are the thoughts I have while enjoying the slow pace of Summer, and waiting for Autumn's cool crisp air and natural palette of colors to appear.

 

Loving and Living Life....... Amanda

 

 

The Joy of Creating

Creating art has always been a love of mine.  Making something out of nothing brings me such joy.  Art is many things, including jewelry design, sewing, painting, home decor, and so much more.

When I started my Etsy shop I hand crafted beautiful headband and hats.  Each item had a flower and each petal was dripping in Swarovski crystals.  I have three daughters, and I wanted them to have the bouffant head pieces that were such a trend at the time.  The prices were too high for me, so I did it myself.  I've always had the need to create, and this time I turned it into a business.  

As the years passed I changed my product from hair accessories to jewelry.  It all started one summer when I was on a vacation to Canada to visit my family.  My mother has always been my inspiration.  I remember her cooking from scratch, sewing clothes and sometimes home decor.  When I arrived at my parents home for a family trip, and she showed me some jewelry she had made I was so excited and intrigued.  

I instantly fell in love with the beautiful beads and other natural supplies she used, but I didn't have a clue how to make jewelry.  So, Mom took me to a jewelry making class and that is where it all began.

I learned simple jewelry techniques to get started, but then quickly learned all the different online avenues to learn and grow as a jewelry designer.

Different gauges of wire produce different results.  Wire wrapping is an art of it's own.  There is much to learn before beginning to wrap a beautiful bead. 

(Earring Link)

Hand knotted bead necklaces quickly became another love of mine.  The natural look and texture of design is an attractive style to me.  I couldn't find these handcrafted designs in stores.  So, of course, I began making it myself and my business began to change.

(Necklace Link)

(Leather Cuff Link)

Then came the leather work I have grown to enjoy so much.  Curating leather cuffs and earrings are some of my favorite projects.

(Leather Earrings Link)

I grew up in a home where we made beautiful things with out hands.  My father made me a beautiful Hope chest and jewelry box when I was young, as well as a marble table.  These pieces of furniture are some of my most treasured.   My husband and I have carefully transported them during each move we've made.

I invite you to visit my Shop and browse, but most importantly I hope to encourage you to find your outlet and joy and create something beautiful.

 

Loving and Living Life...... Amanda

 

 

Food Love

I have always enjoyed preparing food and presenting it to my loved ones in a beautiful way.  We eat with our eyes first and love can be tasted, right?  At least that's what the professional cooks say.... and I agree.

I like bright colors and a variety of shapes and textures.  Of course, I whip up simple meals most nights, but when I have a few extra minutes I like to do something different and memorable.   

Without even thinking much about it I quickly prepared this to-go breakfast for my daughters while we ran out the door one Sunday morning.

We have a microwavable egg cooker that only took a minute (literally), and the strawberries were already cleaned and just needed a quick cut.  The yogurt and cheese sticks were a quick grab, and I threw it all in a meal prep container.  We grabbed napkins and drinks, and were out the door in under five minutes.  

Awhile back I set a fun goal of using up all the ingredients I already had in the house.  I searched the fridge and deep freezer, the pantry and the cupboards.  I made meals for almost a week without even going to the grocery store.  It was fun and very enlightening (am I the only one that buys too much at the grocery store?).

Our family likes Quinoa and I discovered I had it in abundance.  A big batch of Quinoa was cooked up and mixed with all sorts of different things.  I used it with shredded meat and veggies for a stir fry.   I also made this fresh Quinoa salad with a vibrant homemade Italian lemon garlic dressing.  

I have food goals for the future (yes, that is a thing).  I want to re-create some of my favorite meal bowls.  I like the ones that layer all my favorite foods in a bowl and cover it with a scrumptious drizzle of yumminess.

We bought these bowls during a summer beach trip at the Jersey Shore.   Super Delicious!

Some of my favorites are taco bowls, enchilada bowls and a variety of different salad bowls.  I go to Pinterest regularly for inspiration and new fresh recipes.  Pinterest never disappoints, and many times I already have most of the ingredients in my pantry.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to creating a meal that is both yummy and nutritious.  Trying new recipes takes time and preparation, but it can be a fun adventure.  Who knows, you might discover some brand new, must-have favorites.

 

Loving and Living Life.......... Amanda

We Drank Coffee

Not too long ago I intentionally set time aside to spend with one of my teenage daughters.  We both had very busy schedules, and missed our quality time together.  We had calendar coordination to do, and so many things to talk about.  

I enjoyed every detail of our wonderful and interesting conversation as we lingered over coffee.  She talked about all the big stuff, as well as all the little nooks and crannies of her day-to-day life.  We laughed, shared opinions, and then we talked more.  We scheduled our next coffee date.  She loved that.

We drank coffee.  Slowly.

The richness of a relationship can be defined by the quality of our interaction together.

We are so bombarded with an electronic rapid-fire stream of information every day, and sometimes we forget to slow down and communicate face-to-face.   The means of communication have changed drastically over the years, but our need as people has not changed.  We have been created with a need for relationship that a digital device will never meet.

As we sat together that day I was reminded of how incredibly important it is to be intentional about spending time together on a regular basis. Ever since that day I have scheduled alone dates with all of my children, as well as my husband.  We spend quality time together, and our lives are more fulfilled because of this simple habit.

One daughter likes to shop.  She is such a smart young business woman, and always has her own pocket money to spend.

One daughter likes to talk and drink coffee.  She is like a deep ocean with beautiful treasures to discover.

One daughter likes to bake and cook... oh, the beautiful double layer cheesecake we recently baked together.

One day at a time.  One meaningful moment at a time.

 

Loving and Living Life...... Amanda

 

Creative Inspiration

Making jewelry is a love of mine.  I find the process to be relaxing, exciting and inspirational.  Maneuvering the tools on high quality materials with the purpose of creating a wearable piece of art is such a fulfilling pursuit.  

I've been testing natural beads to use in essential oil bracelets.  Different kinds of lava rock and organic wood have worked best.  

What started as a hobby has become an outlet of creativity for me.  An Etsy shop actually.

I'd love to take you on a tour of my workshop.  Maybe that will be a future post.

I have found that when you give space to the creativity inside, then beautiful stories are written.  Beauty that is original, authentic and honest.  

One must be intentional about carving out time, and saving energy for talent, imagination and art, but it is always worth the effort.

Be inspired and create something beautiful.

 

Loving and Living Life........... Amanda

Summer Basil and More

I have so many wonderful childhood memories of my grandfather in his garden.  He was a big man.  A soldier.  He had a steady hand to plant the tiny seeds, and a patient spirit to watch them grow.  Papa worked the ground year after year, and his family enjoyed the bounty.

Papa taught me the basics of gardening when I was still a young girl.  He showed me how to prune, and where to place the rows of seeds properly.

As I grew older my Father would plow the ground for me.  He plowed a neat rectangle out back behind the pole shed, because I wanted a "Secret Garden".

A love for growing was cultivated in me so long ago, and has been blooming ever since. 

There is always something growing in our home.  Always.  I've kept a routine of fresh greenery going throughout the year ever since I was young.

My choices change with the season.  Poinsettias are purchased as soon as they arrive in stores at the holidays.  Easter Lilies can be found in our home at least a month before Easter.  Houseplants are a constant any time of the year.  Fresh cut peonies and flowers are a treat I look forward to.

However, summer is my favorite time of year for planting and growing beautiful herbs.  My favorites are Basil, Rosemary, Oregano, Chives, Thyme and Mint.  

Over the years I have had container gardens, indoor herb gardens, and a big beautiful in ground garden.  I am happy with any form, just as long as I have something living to nurture and enjoy.

Soon I will start some more Basil from seed (an idea I recently picked up from a friend).  I hope that it keeps on giving beautiful blooms into the Fall season.

I'll let you know how that goes.

 

Loving and Living Life.......... Amanda

Purposefully Present

As a family, we have been focussing on using our time at home to the fullest.  Life is busy and time passes so quickly.  We enjoy watching a movie together, or just lounging around, but most of all, we enjoy our time outdoors.  As a mom, I want my children to work hard and play hard.  I want them to just be kids for as long as they can.

It's the simple things that make us happiest.

Feeding our feathered friends.

This mixture worked perfectly for our homemade citrus bowls.  The recipe includes: Peanut Butter, bird seed, a touch of corn syrup.  We didn't do any exact measurements... just enough of each ingredient to hold all the bird seed together.

They crack me up!!  This footwear....

Sweet girl of mine.

Her favorite place is outdoors.

I will continue to creatively search for simple and special ways to be purposefully present.

 

Loving and Living Life............ Amanda

Fearless

Fearless.

This word is on my heart today.  I woke up thinking about it, and my devotions spoke of it.
All this before sunrise.

My thought process is simple.  Simple like this..... fear is the opposite of faith. So, unless I am completely filled with faith, then there is room for fear.
Simply because fear is the absence of faith.

Fear sneaks in.  It doesn't always slap the face, or grip the heart tightly.  Fear starts small sometimes.
Small like a thought.

But here's the thing - it's a beautiful thing - faith starts small too.
Small like a mustard seed.

No one person is completely fearless or faith-filled, but each of us is bombarded with opportunities to choose between the two.  Thousands of thoughts pass through our minds every day, and even more words are spoken.
With every thought or word, seeds are planted.
Seeds of fear, or seeds of faith.
I'm even more convinced than ever that the choice is up to us... the choice of direction, and how the story will unfold.

I think to myself ..... if fear can creep in, then why not faith?

Fear leads to bondage, seclusion, and stagnant ambition.
Faith leads to freedom.  Period.

Freedom is the opposite of bondage, and can slowly seep into all areas of our life, therefore, positioning us to prosper.

Oh, the power of choice.

 

Sweet Summer Time

We have approximately fifteen days of summer break remaining.  The time goes by so quickly, and this year was no different.  It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating the end of another school year.  Then, I blinked, and summer is almost over.  The stores have had Back to School supplies displayed since the beginning of July.   

This has been a wonderful summer for our family.  We made so many memories, visited with family, and enjoyed an easy, relaxed atmosphere this year.  The girls have tapped into some of their artistic talents by taking art classes, as well as, learning to cook, and create art in the kitchen.  

It's been so much fun.

Creativity is a lifestyle around here, and we plan on using our last days artfully.  

I've been blogging more, and I am also taking a photography class.  The girls have a couple more at-home cooking lessons to accomplish, and afternoons at the pool or bowling (a new favorite).

I am not rushing to the end of summer, because it will be over soon enough.  However, I am looking forward to the seasons changing.  

Fall always brings so many new beginnings........ and scrumptious pumpkin lattes.

 

Loving and Living Life............ Amanda

Dairy Free Basil Pesto

Homemade pesto is one of my favorite summer time treats.  I even make it in the winter, but I end up paying the big bucks for fresh basil out of season.   Right now is the perfect time to whip up a batch for dinner.  Summer basil is at it's peak, and will continue to grow for a little while longer.

Yes, I know, traditional pesto basil calls for yummy parmesan cheese, but as a dairy-free family I choose to omit it.  The result is vibrant and scrumptious.  I do believe the addition of cheese would help cut the sharp raw garlic tang, so feel free to add it.  I will list it in the recipe as an option.
Personally, I like the bite of the garlic and am happy with the results of this recipe.

This gorgeous bunch of basil was given to me by a friend this past weekend.  Our family enjoyed a wonderful evening in their home.  Then, as we were leaving, she handed me some scissors, and invited me to take some of her luscious crop of herbs.   I was giddy, to say the least.

2 Cups Fresh Basil

1/4 Cup Pine Nuts

3 Garlic Cloves

1/2 Cup Olive Oil

Salt & Pepper to taste.

1/2 Cup Parmesan (Optional)

This is my standard, and very simple, Basil Pesto Recipe.  All of these scrumptious ingredients get thrown in the food processor and combined.  Add more olive oil, if needed to get the proper consistency.  Combine with cooked pasta, or use it as a spread on a summer sandwich.

I chose to marinate and grill some chicken to finish my pasta dish.

Voila!!
Such an easy summer supper.

 

Loving and Living Life.......... Amanda