This is the Pontiac Trail Overlook that I mentioned yesterday – Mackinac Island, MI. This is a fabulous place to visit – I love this little trail, the views are stunning once you round the corner. You can see the Mackinac Bridge as well as Lake Huron. You also will most likely have gone by the West Bluff – a favorite location behind the Grand Hotel!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
I skimmed my photos looking for a photo that doesn’t make it look like I am my age. Ha. Good luck with that. The fact is, as time goes on, even though you feel the same way you always have in your heart (well, add in a few aches and pains) it’s an undeniable fact that if you are lucky to still be on this earth, you are going to age.
I remember the exact day I discovered I was no longer “young”. My parents had flown in from MI and we were all going on a cruise out of Charleston, SC. We were on a shuttle full of young, very excited kids. I didn’t think anything of it until one young girl said “Ma’am, I’m sure you’re wondering why you’re on a bus full of young people – it’s SPRING BREAK!!”
My first inclination was to turn around and look behind me. Surely there was a very old person sitting there. No… she was talking to me. Then it hit me. Wow. I AM NOT YOUNG. I really never thought of myself any other way, so that was a big HELLO! It didn’t make me sad, it made me laugh actually. I mean, really, what else can you do? (After a week with young college age kids on Spring Break let me tell you – I was never so happy to not be young. Ha ha… I am completely happy exactly where I’m at!)
There are magic potions and treatment to help reverse. I clearly don’t use them. I’m trying to be positive here, every wrinkle is from a life well lived. I am so fortunate to be married to such a wonderful man, have a great family who are all healthy – this is truly a gift, the best birthday gift you could ask for when you think about it!
So I spend my birthdays going forward feeling blessed, and thankful. Thankful for friends and connections made over the years, for the ability to spend time with my husband and little beast Charlie (and of course for the ability to write this blog 😉). I’m thankful for my parents and sister and all my family in MI and sprinkled throughout the country – I’m thankful for Fred’s parents and family, all nearby… When you wake up in the morning – it’s a good day! Be mindful of all you have to be thankful for. If you see someone in need, do your best to help, in whatever way is possible for you.
Now, when your birthday rolls around – remember these words – don’t stress about the small stuff. Life is short – enjoy each day…
As for the “another year wiser” – lets hope so!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Are you going to be one of the many people to watch the eclipse next week (August 21, 2017)? If so you want to be sure you have safe eclipse glasses – regular sunglasses are in no way sufficient! (The eclipse glasses shown above are by American Paper Optics).
We have ours and are ready to watch! There is so much interesting information going around about what happens during an eclipse. I thought this was so interesting: Weird Things That Happen with a Total Solar Eclipse from a blog (Astro Maven).
Read more from NASA re: Eclipse 2017 Safety!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Today is a special day, a day filled with good wishes for my family. My sister’s birthday and my parents 59 year wedding anniversary! Lots of good wishes are in order!
little sister. artist. dreamer. procrastinator. the young one. the one i always looked out for. “you are not the boss of me” i often heard. strong willed. talented. kind. generous. repeated my words repeated my words. drove me crazy. good crazy. well usually. picky eater. happy smile. funny to the point of hilarious. church goer. lover of all the saints. singing in the car. playing together when we were young. just be you. good times. now a mom of an almost adult. weird how time flies.
keep on being you – celebrate your birthday with enthusiasm – know i am always here for you…
p.s. big sister (me) created her website, take a peek!
wishing you 59+ more years of happiness! thank you for the inspiration… you two are the best – love you so much! xo, me
Wishing you all health and happiness! Catch you back here tomorrow!
Sometimes images in black and white are more dramatic, don’t you think? Gas lights have so much character – they give off such nice warm light.
Happy Sunday to you! Can you believe tomorrow is already Monday? Where does the time go?
Catch you back here tomorrow!
There is something magical about the Fitzgerald Studio on Monhegan, Maine. This studio was originally owned by Rockwell Kent (read more about it HERE)!
I could easily live in this small studio – the windows that open out are pure heaven! I love the beautiful paintings and some of the artists items sitting around the studio as noted in this photo. If you ever get the chance to visit Monhegan, be sure to visit the museum and the Fitzgerald Studio!
A short post for today – photos this week – Have a great day and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!
Don’t waste your 86,400 seconds of this day – use them wisely. Do good. Be good. Spread happiness. Life is too short not to!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
A short post for today – photos this week – Have a great day and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!
Created using Canva!
Sweet beast. Lover of his pool. Digging to China. Or wherever he thinks he’s going. Demanding. Sweet. Smart. Listens. Doesn’t listen. Jumps high.. Full of energy. Loves the sun. Not a fan of heat. Sock stealer. Owner of three beds. Has trained his humans well. Snap – Snap. Treats delivered. Frozen green beans. Diagonally sliced carrots. Crunchy ends of lettuce. Pasta lover. Good dog. Bad dog. Cucumbers daily. Proud little beast. Loves “his people”. Best burglar alarm ever. Eyes in back of his head. Can hear someone coming in a deep sleep.
H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y C H A R L I E !
We’ll do our best to meet your expectations! Breakfast by 5AM. Dinner no later than 1:30. Veggi-dent chewy no later than 4.
#thenthepartyisover #happybirthdaybeastie #eightyearsyoung #actslikeapuppy #pawingatmyarmfordinnerasitypethis
Photos this week – Have a great day and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!
SORRY to those of you who don’t deal well with the creepy crawly things – I can certainly relate!
Oh the memories… I had a realistic size black plastic spider 🕷 when I was a kid. On occasion I would leave it somewhere to surprise my family (sorry about that) – I would hear a SHREEEEEK – AH! They found it, hee hee. Undoubtedly I would forget about it and go about my business and when I least expected it, there it was 🕷 😳 A shreeeeeek would erupt from deep within, heart palpitations ensued. Ah, they got me back! There were long lapses in between spider hidings – I think I had to let the memory wear off, ha ha… Hmmm, wonder where that spider is?
You’ll hear me if I find it!
I always keep my eye out for cool flag photos for the various holidays that call for them. Today is the 4th of July (as if you didn’t know!) – Enjoy your time off (if you have it)! Happy 4th!
I am happy to be firework free, for both the dogs who have such a hard time as well as the veterans hearing what sounds like bombing. I can only imagine the nightmare that July 4th brings. We are fortunate that Charlie wants to attack the fireworks/lightening/any loud noise…
If you have a dog who is scared of fireworks, have you tried a Thundershirt? Or this unique way to achieve similar results using a scarf or ACE bandage. Maybe some background soft calming music (Pandora Ocean Sounds) or music from RELAX MY DOG– A lot of dogs are so frightened and if left in a yard will find a way out so that they can run. So many dogs are lost on the 4th of July. Ugh…
Be conscious of other people’s feelings regarding fireworks. They can be fun for some and a nightmare for others…
🇺🇸 Holiday week 🇺🇸 – posting photos daily for the many of you who are away from the computer. Not a bad idea, enjoy yourselves! Back to normal posting next week…
Have a great day and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!
Fred and Charlie 🐾 – April, 2010 – Folly Beach, SC
There are all kinds of fathers in the world. I want to say thank you Fred for being the best dad to Charlie, the four-legged kid, who he is carrying down the steps (above) on Charlie’s first view of the ocean (April, 2010). He loves Folly Beach, ha ha… Fred, you’re the best! ❤️🙏
Me and Dad – December, 2006 – My “better than botox” shot, hee hee
Dad, thank you for being such a wonderful influence in my life. Your curiosity and ability to learn absolutely anything has made me equally inquisitive. Your calm demeanor and sense of humor is always refreshing. I have been so blessed to have such cool parents.
PS – I heard his daughter (me!) created a website (FidlerArt.wixsite.com/arts) to showcase his newest art creations! WOW, is it fantastic! Check it out!
❤️🙏
Fred’s Dad… Carlisle, AKA “DC”
Another great dad… Fred’s dad, Carlisle. Seen above camping and having a great time! Fred and I both know how lucky we are to have grown up with such wonderful parents! ❤️🙏
Beyond blessed, wishing those of you who are a father, a wonderful Father’s Day.
To those of you who want to be, or are about to be a father – lead by example. Teach your kids to do the right thing, to be kind, and to care.
And finally, to those of you who have lost your father (or your child). 💔 My thoughts and prayers are with you on this day. It cannot be easy… know that he is always by your side offering assistance whenever you need it.
J u s t l i s t e n .
Truly! What is better than a geranium full of buds? They’re so pretty and illuminate the table that they are now sitting on in the yard. It seems every time I look in the backyard it is glowing. This geranium is also pretty with the wild ferns in this photo… I love the shadows in the backyard – beautiful!
📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…
Catch you back here tomorrow!
I have always loved daisies. They have a simple beauty about them. They aren’t bright or flashy, they’re just pretty and fresh. Hence the saying “fresh as a daisy” – full of energy and enthusiasm!
Wishing you a fresh-as-a-daisy day!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
This is one of my favorite homes in Charleston, SC. We used to walk by it when we worked at a gallery on Broad Street. It’s got such charm! Of all the times I have walked by this house I have NEVER walked by without a car parked in front of it, so when I saw this I was ecstatic! SNAP that photo! I could sit on that porch all day long! So much to see right in this spot…
Have a wonderful Memorial Day, remember the reason behind this day off for many…. Thankful for all those who served and lost their lives fighting for this country. 🇺🇸 #thankyouisnotenough 🇺🇸
Catch you back here tomorrow!
There has been a common theme to most of my posts this week… flowers. They’re stunning, in all shapes, colors and sizes they have been abundant this week! This is a photo I took of an arrangement that we had from a friend. Beautiful, isn’t it? So fresh and different!
Happy day!
Posting another week of photos so I can catch up! Back to normal posting next week!
ARTFOODHOME.COM 