Put your feet up~

~Plush Ottoman Boxes~

I adore an ottoman. I love putting my feet up reading or just watching a fire.

I also have a fondness for stylish things in miniature.

These adorable little velvet ottomans could hold special mementos, rings, tiny shells, whatever your hearts desire. Of course-right now the are sold out- so Santa probably won't have one of these charming boxes in his sack for me.

Live the plush life.

Postponement~

~Bedroom fire~

I'm enjoying a quiet weekend alone. Time to relax, step back and catch up.

Wouldn't you love to spend a cool Saturday or Sunday morning curled up here in front of this fire?

~Open the window and pull the covers up~

I love the splashes of green and the fabulous light fixture. A big mug of hot coffee and I'm one happy camper.
Like you, most days I hit the bricks walking and don't slow down {except to read your delightful blogs} until it's time to think about dinner... But this weekend I will postpone some chores in exchange for some unexpected quiet time.



~A little tent to escape to~

There are times we need to steal some precious hours. For some that means staying up late to enjoy the quiet and for others it mean rising early in the morning before daily activities begin.
~*~
Now this sweet young lady has the right idea. Grab a good book and head for the nearest gauzy pavilion.

~A cozy spot~

This cozy spot with a down comforter, huge pile of magazines and hours to read-nap-read-nap...

Can you imagine a cozy spot where you can escape for a few hours? Do you like to treat yourself to a lazy day reading in bed, taking cat-naps and just catching-up?

~I wish you a warm, cozy and restful Saturday~

Images:

homeownerhelpersma.com

Livingetc.

Country Living

Coastal Living

Clean Eating~

~Six to eight glasses of water daily~

Just as soon as the weather turned cooler here in the northeast, I felt it my duty to make comfort dishes and bake...

There are just so many wonderful foods to prepare when the weather turns.

There is apple pie, apple cake, baked apples, comforting one-dish meals, pot roasts, roasted rosemary potatoes...

Hmmmm... those jeans that fit perfectly last May are just a tad snug now.

So, I'm back on track. I cleaned out the cupboards and stocked them with good, healthy snacks and loaded up on my favorite fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

~Wheat berries~

I love to cook! This is my favorite time of year to spend a day in the kitchen making soups, stews... and apple crisp.
Let's not forget Ina's plum raspberry crumble from last week's post.
So, I'm eating cleaner. I'm not a meat eater~ I do eat a little chicken or turkey breast occasionally- so I have to get my protein from other yummy things. I eat eggs, beans, legumes and I love fish. I have an array of favorite recipes using grains and beans.
So, although it may not be quite as much fun as a dish of warm apple crisp topped with vanilla ice cream, I do feel better when I eat healthy, clean foods.


~Fresh Vegetables~

I love fall and winter cooking but I have to clean-up my act a little.

I will be drinking more water, cutting way back on the carbs, less coffee {and I do love my coffee} and bumping up my workouts.

~*~

What do you do when perhaps you've over indulged a little and you want to get back on track.

Images:

Water glasses: Real Simple

Wheat berries: delish

Vegetables: Actual Globe

The Song of the Loon~

~Maine Loon~

We live across the road from the lake and each spring I anxiously await that first song of the loon.

They lull me to sleep each night and will let me know if a summer storm is approaching.

At this time of year, their song is especially sweet as I know they will soon be traveling to the open water of the ocean. I'll have to wait through the harshest of months before they return with their soft lullaby.

~*~

I rally around the strength of this amazing couple.

The Nie Nie Dialogues...

~*~

You remain in my thoughts and my prayers.

I was so touched by the interview on Oprah on Wednesday.

The appropriate words escape me.

Image: Wilson Pond Camps- Greenville, Maine

I love when this happens!

~Old Navy Tissue Turtleneck~

This is just one of the things that I love about this blog sphere.

Tuesday morning while perusing some of my favorite blogs- Seleta of the fabulous Simply Seleta showed us the snazzy scarf she picked up at Old Navy while shopping for her offspring's jeans.
I immediately thought of the cardigan I had- an off-gray and this scarf would compliment it perfectly. So while out doing errands I popped into Old Navy... found the scarf and two tissue weight turtlenecks! Ahem... the t-necks were only $10.00 each! The scarf...$12.50!!!

~*~
Thanks Seleta. And if by chance you haven't visited this fabulous blog- full of style, her adorable children and a dreamy husband I might add... do go NOW!

Image: Old Navy website

A little adjustment~

~Ouch... back pain~

Like many, I battle occasional back pain. If I sit or stand too long it rears it's ugly head.

My pain presents itself in the form of back spasms.

Several years ago my regular physician ordered a few sessions with a wonderful chiropractor. I had heard horror stories of chiropractors that lure you in and then keep you as a regular for years and years. I was cautious and did my research before making that first appointment.

The time came when the discomfort was so rough and incapacitating that I made the appointment full of hope.

My wonderful chiropractor's goal is to return you to good, healthy alignment, teach stretching exercises and release you.


~Lay your hands on me~

So, every once in a while I feel out-of-sorts, a little tense, my back starts to give out and says to me...'time for a little laying-on of the hands".

On Monday I went for a little adjustment and was right-as-rain and as straight as a 2 by 4 after one session.
~*~
Do you suffer from back issues at all? Do you seek chiropractic? What do you do when your back says loudly..." Time for a timeout"?
~*~
I understand that some may have strong feelings about alternative medical practices.
I only mention this, as it has given me great relief from my back issues. I in no way suggest this practice for others without research, great consideration and the recommendation of your primary care physician.

Sunday Review~

~Granola~

This bakery in Portland, Maine is one of my favorites. The Big Sky Bread Company is open 7 days a weeks and I always stop in when I visit The Artists & Craftsmen for art supplies.

The bags of crunchy granola are out-of-this-world. More a cookie than when you would think of

as granola. I have one for breakfast or in the afternoon with tea. They are chuck full of goodness and baked fresh daily.

~New paper for a new project~

~A few new tubes of paint~

I picked up a few new tubes of paint.

I love going to the Artists & Craftsmen. There is something about the scent, the textures and all of the fun artist and craft supplies. Sometimes I need to get away and see what's new, fun and exciting in the artist world.

~Artists & Craftsmen~
I had a nice Sunday. Coffee in the morning with friends and a nice drive to Portland for supplies. How was your weekend? Did you get out and do something special for yourself?