Through The Tulips Words of 'Wiz'dom

December 5, 2015

Oh Christmas Tree

Filed under: Gratitude,Holidays,Home,Life — gardener @ 12:30 pm

To know me is to know how much I absolutely adore Christmas. I love the decorating, the madness, the festivities- and of course, everything that surrounds the REAL meaning of Christmas, and that’s the birth of baby Jesus.

This year, I went back and forth on whether we were going to purchase a large tree like usual, or if we would go with a smaller one that we could sit on a table and look festive, yet take up less space. In the end- that’s exactly what we decided to do.

Our small tree deserved small lights, so I picked up some of the Central Park LED lights and they add the perfect glow to our little three foot tree. Since it was too small to hold my usual fare of decorations, I went out and picked up a few new little things. It’s festive, and when I think about how joyous it makes me- I smile.

Marcel and I aren’t exchanging gifts this year- We have everything we need and that brings me much happiness.

What about you? What makes your Christmas merry and bright?

Spreading the Love- Music Style

Filed under: Holidays,Life — gardener @ 12:23 pm

As I was listening to a good friend practice on his porch last night with the band he’s a part of, I couldn’t help but smile at how far they’ve come in such a short time.      They started out with sub-par equipment and as they would do local gigs and save money, they would buy new things-  one at a time with their latest being the telecaster style guitars. The sound is clean and it makes it very obvious just how much they’ve grown and continue to grow.    I can’t wait to see where the journey takes them.  One thing I do know, is that it will be taking them to a local winter festival and I will be there to show my support.

November 10, 2015

Holiday Hum and Gratitude

Filed under: Gratitude,Holidays — gardener @ 12:03 pm

Life has been humming along at a good pace, and just as the holiday season starts approaching- I think I’ll have a few weeks to unwind a bit before life starts taking off again.   I’m excited though, because holidays mean time to share gifts with others-  practice acts of kindness and other awesome things.

This was my gratitude list for today-   as shared with my friends on Facebook.

 

Tuesday’s bits of gratitude.

1- Those who show up where they are- who are fully present and authentic. It says not only – I am ‘here’ and not distracted, big also I ‘want’ to be here.

2- Pulling out my plaid mug- which means the holiday season is upon us, and also makes me smile, because I adore plaid. Always have, probably always will. The gift that keeps giving.

3- Plotting acts of love and kindness for the holiday season. (I challenge you to do the same. Little things to us can be big things to others.)

4- Finishing my sugar work for this upcoming weekends cake and being satisfied with the results.

5- The beautiful threads of friendship and the tapestry of joy it adds to my life.

November 2, 2015

Gratitude in Motion

Filed under: Gratitude,Life — gardener @ 7:12 am

I can’t believe it’s November and in less than two months we will be welcoming 2016. Granted, I’m not one to wish away my days- so there is much to happen between now and then- such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and time with people I love.

I’m excited about all the potential that each month brings. I was sad to say goodbye to my parents at the end of October, but I’m grateful they made it home safe and are now settling back into their life. I’ve hit the ground running with work, and feel energized as I continue to grow and expand.

It seems fitting that I would begin to share my gratitude lists again on this month of Thanks-Giving. I’m grateful every day, but I want to make a shift of my focus and start doing them again, rather than thinking about them.

Today I’m grateful for:

  • A business that continues to grow and thrive.
  • Healthy parents whom I love dearly.
  • The understanding that some endings are beginnings for great new chapters.
  • Sunshine after the fog.
  • A great night of rest.

What are you grateful for today?

October 27, 2015

Filed under: Gratitude,Life — gardener @ 8:51 am

Life has been moving at a fast pace, but boy have we been having a BLAST with mom and diddy. We have done so much traveling and I can’t wait to share photos and about the places we stayed- the adventures we’ve had.

Right now though, I have a few days left with them before we have to say goodbye, so I’m soaking that up. My time on the computer has been limited, because my biggest focus is quality time with the people I love.

I did want to share something that I posted to Facebook yesterday. When I work- (and I had some work to do for some upcoming orders) I do a lot of thinking, and this is what was on my mind.

Words are so powerful. They can build a person up, or tear them down.

The same applies to our thoughts. What we tell ourselves can encourage and inspire us, or it can feed negativity, fear and worry.

Be authentic not only with yourself, but with everyone around you. It doesn’t mean you may always be adored for it, but people will always know you walk the talk.

Yesterday, a friend I’ve known for many years said something to me that had me crying tears of joy.

We don’t talk that often, but we keep in touch, and had shared a few exchanges over the weekend.

She said: ‘It means so much to me to get to have the gift of you in my life.’

I was humbled and deeply moved by those words which I knew were from her heart.

It also gave me pause to realize that we ALL have the power to show up and use our God given talents to lift others, to be real, and yes- to be vulnerable.

Authenticity matters, y’all. Honesty matters. Integrity matters.

We are all human and make mistakes, but even those matter, because it’s the biggest opportunity to learn.

September 30, 2015

Brainstorming

Filed under: Gratitude,Home,Shop til ya Drop,Travel — gardener @ 11:12 pm

Part of having mom and diddy here means inspiration flowing for home projects. Painting (finally), window treatments and even the thoughts on building me some cabinets with 60 inch drawer slides for my business supplies.

It’s fun talking about it and sharing it with not only Marcel but the people who gave me birth.

Today though, we travel. Next week too, with much fun, laughter and good times.

Enjoy the little things- as one day they will be the big things.

September 14, 2015

Gratitude in Motion

Filed under: Gratitude — gardener @ 7:47 am

As I sit here with the doors open- the crispness of fall present, the sound of drizzling rain falling- I feel content. The past few months have been a whirlwind of one thing to another, with quite a few tragedy and sadness in the mix. It wasn’t without a blessing though, because it allowed me to consider a few things not only about myself, but also about others in my life.

I was reminded once again that in life there is no certainties and the importance of living in the now- and also in doing so, the importance of not holding on to anything that doesn’t serve you, including bad feelings- toxicity or anything that can hinder our potential in being our best selves.

I wrote a few letters- to a few people that I felt I didn’t have closure with. Not because I needed something from them- but because I needed to give myself the gift of knowing that there were things I needed to say- and wanted to do so while it was possible. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed and I prefer to live life without any regrets.

I am grateful- for the big and the small- and for the absolute amazing people in my life. We inspire each other, love and respect each other and that is a beautiful gift.

Wherever you are- if you have something that needs to be said- Don’t wait. Say I love you- mean it- Say I’m sorry- mean it. Tomorrow, or even two hours from now- may be too late.

September 13, 2015

Travel Planning

Filed under: Things I Love,Travel — gardener @ 10:44 am

A week from tomorrow, Marcel, myself and company will be taking a one week mini-break to a villa about two hours from where we live. To say I’m excited is the understatement of the year. Not only because I’ll be doing one of my favorite things- traveling, but because we’ll be doing it with my favorite people on the planet- my parents.

The villa is situated on a lake- with a private pier, so I have my fingers and toes crossed that the weather is perfect and will allow us to spend some evenings sitting outside watching the sun set.

After that- we have some other travel plans in the making- including a trip to Italy and Lake Como. We are VERY excited about that as well- and have rented an amazing apartment in the ‘Pearl of Como’- otherwise known as the town of Bellagio. There is also some talks of spending time in other areas as well, exploring and having one adventure after another.

I can’t wait- I’ll be sure to take notes to share later.

Musical Inspiration

Filed under: In the Neighborhood,Inspiration — gardener @ 7:44 am

I was listening to some music that a friend of mine had posted the other day and followed a link that said click here for more. It took me to another site that was filled with his music from over the years- from the time we were in High School up until now- It was amazing and so inspiring to see how far his style has changed throughout the years- but it was beautiful to listen to.

Things like that always inspire me- in so many ways. What about you? What inspires you?

August 26, 2015

The Power of Focus

Filed under: Inspiration,Life,Travel — gardener @ 10:27 am

It’s hard to believe that we are almost to the end of August- and tapping on the door of September.     This month has been a challenge-   mostly because it has been filled with a lot of pain for many people that I love, myself included.   Through the tears, uncertainties, life questions- some that were answered and some that weren’t-  there has been one constant.   Love.   The love of family, friends, and in some cases- strangers.

It has included great opportunities, but also a time for many blessings.     Through it all, I am grateful.

I have learned the importance of focusing on the things that matter- and letting go of what no longer serves, as it will only serve to hold us back.

September promises cooler temps, and a time of fun and festivities with people I love and adore.  I, for one, am ready.

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