Simple Living

Living in the Present Creates your Future

By starla on June 15, 2023

Living, what does that exactly mean? Dose it means surviving day after day in a natural state, eating sleeping and feeling numb to the world? Or getting up every morning singing with the birds and going on an extreme experience in the most lavish places. Or does it means finding contentment in life, living each day to the best you can, improving your skills, experiences and embracing the now of life. Finding purpose in the small but constant things around us. The joy that brings laughter and smiles to your sole and the ones around you, being able to joke about the small fumbles that we all have and embracing the excitement when things are happening. Bringing great food to the table to enjoy with others or the dry jokes that you just can’t not smile from.

Something that I find myself saying often is only positive and live for the present and future. Dwelling on the past or negative never sets you up for a positive day. The past and negative things that cross your path in life are there to learn and grow from. The present and future are here to live for, to enjoy striving to get to a place where you dream of being and enjoying as many moments as possible along the way.

Nothing is better than struggling to hike up to that spot just to feel like you are exactly where you need to be, in that very moment you feel like you are untouchable and on top of the world. That positive moment has created a memory that gives you continuous motivation as you move through the days and nights. Or the precious moments when you are challenged to step out of your comfort zone, embrace your talents that others see so clear, and you rock it. The success, accomplishments and experiences push you to step out, let you know you can do it and gifts you the hidden skills to mold your future.

Living includes eating, sleeping, socializing, growing, learning, working and much more. Enjoying the everyday movements that we all go through in a heightened positive manner creates a life that is full of appreciation and joy. A life that when you look back at the many memories that you have filled your sole with, you will be profoundly joyful and content, a life you have made by living in the present and creating your future.

It is important to pay attention to living your present lifestyle with intention,

as living in the present creates your future!

Progress not perfection

By starla on January 2, 2023

Learning, growing and enjoying the beauty of the garden

Through the years that have passed, to the ones in our future, it is always a wounder as the beginning of the new year approaches. A wonder about what adventures to aim for, what goals to set and what new knowledge should be gained. A mystery of what awaits us to behold as the days pass, through the seasons and time. A time when the previous year’s goals that were set are reflected upon, were they achieved, do they still relate with our drive or should new goals be set.

With each year there has been a great lesson that I remind myself of every day. A lesson that propels the motion of the day in the direction of the set goals that are in place. The motion of this lesson moves you through the tough times, keeping you moving in the direction of the final goal. Remembering the lesson that keeps you in the positive motion of ‘progress not perfection’.

Progress not perfection allows you to begin. It allows you to move forward towards your goals, your destination, one step at a time without the constant self-pressure of perfection. Starting with progress sets you up for growth that allows you to learn and become closer to the end destination. Without progress, without that first step or self-challenge in the direction of your choice, it could leave you forever wondering about your destination.

Progress is not always easy and there is no guide laid out as your manual to life that fits your excite circumstances, Progress is taking that first step out into the unknown or unperfected. It is believing in yourself that your dreams are reachable, and you too will get there. It is standing back up if you find yourself falling, it is to keep moving forward no matter what storm hits you, to be always moving forward instead of standing still. I don’t believe there is ever going to be the perfect perfection with everything.

As we reflect on the previous years, prepare for the current year, and look forward to our future years, we remember the progress and people in our lives that have strengthened us, taught us, and shared their precious time embracing the life and achievements made. Some of those precious soles now live with us deep in our hearts and memories. I hold those soles dear to my heart to encourage me to keep moving forward, to embrace the time we have, to make a difference as they have made a difference in our lives. Allowing the positive memories to empower the courage to step out and start. Set your dreams and destinations high, embrace the path and start the progress, but most importantly remember the positive and grace that you find on your journey. Moving forward is always the bests way to move through life.

Believing in the power of progress not perfection, we must start.

A toast of sparkling sprinter topped with fresh candy mint sugar to celebrate all of you!

Bringing the Outside in

By starla on August 19, 2022

There is nothing nicer than breathing in the fresh air of the morning breeze, feeling the warmth of the sun’s rays kissing your skin and strolling around the garden taking in every ounce of beauty from all around. It is the time of the year when the Dahlias, cosmos, sunflowers and much more are all in bloom. The time when the bees are buzzing around collecting pollen from every bloom they can. A time of beauty and abundance. A time that we all look forward to and patiently wait for. When our produce is readily available, and we are striving to just stay outdoors for a little bit longer.

We bring our daily tasks outdoors, take extended walks, outdoor picknicks and refreshing swims in any body of water that is around. Family and friends gather to enjoy laughter, make memories and long for the days to never end.

When it is time to return to the indoors completing the tasks that just don’t go away on their own there is something that I just can not help myself from doing, that is bringing the outside in to extend summers beauty wherever I may be. Feeling the visual beauty along with the lovely fragrance the flowers produce is always welcome in every room.

When strolling the garden in search of the perfect stem to include in the bouquets there is a few things that I look for. I want to make the bouquet do more than just look beautiful on the table or ledge. I want that bouquet to create a feeling in the room, to set the mood, you could say. How you might ask, by the form, colors and the smell. I think of what room I am harvesting for, the size that I want to achieve and most importantly the feeling that I want to release.

Do I want it to be natural, Flowey and springy? I would choose longer steams of cosmos, grape and lavender. Or maybe I want it to speak of a hardy appearance, a bit more traditional, then I would choose Dahlias, basil, and feverfew. For something sweet and mystical, cosmos, sweet pees and amaranthus might be the right choice.

Harvesting to the end feeling both sensationally and visually, I can add that special element to each room. It adds a conversational piece, enjoyment, and the special touch only this time of the year can bring. One of the best things about adding the outdoors to the inside living space is how it changes with every month. It makes us look at our gardens differently and creates something to look forward to as you are waiting for the bloom to open and expose its true beauty. Most of all it gives us the ultimate gift to share with family and friends.

Enjoy mixing and matching with different blooms and foliage, enjoy what nature gives us both indoors and out.

Buckling down and letting the light in.

By starla on March 10, 2022

Walking into the last grips of winter we can feel spring trying to force its way back into our lives. Feeling a little defeated at times and reminding myself to get up and keep going even through the long dark days feel like a weighted blanket, as it has in the past, this too will pass.

I’m not sure how we do it some days. With each sun rise followed by the sun set it happens, another day passes. Some days show us they are more changeling to get through and then there are the days you don’t ever want to end. This past month have presented many challenges and I’m sure I am not the only one, these test in life. Tests that we don’t know the answer to or when and how they are going to end. What I do know is through life there are many challenges, and everyone’s challenges are different. Through life at every stage there will be tests, there will always be someone that is going through harder times than I and there will always be someone that has easier paths, and that’s ok. It’s these changelings that help mold us to learn, grow and to become stronger. It may not seam like it right now, but it is these life tests that we can learn our greatest lessons from, and it is our job to buckle down and make it through.

Buckling down is defiantly easier said than done, what always help is knowing there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, wither the tunnel is 50’ or 1,000’ long there will be a light at the end. Sometimes it takes us time to ignite the light at the end of the tunnel being the challenges of the journey to get there, but we must embrace the journey, except the challenges as they are and make it to the end of the tunnel. We are not the only ones in this journey that presents in front of us, that is when I must remind myself that I am grateful for the challenges that I have as it can always be worse. I can get to the light at the end of the tunnel as many people have done before me. Knowing it can be done and is done every day is a great reminder to me that life will keep moving forward, the sun will rise and set as it has done every day before.

It presents to be my job to embrace these life challenges with grace and in the best way moving forward as there is my family to support and work to be done. The more I move forward in the most positive way I can, the closer to the end of tunnel I will be. I look forward to the light at the end of the tunnel and the positive light that I let into my life on the journey there. Ensuring I bring in a positive to my life every day helps bring the light in. Positives like helping someone, getting a chore done that I have been procrastinating on or doing a good deed. Bringing my spirt and surroundings into the positive posture that lets the light in.

I have been longing for longer day light, warmer weather and some of the challenges that have presented themselves to pass faster than they are. That light is at the end of the tunnel and as I move toward it, I will continue doing the little things to ignite the light and make the days become filled with purpose.

Are you needing to reach the end of the tunnel?

Buckle down and let the light in!

Secret of Eco wrapping made simple

By starla on December 19, 2021

Growing up our family of five would spend many months at a time living on a 28’ gillnetter. Space was limited, but we were able to go to amazing places along the BC coast and see the most beautiful and spectacular things both in nature and the animals around us. This way of life gently molded me to become the person I am and allowed me to think about and see things that I normally would not have if we did not spend so much time living on the water.

One of the greatest things that I have learned is to be aware of what impact everything has on the environment. The little impacts that we don’t see and that we normally take for granted. When living on a vessel whatever you take onboard and leave port with you must bring back to port, meaning what garbage was made while you are out at sea you must bring it back with you. This always made us very aware of packaging and what we allowed on board. We would get our groceries in boxes instead of plastic bags and always purchase raw food for cooking instead of pre-made food whenever possible.

I can’t help but think of this as we move into the holiday season. Many years we would unwrap the gifts from under the tree or that we have been given from family and friends. The gift we cherish, and the wrapping paper ends up in the recycling or garbage. Bags and bags of wrapping paper used once and tossed out. This is something that I am aware of and when there is a will there is a way.

Being the manager of the home for so many years I discovered that if I prepared ourselves and our home for an event coming up everything seemed to operate more smoothly. And Christmas is a great event. Before birthdays and Christmas, we would get into the rhythm of going through the kids toys and clothing, cleansing out the spaces so it was more manageable as everything unfolded. I discovered a great way of upcycling the used t-shirts in many ways, and today we are going to talk about the t-shirt gift wrap that has worked its way into our holiday routines.

T-shirt material has a great amount of stretch to it, making it one of the best materials to utilize as gift wrap. It is simple to prepare, keeps the old shirt out of the landfill, can be folded up and used season after season and can be used as a shop rag when it is no longer used for gift wrap.

You simply lay the shirt down flat on the table.

Cut off both sleeves just on the inside of the seams.

Cut up both sides from the bottom to where the sleeves were.

Cut the top of the shoulders off, so you are left with two large pieces of material (one front and one back) and two sleeves.
To turn the sleeves into pull string bags, turn inside out and sew on the inside of the seam where you cut off from the shirt. Trim the shirt seam off just behind the stitching.
Turn right side and snip just a bit at the top of both sides (one on each side) on the outside of the sleeve.
Thread through a string into the small snippet you just did and in and around the sleeve edge and tie.
Bam…now you have two draw string bags and two large pieces of eco wrapping paper all from one t-shirt that you were not using any more.

To use the T-shirt wrapping you would wrap a gift as you normally would.

Place the gift in the center of the material.

Fold one side of the material up and over the gift.

Fold in the two sides to the center of the gift, keeping the material taught as you go.

Fold the last piece up and over the gift tucking in the end under the side fold of the two sides.

Turn over and secure with string and/or ribbon.

When we first started doing this, we would utilize scarfs that we purchased at thrift stores as well for wrapping. But as the years have gone by our supply of t-shirt wrapping has slowly increased and we now are able to have most of the gifts that we wrap in eco wrapping throughout the year. It feels good not having bags of wrapping paper to deal with in the morning and knowing that the amount of energy saved to manufacture, ship and the monetary to purchase wrapping paper that will be utilized once and tossed, is reduced. Just one little act, that is all it takes to help make a difference to the environment and how we routinely live within.

Hope everyone truly enjoys their family and friends throughout the holiday season and into the new year.

Thank you and enjoy!

How to transition from fall to winter, The Greatest Gift we have!

By starla on November 26, 2021

As the season moves from fall into the winter months, I can’t help but notice the peaceful changes that comes to surround us. The Brisk mornings arrive making you bundle up in warmer clothes, scarves, and winter boots. The nights are getting shorter which persuades us to spend more time in our homes with our loved ones.

This season encourage me to make my home feel warmer and more comfortable. It inspires me to light some candles to create a sense of comfort. To dress the dining table with warm color tablecloths making it inviting to sit around. I feel motivated to bring out the throw blankets for the couches, so we can snuggle into them at night while we enjoy each other’s company.

I have always thought the best part of winter settling in around us is the thought of family and friends. I always get excited to create something special for our loved ones to enjoy through the winter months, and homemade gifts for Christmas morning or freshly baked goods to enjoy. Being in the home for longer hours always inspires me to be creative and makes me think of what I can create for those closest to us.

Ever since me and Clint got married 20 some years ago, we always set aside a weekend in December to create homemade gifts for under the Christmas tree. We have made wooden tugboats, homemade sling shots, cutting boards, wonderful benches and more. There is something special and magical about spending time and thought into creating a special gift for that special person in your life I always end up feeling so satisfied and grateful when we can bring great joy to other people.

Sharing little moments and absorbing the time we spend with all the special people in our lives is one of the greatest gifts we have. I think it is the small simple things in life that truly matter, and I encourage myself every day to slow down and enjoy every moment. For each moment that passes will then be in the past. Moving forward there will again be more great moment to enjoy in the future.

Until next time, have a great day!

The Home Environment

By starla on October 21, 2021

The smell, touch and energy surrounding you in your everyday living has a great effect on the way you feel, how you are inspired and what motivates you throughout the day. Everything you hear and see, the atmosphere that we create that is surrounding us in our day-to-day life, our home environment.

As large or small the things around us, the way our things are presented and displayed have a certain about of energy that rings off them creating the energy that we wake up to, the energy that we come home from work to, and the energy that we fall asleep to at night. The home environment is all around us throughout the day, so we may as well use it to create inspiration and motivation. By changing even just a few things on a center piece or countertop it can set off an energy of a season or spark a memory of a great achievement. It can be as simple as placing fresh flowers in the center of the table or a single flower bloom on a countertop in the bathroom. Lighting candles can give the room a warm glow and fill the air with fresh scents.

When creating the home environment think of what you want to feel from it. It may be motivating you to the holiday season where you can pull in some holiday décor like a few springs of holly a few tealights and a crystal vase of ornaments.

It may be celebrating an afternoon gathering where you can pull in some color with doilies, table cloths and fill the counter top with fresh baked goods at different levels. Setting off a warm inviting atmosphere with the fresh smell of baked goods. Even baking cookies fill the room with an inviting aroma that reminds you of home, and once baked you may as well display them on a nice plate or cake dish with a glass dome celebrating the moment.

It quite often comes down to the little things that are around the home that makes the home feel warm, inviting, and motivational. There are three things that I believe are important in the home environment that everyone should have.

Motivation
Accomplishment
Past

The first one is motivation. I often say to try and incorporate a little token that reminds you of a goal that you are trying to achieve, it may be is a book on the side table you have been wanting to read, or a little symbol of a structure of a place you want to travel to. It can even be a photo to symbolize something you are striving towards. What this does is it sparks a little reminder each time our eyes glance over it. Having little reminders of our goals that we are striving for is a great motivation of that goal and quite often will bring you a little closer to achieving it. If it is a book that you are wanting to read you may glance over it, pick it up and read a few pages. It may be a gardening book that you flip through the pages as you are thinking of the up-and-coming season.

The second is the most important, it is an accomplishment. Yes, you need to have your accomplishments in your home environment, your celebrations of the success you have achieved throughout your life. It can be a treasure from an adventure you went on, a photo or even just a small token. If you have a fond memory of a special night with your partner it could be lighting a few candles, or even just having a few tealights around. It could be a small jar of sand from a beach you hiked to or a painting on the wall that reminds you of a great memory. Celebrating our small and large success reminds us that we can achieve goal and motivates you to reach for more. It creates a sense of peace in ourselves.

And the third is our past. There is a lot of lessons that we have all learned from our past and it is important to have those close to us. I often think of this part of the home environment as the people of our past, the ones that influenced us, assisted in molding us to who we have become today, the people that we hold close to our hearts with everything that we do. Bring in the past can be in the form of a vase that your grandma had in her kitchen when you were growing up, it could be a tea set or a small token of the people. It could be a blanket someone made for you draped over one arm of the couch, or a throw pillow in the corner. It can be as simple as a photo on the wall, bringing in the memory of the positive influencers of the past allows us to be motivated to be great positive influencer in the present and the future.

Creating and what is in your home environment will change over time and throughout the years and that is the best part. We are humans that evolve, and our home environment gets to evolve with us. The best part of the home environment is there are no rules. We are not all the same people, and neither is our homes. Embrace your home and your home environment, change the décor, and play with the little things that you have. Most importantly is to have fun with it!