Huckle Buckle Beanstalk!

The other morning my husband, out of the blue, just said ‘huckle, buckle, beanstalk” and the memories came rushing back!  Don’t you just LOVE it when that happens?  I haven’t heard those words since the 70’s!  He told me how he used to play the game in elementary school and we both recalled the game rules.  His teacher would hide an eraser then the class would search out the elusive object and the first one who found the eraser would shout out ‘huckle, buckle, beanstalk’ and be the winner!  Wasn’t life so much simpler then?  We really enjoyed this game I think mostly because it was so cool to say the words together ‘huckle, buckle, beanstalk’ … just makes you smile!   There were other names for the same game which originated as far back as the 19th-century in England and America.  Some include “Hide the Object”, “Hide the Key”, “Hunt the Thimble”, “Hide the Thimble”, and “Hot Buttered Beans”.

Thanks for the great memories and smiles my love … it made my day!

Enjoy L!

The Unusual Housewife

Embracing the ‘real you’, that’s what I’m all about theses days.  I have discovered the ‘real me’ totally dislikes some of the a-typical housewife stuff and finally, after many years, I have become totally at peace with that part of my life!  Like cooking for example – can I cook, of course, but I dislike the act of cooking.  Maybe it’s the science of the task … or maybe it’s being alone in the kitchen … or maybe it’s a combination of a lot of not so great memories, whatever the reason I just dislike cooking.  I always thought I ‘had’ to like it, that something was terribly wrong with me.  I’m a wife and mom who unconditionally loves her family so why don’t I enjoy cooking for them?  So after years of soul-searching I discovered that wife + mom + cooking doesn’t = love.  I don’t have to enjoy cooking or be a great cook to love and care for my family.  I care for them in so many other ‘Lisa’ ways {and they seem to like my mommyness *wink*}.  Yes, thankfully I have a husband who is an Executive Chef by career so he takes care of our bellies {it’s wonderful to have someone who can complete you}.  Are there times in my life that I have to do things that I dislike … yes absolutely, but when I have embraced my ‘real self’ and understand my dislikes I think the task at hand isn’t so terrible.   Then I become a better ‘me’ and can use my innate gifts in a more complete way to love and care for everyone around me!  So …

Be your be,

You your you,

for that is all good and true!

*wink* 

Here are some great books you might … Enjoy L!

{thank you everyone for supporting my little book shop … so very grateful!}

Be Happy

Enjoy Life

Self-Discovery

I Create Small in a Large Way

I have discovered and have grown to embrace my allure to create small.  What does that mean?  Well, when I paint I can’t seem to organize my designs on a large piece of paper or canvas.  I just can’t think that ‘wide’ if you will {I have much admiration for the artist who can}.  When I write I want things to be simple, to the point and inspirational so haven’t been able to create pages of the written word {I have much admiration for the writer who can}.  On the other hand, I believe my ‘small’ designs or words are ‘large’ in beauty and love!  I create ‘Splendor for Small Spaces’ for that little nook in your home that needs some brightening, for the person who is rushing out the door but needs a little inspiration for the day, for someone with a small home who desires a beautiful ‘small’ piece of art … small creations in a large way!  My wish is to inspire, to cheer on love and to bring joy to the ordinary.  Thank you all for your support in my endeavor!  It is appreciated beyond words!

Enjoy L {of The L Studios}!

Everyone is Important

I had the honor of participating in the celebration of the 80^th birthday of a friend over the weekend.  I entered this beautiful home filled with warm, welcoming smiles and spent the afternoon ‘listening’.  I just love getting to know people, listening to their stories and appreciating the person that is before me.  Every person has wisdom and life stories to share and each story is all good and right because it’s theirs!    You can learn so much about the beauty of a person by simply just listening.  Yes, you may not agree with their political views … that’s ok.  Yes, you may not enjoy their career path … that’s ok.  Yes, you may not see eye to eye on a topic … and yes, that’s ok.  What the person before you has to share is a gift especially for you!  Yes, and that gift is a piece of them for you to share in a positive way with others!  If you open your mind and heart to understanding their point of view … wow, you can grow so much as an artist, accountant, doctor, musician, chef {whatever your passion is} and, in turn, inspire others with your new found wisdom.    I’m ready!  Bring on the celebration of … Everyone!

The Art of Music

As an artist I am continually inspired by not only other artists but by the creativity thru different mediums as well.  I use a paintbrush, ink, canvas, paper and keystrokes to create but other artists use clefs, rests and C Major Scales to move your passion.  I hold a great deal of admiration for the artist musician mostly because I can’t sing a lick or begin to understand music theory.  Music is a very big part of my life and inspires me every day!  I think when you can’t fully create something you love you hold the designing path with a higher regard.  I listen to all genres of music and mostly select my ‘music for the moment’ based on the activity I am completing.  Painting – 70’s rock baby!  Writing – those Great American Songbook Crooners!  Cleaning – I get down to Motown!  It’s tough to pick my favorite genre they are all so awesome! 

What type of music turns you on? 

Hope your day is filled with lots of love ‘notes” thru the art of music!   

Some of my favorite songs … Enjoy L!

70’s Rock

The Great American Songbook

Motown

Sum, Sum, Summer Time!

I know, I know it is barley Spring but when I look out my window and see the bright sun, summer time just pops into my head!  There are so many wonderful activities that I enjoy during the Spring and Summer months in New England.  Biking on the rail trails, hiking the awesome mountains, soaking up the rays by the ocean’s side, driving on a surprise adventure with my love, feeling the breeze against my cheeks on a sailboat and the list goes on!  I like to re-create, re-live and re-invent adventures of the past as well.  Exempli gratia; reflecting on my fondness for lying in the grass on a warm summers day as a young person turns into lying in the grass on a warm summers day reading to my love with our puppy Tawnie Brie bopping about with her pink bounciness.  The joys of drinking in the summer sun are intensified by the groovy memories of my childhood and it’s all so good!  Do you have a favorite summer pastime you will enjoy this year?     

Some of my summer pastimes … Enjoy L!

Summertime Reading

Biking Rail Trails

Anchorage by The Sea

{Poof} And It’s Gone

Ok, raise of hands … who out there has been working on a computer project either on your desktop or via remote and ‘poof’ it just disappears!  When you mistakenly press the backspace button as your text is highlighted at least you can press ‘undo’ or in most cases software automatically saves so you can recover some items … but, when working on a remote server sometimes those numinous gnomes tiptoe in to capture your work {just for fun} and take it away to their hidden gnome world, well, *huge sigh* there are no words.  Last night I was working on a project in a free trial software and after reading all the guidelines and after at least 6 hours of work on the project ‘poof’ all of my work … gone to gnomeville!  Apparently I didn’t find the tiniest of fine print that told me I shouldn’t waste my time creating this project because a free trial doesn’t necessarily mean you can fully use the project’s tools … ahhhhhh!  My husband said I handled the situation very gracefully *wink* but, unfortunately I have to start the project all over again and, most importantly, I cannot get my precious time back.  On the positive side, I did go for a long walk yesterday … whooo hoooo!

Have a great day and stay on the lookout for those ‘cute’ gnomes!  Enjoy L!

Walking {My Body Says Thank You}

As I get older it gets harder and harder to move my body to keep fit.  My life is so full {all good} but it’s hard to fit one more thing into my day.  I know how important it is to exercise your heart yet I seem to skip that part every day coming up with some excuse why I can’t go for a walk, do some yoga or stretch into some Pilates.  When I do focus on calisthenics I feel that other parts of my life get pushed aside.  I need to remember it’s all about balance – to manage my activities based on family, health, career and friends.  I feel so much more alive when I can move my body for about an hour.  I think I am more productive, happy and focused and, in turn, end up getting more accomplished than I realize.  All aspects of my life are essential but without my body I can’t enjoy any of those significant moments.  Ok, let’s get moving … *wink*

Here are some inspirational life and walking books you might … Enjoy L!

A Life in Balance

Guide to Walking

A Walk in the Woods

My Silly Life View

Do you know the song ‘Silly Love Song’ by Paul McCartney?  I was listening to this song the other day and thought … hmmmm I do believe this is how I feel most of the time.  I look at life with such a child-like, romantic view … some would say it is a ‘silly life view’.  I am tremendously optimistic most of the time always looking at the glass half full so to speak.  So what’s wrong with living in a silly love song every day?  I wish more people could experience the pure joy of living a sanguine life.  Yes, I am totally and completely in love with my husband but I think that love is magnified by my desire to live simply in love with life.  Don’t be shy … go ahead and live a silly love song!

Here are some {not so silly} books you might … Enjoy L!

Love Is A Mix Tape

The Other Side of Desire

The Secret

Dream a Little Dream

What’s the difference between dreams and goals?  One definition of ‘goal’: The purpose toward which an endeavor is directed; an objective.  One definition of ‘dream’:  A condition or achievement that is longed for; an aspiration.  Well, from the formal definitions it seems dreams may or may not come to fruition without set directives.  I always thought the word ‘goal’ was such a cold, structured word, almost to the point of unfeeling yet ‘dream’ was a kinder, gentler way of describing a goal.  In my mind, I think of a dream to take on both meanings above.  Both descriptions go so beautifully together; like ball and glove, or music and lyrics, or canvas and paint.  It’s certainly important not to stay in the ‘dream’ place without having goals written down so you can make your dreams a reality.  I love dreaming about sailing, my next painting, the next adventure with my love and much more.  I know when I have created realistic goals to accompany my dreams I am blessed to say they have all come true!   Dream a little dream today {oh, the possibilities!}  

Some dreamy things for you to share … Enjoy L!

Love and Relationships

Self Understanding

You and Your Life