ON THE TWELFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Today is the last day of the 12 days of Christmas here on my blog and website. I hope you've enjoyed it! Today I have a fun and inspiring desktop wallpaper for you to download for free (just click right here to go to the download page.) There are 4 different sizes that will hopefully suit most computers. Here is the 800x600 version:

I'm inspired looking at it, are you?!

Also, in one final celebration of the goodness that was 2009, through the end of the year you can buy a calendar and get a free print in my etsy shop. Just let me know which print you'd like in the 'notes to seller section,' and I'll send it along with the calendar!

Merry Christmas, and I'll see you back here in the new year!

ON THE ELEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS...

It's Christmas Eve! I've always loved Christmas Eve. We always used to go to my grandparents' house to have dinner and open presents, and it was one of the best parts of Christmas. This year I'll be with my husband's family on Christmas Eve, which will be nice as well.

So in honor of holiday family dinners, I have some cute downloadable place cards that you can print out and use on your holiday table! Just click here to go to the download page. You can write the names in the white space, and then fold them in half to make little table-tent-like place cards.

I have one more download and one more shop deal for you tomorrow, and then I'll be taking a blogging break until the new year. See you here tomorrow (or the next day, if you're planning to stay offline on Christmas!)

ON THE TENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS...

If you're still needing cute wrappings for your gifts, I have a small downloadable sheet of wrapping paper for you to download and print out today. It's 8.5x11", so it'll only work for small gifts (or larger gifts if you get creative and tape it together), but it'll make your small gifts ultra-adorable!

CLICK HERE to go to the download page. And come back again tomorrow for the second to last downloadable goodie!

ON THE NINTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS...

Can you believe Christmas is in 3 days??
(ps- I'm sorry to anyone that doesn't celebrate Christmas who reads this blog... I don't mean to alienate you! The blog will be back to normal soon, I promise.) :)

Today I have some cute holiday gift tags that you can download RIGHT HERE, which will hopefully help make your presents look a little cuter!

CLICK HERE to go to the download page, and check back tomorrow for another useful freebie!

ON THE EIGHTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS...

Another downloadable treat today-- a Christmas card! Actually, it's two versions of the same card in different colors, but you'll have to download it to see what the other one looks like.

I hope they come in handy as you're wrapping your gifts! Now you won't have to rush out to one of the crazy-busy stores to pick up cards if you forgot to buy them.

CLICK HERE to go to the download page on my website.

Enjoy!

ON THE SEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS...

Today I'm focusing on giving to others again, but this benefits you also! Do you still have people on your Christmas shopping list? Are you wishing you would have ordered some artwork from etsy, but now you don't have time?

I have your solution. TODAY ONLY, you can purchase a piece of my artwork to print out yourself and give as a last-minute gift. Here is the image:


It's called 'Gratitude,' and it's very aligned with this season we are in.

You can purchase it right here. I'll send you a link to the download page for the high-res file, and then you can print away to your heart's content.

AND, all the proceeds will be given to the Samaritan House here in Atlanta. It's goodness all around.

ON THE SIXTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS...

Today I have a free goodie for you! If you are anything like me, you still have a LOT of Christmas stuff to do. Now you can organize everything on these cute to-do lists!

CLICK HERE to download the high res file, and then print as you please! I hope you enjoy them. :)

ON THE FIFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS...

Again, another goodie today! If you've been meaning to pick up a 'You Are My Sunshine' or a 'You Are So Loved' print, today is a great day to do it. $5.00! That's a steal, my friends.

Click here to shop, and check back tomorrow for the last of the shop deals. After that it'll be *free goodies* all the way through Christmas! You'll love it, I promise.

Reality: by Ashley Inzer

Talented and lovely Ashley Inzer sent this over for us to enjoy- it's a diagram of reality. How cool is that??
This definitely seems to be the way that it works in my mind-- what about you?

Although, I'm also trying to get to a place where I don't completely identify my thoughts with what reality IS, and know that there is actually a deeper sense of reality that goes beyond the physical world. I think there are several ways to look at 'reality,' and this is one of them.

Big thank you to Ashley for sending this over, and make sure you check out her blog and her flickr photostream!

ON THE FOURTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS...

Today is a goodie! BUY ONE CALENDAR, GET A FREE PRINT. Nice, right?

And there's still time for some last minute gift-buying! Everyone needs a calendar, and it's my opinion that everyone also needs lovely art surrounding them, so get thee to the shop! I have both of those things.

ON THE THIRD DAY OF CHRISTMAS...

On this 3rd day of Christmas celebration, I'm focusing on giving of a different kind. Sisters of the Road is an amazing organization in Portland, Oregon which "exists to build authentic relationships and alleviate the hunger of isolation in an atmosphere of nonviolence and gentle personalism that nurtures the whole individual, while seeking systemic solutions that reach the roots of homelessness and poverty to end them forever." They run a nonprofit café which serves low-cost and nutritious meals that can be purchased in a variety of ways, including cash, food stamps, and exchange for work. I'm happy to say that I donated a small amount of money to them earlier this year, but I'd love to do more. Today I will donate 25% of all sales to this beautiful organization.

So, if you choose to purchase something from me today, you can feel good knowing that you are helping to feed someone a hot meal in this most sacred time of year. And I will thank you very much for your support and your generosity.

{Click here to visit my etsy shop}

Believe: by San Smith

My super-talented pal San sent this little illustrated reminder over (seriously, check out her website,) and I couldn't agree with it more!

I notice more and more in my life that my thoughts most definitely create my reality. If I believe that today is going to suck, then it will indeed suck, and probably suck hard. If I believe that good things are coming my way, they always do. I know it sounds too simple, but it really does seem to work that way. Thought = belief = reality.

Sometimes we don't even see that our beliefs are just thoughts, and that we can actually CHOOSE what we want to believe. Which means, we can create whatever kind of reality we want, right? That's powerful stuff.

Anyway, big thanks to San for sending this over. Be sure to check out what she's up to, because she's the queen of cuteness!

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS: Day 2

Today I bring back everybody's favorite sale in my etsy shop-- buy one print, get one free.

Get one print as a gift, and one for you!
(Isn't that how Christmas shopping always goes anyway? One for you, one for me...) :)

Get thee to my etsy shop today only for this sweet deal, and come back tomorrow to see what new surprise I have in store.

{Please let me know which free print you'd like in the 'notes to seller' section when you're purchasing.}

Good morning and happy Monday! Today is officially 12 days before Christmas, and while the 12 Days of Christmas were traditionally celebrated beginning on Christmas and going through January 5th, I thought it would be fun to celebrate these 12 days of Christmas leading up to the big day!

So, for the next 12 days here on Pecannoot, there will be something for you, from free downloadable goodies and sales in my etsy shop to donations to charities and free shipping. Every day will be different!

So today, since I imagine many of you are still in holiday shopping mode (and if you are like I am you may still have LOTS of shopping to do!), I have a little deal in my shop for you. If you spend $15 or more, I will send you 10 adorable gift tags with your purchase! Here's what they look like:


They'll make your gifts look so darn pretty, won't they?

Head on over to my etsy shop to check out the goods-- there's still plenty of time to order gifts and get them in time for Christmas. (I am very prompt in my shipping!)

And be sure to come back tomorrow to see what Day 2 of the 12 Days of Christmas will bring!

withholding

As I was laying in bed reading Eckhart Tolle's book A New Earth last night, this sentence jumped out at me and struck me like a lightning bolt.

There are so many times that I want more more more. Isn't that essentially what much of our culture is about? We are so often taught to want more, to never be satisfied, to be selfish, to take from the world.

I realized that when I am wanting more and feeling like I'm not getting what I want or deserve, it's because I'm focusing on taking rather than giving. It's like waiting for inspiration to come from the outside instead of listening and cultivating it within yourself. If I am waiting for the world to give me the opportunity to express my genius, comparing myself to others in the process, thinking "it's not fair," then I am not giving my true self to the world. I am withholding the genius that already exists within me (and within all of us) from the world. If I think the world is withholding abundance from me, really I am not living abundance in the world. I am living lack. I am withholding that positive energy from the world. It's all about giving. If I want abundance, I need to be and give away abundance. If I am already abundance, how could I receive anything other than that?

Tolle goes on to say that "you are withholding it because you think you are small and that you have nothing to give."

Do I withhold the genius within because I think I'm small and what I have to give is of no significance? Yes. I think many of us feel this way, because we compare ourselves to others who seem to know more, have more, do more.... when really, each of us has our own unique and incomparable experience of life, and that is what we each have to give.

Each of our experiences can help someone, and if we go into each situation asking myself "how can I be of service?" then the world will respond by saying "how can I be of service to you?"

I'm going to try this out for the next few weeks and see what happens.
Have a terrific weekend!

Twilight Tale: by Linda Plaisted

I'm so happy I somehow got connected to Linda Plaisted in this big blogosphere. Her work, firstly, is gorgeous, and secondly, this holiday tradition that she's created for herself is so, so touching. (And let me just say again how gorgeous and amazing I think the print above is. I can't stop staring at it.)

She says:

I believe in abundance. I grew up without a lot of "things" in my life, but I always had love and safety, encouragement and above all, hope. Ultimately that has made all the difference in my life as an artist. That is why for the past five years it has been my tradition to offer a Limited Edition holiday print, the proceeds of which are donated to charity. Last year's edition raised almost $1,000 to help victims of domestic violence through Heartly House, a program that provides safety, hope, and compassion to women, children and families.

This year, I am offering a digitally-signed, limited edition 11 x 14" print on matte archival paper at a special price to entice gift-giving and thoughtful gift-keeping! I will be happy to ship your print anywhere in the world to anyone you choose. To make the deal even sweeter, through December 13, all prints in my shop are 20% off, including this one. It's my way of saying Thank You to my wonderful clients, customers, colleagues and the universe at large for supporting me in pursuing my creative dreams.

This piece will only be available through January 10, 2010 and then retired in this size and finish, but anyone could also choose any piece in my shop and just send me an email to let me know you'd like the proceeds donated to charity and I will be sure to add the funds to the Heartly House total.

I get so much joy and peace from creating my work and I just want to give a little of that back to people who don't yet have the same opportunities.

How incredible is this? What a generous gesture. I can imagine how good Linda feels knowing that her generosity is making people's lives be a little better, especially during the holidays. We need more people like Linda in the world.

So, please head over to her website-- do you have an art-loving friend or family member who might like to own this beautiful print? Or any other piece of Linda's work? What a way to not only give a gift to someone you love, but also a gift to someone you've never met and who needs a little bit of help and love.

*Thank you, Linda, for letting us know about your abundant outlook and wonderful tradition!*

Do Your Bit Jewelry: by Chrissy Foreman C

Australian artist Chrissy Foreman C is someone whose enthusiasm for all that she does oozes out of the computer screen. Every time I get an email from her it's filled with joy, and I can tell from the many projects that she is a part of that she truly loves spreading creativity and love as far as she can reach.


So I'm thrilled that she emailed me to share her line of eco-friendly jewelry, called Do your Bit, with us. She says:

One thing that there is an abundance of on our planet is WASTE and what better way to support the planet by snatching beautiful materials before they become landfill and transforming them into something unique! It’s kinda like alchemy!

Everything I create is made using salvaged materials such as fabric and leather off-cuts, plastics, computer wire and other wired and wonderful stuff that I come across (I admit all have new clasps, metal bits and/or sterling silver earring hooks ‘cause I feel that’s important in creating high quality pieces that last).

I feel a real rush and connection to ‘something good’ while I’m making them and I feel that each one quickly takes on its own personality in the process, hence why they all have their own names. It’s one of the ways I do my bit and share my commitment to nurturing our beautiful, abundant planet.

Inspiring, yes?
Check out more from Chrissy (and purchase from the jewelry line) on her website, and also visit her blog. You can also purchase the jewelry at Reverse Garbage in West End, Brisbane http://www.reversegarbage.com.au/

*Thanks so much, Chrissy!*

send your style into the world

How do you put yourself into the world?

How are you authentic?

What qualities about yourself do you share the most?

What qualities do you most admire in others?

What message do you want to send into the world?

Does your style reflect that message?

I don't focus on style very much, I think mainly because I work at home and most of the time in in a cozy sweater and yoga pants. :) But when I do go out, I think I could step it up a bit. I want to inspire creativity and positive feelings in people, through my work and my way of being. How can I make my outward style match my inner mission?

Something to think about.

{If you are interested in thinking in depth about style, I suggest Danielle LaPorte's book, Style Statement. I haven't gotten all the way through it yet, but it poses lots of great questions to think about!}

Blissful Monday: week 5

Good morning, my friends!

Here we are on Monday again-- let's make this a good week, what do you say?

I skipped my Bliss List last week, so I'll make this one extra good. :) The time since Thanksgiving has been quite nice around our house, so there's much to be grateful for:

1. 3 days away in Asheville, NC with my husband was the BEST. We stayed in a gorgeous house in the mountains, built fires in the evenings, snuggled up in the cool weather, slept later than we normally do, and had fun exploring a new city.

{That's us at an amazing waterfall in Highlands, NC-- definitely worth seeing if you're in the area!}

2. My Cyber Monday Sale in my etsy shop was a huge success!

3. To celebrate the success of my sale, I finally bought my dream boots. They are supposed to arrive today (I ordered them from Piperlime), and I'm practically jumping up and down I'm so excited! Now, I am not a shopper, and I hardly ever spend money on clothes or shoes or anything, so this was a big deal.

4. We put up our Christmas tree! Tonight we are going to watch The Grinch (the Dr. Seuss version, of course,) which is one of my favorite parts of Christmas.


5. Spring was launched, after months of talk between Michelle, Carolyn, Jess LC, and me. The response has been beyond what we'd hoped for for our first episode, and I'm so grateful and excited to be part of this project with these inspiring women!


6. Pumpkin pie. Need I say more?

*Please feel free to share what's on your bliss list in the comments!*

i make my own rules: by jess gonacha swift

I'm embracing this idea more and more lately. I embraced it full on a couple of night ago when I stayed out until 1:00am on a Wednesday night with a group of fabulous and inspiring women, didn't get out of bed until 9:15am (which is about 3 hours later than I normally get up!), and then I didn't post anything on either of my blogs yesterday. And I only felt the teensiest bit guilty about it! This is a step in the right direction. I'm very hard on myself much of the time and don't give myself a break to be human and sleep in on a Wednesday if I need to-- and it felt good!

What self-imposed rules is your body begging you to break today?

Have a fantastic weekend! I'll see you on Monday.

Spring Episode 1: GRATITUDE

Good morning!
I'm so excited to share our first Spring video with you this morning. (Remember when I announced it here a few weeks ago? It is finally here!)

We had so much fun recording the video, despite some technical challenges (which we will be working on improving in our future episodes.) Hopefully the gratitude shines through it all!

The video is available in 4 segments, which you can watch on the Spring website. Here is the first video (our introduction segment) to get you started, and then you can pop over to the website for the rest!



I really hope you enjoy our discussion of gratitude, and please feel free to leave us your comments and suggestions! We'd love to have you join the conversation.

Nelson II: by Sophie Callaghan

Sophie Callaghan makes pretty much the best handmade art dolls ever. They have so much life and personality! This one is Nelson II, and he has a hand-embroidered message of love from The Beatles on the backside of him. How wonderful is that?

I guarantee you will love all of Sophie's art dolls, which you can find on her flickr page, and oh man, there are so many!! It's impossible for me to pick a favorite. Go have a look! You can buy the dolls right here, and she also has an etsy shop with some other handmade goodies and a terrific website. What a talent!

*Thanks for sending this over for us to enjoy, Sophie!*

Abundance from Ashley Thalman

"Because secrets do not increase in value if kept in a gore-ian lockbox, because one's past is either made useful or else mutates and becomes cancerous. We share things for the obvious reasons: it makes us feel un-alone, it spreads the weight over a larger area, it holds the possibility of making our share lighter. And it can work either way - not simply as a pain-relief device, but, in the case of not bad news but good, as a share-the-happy-things-I've-seen/lessons-I've-learned vehicle. Or as a tool for simple connectivity for its own sake, a testing of waters, a stab at engagement with a mass of strangers."
- Dave Eggers from A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius

This post, along with the above quote, comes to us from Ashley Thalman, who is one of the most heartfelt and gracious people I know. She was my wedding photographer, and working with her was magical. She thought we would enjoy reading this on Pecannoot, and I couldn't agree more. For more from Ashley, check out her gorgeous photo blog, her personal blog, and her website.

I, like you, don't know what I'm doing all the time.
I, like you, cannot see this life from every angle.
I don't know how to do what I do sometimes and often after I do it, I don't like it.
Sometimes I surprise myself with work that I didn't know was in me.
I cringe when I think of everything I don't know about life and other times I feel like I know all I should right now.

I don't want to be boxed up so tightly that life and joy are kept out of what I do. I don't want to take myself, or my work as a photographer so seriously that I am more photographer than human, more business owner than friend, more editor than listener. What is the point in that? Is that really what we should be spending our time moving towards? To produce rather than to create? Is that why I left the cubicle? I want to make images that reflect something of love, tragedy, brilliance, and irony. I want to listen. I want my images to reflect intangible interactions and a part of life that my clients don't even realize is already gone.

*Thank you Ashley, for sharing your wisdom and joy with us.*

Happy Thanksgiving (& what I'm grateful for)

It's amazing to me that tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and that means the holidays are officially here again. Tomorrow I'm going to Asheville, NC with my husband for a few days, and we're going to have Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant, which I've never done before. I'm a bit sad we won't be with any family, but I'm grateful to be able to go to a new place and have a brand new experience. I think it will be fun! And with any luck, I'll eat just as much as I always do on Thanksgiving, and I'll be lying on the floor in a half-awake state at the end of the night, moaning about how full I am, and then going to eat some more pie. :) Isn't that always how Thanksgiving goes?

Anyway, since Thanksgiving is all about gratitude, it feels appropriate to tell you all what I'm feeling grateful for right now.

• My husband. I am so lucky to share my life with him. He's the best snuggler in the whole world, he believes in me to no end, and he can make me laugh like no one else.
• My Spring ladies. (Our video post will be up later today or tomorrow!! I'll be sure to let you know when.) Wow, these ladies rock my world. Smart, sassy, opinionated, motivated, positive forces in the world.... I'm honored and grateful to be creating with them.
  
• That I'm self-employed. The simple fact that I get to structure my days exactly as I please and do the work that I feel compelled to do is beyond magnificent.
• All the people that read my blog(s), comment on what I write and draw and paint, send me words of encouragement and thanks and artists I might like... I could not do what I'm doing without all of you. You amaze me, endlessly.
• That I have enough. Money, time, love, clothing, food, an apartment to live in, friends, family...
  
• My life coach, Michelle Ward. She helped me to pull myself out of a funk and start being more grateful for my life and my world. And for that, I am forever grateful.
• Everything that makes my life easier-- my car that runs well, my computer, my lights that turn on when I flip a switch, the refrigerator that keeps my food cold... I take these things for granted, but wow, life would be harder without them.
• My warm bed. I love my bed so much.
• My cat, Anika. She lights up my days and keeps me company when home alone working. She chirps when she runs and always wants a treat.

I hope you all have a terrific Thanksgiving and that you think about all you are grateful for!

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: keep out of the cookies (a new animation)

I can't believe I was able to keep this a secret for so long, but I have something really fun to share with you this morning! I've been working on another animation (you might remember the first one)-- I've been SO EXCITED to tell you all about it, and it's finally finished and ready to be released! And excitement = abundance for me, so I'm making it fit the theme of Pecannoot. :)

So, there is a purpose to this animation, which you will discover by watching it. {It is Christmas-themed, and oh-so-silly!}

And after you're done watching the animation, CLICK HERE to see what the purpose of the animation is. Here's a teaser:


Curious? My etsy shop holds the answer.

Wisdom for the brave: by Marie-Chantale Turgeon

I think this work speaks for itself. Marie-Chantale Turgeon is amazing and inspiring.
Here are her links:

Portfolio

Blog

Twitter

Etsy shop

Have a gorgeous weekend, my friends!
(And if you are in Atlanta or close by, come see me at the Indie Craft Experience tomorrow!)

a sad story of abundance

Last night a dear friend of my husband's family passed away. She'd suffered a massive heart attack the morning before and wasn't going to recover.

I am shocked. This woman held a wedding shower for me in her home in June. She and her husband helped Ryan and I with our wedding on the beach just below their home. She was one of the most generous people I've known.

So, while I'm obviously sad and confused, I also find myself wondering about what we're supposed to learn when someone dies. I have so many questions. Where is she now? Is she watching the people that she left behind? Can they feel her if she is there?

Is death supposed to teach us that life is so precious, worries are petty, and that we are meant to enjoy it and love as much and as deep as we can?

Is it supposed to teach us that there is more to life than what is available to our eyes? The universe is unimaginably vast, so much that it's impossible to comprehend. Where did we come from? If we came into being through the universe, which has always been here and will always be here, then doesn't that mean our energy just changes when we die, and remains in the universe? Does that mean we're eternal? Does that mean we are still connected to those who have passed, even though we can't see them anymore? What is the universe and where did it come from?

Where did we learn to associate sad feelings with being bad or wrong? What if we saw sadness as just another temporary emotion, and really allowed ourselves to feel it, knowing it won't last forever, but will change, just as all emotions do? I think I tend to resist feeling sad-- or when I do feel sad I tell myself that I "shouldn't."

Perhaps the purpose of sadness is to point us toward appreciation of the moment. Appreciating being able to FEEL.

What do you believe? I'd love to know your thoughts on all this, and I appreciate you allowing me this space to question. (big hugs to all!)

{image by natka.org, from The Little Chimp Society website}

happiness: by gal shkedi

If I could jump into Israeli illustrator Gal Shkedi's head for a few minutes, I'd search around for the inspiration behind this illustration, with which I am truly in love. I love the idea and the sentiment, and it makes me think: maybe we all have our balloon man in the sky, showering us with happiness and goodness, and all we have to do is look up to see him? (Or her?)

{If you'd like to see more of Gal Shkedi's work, please click on over to his website, his flickr page, and his vimeo page. He's super talented!}

I hope you all have a glorious Wednesday!

The Happy Book

I recently received a copy of this book, and it's just darling!
A journal to celebrate what makes me happy? Yes, please!

One of my favorite parts of the book is the "Spontaneous Happiness Generator" pages, sprinkled throughout the book. They are snippets of things that make people happy, in their own handwriting, and each one made me smile.

A few samples:

"Tea parties with my granddaughter- a cup of sugar water, graham crackers, + a sweet little girl."

"Waking up every morning and looking at trees."

"Daily good morning text messages from my father."

The book is terrific, because it's basically a place where you can document what makes you happy-- lots of room to write things down, questions and prompts to spark your happiness and get you thinking in a positive and fun way, and to discover and celebrate the special things that make you happy!

The authors say "you'll create your own personal pick-me-up that you can flip through whenever you want."

You can pick up a copy right here-- I can think of a few people in my life who I'd like to gift with this book-- the holidays are coming! Is there anyone on your list who would love The Happy Book?

Resurrections: by SooZeQue

It's not very often that I see something and think "wow, I've never seen anything like that before." But that is exactly what happened when I opened up my email to find these photos sent to me by SooZeQue, the woman behind these gorgeous creations. What other people see as treash, SooZeQue sees as worthy of resurrecting into a beautiful treasure. She works with a plasma cutter to cut through the metal, and says "I don’t have a long list of schools I’ve attended and degrees I’ve earned. I just have a love of working with my hands and the need to create art, whatever that might be." Amen to that!

Have you ever seen a wheelbarrow or a shovel so beautiful and intricate? I sure haven't.
You can find more of SooZeQue's creations on her website and blog.

Thank you, SooZeQue, for sending these to me!!*

if you have one goal...

What if we gauged everything by the level of happiness it inspired us to feel? What if every morning our intention was to feel good? What if we asked ourselves in each situation "does this feel good to me?" And if the answer was no, then we'd have a choice to change our thoughts, our behavior, our life, for the better. To feel good!

If I listen to myself and only myself, instead of what is "supposed to" make me feel good, according to other people, isn't that the ultimate freedom? What works for ME, not based on what anyone else thinks?

Now that is something to practice, people!

{ps- I was part of the Design Your Life series on Jess Constable's blog Make Under My Life yesterday, and you can check it out right here if you're interested! There's a funny picture of me at the top.} :)

Have a terrific weekend!!

let go of what you think you know: by david plant

{by david plant, from advice to sink in slowly}

Oh man, what a life-changer this one can be.

This makes me think of letting go judgments. You know those times where you judge someone or something in a split second, and then your mind is made up and you've put that person/experience in a convenient box in your mind? Let go of that. Those things you believe are just TRUE, because that's what you've known and believed your whole life? Let go of that, too, because maybe it's an old belief that's not serving you anymore. Maybe letting go of what we think we know will just open our eyes a little bit to someone else's unique experience. Do you ever wish you could see the world through someone else's eyes and mind, even just for a minute or two? I do.

Maybe what you think is true and "the way that it is" isn't true for everybody. That's a doozy, too. You mean I'm not right? I just think what I think, and you think what you think, and it's all right and true, all at the same time? Whoa. Let it go and see what opens up for you...

{and a couple of links:}

*advice to sink in slowly website
*david plant's website

love: by aimee dolich of artsyville

You know what I think is amazing? That someone of I've never met in person (Aimee), who lives in Lawrence, Kansas, a place I've never been, saw this door with the word love scrawled across it as she was walking around her town, and she thought of me. Then, she took the extra step to email me the photo she took of the door, because she thought it was a perfect image for Pecannoot. WOW.

What would we do without the internet? There are so many people out there that I feel are my dear friends that I've never met in person! (Aimee is one of them, obviously.) :) And without the internet, the probability of my ever even knowing these wonderful people exist is pretty much zero. Amazing.

So, thank you to Aimee for sending this photo over, and if you don't already read Aimee's blog, Artsyville, I highly recommend it! It's one of the most colorful and inspiring places in blogland, in my opinion. (And if you remember from way back, Aimee did a fantastic illustrated interview for us here!)

*Big thanks and big hugs, Aimee! I hope to meet for real one day!*

SPRING: inspiration in bloom

Spring. Inspiration in Bloom.

I am so thrilled to announce this project that I've been working on for the last few months with 3 incredibly inspiring ladies:

*Michelle Ward
*Jess Constable
and
*Carolyn Rubenstein

Spring is about dialogue. We will be creating monthly conversational video posts and blog posts around specific topics-- topics that you want to hear about and participate in! That said, we need your input.

The theme for our first video, which will launch the week of Thanksgiving, is gratitude. What questions/comments/experiences do you have around the idea of gratitude? Through sharing our own experiences and tossing around ideas suggested by you all, we hope to inspire not only ourselves, but also you in the process!

Head on over to our Spring website to learn more about the project and to leave us comments. (You can add comments here, too, or even email us if you want to!)

We have a badge, too, that you're free to put on your blog if you're inspired already:


We can't wait to hear from you and start exploring the topics that emerge!