We just surprised the boys at their school with the Mantis packed full of firewood, marshmallows, sleeping bags and fishing poles…. "Who wants to go camping?!?!"
The looks on their faces is kind of why I became a parent ❤️
.
.
#abmlifeisbeautiful #dahlia #ilovefall #wearyourjoy #fall #whidbey #islandlife #growflowers #flowerlove #prettythings

Nine years❤️
I was listening to a podcast yesterday and the subject of Love came up.
The the conversation led to this revelation that it's not enough to just say that you love someone even if you believe in your very soul that it's true.
If the person you claim you love does not FEEL loved by you….
Then none of what you say or believe matters.

Every child, partner, friend…
They all likely want to be loved in different ways.
The conversation was fascinating and got me thinking…
What if coupled with the statement that we use so often …….
' I love you'…
We also asked the question….
'do you feel loved by me?'

There is not a day of these past 9 years that if Dan had asked that question to me I would have answered anything other than yes.

*The podcast was @glennondoyle 's 'we can do hard things'.

Dan Phillips, loving you is the easiest thing I've ever had to do….
Cheers to the next 9 or 99….
However long we get to ride this crazy rollercoaster of life…
You're the one I want sitting next to me in the front seat❤️
.
.
#wecandohardthingspodcast
#nineyears #happyanniversary #iloveyou #andifeellovedbyyou

The Marigold effect🏵️
"Many experienced gardeners follow a concept called companion planting: placing certain vegetables and plants near each other to improve growth for one or both plants.
If you plant a marigold beside most any garden plant that vegetable will grow big and strong and healthy protected and encouraged by its marigold….
…. If you can find at least one Marigold in your life, stay close to them.
Allow them to help you grow and become the person you are meant to be."
-Jennifer Gonzalez

I read this article many years ago and it always stuck with me.
Marigold made it's way to the top of my 'girls name' list….
I named my blog 'Planting Marigolds'…
And then my website…
And then our little farm….
and then, finally… my business.

And what even IS my business? Journal maker? Art teacher? Homesteader? Creative? Mom? Wife? Life liver? Positive thinker? Joy dresser? Thrifter?

I was chatting with a student that is taking my course this morning and while answering one of her questions I added "I mean… I'm not a professional at this or anything…I just kind of schmear paint on things and tell stories-"

She immediately shushed me and said some of the kindest things anyone has ever said to me.

"The world needs people like you. I come to your page to remember that there is lovely things happening all around me if I just pay attention. I am happy to buy your course and support you in any way that I can because you are my marigold."

Humans really are the best.

So yes, seek out your marigold…
But don't forget that you may also be one for someone else.
Be proud in what you are doing and sharing and creating.
The world needs you to be you…
So the next time someone asks me what I do for a living I will have an answer…
I'm in the business of marigolds🏵️
.
.
.
#mondaymusings #marigoldfarm
#plantingmarigolds #beyou #storytelling
#journaladdict #journalpages #mixedmedia #artjournal #artjournaling #creative #creativejournal #creativejournaling #journalwithme #heartjournal #heartjournaling