Tag Archives: nature

Apr12

Total Solar Eclipse

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Total Solar Eclipse

Hello! The solar eclipse this past Monday has been the buzz in Akron, Ohio for months because we just so happened to be in the path of totality. For once, something cool was happening here and everyone was SO excited for it and for good reason. The Total Solar Eclipse was one of the most amazing things I have ever experienced and Ohio delivered. I mentioned earlier that we were fearing a cloudy day and, thankfully, that wasn’t the case whatsoever. We had the most perfect, sunny weather for the ultimate view of the big show and it was truly spectacular.

These pictures I took are not the best and they do not do justice to the solar eclipse at all. But, I did the best I could with limited visibility lol! Check it out:

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There were countless eclipse festivals that Johnny and I could have attended on Monday, but we opted to stay home and watch it with our downstairs neighbor from the porch. I’m so glad we did because we were delighted by what we saw when we walked out the door. It seemed like every single person in our apartment community was outside watching too and it was such fun to be all together and cheering as the sun and moon performed. Even if we did go to a festival, I highly doubt we would have had a better view because ours was crystal clear and mainly unobstructed.

The total eclipse happened around 3:15 and Johnny and I were able to go outside as soon as we finished up with work at 2:45. During that time, the moon was moving and grooving closer to the sun and rapid progress was being made every time we looked up. This was neat to see, but the magic happened when totality was reached. During that four minute window, everything went completely dark. Street lights came on and the temperature dropped ten degrees. You could feel it immediately! It was such a surreal feeling to experience nighttime in the middle of the day and I think everyone was simply blown away. I sure was!

Minutes after the total eclipse, we were back to a typical afternoon level of sun and warmth. However, the feeling of witnessing a once in a lifetime phenomenon remained. Johnny and I are still not over it and why should we be? It was beautiful. ❤

Did you watch the solar eclipse? What is something cool that you experienced in nature? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan30

The Joys Of Eating And Cooking In Your Backyard

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The Joys Of Eating And Cooking In Your Backyard

One of the best ways to enjoy food these days is to take a seat outside and put something nice on the grill. The smell of grilled food, the warm sunshine hitting your skin, and the relaxing conversations of your friends and family members in the background – these are the types of things you can expect when you start eating and cooking more in your backyard. All that and so much more:

Encourage socializing in your family:

If you want to create a family-friendly backyard that also makes your friends and neighbors feel welcome, then consider cooking and eating outdoors. You don’t need to be in a separate room cooking food while your guests are interacting with each other. Instead, you can cook food in the open and have conversations with people. You won’t feel glued to the burner, watching things closely to ensure they don’t cook. In short, cooking in an open area such as a backyard is often a great way to encourage more socialization because we’re not stuck in the kitchen with our back to our guests and family members all the time.

Fresh air is always a plus:

Enjoying some fresh air is always nice, especially if the climate allows for it. Far too many of us are cooped up inside, working from home, and cooking indoors. Opening the windows and doors doesn’t cut it either – it doesn’t replicate the joy of cooking outside and breathing in the fresh air as we enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal.

Even putting together a backyard bar just to enjoy a refreshing drink outside can be a great idea. People often underestimate just how relaxing and soothing it can be to enjoy some good food outdoors surrounded by nature. It’s something we urge you to try at least once to see what it’s like!

More cooking options:

Most people who try grilling food indoors will quickly realize that the flames rarely get hot enough, and it generates a lot of smoke that fills the kitchen and makes things harder for you. Grilling outside on a more powerful cooking device means you can get to higher temperatures, and you don’t have to worry about the area getting filled with smoke or heat from your cooking.

And that’s not to say you can’t use your kitchen either. You can bake goods or prepare food in your kitchen that is ready to be cooked outside. Combine cooking and preparation methods to open up more cooking options that you can try.

Eating and cooking outside might be different at first, but it’s well worth the try. It can transform your cooking, give your family a new place to socialize, and you’ll be encouraged to invite friends and neighbors over too!

Featured Image By: Unsplash (CC0)

Oct16

How To Bring A Little Joy Into Your Life

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How To Bring A Little Joy Into Your Life

Many times in a person’s life they can find themselves feeling stuck in a rut, deflated, or that there is nothing positive happening. If you feel like this, then it could be for many reasons. One of which could simply be that you are not giving yourself the time you deserve to enjoy the possibilities that life is presenting you. So, whether it is cutting out negative habits, creating new and healthy ones, or simply allowing yourself time to relax, here are several ways in which you can bring a little joy into your life:

Limit your time on social media:

Social media is still a relatively new thing as far as human existence goes. Although it has brought about many new and exciting possibilities, it also has some fairly negative attributes associated with it. Many people can find themselves consuming social media for hours, and letting the days slip by without doing the important things that make them happy. When consuming a large amount of social media it can be hard to detach from what you are consuming, and many people find themselves constantly comparing their lives to those they see online. Both of these situations can impact your mental health in a negative way, and suck the joy out of your life. To combat this, you should consider limiting your time on social media, and instead give that free time to yourself. Even if you do nothing and simply relax, this is better than an all evening social media session.

Find something fun to do outside:

It is no secret that many people, whether they realize it or not, gain huge benefits and satisfaction by spending time outside. If you can couple that with doing a fun activity or having new experiences, then you will significantly increase the joy you experience in life. Whether you live by the sea or a lake and want to learn the basics about paddle boarding, or perhaps if you live near the woods and want to explore your local areas and find out about all the wildlife, consider getting yourself outside and doing something fun to live more fully.

Make time for your loved ones:

Humans are meant to be social creatures. Although it’s perfectly fine to spend time alone, often you will experience a larger amount of joy when spending time with loved ones. This could be anything from taking a vacation together, to simply eating regular meals together. As long as you are enjoying each other’s company is all that matters!

Treat yourself:

If you want to truly boost your happiness in life, you need to learn how to be your own best friend. Do you need to take a break? Take it. Do you want to have that treat? Have it. Do you want to do something different? Do it. Self-love is one of the best ways in which a person can bring a little extra joy into their life.

There are many other ways in which you can bring joy into your life, but why not consider these first?

Featured Image By: Pexels

Aug12

Watercolor Weeping Willow

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Watercolor Weeping Willow

Hello!! Watercolor painting is something my mom and I really enjoy and it has been a minute since our last painting sesh. Flowers are, admittedly, the only thing we have been painting and I decided to try something different when we painted this Tuesday. I wanted to try my hand at a weeping willow! As always when I have just painted something, I am never particularly thrilled with it. However, this was my first go at anything but a flower and I feel pretty good about attempt number one:

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To begin, I assembled my palette with different green, brown, and yellow watercolor paint. Then, I sketched a super rough outline with some assistance from Google Images. I started with the grass and I actually love how that turned out, then moved onto the branches. To do this, I painted the branches with water alone and then added color to the wet paper. I do like the trunk and the placement of the branches, but the upper ones got muddled when I painted the leaves. As always, it was because I was impatient!

When I painted the leaves, I started from the top down and painted the top with water then color and brought it down in thinner strokes. I think that the idea was right, but the execution was wrong. Like the branches, the colors got murky at the top. And, yes, it was because I was impatient! I should have allowed for drying time and I didn’t – especially when I was introducing new colors.

I definitely want to give the weeping willow another shot and next time, I will give myself enough time to give the painting drying time. I like the colors I used so I am not going to change that. I also like that there were areas of white within the painting too, which was a recommendation from a watercolor teacher. I’m excited to see my next painting in comparison to this one because I know there will be at least some improvement. I’m proud of myself for trying something new!

Watercolor painting is a nice reminder of try and try again and I can’t wait to paint again with my mom. I branched out with my weeping willow (See what I did there?) and it’s not the best. But, it’s the best one I have painted yet! 🙂

What is your favorite medium of art? What is your favorite plant? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul29

Creating An Outdoor Oasis In A Limited Space

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Creating An Outdoor Oasis In A Limited Space

Imagine stepping outside into your small yard, and instead of feeling cramped, you feel transported into an idyllic green retreat. A real escape from everyday stressors awaiting just outside your door. Now that’s what we call an outdoor oasis! Having a small yard may feel like creating any sort of garden retreat is impossible. But don’t despair; we’re here to help make it so. Let’s get started:

Examine Your Space:

First and foremost, let’s get an accurate lay of the land. So get out your tape measure and get crackin’. Don’t get carried away with size. What really counts most is what you do with what you’ve got. Make sure to take note of any quirks or limitations such as an oddly placed tree stump or pesky AC unit when measuring. This will make designing much more straightforward.

Establish Your Goals:

Close your eyes (but keep reading!) and imagine how you’d use your outdoor oasis in an ideal world. Would it be relaxing with an icy lemonade on a bright afternoon or hosting some barbecue festivities with friends? Do you want it full of useful storage barns and sheds? Whatever floats your boat, write it down, and we can get this vision underway!

The Right Elements:

Now that you know what you want and how it will fit into the space, it’s time to put together your outdoor paradise. For something a bit different, think vertical. Vertical gardens, wall hanging, and even trellises all add dimension and make any area appear less dull in an instant. Use every bit of available space efficiently. Soon your yard will transform from drab to fabulous in no time at all.

Optimizing Greenery:

Scatter greenery across your space like confetti. Combine different plants and flowers together for an eye-catching yet relaxing atmosphere. Add plants in a way that optimizes your space. Got a lot of shade? Opt for shade-loving greenery. Don’t want to spend a lot of time caring for plants? Choose a low maintenance garden. There’s no point installing things that won’t thrive.

Creative Storage:

Looking for a place to stash your tools? No worries. Creative storage solutions have got this covered. Build benches with hidden compartments, purchase ottomans with built-in storage, or simply hang shelves creatively to store all that clutter away for good.

Strategic Lighting:

Let there be light! And not just any old light. Imagine starry-night hues from string lights and fairy lights all the way to solar-powered lanterns illuminating your outdoor oasis after sundown! If you’re really looking to create an atmosphere, investing in LED landscape lighting installation can be transformative to your property. Let the lights sparkle like diamonds during every evening stroll and you’ll have a truly magical space.

Design for Comfort:

Comfort reigns supreme here. Grab some luxurious cushions, create an intimate corner with a hammock, or add some swings for added zen-like vibe. And don’t forget about shade when the sun makes its appearances. Keep yourself cool with pergolas or stylish umbrellas.

Your small backyard has now transformed into an incredible outdoor retreat filled with charm and personality. Enjoy it!

Featured Image By: Kanu Jacobson / Pexels

Jul12

BFF Garden Party

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BFF Garden Party

Hello!! My bestie, Lea, recently moved into a beautiful new house and it is awesome! I am so proud of her and want to do everything I can to assist in the projects that she needs help with. That’s what best friends are for, after all. One of the major things that needs done on her property is the gardening. The upkeep from the previous owners had been nonexistent and it all fell on Lea’s shoulders. Luckily, I am a huge fan of gardening and couldn’t wait to get to work! 😀

This past week, Lea and I headed to Meijer’s to buy some plants, Peach White Claw, and sushi for dinner. After our surprisingly good store bought sushi, we set off to our first task of clearing the planter boxes around her porch and filling it with hostas in various colors and sizes. It turned out GREAT! Check it out:

How It Started:

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How It’s Going:

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Our first order of business was to give ourselves a blank canvas for the hostas. We began pulling out the weeds, rocks, and random plants that peppered the planter boxes. Everything was going swell until I noticed an ant crawling on my arm. Then, I looked down to find that my gardening gloves were covered with them. It. Was. Awful. While pulling out a bushel of dying tall grass, Lea and I discovered that I had unearthed a ginormous ant colony. It. Was. Terrifying. Lol they were literally everywhere! 😮

The Attack Of The Ants happened at the far edge of the planter box and we refused to go anywhere near it. But, we completed the opposite end and stopped about two feet shy of the scene of creepy crawlies. To start, I taught Lea about the merits of cutting the plastic container the hostas were in so we wouldn’t hurt the plant while attempting to pull it out. Then, I showed her how to break apart the roots to make it perfect for their new home. After the demo, we began working separately and she did wonderfully. With the know how to DIY, she planted the remainder herself once the ants cleared out a bit. We were both very happy with the end results. 🙂

Lea and I had a fantastic time during our Garden Party hangout and we already have our next project planned out. I can’t wait to get our hands in the dirt again and get some flowers planted soon!

What projects are you working on around the house? What is your garden like? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul2

Summer Switch Up OOTD Bloopers

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Summer Switch Up OOTD Bloopers

Hello everyone and welcome to the blooper reel from my Summer Switch Up OOTD! Thanks to an amazing pair of trapeze pants by Patrons Of Peace, some new life was finally breathed into my summer wardrobe. Saying that my summer clothes in my closet is lacking is a huge understatement and I was so happy to find something to switch things up… Hence the name of the OOTD. 😉 I felt great in the look that I created and I can tell how confident I felt even in the bloopers! Check it out:

That wave you give to someone you see who you barely know

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About to fall or about to take off and fly… You’ll never know 😉

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… Def about to fall here, but my hair looks awesome lol

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Just chatting with my adorable neighbor!

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I LOOK GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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As always, I can’t remember what Johnny said but here I am reacting to it

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That basic model 101

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Excuse you?!

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This literally has nothing to do with bloopers, BUT I had some visitors on my balcony as I type this so I will share the story…

When Johnny and I first moved into our new apartment, we began getting fairly regular visits from the neighborhood racoon. She’s a big old gal who loves to snack and she would get treats from the dumpster across the street, bring it up to our balcony, and chow down. We have witnessed her eating everything from burritos to chicken! Even though it’s pretty nasty to have dumpster food on our porch, we always get a kick out of seeing her. And, apparently, she’s up on our balcony more often than we realize according to our neighbor. I guess our apartment is just the place to be!

This past weekend, we were blessed with a visit from our racoon friend and were surprised with more guests… She had four babies! They. Are. Adorable. Mama and her brood were running around on the stairs, on our porch, and the roof beside it and it was so cute I couldn’t stand it. I have seen them several times since in the mornings when I’m working and they just finished making their rounds on the balcony. I’m sure that other people feed them, which isn’t a good thing. But Johnny and I don’t. I think they can just tell that him and I are freaking awesome and want to be in our general vicinity. I’m always happy to see them and can’t wait to watch the lil babes grow up! ❤

OOTDs, bloopers, and raccoons oh my! You never know what kind of commentary you’re going to get during the blooper reel lol. Keep it locked for a new Lil Red’s Book Club review coming tomorrow – finally!!!

Do you have any wildlife that visits your property? What is your favorite animal? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

Jun24

Eye Spy In Nature

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Eye Spy In Nature

Hello!! In Ohio, it is currently hot AF and is a drastic change from the cool to moderate temps we experienced last week. That is my preferred style of summer weather, so it made for perfect days to go on hikes with my clients. During our walks, we were seeing wildlife left and right – Oriels, frogs, and turtles too! In total, I saw two Oriels, six turtles, and six frogs and I truly felt like the nature whisperer lol. It was a blast and it felt like a real life version of Eye Spy! Check it out:

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On my first walk of the day, my client and I saw a HUGE turtle in the middle of the path. From far away, it looked like a rock or a bundle of dead leaves. You could have knocked me over with a feather when I realized what it actually was! I was a bit worried about my turtle friend because of how little movement I saw and the fact that the water he was trying to get to was a bit of a trek away. Thankfully, after snapping a few safely distanced pics and walking away, the turtle was back on the move. I guess he just needed a little break. Also, when you see a turtle in the road (or path, in my case) it is said to be good luck and something great happened on Monday so maybe I have the turtle to thank for it! 😀

On my next walk with a different client, we went to a local Metro Park that has lots of ponds and not quite lake size bodies of water. We were determined to find frogs and on the first trip around a pond, I didn’t see jack. Then, I decided to take a closer look and realized the error of my ways. They were all around us, but camouflaged and I just wasn’t looking hard enough! It was so cool to see the frogs hiding in plain sight and they did a great job – if I didn’t inspect further, I definitely wouldn’t have seen them. We also saw five turtles lounging on logs from afar that also did a very nice job of blending into the scenery. It was a hoot. 🙂

Nature walks are always fun, but they’re even better when you can see the local wildlife. I am still delighting over the pictures of my froggy and turtle friends!

What kind of wildlife is in your neck of the woods? What is your favorite summer activity? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May17

May Flowers

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May Flowers

Hello! This past week when I got to my parents’ house after work, I found my dad in the backyard preparing his raised planters for spring flowers. It was a gorgeous day outside and it was going to rain that night, making for the perfect conditions to plant. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bask in the sunshine and spend some quality time with my dad and even though I was dog tired, I offered my assistance which he happily accepted. We spent a glorious hour or so together creating beauty and I am so pleased with our handiwork. Check it out:

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Ever since I can remember, my dad has been an avid gardener and all spring, summer, and fall long you can catch him outside tending to the yard. During the warm months, we enjoy the bounty of his vegetable garden and the bouquets he makes weekly for my mom. Not only does he have two green thumbs, but he is also a very gifted flower arranger and his bouquets are stunning. Last year, his veggie garden went into overdrive with hauls so big we simply didn’t know what to do with everything. So, he decided flowers were the way to go this summer since all of our lives are crazy at this current juncture.

When I was younger, I loved to help in the garden and as I grew up, I tried to help as much as I could with planting and upkeep. It had been a while since I gardened and I forgot how much fun it was! Seriously, all of it was a blast from donning ridiculous gardening gloves, handling the delicate flowers, and cleaning up the dirt that got on us with the garden hose. And, of course, doing it all side by side with my dad. For the past few months, the time we have spent together is almost always driving to the Cleveland Clinic, so it was SO awesome to be able to do something with him for the joy of it.

Our garden day was the first time I had spent a considerable amount of time outside in so long. It only recently got nice out in Ohio and the previous weather had been absolute garbage. Being outside, soaking up the sun, and making something grow was just what I needed. Once we returned inside, I wanted to go back out again to plant more and I found myself thinking that I would like more house plants when I got to my apartment. I might just have a green thumb yet!

My dad has now started to plan his garden projects with my help in mind and I am more than up for the task. In fact, we will be planting flower seeds later this week. I can’t wait! 🙂

What is your favorite outdoor activity? What do you and your parents do to spend quality time together? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May7

Affordable Upgrades To Create A Relaxing Home Environment

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Affordable Upgrades To Create A Relaxing Home Environment

With the fast-paced nature of our world today, creating a calm and relaxing home environment is more critical than ever. Your living space should be a sanctuary where you can unwind, recharge, and be at peace. Let’s explore some affordable upgrades that can help you transform your home into a calming oasis:

Lighting:

The right lighting can have a significant impact on your mood and create a calming atmosphere in your home. Try swapping out harsh, fluorescent bulbs for soft, warm-toned ones, like yellow or orange. You can also incorporate string lights or candles to enhance the ambiance and provide a warm, cozy feel. Lighting dimmers are also an affordable and easy upgrade that can help set the mood. Simply adjust the light to your desired level for a gentle, inviting atmosphere.

Declutter:

Clutter can cause stress and anxiety, so take a few moments to declutter your home. Donate or sell things you no longer need and create storage systems to organize what’s left. If you have a lot of unwanted, broken, or unusable items you might want to consider a residential junk removal service to make the process easier. Tidying up can help promote a sense of calm as you remove excess items and create an organized, relaxing space. You can also use baskets or decorative boxes to store things away without sacrificing your home’s aesthetic.

Color:

Color can have a significant impact on your mood, so think about which hues create the most calming environment for you. Light blues and greens can be soothing, while oranges and yellows evoke feelings of warmth and happiness. Choose colors that make you feel relaxed and at peace, then incorporate them into your living space. This can be as simple as adding a few colorful pillows or painting an accent wall for an easy refresh.

Aromatherapy:

Scents like lavender, vanilla, and eucalyptus have soothing properties that can help you relax and reduce stress. Consider incorporating aromatherapy into your home by using essential oils, candles, or diffusers. You’ll be amazed at how much a simple scent can transform your living space! You can also combine aromatherapy with soft lighting to create an even more calming effect.

Art:

Art can have a significant impact on the atmosphere in your home, whether it’s a painting, photograph, or sculpture. Choose pieces that bring you joy or have a calming energy to them. You can also add texture to your walls with tapestries or decorative fabrics – the possibilities are endless!

Biophilic Design Elements:

Biophilic design is an interior design concept that emphasizes the connection between humans and nature. This will help to create a calming atmosphere by bringing the outdoors inside. You can create a biophilic home by following these tips:

Invest in a living wall:

A living wall is an easy and affordable way to bring nature indoors. It can be as simple or complex as you want, with a variety of plants that suit your needs. You can also opt for moss walls that are easy to maintain and look beautiful.

Add natural materials:

Natural materials like wood, stone, and clay can provide a tactile element to your home and enhance its calming aesthetic. Try adding baskets woven from seagrass or wooden furniture for a rustic feel.

Bring in natural light:

Nothing says relaxation like natural sunlight pouring into your home! Open up curtains and blinds to let the sun shine through and create a pleasant and inviting atmosphere.

Add water elements:

Adding a water feature like a fountain or waterfall can help create a sense of tranquility and relaxation. The sound of running water will lull you into a calm state, perfect for unwinding after a long day.

Creating a calm and relaxing home environment doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Take the time to invest in yourself by creating a sanctuary that is uniquely yours – one where you can relax and recharge!