operation :: new beginnings

Going through the motions of each day.

 I type.

Frustration overcomes me as ideas are scrabbled and jumbled tangle in my mind.

I look around me and am uninspired. I ask myself, "There is so much beauty in the world. Why am I not seeing it?" I ask the Lord to open my eyes.

I'm confused on what type of person I am; I'm confused on where I'm going, what are my dreams and hopes, what are my goals that I want to accomplish in this life. It's scaring me that things are not convicting me as I know they should in areas of life I know could be improved.   

I know for one thing :: I am obsessed with blogging. And it's not a good, devoted, want-to-bless-others-through-my-blog type of devotion, but I am starting to become greedy, wanting more comments, more followers, I want more! 

But I have come to the conclusion, through all the greed and confusion and selfishness, that my wants and devotion, my investments of time and emotions, are not focused on what is truly important. My relationship with the Lord is not what it should be, and that's where this blog draws the line. 

So, I'm starting anew.Whilst yet I am still planning my end of the summer garden party for next month, I shall not be devoting my time towards updating my post at the moment and limiting my computer time to an hour a day. 

 I am blessed to have 210 lovely visitors in my garden, and if God bless me with more, I am truly thankful. But I'm starting to compare my blog, my writings, my photographs to others and am depressing myself for no reason. 

{Thank you Miss Sonja for sharing this post.}

   As of late, life has just been going through the motions for me. Honestly, it's, in my mind been dull, normal ordinary days. There have been highlights, of course, but busyness tends to take away the joys of simple living.

 I am lacking inspiration and want new crispness, so I am tackling the project of redecorating and rearranging my room. 

Obtaining a fresher feel. I'm starting an inspiration board. Planning to hang an art print.  

Hopefully, leading up to painting my room someday. ;) 

I got my hair trimmed to-day, and textured my ever-growing bangs. I'm going to experiment with hairstyles, perhaps, even posting a few tutorials soon. Fashion is something I'm working on as well. 

I shall be devoting my time to harvesting my lavender which is in full bloom. Reading many books and extending my vocabulary, as because school is out, I haven't the opportunity to do. Writing letters to friends and sewing up my dear friend's birthday presents.     

Believe me, dear friend, idleness is a dangerous thing. It allows one to have too much time on their hands that, if not handled properly, can be squandered and wasted. Do not fall into this trap as I have done. 

Love,

Grace  

happy summer days

Dear Diary :: 

You know when you experience one of those special, happy, wonderful, perfect days? 

Well, to-day was one of them.

I woke up to-day to find the sun shining brightly and the birds singing sweetly. Mom gave me the options of what we could do to-day, as Daddy was off of work for the day and 't was such a beautiful day. 

After checking the weather reports online, we decided 't was too cold at the coast, to prepare for a day at the beach, and so we decided upon going to lunch at a yummy seaside fish stand that we had been wanting to go to for awhile. And so we packed up the car, and headed for a 45 min. drive to Morro Bay. 

By 11:30 we reached Giovanni's fish market, and we decided to eat before the crowds came in as this fish stand was a local favorite. 

A favorite place for people and birds to hang out. ;) 

And it's no wonder because they serve the best fish and chips! So fresh and crispy - yummy! 

One of my favorites is ordering their garlic fries. Oh my! So delicious.  

After luncheon, we went for a walk and Mom and I browsed in a few shops.

Barrels of salt water taffy - so colorful! 

I always enjoy going to the Garden Gallery. They sell the neatest things!

'T was a very fun day, indeed, and I was blessed to enjoy it with my dear family. 

Lovingly,

Grace

What did you do on this lovely, summer day? 

one hundred things {my bucket list}

I've been pondering about life lately, and have looked deep inside myself, thinking :: what type of person am I? 

And I can honestly tell you that I am...

a dreamer. 

So here's one hundred things {in random order} I wish to {or could} accomplish in this lifetime before I step into heaven ::

- travel all over Europe.

- sew a Regency dress.

- host a sweet sixteen birthday party.

- start a 365 project of photography. 

- continue to play the violin for at least until I have reached the 10 yr. milestone. 

- meet all my closest blogging friends and penpals.

- eat gelato in Italy. *

- learn how to knit like a professional. 

- learn Italian. 

- learn French.

- open an Etsy shop.

- start a scrapbook.

- gain 1,000 followers on this blog. 

- purchase photoshop. 

- learn how to crochet professionally. 

- become a seamstress.

- marry my prince charming.*

- have children.

- renovate an entire house. 

- start a HUGE garden. 

- travel to Hawaii again. 

- be on a Food Network or HGTV. 

- be featured in a magazine. 

- meet the Duggar family. 

- travel to Paris. 

- pick wild lavender in Provence. 

- write and publish a book.*

- swim {actually swim} with dolphins. 

- go to a beach with clear, warm water. 

- collect exotic shells. 

- go horseback riding in a tropical, exotic place. 

- win {first place} in a photography contest on blogger. 

- learn ballet.* 

- meet a famous person. 

- be the professional photographer at a wedding.

- photograph a wedding. * 

- buy a traditional Indian dress. 

- dance in the rain. * 

- sew a purse!

- grow a lavender field. 

- learn how to make lavender wands and baskets.

- own ducklings and chickens. 

- become a professional herbal healer. 

- meet my A Beka teachers. 

- play a round of Trivia Pursuit with Mr. McBride. 

- read Jane Austen's seven complete  novels. 

- take a picture of the Hall of Mirrors {at the palace of Versailles}. 

- speak {or write} a complete conversation with my French penpal. 

- meet the cast of Psych. 

- write to one of my favorite authors. 

- get a respond back. 

- host a handmade/homemade party. 

- have a random {nice:)} person stop me saying they recognized me from my blog. 

- attend a masquerade. 

- dance with a male partner.

- learn Emma's ship's cook. 

- host an apron swap here. 

- become a professional photographer. 

- create a whole meal out of fresh things you have found in nature {garden included}. 

- become a lifeguard. 

- learn how to surf. 

- swim in the rainbow river. 

- climb Half Dome. 

- shower under a waterfall. 

- travel to Japan. 

- fly on a plane by myself.  

- write letters to soldiers during Christmastime. 

- send relief packages to China. 

- climb a huge cherry tree and sit and pick and eat yummy cherries all afternoon. 

- go to Disneyworld. 

- be featured in a parade. 

- travel to Avonlea. 

- have a "famous" blogger {from this corner of the blogosphere} follow one of my blogs. ;) 

- learn how to use Gimp. {if someone is willing to give me lessons, I would be much appreciative}. 

- become a professional computer website graphics designer. 

- find a bunch of neat antiques in an old attic. 

- find a bundle of letters in an old hope chest. 

- solve a real-life mystery case. 

- be on Cupcake wars.

- post a Youtube video made by me and get 1,000 likes. 

- feed a chipmunk by hand. 

- nurse a baby creature to health. 

- write love letters to my prince. 

- find and buy a real, genuine cameo brooch. 

- attend public school for a day. 

- preform in a professional play. 

- teach violin lessons. 

- film craft tutorials. 

- start vlogging. 

- cook an elaborate dinner. 

- say something in a perfect British {or Canadian} accent. ;)

- read or purchase Culpeper's original herbal.  

- shout out a quote that I really love word perfect. {When friend's are listening. ;)}  

- own a Canon camera as well. *

- re-do my whole room. 

- start an inspiration board on my wall. 

- fill my hope chest. 

- frolic through an orchard of cherry blossoms in a frilly lacy dress.  

- write memoirs of my life when I am old. 

- plan a beautiful wedding. 

{Note :: some of these I had ideas from others so proper credit is given by this *}


Another thing to add to my bucket list of things I got well,  from a bucket! - Nancy Drew
 The Captive Curse {PC game}

Love,
Grace

P.S. Be sure to enter my giveaway!