Evolution is a BEAUTIFUL THING!!!

So I do realize I have been totally MIA for, well, over two months. I've had a lot going on....which I will blog about soon. But there's also been a lack of inspiration as well. I knew that, eventually, something would really strike me as something to blog about and share and "journal". Well, that moment happened this weekend. The family and I traveled to Asheville, NC over President's Day weekend. Warm weather was scheduled and Asheville is an outdoorsy kind of place. I did some research and discovered the Western North Carolina Nature Center. We headed there on Sunday. Our visit was quite uneventful until the last few minutes. On the way out the door, a little trio of peacocks crossed our path. One male and two females.....

Now I've had the pleasure of seeing several peacocks in my lifetime. But I guess never in Springtime (or almost Springtime!) and maybe I'd never seen a male in the presence of females in almost Springtime. He came sauntering across the path and I was amazed and so happy that Sophie would get to see a male peacock with all those glorious feathers. I immediately started taking photos....

I was so thrilled.....but I wasn't expecting for anything more to happen....when suddenly....

I couldn't believe our luck. This guy was on FULL display for these two lucky ladies. And he was really magnificent. His colors were so vibrant and, of course, his "eye feathers" were all perfectly geometrically spaced. He worked SO HARD....you could just see the energy it took for him to put on this show. And Sophie? She was as quiet as a mouse.....which NEVER EVER happens. She was amazed...you could see it on her face.

My favorite part? The two ladies were totally nonchalant. They moseyed around the courtyard trying to get away from him. It's almost like they didn't notice what he was doing. Even when he shuddered to really show off this skills. Even when the wind came along and almost blew the poor guy over!!! It was so classic....

Even after all of that, we didn't get to see any "action". But I'm really rooting for the guy. Based on what I saw, it won't be long before he finds success with one of those beautiful ladies. And I told Alain we might have to venture back to the museum in a few months to see if we can visit a baby chick or two. Now that would really be something!!!

I go loco for MAD MEN!!!

Hee hee ha ha. I "MadMen'ed Myself". How could I not? It could easily be my favorite TV show of all time. Don Draper is certainly my favorite character of all time. I mean, really, what's not to love?

Choosing my background scene was the hardest part. But I thought of Don and then it became an easy choice.... I tried to make myself look as "Betty Draper" as possible (although I am much more bootylicious than Betty)....

What do you think?

I heart WINTER & Dante Terzigni

I am a PINTEREST addict. I admit it. But I thank GOD for that site because it's where I keep track of random things I come across online that I want to save for later. Anyway, I came across this winter scene on someone's site a few months ago and I had tagged it to one of my Pinterest boards. It caught my eye again today so I decided to look up the artist, etc. Well, now I know all about Dante Terzigni....an illustrator and designer who is based in Cleveland, Ohio. So I peeked through his gallery and shop and found that I like a lot of his work. Some of it I've shared below....

The winter illustration that originally caught my eye. Would make a great holiday card!

This one is called "Vacation Blues". It speaks to me because, when I was young, I always cried when one of our family vacations ended and we had to go home again.

"Home Sweet Home". I like this one.

I don't eat sushi but I love the graphics of this illustration. It would look great framed in a kitchen...

Yes, I'm still here. Wanting to blog but not really having anything to say. I don't like that feeling although I know a lot of bloggers feel that way from time to time. I haven't had a good month. It's been one of the hardest months on record (EVER!) for me. And to be honest, I am really, really down. I know that time will make me feel better so I'm doing my best to soak up the life that I have even though it's not very pretty at the moment. I think that's one of those things that you learn by getting older (and surviving really awful post-partum depression). You know the difference between true depression and just a natural, healthy FUNK. Well, this is a natural healthy funk. On life's roller coaster ride, I'm on a very long uphill climb. I'm holding on tight, trying to enjoy the view as I climb and doing my best to get through each day. I know that, given time, the exhilarating downhill slide will come. Hopefully, in the meantime, I'm gaining more character and building strength. Not every day in life can be great, beautiful, fun, light, happy, warm, enveloping. I notice as I age, these down moments (which, thankfully, are quite rare) make me appreciate the good ones all the more. Even in the midst of my sadness, knowing that brings relief to my heart.

One of the things that makes me feel better is this photo. My two girls. The very human one who just happens to own my heart and the furry one who captivates my soul. I am so thankful for this photo.....

So, as I travel through this deep valley, I'll continue to latch on to those very small things (like this photo) that get me through. And I'll continue to dream about and look forward to reaching the next mountain top.

You could say that I am obsessed...

....with New York City hotels. I have this undying fascination. So I was particularly intrigued when I heard that The James New York was under construction in SOHO. It opened in September. I finally had a chance (and remembered!) to look up the website and check out the gallery. Swoon! This is definitely on my NYC Wishlist (which is quite long, thank you!)....

Below is a guest room. It's so very sexy....

A corner guest room....

This is a shot of the urban garden up on the roof! A little zen for the city folk.

The rooftop pool. Ahem.

And I've saved the best for last. The exterior shot of the building.

I (heart) the architecture!!!

So the next time you see me and I'm looking a little *dreamy* and spaced out, I may very well be visiting here in my mind....

Great Quote

I came across this quote recently and have to share. Appropriate for me lately...

"We are like tea bags - we don't know our own strength until we're in hot water."

~ Sister Buche

(I miss this silly little blog and hope to return on a more regular basis once the party is over!)

Breathe in, Breathe out.....

Look what I just found on Etsy. Oh my! They're ALL sold out.....maybe you can make some more, Sweet Little Etsy Seller.....pretty please.....wrapped in beautiful paper and topped with bows and ribbons.....

I personally LOVE the lemon yellow one because that's the one I grew up with but look at these colors....

Some even have little custom license plates.....oh my.

Images courtesy of "Strictly For The Birds" shop on Etsy.