Welcome 2018! I love the arrival of the New Year. A "free pass" to start over, to change directions and experiment with new possibilities, the opportunity to leave behind the past and to willingly embrace a new adventure is exciting. As one with a creative outlook or approach to life, I'm not opposed to trying something that might not work. Simple curiosity takes over and one thing leads to another often to discover hidden talents or skill sets.
However, in 2018 I am going to try something new and different. Something out of character and non-conventional for myself. I am going to try, to attempt, to possibly set aside a specific time to write. I wish you could hear the laughter filling the room as I type. As I know, trying to harness creativity is like trying to herd cats or catch downy feathers in a hurricane.
But the plan is to create a schedule of sorts dedicated to writing and then in December we all can either celebrate the accomplishment or have a great laugh at my attempts to harness the creative flow of writing.
Happy New Year! Be bold and courageous and try something new today!
https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheART
© 2018 Carol Lane Fleming
Thursday, January 4, 2018
Thursday, December 7, 2017
Night Skies
Long winter nights are the perfect setting for star gazing! The air is clear, the stars shine brightly as awestruck wonder fill the thoughts of those fortunate to view the masterpiece of the heavens. I could spend every moment of the night wrapped in warm blankets under the stars, gazing at the beauty of the constellations, the meteor showers, the Milkyway, a sparkling performance in the inky darkness we call night.
I often wonder on cold December nights about the size and color of the Christmas Star that guided the Wise men to Bethlehem. I wonder about the shepherds in the field under the starry night sky when the multitudes of angels suddenly appeared. And I continue to gaze up to the heavens basking in the glory of the skies as the stars sparkle twinkling in the night.
Wrapped in warm cozy blankets drinking hot cocoa celebrating the long winter nights.
Twinkle twinkle little stars!
https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheART
© 2017 Carol Lane Fleming
I often wonder on cold December nights about the size and color of the Christmas Star that guided the Wise men to Bethlehem. I wonder about the shepherds in the field under the starry night sky when the multitudes of angels suddenly appeared. And I continue to gaze up to the heavens basking in the glory of the skies as the stars sparkle twinkling in the night.
Wrapped in warm cozy blankets drinking hot cocoa celebrating the long winter nights.
Twinkle twinkle little stars!
https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheART
© 2017 Carol Lane Fleming
Thursday, November 2, 2017
Dusty Boxes and Hidden Treasure
Yesterday I spent the day in the attic among the storage boxes surrounded by memories. A day of reflection and the discovery of hidden treasures. Confession, I was distracted from my original purpose of cleaning thanks to a collection of dusty boxes in the corner. Please tell me I am not the only one who when cleaning or other chores ends up down a 'rabbit trail'.
Most of the contents within the boxes had been discarded and forgotten over the years. Notes, letters, outlines, manuscripts, crumpled bits of paper, smudged, stained with fading ink. Dreams shelved or rather boxed for the future. Ideas, thoughts, events, stories recorded by hand only to rest covered in dust in the attic. The dust has been removed and the contents are currently being sorted. So now what?
There's a stirring, a calling, a rush of memories. Someday has captured my attention Today.
I am certain you have a Someday list too, as in, "Someday I will ___________ ". Head to your attic, your thoughts, your wildest dreams and revisit the items on your Someday list. You may be surprised to learn your Someday is now Today!
https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheART
© 2017 Carol Lane Fleming
Most of the contents within the boxes had been discarded and forgotten over the years. Notes, letters, outlines, manuscripts, crumpled bits of paper, smudged, stained with fading ink. Dreams shelved or rather boxed for the future. Ideas, thoughts, events, stories recorded by hand only to rest covered in dust in the attic. The dust has been removed and the contents are currently being sorted. So now what?
There's a stirring, a calling, a rush of memories. Someday has captured my attention Today.
I am certain you have a Someday list too, as in, "Someday I will ___________ ". Head to your attic, your thoughts, your wildest dreams and revisit the items on your Someday list. You may be surprised to learn your Someday is now Today!
https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheART
© 2017 Carol Lane Fleming
Thursday, October 5, 2017
Fall is in the Air
The changing of the seasons always brings a rush of creativity in my studio. No matter the season, once the shift begins seemingly out of no where inspiration comes rushing in like a flood. I was prepared for Fall or so I thought. I had cleaned, scrubbed, tossed items that I no longer needed, a deep Spring Cleaning in preparation for Fall, the studio was ready! Boy was I surprised when my seasonal inspiration hit and it wasn't with paint or canvas. It wasn't with fabric and thread. It wasn't in the kitchen creating new Gluten Free recipes.
There I was gathering fresh Apples in the orchard when it hit! Inspired by the shadows dancing in the leaves, by the Goldenrod waving in the wind. I wasn't expecting to be inspired in the garden this Fall, usually late winter or early spring is when I plot and plan new creative adventures for the garden.
This Fall, I will be creating new flowerbeds, planting bulbs, flowering shrubs and some trees. Placing bird feeders and new birdbaths along the trails so that in winter I will be able to enjoy the flight of color in a cold barren winter garden. Checking my supply list and soon headed out to the Garden Center. I will be the one digging and transplanting, adding bulbs enjoying the lingering days of Fall. Bonfires, football and all things pumpkin. Happy Fall Y'all!
https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheART
© 2017 Carol Lane Fleming
There I was gathering fresh Apples in the orchard when it hit! Inspired by the shadows dancing in the leaves, by the Goldenrod waving in the wind. I wasn't expecting to be inspired in the garden this Fall, usually late winter or early spring is when I plot and plan new creative adventures for the garden.
This Fall, I will be creating new flowerbeds, planting bulbs, flowering shrubs and some trees. Placing bird feeders and new birdbaths along the trails so that in winter I will be able to enjoy the flight of color in a cold barren winter garden. Checking my supply list and soon headed out to the Garden Center. I will be the one digging and transplanting, adding bulbs enjoying the lingering days of Fall. Bonfires, football and all things pumpkin. Happy Fall Y'all!
https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheART
© 2017 Carol Lane Fleming
Thursday, September 7, 2017
The Return of Football
By now many school districts have been in session, the daily school routines set in place and the journey into the Academic year is underway. Labor Day has marked the end of summer and the time has come to turn or attention to all things Fall. Quickly list your Fall traditions, the moments you cherish and celebrations you look forward to each year.
My Fall list in random order: tracking hurricanes, Columbus Day, back to school, candy apples, pumpkins, Pilgrims, raking leaves, goldenrod, cooler temperatures, bonfires, planting a fall garden, scarecrows, family reunions, fishing trips, Veteran's Day, reading late into the night, World Series, the first frost, woolly worms, migrating birds, homecoming parades, Thanksgiving, bulky sweaters, hearty stews and bowls of soup. And then there is Football.
Friday night community gatherings to cheer on the local high school teams! Saturday game days between college rivals. Cheers and tears shared between players and fans. Tailgating, team colors, touchdowns, the makings of memories. Football.
What are your team's colors?
https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheART
© 2017 Carol Lane Fleming
My Fall list in random order: tracking hurricanes, Columbus Day, back to school, candy apples, pumpkins, Pilgrims, raking leaves, goldenrod, cooler temperatures, bonfires, planting a fall garden, scarecrows, family reunions, fishing trips, Veteran's Day, reading late into the night, World Series, the first frost, woolly worms, migrating birds, homecoming parades, Thanksgiving, bulky sweaters, hearty stews and bowls of soup. And then there is Football.
Friday night community gatherings to cheer on the local high school teams! Saturday game days between college rivals. Cheers and tears shared between players and fans. Tailgating, team colors, touchdowns, the makings of memories. Football.
What are your team's colors?
https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheART
© 2017 Carol Lane Fleming
Thursday, August 3, 2017
Oh how quickly you have grown!
It has been a week since I have been able to play in the garden. What a surprise! Weeds have invaded along with the deer who left foot prints and nibbled plants scattered across the yard. Did I mention the weeds? They were not there last week. How do they take root and grow so quickly?
At first, I was a bit undone by the sight of the weeds towering over the vegetables and flowers in the garden. One week is all it took for the alien invasion to totally transform the appearance of the backyard. I stood, I stared, I may have grumbled and stared some more, I tried counting the varieties, more grumbling and then I remembered my camera, my paint and my canvas. After all, weeds come in different sizes, shapes and colors and some are even edible, right? Then the quote came to mind, the quote that always results in an attitude adjustment: "Weeds are Plants dealing with Unhappy People".
I quickly put on my happy face, only removing the weeds that were choking out my original plantings and left the others in their new home. Why? Well, I never want to be accused of being an unhappy grumpy person. And seriously, some of the blooms on the weeds are gorgeous! I spent most of the morning with camera in hand capturing the colors, the blossoms, the butterflies. Currently, the plan is to spend my afternoon in the garden painting, En Plein Air.
https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheART
© 2017 Carol Lane Fleming
At first, I was a bit undone by the sight of the weeds towering over the vegetables and flowers in the garden. One week is all it took for the alien invasion to totally transform the appearance of the backyard. I stood, I stared, I may have grumbled and stared some more, I tried counting the varieties, more grumbling and then I remembered my camera, my paint and my canvas. After all, weeds come in different sizes, shapes and colors and some are even edible, right? Then the quote came to mind, the quote that always results in an attitude adjustment: "Weeds are Plants dealing with Unhappy People".
I quickly put on my happy face, only removing the weeds that were choking out my original plantings and left the others in their new home. Why? Well, I never want to be accused of being an unhappy grumpy person. And seriously, some of the blooms on the weeds are gorgeous! I spent most of the morning with camera in hand capturing the colors, the blossoms, the butterflies. Currently, the plan is to spend my afternoon in the garden painting, En Plein Air.
https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheART
© 2017 Carol Lane Fleming
Thursday, July 6, 2017
Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue
Yes, we are still celebrating the 4th of July! The twinkle of sparklers, the boom of the fireworks lit the night skies once again last night and we are anticipating yet more this evening. The 4th of July, the unofficial declaration of Summer!
In the past I've spent the 4th of July at the beach, in the mountains, at downtown community celebrations, however it is the neighborhood celebrations with family and friends where the most vivid memories live. Foot races, card games, swimming with watermelons, patriotic music blaring, red white and blue the color theme of the week, cook outs, gorging on hot dogs, homemade ice cream, chips and cupcakes. Late nights, laughter, gallons of lemonade and sweet tea, more food, more games and another night sky filled with explosions of twinkle, sparkle, glittering colors. Boom! Boom! BOOM!
God Bless America!
https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheART
© 2017 Carol Lane Fleming
In the past I've spent the 4th of July at the beach, in the mountains, at downtown community celebrations, however it is the neighborhood celebrations with family and friends where the most vivid memories live. Foot races, card games, swimming with watermelons, patriotic music blaring, red white and blue the color theme of the week, cook outs, gorging on hot dogs, homemade ice cream, chips and cupcakes. Late nights, laughter, gallons of lemonade and sweet tea, more food, more games and another night sky filled with explosions of twinkle, sparkle, glittering colors. Boom! Boom! BOOM!
God Bless America!
https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheART
© 2017 Carol Lane Fleming
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