Photos: Peaceful Venues

Rocky Mountain National Park

Poring over photos I have taken these past few years, I relished a sense of calm.  Wanted to share a bit of that with others--in the hope of imparting the same, peaceful vibe...

Watkins Glen State Park (Watkins Glen, New York)

Geneva on the Lake (Geneva, New York)

Nassau (Bahamas)

Brown County State Park (Nashville, Indiana)

Smith Gardens (Oakwood, Ohio)

Schedel Gardens (Elmwood Ohio)

Odette Sculpture Park (Windsor, Canada)

Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green, Ohio)

A flower bed in my own front yard... (June 2012)

Joy & peace.  T.

Photos: Flowers This Winter Day...

The other evening, winter firmly ensconced, I dreamed longingly of springtime.  Knowing it was only February, I gleaned bliss from a series photos of flowers I had taken this past year.  In the hope they bring others the same sense of peace, comfort and cheer that they did me, I'm sharing a few, here, today.

Joy and peace, T.

The Impact of a Mother’s Influence...

The world lost another beautiful female soul, yesterday.  Virginia Bradley, my sweet mother-in-law, passed away in her sleep.  She was only 71 years old. 

There’s much I admired about her. Prior to her significant decline in health, she was one of the most independent women I’ve ever met. Intelligent, candid, and no- nonsense to the core, she epitomized so many enviable qualities.

What holds my deepest admiration, though, is the pivotal role she played in raising one of the most gentle, empathetic and honorable persons I have ever met—my husband, Mark.  Knowing how she interacted with, and raised him--there is no doubt she greatly influenced who he is.

One time I told her, "Thank you, Virginia, for raising my husband. You did a great job."  She beamed.

Now, publicly, because I want others to know who she was, and the impact she has made, I have one final thing to say to this dear woman. I know she is listening. I hope it makes her, again, shine brightly--as she so very much deserves to: "Thank you, Virginia, for being such a wonderful mother. Your efforts truly did make a beautiful difference in this world."

Love and peace.  T.

A Vow of Gratitude

Often, I’ll build gratitude lists in my mind as I drive to and fro’ the 9 to 5. It’s one of my favorite blissfulness practices. 

While driving home from work, yesterday, I realized I haven’t done this is in a long while--maybe as far back as December.  Unfortunately, amidst a busy week--nestled firmly within the dead of winter--I was feeling the effects of a good ritual gone astray.

Snow on the ground, soft sunlight streaming down, I reflected in gratitude, while driving along... Here are a few of the things I deemed myself thankful for:

• A recent, evening pedi (Yup, that’s a photo (above) I snapped at the salon on Tuesday.  The color I selected was OPI’s “You’re a Pisa Work.”);
• A mid-morning cup of hot, decaf chai tea;
• My warm, nearly sixteen year old J Crew sweater (It's pictured in this recent past post; yes, I wore it twice this week (smile));
• My reliable, albeit currently dirty, Jeep;
• A delectable lunchtime green smoothie;
• The local college radio station and their eclectic mix of music;
• Good reads awaiting me at home;
• The promise of the evening’s upcoming yoga class; and
• A memory from the night before of Tabitha cuddling on my lap as I wrote (The photo below captures it well!).

This woman is vowing not to let weeks go between her next gratitude-giving-session.  What is it you are thankful for, today?  Would love to know!

Joy and peace.  T.

Peace Up, Stress Down!

Candles lit=Peace up, stress down...

What a week it’s been so far...  Monday evening’s work meeting lasted until nearly 9:30 (Yes, I was indeed bushed at the close of that one.).  Tuesday, I hopped from place to place; stopping only long enough to lunch with a group of dear friends.  Interestingly enough, much of our conversation, that day, gravitated toward how much each of us had on her proverbial “plate.”

Busyness, it seems, has become the norm—more times than not... And, although, being busy does not necessary lend itself to stress; oftentimes, it does.

I’ve developed a few strategies for balancing the busy a bit; thus, minimizing the potential for stress.  Will share added thoughts about these strategies on the next Tickled Pink Woman podcast (anticipated to air this coming weekend).  Until then, here they are my measures for turning up the peace and cranking down the stress a bit:

• Implement Time Savers: Incorporating time savers into my morning routine gets me out the door more serenely each workday. My favorite time saver is to lay my clothes, jewelry, accessories, undergarments, footwear and outerwear out the night before.
• Pare Down: Less in the closets and drawers means things are easier to locate, coordinate with other items, etc.  As new goods come into my home, I weed out those things I no longer use--selling them through a local consignment shop or donating them to charity.
• Engage in at least one spiritual activity a day: Morning meditation is decidedly my favorite spiritual practice! I always feel much more grounded afterwards.
• Establish minimum standards for self-care: This past post says it all.
• Sign up for the power of the pen: Writing rights. Generally, I journal three to four times a week.  At times, I only write a few lines a day; others I'll write pages. It’s my perennially favorite way to "right" via writing.
• Embrace white space: Added stillness equates to more tranquility.  Workday mornings (barring those that I have company or that Mark’s not already headed to work), I enjoy eating my breakfast in silence, while looking out onto my backyard.  It’s a totally bliss-producing experience.

What strategies to you recommend for more peace, less stress?  Please share!

Joy and peace.  T.

Tickled Pink Connectedness

Let's get even more connected (Tickled Pink Woman-wise)! I would SO adore it; plus you'll help moi look a bit more attractive to the potential publishers I'll soon be approaching (smile):

• Become a Google follower of the blog (bottom right hand side of the blog);
• If you are not currently subscribing via email or RSS feed, please consider doing so (top right hand side of the blog);
• Subscribe to the Tickled Pink Woman YouTube channel (You’ll receive automatic word every time a new video is launched);
• Like Tickled Pink Woman on Facebook (We are having fun over there!);
• If you have access to iTunes, consider subscribing to the Tickled Pink Woman podcasts or subscribe to RSS feeds via Libsyn...
• Follow me on:
•  Twitter;
• Instagram; and
• Pinterest.

Hugs to you for whatever added level of Tickled Pink Woman connectedness you can offer!  Joy & peace.  T.

Artsy Wintertime Self-Adornment

Donned these babies last Friday...

Last Friday afternoon, while out and about, I passed a super-sweet woman on the street.  She called out, “Love the look—just like a movie star.” Blush!

Yes, I know she was merely being a dear; however, I later, posted on the Tickled Pink Woman Facebook page, “Amazing what a couple of props can do...” along with the photo above.  That $10 vintage hat and pair of no name sunnies (pictured above) are, most likely, what spurred the fun + lovely compliment I got.

Often too cold, windy, icy and/or snowy to wear what I’d really like to; wintertime sometimes threatens to limit my fashion choices.  That’s were I like to get a bit creative—especially with simple accessories...

Color block using tights and boots

 

 Black pindot skirt + cream sweater tights + black boots

Drape a scarf over a ho-hum sweater + turtleneck combo

Keeping it simple--but adding some flair!

 Wear both a hat and scarf (meant for outdoors) indoors

 This photo was taken in 2009 while volunteering at WinterFest.

I'd totally sport the look, again, today--in 2013 (smile).

Pin some sparkle to your lapel... I'm wearing this one today!

Go Red for Women!

Do you also find the winter weather makes you become a bit more creative with your use of accessories?  Please share your wintry accessory inspirations!

Joy & peace.  T.