“Let us see the beauty every day. And source our lives from its presence.” ~ Oriah
Good Sunday morning, dear friends. I hope golden October has greeted you kindly. It has been glorious in our area. Truly, a gift from above to look across the ‘hills’ and see glimpses of gold scattered amongst the green and red. The beauty is awe-inspiring.
Nature, dressed in her finest wardrobe, certainly does provide marvelous inspiration for our hearts and souls. However, Mother Nature is not the only source of wondrous inspiration. For me, I also find beauty and inspiration in the words, art, and music of brilliant and talented souls. It is inspirational to learn a new way of doing something ordinary. In other words, turning the ordinary into extraordinary. And, here is my big one, “Learning from others.” We all learn in different ways and from different sources. Indeed, it is amazing to pause and reflect on what we learn from others. Words, phrases, and ideas we want to write down and treasure forever. Because everyone has their own special gifts and we often remember talented people who have crossed our path through these gifts. So, what or who inspires or “uplifts the spirit within you?” Please share.
“And the fruits will outdo what the flowers have promised.” ~ François de Malherbe
Can one really compete with Mother Nature? I don’t think so. Especially, when you think of a pretty tree in the spring, dressed in lovely pink blossoms, and in the fall the same tree bears beautiful and tasty fruit. All these stages are divine. Created for our enjoyment of beauty and flavor, and to help sustain wildlife.
“I’ll get an inspiration and start painting; then I’ll forget everything, everything except how things used to be and how to paint it so people will know how we used to live.” ~ Grandma Moses
“Making Apple Butter,” 1958, Grandma Moses (Anna Mary Robertson Moses)
I am not an art critic by any means. However, I do believe Grandma Moses was successful in conveying how people once lived through her art. Just as a point of interest, an organization Mike belongs to continues to make apple butter every year, in copper kettles, the old-fashioned way (around 700 gallons per year).
“It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done.”
There are many things I love and enjoy doing, however, gardening is at the top of the list. New inspiration greets me every day.
“Inspiration is the greatest gift because it opens your life to many new possibilities. Each day becomes more meaningful, and your life is enhanced when your actions are guided by what inspires you.” ~ Bernie Siegel
Learning to cook something new or in a different way can open your eyes to a new world and bring you great joy in doing something wonderful for your family. Just this summer, Mike gifted me with a culinary torch. I had always been tempted by one but was a wee bit intimidated to give it a try. The gift inspired me to try a variety of new culinary delights. He was ‘most’ happy with his purchase.
“Try to be inspired by something every day. Try to inspire at least one person every day.” ~ Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Dear friends, I hope you have enjoyed your visit and received a bit of inspiration. Inspiration can make all the difference in our lives and the lives of those we love. As well as our friends and acquaintances.
Know I wish you and yours a beautiful day.
And, as you walk along your path this week. . .
Remember, you are unique and special. Therefore, you have special gifts to share which may inspire others.
Be well!
“There are little gems all around us that hold glimmers of inspiration.” ~ Richelle Mead
Amour,
Sandra
Images: via Tumblr
What a lovely post, Sandra, providing much food for thought. What inspires me? Hmmm – nature, of course, artistic works both classic and modern, recipe books, my mother and my daughters, travel – truly the world is filled with so many things to awaken my interest and to inspire me. Have a wonderful Sunday!
Good morning, Lorrie and thank you so much for your kind words. I love all the things that inspire you, many are the same for me. Have a lovely week ahead.
My mom use to make homemade apple butter and can it. I find inspiration while walking the beach.
I used to make apple butter too. It is a pure delight on a cold winter morning on biscuits or toast. Thanks for sharing, Penny. Have a great week ahead.
I am always inspired when I visit you blog, Sandra. Lovely photos and quotes as always, but the best part are your own words, a journey into your own wonderful heart. Have a splendid week!
Ah, Jeanie, thank you. You are so sweet. I always wish I had an English teacher with a red pen close by, but I just write what is in my heart and head and hope for the best.
Wishing you a lovely week and hopefully pretty lake days. I know they will be ending soon.
Sandra, your Sunday posts always inspire with beautiful images and thought provoking quotes. My son and DIL bought me a culinary torch a few years ago. It has been a lovely gift.
Creation always inspires me, as well as travel and reading! Happy week my friend!
Good morning, dear friend. You are such a talented soul, I truly believe any tiny thing could offer you inspiration. In our crazy world, inspiration is a blessing. I will be anxious to see which one of your little ones inherits your gifts. Maybe they all will in different ways.
Sandra, I enjoy the beauty you share so much. The images and quotes you share are all inspiring and lovely. I agree with Jeanie your words show your uplifting heart.
Gardening and decorating books inspire me.
Good morning, Bonnie. I thank you so much for your kind words. I am happy my blog inspires you. I agree with you about gardening and decorating books – I could spend too many hours at both. And, often do.
Wishing you a lovely week and I hope you are seeing glimpses of autumn in your area.
Sandra, I love the Van Gogh quotation and truly believe that I am happiest when I take time for my many interests. Sometimes I probably do have too many things I’m passionate about but one of the perks of retirement is that I give myself the permission for time blocks every day to indulge in them. That always includes books–fiction, biographies, cookbooks and decor books. My current favorite decor book is British Designers At Home, lovely book both to read and to look at. Every day I put my music on, mainly classical or opera but for housecleaning energy it might be Van Morrison or country music or Pink Martini. And I have three constant favorite YouTubers who inspire me: Parisienne Farmgirl, The Elliott Homestead, and Farmhouse On Boone.
I loved your words and those you quoted and the lovely pictures you shared. Have an inspired week ahead!
Good morning, Dewena. You are so right about retirement. I miss the wonderful people I worked with, but I don’t miss the work. There is so much to enjoy in the world. Even with all the ugliness, sadness, and distress, the beauty remains. When I read, it makes me realize that life is still beautiful and I do believe that goodness will always prevail.
I love decorator books, historical fiction, and cookbooks. And, I love to cook and try new recipes. Thank you for sharing your favorite YouTubers. I will check them out. It is wonderful what we learn from each other.
Dewena, I consider you a blessing and I thank you so much for your kind words. By the way, you should write books. Have a lovely week!
Sandra, reading does that for me also. One of the things I left out in my bedroom post was how Susan Branch’s 3 autobiography books literally got me through a time in April when out of the blue I felt like I hit a wall. I couldn’t pick up a book and even the Psalms left me feeling dull witted but I picked them up one night and reread them and her words and artwork brought back joy to my life. I know that God sends the right book at the right time and it was certainly true then. Thank you for saying that I should write books. I actually have written six but felt too old to navigate the overwhelming confusion of doing something with them. I’m going to start printing them for my children and grandchildren to have so they’ll know what I did with my time over the years! You have a lovely week too!