The "Secret Garden"

It's been over two years since I've taken the time to share my thoughts and contemplations in this space!  Lately I've been getting the urge to dip my toe back into my blog.  With the lazier days of summer officially kicking-off today, I felt like there was no time but the present.  Although the boys are off school and will be keeping me super busy all day, everything still seems to operate at a much slower pace this time of year. 

Much has changed since my earlier days of blogging.  The boys are much more grown up at 10 and 11, so my days look a lot different than they used to.  They are growing into such fun, independent, creative and highly energetic individuals..  Being a stay-at-home mom looks a lot different for me now than it used too.  Gone are the days of toddler crafts and hand-made toys.  These days the boys are making their own creations and adventures, completely free from my guidance and inspiration.  I can now sit back and enjoy watching them "do their thing".


I thought it would be fun to take on a little project of my own for the next month - one that really focuses on me.  I have found that as the children grow up, I really do have more me time in my life!  I'm taking a closer look at my own life and tweaking areas I'd like to improve.  I recently started reading 30 Chic Days by Fiona Ferris of the blog How to be Chic  and am absolutely loving it.  It provides a fresh perspective on the topic of living a more refined, French-inspired chic lifestyle.  This is a topic I've been having fun with over the last couple of years.  I've read the Madame Chic series of books by Jennifer L. Scott., which are also inspiring and practical reads.  Fiona provides so many fun and doable ideas to elevate yourself in both physical and mental ways.  I've decided to work my way through the book this summer by looking for ways to fit a number of her ideas into my life as a stay-at-home mother of two boys living on a little farm-like property.  It's not always the chicest environment, especially when your son has a pet chicken he tries to sneak in the house!

This morning I started with her idea of the "Secret Garden" from Chapter 5.  I've carved out a little time and space designated for morning reading and journaling while the boys are sleeping in.  It's my little corner on the deck, with a peek of the ocean view and the smell of my roses from the garden below.  My son even helped me install a little window-feeder on the glass deck panels so I can enjoy the morning birds!  This will be my sacred thinking spot this summer, weather permitting!