Everyday Beauty

After a late night in the office/studio, I needed a visual pick-me-up!  So, I took a look at some of the plant and flower pictures I had taken while on a walk with my favorite boys this morning.  I love that I don't even have to leave my street to see gorgeous bursts of color and inspiring spots of nature.  This was one of my favorites from today - I hope you enjoy it, too!

Red Bird of Paradise

Wednesday Wisdom - Keep Away from People Who Try to Belittle Your Ambitions

Today's words of wisdom may or may not have come from Mark Twain.  It might be safer to say they were inspired by him.  In any case, they are very powerful words, and a great reminder that we each must be our own shining lights, instead of relying on the affirmation of others to illuminate our strengths and talents!  Check out this quote for another take on this topic...

Everyday Beauty

Sometimes, all we need is a glimpse of nature to brighten our day.   I took this picture on a walk in my neighborhood on a particularly frustrating day... but as I looked through the zoomed-in view of my camera, and saw all of the beauty surrounding me, it helped put things in perspective.  We can look around us and think we see.  But, if we don't believe we have seen anything worthwhile, it's time to look again.  Change perspective.  Focus attention.  We just might be amazed.


~Jaelyn

Green is one of my favorite colors.  It reminds me of the outdoors and the calming influence of mother nature.  For me, the vibrant green in this picture is simultaneously soothing and stimulating.  I also love this picture because of the pop of pink and orange of the Lantana flowers that seems to radiate happiness!  I hope you enjoy it, too! 

Wednesday Wisdom: Never Allow a Person to Tell You No Who Doesn't Have the Power to Say Yes

 

On one hand, this quote reminds me a lot of dealing with a particularly frustrating customer service department.  The front-line folks generally have very little power to solve problems, they just listen to your complaint, apologize, and then do nothing.  Don't ever take that as your answer!  Speak to as many people as it takes until you have reached someone who can actually help. 

On the other hand, and in a more big-picture sense, this quote can really make you think about who actually has power over your dreams and goals. 

 

Often, there are people around us that make our dreams seem like impossibilities.  

 

Have you ever allowed another person's negativity to affect your motivation?  Did they tell you that your dream was too big, that your goal was too hard to reach?  Did they go out of their way to remind you of all of the insurmountable (to them) obstacles you would face?  Here's the thing - no matter who that person was - parent, boss, spouse, friend - they don't have the power to make that dream come true for you.  So, don't let them tell you no.  

The one person in the world that has ultimate control over your dreams is... you guessed it, YOU.  Remind yourself of that daily, and keep a silent, reassuring YES always in your heart.

Monday Motivation - Never Give Up!

I hope this week fills you with the burning determination to chase your one most desired goal over, around or through all obstacles!   ~ Jaelyn

Wednesday Wisdom - We Would Astound Ourselves

Monday Motivation - Done Will Get You Farther

For many of us, the drive to be perfect can sometimes inhibit our ability to get things done.  Our best intentions fail us.  It's at these times that we have to remind ourselves that no matter how we see something in our minds, if we can't complete it, nobody else will ever be able to appreciate it.

It is much better to show someone slightly less than what you think is your best, than to show them nothing at all.

 Today, keep in mind that "done" will always get you farther than "perfect."  May you have a productive, prosperous, successful week!

Earth's Oldest Trees and the Universe

"If the stars should appear one night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore; and preserve for many generations the remembrance of the city of God which had been shown!"  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson 

There is so much beauty out there waiting to be revealed.  Beauty that is so much bigger than us and our everyday problems.  Beauty that, however fleetingly, lifts aside the veil between us and eternity.

These pieces of art are actual photographs created by Beth Moon, who traveled to far off locations to capture Earth's oldest trees.  She used extra-long exposures to capture the awe-inspiring backdrop of our incredible heavenly neighbors.  I am sharing these photographs on RBG today, because I want you to feel the same sense of awe and wonder that I did when I saw them for the first time.

Read more about her journey by clicking here.

All rights reserved by Beth Moon Photography.

Aquila, by Beth Moon

Octans by Beth Moon

Lyra by Beth Moon

Andromeda by Beth Moon

Beth Moon's art is truly spectacular.  If you would like to support her by purchasing prints,  contact one of the following galleries:
    
San Francisco, California - Corden Potts Gallery - www.cordenpottsgallery.com
Santa Fe, New Mexico - Verve Gallery of Photography - www.vervelabs.com
Boston, Mass - The Iris Gallery of Fine Art - www.irisgallery.net
Verona, Italy - PH Neutro Fotografia Fine-Art - www.ph-neutro.com
Jerusalem, Israel - Vision Fine Art Photography Gallery - www.visiongallery.com
Sao Paolo, Brazil - Galeria Fass - www.fassbrasil.com
Dubai, UAE - The Empty Quarter - www.theemptyquarter.com
Singapore - Zott's Artspace - www.zottsartspace.com

    

Wednesday Wisdom - Two Roads Diverged in a Wood

Sometimes, a few simple, ordinary words combine in a way that produces magic.

For me, that is what these few lines from a selection of Robert Frost's poetry do.  Taken in context of the entire poem, these words may have a far different meaning.*  But standing alone, these 22 words convey adventure, destiny, freedom and the extraordinary - and make you believe that they are written just for you.

I hope these words of wisdom from one of our greatest literary magicians (whether he intended them to be so taken or not) inspire you to think of your path not just as the road you are walking, but as your own unique destiny, leading you to seldom seen wonders and your own definition of success.  May they also remind you of the futility of regret.

~Jaelyn

*Full text of The Road Not Taken:

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

This poem is perhaps a tongue-in-cheek look at the inevitable regrets of the indecisive among us, but the magic and beauty of the last three lines has transcended the original poem and taken on a meaning greater than the artist intended.  And after all, isn't that the true value of art?  The ability of each of us to personally interpret the beauty of the creation in a way that reflects our own soul or desires?

Monday Motivation - You Won't Get Far if You Travel in a Straight Line

Isn't this the truth?  What would happen if we only traveled straight?  How would we get past the road blocks, walls, mountains?  We certainly couldn't climb the mountain - the hardest way up a mountain is - you guessed it - in a straight line.

May today bring you the determination and empowerment you need to take those turns when they come, as well as the patience to weather the u-turns.  Enjoy the anticipation offered by the bends in the road.  Life really is about the journey - and maybe sometimes the best adventures happen when you go off-roading!  ;-)

Wednesday Wisdom - Everybody Should Believe in Something

Happy Wednesday!

For the majority of my adult life, I have not been much of a coffee drinker - even when working multiple jobs while grinding through college.  I survived what I thought were tough challenges, and green tea (or iced tea, or white tea, or peppermint tea) was always able to get me through.   No reason to drink coffee, right?

And then I had children.  Children who don't sleep.   Thanks to coffee, we have all survived levels of sleep deprivation I didn't know existed.   The babies have long since started sleeping better and I am back to my beloved tea, but forevermore, coffee will have a place in my heart.

So, for those days when you are struggling to get your brain working and just need a warm, delicious cup of energy to get you through, here are your caffeine-infused words of wisdom.

~Anonymous

Now grab your double-shot extra-hot 2-pump mocha latte and tackle all those mid-week tasks like the hyper-focused coffee beast you are!

If you need an even larger dose of energy injected into your day, check out this post.
~ Jaelyn

Monday Motivation - Courtesy of Shia LeBeouf and the Internet. WARNING: Intense Motivation Included.

You need some motivation, and Shia LeBeouf is going to give it to you!   Apparently, he was filming some green screen material to help students, and the internet had a field day with it.  This one is awesome - a TED Talk parody.  And if you've never seen the real TED Talks, DO IT!  They are great!

 

Something Pretty on a Gloomy Day

The clouds and rain are lingering here in Austin again today, where many folks are still cleaning up after the Memorial Day floods.  We could all use something pretty to look at right now!

I took this picture with my phone on a gorgeous, sunny, springtime day while walking in my neighborhood.  I hope it adds a little joy to your day, and reminds you that the clouds don't last forever!

Texas Mountain Laurel

~Jaelyn

Wednesday Wisdom - There is Nothing That Cannot Happen

When I feel like I am living a day that has become mired in a steady flow of bad luck, I like to be reminded by this quote that there is nothing that cannot happen.

Even on the days that seem filled with darkness, it's possible that you just might find the light switch!

Mark Twain - one of the most American of Americans.  An ordinary man who lived an extraordinary life with little more than a winning personality and a sense of adventure to help him achieve it.  His humor, wit, camaraderie and appreciation of language made him a legend.   If you haven't yet, read his first major book, The Innocents Abroad.  It was essentially released as a tongue-in-cheek travel guide (travel guides being a popular genre at the time),  and it was enormously popular.  Reading the book today, it provides a very interesting (sometimes cringe-inducing) glimpse into international cultures, peoples and conflicts of the time, from the viewpoint of a witty, wild, unapologetic young journalist from Missouri. 

The quote today is from Mark Twain's Autobiography, and is in reference to discovering that a rather ridiculous character with an outlandish name from his early work, "The Gilded Age," shared a name with an actual person who was none too pleased by the publicity.   What I've shared above is actually a bit of a misquote - Americans seem to have tacked on the "today" over the years, but it still captures the spirit of the original quote, so I'll keep it.

The original quote reads, "Apparently there is nothing that cannot happen.  Even the existence of two unrelated men wearing the impossible name of Eschol Sellers is a possible thing."

Happy Wednesday!

Monday Motivation - Memorial Day

Wednesday Wisdom: Hard Work & Luck

Happy Wednesday!  
We all at times wonder when our luck is going to get better.  I love this quotation from Thomas Jefferson because in those frustrating moments, it reminds me that "good luck" isn't entirely out of our control!

Wishing you good luck to get you over that midweek slump!  :-)

Three-Ingredient Blueberry-Lemon Pastry Pop

This could be the easiest "pretty" dessert you'll ever bake!

No mixing. Three main ingredients (plus egg wash and an optional topping).  Ready to eat in 30 minutes.  Everyone loves these.  Honestly, they taste like delicious homemade Pop Tarts (but better).  Breakfast, brunch, parties, just because... they are perfect for every occasion!

What you'll need:

Ready-made refrigerated pie crust, left out of the fridge long enough to be cool and pliable, not cold and stiff (but not too warm!)  Pillsbury has a good flavor.

Jar of good-quality lemon curd

Jar of good-quality blueberry preserves (Bonne Maman is good and widely available).

Egg wash (1 egg white and 1 tsp. cold water, whisk to combine)

Cookie sheet

Cookie cutter

optional:  lollipop sticks, confectioner's (aka powdered) sugar, Silpat

 

 Let's get baking!

1.  Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

2.  Unroll the pie crust on your counter or a piece of wax paper, cut desired shapes with cookie cutter - 2 per pastry pop.

3.  Place a Silpat on the cookie sheet to help prevent sticking.  Using 1/2 of the pie crust shapes, place them on the Silpat, 1 inch apart.  If you are using lollipop sticks, be sure to allow room for those to stick out the bottom.

4.  With a pastry brush, brush egg wash on the outer 1/2-inch of the pie crust shapes.  This will act as the "glue" to keep the two pieces of crust together.

5.  Place appr. 1/2 tsp. Lemon Curd in the center of each pastry shape.  Do not spread.

6.  Place 1/2 tsp. Blueberry Preserves on top of the Lemon Curd.  Again, don't spread it out.

7.  Place a stick in the pop (on top of filling), with the top of the stick appr. 1/2-in. below the top of the pie crust.  If you would rather not use sticks, just skip this step and you will be making delicious hand pastries!

8.  Place the top piece of pie crust on top of each shape, gently pressing the edges together.  Be sure not to press the filling! Use a fork to crimp/seal the edges.  Pierce the center with a sharp knife to allow steam to escape.

9.  Bake for 12-15 minutes, until golden and crisp.  Let cool.

10.  Optional:  when cooled, dust with confectioner's sugar.  

Now make your mouth happy and eat!

The best thing about this recipe is that you can use any flavor filling your mind can invent.  

What are your favorites?   I'd love to hear from you! 

Monday Motivation! Are You Feeling Stuck?

If you are feeling stuck in a rut, maybe you just need a few words to change your perspective!
Check out this bit of Monday Motivation...

 

Writer's Block

I hope your voices are telling you exciting (but not too exciting) things this weekend! ;-)

Gift Ideas for Your Favorite Book Geek

Note:  I am not compensated in any way for these suggestions.  These are simply a few products I love, and if you know a book lover, she will probably love them, too! 

 Novel Teas - $12.50

A book is even more comforting than a warm cup of tea.  But a book and a cup of tea?  That is bliss.

Personal Library Kit - $12.99 

Feel the joy again of a 7-year-old checking out a book from library!  

Also, for those who lend their books out and never receive them back, ensure that your friends never forget whose book they stole.

USB Typewriter - $899  

Sometimes, your instrument is your inspiration.

Jane Austen - Seven Novels - Leather Bound $20  

These leather bound books from Barnes & Noble feel luxurious and look great on a shelf.

 

Literary Quote Wall Art - $16-23 (depending on size)

Inspiring words made even more beautiful.

 

I Like Big Books  - $21

Book geeks love a good laugh, and a big comfy t-shirt to wear while reading.

 

A First Edition or Early Copy of a Classic Book - Price Varies 

Rare and precious, old books seem to include not only the wisdom of the words they contain, but also the wisdom of the years they have existed.  They inspire reverence.

 

Literary Scarf - $48  

A scarf of classic literature - it's like a magical force field against the vacuity of the world.

 

Vintage-Style Book Kindle Cover  -  $13.99

It brings a virtual book into the real world.

What do you like the best?  Anything I missed?  

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