Inspiration Friday Party No. 12!

The Magic of an "Ordinary" Day

The other day, my girl and I finished up our errands and had some extra time to stop by one of our favorite parks.

It was a perfect Autumn day here in the Northwest.
Sunny and crisp just the way I like it!

We made our way around the park stopping to look at the ducks, check out the big Steamboat down by the water, and stomp on every leaf we found along our path. Just to hear that great "crunch" sound!

She found all sorts of treasures. Rocks, sticks, flowers, leaves. All of which made their way into Mommy's pockets. She doesn't even know that I save some of them. Her brother doesn't know that I still have a leaf that he gave me when he was this age and we went on one of our many walks. It is pressed between the pages of a journal where I write down my most favorite memories of him and all of the funny things he says. She now has a journal too. And one of these leaves made their way into it the other day.

What is it about these moments? They are so simple and yet they conjur up some of the deepest emotions.

Bittersweet...melancholy...joyful...grateful.

These days the moments are flying by me faster and faster. And yet, on a day like this, I feel as though I have frozen time for just a bit. Just enough to think about how soft her little hand is in mine.

 Just enough to memorize every tiny dimple.

Just enough to make a new memory and recall old ones, of another little person who still reaches out to hold my hand while we walk, even though he is a big 7 year old now!
We are all entering a very busy season in our lives, aren't we?
I hope we don't miss out on the moments while we are so busy trying to make the memories.
You know what I mean?

I'm inspired right now to carve out more time for these little moments...the pause in the midst of it all.

And while we are on the subject, here are some Inspiring high-lights from last week's party to get us started!

Jenny from Simcoe Street created this gorgeous Centerpiece for her latest tablescape.

She simply put a round silver tray on top of a cake stand and added all of these lovley glass and crystal candleholders.

Here is another angle...

It is so elegant and crisp and something that even I could recreate! And, I plan on doing just that very soon!

This next one is from Kristin over at Sweet Country Life. 

She and her youngest sons used construction paper, marbles and craft paint to create these darling pumpkins.

I love the simplicity of this project and how perfect it is for little hands to do. And who wouldn't enjoy rolling marbles around in a box?

Next, the Modern Country Lady took something that looked a lot like this...

And transformed it into this!

I feel like I am peeking in the window of a lovely tea-shop!

Take some time and visit these ladies to learn more about their fabulous ideas and creations!


Now, on to the PARTY!
What's been inspiring you this week?
Link it on up and join in the fun!


Please be sure to make mention of Inspiration Friday in your post or just grab my button on the sidebar!


I hope you have a great time getting some wonderful ideas from all of these Inspiring folks and that you have a fabulous weekend!


From this Southern Girl at Heart,
Vanessa