Living a Beautiful Life

That was the title of the first book I read by Alexandra Stoddard, Living a Beautiful Life.  I picked the book up before a vacation to Galena, Illinois. Galena is the first place I traveled with my young family. We stayed in a rented home which seemed very exotic to me. So beautifully decorated...it seemed like a dream house...one I never thought I'd attain. After reading Living a Beautiful Life, I knew what I wanted my home and the life of my family to be like. I was so influenced by the author and it made sense to me... How I felt about our home, would set the tone for it in the years to come. That started the evolution in my way of thinking and has brought me to the life I now have here at home. (By no means perfect, but perfect for us!) I found these books of Alexandra's at the Goodwill.  Feeling at Home and Creating a Beautiful Home.  Alexandra writes beautifully, she is very wise and insightful, and inspiring.

Alexandra says..."Creating a beautiful home is a attitude and a way to open up to all the possibilities available to us as we move through our lives. Our true home is inside each of us, and it is your love of life that transforms your house into a home. There are phases and stages in our personal growth and enlightment. This cannot be rushed or faked. There is never a point where we've arrived at our ideal.'

If you haven't read any of Alexandra's book's, or you are at a loss for what to do with your home, you will surely be inspired by her ideas and philosophy. Right now in January is a good time to read her books. Especially, if you're like me, and like the clean slate that taking down all the decorations gives you. Time to start the new year with new ideas, and in my case using what I already have in new and interesting ways.  You can visit Alexandra here.

It's just started to snow here in the Valley.  We're expecting up to 6 inches of snow today, our first real snowstorm of the winter.  A perfect time to snuggle in.  You can be sure I will bake something today, and cook something that needs a while on the stove.  This is the kind of day I wait for all year.

Dear friends, enjoy this beautiful SNOWY day!