Do you believe....in fairies???

I do! Fairies, gnomes, Santa, the magic of Christmas, I believe in them all!!

This isn't of those posts you can plan for. I was out on my run this morning and ran right by the spot these photos were taken and didn't notice a think. That also means I ran by this spot twice and didn’t notice a thing! I went about the rest of workout and as I finished I decided to go back to my car and get my camera and head back in the woods just for fun. Boy, am I glad I did!!!

I don’t remember what caught my eye first, but something caught my eye and I stopped and took a picture and turned around to go back out on the trail and finish walking toward the stream I had in mind.  When I turned around something else caught my eye. The whole place was cool and made my heart smile.

I walked here a week ago and what I saw today didn't exist then. If it did, I completely missed it.

It warms my heart that someone spent so much time here creating this little haven. I truly wish I had a fairy or a gnome on my car that I could have left behind.  Are you ready to take a peek???

At first glance, or a quick run by, you might not see anything out of the ordinary.

Let's look a little closer.

I do apologize for the quality of a few of the photos.

I was having some camera problems this morning.

I also should have gotten down on ground level for more of the photos.

Little structures at the bases of all the trees in the area.

Look closely. "Structures" all around the tree.

Off the left is a stone surrounded by sticks.

In the background is one of my favorites and the one that has the worst picture. (go figure)

Every time I turned around I would see another.

{{ smile, smile}}

Who do you think they were designed for?

Gnomes? Fairies? Trolls?

To me, it doesn't matter who they were designed for.

Someone took the time and created some magic.

It sure made me glad I decided to go back along the trail for a stroll!

This is the one I mentioned in an earlier picture.

It stood out to me as I took pictures of the others and I couldn't wait to get closer.

It is also one of the worst pictures of the morning.

Just over the bank was another "structure." This structure was made out of rocks.

I couldn't get any sort of angle on it.

Another look. Look closely at the base of the trees.

I'm a believer, so this was a fun morning for me.

Someone else believes too!

As I found more and more of these little wonders I knew there would be a blog post.

I also knew it would include this saying.

source

Are you a "pinner?"

Here is the link to my fairies and gnomes Pinterest page.

Some day I will have a fairy garden.

SO!!!! DO YOU BELIEVE?????

source

The magic sure sparkled in nature after this work out!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Hugs from my small town to where ever you may be!

xoxoxo ~ Jen

Oh the things we collect!

How many of the same sort of item does one need to have before it is considered a collection?

Everyone collects something, right??? (I hope so)

But if they don't, I probably have enough collections for those that don't collect...how about you?

This whole thought process started the other night while I was making dinner.

Cutting boards. How many cutting boards does a person need? I don't know how many I NEED, but I HAVE 5 or 6 and I always find myself looking at them when out and about. I didn't take a picture of the entire collection, because a few of them are the standard, nothing special sort of deals. BUT THEN, there are the REALLY COOL ONES!!

This cutting board is awesome. It was a wedding present. It was handmade by a very special family friend!! It is beautiful and I think of our wedding day and the person who made it every time I use it!

Ooooh! Yes! Those herbs came from my little porch herb garden!

The smell of fresh herbs = happy!!!!!!

This cutting board is WAY awesome, too! This one belonged to the ladies before me. It was passed on to me at my bridal shower. It was used by my Great Aunt, my Great Grandmother, and my Great Great Grandmother. Now how cool is that??? Oh the time spent with this board. If only it could share some of those moments and memories...

 Do you see those spoons????? Aren't they lovely??? Don't tell, but I have more!!!

I love spoons, especially small spoons. I don't know why. I don't have an explanation for it.

Porcelain measuring spoons are awesome!!! You should see the Christmas ones. 

They are cute, and they make fun noises, but....I must caution you... 

THEY DO NOT SURVIVE A TUMBLE TO THE FLOOR!!!!!

*sniff *

Back to the cutting boards.

The other fave is this one. This one was made by my Grandfather. It is the right size for small jobs, such as cutting a lime. It also makes a great surface to set hot dishes on.

There are a few others, but they are nothing special.

As I write this, I realize that they each get used for their own thing.

Maybe I am weird. Do you have certain cutting boards you use for certain things?

What sorts of things do you collect?

Have a great day everyone!

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs and love from my small town to wherever you may be!!!

xoxo ~ Small Town Girl

20 lbs...GONE!

Hey everyone!

Yep, I am down 20 pounds! I haven't lost them. I have worked them off. I hope to NOT find them again. Couch to 5k/interval training/just being active is part of what has been keeping me away. I wouldn't change it! Since the end of May I have logged 100 miles. Not too shabby for someone that had become a true couch potato.

Those miles have taught me a lot!!! I have learned things like:

1. I CAN!

2. It isn't going to kill me, or at least it hasn't yet.

3. The endorphin rush is awesome!

4. Walking/jogging is great therapy and when I don't do it for a few days I get CRANKY!

5. It feels awesome to be active again.

6. Counting calories isn't a bad thing.

7. Shoes make all the difference. (and btw, running shoes don't come cheap)

8. Some days it is about the run, and others it just about being out.

9. The former athlete in me is still just as competitive today as she was years ago. I am competing against no one but myself.

10. I am awesome! Say what you will about that one, but it is true. There are a lot of things I am not and I am no skinny minnie, but I have gotten myself out and about and have set a handful of goals and keep monitoring them and go one day at a time. I haven't given up this time. I am not doing it for anyone else, I am doing it for myself. I am generally out and about by myself, but that isn't a bad thing either. It gives me time to clear my head (or sometime fill it up). I also know that I may be running/walking alone, but there are many with me in spirit.  I haven't given up on myself, but I also have the support of some great great people. That plus so much more, makes me awesome! We're all awesome, we just need to accept it.

There are so many things going on that the new blog is still waiting to take shape. Perhaps, this new laptop I am typing on will help.  Perhaps cleaning my craft space earlier today will help. I don't know. I wish I could promise you regular posts and lots of creativity, but I can't. I will share both when I can.

A shot of the shoes that have carried me the better part of those 100 miles. This photo was taken over the weekend. Small Town Guy and I went to Cook Forest State Park. We climbed the old fire tower. I took this photo on our way back down.

I hope all is well with each of you! Thanks so much for stopping by!!

xoxoxo
Hugs from my small town to wherever you may roam!
~Jen