{unrelated update: I finally added the Google Friend Connect badge in my sidebar for those of you who've been asking...sorry it took me so long!}
A wish of mine, to gather all of autumn's colorful abundance in my arms and squeeze it into the nooks of my home. The clear clean air, the warm sun, the crunchiness and crispness of it all. Who says I can't scoop up a big bundle of the golden leaves that fall from the old maples out front and throw them down on the wood floors inside? One of these years I might just do it, since my sweet family long ago dropped their quizzical looks at my 'decorating' ideas.
Summer's ending (sigh). And the bittersweetness that comes every year at this time nudges me to cling to all that I have left of summer while I look forward a bit to fall. I have the usual cleaning, organizing lists in my mind. But I also want to breathe deeply and make autumn a little richer than that.
I want to focus on things like sharing summer's preserves with others, gathering with people I love, reconnecting with friends, nourishing my soul so I can nourish others, write in my journals (so long neglected)...all good stuff.
Do I need to be reminded to focus on these things? Yeah, pretty much I do. I'm a long believer that creatively putting words here and there around me helps me remember what's important in life.
I created what I will call my 'autumn focus board'. I am already inspired to do these things...just need to reign in my focus now and then you know? And maybe you will be inspired just a bit to create something to help yourself focus on the things that matter. That's my hope anyway. Please share if you do.
Until next time, may your days be filled with grace and peace. And all the abundance of autumn.
Your focus board took my breath away for a moment. It is lovely and what a great idea!
Posted by: Joan G. | 14 September 2011 at 12:58
Rebecca... ABSOLUTELY LOVELY... and a WONDERFUL IDEA... I see creating a seasonal focus board for myself on the horizon... XOXO!
Posted by: Tracie Lyn Huskamp | 14 September 2011 at 14:17
Absolutely agree with Joan! it's beautiful! And the more you look, the more you see! Amazing!!!
Posted by: Angie walsh | 14 September 2011 at 14:53
it's so beautiful.
your originality inspires :)
Posted by: connie | 14 September 2011 at 17:46
Love this, need to make myself something similar. Can't believe that summer is already over and fall in sneaking in.
The leaves are changing but I am NOT ready!
Posted by: Leesh | 14 September 2011 at 19:02
Simply gorgeous. And yes, I feel the same way.
c
Posted by: Cindy | 14 September 2011 at 19:13
It's wonderful, Rebecca!!!!
So appealing.....
Posted by: Dawn | 14 September 2011 at 19:14
So many beautiful details. What a great idea.
Posted by: Sheila R - Blessed and Distressed | 14 September 2011 at 19:24
Lovely, absolutely lovely! I can't stop looking at your pictures of the autumn focus board.
Posted by: KateinCleveland | 14 September 2011 at 19:25
Love it. What an amazingly beautiful, simple idea that takes what you want and makes it a visual. There is so much to see, to understand, and to contemplate, and it is inspiring all at the same time.
I think you have come upon something very grand Rebecca - beautiful!
Posted by: Jillayne | 14 September 2011 at 21:14
Oh.
I can only look at the first two pictures. It's so beautiful I can look at it all.
I'll be back...
Posted by: Robin Thomas | 14 September 2011 at 21:42
So very nice. It is helpful to have a reminder of what to focus on. It's so easy to get caught up in the daily have to that a person can lose focus. It's something I've been working on lately. Especially since I had a reminder that my mother will not be around forever. I've made an inspiration board but a focus board might be in order too.
Posted by: Vickie C | 14 September 2011 at 22:00
This is just beautiful! Thank you so much for the inspiration.
Posted by: Jill Sprott | 15 September 2011 at 01:59
What a great idea - gathering like a harvest. A very striking visual image of the bounty and abundance of life.
Posted by: Karen T | 15 September 2011 at 03:25
Oh how I wish I had focus like you do;) The board is absolutely beautiful...an inspiration indeed!
Posted by: Leah C | 15 September 2011 at 08:39
Absolutely beautiful, Rebecca! I'm starting a craft room redo and something similar will be on my wall. Thank you for being such an inspiration to me. :) (for years!)
Love,
Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer Stewart | 15 September 2011 at 08:43
I didn't know that was yours when I pinned it :)
This is the best season in my sweet 'lil opinion...your board sums it nicely!
Posted by: phyllis | 15 September 2011 at 08:48
beautiful...thank you much for sharing! blest be :)
Posted by: donnalee | 15 September 2011 at 09:05
Absolutely beautiful fall work of art.
Posted by: Patricia | 15 September 2011 at 18:12
love your tag collection...we are heading for summer..so i will substitute..some shells, glad you back on line..more often, even though..i am ready to move away from this screen..
Posted by: jenni | 16 September 2011 at 00:58
This is beautiful and inspiring. The colors and the feeling of it scream autumn!
Posted by: Seth | 16 September 2011 at 08:53
Rebecca,
I enjoyed seeing your focus board. It was beautiful. I think, though, that I'd spend so much time looking at it that I'd lose my focus on what it was trying to inspire! :)
Anne-Liesse
Posted by: Anne-Liesse Ankeny | 16 September 2011 at 11:35
Such a beautiful soul you are, Rebecca. What a to read as I begin my weekend. Guess I'll be starting my own autumn board this wknd. Thank you so so much.
Posted by: rachel | 16 September 2011 at 19:07
Gor-ge-ous! You, my dear, get my creative juices flowing. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Sally Smith | 17 September 2011 at 06:17
I am reveling in your work! Every time I read your blog I am reminded of what I want my life to be: artistic, beautiful, simple, focused. You are truly inspiring. Thank you!
Posted by: leslie | 17 September 2011 at 13:35