Free Stock Photos

These are some photos that I took around my neighborhood that you are welcome to use! 

To download, click here.

*Note: For personal use only.  Free to use as desktop images, for blogs, or other personal use.  NOT allowed to be sold or used in whole, or any in part thereof, for profit. When you download you agree to these terms.*

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Snapshots of life

Spring Around Here

 It's feeling springy around here!

We love going on walks around our neighborhood and finding pretty weeds to frolic around in.

A few days ago we took our dog to a dog park.  There is a large fenced area for the dogs to run free.  Our dog loved playing with the other dogs.  And there is also a cute pond where you can walk your dog on a leash.  We stopped to sit in the grass and take some family selfies.

And another cute picture of my dog that my husband took while on their evening walk recently.  Isn't he the cutest?! (Yes, he is my baby.  Totally. Not ashamed!)

In other news, I'm thinking about transferring my blog to a different host and website builder program.  Not sure if I want to keep the name "Alone with my tea" or use this as an opportunity to rebrand.  What do you think?  Keep it or update it?

50 Things That Make Me Happy

I've stolen this idea from Daydreams of Summertime.  :)

50 Things That Make Me Happy

In no particular order

1. Pink flowers
2. Yellow Flowers
3. My doggie
4. A FRIENDS Marathon
5. Tea in the morning
6. Afternoon tea
7. Tea at any time of the day!
8. Brunch
9. A really good steak
10. Hanging out with my hubby

11. Doing absolutely nothing
12. Ralph Vaughan Williams
13. Airports
14. A clean house
15. Being organized
16. Pretty tea cups
17. A freshly stocked fridge
18. Sunsets
19. Ocean breezes
20. The smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls

21. Poetry
22. Spontaneous creativity
23. Good grammar
24. Bosom friends
25. People who understand where "bosom friends" comes from
26. Betsy-Tacy (and Tib)
27. Sunny days
28. Exploring new places with my husband
29. Finishing a tough project and knowing I did it well
30. My iphone

31. Instagram
32. Baby goats
33. Baby puppies
34. Renaissance music
35. Meeting another musician and having nerdy conversations about music history and theory
36. 1960s fashion
37. Freshly washed bedsheets
38. The feeling after a good yoga session
39. When my clothes fit
40. A really, really, really good book (I'm picky)

41. Canoe rides
42. Learning new languages
43. Beach vacations
44. Photography
45. Mild days, cool nights
46. Finding the best lipstick color
47. Long, hot baths on really cold days
48. Good hair days
49. Family
50. Sparkling water

Honorable mentions: My daily planner, Painting with watercolor, Funny movies, The color yellow, Easy DIY projects, My nieces and nephews, Singing in the Rain, Game nights with friends, Cheesy chick-flicks, and so on and so forth...

And I still have more to add!  So, what are the things that make YOU happy?

Make sure to follow my Instagram.  It's a private account but I will add you if you request.

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Art Journal Update

While I wasn't able to post weekly updates for a few weeks, I actually have been working in my art journal.  Some of the pages were just junk... not worth showing on the blog.  I was practicing random things and the pages just don't look good.  But one thing that I have been doing is displaying my art journal pages on clipboards that I hung in my office.

Clipboards as photo or art displays were all over Pinterest awhile back.  Mine are certainly more functional than cute, but I still like to use them.  Maybe some day I'll buy metallic spray paint and make them cuter, but for now they work for me.

Sometimes my journal gets shut and put in a drawer and I don't look back at what I've done.  I like displaying the pages this way and rotating through them.  It gives a little inspiration and motivates me to keep working on a concept or idea.

I wanted to show you how they look hanging above my desk, but I recently rearranged my living room and office area and so the office is now a disaster.  I might post pictures once I get it all organized again.

Meanwhile I only have 2 weeks of summer vacation left before I have to go back for in-service and then the beginning of the school year.  I'm trying to get organized with my blog, plan posts out, and generate ideas for the future.  I'm worried that once I start teaching again my blog will be neglected (again).  

Please let me know what kind of posts you'd enjoy reading.  

More travel stories (I have tons left that I haven't written - Panama, Mexico, Peru, Korea, Romania, Italy, Brazil...), more lifestyle posts (recipes, outfits, makeup, diy), personal posts (day-in-the-life, life updates, thoughts on current social issues), artistic posts, or something else entirely???

Etsy Finds || Home Decor

Top Row L-R: Rustic Wood Large World Map, Reclaimed Hardwood Coasters, Vintage Stoneware Pitcher
Middle Row L-R: Set of 3 Painted Wooden Vases, Metal Fox Bookends, Minimal Wooden Clock 
Bottom Row L-R: Burlap Deer Pillow, Reclaimed Pallet Wood Sign , Silk Peonies Arrangement

What are you inspired by in home decor these days?

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Art Journal || Week 5 || Update - Flower Garland

I can't believe I've already finished 5 weeks of summer vacation!  Where does the time go?!?!?!

This past week I didn't really work in my art journal very much because I was too busy with diy projects.  The one project that I was able to finish was inspired by this post.  I made a small paper garland to hang on my gallery wall.

I used the templates provided by the original post, but I made it uniquely my own by watercoloring each flower (instead of using card stock or construction paper).  The only flowers that are not watercolored are the yellow ones and the leaves.  I probably spent way too much time on this project and paid way too close attention to details that no one will ever notice now that it's on my wall, but I had fun doing it and I'm glad I finished without giving up!  I think I might need to add a couple more leaves and sprigs in there, but so far I'm liking it.

Don't judge my wall, it's not finished yet!!!

This week I am planning on finishing this diy and hanging it above my bed.

Hope you had a great weekend!  What are your 4th of July plans?  I'm going down to Florida to visit family and enjoy some beach time!

P.S. The lettered art work is from this Etsy shop.

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Art Journal Challenge

Week 1 Update

Week 2 Update

Week 3 Update

Week 4 Update

Linking up with Anderson + Grant and Craftberrybush