A favorite place to just reflect and appreciate things

 I know that most of us live a very busy life these days, filled with kids, grand kids, work, chores, jobs, activities etc. Who would of known that with all these modern conveniences we would end up even busier and more stressed out. I think being able to see how fast things are moving all the time reminds us how fast we might be falling behind. To keep up with all the social media and technology coming out daily is daunting and can be overwhelming.

For me, being able to get away from the technology is critical so I have to go for a walk, run, gardening, anything that takes me outside and helps me refocused. Since I work from home I have to get out of the house so I have an area that I love in my backyard. A mini retreat area that I can go to anytime to just enjoy the breeze and paint or sketch, read, write, pray or nap. When we designed and built the backyard we wanted to create a place where our family could gather together for holidays and special events to assure Jennifer would always be able to attend since not every ones house is wheelchair accessible.  It is an outdoor room that is open and we get a breeze in the summer that cools the area in the late afternoon and a fireplace to warm it in the winter. We did a lot of the work ourselves, Randy and I burned and distressed the wooden beams that support the structure and stained the under side of the roof red to mimic the old tile roofs. We have had many, many parties, holidays and just gatherings here in the 7 years its been since we finished the project. We even had an owl try to take up residence there last year and we have a few bunnies that pass through on their way to different areas of our lawn. There is a ramp so Jennifer can access it anytime she likes and she can watch swimmers in the pool during the summer in the shade. I have always made a special place in each house we have lived that I could just take it all in and thank God for all we had, its never about the money, its always about the relationships, the family and beauty of the things we grew, we are rich in so many ways.

A favorite place doesn't have to be fancy or elaborate, it can be as simple as a chair under the shade of a tree. It is a place to sit and take a deep breath and remind ourselves of how blessed we are to live where we live. A place where I can be quiet and reflect, gathering my thoughts, reminding me to appreciate all that we have created together. I have sketched my yard many times over the years, here is another sketch of my backyard, sitting in my space, watching the dappled sunlight dancing off of the stone floor caused by the wind blowing through the leaves.

I love to come out at dusk and watch the sun go down, the light filters through the trees, casting shadows that dance on the stone floor. It bathes everything in an orange glow in the fall.

Theres nothing like taking a bath and looking out at this!!

Sketching and painting some succulents I am growing

I love keeping my garden journal where I journal and sketch about things in my garden.

Another day, with my coffee and writing pad, writing down my thoughts and ideas.

 Do you have a special area that you call your own? A place where you can escape the rat race and find some peace and quiet. A place where you can journal your thoughts and escape for a moment. It doesn't have to be outside, in many areas of the country these favorite places are overstuffed chairs next to a fireplace with all of your favorite things next to you and your blanket. How about your bathtub, with bubbles and music playing. It could be a reading area where you can find some quiet time to just get lost in a book. I leave my studio so that I don't have any projects or deadlines nagging at me. I go to my favorite place and listen to the wind whispering in my ear and watch as the leaves dancing across the floor. Tell me about your space! If you have sketched it please post a link to your blog so I can see it!