The AA-Highway is a lovely stretch of road that basically runs along the northern border of Kentucky from Ohio to West Virginia and back. Its sloping hills and wide curves through hilly landscapes are best driven during the day although my husband has driven us through the night on many an ocassion. My inlaws live about three hours away in West
My two beagles, Ruby and Hairy, are beyond-verbal-description wonderful. I love these two little dogs as I'm sure you love your pets. I love how, on sunny mornings, they follow sunspots around the house. The sun carries them between their early-morning nap and their mid-morning nap; both of which generally take place on the
My two beagles, Ruby and Hairy, were napping on a dog bed perched below a window; looking out onto the street below. My husband and I were wrapping up a few odds and ends in the office and then I heard a light knock on the front door. "She's here!" I ran down the steps, pulled myself together and opened my front door with a smile, "Hi
I've been known to pull out my doodling skills. The manatee is my favorite thing to illustrate. Happy Thursday. By the way, I use a fountain pen (Lamy AL-Star) to do my linework, and the color I used was diamine Damson. I like drawing with a fountain pen. ;)
It's a new year. Let's all agree to grow something new this year. Japanese custom on New Year's Eve, monks in traditional costumes count the last seconds of the old year with an hourglass and welcome the new year by honouring fresh green leaves on a bush. Japan, [1932]. I don't know about you, but I saw this picture and read the
These photos come from the public domain pool on Flickr. I share my favorites here, with you, for inspiration. Sunday is a day to relax. A day to ponder. A day to become inspired and excited for the week ahead. Enjoy. I think the photos of the rock is absolutely haunting. I love it.
A candle is a powerful thing. One that is lit can instantly turn a dinner party classy, or a table for two into something romantic. It can magnify the emotion in a room. For example, at a wake or a funeral, they signal that things are very sad. Candles evoke emotion. Candles are powerful. I am Jewish. I celebrate Shabbat nearly
We all have them right? Please say yes. Yesterday, I was extremely busy. It was one of those days where 'intensity' was the word of choice. I think I was steadily focused on things for 16 hours yesterday. Man, my eyes were exhausted and going to sleep was a chore; I was so wound up. So today, a day without any appointments and with a more
These photos come from the Public Domain pool on Flickr.com. I pulled some of them, the one's that struck me the most, for your viewing pleasure. These photos don't need words. Perfection? Inspiration? Or Both?
This year likely marks the only year that it was just the two of us; newlyweds having Thanksgiving dinner together. No one else but the two of us. Well, the beagles were there. It was magical. There is something special about spending a major holiday with just your spouse. It was so relaxing; so calm. The food was ready when it was ready. I
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. I am grateful for the friends I've made through Simplicity Embellished and I am so glad so many of you enjoy the content posted here. Have a wonderful day. Turn off your computers. Go outside and breathe deep. Spend it with loved ones (furry loved ones included!)
Grooming the paws of a beagle is not the most glamorous task I've ever encountered. In fact, the majority of things I do on a regular basis are much more glamorous. However, I appreciate beauty in my surroundings and hairy-toed beagles, while cute, just don't quite fit in. Both beagles have been sprouting more and more hair inbetween their toes
Have you ever taken up a hobby before? How about one where you produce items that you don't really need. Items that you would never go out to the store and buy. Items that don't really fit into your decor, yet you continue to make them? I give you Exhibit A. This is a bowl that I crocheted. Coins can fit inside. Maybe paperclips. Ok, and
The last warm day of the year is a wonderful day. But also a hard one. You know you won't feel that kind of warmth again for months. And you'll be the loser that gets excited about getting into your car in the middle of January because it happened to be a sunny day and your car is therefore slightly warm inside because it sits directly in
When I was out browsing antiques a few weeks ago, I stumbled upon this chest of drawers. At one point, it belonged to a store. A store that sold Absinthium. And Catheders. And Stove Polish. You know, the usual. Oh, and let's not forget about little Polly! Canary seed was also available. Absinthium is part of the Latin name
After spending two afternoons in Amish country in South Central Ohio in October, I learned a few things. First, the Amish are excellent at making money. They bring in dozens and dozens of 'Englishers' [what they call non-Amish folk] from hours away with the allure of 'Amish-made' baked goods and products. And we all come in. And we all
These photos were taken for a product catalog and I just had to share two of them. They just look cool. Both of these were not used in the final catalog, I think, but they were done for 'lifestyle' type images. Many of the beads were supposed to reflect the photographer. You can barely make out the photographer in the magnifying glass
October is my favorite month. It's a magical month. The weather is crisp, the sun is still around and the days have gotten just a little shorter allowing for maximum enjoyment of bonfires and hayrides. It's before the holiday season; before the constant hammering of holiday advertisements and sales. It's the month we retreat into our own little
I love this mug. It's just the right size; the right shape, the right weight and the rim is nearly perfect. Plus, it's on the bridge between gaudy and fabulous. I love how some of the colors aren't within the lines. I love how the paint is starting to come off in a few places. I love how this used to belong to my Grandmother. I love
We all know this, so I don't really have to say it. But I will. Beagles have a hard life. A hard life. Look at this. There is only one available sun spot. Luckily, it's on the love seat. But still, there's only one. They've managed to both squeeze in; and it appears only 1% of their bodies is in the shade. And look, they're so close
Our hands tell many stories. You'd be surprised at how many people don't want their hands photographed. They say 'no, they're ugly' or 'no, they look awful.' Why is this? I could understand if maybe I was like, 'Let me take a close up of your face with no makeup right after you wake up.' Then I can understand. In reality, our hands are in some
My husband is a gem. He actually designed my wedding band for me. I receive compliments on it all the time; especially when I'm out and about at places like the grocery store and out shopping. Here she is: The center is, in fact, a diamond. Except it's a brown diamond. Most people don't realize those even exist, but they most certainly
Beagles. I have two. It feels like I have 14 some days. Owning a beagle is not for the faint of heart. You will have things chewed up. You will endure periods of loud barking. You will be expected to focus solely on one beagle until they feel they have gotten enough attention (which could be just a few minutes, or a struggle over the course of an
Traveling in general causes many of us to exhibit certain behaviors. We are suddenly afraid of doorknobs. We might hold our wallets and purses much tighter than normal. We may become more cognizant of people we pass on the street. Traveling, especially for those of us that don't do it very often, can really put you on edge. Does this ring
I'm tired. Are you? And I know why; it happens every year about this time. Summer has faded into Autumn. My body is getting ready for longer nights, cooler temperatures and warmer clothes. My bones are looking forward to crisp air, long runs through falling autumn leaves, and going to bed a little earlier than normal. In summer, I tend
Animals have been a part of my life since I can remember. Let’s see, there’s Quillie, Elkie, Big Dude + Little Dude, lots of fish and a few snails, Belle, seamonkies, an ant farm, Duncan, Sophie, KoKo, Simon, Drennan, Dana, Ruby, Hairy and Shellie. Shellie died Sunday, August 30, 2009. It was unexpected and it still kind of stings
