bspoke

The internet is a big place. Sometimes it’s easy to feel lost in the ether, even as a blogger. In our own ways, I think many of us are attempting to create a village here, trying to fight the overwhelming impersonality of the online world, and make a warm, friendly place where we can meet together and just be friends. Today on b*spoke, it’s all about just that. I wish I could literally open my front door, and invite all of you in, so that we could sit down for coffee or tea or whatever your beverage of choice is, and get to know each other. In the world of the interwebz, it’s not quite that easy. However, I know that many of you have blogs of your own, or some sort of online presence, be it a shop or website or even a Twitter feed. What I’m wondering, today, is if we can be neighbors in this online world? Today is your day to pipe up, even if you haven’t ever commented before. Leave a link, and I promise that I’ll drop by for a visit.

comment

I should mention, that one of my favorite aspects of visiting the shore is just spending time down by the lake. Simple, clean, and pure–I just love this pastime. I could lay on the sun-warmed beach collecting stones and searching for agates for hours. I also happen to enjoy skipping rocks. Finding the perfect “skippers” is all part of the fun. I gather an arsenal and then get ready to fire ‘em off. Now, I am not a good rock-skipper. My husband, on the other hand, is a pro. He could skip a rough, misshapen, softball-sized rock clear across the lake. Give me a perfect, lake-smoothed stone, and I bend down in the awkward sideways squat, tossing it vigorously towards the water and maybe, maybe, if I’m lucky, I get two pathetic skips out of it before it sinks. My inability doesn’t dampen my enthusiasm, however, and on this particular trip, I enjoyed both the search and the skipping.

The rest of my time on the north shore was spent browsing the quaint shops of Grand Marais, lingering over coffee, and sitting on the stoney beach with a good book. I found myself soaking up the last hours of vacation, yet looking forward with anticipation towards what was around the bend. My week away was much needed. It gave me a rare opportunity to zoom out, and look at my life from a different angle. I had time to think, ponder and plan.

This first week of working from home has been full of new experiences, trial and error, lots of learning, and an attempt to organize, focus and find balance within my days. I’ve found a basic routine that seems to work, and have been busy with projects and planning. I absolutely love the freedom and flexibility that I have now. Making my own schedule, working towards my goals, and pursuing my passion is energizing and fulfilling. I have my moments of doubt, wondering what the heck I’m doing and how I’m going to make it happen. Yet, at the end of the day, I’m confident that this is the right path. I know I can it work really shine.

I have so many things I want to share with you over the next weeks and months. I’m going to be updating and revamping a few things on the blog, as well as on Emmy Lu. I’ll be adding a website (or two), so stay tuned for details on my other projects. Thanks for joining me on the journey and for putting up with the rambles. This blog started out as a tool to market the business, but has grown into so much more for me. The focus has changed, as I have changed, and what I have here now is an outlet for my thoughts, ideas, experiences and musings. Yet it wouldn’t be the same without you, oh reader. So thanks again.

And, for the sake of housekeeping, a couple more things checked off the old bucket list of summer.

skip stones on a beach on the north shore

spend at least a full week up north

comment

There is something about watching the sunrise that makes me feel like I am living on the edge of the world. I feel adventurous and daring and invigroated and in awe, all at once. Last week we camped just a few steps from the shores of Lake Superior. My mom and I awoke at around 5 a.m. to go watch the sun makes its entrance. We sat and listened to the waves on the rocks, and waited. The sky was a hazy gray with hints of color on the eastern edge. A birds flew overhead, and the moon steadily made its decent towards the west. Slowly, the clouds became drenched in color, changing from dull hues to vibrant, shocking tones of yellow and orange. Just then, a tiny sliver of piercing light became visible above the horizon. The sky changed again, as the sun rose rose higher. The world was bathed in a soft, warm and delicious light. It was a beautiful morning, and it made me wish that I would make more of an effort to enjoy the pure, simple and lovely elements of creation that surround me daily. This verse echoed in my mind then, and now as I look back over these pictures. “From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’s name is to be praised.” Psalm 113:3

watch the sunrise

p.s. Picture overload, I know. I just couldn’t stop. Forgive me.

comment

I’m home again, back from vacation and ready to start something new. It’s definitely strange sitting in my home office on this Monday morning. This change in routine feels like wearing someone else’s shoes. I don’t think I’m far enough into this journey to make any wise observations or give any telling remarks. I can only say that, while it seems completely surreal and a bit odd, it is even more thrilling and energizing. Today I will be tackling emails and catching up on orders and invoices after my week of vacation. I plan to spend the afternoon goal-setting. As I gain my bearings, I will share more of the details of this whole experience with you. If nothing else, I hope that I can inspire you to define your dreams and take steps to chase after them.

The rest of my vacation was great. I checked off a few more bucket list items, and enjoyed getting away to the north shore with my parents. More trip photos will be coming soon!

comment