Rural Simplicity

How do they do it? How do artists, authors, and creative people keep the juices flowing? Where do they keep coming up with so many good ideas? That blank white canvas can be so overwhelming! Stay tuned for 10 ways you can keep the creativity flowing. What? You said you're not creative so why keep reading? Do you ever write e-mails, plan a small birthday party, have dinner guests, plant flowers, go on a road trip, or teach? Okay good,stay tuned... 10 Ways to Boost Creativity 1) Don't stress out       Stress is the number one killer of creativity. Just about every project is going to have a deadline of some sort so the potential of stress is always there. If pressure helps you finish a project that doesn't mean this is an irrelevant point, stress and pressure are two different things. You can use pressure to your advantage, but don't assume that you must work under pressure to get good results. 2) Take long walks outside      There are two greats points

I seem to be drawn to 'book series' as of late. Here is a short list of recent reads and one recent rediscovery! I have read or listened (audio books) to all of these from the library and have no suitable pictures to share. So bear with me and the stock photos I found. The Wingfeather Saga   I am about forty minutes away from finishing this series. The audio books are delightful. The last two books are read by the author Andrew Peterson himself. Visit his website here and learn more about his music, books, and the Rabbit room.  A bit of back story, I don't read fantasy books, they are not my thing at all. I love real life, biographies, history, and the like. But after listening to multiple podcast episodes from the Read Aloud Revival (I highly recommend this podcast and website!!) with Sarah and her guests gushing about it, and two long holiday trips I figured I'd give it a try if I could find the audio books.  I did, and there is no turning b

Listed below or 54 questions to use at a party. Write them on a ball, or print them in strips and place in a basket, or go straight down the list. These simple games are a way to get people to know each other, start conversations, and who knows maybe find a best friend! 1) What is your favorite Winter activity? 2) What are your favorite sounds? 3) What's your worst example of procrastination? 4) What outdoor activity haven't you tried, but would like to? 5) What was the last photo you took? 6) Where do you get most of the decorations for your home? 7) Name one thing on your bucket list. 8) Are you a morning or night person? 9) What's the strangest thing you've ever eaten? 10) What is your favorite movie? 11) What is your favorite sport to play? 12) What is your favorite summer activity? 13) What is your favorite way to waste time? 14) How many places did you live growing up? 15) What is one of your favorite things to do in {your hometown}? 16) Do yo

I feel like photography is everyone's side hobby now days, but with such good cameras on our smart phones it's hard to not fall in love with it. I decided to join a small group of friends on Facebook this year who were doing - a photo a week challenge. We call it Clickin' Through 2018.  Here is the layout...  About once a month I will post my photos from the weeks before. If you want to join me, feel free to post your photos in the comments. Week 1 - Resolution  I made some pretty vague resolutions this year, and was in general not quite on top of my new year beginning. I listed nine things to work on and have found myself leaning heavily toward the item labeled - 1.  The very first thing I wrote down has become my beacon.  1. Enjoy doing the little things.  The picture portrays some of the other things I had written down.  Read more Weigh less Make healthier meal choices Week 2 - Cold Thankfully we have had some beautiful frigid temperat