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did you miss so many friends during pandemic like i did? i found my heart swelling with gratitude for all the dear friends who made a positive impact in my life and so many others. i started sharing about these amazing women who i call “SWEETladies”. ondalynn lewis vance is one of those extra special friends who made my college years so bright, fun & enriching. hear about some of our many adventures together and some of the incredible lessons i learned being her friend. love you ondy!!! 

in our personal lives, as well as in our careers, it’s easy for many of us “people pleasers” lol to feel that happiness & success only come from giving our all and even more often -- way more than what is expected or anticipated. don’t get me wrong, it served me well in so many situations -- but the expectations started to weigh on me and the only way i could feel less anxiety, depression & stress was for me to let go of it all, reevaluate, and make a new plan. let’s look at 5 examples of how the principle of under promise & overdeliver can make a great difference in our lives and the lives of those we love and associate with along our journey.

several years ago, marissa & heather combined forces to support mother artists & create a much-needed community on instagram. artists themselves, they were learning how to set aside tradition or opinions of others, and go after their own creative pursuits while being working mothers. soo many conversations and uplifting love shared between creative caregivers, artist takeovers, interviews, and hashtag challenges. (they even created a global directory on their website: carveouttimeforart.com) last year, their book, the motherhood of art hit bookshelves, continuing the support and conversation. most recently, they have started a patreon podcast called the creative instigators! enjoy this extra sweet conversation full of all the raw realness of mother artists, art journeys, boundaries, knowing yourself, an important litmus question, prioritizing, furthering your art through education, goals, passions, going for it...thunderstorms...and so much more. enjoy, enjoy! (make sure to enter the giveaway)

sharing twelve happy thoughts that have been lifting my spirits these past few months. also, info about my latest framed mini circle collection. you can make suggestions of colors or subjects you’d like to see in my series, or better yet: collaborate with me to create your own custom circle mini.

have you read blackmoore or edenbrooke?! whether you have, or will want to very soon, this episode is sure to bring back wanderlust as award-winning author julianne donaldson takes you through her process writing the novels & traveling for her research. she has a brand new book, “come, sweet day”, out that is so different from her romance novels and ever so timely -- julianne used her gift over the last few years in new ways to help she and her kids get through some incredibly hard times together. the result from this labor is a beyond-beautiful collection of short stories and poems that effortlessly flow together, gently offering hope and comfort at a time when many of us need just that. sections include: my wilderness, grace, light, home, & mercy. julianne reads a couple pieces during our interview...oh they are wonderful! one that i absolutely love is on pages 80 & 81: all about the journey to our own promised land. on pages 42 & 43 is another i adore about winter, birds, and hope...it’s lovely. keep an eye out for julianne’s 6 week creative writing course coming in the fall, as well as her regency retreat in september that will be a weekend to never forget as you step back in time and join the pages of julianne’s romance novels...it’s going to be unforgettable!

do you ever stress about your time usage and just plain feeling overwhelmed? maybe you’ve even considered giving up on your passion because life is just so heavy?! but then you realize that you won’t find happiness if you quit. you know deep inside that you have a superpower --- something that you can give to others...a very simple or specific way to bring light or beauty or love, support and kindness. well we need you! Here are some ideas that have helped me and i hope that your heart will tell you even more ideas as you listen.

my mother’s day collection at la petite maison antiques in draper utah is available! 8 pieces, some hummingbirds and fairy wren to represent mothering our small flocks, also some florals that will never wilt and local mapstacts to mark special spots. named after favorite french songs and singers...a couple from enzo enzo’s album about a mother’s songs. (“chansons d’une maman”)