Tracy Porter Blog… be inspired!

I can tell you that we love it here. That the view is incredible, yes…that way out yonder ….is the ocean….all that blue you see in the photo……she is so big and glorious, and I am in awe of her every time I look at her.……I can tell you that we still are not having any bugs come into the house , even though the doors and windows are open without screens all day (this may just never sink in…old dog…..you know). Oh, and….. Lizards are not coming in either, but the boys have caught 6 now…they catch and release…(my rules). I can tell you that the Lego’s are officially out of control in our home , from the garden to my office, there is no place you can go and not find them, or step on them. I can tell you I feel like we have lived here for years…how can that be? How can one feel that way somewhere so new to them….? I can tell you that discovering new things is great fun…..and I already knew that…but sometimes I will be driving by myself… down the 101 or a country road, good tunes on the radio..window down…… and I will just bust out with a big smile and say out loud …..I live in CALIFORNIA. Kind of a cool thing…well….really cool actually.

Cheers and New Adventures!!
xxx,
T.
Tracy Porter

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Labels: emotional surrender, more Tracy Porter, soulful nesting & decorating

~ Buy some lovely pastries because you needed that sweet fix and nearly fell to the floor when you saw them…little tiny scrumptious bites of heaven, coconut cream, banana cream, chocolate raspberry, key lime, fruit with vanilla cream….( biting my fist…..).and then take them outside to share with someone you love ……and then have a wee ( or possibly more) sip of wine…while the moon and stars are twinkling above you. Do you?

I surely hope so….life is fleeting…one must indulge….and enjoy every bite!

Cheers and luscious pastries!!
Xxx,
T.
Tracy Porter

Labels: eating & gathering, emotional surrender, more Tracy Porter

I found this quote quite some time ago. I keep it tucked under my wing, I loved it as I was packing boxes…I read on the plane ride out here , and I smile that I still have it…….a crumpled up little square piece of paper that is so lovely. I would pull it out and read it again and again. I know it in my heart to be true , and you have seen it in me…and on my sleeve. But sometimes a girl needs to see something in print to keep it on the brain….You have always been kind to share your own quotes and thoughts…I knew this one with resonate with many of you.

“ To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly”.

 

 

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Labels: emotional surrender, more Tracy Porter

My One and Only Thrill

Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul

I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You

Lay It Down

Any of these…or all of them…will thrill you. They will do that and allow you to slowly unwind into your evening or weekend….go barefoot….wander through the garden…daydream…..&…truly ……….enjoy the heat.

Cheers and Firefly Eves…
xxx,
T.
Tracy Porter

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Labels: books and such, emotional surrender, more Tracy Porter

A walk through the garden with Gus, a few nips of various flowers and greens, add to that…….Several huge squeeze-y tubes of cheap, colorful kid friendly washable paint……no rules…no worries of mess……just the freedom to go with it………and just like that…you have one very satisfied 4 year old child……that was able to explore nature, discover his own creativity….and feel free to be. Just like we all want…right!?
Give yourself the freedom…to explore & discover with no rules….and make your own inspiration…you never do know where it will lead you!!

Delicious……!!

This whole thing was Gus’ idea. He wanted to make a “nature painting”….and walked out to gather flowers that he liked……then he grabbed the paint bin, and just started squirting colors on the flowers……then after a while asked for a big paint brush…….It was fun to watch…..I kept my mouth closed, gave no direction….just smiled…..he knew just what he wanted and where he was going. What a wonderful gift!

Cheers and Happy discoveries!!!
xxx,
T.
Tracy Porter

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Labels: emotional surrender, more Tracy Porter, nature's inspirations, soulful nesting & decorating

I have a few vices ….and life is fleeting…….I believe with all my heart one must indulge…. my list goes like this…..

• Daily kisses and chatter from my family
• The occasional perfect French pastry ( I used to be very voracious in this department…it’s better I don’t live in Paris anymore)
• Tea…mornings and afternoons
• A VERY stiff drink, or luscious glass of wine (or two)
• Nature, I must be near nature’s bounty
• Candles
• Music that stirs me
• Books, my ultimate weakness
• Family photos
• Exhilarating succulent food
• Creating…… every day I have a need to create something on some level

What’s on your list…today.. and always…?

Kisses,

xoxo
T.
6RJS3ZWJWYMB

Labels: emotional surrender, more Tracy Porter

Freedom I tell you! This is all about freedom my loves! Living your life , just the way you see it…whatever that may be! Explore, indulge, push the limits…..find your inner bird….your guilty pleasure…..! Be a scavenger of goodness…a muse to yourself! Throw your hair up…some long earrings on…..a skirt that skims the floor….music that makes you remember. Be fearless….know you are alive and alluring……enchanting and spirited.

Peel minutes or more out of the day for you…..to awaken your untamed heart…to pamper your mind and spirit!…..

Allow your eye to wander the bountiful layers of life. Leopard….flocking and a bit of bold….…do carry on!!! Flowers on the table freshly cut from the field…..A place for everything or nothing at all.

Let the wax drip where it may….walk barefoot……write your song…….be your own beauty note.

Cheers and Love!!
xxx,
T.
Tracy Porter

Labels: emotional surrender, more Tracy Porter

Labels: emotional surrender, more Tracy Porter

I believe comfort is not a luxury….but more a necessity. Once one finds comfort in the many ways it is available…it is just easier to be true to you. At a certain point in life you come to realize that pain for beauty is just no good, no fun…not worth the time or money. ( mind you I have worn my fair share of pinchy shoes, and awkward clothing over the years ) But comfort… I always come back to it. Comfort is always in style because it’s a way of living …once you discover it, you will find yourself drawn to it in most of your life choices…big or small.

A few thoughts on discovering and embracing comfort…

• Experiment with fashion that feels right to you. It’s hard to ignore all the magazines and nonstop barrage of “what’s in and what’s out” , but once you find styles that feel right to you..it can be an incredibly freeing and comforting feeling.
• Find ways to get comfort into all aspects of your life, what you eat, what you read and watch, who you hang out with. All these things are choices, that can affect your life for the positive or negative.
• Seek out comfort in your surroundings…..make a list or a file of things you love, that you want in your world, in your home…and slowly find ways to move towards them. It is always easier to get to something once you have actually identified you want it.
• Color can be a great comfort. We all react very differently to color. Just because I adore a rich Asian red on the walls of my library doesn’t mean that you will find it as soothing and inviting…it takes some thought to find the colors and patterns that you are drawn to, again…try some tear sheets or books along these lines, to discover what you love.
• Comfort comes in all shapes and sizes….a small candle on your desk, a new pair of reading glasses that are practical and gorgeous, a purse that you adore, shoes that make you smile…..

Cheers and Happiness to You!!
xxx,
T.
Tracy Porter

Labels: emotional surrender, more Tracy Porter, smashing fashion & beauty, soulful nesting & decorating

A darling rusty vintage chair is a must in my garden….you know, for sitting and such…admiring your work, sipping a bit of lemonade or wine…..Also a basket, always a basket. If you’re off to collect the bounty of your effort, why not do it with pleasure. A lovely basket tucked under my arm or sitting on the chair slowly filling with flowers, herbs and veggies is just too good to behold!

I adore my greens…..the boxwoods, the veggies….the flowers in our garden. I am also quite passionate about adding a bit of additional inspiration to any garden I create. I have loads of photos to share as spring goes on…these are just a few thoughts to get all of us thinking. No matter the size of your garden or yard or lack of either…these ideas can be used on a porch, or patio with some potted plants or herbs. Gardening is as much a state of mind as anything. I have had years in my life when I have had to garden on a very small scale, you can do quite a lot with no space …just find little ways to infuse the enchanting detail of “the garden” and nature into your home…or around it……once you get started….it is addictive to be sure.

It took me years to discover garden fountains, not quite sure what the holdup was. But now….now …I am on the other side. Cannot imagine life without a fountain in any of my gardens. This is one of those little pleasures that until you experience it, you don’t really understand. The whole idea of fountains is enchanting. The trickling sound of water nearly puts me to sleep….it’s an entirely calming thing. I adore the way our fountains get all covered in green-goodness ( read; slime) when they are too clean and shiny…they just don’t feel quite as “ gardeny” for my liking. They come in a trillion sizes……definitely a marvelous addition.

A toad house. While this photo is actually a bird house, we ( the boys) decided we needed a toad house, so we ripped the bottom off of this bird house and propped it up on some old bricks. Toads love our garden…and we….think toads are quite lovely little creatures. We invite them to sup anytime they wish to join us.

See how lovely all these elements are together. Like I said this is just a taste, don’t get me started on garden statuary. That’ll be next time.

Cheers, pea-gravel…and Bountiful Musings!!
xxx,
T.
Tracy Porter

Labels: emotional surrender, more Tracy Porter, nature's inspirations, soulful nesting & decorating

Me and my sister-in-love Tara..loving Paris!!

It’s a good thought eh?…What would you say? I simply must know….no matter who you are or what your age…what would you say to your younger self? As for me…I will share a few of the things I would say to the younger me….(and I will continue to say to myself as I age…gracefully!)

• Be True…to yourself, always…everyday..with every decision you make.
• Explore….and continue to explore, the world…your backyard….yourself.
• Know you will evolve…in so many ways, embrace all of them.
• Embrace change….for it’s a comin’….like it or not….in all sorts of ways.
• Share…as much of yourself as you can…
• Say no…when you need to.
• Don’t make decisions based on flattery.
• LOVE…and know that it too will come in many forms.
• BREATHE…..sometimes you just have to take a moment and breathe.
• Know that “failures” are little steps toward your goals.
• Find a friend that will be there for it…… ALL.
• Give yourself credit, and know that that alone is enough.
• Know that everyone is not looking at everything you do.
• Take pleasure in the little things.
• “Firsts” are very special in every way…and they only happen once. Be awake for them.
• Listen.
• Be thoughtful to anyone you meet , no matter what they do or who you think they are.
• Be gracious.
• Everyday…eat well, move your body, do something with your brain.
• Know that things don’t always “come to you” just because you want them or are ready for them.
• Be humble.
• Find ways to inspire others and it will come full circle.
• You will be ok.
• Make life leaps…they can be scary…but they can be really , really fun and fulfilling too!
• Keep your mind open to other people’s ideas.
• Be willing to look inside and figure who you are and who you want to keep growing into.

OK…I know, my list is long, and yet…oddly I could go on and on with this one. I will…I’ll share it with you at another time.
Please share yours with me, with all of us…..I know I have more to learn from you….

Cheers …to Infinity and Beyond!!!
xxx,
T.
Tracy Porter

Labels: emotional surrender, ideas, more Tracy Porter

Well…I just had to share…the ducks are on the move!! ….Back to the pond…..and I am over the moon excited to see them there!! The water has opened up sufficiently to give them the room to swim and be all ducky again! They are so happy….running over to the pond, several times a day and night……doing all they can to avoid the boys who are now on skateboards and bikes nonstop…it’s a near traffic jam every eve in our driveway…but I am delighted to report that the boys and ducks are all fully engaged in springtime folly!! …as for me…I am back to wandering the yard in the evening ( wee glass of wine in hand)…walking the gardens peeking for signs of goodness! One eye on the boys, one eye on the ducks…Gus trotting along beside me. All is well when the sun is shining and the birds are singing! I will be out this weekend, camera in hand spying more goodness to share with you soon….ahhh….I just know that delicious wormy smell of the earth is around the corner!!!!

Cheers and Luscious Earthy-wormy smells to you!!
xxx
T.
Tracy Porter

Labels: emotional surrender, more Tracy Porter, nature's inspirations

Winter in Wisconsin when it’s 3 degrees outside means mischievous boys inside. I do so love my boys. I love them to pieces…I love how they are spicy…I love how they are silly…I love how they are on top of each other like a little pack of puppies…scratching, and wrestling and climbing…..laughing , yelling…howling at each other. Their noise and racket and raucous ways keep our home alive…and as for me….they keep a smile on my face.

Kisses..xxx
T.
Tracy Porter

Note that Fin is trying to tie a string around Max’s legs….they are poetry in motion.

…and yet, calm…and sweet …oh, Max. I want to lick his freckles. I love freckles….and yes, they should have a taste…say coffee ice cream-ish…

….ahh, but then the storm arises….arrrrghhhh matey!

Human Bridge. All chiropractors just move onto the next photo, as surely you are cringing. My boys could not wait to show me this circus trick, and they dearly wanted it documented so they could see it again and again. Well, at least it wasn’t on the roof….yet.

Awww…they really can be angels. Correction…they ARE angels. Gus can always melt….just about anyone or anything.

Look mom, our bunk beds are as good as the “climber thingy” in the backyard, except that thing is covered in ice and two feet of snow. Thanks Sig….for clearing that up.

…and they adore the boxwood kitties. December and Fin sleep side by side every night…until December bites his toes. Maybe he likes the smell of them…just a thought.

Labels: emotional surrender, more Tracy Porter

Loves…..I chatted with you on my radio show recently about Being Courageous and Gutsy this year…..well….We we decided to make you a lovely artful gem!! Something to print out for yourself, or forward onto your friends…do what you will, print it on card stock or vellum…glitter it or not…frame it or not…..enjoy it …..but more than anything be Courageous and Gutsy!!

Cheers and Happy Daydreams!!!
Xxx,
T.
Tracy Porter

Labels: be extraordinary, emotional surrender, ideas, more Tracy Porter

I adore Brazilian music. This Elis and Tom CD is my all time favorite..hands down, no question. It was made in 1974 ….it is brilliant, sexy, cool…… Makes me want to dance around my house with a little colorful apron on cooking up something delicious on the stove…makes me want to drape bolts of fabric in brilliant hues of rose infused garnet  alongside tangerine and metallic gold. Makes me want to kiss my prince ‘till our lips burn off…..makes me want to fix myself a cold caipirinha and let the evening take care of itself….full sink of dishes and all.
Maybe it’s these cold Brazilian ( I mean Wisconsin) winters…but sometimes you just need to shake it up with some heat.

Cheers and Vibrant Dancing…

xxx,

T.

Tracy porter

p.s. yes, you can of course do a pitcher of these ( I’ll let you do the simple math)….beware my loves…..lock the doors. xoxo

Labels: books and such, emotional surrender, more Tracy Porter