Music, Cleaning and Order starts my slow living

1. Listen to music. Our TV comes on for special events only! Briefly, each morning, Mike watches the news. We both watch the OKC Thunder during basketball season and golf during special tours. Mike watches football. In the evenings, we watch a Netflix series. Otherwise, we listen to Pandora on Amazon Alexa. 

2. Clean something. We live in a large home and there’s always something to clean. Our home has no carpet, so cleaning floors is a quick vacuum. Otherwise, I do a weekly clean in an area. I’ve divided the home into 8 areas and rotate each week. If you need to clean mirrors or windows, check out my window cleaning tools I use.

3. Have a place for everything. I admit, this one gives me trouble at times. I will put something down because one of the dogs needs to go out and then can’t remember where it is or what I was doing. Lol.  

Walks, Crafts and Meals

4. Take walks. We walk everyday around the edge of our property. Four times around is a mile walk. Yes, in spring and summer I will walk barefoot! Somedays, we walk our neighborhood and at times even walk to our sweet downtown with cute little shops. Once we walked to the Poncan Theatre which is an historic theatre which open in 1927. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places. There are movies shown and varies plays preformed on the stage.  

5. I have a wonderful craft room upstairs. But, I keep a wood box downstairs filled with watercolor supplies. When I want to get creative during say, football, I have everything to make mixed media cards. 

6. Plan seven days of meals. Then create a shopping list for the weekly meals. Another one that I’m not great at accomplishing! Those weeks that I do a little planning are much more relaxing. 

Sounds, Outside and Rearranging

7. Add a fan. We brought beautiful free standing fans for our den and our bedroom that oscillate. The sound of a fan is so peaceful and calming. 

8. Spend time outside your home each day. Sit on the front porch. Play dominos on a table on the back porch. (Mike and I do this almost everyday)

9. Rearrange small items around your home. It’s an easy and quick way to refresh the look of each room. I use a basket and collect little houses that I’ve made over the years, vases with real or fake flowers, and other collectables. Then redistribute them in other rooms. Then gather items from that room to display in the next room. Pillows and throws are moved around rooms too.

Keep the task slow and thoughtful as you gather and rearrange items.

Let me know what slow living activities you do around your home in comments below.

Cozy things to do in Spring

1. Make a simple floral arrangement. Gather flowers from your garden or even group a collection of greens into a small vase.
2. Slow Stitching.
3. Use old book pages for watercolor paper.
4. Turn on mood lighting.
5. Listen to your favorite tunes on Alexa. Mike and I listen to music all day, only turning on the TV in the evenings.
6. Start a journal.
7. Switch decor objects from one room to another.

Cozy things to do in Summer

1. Enjoy your morning coffee outside.
2. Pick up your phone to call a friend or relative.
3. Play your favorite board games. Mike and I play a round of dominos every morning.
4. Light a candle in your favorite fragrance. I tend to forget things so we use candle warmers with timers.
5. Crochet, knit. sew or do slow stitching.
6. Switch decor objects from one room to another.
7. Listen to your favorite music on Alexa. If you’re alone…sing along as loud as you wish.
8. Teach your pet a new trick. Above are our dogs, Emily and Otis. They seem to be doing the only trick they know, looking for something to eat on the ground. But we love them, dearly!
9. Spend time outside watching nature.

Cozy things to do in Autumn

1. Take a walk outside or down your street.
2. Clean out that cabinet or closet that’s driving you crazy, we all have at least one!
3. Write a handwritten letter to a dear friend or relative.
4. Light a candle in your favorite fragrance. I tend to forget things so we use candle warmers with timers.
5. Make a list of birth dates of everyone you cherish.
6. Meditate.
7. Read a library book.

Cozy things to do in Winter

1. Go through your junk drawer. Not to clear it out but to enjoy the junk that’s special enough to save in a drawer.
2. Flip through your favorite photo albums.
3. Make a cup of tea using a whistling tea kettle.
4. Create homemade cards for your cherish friends and family’s birthdays.
5. Clean out that cabinet or closet that’s driving you crazy, we all have at least one!
6. Write a handwritten letter to a dear friend or relative.
7. Create chunky candles using inexpensive battery candles.

Home should always be your cozy place where you can be yourself. The place where you experiment with decor, activities, and share honest open feelings.

Let me know in comments what activities you enjoy when you put the phone down. 

Charcuterie boards are all the rage on lately. You can find tons of inspiration on Pinterest. I gathered several ideas and changed them up to fit the charm of a little cabin in the woods. Plus something that the kids would find magical.

The base is a square cutting board with a large handle. So the layout was basic. Placing items in the four corners and piling towards the center.

I started with a gram cracker square held together with stiff frosting. I made my frosting using powdered suger, water and a drop or two of vanilla.

I added the frosting into a small zip lock bag. Sealed the bag the snipped a small hole in one bottom corner. This make a pastry bag that’s always been easier for me the handle.

Using a serrate knife, I cut the gram crackers instead of breaking them. Breaking them didn’t always make a straight cut. I made 4 squares and made a box. Then add two longer pieces for the roof.

Next, comes more detail, or snow! Then I cut more gram crackers to make a chimney. Lots of frosting covers the chimney and chopped almonds were placed into the frosting. Great idea for a stone chimney.

The door was simply pretzel sticks, and I added broken rolled cookies as logs.

The thatch roof is all bran type cereal.

Above the fire pit is made using red peanut patties, my favorite candy, broken into small pieces. Then I added a few logs and pretzel sticks using frosting “glue” to hold things in place. I was told the fire was yummy.

I started piling up candy and cookies to make a candy hill.

Next things got whacky! I had made blue jello several days before. I added a small amount to the plastic dish to set up in the fridge. When I was ready for the “pond” I add a little warm water to a bowl and placed the pond in to loosen the jello. It wouldn’t loosen! I tried again. Still no luck! I tried again pushing the smaller bowl of jello into the warm water. I pushed a bit too hard and the water came up over the jello!

Then I poured off the water. Dug my hands into the jello and lifted the pond from the container. The water made the jello very slippery. It almost landed on the floor! A bit more stiff frosting around the pond held it in place.

In Oklahoma, it’s a swimming hole!

The only thing that would make creating this charcuterie board more fun is if I would have created it with the help of a few kids!

But I know a few kids that will enjoy it over Thanksgiving.

This project is a Pinterest inspiration project. Pinterest is my happy, positive, and uplifting place on the internet.

Around 95% of the items in my winter cabinet display came from a thrift store! There’s a crystal bowl give as a gift and the silver dome butter dish came from a home store in Arizona. Everything else was collected from thrift stores and funky antique shops.

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Key Elements of my Winter Luxe Aesthetic

Gather your winter luxe aesthetic items.

Look for your layer of chunky knit, cashmere or wool scarves pieces with textue.

Collect long pearls, gold chains, silver strains. 

Neutral and Earthy Tones

• Stick to a palette of cream, soft beige, and vintage whites.

• Add the pops of gold or metallic details for a luxe feel.

• Inclued touches of glass for sparkle.

• Use silver and gold candlesticks and or a chunky holder.

Add Lighting

• Gather vintage holiday lighting or soft lighting.

• Grab your favorite candles, I used battery candle with a DIY chunkiness added. 

• Add thrifted statement pieces like a brooch or a chunky gold necklace to add sparkle.

• Grab little balloon lights. These are my new favorite.

• Look for vintage glassware to hold candles, lighting, or to weigh down chunky knits in place.

Jewels

• Collect long pearls, gold chains, silver strains to drape over everything. 

• Use shorter necklaces to wrap around candlestick bases and around bowls.

• Textures in Homey Layers (if creating a matching interior vibe)

If your display is larger, think about adding thrifted wool blankets, velvet pillows, or vintage photos. My next luse aesthetic display might be the whole room!

But, I’m not into dusting, so maybe I’ll keep everything contained in the cabinet.

Thank you for reading along with my winter luxe aesthetic in the cabinet! Can you tell I love thrift store shopping?

This cabinet is one of my favorite areas to decorate. Mike and I found it in a rustic shop in Scottsdale about 20 years ago.

JEANETTE CHANEY

Jeanette is a DIY home decor designer, and believer in mindful creativity. Her inspiration is to help women find their creativity. Alzheimer’s is common in her family, mindfulness and living a calm life is paramount. Creativity grows when we gather. 

I don’t know about you, but this time of year gets hectic around our home. Raise your hand if your home is the same chaotic mess during the holidays.

I pickes these wreaths because they are either super easy and quick to make, or perfect to make while watching Hallmark Christmas movies.

So, let’s get started with the easiest and end with the one that requires a bit more time. -Watch two movies while make it!

5 Easy DIY Christmas Wreaths

The Hoop Wreath

The hoop wteaths are so easy to make. The three above took about 2 minutes to make each one. I made them for spring, but replace the greens for Christmas holly and you’re ready to hang.

See the full tutorial on the orginial post here.

The White Dollar Store Wreath

This winter white wreath is perfect for Chirstmas time too. Replace the bow with jingle bells hanging from a red ribbon and it’s ready for Santa.

Check out the dollar store item I used to make the white wreath here.

Wrapped Wire Frame Wreath

Say that three times.

This wreath is easy, but it will take one Hallmark movie to finish. Simple grab a wire wreath frame and start wrapping and weaving cording, rope, chunky yarn and clothesline cord from the dollar store. Perfect movie watching activity.

Learm more about the wire wrapped wreath here.

Classic Green Wreath

This classic green wreath requires hot glue, so watch your movie and your fingers at the same time! The post is about how to make a wreath. But it’s perfect for the holidays, don’t you think?

See the how-to for this wreath here.

My Favorite Wreath

This wreath might take you a day of Hallmark movies, but it’s completely worth the time and the romance. I have never packed this wreath away. It always hangs somewhere in our home. Right now it’s hanging in my studio landing to my office and craft studio.

See how to make this awesome wreath here.

Let me know your favorite wreath in comments below. Thank you for reading and creating along with me.

JEANETTE CHANEY

Jeanette is a blogger, DIY home decor designer, and believer in mindful creativity. Her inspiration is to help women find their creativity. Alzheimer’s is common in her family, mindfulness and living a calm life is paramount. Creativity grows when we gather. 

Are holiday activities span over several days. We finish our shopping several days before Christmas. That way we can relax and enjoy a peaceful holiday. No hussle and bussle around our home. 

Here are some cozy, fun, and creative ideas for spending the holidays at home:

Decorate with homemade items

Decorate with homemade items. My favorite decor one year was little Otis falling fast asleep under the tree. I adore this picture so much it’s my photo on my watch. Plus, I made an ornament with a print of the picture. 

Set up and decorate a holiday tree with homemade ornaments. I have a good mix of handmade, old family ornaments and new. 

Create a rustic wreath

Create a wreath with pinecones, ribbons, and other natural decorations. You can keep it simple by add the elements to a simple green wreath. 

Make DIY decorations, like snowflake cutouts or garlands, for windows and doors. Or try hot gluing dollar store snowflakes on your glass door or windows!

Make handmade cards and gifts

Make handmade cards to send to family and friends. I’m planning to add little pieces of artwork in the cards.

Frame your art to give as gifts. Make handmade ornaments to gift to teachers, neighbers and family.

Holiday-Themed Crafting

Make homemade holiday cards for family, friends, or local nursing homes.

Create DIY ornaments using supplies around the house or from nature.

Try candle-making or soap-making as a fun and easy way to make holiday gifts.

Enjoy the crisp winter air

If possible in your area, make a fire outside or in your fireplace to roast marshmallows. 

Share favorite holiday memories from your family.

Read holiday books aloud or create a round-robin story where everyone adds a new sentence.

More calm holiday activities

Make homemade hot cocoa with toppings like marshmallows, whipped cream, and peppermint bits.

Take a walk around your neighborhood, around your yard or through your downtown shops. Perfect time to find those last minute gifts. 

Pick holiday movies and create a cozy setup on your back porch with blankets and pillows.

Wear you favorite holiday pajamas. Set up a hot cocoa bar with toppings like marshmallows, whipped cream, and peppermint bits.

Host a Holiday Game Night

Play holiday-themed games like holiday charades, trivia, or Pictionary.

Try board games or card games together, with a holiday twist or festive prizes.

Have a “Giving Back” Day

Bake cookies to deliver to neighbers or plan a cookie exchange

Make care packages for local shelters or donate supplies to a food pantry.

Write thank-you notes to community helpers (postal workers, teachers, etc.).

Host a Holiday-Themed Scavenger Hunt

Create a holiday scavenger hunt with clues around the house.

Make it a photo hunt where you need to capture specific holiday items or decorations.

Plan a Virtual Family Get-Together

Host a virtual dinner or dessert with extended family, sharing holiday traditions.

Play virtual games or have a holiday trivia contest over a video call.

Create a Time Capsule

Have everyone write down favorite memories, take photos, or add mementos to a time capsule.

Seal it up and decide when you’ll open it again, like on a future holiday.

Try a New Holiday Tradition

Experiment with a new recipe. Or research and try a holiday tradition from another culture. Learn what other home for the holidays traditions there are from your family heritage.

Plan a family talent show to showcase everyone’s skills in a fun and casual way.

Home for the Holidays

Staying home for the holidays can be festive and meaningful. Especially when you’re together and making memories. Yes, the home in the photo above is our home in Oklahoma.

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Are you ready to unlock your inner architect? I have a video sharing how to cut and assemble the pieces. adding detailed decorations, and displaying your completed masterpiece. Get ready to unleash your creativity with these little paper houses. Plus, there are two sizes to pick from.

Choosing the right printable template

The first printable house I created was the larger one shown above. I do suggest trying the larger house first. But I had a need to create smaller houses for a modern Christmas display. Simple and very easy to create.

Cutting and assembling the pieces

To bring your paper house to life, it’s time to start cutting and assembling the pieces. Begin by cutting along the solid lines of the template. making sure to follow the outlines. You can take your time with this step to ensure accuracy in the assembly process. I don’t take my time and mine still work out fine. If you wish you can add details like doors and windows or roof tiles if you wish. Or wait until you have folded your house. I’ve done both ways. I tend to leave my houses basic 

Next fold along the lines to create crisp and smooth edges. I use this cutter to cut the larger areas and to make fold lines. This makes a crisp fold easy!

Using different papers for added decorations

You can use scrapbook papers or other card stock. I adore the scrapbook floral house. Try any paper that goes through your printer. No printer? Any copy store can help you. I bought this printer recently and adore it!

Displaying your completed paper house

It’s time to think about how you will display your completed creation. You can place it on a shelf or use it as a centerpiece on a table. They are adorable on tiered trays. Or create a miniature neighborhood with other paper houses! Share your paper house with others and let your creativity shine. They are cute as “gift tags” or tucked into stockings at Christmas.

Above I turned a thrift store frame into a Christmas tree using the smaller houses. I want to keep mine white. But you could add little windows, doors and even draw a wreath on the door. What fun to let the kiddeos color their own little houses!

Tips for creating your own unique designs

Add glitter, metallic accents, or tiny embellishments like miniature flowers or decorative trims. By adding your own personal touch to each house, you can make your paper house a masterpiece. Remember, the only limit is your creativity. Happy crafting!

Grab your printable here for the large and small houses. Plus you’ll sign up for your DIY HelpLetter! The letter is sent to your email MOST Thursdays, filled with craft ideas, other popular printables, tips and tricks for crafting and decorating. Plus some behind the scenes happenings and mishaps!!! There are mishaps in creating!

Easy tip to hang lightweight frames

The steps for attaching tab to frame

Pull the tab from your favorite soda can.

Get your hot glue gun warmed up. While it’s warming up, find the center of your frame. It’s important to find the center so your frame hangs straight. Then hot glue the tab to your frame. You can place the tab above the edge or place the tab along the bottom and use the bottom hole in the tab to place your nail.

The first time I encountered bilateral drawing I was about 9 years old. During one of our yearly family vacation trips to Oklahoma to visit family my uncle Terry showed me a trick. He could write his name using both hands at the same time. His left hand followed what his right hand did on the paper only backwards. It facinated me.

When we returned home to Arizona, I decided to try it myself. Come to find out, it wasn’t hard for me to do. Over the years, I would share my “party” trick. I’ve shared it twice on Facebook. I also learned my uncle Terry is left handed like I am. Being left handed doesn’t make a difference to anyone’s ability to master writing your name bilaterally.

Then Alzheimer’s grew fast within our family. I lost my mom and a dear aunt within a few months of each other. The art of mindfulness to maintain a healthy brain and nervous system is critical. More on the nervous system in the future. 

Creating art with both hands is a fascinating way to engage both hemispheres of the brain at the same time. It is often referred to as ambidextrous or bilateral drawing. This practice involves using both hands to draw or paint. It often results in symmetrical or complementary images. It is though to enhance creativity, improve coordination, and stimulate brain activity.

Here are a few benefits and tips for creating art with both hands:

Tips for Getting Started with your Bilaterial Drawing Exercises

1. Start Simple: Begin with simple shapes or patterns. Simple will help you get comfortable using both hands at the same time.

2. Use Mirrors: Drawing with mirrors can help in creating symmetrical designs.  

3. Practice: Like any skill, regular practice can improve your ambidextrous abilities.

4. Experiment with Mediums: Try different mediums. Try pencils, paints, or digital tools to see what feels most natural.

5. Stay Patient: It might feel awkward at first. But patience and persistence will lead to improvement.

Types of Bilateral Drawing Exercises

Mirror Drawing 

Draw a line or shape with one hand and try to mirror it with the other hand at the same time.

The Purpose: Create symmetrical drawings by using both hands at the same time. 

– Materials: Two pencils or two pens and paper.

– Instructions:

  1. Place a sheet of paper in front of you.

  2. Hold a pencil in each hand.

  3. Start by drawing a simple vertical line with both hands, ensuring they move in sync.

  4. Progress to more complex shapes, like circles and triangles.

  5. As you become comfortable, try drawing intricate designs. Things like symmetrical patterns or mandalas.

Note: I have not tried the drawing exercises below…yet! I will update as I experment with the other drawing ideas.

Pattern Repetition 

Create repetitive patterns that you use both hands to work together.

The Purpose: Improve coordination by drawing different patterns with each hand.

– Materials: Two pencils or pens, paper.

– Instructions:

  1. Start with a simple pattern, such as zigzags or wavy lines.

  2. Draw the pattern with one hand.

  3. Simultaneously draw a different pattern with the other hand, like dots or spirals.

  4. Try to maintain the rhythm and coordination between both hands.

Dual Tasking 

Engage in a different activity with each hand. Such as drawing a circle with one hand and a square with the other.

Two-Handed Coloring

The Purpose: Enhance fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

– Materials: Coloring book or blank paper, colored pencils or crayons.

– Instructions:

  1. Choose a coloring book with symmetrical designs or draw your own symmetrical shapes.

  2. Use a different colored pencil in each hand.

  3. Color the shapes together, ensuring each hand stays within the lines.

  4. Experiment with shading and blending colors using both hands.

Ambidextrous Doodling

The Purpose: Foster creativity and spontaneous drawing skills.

– Materials: Paper, pens or markers.

– Instructions:

  1. Set a timer for 5-10 minutes.

  2. Doodle freely with both hands at the same time.

  3. Don’t worry about the outcome; focus on the process and flow.

  4. Observe any patterns or shapes that emerge naturally.

Advanced Techniques

Symmetrical Painting

The Purpose: Create symmetrical artwork using paints.

– Materials: Canvas or large paper, paints, brushes.

– Instructions:

  1. Set up your painting area with a canvas or large sheet of paper.

  2. Dip a brush in paint with each hand.

  3. Start painting symmetrical designs, such as mirrored landscapes or abstract shapes.

  4. Experiment with different brush strokes and colors.

Digital Ambidextrous Art

The Purpose: Use digital tools for ambidextrous drawing.

– Materials: Digital drawing tablet or touchscreen device, stylus.

– Instructions:

  1. Open a digital drawing application.

  2. Use a stylus in each hand.

  3. Create symmetrical or complementary designs on the digital canvas.

  4. Experiment with digital tools like symmetry rulers or mirrored drawing features.

I have not tried the ideas below, but will update when I give each one a try.

Collaborative Ambidextrous Art

The Purpose: Work with a partner to create collaborative symmetrical artwork.

– Materials: Large paper or canvas, markers or paints.

– Instructions:

  1. Partner up with a friend or family member.

  2. Each person holds a marker or brush in one hand.

  3. Work together to create a symmetrical piece of art, with each person drawing one side of the design.

  4. Communicate and coordinate to ensure the artwork is cohesive.

Watch live bilaterial painting

Watch on Pinterest

Tips for Success

– Warm Up: Before starting, warm up your hands with some basic exercises or stretches.

– Stay Relaxed: Keep your hands and body relaxed to avoid tension and fatigue.

– Focus on the Process: Don’t worry about perfection. Enjoy the creative process and the coordination challenge.

– Regular Practice: Like any skill, regular practice will lead to improvement. Set aside time each day or week for ambidextrous art exercises.

These exercises can help you develop your ambidextrous drawing skills. Plus you will engage both sides of your brain. Have fun exploring and creating!

Mindful creativity can go hand in hand with Bilaterial art. You can learn more about mindful creativity in 30 days here.