Living a Creative Life with Hannah Deurloo, Author
A few weeks ago I talked about using maps as a way to figure out plot. As I explore this process I want to go a little deeper with maps. Just like the story itself my maps tend to take a few drafts. My map evolves with my story, plot, and characters. It matters because… Continue reading Map Progression
Like the jitters I get after drinking a Red Bull , there is something special and energizing about being around your tribe of people. My tribe is creatives, specifically writers. This weekend I was blessed to attend a conference and have five hours of time to soak it all up. Carpooling with a dear writing… Continue reading Jot That Down: A Writer’s Conference in Hindsight
I recently visited Charleston and we had such a great time, I wanted to share some fun things to do if you are ever in the area. Patriots Point Patriots point was one of our favorite parts of our visit. Â There is so much history there. Â You get to tour a aircraft carrier, submarine, Destroyer,… Continue reading 5 Things To Do In Charleston SC
It hadn't rained in two weeks until last night and the smell of wet dirt was heavy in the air. My toddler and I set off to explore our back woods and check on the little forts we'd been slowly constructing over the summer. Her fascination with moss caught my eye. We grabbed her pink… Continue reading Toddler Fascinations and Moss Gardens
Are you ready for summer? I've been missing the ever important sandals from my shoe arsenal and I can't find what I need. My solution? What I can't find I make and this is no exception. No I'm not saying become a cobbler and make shoes. I am saying break out your inner DIY ninja… Continue reading DIY Flip Flop Makeover
I'll confess I love to brainstorm. I have far more ideas than I have time to write about. But if you look at my life in general it's pretty uneventful, most would consider it boring. Lets examine how I live. I'm a stay at home mom for one, I watch far more Disney than I… Continue reading Where Do Ideas Come From?
I love sun hats for gardening, the beach, even driving. The problem is the cute ones are so expensive and don't always match what I already own. So here's a fun DIY to customize your own sun hat from the dollar store, enjoy! Supplies: Scissors- already owned Sun hat- Dollar Tree $1 Favorite color of… Continue reading Tassel Sun Hat DIY
One of my favorite places to visit as a child, a beach full of the prettiest rocks any kid could dream of. With a steep sand hill plunging 100 feet down to the water's edge this small section juts out into Lake Michigan causing rocks to wash up from the fathoms below. Just three feet… Continue reading A Rocky Beach In Winter
A Tropical Plant Tour-The rain forest of Costa Rica I'm stuck in the frigid north this winter, that's not a bad thing, but sometimes I need to lift my spirit. Listening to uplifting music, going outside and decorating with items that simulate spring time are a big help. I like cold, but I also… Continue reading Turn your Winter Blues GREEN with this photo blog from the Tropics
A Guest Post by Theresa Braun I started wondering where it was that I get my inspiration when I write. Here, I’ve come up with a list of things that have triggered my creativity. My hope is that you might find some additional ways to spark your own. Travel: Going to new places in one… Continue reading 7 Ways to Find Inspiration
Visiting Henderson Castle Although this might be a good place to meet entities, the reason I traveled to SouthWest Michigan to tour Henderson Castle wasn't to come face to face with the castles favorite ghosts. They boast of 5 deaths over time inside the castle and pride themselves as a paranormal hot spot with the property situated across… Continue reading Haunted Rooms-The Jewel of Kalamazoo
As we pulled up to the u-pick flower farm the stillness of the jeweled field of flowers was so calming. Alone except for the beetles, bees, and turkeys on the hedgerow. We helped ourselves to some snips and a basket, trekking through the morning dew and muddy lanes to find perfect stems. My toddler chases… Continue reading Flower Farm a Final Season
Scrolling through photos from Rome, it became clear I'd seen a lot of old faces. Faces that had seen far more than myself. If only they could talk. What would they say to us? Here they are, I'll let you decide what words they have to say. Â And with the morn those angel faces smile… Continue reading Ancient Faces: A Photo Collection
We arrived in Rome early afternoon, dropped our bags off, and shuttled into the city center with excitement weaving through our veins like the Vespa's through traffic. Lost within steps and oddly unconcerned about it, as every twist revealed new wonders. Our drop off point was next to the river Themes and little did we… Continue reading A Week in Rome
I'm so excited for vacation (more photos to come). I'm not excited about the baggage fees most airlines charge. It's insane! I'm taking the time to pack things that I need, nothing else. I need room to bring back suviners. We've all seen the 'travel' sets of clothing on Pinterest that you can make a month of outfits… Continue reading How to Mix and Match Outfits- Travel in Style
Come along with me on assignment to discover why Bok Tower Gardens is "a spot of beauty second to none in the country." This 250 acres of gardens attract 126 species of birds and contain countless species of plants, flowers and trees and is home to the spectacular Gothic Revival and Art Deco tower that was designed by architect Milton B. Medary… Continue reading The Singing Tower Carillon of Central Florida
I grew up on a fresh fruit and vegetable farm on the east side of Lake Michigan. The anticipation of picking and eating a self grown delectable meal is a way of life for me. Market day in Costa Rica is a joy for my heart and soul as my eyes feast on the… Continue reading Eating Raw in Costa Rica
Sleeping in the rain forest on the night of the wolf moon was a little eerie. I was awakened by something like the sound of bat wings scraping the ceiling as it circled my bed, or it may of been the wings of a moth gently brushing up against the window screen trying to escape… Continue reading The Whales Tail- Uvita, Costa Rica
An action packed day was in store for us when we decided to do a little quad running on the pacific side of Costa Rica near the port city of Quepos. We wanted an adventure off the beaten path and we got it. Our guide lead the way through palm oil farms and up a… Continue reading Two-Tracking: Quepos, Costa Rica
Going into nature is something that can restore my soul like nothing else. On this day we left the tourism far behind and ventured out on our own to the Rio Turrubares. We stopped where the local river bridge had washed out by the rains, not wanting to drive through the river with our vehicle.… Continue reading Exploring the Jungle
Quest Type 