How to make s’mores out of lemons…

The Watkins Castle was under attack by lemons last weekend!
Yep..Lemons!

Ok, not really…but, it sure felt like it!Our hedges had grown into the sewage pipe, causing a backup.
So every time I tried to wash the laundry, the basement toilet
would “wash” the basement floor! Ummm YUCK!

When my husband couldn’t pull the rug up from under the wall to dispose
of it, he did a little investigating by tearing down a part of the wall…only to
find out that our house has a GIGANTO crack in the foundation!  A tree
is trying to grow into our house!  I LOVE nature!
Just not when it comes over uninvited, LOL!

So, needless to say, by the end of the night, my husband and I were exhausted.
We had dished out $450 to the plumber & still had tons to do for the rest of the issues ahead.

But, the house was still standing (even if a little wet & crooked).
We were all together.
We were going to be alright.
We thankfully had the $ to pay the plumber.
There were still so many reasons to celebrate!

So, equipped with a cool idea to use a flower pot, foil & charcoal that I found on Pinterest,
we laughed loudly, shared silly stories, swapped sticks, graham crackers, chocolate &

marshmallow containers & enjoyed our sweet treats in our backyard under the stars.
It was pure peace.  Not even the sourest of lemons could take that away from us.

So the next time you get handed some lemons, yes, make some lemonade…just dont
forget the s’mores.
Life is what you make it!***************************************************************************************************************

Sketchbook Sneak Peek!
See the sketch that was inspired by this night & check in next week to see the progress!

***************************************************************************************************************

Share what you do or have done to find peace after a stressful day  & bring back the peace you felt at that moment!

A little something to take on your journey…

Life is under no obligation to give us what we expect. -Margaret Mitchell

Until next time,

Wishing you Love, Laughter and OOGOBS of PEACE.

~Kyia

PS…Happy Mother’s Day to all of my fellow Mamas!!!

 

The 24 hour “No Complaining” Challenge

Hello Loves,
Hope that by the time you are reading this, you are relaxing in your jammies with a glass of something (in a painted glass from At Peace Arts ) and letting go of any drama from the day.  I had a post all picked out for today, but whenever I tried to post it, I just WAS NOT feeling it!  So, I gave up and decided I was not meant to write a post today… then I saw this post on The Attraction Signal’s Facebook page (yep, wasting time!)

and got a brilliant idea!  I’m gonna try this and I’m going to invite my peeps to do the same!

Let’s do this together and talk about how it went, how we felt, what we accomplished and of course, what we didn’t.  (I’m not gonna lie, this might be kinda hard for your girl!)
But, think about how you feel after complaining.  Like nothing got done, you’re still in the same negative, grouchy spot and the worst part of all, you’ve brought someone else into the drama, all the while forgetting about all of the goodness that IS in your life.  Been there, done that.  Let’s move forward.  If not complaining and being thankful for the good things in my life brings peace and balance, then I want it all!

Here’s how it’s gonna go:

Starting from 10 am tomorrow morning and ending at 10 am on Sunday morning (ET), we will try our super hard to not complain.  (A book by Rev. William Bowen, called, “The Complaint Free World” suggests wearing a bracelet on one arm and switching it to the other arm whenever you complain.  With the goal being to keep it on the first arm for as long as possible)

We will report back either on the blog, via email or on the new facebook At Peace Arts Group Page, on how it all went down,

Maybe even invite a friend so you can keep each other on task!

Alright, can’t wait to share our journey to peace-full!

A little something to take on your journey…

“To complain is always nonacceptance of what is. It invariably carries an unconscious negative charge. When you complain, you make yourself a victim. Leave the situation or accept it. All else is madness.”~ Eckhart Tolle

Until next time,

Wishing you Love, Laughter and OOGOBS of PEACE.

~Kyia

 

It’s all About the Baby Steps!

I would attempt to _________ if I knew I would not fail.

Yesterday I posted the question above on the At Peace Arts fan page. I was amazed & inspired by the responses. From wanting to live in the islands to writing a book to being an actress/singer/songwriter…I could feel that each “attempt” came from a place of love & desire.

What immediately came to mind was “Why are we so afraid to take the leap to do the things that make our hearts smile HUMONGOUS?” I mean, we KNOW we will be happy if we do that one thing! Maybe because it feels like just that…A leap! Lets be real, when we become adults, the last thing we want to do is fall, or in this case, fail. After all, we ARE higher up from the ground than when we were kids!

So maybe it would be easier for us to think of attempts as tiny baby steps that lead to the big leap. We could read up on what it’s really like to live in the islands, write for just 10 minutes every day or take some acting/ singing/ songwriting classes!

Soon all of these baby steps add up & give us the courage we need to leap into what really makes our souls sing!

You deserve it!

What AWESOME leap are you taking baby steps towards?
Proclaim it here & let’s keep one another motivated!
(Most times, just saying it out loud is a big leap in itself!)

A little something to take on your journey…

The question for each man to settle is not what he would do if he had means, time, influence and educational advantages; the question is what he will do with the things he has. The moment a young man ceases to dream or to bemoan his lack of opportunities and resolutely looks his conditions in the face, and resolves to change them, he lays the corner-stone of a solid and honorable success.
-Hamilton Wright Mabie

Until next time,

Wishing you Love, Laughter and OOGOBS of PEACE.

~Kyia

Pause your Life to Move Closer to Your Dreams

Click here to purchase Follow What Delights Your Heart!

“Follow what delights your heart and you’ll inspire the world. Lisa McCrohan, -LCSW-C, RYT”

I don’t know about you, but I get lost on a regular basis.  I’m not talking about your typical getting
turned around and losing 5 minutes lost.  I’m talking about the I don’t trust the GPS and sorta know
where I’m going but am now on the other side of town, kinda lost.  And when you combine  that with
my hungry & complaining”Are we lost AGAIN!?!?!” kidddos and a time deadline, the stress & anxiety
go through the roof!   Before I know it, I’m going 80 right past the exit and have to go around yet again!

(This is usually the point where try to convince the kids that we could have more fun at home than at
that Chuck-e-Cheese birthday party!)

Have you ever felt that way on the path to your purpose? Like you are going in circles & coming up
against the same issue every time?Or that you are running so fast in so many directions that you’re
burned out & just want to give up?

This my friends is when it’s time to …P-A-U-S-E.

Pause and take in the AMAZINGNESS that you are for even embarking on this journey & having made
it this far… Pause and reflect on where your heart really yearns to be…Pause and chart a course to get
it there… Pause and know that you will get there at the right moment, at a speed that works for you &
with the proper knowledge.  Pausing doesn’t mean procrastination or giving up.  It’s the complete opposite.
It means you are secure enough in your purpose to know that it will always be yours, as long as you are
moving toward it.  It’s not hinged on whether you have a family or a full-time job.  Its not a frantic &
exhausting race to some imaginary deadline in 2020.  A short pause can give us clarity, a new perspective
& a renewed  energy to return to & stay on the road to our purpose!

And sometimes, you just need to pull into a rest stop to get a 64 oz Slurpee & Jolly Ranchers for yourself
& a bathroom break, a juice box, crackers & a cheap-o toy to distract the kids while the GPS re-routes, yet again…
because the kids aren’t convinced that home was a better option

Until next time,

Wishing you Love, Laughter and OOGOBS of PEACE.

~Kyia

http://www.atpeacearts.com

A High 5 from At Peace Arts!!!

Pssst…You know that little girl inside of you? Take a second to give her a big hug and a high 5!!!
She has grown up to be a phenomenal woman, in spite of all of the drama!

A Glorious Friday to you, Loves!

There is so much going on today…

You all are the first to peek at the newest print from At Peace Arts, above!!!  It’s called ‘High 5′
and speaks to the importance of embracing our past, while moving towards the future.
Even when our pasts are yuck, I realize how important it is to recognize our growth.
That despite it all, we are still here.  Still standing.  Still pushing past the hurt, anger and frustration and
dancing towards the love, laughter and peace. Our pasts, whether good or bad, mold us,
help us make important decisions and ultimately push us to action.  Whether it’s
starting a business, knitting a sweater or tucking in a child, our reflection of our pasts determines
how we approach everything in our lives!

The ‘High 5′ peace is available for purchase at atpeacearts.com.  The words 
below the picture above will be included on the back of the print.

Speaking of celebrating women, today marks the first day of Women’s History Month and as promised, every day a new AMAZING woman will be featured on the At Peace Arts Fan Page

on Facebook. Like the fan page to be inspired by other women that are
creating a life they LOVE and spreading tons of peace! 

And lastly, today is Share a Smile Day!
Take a second to smile at someone for no reason at all!  Maybe even pay someone a
compliment!  It will add sparkle to your day
and brighten theirs.  Amazing how something so tiny can bring such humongous joy!

Until next time,
Wishing you Love, Laughter and OOGOBS of PEACE.

~Kyia

Want more peace?
Join the peace-filled conversation on my blog!

P.S. If you would like to be featured or know someone
who is creating a life she loves, please contact me,

5 Quick Peace-Filled Goodies Just for You!

Hello Loves!

Happy Valentines Day yesterday! Happy Singles Awareness Day today!

If Valentine’s Day is about showing your loved ones some love, then Singles Awareness Day
is all about being fully aware of your true self & loving & nourishing that self to PEACES!!!

But, lets be real, whether you are aware of your true calling or still searching, at times, life can
feel like one big drain fest! And we all know it’s near impossible to see peace in your life when
you’re cranky, tired & overwhelmed!

So, here are 5 quick peace-filled goodies to add to your stress-fighting arsenal.
All geared towards pouring into YOU! Some can be used in a pinch.
Others have more long-lasting results.
Your path to peace awaits…

1) Turn up the music & shake your booty.
Studies show that doing just 10 minutes of physical activity
three times a day can improve mood, relieve depression, and increase
feelings of well-being.

2) Let the dirty dishes “soak” overnight & use the time you saved to
do something that sings to your soul! Paint, exercise, play the cello with your
toes, whatever! Don’t worry, the dishes promise to not run away.

3) Daydream for 5 minutes. Take 2 minutes to write those daydreams down.
(For small kids, you may need to retreat to a locked bathroom!)

4) Smile or laugh in the mirror for 1 minute.
(If you need help, click the link at the bottom of this newsletter for a laugh
at my expense!)

5) Before you fall into bed, write down/ type into your phone one good thing about your day.
As your list begins to grow, you may be amazed at how peace-filled your life really is!

Want more peace?
Join the peace-filled conversation on my blog!
Where you can let me know how you feel after trying one or all of these &
Share your peace-inducing goodies that work great in a pinch!!!

Here is that Shamelessly funny video:
http://www.jibjab.com/view/2hlPbac2gw6wGFlNRSb9

Until next time,
Wishing you Love, Laughter and OOGOBS of PEACE.

~Kyia

Mindful art

Reblogged from Gems of Delight:

Check out this beautiful card I recently made!

Mindful art.  I realize that's what I've always been about in my writing and my art -- creating works of art that inspire compassion, mindfulness, soulfulness, and connection in our everyday lives.

This desire to create is in all of us.  To cultivate beauty -- through art, through our words, through our presence. 

Read more… 96 more words

This is so beautiful that I just had to share! Enjoy

Giggles for Dinner

Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand. Mark Twain

Last night, before we ate our ribs, rice and broccoli, we enjoyed giggles for dinner and they were soooo sweet.  One of the things that drives me bananas during dinner time is when the kids are sitting at the table and keep whining, “I’m hungry,” despite the fact that I am running like a mad-woman to get all of the food on the plates!  Normally, I am saying through clenched teeth, “Please stop.  That is not helping me to move any faster and is actually a little annoying, “ which of course gets them going even more!

So last night, I changed the game.  I had them try and say I’m hungry 50 times while I got dinner together as fast as I could.  If I got dinner ready before they got to 50, I’d win, but if they got to 50 first, they’d win.  (The Watkins crew loves a good race!)

Well, I won, of course!  It was hard to remember what number they were on when they were cracking up laughing at themselves because they realized they were saying “Ong Hongry’ and had to start over.   I’m not sure what number they counted to, but by the end, we were all cracking up laughing!

I choose laughter over frustration any day!

Until next time,

Live, Laugh & Be At Peace.

~Kyia

We Live…We Laugh… We Grow Things

“Expect to see something new & awesome everyday…and you will!”

On Mothers Day this year, me & the kids planted a fruit & vegetable garden! I had no idea I would fall in love!!!
I am the last person to want to take care of a plant. My husband says that all plants should consider themselves dead as soon as they hit the front door of our house! Although my mother & sister are plant lovers, my thumb is definitely not green! I’m also not fond of the idea of caring for one more thing than I have to because my life is hectic enough!!! But, nevertheless, I thought it would be a fun activity to do with my kiddies & nice to eat something we’ve grown.
After purchasing all of the necessary stuff, losing the seeds for a few weeks & finding them again, we were ready to begin. Not only was it hard work getting out all of the weeds & leaves & HUGE rocks & turning over the soil, it was even harder trying to get my son to step anywhere near the dirt! (He was petrified of the spiders & doesn’t really like to get dirty!). But, I will never forget when he whispered in my ear, “I conquered my fear, Mommy” after he realized he had been playing in the garden for a while. I did however get whacked in the face with a shovel as he was running away from one that came a little too close to him, LOL! (I also conquered a fear & held a worm for the first time EVER! It’s funny how we have to conquer our own fears so that our children are able to conquer theirs, huh?)

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Mommy, I conquered my fear!!!

Mommy, look what I found!!!

Finally, it was time to put something in the ground!!! We planted strawberries, cucumbers, a grapevine, green peppers, a watermelon plant, oregano, carrots, broccoli & a mystery plant that says Jalapeño peppers, but we think may have been mis-labeled. We have seen a great amount of growth in only a week. The funniest part…think I am more excited than the kids now. I LOVED digging in the dirt & imagining what our end product would look like! Since Sunday, I have researched organic pesticides, how to naturally get rid of weeds & ways to keep our neighborhood raccoon from completing his grocery shopping in our garden. I check it in the morning before I go to work & in the evening when I get home, fully expecting & super excited to find a new bud or leaf growing…and I always find something! Just think, if we looked at life in the same way, how beautifully awesome it could be!?! We would look for growth, opportunity, beauty, love, life & laughter instead of worrying about the negative. Wow… What a wonderful world!

Who would have ever thought that a garden could teach us so much about life! Do you have a garden? What have you learned from it? Please share. And feel free to share some tips for growing beautiful things in a garden

Until next time,
Live, Laugh & Be At Peace,
~Kyia

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The Watkins Castle Garden!

Are you addicted to “the story?

“It takes courage to grow up & turn out to be who you really are.” -EE Cummings

Last night I went to my best friend’s house to drop off some items left over from my daughter’s birthday party. Now whenever I go, I tell my husband, “I’ll be right back. Just going across the street.” and he replies, “I’ll see you in an hour!”.
No matter how much I try to deny it, we get to talking & laughing & before we know it, an hour has came & went!

But this time, an hour wasn’t spent gabbing; instead, it was spent having my soul poured into. I spent 45 minutes with my hand on the doorknob, trying to leave, but hanging on every word of Oprah’s Master Class on the TV.

Oprah & Iyanla Vanzandt were talking to a man that had been struggling to overcome a drug addiction for the last 30 years, despite remaining clean for 3 years. My mind immediately went to my mother who has struggled with addiction most of her life & how watching this show could help her. But, I had no idea that this show would apply directly to my “never touched a cigarette & can only handle 1 adult beverage every few months” kinda life!

She asked this man who he would be without “the story.” The story being his past & his addiction. Before he could say,”a better person,” she cut him off & re-asked the question. Prodding for an answer that did not point back to his hurtful past. Even Oprah looked confused as Iyanla questioned this man, but she explained it so that it was as clear as day. This man was no longer addicted to the drug. He was addicted to the story, to his past hurts & distresses. He could recall that faster than anything further back in his past. He even referenced it & compared himself to it in the future. On one hand, the story felt safe because he knew it so well, but on the other hand, it was what was keeping him back from reaching his true potential & being his authentic self; who he was placed on this earth to be.

At that moment, as this man’s voice cracked, I started to think about who I would be if I didn’t have “the story.” I mean, I have no doubt that I would still be a creative being, but would I take more risks with my creativity? Would I pursue art as a full-time career? Would I smile & play more with my husband & children? Would I be more outspoken & more comfortable in the skin I’m in? Would I be more forgiving and less guarded? I’m not really sure, but I’m willing to take the time to find out.

We all have a story that makes up who we are, be it a good one or a bad one. The best part?…WE can decide to keep reading the same story, flip to another chapter or start a whole new story…so that one day our truly awesome beautifully colorful selves will emerge victoriously!

Until next time,
Live, Laugh & Be At Peace.

~Kyia
At Peace Arts