Isn’t it wonderful to live in a state that is home to a huge variety of butterflies? Florida is home to over 180 species of butterflies. This means spring is the perfect time to plant your own butterfly garden! I’m not talking about a garden that will be labor-intensive or expensive (hey, that rhymes), but a small attempt to provide basic butterfly needs that will … Continue reading Planting your own Butterfly Garden
Can you believe we are already in the second month of 2022? This month is celebrated nationally by Americans in dedication to the contributions of African American art, history and culture. I thought it would be a great time to share a few of my favorites with you. 1. Marie Van Brittan Brown Marie Van Brittan Brown invented the first closed circuit television security system. … Continue reading Ten Incredible Achievements in Black History
Going into every new year we all start off on a positive note. The way I start is how I “try” to finish the year. It sets the tone for the months ahead. I’ve noticed that sometimes we get caught up in things that carried over from last year. I’ve found that if I let it go, the benefit is greater than what I was … Continue reading A Fresh Outlook in 2022
Last month I ran across a brilliant quote. I think I’ve started to attract them into my life. I love quotes because they offer a small and purposeful way to guide me through the year. The quote said: Watch your thoughts…for they become words. Watch your words…for they become actions. Watch your actions…for they become habits. Watch your habits…for they become character. Watch your character…for … Continue reading Building Self Awareness
Life is like a camera. Focus on what’s important. Capture the good times. Develop from the negatives and if things don’t work out, take another shot. I laugh all the time when my friends get caught in the rabbit hole of my social media pages. They always say, “Shy, why do you have so many pictures on your Facebook page?” I have so many in … Continue reading Life is like a Camera
Mother’s Day is right around the corner and it is one of my favorite holidays, obviously, because I am a mom. Every year, I try to look for different ways to celebrate my mother and show my kids how to celebrate me in different ways. So, when they grow up, I can forever be surprised with what they do for Mother’s Day. I have this … Continue reading Celebrating Mother’s Day
It’s that time of year for everyone to celebrate and encourage the wonderful women in our lives. During Women’s History Month, we usually recognize women that have done amazing things in our country. This annual celebration corresponds with International Women’s Day in the United Kingdom and Australia. I thought it would be an amazing change for this month to celebrate the amazing women that surround … Continue reading Celebrating Women: March is Women’s History Month
I’ve always looked forward to having a great relationship with my children, bonus kids and youth that I encounter on a daily basis. Over the past year, I’ve noticed that so many of our youth were not as happy or engaged. I am a strong believer in them finding a safe space to express and relieve some of the stress of everyday life. Our youth … Continue reading How Are Your Kids Coping During COVID-19?
As a young budding artist growing up in NSB, I don’t remember seeing art outside of gallery spaces. My family would take me to museums, festivals and art shows to see the world from a larger perspective. I was blessed to be able to go to the Smithsonian, visit all of the historic places in Washington D.C., enjoy free music concerts while we sat on … Continue reading Creativity is Contagious: Art in Public Spaces
A few years ago my grandmother, mother, some concerned citizens and I set out on a quest to potentially change our community, the Historic Westside of New Smyrna Beach, forever. Based on a lot of surveys and community meetings we realized that the only way we could be proactive in changing the generational diagnosis of high blood pressure and diabetes would be to make a … Continue reading Growing Great Kids That Grow Great Food
