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The Design Inspirationalist

~ Inspiring Ideas | Spectacular Creations

The Design Inspirationalist

Tag Archives: earth

Inspiration Photo Friday: Being Thankful

29 Friday Nov 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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belief, cruelty-free, earth, family, holiday, life, love, morals, thankful, thanks, thanksgiving, tradition, veg, vegan, vegetarian

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with delicious food, good times, and people you love. My husband and I started our own tradition about 4 years ago and love our peaceful holiday even more each year. My mother joined us for dinner this time, which was a nice bonus, and Dan’s parents visited with us earlier in the day. After our meal, we went to my cousin’s house for dessert, where the rest of my family was. It was a good day.

I decorated the table with harvest trinkets and kept within a country/rustic style. Simple and in the spirit of the holiday.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Being Thankful

This year, I tried some new recipes, all of which turned out awesome. The menu included Stuffed Peppers w/Brown Rice & Spinach in a Parmesan Mascarpone sauce, Green beans, Mashed Potatoes & Veg Gravy, Sweet Corn, and Tempeh Wheatballs. Yum!

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Dessert at my cousin’s was fun and there was more than enough sweets to go around. And of course, its always nice to see family and catch up. We were home by 9pm and took the rest of the night to relax on the couch with our dogs and chill out.

You know, every day I am thankful for the great things in my life as well as all the amazing people. I am also grateful for change and new beginnings. The simple fact that Dan and I created our own tradition for the holiday, just makes it that much more special. It doesn’t bother me anymore that I am not sharing the infamous feast with all of our family because to us it’s more than just a holiday. We’ve chosen to stick by our beliefs and celebrate a cruelty-free Thanksgiving that we look forward to sharing with our future children. Being thankful for the Earth and everything it shares with us, is just the beginning.

{For any of my recipes, just contact me via email}

Inspiration Photo Friday: Love

08 Friday Nov 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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animal rights, animals, Benner's Farm, compassion, earth, farm, farm animals, farm life, Inspiration, love, photography, sheep, sheep love, value, vegan, vegetarian

A few weeks ago my husband and I visited Benner’s Farm here on the island with my best friend and her daughter. It was the first time we were there and I have to say its a really cute place. Of course, the animals were my favorite part. All were friendly and kind, like most animals are, and some had unique characteristics. So much fun.

Every time I am around a farm animal, I can’t help but think of the terrible things humans do to them around the world. They are commonly treated as if they are worth nothing. Well, that is certainly not true. Chickens, cows, goats, sheep, and horses are just some of the amazing creatures we can learn from. They can inspire us all.

How can someone hurt an animal that clearly expresses emotion and value? Even if you don’t do it with your own hands, eating meat is the same thing. You are supporting something that kills, destroys, and initially hurts you and your family. The animals rights /veg movement is one to truly consider, at least one to look into and learn about.

This photo below was taken at the farm. These two sheep were so beautiful together. Not only did they express love for each other, they did it publicly with no regard. Nothing in your face, just a gentle gesture of kindness and compassion. You can always count on animals to make you smile and these two had my heart a glow. I will forever be in love with the Earth’s creatures. They continue to surprise and inspire me day after day.

I just hope most of all, that the world can see what I see and make the connection of how important they truly are.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Love - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Inspiration Photo Friday: Reminiscing

20 Friday Sep 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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beach, beauty, canada, cavendish, earth, experience, honeymoon, infinite, island, life, memories, nature, ocean, pie national park, prince edward island, reminiscing, travel, trip, vacation

Last year today, my husband and I were packing and getting ready for our honeymoon trip to Prince Edward Island in Canada. Although we got married that past May, we both love traveling in the fall. It was a busy weekend because my cousin Diana was getting married that Saturday, but we took it easy and tried to get sleep for our long trip the next morning. It was surely a vacation I will never forget.

I can’t believe a year has past already. Time goes by so fast, sometimes we let life distract us from the good times in our lives. Reminiscing positive memories not only brings us happiness but it reminds us how awesome our lives really are. I can vividly remember how beautiful Prince Edward Island was. The cool, fresh breeze against my face, the endless ocean that surrounded us, and the many fields of green we encountered on every drive. Not to mention, all the lovely farm animals that greeted us during our stay. It truly is a picturesque place.

I hope to visit Prince Edward Island again someday and make sure we stay longer. There is just so much to see. It’s one of the only places I felt like I was in a perfect world. It really is a captivating island and I am extremely lucky to have experienced it with my husband.

I took this photo while we were in Cavendish at the National Park. The time we spent at this location truly fascinated me. Standing at the tip of the Earth with Dan, as husband and wife, looking out into the never ending ocean was a memory I will never forget. At that moment, anything was possible. I felt infinite and hopeful because there was so much beauty surrounding me. When something can make you feel like that, it surely is worth reminiscing about.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Reminiscing  -  © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Inspiration Photo Friday: Falling in Love

06 Friday Sep 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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autumn, cherry trees, earth, fall, falling in love, grass, harvest, heaven, home sweet home, long island, love, mother earth, nature, new york, overgrowth, pear trees, seasons, spring, summer, trees, weather

I have been in love with nature since I can remember. Always wanting to be surrounded by grass and trees and getting inspired by the beautiful varieties and colors of plants and flowers, Mother Nature will forever have my heart.

The spring and summer seasons are nice but fall is my favorite. It’s full of rustic hues and woodsy tones and sets up the stage for the Earth to shed its skin. Baring it all for us to see. How romantic is that? And through the whole process, we can experience the most beautiful weather filled with crisp air, refreshing winds, and just enough warmth from the sun. And although the trees will eventually let go of their leaves and flowers no longer bloom, the idea of harvest sets in. It’s time for a whole new world of color, flavor, and adventure.

I took this photo in our yard yesterday. Every now and then I take a walk to the very back and look around. From the cherry and pear trees to the overgrowth on the fence, there is just so much to love. The funny thing, we didn’t create any of it. All this beauty was here when we got here and has been part of the property for many years and I wouldn’t change a thing. Now we can experience history and the future in this little piece of heaven we call home.

I believe falling in love with people is not healthy because you should be uplifted when love is in your heart. But when it comes to the glorious Mother Nature, I fall in love more and more everyday. There is just something about the Earth that makes you want to fall into it and breathe it in. To climb a tree and be within its branches, to lay in the grass and feel it between your toes, to explore a woodsy trail and feel at peace when the forest consumes you….there is nothing in the world that can bring this much pleasure. And to experience this everyday in my own backyard, is the best gift of all.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Falling in Love

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