Inspiration Photo Friday: Home Sweet Spring

22 Friday Mar 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday, The Great Outdoors, The Home

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bloom, earth, flowers, gardens, grass, green, growth, home, ivy, leaves, may, nature, spring, trees

I know that it doesn’t feel like spring but it is in fact, officially here. All I can think about is the warmer weather and springtime blooms. I am dying for spring to show her face once and for all.

Dan and I have many plans these next few months so the season will be more to us than just nicer weather. Not only do we celebrate Dan’s birthday this month but our wedding anniversary is May 20th. I can’t believe one year will have gone by. Time flies like there is no tomorrow. Our anniversary trip is booked for the end of the May and we will be relaxing in Charlemont, Massachusetts with our dogs for a whole week. We found the cutest cottage for our stay and I simply can’t wait to get away from it all and be one with nature.

We also have plans here on the home front. Our home will get a number of makeovers which I am very excited about. The kitchen remodel is long overdue and we are about 80% done with collecting all the materials we need to complete it. Once April hits and our windows can be opened, its on! We are also going to work on the backyard a bit and start our vegetable gardens. This is a very much anticipated task. To be able to grow pretty much everything we eat is simple amazing and I can’t wait!

This photo was taken last May, two days after our wedding. When its in full spring mode, our backyard is a true inspiration to me. The lushness of the trees and ivy, the smell of the fresh cut grass, and the little beauties that come alive in our gardens are all the wonderful things that surround our home. All I want to do is lay outside under our cherry trees and listen to the birds sing. I am very lucky to have such an amazing inspiration right in my backyard.

I wish you all happy spring inspirations and hope that the earth can uplift your soul and whisk you away somewhere beautiful. It’s such a gift to have a natural space you can exist in and feel so alive. You don’t know how happy I am to be able to visit mine everyday by just walking out the back door.

Inspiration Photo Friday: True Love

15 Friday Mar 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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animals, autumn, evolution, fall, farm, farm animals, farming, gardens, nature, new york, october, plants, queens, queens farm museum, seasons, trees, vegetables, vintage farm, vintage farm wedding, wedding

Since I have been researching places for Dan and I to visit for our wedding anniversary, our wedding day has been on my mind. And since spring is right around the corner, I can’t help but think of the farm where we shared our vows.

The Queens County Farm will always have a place in our hearts. I fell in love when I saw photos, so you can imagine how much I adored this little piece of heaven when we visited it for the first time. I may have gotten distracted with other venues but in the end, both Dan and I followed our hearts and chose the farm for our special day. We visited the venue 3 times before the wedding, each different seasons, and still felt connected to the grounds and the animals. This is how you should feel about where you get married.

So, for Inspiration Photo Friday I wanted to share a photo I took upon one of our visits during the fall. It was so lush and beautiful, autumn colors everywhere. The animals were lively and the birds were singing. It was such a lovely day at the farm. I love that we can always go back, whenever we want, and have new experiences there. As the years go by, we can watch the farm get older and evolve.

It is such an amazing feeling to be connected to a place like this one. We have a lot of love for the Queens Farm and the animals that call it home. I am so happy we went with our hearts and chose this beautiful place to be a part of us forever. The Earth and its animals will always have my love…the truest love of all.

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

Inspiration Photo Friday: The Vast Open Sea

08 Friday Mar 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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blue, couds, earth, journey, life, Maine, nature, ocean, photography, sea, sky, vacation, vast open sea, water

You can always look to Mother Earth for inspiration and guidance. Whether its peering out your window on a snowy day or being surrounded by an endless forest of trees, she is there to lead the way. I am constantly being influenced by the Earth and among my travels, my experiences have been seriously amazing.

On our trip to Maine a few years ago, we were loving the cabin on the water we were staying in. To look outside and see that first thing in the morning was really nice. There is something about water that is refreshing and peaceful, it truly touches a part of your soul. Our trip was awesome, to say the least. We did a lot of exploring and relaxing, which a vacation should be. There are many memories we created while visiting.

One, in particular, really was inspiring though. We took a boat ride out into the ocean and got to see views of Maine we would of never have got to see on land. It was fantastic! Even though it was cold and our faces were almost frozen, we enjoyed every minute of it. I took so many photos because I didn’t want to miss anything. But even though I was on guard with the camera shooting, I silently took it all in and was taken back by the beauty that surrounded us.

This photo almost sums up our boat trip. Even though the ocean is wild and has millions of lifeforms calling it home, it’s peaceful, serene, and calming. The sky offers a horizon so beautiful it can be a painting and the clouds seem weightless, like fluffy streams of cotton. How can you not be inspired by such an amazing view.

It reminds me that life is an endless journey. Just like the vast open sea, there are so many experiences just waiting for us to take and make our own, tons of possibilities to prove, and millions of things to learn and share. This endless journey doesn’t have to be something you fear, for the Earth has given us so much to support our adventures. You just have to walk the distance and open your eyes to what is being shown. There is always more to see.

So if you just look a little deeper and expand your vision, you will realize how important each experience really is. You’re not truly alive unless you’re really living. Create, share, inspire, love, and laugh. These are things that move you farther and deeper into happiness and I wish you all a spectacular journey.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Maine on my Mind

01 Friday Mar 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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air, anniversary, clouds, lighthouse, Maine, nature, new england, ocean, sea, sky, travel, vacation, wedding

My husband and I love Maine. We first visited the beautiful state a few years ago and said we would definitely go back. Since our first year wedding anniversary is coming up in May, we have been thinking of places to go for vacation to celebrate. We can’t afford anything crazy so dream trips like going to Italy are out of the question, sadly. But the other day I thought of Maine and how much we loved it. It kind of made sense to go back and explore the things we didn’t get to see last time.

It will be our first trip with our new dog, Jenny, which should be cool. And yes, we bring our dogs with us on vacation. They are a part of the family aren’t they? I think I would be a wreck if I was away from them for more than a few days, never mind a week or two. So, a family trip it will be!

I am hoping for two weeks away, which would be so nice. I could use the time off for sure. Now that winter seems to be slowing down a bit, hints of spring are near. It’s making me anxious for the warmer weather. Spring, I must say, is one of my favorite seasons. It’s a time for rebirth and growth. The flowers start to bloom, gardening gets fun again, the trees come alive – its just so beautiful.

The last time we were in Maine, it was late September and pretty cool over there. Now that we are planning to go in May, it is going to be such a different experience. I can’t wait! The cool crisp air and warm sun, the gorgeous blue skies and soft ivory clouds, the amazing landscape that always surrounds you. Maine is so close to our hearts and we are so excited to give our love back once more.