Weekending in October

 

cool morning air.  blustery winds.  flannel and fleece. a fall fair.  shopping for impending cold weather necessities.  takeout lunch from a favorite spot.  hearty chili and warm cornbread with melted butter.  a relaxing evening all together.  

another cool morning.  a sundate adventure.  bright skies. baked good and cold brew.  a bike ride and sickie snuggles.  breakfast for dinner.  all wrapped up with marshmallows and s'mores by the fire. 

it's a rare happening, but this fall weekend was just as splendid as the words above make it out to be.  grateful. 

Introducing, The Creative Misfit Series

creative misfit  / kre.a.tiv_mis.fit / noun - an artist without a niche.
one who has not yet "found her thing."
an unclassified creative often accompanied by a feeling of flailing (see, throwing spaghetti against a wall and waiting for one of the noodles to stick).
someone who is experimenting with all things creative.

I can't take credit for coining the phrase "creative misfit."  That honor goes to Ms. Amanda Sandlin, an artist and entrepreneur living in Wellington, New Zealand.  I'm girl crushing on her big time because she says (and lives) things like "See the world.  Create endlessly. Stay wild."  and "Follow all curiosities."  Watch this video to be totally inspired.

As I watched Amanda's video, I could feel my smile growing and my excitement rising.  This is me!  THIS is SO. Totally. ME!  I am a creative misfit.  I love experimenting with art (and I hesitate to use the word art to describe what I do but will continue to use it, simply because I don't know a better word to use).  My art is elementary at best and varies from hand lettering to coloring in books to writing to collaging magazine clippings on inspiration pages.  I'm all over the place, and that has always bothered me before.  But not anymore.  Thank you Amanda.   

I am a creative misfit, and I am 100% okay with that.  I will continue living a creative life and persuing my art 1.) because I want to 2.) because I think it's good for my girls (and everyone else) to see me flail and carry-on with something I'm not necessarily good at and 3.) because it brings me joy.

With that, The Creative Misfit Series is born.  Every week, I will share a piece of my art.  Not because I think I'm some fabulous artist but because of the three reasons listed above.  My hope is that by sharing my work, you will be inspired to follow your own creative path.

With love, 

Shelly

The Creative Misfit, Volume 1

{{ Every week, I share a piece of my own creativity.  Not because I think I'm some fabulous artist, but because experimenting with all things creative brings me joy.  My hope is that by sharing my work, you will be inspired to follow your own creative path. }}

This week I discovered hand lettering.  I think I'm in love!  This is my first (non-practice) attempt.

   

Marshalton Triathlon 2015

Never, in my almost eleven years as a mother, have I gone on a bicycle ride with my family.

This was the thought that ran through my mind as we were lined up at the starting line of the Marshalton Triathlon this past weekend.  There's a first time for everything though, right?! 

The Marshalton Triathlon is a ten mile event including bicycling, canoeing, and walking.  Considered one of the country's longest continually running triathlons, it is a unique race for both participants and spectators.  From costumed competitors to cowbell-ringing cheerleaders, the Village of Marshalton is full of excited energy on race day.

Our team, The Lucky Dogs, began the race, the first half of the bicycle leg, at the back of the pack.  The two plus mile ride was all down hill.  As much fun as it was zipping around turns and cruising past horse fields with the wind at our backs, I couldn't quite ignore the thought in the back of my mind reminding me that the return half of this leg would be quite a different experience...

With rosy cheeks and frozen toes, we completed the first bicycle leg and made it to the canoe portion of the race, parked our bikes, and walked to the Brandywine River.  Now it was time for a first for the girls.  It wasn't until we were at the dock and Ella asked, "how do I get in," that I realized neither girl had ever been canoeing.  They took to it naturally, and both of our boats made it the three miles down river successfully.  Any chill we felt from the bike leg was rowed away at this point, despite the windy weather.  The canoe leg took the longest, probably a combination of wind that brought us to a stop even though we were paddling our hardest, and traffic jams from inexperienced canoers who blocked the way.  No one minded the long paddle though.  In fact, at one point along the way, Gia declared that "we should do this everyday!"

Once we made it down river and docked our canoes, we took off for the walking leg of the race.  The two mile walk through scenic Chester County really was lovely.  One of the rules of the Marshalton Triathlon is absolutely no running.  So, we were in no hurry and stopped to enjoy the views and snap selfies along the way.

Finally, we made it to the second half of the bicycle leg, a two plus mile return trip, up hill and into the wind, back to the Village of Marshalton.  It was not easy.  Sean was the only one who didn't have to get off the bike and push at some point, but we all made it.

Crossing the finish line of the Marshalton Triathlon with my Lucky Dogs was a pretty great feeling, and I am super proud of my little family for accomplishing it together.  It was a day of firsts for all of us, and I love that we have this memory to hold on to.  Thank you Marshalton Triathlon for not only a great event, but also a unique experience for my family to remember.

With Love,
Shelly

Welcome to With Love, Shelly!

 Hello and welcome to With Love, Shelly!  I'm Michele, a wife and mom living and loving in Chester County, Pennsylvania.  My days are filled with home-schooling my two young ladies, Gia and Ella, caring for my elderly grandmother, holding down the fort when my firefighter hubby, Sean, runs out the door, and occasionally teaching yoga when my schedule allows.

This blog is my creative outlet.  I plan to use this space to share my writing, thoughts, and photographs.  I crave a place to share my story and gain confidence as a writer.  So, you can expect to find bits of everyday life, creative writing, poetry--a journal of sorts--but most importantly, a positive place to find my creative voice.

When I was trying to come up with a name for this blog, I asked myself how I would like to be described.  What would I like people to think of me and the way I live my life?  "With Love" is the first thought that popped into my mind.  I found this quote years ago and have continually worked to make it true for my own life:

She lived simply.  

Her life was dedication in motion, 

an example of devotion.  

She inspires to live presently and with love.

It seemed only fitting for the name of my blog to represent the way I choose to live my life, from the heart, with love.
  

It is my goal to write frequently, share twice weekly, and inspire others to follow their own creative calling.  Thank you for reading.  I hope you'll be back soon!

With Love, 

Shelly