Alicia Dowell

Author name: aliciadowellAdmin

Focus through the lens

Focusing Through the Lens: Week 5

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Hey y’all! It has been a month since this series has started! I am so excited to share the next installment with y’all. This past week has been busy here. I am not going to share the pictures of the wedding I shot because they are being edited still and the couple have not seen them. Instead you will get to see other little moments I have captured. I hope this past week was a good week for you. If you liked this week’s pictures please share this post and tell me which picture caught your attention.

Focus through the lens

Focusing Through the Lens: Week 4

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This week you will see I have added a logo to my pictures. This week is also a collection of what came in focus through my lens this week. I can’t wait to share with y’all. This is just a quick look into what came in focus through my lens this week. Do you have a favorite this week? Or one that screams Fall? Let’s hear about it!

Focus through the lens

Focusing through the Lens: Week 3

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This week is going to be all about my memories with my Daddy. I just happened to spend Sunday afternoon with him because I had to go pick up Glitter from them. So let’s go on an afternoon walk. Thank you for taking this trip down memory lane with me. Do you have a favorite memory you want to share?

Focus through the lens

Focusing Through the Lens: Week 2

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Here we are at week 2 for the weekly feature. This past weekend, my husband was on call and Glitter spent the weekend with her cousin. This meant I was able to go with Hubby on calls. Of course my camera came along as well. So get ready to come see what is focusing through the lens of my camera. Now this picture was on my social media because I couldn’t wait to share with y’all this gem I found right off the side of a dirt county road. I asked if anyone knew what it was and I had one friend get it. I was inspired to take these photos as a homage to what things can be found down a dirt road. You really don’t know what will be there and sometimes off the beaten path is just where you will find your inspiration.

Focus through the lens

Focusing through the Lens

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Welcome to a new weekly feature, Focusing through the Lens, I will be sharing every Wednesday. In fact, this is my very first weekly feature. I can’t wait to share what I see through my lens and share the inspiration behind the photos. This was on our way to Bentonville. A brown sign pointed us to find this little gem. The idea of finding little creeks right off the side of the highway is so normal to most Arkansans. This is from Brushy Creek Rec. Area. The water was very clear and cool for a quick wade. This flower was in an overgrown garden at Fort Smith National Park. With all the green and little brown this flame like flower screamed to be photographed. I would say flowers are one of my favorite things to photograph. This past weekend was Megaphone Summit. This set of balloons was just one of many from the weekend. They were put under an art exhibit of a wind storm of paper. The bold colors under this part of the exhibit kept grabbing my eye and asking me to remember it. Again this was at Fort Smith National Park under a lovely tree. As I walked by this bench, a story formed into my mind of why there were so many dead leaves and no one sitting on the bench. When I find things like this, I like to grab a photo and finish the story out. These are just a few photos I took this week. I can’t wait to hear which of these photos are your favorite.

Adventure, Camping, Stories

De Gray Lake

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When I found out there was a four day weekend coming up for me, I jumped at the chance to take Glitter, her friend (my bonus) daughter and Hubby camping. We had booked Petit Jean State Park but decided to change plans to stay down in SW Arkansas and stay at De Gray Lake State Park. One of the main reasons was all the flooding was happening with the Arkansas River. We had been to De Gray seven years before but were not able to stay the whole time. The winter that year was really mild and of course I thought let’s go camping. We were still using a tent at that time. Hubby did think ahead and brought extra blankets even though it had been warm. Y’all, Winter came during the day and stayed. We tried to stay but thought it would be better to go home where it was warm. (I was very cold and everyone else was super warm.) The only thing we did during the trip besides try to stay warm was eat hot dogs over a campfire. This time we went the weather was much warmer and less bone chilling. The biggest plus was Blue Rose and not using a tent to sleep in. Y’all I am getting older and hate the idea of sleeping on the ground. Let’s also say, I may be from the South but I don’t do heat very well. This means the use of an a/c is a must for me. I love the outdoors but I like the creature comforts as well. This spot at De Gray was amazing! It was shaded most of the day. The morning sun filtering through the trees was just about the only sun we experienced at the camp site. Also the concrete driveway/rv site was a nice touch. We did not need to level the camper much which made for a quick set up and no frustration. We was able to book from the website. This makes it so easy to check to see if the date is available. The cost per night for a water/30 AMP site is only $22 plus tax. There are also AAA campsites which are water/50 AMP with sewage. We were able to cook outside on a provided grill and of course the fire ring was used every night. There is just something amazing about having a campfire even in the Summer heat. Most of the trip for me was spent crocheting, reading and letting the girls play in the lake. Hubby spent the trip reading and cooking. We arrived too late to go swimming the first night but the girls still were able to have fun behind the lodge wading into the lake. The lake is open to the public and campers. There are also picnic tables at the Lake for day use. The lodge does have a pool, hot tub, and a fitness center. Our second and third day were spent swimming for the majority of the days. We opted out of the activities the park offered. However, if you go I would highly suggest the sunset or night cruise on the lake. There is minimum cost to this special programming. The sunsets were amazing while we were there. Also bring some water toys, the girls only brought floats and got bored with them fairly quickly. This was another way the girls kept themselves busy. They dived for a few hours but they didn’t keep them. After bringing us about half a pound and they threw the shells back into the lake to make sure we didn’t take anything but pictures and memories from the park. Don’t worry if you forget the fixings for s’mores because the gift shop has you covered. The girls and Hubby really enjoyed their s’mores while we soaked up how quite and peaceful the camp area was. De Gray is on our must return to parks. Next time we will be doing more of the activities and bringing the fishing poles. Do you have an Arkansas State Park on your list to go visit? Tell me about it in the comments!

Crafts, Stories

3 tips to keep you creating and not stalling.

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As I sat down to write a new post I found myself stalling. Really, I wouldn’t say stalling but rather creating other things. Then I thought this really isn’t stalling but keeping my creative mind active and not burned out when I focus on one thing. Here are three tips to help you keep creating. Read the Books. I have a “to be read pile” bigger than I like to admit. For a long time, I put off reading because I had so much other things to do. However, I have found picking up a book on my list has helped my brain relax and come up with new ideas to share. Don’t forget to add some non fiction to your list. If you are looking for one go check out Slay Like a Mother by Katherine Wintsch. I just finished reading this with one of my book clubs and enjoyed it very much. Go play on Pinterest. This seems like a no duh one but when was the last time you just perused Pinterest for fun? I try to do this at least once a week. You can also go check out Pinsights to see what has been popular or trending the last month or what is the predicted trends for the year. This is how I found my new creative outlet of making envelopes and trying new stitches for crochet. Go Read those Blogs. Again this seems like of course you should be doing this already. I have a few blogs I love to read. If you are not sure about what you should be reading just Google what you are looking for and I am sure you can find it. (If there is a blog you read now drop a link in the comments!)

Adventure, Stories

Neglecting things, an update and an announcement.

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I have been putting off writing more blog posts for the last couple of months. Not because I have been busy but rather I have been working on a few things which I have been neglecting for far too long. One thing I have been working on is reading. Before I got caught up with the busyness of being busy I would read one or two books a month. For years, I have been lucky to read 10 books a year. This year I made a goal of 50 books and I am happy to say I have read five or six as today. If you are looking for a good read go check out: Where the crawdads sing by Delia Owens. Another thing I have been working on is: self care. I used to say I don’t need to worry about this because I am a strong person. In reality, I need self care because you can’t keep pouring out of an empty cup and this was exactly what I was doing. Thinking I can do it all because everyone else is doing it all. Let that statement sink in. It is okay to laugh, cry, or rage against the statement because let me tell you that is exactly what I am doing. Instead now, there are things I say no to, tell myself tomorrow is another day to get it done, and don’t over extend yourself. These are my truths now and life has magically gotten better. Finally, I am excited to announce I have an office now!! Yes my own office. I feel so grown up! Currently, our pop up camper is doing double duty two or three nights a week as my work space. This means I am back to blogging, creating some fun items, and getting a shop up and running. So be on the look out for new stories coming your way and connecting more with y’all! As you going on this ride with me, don’t forget to comment and share! Until we meet next, Alicia

Adventure, Stories

2019 started with a bang and a list

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2019 has started out with a bang for me. This year has been filled with sickness for me. I am thankful it has just been me sick instead of the whole family. This week has been my first week back without being sick at work and I am glad to be back. I have been trying to interact with my people on social media while two cases of flu, head cold, and sinus infection and came across Beth’s post about 19for2019 and then Gina had a post.  And of course,  you can find all kinds of lists on Instagram with the hashtag: #19for2019. However, I love this idea because every year I have an official word for the year and about three unofficial words.  By the end of the year, my little word has gone by the wayside and there are no posts I meant to share with Y’all. This means this year I will be sharing my 19for2019. No cute little graphic for me but instead just a handwritten list.  I will admit there are a few things I would like to add and may. However, this year I want what feeds my soul and not just busy for the sake of being busy.  This means being more intentional and doing the things I have set for myself. How are you tackling 2019? Do you have a list, word, or just diving right in? I can’t wait to hear how you are doing 2019!

Adventure, Stories

My Thirty Sixth Birthday List

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Today is my Thirty Sixth Birthday. I have learned a lot and in honor of my birthday I would like to share some things I have learned. Life is short eat the cake. Experiences are more important than stuff. Take the vacation. Don’t waste your life at a job that makes you unhappy. Don’t be to stubborn and adhere to the “I would nevers.” Learn a new skill each season of your life. You are enough. Don’t chase trends. Friends come and go. You will find your tribe. Be ready for them. The weird people are the best. Self care is okay. It is okay to say no. It is okay to say you need help. Grow a garden at least once. Read the book you have been meaning to. Be true to yourself. Make connections. You will be glad for them later. Be nice to everyone. Especially the ones you don’t think about. Drink  extra water. Go for a hike at least once. Step out of your comfort zone. Learn to make pasta. Treat yourself to the one item you would never buy usually. Don’t be afraid to work hard for what you want. Start saving for retirement. Create a rainy day fund. Things will not always go according to plan. Write the story in your head. Keep a journal. Take the dirt road. Take pictures of ordinary life. Take selfies. Love with all you have. Be the change you want to see. Do what scares you.

Alicia Dowell

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