Simply inspired.

A few nights ago Mike and I went out to pick up some household supplies.  While we were out, I ran across these.

Of course, if you know me, you know I am obsessed with the color green!!!!!  Anything green, any shade of it, more than likely, I will love it!!!  I wanted the green coffee mug because of the obvious - the color.  But, I LOVED what the yellow one said!  I was torn on which one to get, so I got both of them.  They were on clearance too, so I really couldn't pass them up!!

I've been doing a photo challenge.  Taking one photo a day.  Reading one page in my camera manual a day.  And visiting professional photography sites each day.  The challenge is to improve my photography skills by 300% in one year.  I even started a photography blog for this very reason.  When I got the coffee mugs home, the photo shoot began.  I was so excited about it.  These mugs were beautiful and so photogenic.  :)  I was happy with most of the photos I took, such as this one.

 I was happy with the boxed photos until I opened up the box!!!  I was so excited!  Yes, they're coffee mugs and I had a photo shoot with them.  I've never even been a coffee drinker until a few weeks ago.  We were trying some new coffee in the office and I had to taste it - Chocolate Donut Coffee!  It was pretty tasty, but I'm NOW addicted to Caribou Columbian coffee.  Made fresh from the Keurig coffee machine.

Back to the story.  So, I opened up the boxes, and my heart skipped a beat and it also smiled.  There was a surprise.

First, in the rim of the B mug, it said "I believe in miracles"!!  Anyone who knows me also knows that this has been kind of my theme in life.  I make cards and invitations in my spare time, and "believe in miracles" is the quote that I put on the back of EVERY. SINGLE. CARD.  It's been my trademark, I guess you could say.  So, when I opened up that box and saw that in the rim of the mug, I was beside myself. 

The "L" mug surprised me with "It's a wonderful life!"  My favorite Christmas movie of all time.  And, it had an exclamation point at the end of the saying!!!!  Once again, anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE using exclamation points!!!!  NOT because I'm yelling, but because I'm sharing my excitement!  {If you ever get an email from me and I'm using a thousand exclamation points, I'm not mad, I'm just EXCITED!!!!}

As an added bonus, the boxes were wrapped with chocolate brown ribbon that said "simply inspired".  I thought it was cool because I ALWAYS welcome being inspired.  I love being around inspiring people, sharing inspirational thoughts, and reading inspirational blogs and books.....I don't think anyone can have too many inspiring people in their life!!!!!  Inspiration ROCKS and so does this ribbon......

 I was trying to be creative using the ribbon.  I wrapped it around our photo just for something different.  As I'm sitting here writing this blog, something just hit me!!!!  I want simplicity, inspiration and God to fill our cups to overflowing!  To pour over us so we can share and bless others!!!! 

I like this picture because the dark ribbon reminds me of a cup of dark coffee (even though I prefer lots of cream) or a cup of hot chocolate.  :)

I just wanted to share this with you.  I want you to be inspired.  I want you to remember that you can be tied up with a bow of inspiration.  You can stay stuck in your box with your pretty bow.  Imagine how many people need that inspiration and surprise that is INSIDE that pretty little box!!!  The only way to share that beauty and surprise inside that box is to open it up and share it with the world!

Has anyone told you that what is inside you is beautiful and inspiring?  Listen to them. They're telling the truth! 

Inspiration, you are welcome in my life!!!!!

xoxoxxoooooo