A Moment In Time

Just a reminder to take a moment each day and reflect on the joys and blessings in your life. Adding a few moments of stillness to your morning will help you focus on what is ahead and better prepare you to take on the day.

A Giveaway from Laura Elaine Designs

I am so excited to introduce you to Laura Elaine Designs.  Laura Elaine creates beautiful running pages and scrapbooks.  I'm pleased to tell share with you that Laura Elaine is offering a Giveaway! First, Let's get to know Laura Elaine Designs.
1. Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a 30 year-old wife, mom, runner, scrapbooker, and part-time physical therapist. I love to be creative, I love to be outside, and I love to be active.

2. How did your Etsy shop get started

I heard about Etsy from my cousin last winter. I had been making my scrapbooks for a while and just selling them at craft fairs and giving them as gifts. I was so excited to find Etsy - it is the perfect way for me to be creative and sell my scrapbooks!

3. What are you currently training for
Currently, I am not training for any race, but have still been running about 3 times per week. I am taking the fall off from a big race, mostly because my husband is training for the NYC Marathon. With our crazy schedules, and a 2-year-old, it makes it difficult for us both to have a big race to train for. I have an upcoming 5k next weekend, and will more than likely do a Turkey trot on Thanksgiving. My next big race will be next spring - possibly Boston's Run to Remember again. It's a half marathon that I did last year and it's an awesome course through the city.

4. Advice for running moms or those wanting to get started running

My best advice for those wanting to get started is: ANYONE CAN DO IT!!!! I was not a runner in high school or college; I was a gymnast. Being a gymnast meant that the longest that I had to be active for was 90 seconds. I can remember having to run a mile and a half for conditioning in college and we complained the ENTIRE TIME and felt like puking at the end.

Fast forward to 2006: My husband and his best friend (both previously non-runners) made a bet that they were going to be bandits at that year's Boston Marathon. Long story short, we all caught the running bug! Hubby has completed 4 marathons (two of them Boston, running for Children's Hospital) and I have completed 4 half marathons (Boston 1/2 and Philly 1/2 before I had my son, and NYC 1/2 and Boston's Run to Remember post-partum).

There are a ton of training plans out there (the Couch to 5K is an awesome beginner one!) that help beginners lace up their sneakers and get out there.

5. What inspires you

My son is my inspiration. Our family lives an active life - hiking, biking, traveling, skiing, swimming, and of course running! It is important to me to set a good example for my son on how to be healthy, active, and take care of himself. When I put on my running shoes and put them in the stroller to go out for a run, he is learning the importance of exercise and taking care of his body.

Now for the GIVEAWAY! Laura Elaine is offering a $10 Gift Certificate to her Etsy Shop!

Here's How to Enter!
Leave a comment for each separate entry! Please leave an email address or Etsy shop name in each comment you make! Otherwise we won't know how to find you if you win!

1. Mandatory Entry: Visit Laura Elaine Designs and browse around her shop -leave a heart if you are so inclined(not mandatory)! Then return here and tell us what you like!

2. Follow Laura Elaine's Running-Scrapbooking-Being a Mom Blog at http://www.lauraelainedesigns.blogspot.com/ and leave a comment that you did so.

3. Follow this blog,  Prairie Wind Notions and leave a comment that you did.
4. Become a Twitter follower of PrairieWind Designs or Like me on Facebook.  (1 Entry for each - leave a comment!)
5. Tweet the following:
 #Giveaway from LauraElaineDesigns http://prairiewindnotions.blogspot.com ends 10-3 #running #scrapbooking
and leave a comment with the link to your tweet. You may tweet once a day for an extra entry.
6.Post about this giveaway on your facebook page. Leave a comment with a link to your facebook page.
Giveaway starts Wednesday, September 22 and ends at midnight on October 3rd. Winner will be determined by Random.org.
Good Luck!

Farmhouse Kitchen

'Farmhouse kitchen' by PrairieWindDesigns

This time of year reminds me of canning in my grandmother's kitchen after the harvest. These are a few finds from some of my favorite Etsy Shops. Just click the picture to visit these wonderful stores!

Square Dip and Side Dis... TheMudPlace $24	Vintage Maynard Retro A... westbournegrov... $16	8oz Strawberry-Pineappl... hopespantry $5
SALE - Farmhouse Style ... TheVintageBarn $75	Vintage Farmhouse Chic ... EnchantedBella $14	Primitive Towel Appliqu... TeresasPrimTre... $12.95
Vegetable Series 4X6 Ph... fosterbk $32	Mmm. Coffee. Large Vin... PeeWeeAndStink... $42	Vintage 1975 Ideals Cou... bythewayside $8.5
Baked Apple Granola - ... nikid $8.5	Brown Stoneware Bowl / ... patspottery $24	Radishes and Carrots 5x... artyecological $10
Vintage farmhouse woode... Octavi $20	Handmade -NEW-Hand wove... theprimitiveho... $28.5	Vintage Red Potato Rice... RichardandRuth... $8

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

An Inspiring Chat with Penny Hall

I am pleased to introduce a member of the Big Sky Montana Etsy Team, Penny Hall. Penny has an inspiring story that I'm so excited to share with you.  Pull up a chair and pour a cup of coffee and enjoy this inspiring chat with Penny.

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

I came to the Madison Valley from Taos, New Mexico in 2000 with my husband who is an artist and fly fisherman. At the end of our two-month visit we decided to stay the winter and we are still here.

My first blessing bowl was created as a therapy project between eye surgeries. I was diagnosed as legally blind and wanted to prove to myself I was NOT blind. The challenges of changing sight and multiple eye surgeries required I find new ways to generate income. With the help of Blind and Low Vision Services my art business was born and eventually my sight was restored.

2. How did your Etsy Shop get started?

Although I had several outlets for my work I was looking for a way to display and sell online. A friend of mine told me about Etsy and I opened my shop in 2007.


3. What is a blessing bowl?
A blessing bowl is a container to hold all the good things in life. My journey through blindness to new vision taught me to focus on all the good things in life.


Prior to that time I was always worrying about the past, afraid of the future and not living in the present moment. Art is a wonderful form of therapy and self-discovery. The process of working

with the leather and creating the bowls taught me many things about myself. So, I fondly call them my “blessing bowls”.

 4. What is the process of creating a hand sculpted blessing bowl?
I begin with a huge cowhide. It covers a dining table that seats six people and rolls off onto the floor. The shape is cut out of the skin-toned hide, soaked, molded and left to dry for several days.
When it is completely dry I apply multiple layers of stain and any adornments as well as a clear acrylic finish for protection.


5. What inspires you?
The natural beauty of nature gives me my greatest inspiration. Visiting art galleries and spending time with other artists keeps the creative juices flowing.
The shapes are often inspired by the natural cuts, brands, insect bites and character marks inherent in the hides.

6. What do you love about Montana?
Montana is alive. The breathtaking colors of the constantly changing big skies are a feast for the eyes. The abundance of flowing water and prolific wildlife blanket the magnificent landscapes and feed the soul.

7. Where can we find you?
My home studio is in Ennis, Montana. You can view samples of the range of my work at http://www.penny-hall.blogspot.com/
My Etsy Shop is http://www.etsy.com/shop/pennyhall

My husband is currently working on our company web site

http://www.bearfeather.com/.

The following galleries and gift shops also represent my art.
Artquest Gallery
Hinsdale, Illinois
Artquest West
Ketchum, Idaho
B. Bar Ranch
Emigrant, Montana
Common Ground Western Art Gallery
Red Lodge, Montana
Creighton Block Gallery
Virginia City, Montana
District Gallery
Park City, Utah
Earthwood Artisans
Estes Park, Colorado
Earthworks Gallery
Waynesville, North Carolina
Ghostart Gallery
Helena, Montana
Kindred Spirits Gift Gallery
Kalispell, MT
Madison Crossing Home Room
West Yellowstone, Montana
Portiera Designs
Breckenridge, Colorado
Primary Elements Gallery
Cannon Beach, Oregon
Shining Mountain Gallery
Pray, Montana

Big Sky Montana Etsy Team

"I am in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection, but with Montana it is love, and it's difficult to analyze love when you're in it." -John Steinbeck

I'd like to take a moment to introduce you to the Big Sky Montana Etsy Team.  What a wonderful group of artisans living in or longing for Big Sky Country.  This team is inspired by the beaty of Montana and the artisans here want to share their products and inspiration with everyone around them.

I will be featuring shops from members of the Montana Team over time.  In the meantime, please search montanateamon the Etsy homepage for many wonderful finds.  Here's a sneak peak of the products you'll find!

My Seven-Year-Old Finished a Marathon Today

I'm so proud of him I just had to share this with you.  Now before you say a 7-year-old is too young to run that far, let me give you the details.  It was a kids marathon - ran in conjunction with larger marathon, half-marathon and 5k races in our community.  The rules of the kids marathon allowed for the youth to begin April 1st and begin logging twenty five miles.  There were no rules as to how this was done and many of the schools got involved and started walking groups at recess.  Sometimes my son would log 1/4 mile at a time and others up to 2 miles.  Watching my son progress with his training was such a joy.  He would join my speed workout group on the track. He would put his ipod on and run his own pace. The adults would give him high fives and encouragement as he completed each lap. As the summer has progressed, he began to complete a mile at a time with ease.  Today was race day. We went to the registration booth and he proudly turned in his training log.  He recieved his race packet, complete with t-shirt and race number.  #477 - he was so excited.   The course was lined with supporters.  One half hour before the race started all the kids warmed up together and the crowd was pumped.  As he took his place among the sea of participants he waved to me in the crowd.  And then the gun.  They were off.  Many sprinted away while others picked up a nice steady pace.  Many walked and some were tired after 200 yards.  All were doing it. They were each trying their best to complete their goal. 

Before long, I watched as my son rounded the corner on the last stretch home.  He was weary, but still going.  Just then he seen me and our friends that came to cheer him on.  He got a spring in his step and finished strong.  How powerful.  Have you ever had this feeling? To simply look up and make eye contact with someone supporting you?  It truly does give you a boost.  We all need to be there for each other. Sometimes just being present is enough. May you each be blessed with someone who is present in your life.  How does a child run a marathon you ask?  A little bit at a time.  Every day putting one foot in front of the other until finally each mile is marked off and the marathon is complete.  Couldn't we all learn a little bit from these kids and apply it to our everyday lives?

Does the art in this post inspire you?  If so, please take a moment to visit these Etsy shops.  For "Mile19" please visit Vetek Artist Maine. For the silver urban marathon pendant, please visit Saved By Love

A Bridal Shower

This is the year of the weddings in my family.  My sister and my sister-in-law are both getting married in the next few months.  While there will probably be more posts in the future regarding the weddings, today I want to talk about the bridal shower.  While there are several stories out there about how the bridal shower originated, the most accepted seems to be that the bridal shower originated in Holland when a young Dutch girl fell in love with a poor miller.  Her father disapproved of her marriage to the poor miller and refused a dowry.  The poor miller had spent his life helping those needier than he and when it cam time to get married their friends got together and showered them with gifts from their new home. 

To me, a bridal shower reminds me of an old fashioned quilting bee.  It is a chance for the women of the families of the bride and groom to get together and pass wisdom on to the next generation.  The thing I love about a "traditional" bridal shower is all the women, from great-grandma to the youngest niece are invited and welcomed to share their thoughts and experiences of life.  What a range of perspectives you get when women of all ages gather in support of the bride. To me, the true gift of the bridal shower is the wisdom and moral support that each woman brings.  Whether it be fail-proof recipes, tips on getting stains out, or advice on how to keep your your marriage stong, this wisdom that is passed on is priceless, no matter the culture. 

While today's bridal showers take all forms, I believe the intent of the bridal shower is one of support for the new bride.  It offers a fun atmosphere for the women of the bride and groom's families to get to know one another and to begin to form strong bonds.  I believe it takes so much more than a bride and groom to make a marriage work.  The friends and family of the bride and groom will have an impact on their marriage from this day forward.  Getting off on the right foot with a bridal shower is a great way to make the impact a positive, supportive one. 

Do you have a bridal shower coming up? Please take a moment to visit the etsy shops featured in this post.  For the vintage shower invitation, please visit Gwen Marie Designs.  For the vintage OOAK journal, please visit Stories Divinations.  For the beautiful vintage baking dish, please visit Art of LALS. 

Creations Anew

I'd like to introduce you to a member of the Etsy HomeFront Team, Robin from Creations Anew. Please take a moment to read this wonderful interview - I hope it will move you and inspire you as it has me.


1. Please tell us a little about yourself.
I've really lived a charmed life. I was born and raised and Army Brat my father was a career soldier and my mother, sister, brother and I revolved around the military. My parents loved to site-see and living in foreign countries afforded us alot of traveling. I remember many hours in a blue Volkswagen van and then an orange one driving around Europe.

I graduated from Karlsruhe American High School in Germany and then I married a soldier and we raised a couple of Army Brats. We spent a couple of tours in Germany and had several stateside duties, from Ft Leonarwood Missouri to the Presido in San Francisco.

During those years I homeschooled my boys and taught Bible Studies. Hubby is now retired from the Army and both boys are graduated from High School. Our oldest son will be a senior at a University in Denver and our youngest son completed his freshman year and is weighing some different options.

Today, I find myself in another transition going from a military wife and motherhood to the civilian world and an empty nest. I'm looking forward to this next of my charmed life. :)


2. What is the 100 photo project?
My 100 Photo Project is really just a personal photo journey. Up until about 5 years ago I was a point and click kind of girl and with these new digital cameras "point and click" could produce a beautiful photo. They are wonderful because I didn't have to think to much about the mechanics of photography.

Earlier this year, I decided that I wanted to dig a little deeper with my art and I ran across the 100 Photo Project on line. http://onehundredphotos.blogspot.com/ There are no hard rules to follow we are encouraged to work at our own pace. The project is really about sharing and encouraging each other in our photographic journey's.

3. What is your favorite place/thing to photograph?

Well that is easy, if you've visited any of my sites you know that I love natural landscapes and florals. Things like mountains, lakes and wildflowers are on my list of favorites; they are always changing and yet ever the same.

Living in Colorado I enjoy all 4 seasons and so this year I've been shooting certain landscapes and trees in all four of the seasons; each seasonal photo has its own individual beauty and its own story.

4. What inspires you?
Other Photographers! I marvel at the things they see and their talent to capture them. By nature, 'm not artistic. I tend to see what is in front of me and obvious and forgetting to look deeper to what is really there. For instance, if I walk by a car, I see a car, other photographers see door handles, steering wheels, headlights, etc.
I've been working on training my eyes to view more than just THAT car!

5. What does the 4th of July mean to you?
I love America! I bleed Red,White and Blue. I'm so thankful to God for allowing me to be born here;to be an American. I've been blessed to have been able to travel world wide and I enjoy visiting other countries and learning about their cultures and their heritage but in the words of Dorthy from the Wizard of Oz,there is NO Place Like Home.

A few years ago, my oldest son befriended a German Foreign Exchange Student and I so enjoyed watching him view our culture. From small town football, (which is HUGE here), to American Flags waving in everyone's yard. He was mystified with our patriotic small town life; we are in the middle on no-where Colorado and yet when we say who we are, we say "We are Americans".

Last year,my youngest son went to small midwest college to play football and he enjoyed rooming with some inner city kids. When he came home, he shared with us that many of these boys did NOT identify with being Americans; their pride stemmed from which coast they come from...Truthfully, that bothered me, that somehow they had missed knowing that even with all of our issues,America really is the land of the Free and the Home of the Brave and that it's for them too.

6. Where can we find you?
I'm all over the place :)
Website: http://www.creations-anew.com/
Blog: http://www.creationsanew100photos.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CreationsAnewPhotography
Twitter: http://twitter.com/creationsanew
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/creationsanew/
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/creationsanew
1000Markets: http://www.1000markets.com/creationsanew

Homefront Team

Do you have plans this 4th of July Weekend?  Maybe you are attending a picnic or a parade, a rodeo or a car show.  Many of you may be attending an old fashioned ice-cream social or an outdoor craft show.  No matter what your plans for the day may bring, most of you will all find a quiet spot to sit and watch the fireworks, or throw a party of your to light up the sky.  Amongst all the activities, I ask this week that you take time to think about our men and women who are serving our country at this very moment.  Then I ask that you take a moment to think of their families. 

With the 4th of July upon us, I wanted to take a moment to share a special Etsy Team with you.  They are the Homefront Team.  The Homefront Team is comprised of etsy shop owners that are spouses and significant others  of members of the uniformed services.  

The Homefront Team Blog describes the team better than I can. "We are male and female, of all ages and several different nationalities and are located, quite literally, worldwide! Our one common thread is that we are personally involved in supporting our countries on a day-in, day-out basis. Without prejudice, or regard for religion, race, nationality or political views, we keep the homefires burning and our families together, no matter how far apart we are."

Whether you are Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force, Coast Guard, Reserves or Retired, the value of having a strong support system on the homefront has been recognized and revered for decades.

So while you are hanging that American Flag with pride at your next picnic, take a moment to remember those who have served in the past and those serving now who have brought you the simple everyday freedoms that we so often take for granted in our day to day lives. 

Please take a moment to visit the Etsy homepage and search Homefront Team.  If you like like what you see posted here, please visit these homefront team shops: For the Freedom and Liberty flag, please visit WanderingWhimsies.  For the Proud Military Spouse Dog Tags, please visit TheTaffyBox.  For the adorable Deployment Bear, please visit camillam.

It's About the Journey

I'm feeling sorry for myself today. I have been training for a half marathon.  Back in my high school and college days, running was my life.  I lived to run.  Is there any simpler sport?  All you need is a pair of running shoes and you are off.   While it is amazing the amount of gear and gadgets companies sell runners these days,  I still believe that at the end of the day the run is between you and the road.  (Don't get me wrong, I have been known to indulge in the gear that makes the run a little more enjoyable and me a little more technically savvy.)

For the past few years, life has gotten in the way of  those hours of training I used to put in.  I found my running shoes getting buried deeper in the closet with each season that passed.  Oh I tried to get back into running, but after a 5 year sabbatical it was discouraging to struggle through a two mile run.  I just kept thinking back on the shape I used to be in and the miles I used to log and would get discouraged that it took so much effort to complete a two mile run. 

This past fall, I decided to try again.  I enrolled myself in several fun runs and hit the road.  The journey has been very enjoyable.  Not only have I explored the roads and trails close to my house, but I have reconnected with old friends and met new ones along the way.  My runs no longer look like that ones I took back in the day.  Today my runs are equipped with jogging strollers and diaper bags.   But that's okay, I still get satisfaction from reaching goals I have set for myself. 

That's what brings me to today.  I was to run a half marathon.  It was the goal that got me training again this spring.  And now I'm laid up with a training injury.  I  began thinking about all the training that was wasted now that I'm not able to run.  After a while I began to realize, nothing had been wasted.  Every moment I spent training I was doing something good for myself - not just for my health, but for my emotional well being as well. It was about the journey, not just about the final goal. So while I was not able to run today, I will not let it get me down.  There are other half marathons and this particular one will be ran again next year.  I will look forward to standing on that starting line, pulse racing and my nerves getting the best of me as I wonder, did I train enough? Should I have done one more long run? 

If you have never done a local fun run, I suggest you really look into it.  Even if you are not a runner, there are several people who walk the course.  Don't be afraid to take your kids - it can be a great way to meet other moms and it's an activity the whole family can enjoy.  The people you meet and the encouragement and positive atmosphere at a road race is very  uplifting.  As a bonus, many fun runs are fundraisers for good causes.  So not only are you getting out and meeting people in your neighborhood, you are doing something good for your community.  Did I mention that most runs offer a cool t-shirt to those who participate?  So get out there, hit the track, run the trails, or settle for the open road, there is nothing stopping you from reaching your goals.

If the photography in this post has inspired you, please be sure to take a moment and visit these etsy shops.  For Running Away print, please visit ArtunderCJ. Into Parts Unknown can be found at SaraTeresa in addition to other fine prints and postcards. Once you've completed your run, be sure to stop by LauraElaineDesigns to scrapbook your memories.  Visit LauraElaine's Blog for more running inspiration and motivation. 

Nourishment for the Soul

I had a very busy day today, shuttling kids from one activity to the next.  As I was packing lunches for everyone this morning I was trying to figure out how I was going to get my little one lunch in the twenty minutes she had between activities, so I packed a lunch for the two of us, thinking we'd eat in the car between activities. 

Story hour ended a little early and as I was walking through the parking lot, I decided to take our lunch and have an impromtu picnic at the school playground.  Little did I know this lunch was nourishment for the soul. 

I found a quilt in the back of the car, grabbed our food and we were off.  As we walked to a perfect spot under a shade tree I felt myself physically slowing down.  Walking slower behind my daughter and listening to her excitement over eating a sandwich in the park.  We were serenaded by songbirds as we talked about the stories we just read at the library and all the friends she had just met. Time began to slow and I found myself breathing easier, taking in the surroundings and really listening to what my three year old was telling me. 

After lunch we even had a little time to hit the playground and slide down the slide.  When was the last time you slid down a slipper slide?  If it hasn't been recently, I highly recommend it.  I don't know what was more exhilerating - the slide or my three year old's squeal of delight that mommy was sliding! Our whole lunch lasted thirty minutes and it was off to the next activity, but it felt that just for a few minutes time stood still.

My challenge for you this week is to eat at least one meal outside. The next time you find yourself  at a fast food drive thru, pull over at the first patch of grass you see.  Get out of your car and eat outside.  I believe the food tastes better in the fresh air. If your really feeling frisky, kick your shoes off and actually feel the grass between your toes. It will give you the boost you need to get through the rest of your day.

Please take a moment to check out TheFarmersWifeCT to add this lovely picnic basket to your next outing. If your looking for your own quilt to travel with, please take a moment to check out TheArtistsHouse as well as her blog. 

What's In a Name?

Hello and Welcome to my little neck of the internet. Pull up a chair and grab a cup of coffee while we slip back in time to a simpler way of life. With all the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, it's easy to overlook the simple things in life that bring us joy, allow us to reflect on the past and take pleasure in the present. This is your stop to get a little dose of simplicity in your day's hectic schedule.

Allow me to share with you how this blog started and just what is in a name. Almost a year ago I opened an Etsy Shop, http://www.etsy.com/shop/PrairieWindDesigns. It has been a wonderful experience that I continue to grow with. This blog gets its beginnings from my Etsy shop and all the wonderful finds and friends I have made there. Throughout the year I have been fortunate to be featured on many blogs and over time I plan to feature some of my favorite shops and artisans here on this blog.

No-tion -noun

1. a general understanding; vague or imperfect conception or idea of something

2. an opinion, view, or belief

3. conception or idea

4. a fanciful or foolish idea; whim

5. an ingenius article, device, or contrivance; knickknack

6. notions, small articles, as buttons, thread, ribbon and other personal items

Much of what you will find in this blog are my notions - a sprinkle of knickknacks, a dash of ideas, and a cup full of views. But what I hope you will find on this blog above all else is inspiration. I plan to include the simple, everyday things in life that inspire me.



I grew up on a farm in southwest Kansas. I love the prairie. I feel the prairie has played a big part into shaping me into the person I am today. Growing up working the ground and having the faith the seeds you plant today will be the harvest you reap tomorrow. With the prairie comes wind and the winds of change have blown my life in many directions. First separting me from those Kansas sunsets to find myself among the majestic mountains of Montana. I love Montana. Thank you for stopping by. I look forward to sharing the simple pleasures in our everyday life with you during our time together.

Please take a moment to visit these featured Etsy Shops:
For the Vintage Coffee Canister visit:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/nellielovesvintage
For the 1800s Antique Button Rings visit:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/vaartsuppliescom
For the Fence Post in the Grass and other fine photography visit:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/judemcconkey