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Life has moved me in a new direction. THE THEATRE! My daughter has been my inspiration and guiding light to move me. This is how we made this beautiful magnolia tree. Let me know if you have any questions.  You can purchase the svg file here. LovesvgDesigns  Love how the tree casts a shadow on the house.
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Oh by gosh by golly......let's get our creativity on. I truly thought I would share this after Christmas. I am like a kid and I just couldn't wait. Young and old can create this with a few little tweaks. Items Needed: Recycled board Sharpie or pencil Two or three paint colors A fine paintbrush and a trim brush Decoupage glue Artificial flowers The amazing SVG file for your cutting machine. Click here Most of all....Your creative and beautiful brain Found this in my shop..Free stuff  Any color will do.  I used a black poster board for my image. I decided to decoupage the letters. I first painted them and then I glued them on.  Hot glue your flowers. WOW! You are amazing.  For little ones...We decoupaged the antlers and lettering. He painted the antlers first. The letters are a beautiful card stock. The finished product was not dry when I took the photo. Oops Craft of the week: Create a long lasting memory. These custom place mats are so easy and heart warming. You can makes these on your Cricut or Silhouette Machine. I am using a Cricut for my design. During this time of year we give a lot of gratitude. It is so wonderful to hear about the many blessing bestowed on our loved ones. I want to share a family tradition with you. Imagine sitting around the table at Thanksgiving or Christmas. As you look around the table you are watching all your loved ones writing what they are thankful for. Except for that creepy Uncle. Let's not look at him. At the end of your meal you can gather the blessing and hang them on your refrigerator, fireplace mantel, or scrapbook them. These are like little treasures that keep on giving through the holiday season. Supplies: Scrapbook paper Copper Medium Tip 1.0 pen Thanksgiving SVG File (click above to get this great SVG file) When you get the Thanksgiving file into Cricut Design Space, select the write attribute and rotate your design. I used the back side of scrap paper for this project. You can use poster board, cut to the desired size, or card stock. Be the free spirit that you are. Now click GO! You have just made a lasting memory for your family.   The Philosophy that no one can make you do anything is something that I make a point of instilling in our daughter, Savannah. We all make our own choices even if it sometimes seems impossible to choose. I can not make another person do anything. We make our own choices all day long. If I said kiss my feet or I will give you a wedgie....what would you choose? You are making a choice and I did not MAKE you do anything. Now that you understand my point, let's move on. Most of my personal choices for the last decade or so have been made while enjoying my time on the 18 acres of land that we owned. I would walk with God and then come home in peace with my decisions. Now that I am living in the city it is hard for me to even think. Why? Because I am constantly surrounded by unnecessary noise pollution. I feel trapped in almost every place that I go. Nearly every store, gas station, restaurant, fitness center, and swimming pool has music playing all the time. I can no longer think a thought without these sounds cluttering my brain. We have never had tv streamed into our home and rarely do we even have the radio on. Seems that by living the peaceful life these past years, have allowed me to developed a sensitivity to all of the music and TV sounds around me. Is this truly how people live? How do you even think a clear thought or sit in your own silence? My husband and I chose a transition place of a beautiful apartment that is next to the pool for our daughter. It is amazing. The landscaping is so beautiful and the natural creek that we have discovered beyond our boundaries have been an exciting and extreme adventure. But from morning until night the music at the pool outside my door is blaring it’s sounds. The only place I am not bombarded with it, is in my bathroom. The DJ's tend to talk about inappropriate things and the music is being force fed to me like a kid that has to eat Broccoli, leaving a bad taste in my mouth. Everywhere I go I hear constant ads and TV programs. Even the gas station has music playing. What makes you think that I need to hear that? It isn't that the music is bad, or something I don't believe in. It just starts to feel like I’ve been somehow transported into the middle of an old Charlie Brown cartoon. Whereas the sounds from parents and teachers turn in to Wah waah wah wah waaah....I truly understand now why my guests loved coming to our farm, always commenting on the peacefulness of it. I am ready to go back and sit with my own thoughts. Society is MAKING ME listen to their garbage. It feels like a terrorist attack on my brain. Imagine if you had headphones on your head and all day and night were subjected to listen to another person’s program of choice. You would either start to love it and sing along to it, learn to tune it out, or you just may go nuts because of it. It makes me think of the “negotiations” between the FBI and the Branch Davidians in Waco in 1993. The FBI played recordings of jet planes, pop music, chanting, and the screams of rabbits being slaughtered all night long. This was used for sleep deprivation. I’m sure this would drive anyone mad. You may be wondering if I even enjoy music. I love music! I love to turn it up loud and dance the night away. We have friends that are musicians and they are amazing. I enjoy spending time at Rick's Chop House Bar just to listen to the live music. Sometimes I feel the need to get up and dance even when there is no dance floor. I have a passion for many different kinds of music. Our daughter has spent her entire life falling asleep to quiet nature sounds, and soft music. It gives her a great comfort to listen to these sounds on into slumber-land. Music is an expression of love, joy, and even pain. When I asked our new apartment complex to turn off the loud music that was piped into the swimming area next to my apartment every day, the attitude was....”Suck it up buttercup”. I was not even aware that it would be playing when I signed my lease with them. In fact the first few weeks that we lived at the apartments it was never even turned on. But the maintenance man finally got around to fixing it...Lucky me. Sensory overload occurs when one or more of the body's senses experiences over-stimulation from the environment. This has become a huge problem in urban settings, and is especially disturbing for someone with autism. Lately, I feel like I can really relate with this. Take a moment to watch this video, it really gives a person an idea of the total chaos one feels in what seems to be today's world’s new persona. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr4_dOorquQ I have a nephew that is non verbal and autistic. His mother does all she can to figure out what he may be crying about or if he is in pain. But at 20 years of age, he still has what is known as meltdowns (looks like a temper tantrum to an outsider). After watching the video, it is so much easier for me to understand why. I have never considered myself as one having a problem with this sensory overload phenomenon. But with all of these unwanted sounds that have begun to attack me since leaving my nice quiet world, I feel it has made me feel irritated, angry, and even scared. I have a much more understanding and empathy for those that have always dealt with these experiences. As we were packing up our home to move, I was really noticing all the noise in the house as it began to escalate. The sounds of my daughter and her friend laughing and playing just up the stairs along with Fred the dog chewing on his squeeky toy, while the echos of the near empty room doubling and amplifying the voices of my husband, and the new owners that were buying our home. I found myself thinking.... “Too much talking”. When the voices downstairs quickly hushed. “Wow! Did I really say that out loud?” I realized at that moment just how real my frustrations had become.  Maybe I am crazy like a fox or maybe I just enjoy and embrace natures music. Nature has so many wonderful sounds. When you take the time, you can her the sounds of love, fear, the songs of momma bird and her hungry babies, dogs barking, water trickling, and trees swaying.
Perhaps....I need to go live in a tree.   My family and I have so much gratitude for the amazing adventures that we have been able to share with each and every one of you during our time at Savannah's Meadow. I know many of you have asked why we have been so difficult to get a hold of lately, and why we have not been open for business.
Although we have been blessed to be able to live and fulfill our dreams of treehouses, lavender fields, handmade lavender products, wedding planning, social events, and homeschooling our daughter. Now we feel it is time for our family to start a new adventure. This has not been an easy decision, and has been very emotional for us all. Of course, Savannah's Meadow is such a unique place with it's many treasures, we knew it would take the right family to fall in love with it in order for us to sell it. And with each potential buyer, we would end up spending hours, touring everything, enjoying a beer together on the front porch, or a cup of coffee at the kitchen table. Enjoying many laughs and stories together. Many of our viewers felt they were ready to move in the next day, although it never felt quite right to me. It crushed me to think of our guests disappointment if Savannah's Meadow were to close. We stayed so busy with all of the showings that I began to fall behind on Savannah's schooling so when an appointment was scheduled during our school time one day, I begged off of giving the tour, asking our realtor to show it that day. As the family came into our living room, the woman immediately recognized the math curriculum I was using, a homeschooling mom herself, struck up a conversation with me and we quickly hit it off. Of course I had no idea that this was the family that I would be introducing you to. But as they turned to walk out the door that day, I knew. My body and mind were at peace. My heart said... “this is it”. And my heart has never wavered. I truly feel like I was actually able to personally choose the new owners of Savannah's Meadow. I have been waiting for the right time to say..... “Someone is Opening The Farm!” Yay! Susan, Ron, and Andrew will be living, operating, and creating new memories. They Are Savannah's Meadow! I know they will be working hard to take over where we left off. This will be a new experience for this family. Hopefully not to difficult to fill this little farmers shoes. I have great respect, confidence, and love for them. I know they will rock this farm and make it even better! They have a wonderful family and great team to support them in this great new adventure. I feel personally honored that the name of the farm will live on....Savannah's Meadow. This family understands that it was love that created this whimsical and enchanting farm. I believe they are as creative, loving and connected that we have been. And now my family is looking forward to our new adventures in life. We plan to remain in Texas for about a year, and then who knows what or where we will be? Follow us on Facebook/FromPoshToOhMyGosh. This is the blog that I started when my “Posh life” was turned upside down as I became a farmer. Now I plan to get back to a posh life. Think it might be difficult for me to adapt? I may need to purchase myself a pair of flip flops... these muck boots of mine just are not fashionable. Ha...Like I really care! Love and positive energy will continue to flow through us and out to Savannah's Meadow. To the new family that is running it and to all of the wonderful people that will continue to embrace the joys of the farm. Gwen Snyder From Posh to Oh My Gosh  Most of you know my story, as I have openly shared our adventures with you throughout the years. Although you may not be aware of the true beginnings. It was a beautiful October day. The sun was shinning, my baby was happy and it was Halloween. Feeling a bit out of sorts that day but not sure why, I dressed Savannah in a cute little ballerina outfit and took her into town to see her Pa. Seeming to take a bit longer then usual upon seeing us drive in his local tire shop, he came up to greet us. After a short visit, and hearing my sister-in-law was in town, we left to spend some time and have lunch with her. Later that day, as I laid Savannah down for her afternoon nap I was reminiscing about our day, wondering why Pa seemed so quiet. Time stood still as I tried piecing together the words being said over the phone that were to shatter my world. I ran outside and started screaming. I was running all around the back yard just screaming and crying and yelling WHY?!? Screaming so much that my head hurt. The day came for us to gather together to say goodby to Pa. The church was packed with friends, loved ones, customers, and my beautiful family. As I stood up to speak I thought that it was the very worst day of my life. How could a person possibly decide it was their time to go? I thought that was up to God. Running Pa's tire shop and walking in his shoes was too painful. His shoes were just too big (and he was flat footed). It sucked! With a baby on my hip and covered in grease with employees that thought I was just a stupid little girl I did the best that I could, but my only joy in that place was the lavender that I had planted behind the shop and watching my daughter take her first steps across the parking lot. I was broken inside so after about a year, I locked up the tire shop for the last time and escaped to my beautiful, solitaire land. I became a stay at home mom with a lot of time to think. Thinking can make you nuts when you live out in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by trees and no friends. I spent most of my days in tears grieving and running on auto pilot. After about a year of this, running away sounded like a great idea! I could see no other way of relieving the past year of continuous pain. All I wanted to do is run and run and run. One afternoon, as my baby was napping I decided to walk my property. Looking at The Great Big Green Tractor that was sitting in the yard I remembered Pa's words as he drove it out to me one July several years ago and told me “Go for it little girl. Be a farmer. Plant your lavender, just do it”. So after having Mike, my husband explain to me everything about I needed to know about the tractor, and how to run it, before I knew it I was plowing a field. As the sun peaked through the clouds and kissed my sweet cheeks, a tear came from my eye, I said thank you. Thank you for believing in me that I could do whatever I wanted to do, thank you for loving me enough to bring the tractor, thank you for loving my family and loving your community. I get it now, and I will forever love you. We planted lavender. Lots and lots of lavender. It was a beautiful day and we were making my dream come to life. I was where I needed to be, and peace was flowing over me like a waterfall. A year had gone by and the lavender failed. Not willing to give up on my dream I was back on the tractor. Planting even more this time. Gwen didn't fail! The lavender did. Another year went by and the lavender was gone again. It is ok! We just need to do this differently. We did find a better way, and with the help of friends and family, we planted nearly four thousand plants in just two days time. WOW! Within just three years we had big beautiful blooming plants and hundreds of customers. We are now officially lavender farmers. Also wanting to stay true to my husband Mike's dream of living in a treehouse, we set upon building what is now known and The Majestic Treehouse. Taking about a year to build, and knowing this chick was never going to live up in the trees, as Mike and I were laying down the floor I asked him what we would do with it. His response of “Let's rent it out” was perfect, and our customers continue to tell us that it is amazing. A lot of time was spent developing new and exciting products through much research, but also through trial and error. My friends and family have all loved trying out and sampling new products. Lessons are learned quickly with this method. One evening as my husband was suffering from cold symptoms, I fixed him up with an eye mask using essential oils. Only after thirty minutes in the shower trying to get his eyes to quit burning, did we realized that the peppermint I used is actually a “hot” oil. These memories have been exciting, joyful, funny and sometimes painful. Our farm has been open to the public for three years, and blessings have surrounded our family. Our daughter has grown into a beautiful young lady and our oldest daughter has built her own home and is also doing well. We are all in a beautiful space at this time. After our 3rd annual lavender festival it was time to harvest the lavender crop. Every morning for two weeks for the past three years, I would wake up at 5:30am and be in the field within the hour. It is a back breaking job but always well worth the effort, I have become very used to the routine of a farmer. As the morning sun would wash over the lavender, I started seeing some changes in the plants. They seemed to be so very dry even though they were receiving plenty of water. As days and weeks passed by, I began to realize what was going on. My plants were dying. The heavy flooding that we had gotten in the spring had damaged the roots and was now turning everything gray. One morning as I was sitting in the middle of my field, remembering, mesmerized by what we had created within our ten years on the farm, the beautiful silo store, children giggling in the treehouse, the fish that were caught, weddings, proposals, date nights, the list goes on and on, I look all around me at the dead plants and I feel a mixture of nostalgia and sadness. I know I must give much gratitude to God for His blessings as our dreams had becoming a reality. Joy filled my heart and every bit of me was overjoyed by the love that we have received. As I began to walk out of the field, I turned around to give it one last look and I say “goodbye my friend. We have had a good run of it and I have accomplished my dream but now it is time to leave you”. The thought of turning the page of this chapter did not immediately resonate with Mike. But within time, and new hopes and ideas, we have decided to sell our farm and move on. Thoughts of a new start have flooded my head as I prepare our home and farm for a new family. It gives me great joy and comfort to let go of this dream that has been conquered and hand it over to someone new. My family is preparing for a new life style change and allowing new discoveries. We wont sit still for very long and I am sure you will hear from us again. This is not the end of us....but the beginning of our next great adventure. |
My Name is Gwen
I am a woman of contradictions and a believer that you can do anything in this world as long as you dare to be inspired. 
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