Hope's theme

This blog is brought to you by the lovely (biased opinion, we know) Stone Turtle – Lodging, a small family owned and operated hotel / lodging business near Lawton, Oklahoma, Fort Sill,  the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Meers and Medicine Park. Yeah, that’s right we’re a small lodging business close to all the awesomeness Oklahoma has to offer!!

Importance of Nature

 

Our location is pretty close to Lake Lawtonka. It's a super-short drive and bicycle ride to enjoy a walk (or ride) along the shoreline or even just to wander down the road connecting camp sites. We believe nature is essential to one's overall well-being. It's a way to recharge our souls. Enjoying, appreciating, and taking care of nature builds a connection that is holy. When that connection is lost, we aren't well. This concept is not new, of course, but it definitely seems to be forgotten in our society of working, buying, buying some more, and always going.

As we were strolling along the lake the other morning we were in shock as to how people left their campsites and the beautiful shore. How can we not take care of something so beautiful and perfect which was made for us?  How can we recharge when nature has been trashed? We believe that it's because that connection to nature is not seen.

In central Europe this connection has been cherished and cultivated. Place of nature, something left green, within a town or close to a town which is easily reachable offering a reprieve from the hustle and bustle from the hectic lives we live can be found all over Europe . It's a place to recharge. An emotional and mental retreat. In Europe they have many opportunities for the public to enjoy nature; to breathe fresh air! In the U.S., at least in our area, most land is privately owned and fenced in. Which is why living near the Wichita Mountains and the lake is such a blessing! We are able to enjoy nature, breathe in fresh air, and recharge our souls. In Germany they have a word for such a place. It's called a Naherholungsgebiet. Literally it means, close recuperation area. As far as we know, there is no term for this type of place in the U.S. other than park. But, it's so much more than a park.

These areas are meant for daily use (and appreciation). Something to be valued and not used and abused. To be cared for and protected. Not just for us, but for others to enjoy as well.So when we find such an area, let us be thankful and respectful. Enjoy it, but do not abuse it; A trashy area is not very recharging.

With the increasing use of technology (always being reachable), this type of place is even more important today than it was 10-20 years ago. As the Germans would say, nature is "Balsam fuer die Seele." Roughly translated it means that nature is a healing remedy for the soul Actively seeking out quiet and nature is important for our overall health. This is the main reason we do not offer cable or internet in our cabins.

"Study Nature. Love nature. Stay close to nature. It will never fail you."

                                                             - Frank Lloyd WrightGreetings from the Stone Turtle - Lodging!

This blog is brought to you by the lovely (biased opinion, we know) Stone Turtle – Lodging, a small family owned and operated hotel / lodging business near Lawton, Oklahoma, Fort Sill,  the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Meers and Medicine Park. Yeah, that’s right we’re a small lodging business close to all the awesomeness Oklahoma has to offer!!

Finding Cinderella's slipper

I cannot for the life of me recall just how we ended up on the decorating theme for Hope. Either I subconsciously love fairy tales or the universe does. Fairy tales (Oklahoma style) have been chosen for the theme of Hope mainly after we found that gorgeous gown and mounted it on the wall. One of our guests staying with us for a military graduation from Fort Sill inspired an awesome idea (thank you, by the way). The children were absolutely fascinated with the "Cinderella Room" of Hope. The fairy tale theme was then a done deal. I love it when the universe give clear signs. Now what's the story of Cinderella without the lost high heel? It turns out I have a hidden talent for shopping (or just spending money).

Greetings from the Stone Turtle,
Danielle

This blog is brought to you by the lovely (biased opinion, we know) Stone Turtle – Lodging, a small family owned and operated hotel / lodging business near Lawton, Oklahoma, Fort Sill,  the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Meers and Medicine Park. Yeah, that’s right we’re a small lodging business close to all the awesomeness Oklahoma has to offer!!

Project Decorating Hope Continues

Happy Thursday!

We are loving July! It's been a super fun month filled with lovely guests at the Stone Turtle - Lodging. We're even getting a little break from the summer heat with a rainy week. There's nothing like a mandatory break from outside work to get the creative gears grinding.

Our rental cabin Hope has been in the cross-hairs of our decorating frenzy lately. As Ingrid and I were browsing through a shabby chic shop (yes, Lawton actually has one), we came to the conclusion that clothes can be used for decoration. More specifically fancy, schmancy dresses can be great accent pieces. So we rushed to a thrift shop to try our luck. As luck would have it, we found this amazing Cinderella type dress. We also picked up a Happily Ever After sign. Boy, do we love fate.

What makes you feel like you're in a fairy tale?


~Danielle

This blog is brought to you by the lovely (biased opinion, we know) Stone Turtle – Lodging, a small family owned and operated hotel / lodging business near Lawton, Oklahoma, Fort Sill,  the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Meers and Medicine Park. Yeah, that’s right we’re a small lodging business close to all the awesomeness Oklahoma has to offer!!

Simplicity of Life

Ingrid and I have been discussing life a lot lately. As a matter of fact, we cannot talk shop without mentioning the greater aspects of life. It's impossible, actually, to not end in a philosophical discussion about life and what really matters in life.

Humans are funny creatures. We work, work, work and buy, buy, buy. We get so caught up in conventional things that we tend to forget that cell phones, internet, cars, designer clothes, and boats aren't what truly make us happy.

It's taking the time to treat oneself and just be in the present moment. To sit outside in the morning and listen to the birds sing while drinking a nice cup of tea. It's about reading to expand one's horizons. Enjoying coffee in the presence of friends (not friends on cell phones). It's about star gazing and enjoying a glass of wine or craft beer. It's about tasting the food we eat. It's about gratitude. Being grateful for today and yesterday even if it didn't turn out the way we hoped. It's about taking the time to learn something new. To be productive with the time we have. It's about using your time qualitatively and not quantitatively.

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." ~ Leonardo da Vinci

At the Stone Turtle, we also find ourselves getting so caught up in our to-do lists that we forget to just take a break to enjoy the beauty of life. There are so many things we want to learn, yet always say "later." Enough with the "laters" it's time for some "nows."

We, as you know, love books. But, now I'm on the search of more workshop (learn it yourself) and inspirational type books. Why not be able to have your very own personal workshop while you stay in the Lawton / Fort Sill area? Aspiring writers, poets, painters, gardeners, bakers, bird house builders all have to start somewhere, right? Because as they say, Rome was not built in a day. Something I have to remind myself regularly.

Off to search for awesome, fun how-to books for our cabins Faith and Hope.

Some of Martha's books...and donkey mascot.

Have a motivated Monday,

Dani

This blog is brought to you by the lovely (biased opinion, we know) Stone Turtle – Lodging, a small family owned and operated hotel / lodging business near Lawton, Oklahoma, Fort Sill,  the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Meers and Medicine Park. Yeah, that’s right we’re a small lodging business close to all the awesomeness Oklahoma has to offer!! So come explore Oklahoma and stay with us.