Small Pond Graphics

sojourn . A Friday through Central Alabama

· January 28, 2020

That hand painted script! “Independent” ventures sometimes carry a lot of questions, plenty of decision-making, and usually a healthy helping of unpredictability paired with second-guessing. But, it’s fun to relish the independence sometimes, and indulge in the serendipity of an unplanned road, even if it results in a few detours.

I have to say that I really enjoy traveling by myself. Not in large doses (because I just love having my children with me), but a few hours left to my own devices in the car with no strict ETA required can be good for the soul! Last year, I had the opportunity for a little solo road trip through central Alabama. I was meeting my son for a school event in Auburn, and I gave myself permission to take the long way…

Categories : sojourn

Tags : Alabama, downtowns, roadside Americana, rural places, Selma AL, Southern experiences

keep . The Blessing of Beginning Again

Posted by haley montgomery

· January 6, 2020

To begin again is such a blessing – an opportunity to revel in what may be hovering ahead on the horizon. But, it’s a blessing that sometimes gets a bad rap. I’ve had a few “starting over” seasons in my life, and I’ve noticed they tend to be heavily burdened with the failure or loss of whatever season came before. We steady our hands for a newness thrust upon us, like we’ve scribbled some errant message and, with a heavy sigh, had to tear out the page, wad it up and toss it behind us.

It’s different with a new year. Maybe it’s the predictability that makes the difference, but we seem to turn the page to January with much more acceptance. With more grace — for ourselves, for where we’ve been and where we’re going. We give ourselves permission to embrace something new. And, we celebrate the beginning, relishing the opportunity to retool and tweak life goals and daily decisions alike. The start of the new year offers an anticipated blessing of beginning again — the chance to bring forward what serves us and leave behind what may be holding us back. No strings attached.

Categories : essays, keep

Tags : conscious living, conscious working, digital life, family, managing time, motherhood, well-designed life

Happy New Year! [printable calendar]

Posted by haley montgomery

· January 1, 2020

January 2020 free printable calendar download

In with the new! Today not only brings the start of a new year, but a new decade as well – a time to welcome all the wonder and possibility newness can bring. Like the rest of the world, I’ve been spending the requisite time over the last few weeks to evaluate and set goals and hanker for changes where they need to be. In the coming days, I know I’ll get to all the conclusions that have surfaced from that process. But, for now, I’m content to dream and revel in the glow of a new starting point. (whoop! whoop!)

I’m holding on to the last few days of Christmas vacation with my crew before we get back into routines next week, but I wanted to plant the flag for 2020 with a printable calendar download. I’ve updated the format for the calendars this year to accommodate space for a 5×7″ mini print. Each month, I’ll include a bit of art you can cut down and frame or hang – something to make you smile long after the month is over.

DOWNLOAD THE JANUARY CALENDAR

Let’s do this, 2020!
h.

Categories : free art + printables

Tags : calendars, printables, watercolor

favorite flânerie . Painted Clarksdale

Posted by haley montgomery

· November 12, 2019

I’ve been wandering through my photo archives lately, and it’s like a stroll through back roads and small towns and memories made. We’ve made quite a hobby of road-tripping over the years, and my kids have been pretty good sports with all the random stops to capture the views. I’ve been trying to archive and organize and make connections between all the places and wanders we’ve experienced, with the hope of sharing them here on The Frog Kisser.

This week, I’ve been looking at some images from Clarksdale, Mississippi. We last visited this crossroads of Delta arteries on a hot (HOT) summer day, and I’m revisiting the sun-baked glimpses of a small town steeped in art and dust and most of all, the blues. I’ve already shared about our visit to Delta Blues Museum and the iconic Ground Zero Blues Club, but most of our adventures also include at least a little dawdling over downtown streets and the search for whatever street art we can find. So, today’s archive is a glimpse of painted Clarksdale.

Categories : favorite flanerie

Tags : Clarksdale MS, downtowns, Mississippi, Mississippi Delta

celebrate . Halloween in the House

Posted by haley montgomery

· October 31, 2019

Happy Halloween! Around here, we tend to merge our excitement for fall together with Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations that celebrate this long-awaited time of year. Cooler days, rustling leaves, bluer skies, pumpkins, and the smell of warm spices… the changing season settles in to our hearts and to our home. Even though our favorite activities for Halloween are changing, we never seem to outgrow the comfort that comes from pulling out our decorations, remembering favorite things, and creating a cozier feel in our rooms. On this day of spooks, I thought I’d share a glimpse of our Halloween in the house, and with it, a glimpse of my heart in yet another season of change.

Categories : celebrate

Tags : Halloween, holidays, inspired by autumn, our home, vintage design, vintage toys

Hello & welcome! I’m Haley Montgomery, and I’m the designer and owner of Small Pond Graphics. I sometimes fancy myself a frog kisser— a documentarian coaxing poignant moments from unexpected places. This blog has evolved from those moments.

The small Pond FIELD GUIDE is part diary, part sketchbook, and part wish list – an archive of ordinary wonders. For years, this space has housed my stories – creative ideas, vintage inspiration, our forays into curious places, and the simple artifacts of quiet of conscious living. Through watercolor, photography, and illustrated tales, these pages uncover the blessing of ordinary days and the wonder found in authentic places and pursuits.

I invite you to open the boxes.
Peek into the drawers.
Rustle through the pages.
I’m honored to have you here.