ABOUT



See the Good

 

Welcome, I'm Carole West.

I offer a place to unwind, centered on simple living and seeing the good each day. 

But if we're going to be friends, I should begin by telling you a little about myself...

Home life is in the countryside of East Texas with my husband Robert and our dog Kramer.  We are empty nesters and our surroundings are the best because they inspire my writing, art and lifestyle.

For me writing began through journaling then one day I dove into blogging. I remember the first time I clicked publish, it was like a window of new opportunities.  

Then in 2014, I launched the Garden Up Green blog and what a ride.  During that time, I started freelancing for several national magazines which led to publishing books about raising quail and gardening. 

Things moved quick, maybe too quick because I found myself leading workshops for Texas Home and Garden.  The city really wasn't my place, so later I decided to bring those classes closer to home.  

It was a crazy time and just when I thought things were getting quiet Hometalk flew me to New York City for one of their planning sessions.  I had never traveled to the east coast; it was pretty amazing. 

I mention these details because I am a believer anything is possible.  Someone once told me I could not "freelance" until I was found… “I sat there for a moment and thought, but I’m not lost.”

Then in the summer of 2020, I made a bold decision and shut everything down. In one click it was all over.  




My Return to Blogging

There is a saying, when one door closes, another one opens. When I closed the door on Garden Up Green, I wasn't sure if that was the right decision.

I presume it was God's way of preparing me for a next chapter because my husband and I ended up moving from NE Texas to East Texas.  Together we contracted our own home and I must say that was a challenge of a lifetime.  

As we approached the finish line, I started watercolor painting and decided to return to blogging with a message to see the good.  This time around I created a broader writing path that represents my lifestyle in four categories.



Gift Sharing

I believe that sharing our God given talents is vital to a thriving society.  These gifts mold who we are in addition to telling our story so, I am honored you took the time to read about me. 

I am going to guess that finding a space to unwind sounds nice.  If that's true then welcome friends, my hope is you recharge when reading and implement the goodness I share. 

See the Good,
Carole

I can be reached at cw@carolewest.net