Finding Happiness in Simplicity: Everyday Joys for Simple Living throughout the Year

by Gail Fraser, Art Poulin (Illustrator)

Gail Fraser and her artist-husband Art Poulin believe that they have found a way to maneuver around the potholes of life by living simply and purposefully. They have been fortunate to enjoy a life of elegant simplicity on their 40-acre gentleman’s farm and artist retreat in upstate New York where they can create their art. This book opens a window into their world of tranquility—a stark contrast to today’s times, a kind of visual chicken soup for the soul. Combining Art’s landscape paintings and Gail’s thoughtful words, Finding Happiness in Simplicity provides a charming but deeply compelling message that there are everyday joys to be realized and that these small things can bring us closer to a more fulfilling life. The recommended joys of simple living are grouped by season and Plant Seeds in the Earth, Know Where Your Home Is, Be Joyful with Animals, Honor Friends and Family, Lose Yourself in a Small Town, and more.

Genres: Nonfiction

128 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Gail Fraser is the author of the Lumby series, which includes "The Lumby Lines," "Stealing Lumby," "Lumby’s Bounty," "The Promise of Lumby," "Lumby on the Air," "Lost in Lumby" and "Between Lumby and God" (early coming 2018). Along with her husband, folk artist Art Poulin, Gail also co-authored the celebrated non-fiction illustrated hardcover and ebook entitled "Finding Happiness in Simplicity: Everyday Joys for Simple Living Throughout the Year" (Globe Pequot 3/2012).

Prior to changing her life and becoming a novelist in 2004, Gail had a long and successful career in 'corporate America' holding senior executive and upper management positions in several Fortune 500 and start-up corporations. During her career, in addition to living throughout the United States, Gail traveled to 22 countries and had extended stays in Australia, Japan, Brazil and several countries in Europe.

Gail was born and raised in Rye, New York, and attended the Rye High School and then majored in English and received an AA from Colby Sawyer College. After graduating, Gail studied at the University of London and returned to Skidmore College where she earned her BA in English Education. She completed her MBA at the University of Connecticut, with graduate work done at Harvard University.

Gail and Art have built their own 'Lumby' at Lazy Goose Farm in rural upstate New York. Featured in several magazines, newspapers and on PBS, Lazy Goose is a 40-acre gentleman's farm that is demarcated by a 200-year old stone wall, and has views of the Catskills, Adirondack and Vermont mountains. Gail is also an avid heirloom tomato gardener, long-distance swimmer and flute player. When not following her passions, Gail tends to their orchard and beehives most every morning.

Reviews

[Roger Wadleigh · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you manage to somehow end up a consultant to a Fortune 500 company and then realize that all you really had to do was somehow buy a country estate you can have a simple life. If you have the money to buy the estate... 'cause you ended up a Fortune 500 consultant. THEN, you can have a simple life. Guess the rest of us are up a creek. Pretty artwork, but filled with platitudes.

[Melinda M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding Happiness in Simplicity: Everyday Joys for Simple Living throughout the Year by Gail Fraser
was illustrated by her husband , Art Poulin. It deals with simple living. It reminds you no t to miss the simple little things. It has wonderful Illustrations that will remind you of a country road and a simpler time.

I received this book thru a Goodreads Giveaways.

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short book with some sweet sentiments and nice folk art illustrations. Of course, life can be simple when you are very well off. That said, my fav aspect was when they shared their tradition of making guesses about the upcoming year and recorded it in a small journal. They only pull the journal out the filling year to see how they did and make new projections. Loved that.

[Deann Doolittle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book, the pictures, and the quotes. Ready to jump into the Lumby Series!

[LuAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely fast read. It offers such beautiful advice, along with the author's husband's art.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the art. Good messages. Interesting quotations.