Embracing what is...

embracing what is

(she held her dreams close)

embracing what is

(she nurtured a deep sense of place)

embracing what is

(she quieted her mind)

Have you ever had one of those moments, kind of like an epiphany of sorts? The kind of moment in which you just realize things are-what-they-are and the only thing you have control over is yourself. Your actions. Your words. Your thoughts. That's it. It's a moment I have to keep having over and over. It's a lesson for mr about embracing the moment, who I am now, what I know, who I love and the things I hold dear. The rest of the stuff comes and goes and works itself out, or it doesn't. This week I've had sick boys home all week. The big one went back to school Wednesday but the little guy is still here only slightly improved. So this week has been yet another lesson in letting go of expectation. A week of realizing that by letting go what I expected or wanted to get gone and just embracing what is I am left with what is most important. I'm off to join what is most important on the couch with a blanket and some knitting : )

Have a lovely weekend!

embracing almost...

Hi there. It's been a while, right? I can tell you that had I not embraced almost it would have been a lot longer. I thought I would have the above knitting projects finished up over a week ago and ready to share but as it turns out knitting 15" of a sweater bottom is an endless task and so i'm showing the almost done sweater in all it's knit-from-the-top-down glory and moving forward. The fingerless gloves are a must have item now that the chill in the air is here to stay (i'm wearing them as i type...see how handy they are?). And the hat was inspired by some lush yarn I had in my stash. The knitting has been keeping my hands busy at soccer games, doctor's offices and pick up lines at school. After setting the needles aside for a while it's a great feeling to pick them up and turn out some wooly goodness. Since I was here last we've had a fox visit the henhouse (early one morning) and raccoons two nights in a row (picture me in my yard. broomstick in hand. 3am. scolding a raccoon for bothering my girls. seriously.) Needless to say, I haven't been getting much shut eye (the coop is super secure, still I worry). Over the weekend we attended the The Hideout Block Party and saw the inspiring and legendary Mavis Staples and the uber talented Andrew Bird perform. And then on Sunday we were part of the Windy City Chicken Coop Tour. We were only expecting 2 or 3 people since we were the only location this far north of the city and it was pretty rainy and cold. So.Very.Wrong. We had 50-60 people show up over a three hour period! It was crazy fun talking about chickens all afternoon with so many kind and curious people. Well, that pretty much gets you up to speed on the happenings around here. What in the world have you been up to lately?

ps: I've been working on some new paintings as well and will share and ramble about them tomorrow : )

the whole love-

Oh Monday, you just keep getting better and better.

I have more to share tomorrow but right now there are some tunes to be played and dinner to cook ...see ya!

In the works...

Just a small hello on this gorgeous Tuesday: )

My, how they've grown...

This week has been full and good for me and I hope the same is true for you. I have a few things in the works, a few things completed and a few things I need to start (i should be ready to share photos of the knitting, painting and dyeing projects on monday). As you can see from the photo above the hens are almost full grown. They are expected to start laying eggs sometime in October (at 4-5 months of age) and we are all very excited about that. We have started letting them out into the yard at least twice during the day and they are loving it. Someone is always outside to keep an eye on them and with everyone back at school and work that someone is usually me during the day. I'm finding the time I spend out there with them knitting, reading or working in the garden slows me down in such a very good way.

Do you have something that makes you slow down just a little bit each day?

Looking back...

9/11/01

Ten years ago yesterday I filled the kiddie pool and gave my two little ones popsicles while my heart broke over and over and over. All I knew how to do in that moment was to make them feel safe and loved. Yesterday I shared my experiences from that day with them and we watched a documentary about 9/11. My heart broke over and over and over like it was just yesterday.

I'll see you here in a few days with new work...

Shiny and new...

up and away

(she gathered the memories of a colorful past)

night magic

(the flower bed dream)

Here are the two new pieces I've been working on this week. I'm going to add them to my shop and then I'm dashing off to lunch in the city with friends I haven't seen in seven years.

Happy Friday and have a lovely weekend...

ps: this weekend soccer/knitting season begins!

Parenting is kinda like this, right?

I'm back. Actually I've been back from Northern Michigan since Monday evening (later than expected) but can't seem to catch up with the week so far. We are into week two of school but there are still some issues being ironed out, lots of meetings going on and team stuff and clubs starting up for the kids. In addition to all that I have this overwhelming need to stock up on groceries, plan meals and make sure everyone has enough socks, jeans etc. (i think all of the 9/11 anniversary talk is subconsciously kicking my nesting instinct into high gear). But today, all of that is done and I'm heading into the studio to continue work on a piece I started last week (which I promise to share tomorrow). When I saw the picture of myself swinging in the tree (up north this past weekend) it so hit home as a visual image of what I'm experiencing as a parent with kids ranging from 7-15. There is the overwhelming joy of swinging, the stomach turning feeling of spinning and the need to hold on tightly. But there is also the need to recognize that you are only 2 feet off the ground and it is ok to let go. The letting go is the tricky part. Sometime you fall off clumsily and stumble other times you just step off with very little drama. And actually, I'm learning, the stumbles end up being the moments you remember, the special times, the laugh out loud funny times, the extra hug times. It's all good here and I hope the same is true for you...see you here tomorrow : )

Opening...

The 10th Enormous Tiny Art Show officially opens today. If you are anywhere near Portsmouth, New Hampshire stop by and check out all the tiny goodness. If your not in the neighborhood be sure to take a look at an amazing collection of work here. We are off to Northern Michigan for a long weekend of canoeing, fishing, hiking, knitting and board games.

Have a lovely weekend : )

Chop, chop....

New hair and a new scarf...loving both : )