New Years Give Away!

and so it goes

(she celebrated the future still standing in the past)

It's that time again! Time to celebrate the ebb and flow of the years with the wave of 2011 on it's way back out to sea and the small swell of 2012 just a bump on the horizon. I'm still learning how to ride out these years, the good and the bad and the mix that most of them are, but I always feel optimistic at the beginning. I always feel like the new year is something to be met head on and greeted properly and so I stand on the shore and lets the first wave gently wash over my feet. In celebration of the new year I am hosting my annual give away. Anyone who leaves a comment on this post between now and midnight 12/31 will be entered (in a random hat drawing) to win the 3.5"x5" block painting shown above.

Warmest Wishes for a Happy New Year and best of luck!

ps: the writing at the bottom of the painting says 'beautifully suited to share a glass'. i raise my glass to all who have visited this little blog in 2011. i have truly appreciated your insight, your time and your support throughout this crazy year and i thank you for stopping by....cheers!

cookie love...

(they are almost too cute to eat this year)

I always start to second guess decorating the sugar cookies as I mix the frosting, fill the pastry bags and set out the coconut, candies and sprinkles. But it's so worth the mess and everyone is always so proud of their work. This year we added a Welsh Terrier cookie to the line up (note the black and tan dogs on the rack). I'm signing off until next week but wanted to send a round of warm and yummy wishes your way : )

these two x 3...

these two (are almost where they need to be)

take one::take two::take three(sold)

This is exactly how this time of the year feels to me. I'm swimming in the thick of it and enjoying the journey through murky waters. Many things have now been checked off my holiday to do list and most of the running around has been done so this week is about home and tradition. Today after school there are many sugar cookies to be decorated and tomorrow there are gifts to be wrapped and placed under the tree. There are Holiday performances and parties at school. There is Christmas Eve dinner with friends and a drive to see family Christmas Day. And then there is the realization that another year is coming to an end.

Thank you for taking the time to stop in and visit and happy, happy holidays!

ps: there are also many, many eggs now : )

Q&A...

what we think and what we know

3.5"x10.5"

Have you ever noticed that once you know what question to ask you have a pretty good idea of what the answer could or should be? It's in those moments when we step back from what's in front of us that the questions begin to form. Big picture questions that lead to subtle shifts in our thinking, which in turn, slightly alter our actions and interactions. Dreams are amazing because they allow the mind to wander out of the clutter of our daily concerns and often lead us down paths of discovery. I would like to bring more of the open-minded-much-less-cluttered-way of-dream-thinking into my life. What are you wanting more of in your life these days?

What's been keeping me up at night...

As you may or may not know I am a huge fan of the Chicago band Wilco and this week they are playing five shows at five different venues in the city (each one smaller and more intimate than the one before it...love that). Chuck and I went to the opening night at the Civic Opera House (with Theo) and it was a gorgeous and inspired show. They unexpectedly opened the show with this song which is the kind of long rambling song that you can drop yourself into and wander around. The evening ended with Wilco, Nick Lowe and Mavis Staples on stage and it was truly magical. We went to the 2nd show last night (with friends) and will go to the 3rd show on Thursday(just me and C). That is a lot of late nights but I'm loving the vibe at the shows (and all of the energy, joy and dancing). During the days I've been busy wrapping and shipping art work (thanks to all who have visited my shop lately!) and packaging up gifts to far away family. I have one painting so close to being done that I look at it every day and think... today I will finish you and then for one reason or another I just don't get to it. But today after a trip to the post office with an armload of packages I will head in to the studio to finish that little piece and start on three others. So, I'll be back here tomorrow with a good night's sleep under my belt and a new painting to share.

Oh my...

This morning when I went out to give the girls fresh water something caught my eye in the sand of their run. And there it was...the 1st egg. Followed this afternoon by the 2nd egg casually laid in the center of the back lawn. This is a very exciting development and I can't wait for the kids get home from school to share the news!

PLAY IT LOUD.

I'd say there is a 100% chance that I'll be painting and playing this in my studio this evening...beginning to end it's really, really good.*

*i'm especially loving this tune right now

Hello darkness (and light)...

Contradiction, I so get it. While the days are nearing their darkest, I am loving the warm glow of holiday lights inside and festive white lights strung in the yard near the chicken coop (over what will soon be our 1st ever skating rink!). And, I am happily preparing to say goodbye to 2011 (such a difficult year) and opening my arms wide to what 2012 has to offer. Over the past week I've been away from the blog, the camera and the studio. My parents were back in town for my 13 year olds performance in a local production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (which was so, so good) and my in-laws arrive on Thursday to see next weekend's performances. We hosted an unexpectedly large sleep over for five 15 year old girls and still managed to get the tree up and the pantry restocked for the week on Sunday. The time away is filling up my creative bucket and I am and doodling ideas in my notebook and clipping bits of this and that to use soon. And while I may find a bit of time here between house guests, baking, making and wrapping I expect that most of my ideas will patiently wait for the quiet of January to make their way into the world. I love everything about this time of the year, don't you?