Hopes and dreams and a giveaway...

Past, Present, Future

(she dreamt of connecting the dots)

2012 you have been fleeting and full of life affirming joy, unspeakable heart-break, eye-opening realities and unbridled soul searching.  This past year I have started asking big questions and am learning to string together little answers and to connect the dots. In celebration of the new year I am hosting my annual New Year's give away.  Anyone who leaves a comment, hope, dream or resolution on this post between now and midnight on 12/31 will be entered (in a random hat drawing) to win the 4.75" x 5.25" block painting shown above.  The winner will be announced here on New Years Day and contacted by email about shipping.  Best of luck and warm wishes for the new year!

ps: . once again i raise my glass to all who have visited this little blog in 2012. i truly appreciated your insight, your time and your support and i thank you for stopping by....cheers!

unexpected and magical...

Remember yesterday when I mentioned I had a bit of snow envy?  We had two inches on the ground but no snow in the forecast for the next week and I was wishing for a little snowball fight, snowman building, snow angel type snow for us to enjoy over the break from school.  And then unexpectedly and magically it started snowing yesterday afternoon and it never stopped.  It was the big, light, fluffy snow that sparkles on the trees and makes everybody smile.  There was still no snow in the forecast as the 4 inches accumulated and I found myself shouting at the radio "but it's snowing here!".  Well it turns out this magical lake effect snow fell in a tiny band that only affected my town.  I love that.  It was like a special wish coming true and there is now talk of another 2-4 inches falling today.  I was able to pull together the fabric to start on the Mama Cat and her Skirt Dwelling Kittens pattern and make a pot of soup.  The dogs wore themselves out in the snow and then snuggled up inside and the kids got some much needed outside time and then settled back in with new books, toys and a silly game of charades.  

Have I mentioned that I am back in glasses after 6 lovely years with 20/15 vision?  I have very bad eyes and have had to wear glasses for near and far since 4th grade.  When we moved to our current house, only one block from the beach, I decided to have Lasik surgery which was super simple and successful.  They told me as I got older I may need reading glasses and I went on my way happily enjoying glasses free living.  But about 6 or 7 months ago my night vision started to decline, then my daytime vision and so now I don't need glasses for reading (or knitting) but I pretty much need them for everything else.  That is kind of unexpected but not so magical.  But in a way it is yet another thing coming full circle in this strange year that is on its way out.  Speaking of the new year in this much-too-long-and-rambling-post...today I will put the finishing touches on a special painting that I will give away on January 1, 2013.   I will post a photo of the painting here tomorrow and anyone who comments on that post before midnight on New Year's Eve will be entered to win : )

making & merry

Season's greetings! 

We are back from my parent's house and looking forward to a long string of unstructured days which have plenty of room for relaxing, reading, baking, cooking, knitting, sewing and playing (inside and out).  Although we have 2" of snow on the ground the big storms have passed us by which leaves me with a bit of snow envy.  There is something so magical about the dark winter days brightened by sparkly snow outside and the wood burning stove inside.  Of course this is the romanticized vision of winter which also includes a big pot of soup on the stove and hand knit hats on every head : )  So along with the sense of wonder and beauty that the snowstorm may bring I wish all of you in it's path warmth and safety in the days to come. 

ps:   I will see you back here Friday with info on my annual New Year's Give Away!

There are just no words...

you are not alone

There are just no words that make any sense.  It's as if we need a new word for this level of profound sadness.  Just this image today and wishes for the comfort of having loved ones close while our and hearts continue to break wide open over and over.

Sharing x 2

homemade german spaetzle and heirloom apple salad

If only you could have joined me for lunch...

Yesterday morning I paid a long overdue visit to a friend from Germany for tea, homemade cookies and conversation.  As you know it has been a bit hectic and unsettling around here these past few months with our house being for sale, the adoption of two rescue dogs and all of the stuff that goes along with raising two teenagers and an 8 year old.  Well, I can't even tell you how lovely it was to sit and drink tea and talk and watch her little one toddle around with such openness and joy.  What a treat in the middle of the week and a reminder to slow down and connect.  I decided to take her a bit of the heirloom apple salad I had made for dinner the night before and she sent me home with some of the homemade German spaetzle with alpine cheese and caramelized onions that she had made the night before.  As she prepared to put her little one down for a nap, I returned home to prep the house for another showing.  Once everything was in its place and the house was ready I sat down and enjoyed an amazing leftovers lunch.  Sharing x 2 = super yummy!

Work space...

Just a quick shot from the cleaned-last-night-so-now-i-can-think-straight studio.  I have a few pieces I have been working on but I had snipped so many bits of paper, dripped and scraped so much wax, scribbled so many notes and sanded so many edges that the mess was fogging my brain and I couldn't find a way to finish any of them.  But after clearing the table, switching out my work table paper and sorting through my pile of bits and pieces the fog lifted and I was able to start fresh this morning with a clearer picture of where these pieces are headed.  I know lots of people who can create out of chaos but I'm just not one of them.   I have to have some semblance (or at least the illusion) of order in my space to create.  So now with a clean table, music playing and the wax heated I'm off to work and play in the studio.  How about you...do you create in chaos or calm?

The precious few...

Eggs that is.
With three of our four hens molting and the days getting shorter we are only collecting 3 to 4 eggs per week instead of 3 to 4 eggs per day.  I needed to purchase eggs for the 1st time in over a year just to get the holiday baking started.  What had become a staple is now a special treat and the few organic eggs from our backyard flock deserves some special attention. I finally got around to experimenting with this dish I spotted in the NY Times Magazine a few weeks back and it couldn't have been simpler or more delicious.  The article only gives a hand drawn diagram for the dish but a little searching on the internet helped me figure out the rest and I am sure this is something I will make over and over.  I only had two eggs and I filled both egg cups with the same filling of pesto, egg, parmesan, chives and thyme.  I made one cup out of whole wheat bread (which ended up being a bit to sweet) and the other out of sourdough (which was fabulous and balanced).  The possibility for variation are endless and this is a complete little dish which can be made ahead and reheated for a quick weekday breakfast but would also be beautiful (and delicious) as part of a lovely Sunday brunch.  Here is the basic recipe:


Baked Egg Cups
pre-heat oven to 350
spray or grease muffin/popover tin
remove crust from a slice of bread and mold into tin
put in pesto or filling and then crack egg into the cup
sprinkle herbs and/or cheese on top
bake approximately 15 minutes or until egg is set
Enjoy!

Stella and Watson (the same but different)

Stella and Watson

Hello, hello.  This is the bookend to the 'same but different' thing I had in mind this week.  Watson (back) is the one year old Lakeland Terrier we brought home from a rescue organization 5 months ago.   Watson has come such a long way in such a short time he is a little clown when he feels safe and secure and and he has a super  sweet and gentle nature.  Before coming home with us Watson had spent most of his life in a crate and had only lived in the company of other dogs.  I asked the person we got him from to keep her eye out for a good companion dog because I saw the way he lit up in the company of other dogs and as much as we loved him I really felt like he needed a buddy.  And so Monday evening we brought Stella home.  She is a tiny three year old Lakeland Terrier also rescued from a Missouri dog auction.  She is very sweet, social and confident and she and is the perfect companion for Watson.  We still have a bit of work to do on potty training as she spent lots of time in a crate too but honestly we couldn't ask for two more endearing pets.  So, I know I haven't been here much lately but the house being for sale, the holiday, the 2nd dog and a million other little things have kept my head swimming.  But somehow bringing Stella home makes things feel pulled together, in the moment, complete.  Happy Weekend : )

The same but different...

Emotional Block No. 16

ties that bind

Emotional Block No. 17

kinfolk

Hello, hello hello.  After a busy week of travel, family, food I am back home and settling into the making.  Last night I wrapped up a few packages which were sent off this morning and then I headed into the studio where I plan to spend most of the week.  These two blocks (along with two others for a local shop) were created at the same time and although they all have a black background, two women, and a minimal amount of color, they all say something different to me.  Maybe it's the tilt of a head, the shape of each figure or the way the text, pattern and color combine or maybe it's all of these things.  I feel like the same but different is a theme that may carry through this week (more on that in a day or two).  I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving, a generous amount of time spent with family and friends and an abundance of good food on the table.  I have soup, roasted veggies and warm spinach salad in mind for this week...how about you?

*free shipping 11/26-12/16

paint it black-

Hi there!  It's been a busy week in the studio and I just wanted to pop in here and share one of my favorite steps in the encaustic process (the step which is very scary to new painters and observers alike!)  I finished prepping the wood blocks, cut out and adhered my newsprint bits, painted backgrounds, fused all of that together in a few layers of clear encaustic and then carefully carved the outlines and details on top of my images using a pin tool. Then comes the magic part where I cover the entire piece with a black oil bar and use my fingers to rub the waxy black paint into every nook, cranny and incised line.  This is where I stopped to let you in on the process (black hands and all messing up my mouse and keyboard).  It is in this moment when I cover everything up that each painting really comes into it's own.  I had just done the first linseed oil wipe on the two paintings on the left and as they began to reveal themselves I decided to share this part of the process (although I'm sure I've shared it in the past).  I will wipe each piece six or seven times and the piece will slowly brighten and sharpen.  Each painting will then be complete after a final pass with the heat gun to dry the surface and fuse the final layer of paint.  I need to get back to work and finish these pieces up for delivery tomorrow but want to wish you a safe, warm, dry and productive week : )

Today...

As soon as my little guy was out the door I walked over to my polling station and voted. Easy, peasy paper voting which I love.  Now that I've checked off the most important thing on my list, I'm heading to the allergist with my 14 year old.   This afternoon I'm planning to make a pot of butternut squash soup for dinner and will continue work on  a group of small paintings for a local shop.  And then, later this evening I will settle in (most likely pour a glass of wine) and watch the election results. 

 I hope that my guy wins : )

I was feeling bad about not getting around to picking up a lawn sign...

And so I took advantage of this seasonal blank canvas

 (Sage's most excellent skeleton is shown here as well).  

More new work later this week...until then I wish everyone in Sandy's path shelter, safety and warmth.  

new work and a thoughts on perspective...

sometimes things get turned around

modern love (anywhichway)

how we got here

These days I'm spending a lot of time thinking about change, home, relationships, communication, support and love.  For me, all of these things are mixed up in identity, self awareness, surroundings and family.   Some days the question of how we got here occupies my mind but more often, recently, it is where we are going that has me exploring, humming a tune and thinking about what really matters.  It all comes down to perspective and what I'm realizing is that sometimes turning things sideways or upside down is the best way to hit the reset button.  This weekend we've got soccer, showings, a play, a belated birthday dinner and pumpkin carving on the to do list around here.  And of course I will be roasting pumpkin seeds and watching "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown' with the kids.   What are you up to this weekend?

In the works...

Oh,  there is so much in the works around here.  We put our house on the market just over a month ago and it has kept me both busy and distracted.  We have an ever-evolving-lets-just-wait and see-what happens kind of plan going on but it is becoming more fine tuned as we talk and talk and talk.  I'm sure I'll have more to say on this later as things work themselves out but the house and these big life decisions are what have been making my head fuzzy.  Earlier this week, amid the chaos of school garden activities, conferences and showings,  I was drawn back into the studio and these are the two pieces I started.  It felt so good to be in the moment of creating and not over thinking and analyzing and worrying that I found myself back in there the next day and the next.  Painting quiets my mind and taps into something louder than the noise in my head and I love that. 

New work...

Trunk Show

(inner beauty)

Trunk Show 

(promises, promises)

Happy Monday afternoon.  I had every intention of posting much earlier but the day seems to be  slipping away from me.  In fact, it seems this is just going to be one of those weeks that leaves the head spinning.    There are end of the season garden tasks to finish up with the kindergartners, composting work to be done with the 3rd graders and 3 rounds of parent teacher conferences to attend.  When the kids get older and you have to juggle meetings with numerous teachers for each child it can get a little crazy.  Add to that C being downtown all week and missing most of this and it adds up to me being one busy Mama.  And we will wrap it all up by heading to Michigan on Friday for an early sweet sixteen birthday celebration for Phoebe with my family.  It's hard to believe that she is that old, that I am that old, that she is so close to being on her own....that really has my head spinning and my heart aching just a little bit.  Have a great week : )

What's inside...

Trunk Show 

(kindred spirits)

Lucky Feather No. 4

Lucky Feather No. 5

Well hello there and Happy Monday!  Little did I know as I wrote my last post that my little guy would miss 4 days of school and spend the weekend recovering.  We are both still on the mend from this nasty and lingering virus but it's good to be getting back to some semblance of a normal day. I have a few more 'Trunk Show' paintings to finish up but am so happy to share the first one here today.  When I started this series I envisioned a small clearing in a magical forest for resting and thinking about all that is and will be.  In this place, once glorious tall standing trees have been cut down and the circles which mark their years are exposed for all to see.  Sometimes it's not until we are cut down or cracked wide open that we show the beauty of our years.  When we are standing tall we can sway and bend with the wind and with change, but it is when we are broken we can truly transform. 

And I just can't stop with the 'Lucky Feathers' series because who doesn't need a little extra luck every now and then???

Have a lovely day : )  

Mom's sale...

Hi there.  I'm back from four -roll up your sleeves-get busy-move furniture-price-till you drop-go to bed late-wake up early- days in Michigan.  My Mom and her partner started gathering antique, vintage and discarded furniture last spring and they have been busy fixing, sanding, painting and giving new life to these items all summer long.  We ended up pricing over 600 items if you include the furniture and accessories and they had a fabulous turn out over two days.  I had (still have) a killer cold but the weather was perfect, there was cider and baked goods and I met many interesting people, had some great conversations, and spent lots of quality time with my Mom.  My Dad got in the action too by collecting old soda crates and building the side table pictured in the middle which is super cool (he built two and sold one...yay!).  This was 'Two Birds" first bi-annual sale and they are working on getting an Etsy shop and blog up and running Once that happens I'll be sure to pass on their information so you can see all the upcycled goodness they are creating.  I have a sick little guy at home and am still on the mend myself but the stump paintings in the studio are calling out to me so I'm hoping to find some time to paint this afternoon.  See you here in a day or two with that new work : )

In the studio this morning...

watson & new work

In the studio this morning there is Watson and new work which are both coming along nicely.  Watson has been with us almost three months and has really settled in and come out of his shell.  He is such a sweet little guy and is proving to be quite a character.  He will be a work in progress for a long time to come but we are his peeps now and he trusts and loves us and we all adore him.  My new work is all about trees, rainbows, luck and magic and instead of finishing each piece I keep starting new ones!  Pretty soon I will have an entire forest of magical resting places to sit and think about what is and what will be.  These are questions filling my head these days and let's just say I need a little luck and magic!  I'm heading to Michigan (on my own) for a few days to help my Mom out and will tell you all about it when I return.  Wishing you a lucky week and a magical weekend : )

hello autumn-

After a few last perfectly perfect evenings at the beach over a long weekend we are all ready to kiss summer goodbye and embrace autumn.  I love the crisp and slightly chilly air, throwing all the windows open and needing a sweater, easy pots of soup and homemade bread for dinner and the amazing assortment of apples that pop up at the farmer's market (and in my kitchen thanks to a neighbor who went apple picking yesterday).  Gravensteins  are a personal favorite from my time in California but are hard to come by in the Midwest (although I just discovered an orchard not far from my parent's house grows them).  I also love Honeycrisp (of course), Empire, Northern Spy and Ida Reds.  

What are your favorite varieties and what makes it so yummy?

Letting my mind wander...

In fact I can't seem to stop it these days...more on that later.

Wishing you a happy and magical weekend!

Houses and home...

thinking outside the box

14x11

Too much going on for words this week but I wanted to share a new/old painting.  The encaustic piece pictured above was started in California a few years back and this week it finally figured itself out.  The picture doesn't really do the dark green/black background justice but it's the best photo I could get.  There are many things I love about this piece and it's long journey to completion but i think the title is what i like best.  Happy weekend to you : )

And just like that...

Taking Summer In

All Around The Block

And just like that...another summer starts to fade.  

Today was the 1st day of school and as much as I enjoyed the studio time it felt just a little too quiet around here.  All three kiddos will be rolling in shortly with news about teachers, classes, friends and homework and there is sure to be some interesting conversation at the dinner table as we settle into the welcome routine of another school year.  This year it's hard to believe but we will have stories from the 3rd, 8th and 10th grade.  

seven days + ten states later

50 Things That Go Together Like Charles and Rita

Hi there.  I'm back and mostly unpacked from a seven day road trip which took us through ten amazing states.  On the way to Maryland to celebrate my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary we made our way through Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York (2 super fun days and nights there) and Delaware.  We returned to Illinois via West Virginia (visiting the old family farm) and Kentucky (did you know I was born there?).  We had a great time along the way and Sage believes it was our best road trip ever : )  The painting shown above was a collaborative piece Chuck, the kids and I created as a gift for my Mother-in-law and Father-in-law.  It was really down to the wire as I also had to finish up and ship all nine pieces to Nahcotta for the 12th Enormous Tiny Art Show.   I am so excited to be a part of all the tiny goodness going on in New Hampshire and although the show doesn't officially open until September 1st you can see lots of new work on-line already.  Check it out!

In the studio...

In the studio working today with the window wide open and Andrew Bird playing loudly.  The strong winds and cloudy skies make it feel like Autumn and I am reminded once again how swiftly summer is sailing by.  There's a girl coming home tomorrow (after three weeks away) and a road trip not too far off but for today there is focus and music and wax.  Happy Friday.

all shapes and sizes...

Well now, I guess these boards aren't going to paint themselves.  Time to rev up the circular saw, sort through the huge summer stack of newsprint, heat up the wax and start my collection of pieces for ETA 12.  There will be lots of work in progress to share over the next two weeks...starting tomorrow : )

summer in full swing...

Since I was here last Sunday...

a solo road trip to spend time with old friends

sushi and bluegrass (an odd but awesome combination)

one full day at lollapalooza with my boys and friends

tomatoes from the garden in all shapes and sizes 

dinner at the beach on a perfect sunday

s'mores in the backyard

all.so.good.

Home as a cocoon...

Modern Love Emerging

(home as a cocoon)

Happy Sunday to you.  I've been giving lots of thought to the idea of home as a cocoon and as a haven for transformation. And by home I don't necessarily mean four walls...I mean the hundreds of things that make up a home.  The colorful cast of characters, the beautiful art, bits and pieces of days long gone, old quilts on beds, boxes of photographs, a crazy-all-over-the-map-recipe drawer, stories shared over and over.  You know, the real things that make a house a home no matter where you are.  I have a vision of the home as a snail, tortoise or hermit crab shell...always with us, protecting us, but allowing us to grow as we move about finding our way.  Or as I mentioned earlier, as a cocoon from which we can emerge as a beautiful butterfly. 

random thoughts & secret wishes...

Wishful Thinking :: She dreamt secret wishes for friends near and far...

Well, hello there.  This past week has been full of wishful thinking, random thoughts which lead down unknown paths and secret wishes for friends in need of some magic.  The house has been much too quiet with my big girl away but I know she is having a fabulous time meeting new people, trying new things and writing, writing, writing the days away.  Watson is making slow and steady progress but he requires lots of patience which is something I am not known for (ahem).  In fact, I've started to think of the sweet little guy as a Zen Master sent here to teach me what I have been lacking for far too long. Being in the here and now, focusing on trust and acceptance and acting with patience and kindness is what he needs and what I am learning to give. It's amazing how little things set big wheels in motion. What's been filling up your mind lately?

friday and another new beginning-

This morning I turned my attention to familiar shapes, bold patterns and juicy colors.  Somehow it just feels right on this sun drenched Friday morning.  My oldest is heading off to a three week creative writing program in New England this Sunday and I'm feeling both excited and emotional.  Maybe the familiar shapes are for her ? Maybe the boldness and brightness too?  I'm trying to give her the space to get ready to go and the strength and support she'll need to be gone. 

 It's a tricky business...this letting go thing.  

beginnings-

 Monday, the new pup, the kids, old and new friendships have me thinking about how many new beginnings I get every day and what a gift that is (and I'm happy to say that I have a few new beginnings in the studio as well after quite a few days away).  It wasn't until I posted this photo that I realized the muted colors in these two new pieces so accurately reflect my mood this morning. There is a quiet calm in the house today which is very different than the days of summer up until now.  I don't know if it will last but I like it and I'm running with it...right back to the studio to finish these pieces. 

 I wish you a new beginning with someone, something or someplace this week.

a hidden gem-

So here's the back story on our tomato plants...last summer our next door neighbor took down two cottonwood trees that were each 7 feet in diameter (sad, I know but they were dropping limbs, dying and dangerous).  We knew our tomato plants would get lots more sunshine and fare better this year but we planted 14 just in case : )  I started nibbling on the ripe cherry tomatoes just a few days ago and the pure taste of summer is bursting in all  4 varieties we planted. We have large green orbs of all shapes and sizes and I have lost track of what was planted where but I have been watering and tending them daily looking for the 1st blush of pink.  Well, today I was watering and nibbling, when something caught my eye.  There hidden behind two large green tomatoes was this perfectly ripe and ready to be picked Black Cherokee Tomato.  There is not another large tomato even close to beginning to turn and I'm not sure how I missed this one but there it was...and it is gorgeous.  I can't even tell you how excited I was by this hidden gem.  I set it on the windowsill so that it can be enjoyed tomorrow evening at dinner all by itself with a bit of salt & pepper.

  H-e-l-l-o-S-u-m-m-e-r!!!

ps:  i've been in a puppy trance for the past few days

 but will be in the studio tomorrow so i'll have new work

 to share on monday.

A little something new...

Watson

Good Monday Morning.  In the many days since I've been here I've driven to the western side of Iowa and back and brought home a very sweet but VERY timid rescue dog.  Watson is an 11 month old Lakeland Terrier who was rescued from a puppy mill auction in missouri last February. He was kept in a cage with his brother at one of Missouri's 'dirty dozen' puppy mills before ending up on the auction floor.  He was sent to a terrier rescue house in Iowa where he has spent the past three months living with an incredibly kind woman and 4-8 other rescue dogs.  Watson did not have any human contact in his formative first months and so is very wary of people coming and going and is lacking in doggy confidence.  His first two days here had me worried and lacking in confidence as I worked to gain the trust of this incredibly sweet but lost pup, but at the end of day two we made a connection and I could see who he was and I knew he was going to be just fine.  He is housebroken, very gentle, loves water and is s-l-o-w-l-y exploring the house and yard. He is working to figure out his place in our home and we are working to gain his trust and then will move forward with obedience training.   This is the first time Watson has ever lived without the company of another dog and that is a big adjustment.  He has had two doggie play dates since coming home with us and he just lights up.  It is important that we teach him how to be a family dog over the next couple of months but it is very clear to us that he will need a companion at some point.  It's going to take some time but he is such a good boy : )

happy weekend-

Emotional Block No. 11

(tending)

Emotional Block No. 10

(bloom)

Just here to say a quick hello and share two of the nine new pieces I delivered to Stella this week.  

That's all for today but I'll be back Monday to share something new...

Finders keepers...

Lucky Feather No. 1

Wishing you an extra bit of luck this week and a lovely July 4th!

hot.hot.hot....

Honeybee No. 3

Wonder Boys

We are sailing into another sweltering week and the multitude of spring color that lingered into June has given way to July's lush greens in the garden, the juicy oranges of the flowering squash vines and the (much too warm) yellow of the blazing summer sun.  All three kiddos are at my parents for the week so I have lots of time to spend in the studio and one exciting side trip planned (more on that soon!).  So I'm up early on this Monday morning, ready to work and sending you wishes for a creative, productive, cool-as-the-blue-lake kind of week.  

Star light, star bright-

Sweet dreams on this gorgeous summer evening...

Getting it so right...

Porter by Tea and Ink Studio

This is the extraordinary wood block print  I found inside an envelope in my mailbox today.  Shortly after our 13 year old Welsh Terrier passed away I asked long time on-line friend and-oh-so-talented print maker Brenda Everett (of Tea and Ink Studio) if she could create a print of Porter from one of my favorite photographs.  The block she carved and the print it created simply blew me away this morning.  I can't even begin to thank her for this piece of art which captured our sweet, mischievous, dearly missed friend so perfectly. It is more beautiful than I could have even imagined and I love it.

in which swimsuits and bees dominate the landscape-

Q & A

(she was learning to ask herself the right questions)

Do unto others...

Hope and Honey

Just wanted to say hi and share some new work : )

a little of this and a little of that-

1. Norby at the beach while Chuck took each child out sailing

2. Dilly Beans and B&B Pickles canned with C 

3.  Honeybee paintings in the works

4. Anniversary No. 17*

*no, i did not finish the anniversary sweater but it is off the shelf and back in the works : )

a quiet moment-

Hello there and happy Friday.  I just came in from a quiet hour in the garden weaving in the ends of Agnes and starting Norby.  A full sized bulldozer has taken up residence in the yard next door and has been noisily (that's an understatement) tearing down a garage, deck and addition.  The poor chickens are stressed out and the constant banging, pounding and screeching is wearing on all of our nerves.  But, I took full advantage of the construction crew lunch hour and enjoyed a blissfully quiet hour outside.  Now they're back at it so I'm heading into the studio and cranking up the tunes.  I have two new bee paintings in the works and hope to share them Monday.  Have a lovely weekend and enjoy a little quiet for me if you get the chance : )

ps:  the brooklyn tweed color card is so gorgeous that  i may need to knit up 2 or 3 norbies!

Forget about using your inside voice...

A force of Nature

They Found a Bit of Magic That Day

Living Out Loud

What if we were all to forget about using our indoor voices for a day, a week, a year or a lifetime.  What path would that lead us to?  Would it be so very different from the one we are currently on? Would it be chaotic or magical?   Just thinking out loud in pictures and in words today...