Going, going but not quite gone...

::places from the past colored her dreams::

::tick, tock (she found herself lost in the poetry of the seasons)::

As I finished up these two paintings in the wee hours I was thinking about how much more color has found it's way into my recent work. I am still smitten with (and wearing) lots of oatmeal, faded blue, lavender, rose or any shade of grey but my latest pieces have a bit more vibrancy than all that muted fall beauty. Maybe it's the lingering summer temps these past few weeks. Or, maybe it's the gorgeous zinnias growing in the raised beds (where all but the pole beans and chard are done for the season). Or maybe it's something more, something inside, something yet to be fully realized.

Waxing and waning...

most of the time i can't tell if i'm coming or going

(one)

most of the time i can't tell if i'm coming or going

(two)

This kind of says it all...see you Monday.

Art in the everyday...

Art takes many forms around here and this week I'm loving art in the form of the-oh-so-perfectly-me handmade shoes from the Aurora Shoe Company. I spotted their shoes on Soulemama's blog and was smitten with their product, their story and their commitment to craft (love.love.love them). The other everyday art I'm celebrating is the first home baked bread of the season. My starter died over the long hot summer and so last week when the skies darkened and the weather cooled down I created new starter and yesterday I used it to bake my first two loaves of Tartine's Country Bread. Grilled in a bit of olive oil and topped with an amazing pesto from the farmers' market (basil, greens, spinach, garlic & asiago) it was nothing short of food as art. As I was enjoying my meal I read a detailed NY Times article about Steve Jobs. Having already composed this post in my head I was really struck by his amazing and inspiring gift for putting art into everyday objects. He had the ability to create something we needed and make it something we wanted. I love both the art and science of my Mac and my iphone.

What everyday art do you celebrate?

the art of making a shoe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9ndaEUA1Fw

Falling into place...

night shift

(under the full moon dreaming)

earth, sea, sky

(everything & still so much more)

Good morning to you on this beautiful Monday. I'm happy to report that all kiddos are back at school (although the oldest seems to be coming down with something) and that the weekend was just exactly what I needed it to be. I finished the two pieces pictured above over the weekend and am really loving the way the background color in the top one so perfectly captures the skies of the past week. And the whale, what can I say, I love that creature. Things seem to be falling into place with the school year one month in and after school activities in full swing. I have stumbled a bit finding my rhythm in this new (and very favorite) season. But I think the shift has occured and I am painting, cooking and knitting with a new joy and energy. How about you, have you settled into the season yet?

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!