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.