Queen of Arts

Determine Your Living…

2012-01-23T07:43:00.001-08:00

Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.
Khalil Gibran

**********************

So I have finally finished my November entry for Nicola’s book in our Sistahhood of the Traveling Sketchbook project.

Life happened while we were all making plans. But now, we are all trying hard to get our swap back on track.

Thinking back to November from January was harder than it should have been,

but there was a lot of living in between, I think.

This piece does represent how I felt in November when the last of the brilliant Fall leaves were gone and the bare branches I would be looking at for the next 6 months were exposed.

The crow is bringing her the message that winter is on its way and the time for nesting is here.

It also shows how I am still feeling as we live in January; that desire to bundle up against the barren elements is still very present.

I imagine that under her cloak is all the color needed to fill her up and keep her well until Spring.

The second spread includes the photo that inspired the pages,

taken back in November, when the branches went bare…

I have to say I am a little sad that these pages are in Nicola’s book, and not in my own journal.

It will be hard to bundle them up and send them on their way.

***********

This week is going to be all about friends and being there for one another, in the good and the bad.

Tomorrow, I head up north again. One of my dear friend’s lost her Dad last week and I am heading up to be there at the visitation and the funeral, and to give her some extra big loving as she faces this sad, sad loss.

I called some other friends when I found out I would be making an unexpected trip to Montreal. Now, I will be sleeping in 4 different places between Tuesday and Saturday, and seeing quite a few of my favorite non-family peeps back home. Of course, I will squeeze in a big hugging session with my Mom, as well. Putting out love and getting some of that rich medicine back as well.

David will keep the home fires burning and the furry kids well while the Rogue-y and I head out on the highway.

Life is a bittersweet journey, isn’t it, Beautiful Ones ?

But I am grateful everyday to be traveling it…

Big Love !

Haiku My Heart–Ice Blue

2012-01-20T06:46:00.001-08:00

Icy Winter Blues

These bones ache at their beauty.

Blues so wicked cold.

************************

I am trying really hard not to hate it.

It held off this year, coming so late, for here we are in mid-January and it really just arrived.

The thing is, I think that delay made my inner clock think it wasn’t going to come this year.

I was enjoying the soft, thick sweaters instead of bulky, down-filled coats.

The well-soles walking shoes instead of fake-fur lined boots.

The way your cheeks got just pink with the above freezing coolness, instead of burnt red from the wind chill’s bite. Oh, and those tears coming out of the corners of your eyes, from the pain …

I swear I am part bear.

Meant to hold up in my cave.

Snuggled in a cozy ball, dreaming in bright colors,

of green, green grass,

bright red flowers,

and sunshiny, warm light on my cheeks.

But those Icy Winter Blues are hanging around for a while, it would seem.

Better break out the “Make it Bearable” toolbox !

Stay cozy, Beautiful Ones.

Happy Friday !

Share the Joy Thursday–The Space Between

2012-01-19T06:21:00.001-08:00

From this week’s Joy List :

1. Being there for a friend who really needs an ear and some extra love.

2. Pride in a hard-working husband who received some much deserved recognition.

3. Kitty Cats, kitty cats, everywhere ! Their purrs are music to my heart.

4. Sharing Rock My World rocks in new ways – this time through a high school guidance counselor who wants to share them with her kids.

5. A return to the Artist in me – I am in love with my journal !!!

So if you remember, the page in my beautiful Moleskine started like this…

And when last we saw it, it looked like this :

The last stamp to use on the page was this Invoke Arts “Art Queen” stamp.

So, with some sweet tunes on Pandora, ink and a dip pen, Twinkling H2O’s, acrylic paints and some great play time

(you can tell it was great but the mess !),

this is where we ended up…

The fold of the page actually falls along the nose of the large face.

And the Art Queen stamp forms part of the “vision” in the eye.

I ended up cutting a window into the page.

I love how the purple “rock wall”

becomes a frame around the first two “ladies” when you turn the page.

I added some paint, stenciling and ink work onto the second page spread…

And now it is ready for more art journaling play !

The journal entry I wrote says it all for me right now.

I am choosing to LIVE in this space between, and be as present as I can be in this one precious life.

And soak up the joys of this place.

Happy Thursday, Beautiful Ones !

More joyous musing can be found here.

Haiku My Heart– Love is right.

2012-01-13T08:05:00.001-08:00

I want to be right.

But I want to dwell in Love.

Love wins every time.

**********************

Something I am working on.

This inner battle between wanting to be right and

wanting to come from a place of Love in the decisions I make.

It comes up a lot in marriage, I find.

Going back to the roots,

back to Love,

feels a lot sweeter than being right does.

Once you swallow that lump.

The piece above comes from the second section of the journal page I started and posted about yesterday.

Blank page divided up…

Michael’s $1.50 butterfly stamp…

Some playful thought…

a lot of India ink and dip pen work,

plus some Inktense pencils and Twinkling H2O’s

and section two looks like this…

Lady Metamorphosis reminding me to be the change I want to see in the world.

Baby steps, Beautiful Ones, baby steps…

Happy Friday !

******************

Friday means there is more haiku to enjoy at recuerda mi corazon. See you there !

Share the Joy Thursday - Give it wings…

2012-01-12T09:14:00.001-08:00

It is a snowy day today. Our first since October so no complaints here.

In fact, I am a little joyful about it, as I have no where I have to be,

and other than some house work,

nothing I have to do !

I am still trying to get back into the swing of working in my art journal more often.

I have to admit that while the paper in this meaty Moleskine Watercolor journal is delicious,

the size of it (81/2 X 11 or 8X1/2 X 22 full page spreads)

is a little intimidating, even to the fearless paint slapper in me !

I decided to do a few pages sliced up into sections…

three per page.

I also wanted to make use of some of the stamps I have been buying but never using…

Believe it or not, this funky winged pen stamp is from Michael’s $1.50 bin !

As is this gorgeous butterfly stamp.

I bought this Invoke Arts “Art Queen” stamp from the awesome Absolutely Everything store in Topsfield, Mass., way back when but it had never been used until today !

I like Stazon ink, since it doesn’t run with watercolors…

Rather than think too much, I just stamped them wherever, one in each section, as a jumping off place.

The pens and wings looked like a body to me.

I added a head, cut out from an old dictionary page.

I added some color with Twinking H2O’s.

While I was painting her, I was thinking about what kind of angel she was,

and what would she would be writing…

Love note…? Messages of kindness…?

I added in some printed words in little boxes with wings.

And then a little phrase to bring it together, written by hand with my dip pen.

Okay so she isn’t anything fancy or really profound,

but

I took the time to play and experiment.

And now, I am taking the time to share it.

That brings JOY to my artist heart !

As do these next sections in my journal, ready for me to play with when the time comes around again.

I hope you are finding many little things that bring you to a joyful place, Beautiful Ones.

Happy Thursday !

********

Meri and the gang have more joy to share here.

Slapping some paint down !

2012-01-11T09:35:00.001-08:00

FINALLY !

A little art !

Today, my to-do list includes a post office run, the grocery store, the Pet food store,

plus I think it would be a good idea if I took the time to make myself presentable to head out on all those errands, ie : shower and blow dry my hair.

But I decided it was all going to wait !

Wait until I had taken some time to get some art out of me and onto a page.

I wasn’t even sure what would come, I was feeling so rusty !

But no expectations other than filling the page resulted in this.

The red flowers remind me of these red and white placemats we used to have when we were kids.

Vinyl ones with a design by the artist Eva Zeisel.

I remember her simple “Eva” signature on them.

She passed way at the age of 105 in December.

Maybe her design spirit was visiting me a little as I played ?

Whatever spirits were there to play with me, it sure felt good to take this hour for myself, for some therapy, if you will.

This week has be a little wonky, hormonally, emotionally and physically.

I suppose that makes sense for January, if I think about it.

But I need to get back into the practice of art making to help maintain some better balance when these wonky times hit !

Well, the arty part of me feels a little more satisfied.

Off to fulfill my other duties !

Happy Wednesday, Beautiful Ones !

***************

PS : It was nice to have Miss Pumpkin in the studio with me while I was playing.

She is still adjusting slowly to the other cats…okay, she hates them!!!

But she lets the big white pooch hang out beside her, no problem !

She knows the sweetest heart in the house, I guess.

Meow, meow, meow, woof woof, from here !

What color is gratitude ?

2012-01-08T15:36:00.001-08:00

Sunday morning.

The Queen of Arts Studio and the Rock Fairy have had a busy business week so I was working on getting some trays of rocks painted so I could have some rock inventory on hand.

Painting the Rock My World rocks in their nice bright colors is actually my least favorite part about the whole Rock Fairy process.

It is kind of monotonous.

The repetitive movement puts a lot of strain on my beat up right shoulder.

I have even considered not painting the rocks anymore and leaving them in their natural state.

But people have expressed to me how much they love the colors.

So I do them in big batches, a different color on each tray.

Usually while I sponge the paint on the rocks, I listen to music to help the time pass faster.

But today, I decided to just enjoy the quiet of the Sunday morning vibe.

Instead of losing myself in the tunes,

I let the quiet fill me up.

I started to make a list of all the things I am grateful for, just like on of the meditations we do at my class on Monday nights.

The list was very, very long today.

The holidays were sweet…

My home and marriage feel oh so cozy…

I have such great friends that I love dearly.

My family loves one another really well, in spite of how very different we are.

I got a “new to me” car this week that makes me feel so special and cared for when I drive it.

(2010 Nissan Rogue in Wicked Black )

My writer-lady friend, Patti Digh launched her new fabulous 37 Days.com website this week with an awesome Live Stream cupcake party.

My rocks are a special part of it, with our new “Your Daily Rock” feature there…

I feel like I am doing a lot of things that I am meant to be doing on this planet, and it feels oh so good.

It is giving me strength and courage to face some of the things I want to do less of and/or improve on.

The word of the year I chose, LIVE, seems to be just the right one at this time.

Living this one precious life as fully as I can each day.

With gratitude.

Always.

Have a cozy Sunday evening, Beautiful Ones.

Cheers !

******************

The sweet, little 2012 Word of the Year Rock in a Box is still available in the Queen of Arts Studio Etsy shop.

LIVE from the Queen of Arts Studio

2012-01-03T08:26:00.001-08:00

I have chosen my Word of the Year for 2012.

The word is LIVE.

I love that it can be used both as LIVE, as in “I will LIVE for today”,

and

as LIVE, “LIVE from Manchester, It’s Kim, the Rock Fairy/Queen of Arts !”

I have to admit that choosing a word was not a sweet, meditative contemplation thing for me this year.

In fact, it was kind of more in response to how intimidated I was feeling by all the incredibly deep thought and soul searching some of my friends in Blogland were doing to begin their 2012 off right and to choose their important Word of the Year.

I think I am in a place where I want to spend a lot less time thinking and planning how I am going to Live this one precious life, and instead get on with the actually Living I want to do.

So the word LIVE feels like a really good fit.

While my word was percolating, I also thought about how I would want to have my word on a Rock My World rock with “Live” on it for me, and how I have painted rocks for friends in the past with their own Word of the Year on them as a keepsake gift.

And then, I came up with this sweet little box idea :

This small white ceramic box comes from a local craft store.

I added the painted paper flower and the 2012 under a coat of Glossy Accents to create a cute dimensional decoration on the lid

and here we have a lovely place to keep your 2012 Word of the Year Rock !

I also made a second design with a sun.

I have made these sweet things available in the Etsy shop and I would love to send you

your very own customized

2012 Word of the Year Rock Rock in a Box keepsake.

For the month of January, I will be including some extra Rock My World rocks in every package I send out, so you will have your own Word rock in its pretty box and also a few other rock love messages to share.

Also, if the box isn’t your thing, but you would like to have a Rock My World Rock with your Word of the Year on it, the bag of 13 rocks are also available in the shop and I will customize them as you want me to.

Along with enjoying the rocks, you can be glad to know that part of the profits I make from selling the Rock My World Rocks always goes to being able to donate, ship and offer the rocks for free to charitable causes to use for their fund raising efforts.

Here’s hoping that 2012 is full of lots of juicy LIVING for all of us !

Big Love, Beautiful Ones !

Happy New Year’s Eve !

2011-12-31T07:39:00.001-08:00

Well, the New Year is upon us.

I have to say that I haven’t reviewed 2011 to see what I have learned.

Nor have I had a deep thought time about what I wish to focus on in 2012.

I am kind of living in the moment right now.

And man, does it feel good.

Enjoying the down time with my husband being home.

Primping the castle a little bit here and there.

Soaking up the furry kid love.

I am excited about ringing in the New Year at our house, with our friends, Lois and Mike, at our Fondue Dinner/Games Night Celebration.

The time for contemplation will come later in January, I think.

But for now,

in this very moment,

I am so very grateful for this sweet life full of beauty and love that I am living.

So here’s to this New Year’s Eve Day, Beautiful Ones,

and may the New Year bring us all much, much more good Being !

Cheers and big Love !

Share the Joy of Christmas !

2011-12-29T06:59:00.001-08:00

My Christmas visit back home to Canada was full of incredible moments of joy !

I received a beautiful gift from my friend Suzanne who gave the Chica-dog a cozy and fun place to stay over the weekend.

I sat in an old wooden church lit with candles and sang along with Christmas hymns and carols with all the joy in my heart.

I got to watch the joy of the kiddos opening gifts from Santa, and others who love them to bits !

I got to see my beautiful 20 year old niece, Jessica, shine so brightly with the glow of her first real love.

I witnessed a family come together in action, patience and kindness when the amazingly beautiful 13 pound rib roast almost hit the floor and the cooking juices spilled all over the kitchen.

I, as always when I go home, felt the joy of how beautiful my family is and how we love each other so well, in spite of our differences and our imperfections.

I felt the peace of having my life partner, my best friend and my Love beside me through it all, appreciating and soaking in the joy himself.

I even witnessed a little Christmas miracle when my frozen windshield washer fluid that had been stuck for two days, started to flow just after I had silently prayed it would, and exactly when I so needed it to on the slush-filled highway!

And the sweetest of all the joy-filled moments and my most memorable gift of Christmas 2011 was given to me my this little guy who eats from my sister Kristina’s bird feeder in the gorgeous cedar in her front yard :

This precious little creature trusted me enough to land in my hand and eat sunflower seeds from my finger tips!

I cannot tell you how thrilled, touched and awed I was by this simple moment.

It is going to live in my heart forever, I think.

This joyous Christmas time reminded me once more that when you start to notice and celebrate the small moments of joy in your life, they increase exponentially ! They really do !

And what could be sweeter than a life full of JOY to share ?

I wish you beautiful moments of joy and celebration, my Friends.

Big, big love !

More joy at Meri’s Musings…

Haiku My Heart–A Joyful Wish

2011-12-23T07:47:00.001-08:00

In Joy, I wish you

Love, Light, Peace in all seasons,

And for all of time.

Merry Christmas, Beautiful Ones !

*****************

More Haiku and Holiday Love at recuerda mi corazon.

Choosing JOY !

2011-12-22T06:25:00.001-08:00

When you walk up to my door

you will find the same thing as if you looked into my heart.

You will find

the joy that I have created.

My holiday mantra has been “Do it with joy, or don’t do it.”

That has been a challenge every single day.

But I am arriving at the end of the holiday prep. time so much more joyful for having made that choice over and over again.

I am over-joyed with the idea of spending time with my family and friends during the holidays.

I am joyful about the gifts and the giving that I have done wherever, and however I can.

I am filled with joy and gratitude at the abundance of all that David and I have.

We really need for nothing.

Most of all, the joy that comes from the amazing amount of Love that I have in my life is filling my heart, and I know it is shining outwards to be shared.

In Joy, I wish you Love, Light and Peace

in all seasons,

and for all time, Beautiful Ones.

***********

Share more joy at Meri’s Musings.

Loving my winter weekend…

2011-12-19T07:01:00.001-08:00

I had a very cozy weekend spent mostly in sweats.

The wrapping got done.

A big pot of chili was made.

Some books got read.

( I am reading Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran, and David is reading Inheritance by Christopher Paolini).

Naps were savored.

And furry pets happily hung out with the two of us, basking the in the glow of our pretty Christmas tree.

I also managed to do a couple of art journal pages.

It is taking some time to get back into the flow of making pages regularly.

I am feeling a little rusty.

But it also feels so good to get back to this practice. I missed it !

A kind of doodle page.

This figure emerged from a blob shape I drew in pencil on an old dictionary page.

Love those intuitive exercises. Especially when I am feeling rusty in my creative process.

This little sad-looking girlie reminds me of something out of a Tim Burton cartoon or something…

The second piece was all about my quest to keep the light around me wherever I can in these darkest of December days.

I played with some spray inks and a Crafter’s Workshop Sunburst Stencil to create this page.

I love the Maiori quote.

Going to keep those shadows behind me…

***************

Lots of stuff to do today.

Post office,

grocery shopping,

one last gift to buy,

and meditation class tonight.

I hope you have a light-filled Monday, Beautiful Ones !

Shine on !

Haiku My Heart–Throw Light On Your World

2011-12-16T05:29:00.001-08:00

In You, a bright flame.

Shine it from the inside out.

Throw Light on your World.

I know that the contrast between light and dark is at its most intense at this time of year.

And perhaps, the contrast is most intense at this time of our world as well.

What continues to amaze me is how the opportunities to shine Light in the darkness keep rising up to meet us where we are.

I believe it is our Soul’s job on Earth.

Let’s do it well !

Shine that glorious Love Light, Beautiful Ones.

More Haiku My Heart light can be found at recuerda mi corazon

Share the Joy Thursday : Making a List…

2011-12-15T07:25:00.001-08:00

This week was a real mixture of joy and sorrow, easy and hard.

A dear friend lost her Mom.

Another loved one’s husband got laid off.

December is so very dark, and many I know, including myself, find that adjustment very difficult.

The holidays often bring up lots of bitter sweet emotions that we have to feel, and then let go of.

I was also feeling low physically for most of the week.

But making a list of what brought me joy truly does help to comfort achy spots.

So here goes:

A JOY list for the week on December 12, 2011 :

Art Journal time taken. Yay !

Christmas cactus blooming right on time !

Christmas shopping underway, and going relatively stress-free.

Even included a few little gifties for myself !

(A puzzle for the deep, dark, January evenings. Thanks to my friends, Kim and Riley, who reminded me of my love of puzzles this past summer !)

A couple’s dinner at my friends, Lois and Mike’s, house that included great conversation, laughter and an exchange of handmade goodies. I love my owl, Lo !

My pets never fail to bring me moments of sweet joy, just by being around.

How’s this for a silly portrait portrait of my 8 year old puppy, Chica ?

(Leave me a caption for what you think she might be saying if you are inspired to add to the joy to the week !)

It was also a joy to see the Christmas decorations that have been stored away for a year come out of their boxes.

Certain ones made me feel really nostalgic this year. Many have been around for 11 years or so, since David and I celebrated our first Christmas together.

Like this one, that is a favorite of my friend, Suzanne, who is celebrating her birthday today !

Love you, Suzy !

Happy and joyful Holidays to you, Beautiful Ones !

Much love !

More joy at Meri’s Musings

Abiding…

2011-12-14T09:16:00.001-08:00

I should be out Christmas shopping since I really haven’t started yet.

But I am not feeling very well physically today.

Tired, achy, lacking energy.

I decided to PLAY instead.

Man, it feels good to lose yourself for a few hours in the paper, paint, color, flow…

Here is my art journal page for today, December 14, 2011.

I hope you find ways to give yourself what you need today, Beautiful Ones.

Big Love !

Holiday Preparations…

2011-12-13T07:24:00.001-08:00

Before :

After :

David and I opted for a table top tree this year.

A little less maintenance and a lot less cat adventures.

It, of course, had to have our favorite ornaments on it,

like this puppy we got the same year Chica came to live with us.

Or this fat angel cat, black, to remind me of my best cat ever, Georgie.

I love that the tree has my handmade touches too, like these paper love birds.

And that it is topped with something David and I created together; this stained glass star.

Little traditions that make the holiday decorating feel like home.

****

I was a little awed this morning by the fact that it is only 11 days until Christmas Eve.

I haven’t really done any shopping yet.

But I have made a promise to myself that this year, I will do my very best to take the stress out of the holiday.

My Christmas 2012 mantra is “Do it with Joy, or don’t do it at all !”

It has helped a great deal when I have completely taken the focus off of trying to find the people I love “the best gift ever” which I used to do in the past. Instead, I am thinking of little things that will make them smile, and let them know I love them. This feels so much better !

So I know it will all get done however it gets done, and that will be okay.

The important thing for me this season is to have a chance to put my arms around those I love and squeeze them tight.

And to bask in the joy and gratitude that we have this time together.

Now that sounds like a perfect Christmas to me !

Happy holiday preparations to you, Beautiful Ones !

May you find sweet Joy in all you do.

**********************

Ready, Set, Go and an Etsy Shop Full

2011-12-05T08:22:00.001-08:00

The Queen is on the move again !

My craft fair is done.

The results were not as good money-wise as I would have liked but David and I had a lot of fun with the people we met all day. We rocked it !

Now that all of that hard work is done, I am off to get some big LOVING

from some of my favorite kiddos on the planet !

Katie, Thomas and I have a date with some arts and crafts and some Christmas decorating at their house !

David will be home, taking care of the furry kids and manning the home front.

He will also be helping me out by filling any orders that come in from the Queen of Arts Studio Etsy shop.

I just added some new goodies to the shop today.

These sweet hand made clay ornaments

can reach you before the holidays and would be lovely on the tree or on a wrapped gift.

The same goes for my own favorites, theses paper love birds,

hand cut from an old French encyclopedia.

Also, some of you have been asking about having cards available with some of my original art pieces.

I have added some new ones into the shop

in both note card (4X5” on cardstock cards) and postcard format (4X6” in cello envelop ready for a note and and stamp to mail!)

And of course, bags of 13 Rock My World rocks are always available, if you want to make a special gift of them over the holiday season for someone who needs them !

So take a little peek in the Queen of Arts Studio shop if you are still working on completing that shopping list. My sweet Hubby Elf will get your order out asap !

(Thanks, David ! I love you !!!)

I won’t have a lot of access to the internet this week, but will be in touch when I get home on Friday.

Have a sweet week, Beautiful Ones !

Big Love !

Haiku My Heart–My Winter Garden

2011-12-02T06:38:00.001-08:00

It is safe and warm

In my own Winter Garden

I’m free to bloom there.

******************

In my studio, I am lucky enough to have a huge bay window.

We call it the intensive care for the plants in our house.

If they need a dose of bright sunlight, and a safe place to bloom,

this window is the place.

I heard the term “winter garden” on an episode of House Hunters International.

It referred to an enclosed patio that could be enjoyed in the winter months.

I realized how my studio feels like a winter garden.

With the trees bare outside, and even when the snow will white out all the color beyond my windows,

inside here, the light shines brightly and we are all free to bloom.

Happy Friday, Beautiful Blooming Ones !

For more haiku my heart loveliness, visit recuerda mi corazon

Riding the wave…

2011-12-01T07:15:00.001-08:00

This week has flown by.

Most of it was spent in the preparation for the Manchester West High School Theatre Knights Holiday Craft Fair that is taking place on Saturday, December 3rd from 9-3pm.

It has been a joy to see ideas,

like pieces of wet clay,

get formed into things I am proud to put my name on…

While crafty things that will sell well at a craft fair don’t provide the same Soul satisfying feeling as my more intuitive art does,

there is still a lot of joy in seeing my own personal style and artistic expression

shine through in everything I present.

I am also very happy that the craft fair I choose to participate in is a fund raiser that helps keep the theatre program at Manchester West High School flourishing.

I know the importance of keeping the Arts in our schools !

While most of my time has been spent with my nose to the grind stone,

True Artist Kim did come out to play for a bit.

I took about an hour and a half or so to create this page in my art journal yesterday.

Finding joy in the present moment is what it is all about.

Right, Beautiful Ones ?

I hope your Thursday is filled with sweet joy.

Come and share it at Meri’s Musings !

Celebrate the Good Things !

2011-11-29T07:13:00.001-08:00

I escaped Black Friday to Montreal, Quebec where Thanksgiving is celebrated in October, and where shopping and bargains have nothing to do with the traditional festivities.

I instead got to surprise my sister Natalie and most of my family by showing up on Sunday for a birthday lunch in Montreal’s Chinatown.

My Mom and I arrived a little early so we walked around and played for a bit, trying to stay out of sight of the restaurant where we were meeting.

It was a blast to see the looks of surprise on my sister’s face when she saw me, and also to hear Miss Katie yell out “Kimmy !!!” when we made our entrance.

Then it was time to decorate the birthday girl a little.

My beautiful sister, Natalie in her birthday regalia !

(Today is her actual birthday. Happy Birthday, Sista !!! I love you !)

My Mom and I hit the dollar store before the party so we all got to take part in the fun !

Thomas reviewed the technique for eating periwinkles in black bean sauce for those who were new to the game, and for us old pros who have been eating them since we were his age.

It may look a little gross but man, are they yummy !

Kate wasn’t into the periwinkles. Rice was more to her taste.

Check out her special chopstick style !

We sang a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday very loudly in the restaurant, with noise makers hoots as a finale.

Then we gathered in the street for some pictures to document the day.

Thomas really makes this one of my Uncle Charlie, my cousin Mathieu, and his beautiful girlfriend, Nadia. Typical Thomas pose !

I love this one of Mathieu swinging Katie around. She kept her legs pointed straight, like a ballerina !

Charlie took this picture of all the girls and our hambone, Tom.

Lots of happy faces !

It was kind of a whirlwind trip but so worth the time driving there and back.

I love my family very much, and being there to celebrate Life and all the good things about it is very, very precious to me.

Okay, now it is time to buckle down !

The craft fair benefiting the Manchester West High School Theatre Knights program is on Saturday, December 3rd !

Off I go to finish crafting !

Happy Tuesday, Beautiful Ones !

I hope your day has a little bit of life celebration in it too.

Haiku My Heart–Sister Magic

2011-11-25T05:36:00.001-08:00

We are Sisters three.

Watch out if we clap our hands.

There’s magic in us.

*****************

I love this picture of my two sisters and me. It was taken about 4 years ago, when the fates somehow allowed the three of us to get together for a sister’s weekend at our family cottage at Lac Bibitte.

No kids, no husbands, just us three.

That is a rare thing.

As life’s ups and downs and even extreme challenges present themselves for us to handle, there is a preciousness in this circle of three that means so very much to me and to who I am.

I love these two little sisters of mine, so very much. While we are so very different, and live our lives in different ways, and even in different geographical locations, we are forever bonded in Love.

Love you, Tina.

Love you, Nattie.

***********************

Happy Friday, Beautiful Ones !

For more haiku love, visit the Beautiful Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon

Share the Joy–Giving Thanks !

2011-11-24T06:12:00.001-08:00

May your day be filled with sweet, joyful moments

and abundant gratitude.

Big Love !

Rocking the Beach on a November Sunday

2011-11-21T05:12:00.001-08:00

We were blessed with a really warm November Sunday yesterday.

It was about 65 degrees in the afternoon.

Perfect for one last rock gathering before winter and a sweet visit to my favorite beach with my favorite guy!

This is the sea wall, where all the good rocks are.

See our special Rock Fairy buckets ?

Keeping it clean…

While it was pretty warm outside, that water looked pretty chilly !

Not too chilly for a couple of “Sharks” apparently !

That’s what we call those kooky surfers in wet suits !

It was a nice time.

Really good for bringing me to where I need to be inside.

I am so grateful to live so close to this special place that brings me such peace.

And to my sweet Man for hanging there with me.

I have a feeling that I may just need to keep revisiting that place in my mind as we head into this busy time of year!

Happy Monday, Beautiful Ones !

I hope you find some places of Peace to hang out in too !

Haiku My Heart– Round Circle Love

2011-11-18T05:12:00.001-08:00

Create a Round Circle

With Love’s healing light inside

Souls rise together.

Today, we are coming together to Haiku the Heart of our friend, Joe Spado.

I truly believe in the power of Love as prayer.

It is not a prayer that will make everything alright or take away the challenges we face.

It is a prayer that gives the Soul strength to go forward with each step of its journey.

And to me, a prayer of Love is also a celebration of the Soul connections we all share.

The Love Light created when we all shine brightly together is truly awe-inspiring, and so very powerful.

We are keeping this circle of Love going for Spadoman who is now at home, resting and gathering strength for the next steps of the journey.

Love and light to you, Man.

Shine on, Beautiful Ones !

***************

Share the Joy Thursday–Joining the Circle of Love

2011-11-17T05:42:00.001-08:00

My friend Spadoman is being encircled with love.

(For Joe – 12X12 Canvas, acrylic and collage)

I am a part of the circle.

And I am joined by some incredibly strong and loving hearts.

I took some time yesterday to create.

That creative time helped me focus on sending my friend love from deep within me

and joining into the loving web that surrounds him.

There is a special Soul Joy in that.

In getting away from the worry, the wanting to help but being unable to in the physical ways,

and instead, just focusing on what the Heart does best.

Sending big love and light.

We are with you, Man. And I know you feel it.

*************

Meri generously brings us together each Thursday to Share the Joy. It’s a beautiful thing !

She is also sharing wonderful things by and for women of substance, on her new site, Finally Me. My recent post Just Jump In has been featured there today. Thanks so much for the recognition, Meri !

This beautiful thing is also bringing me much joy this week.

Miss Pumpkin is a total love bug ! She is settling in very well and will probably be able to meet her feline brothers and canine sister gradually within the next day or two. Nothing like a cat who give head butt kisses ! Love that !

I hope you find joy in sharing your heart and love today, Beautiful Ones !

Big, big love !

For Today, Monday, November 14, 2011

2011-11-14T08:12:00.001-08:00

FOR TODAY
Outside my window...the sun is shining, it is warm, and the wind is blowing what is left of the leaves off the trees.

I am thinking...about how nice it was to have had my friend Suzanne and her big, Old English Sheepdog, Sam, here for the weekend. I was worried about Sam and the kitties but he did so great. He and Azzy bonded pretty quickly, actually. Chica enjoyed having a canine playmate and walk buddy. I was very happy to have my old friend here. I am grateful for how easy and fun it is to be with her. She helped me lift some of the grey cloud that was around me last week !

I am thankful...that Suzanne was here to lend a hand to David and I with the raking and bagging of the bazillion of leaves that filled our backyard. With her help, we we able to get a huge chunk of the job done !

In the kitchen... left over pasta from Saturday night, and a big bag of apples waiting to be baked into something…

I am wearing...jeans, a long sleeve t-shirt, and a baseball cap covering the bed head. Suzanne and I went with for a walk the doggies before she left just a little while ago.

I am creating...Some pendants for simple necklaces that I will be selling at the West High School craft fair in December. And at least one page in my journal this week, I promise myself !

I am going...to spend time in the studio today and then to my meditation class tonight.

I am wondering...how the family dynamics will change when we bring home our new addition to the family…(more below)

I am reading...this month’s Cloth Paper Scissors magazine and I am about to start The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern on my Nook.

I am hoping...that our application to adopt our new family member is accepted within the next few days !

I am looking forward to... bringing home the new addition to our family and letting her get to know her furry brothers and sister slowly.

I am hearing...the hum of the computer and the distant roar of the garbage trucks. Quiet Monday morning.

Around the house...things feel pretty quiet and spacious now that big Sam, who weighs a 100 pounds, and Suzanne have left.

I am pondering...when to show you exactly who I mean when I say our new addition !

One of my favorite things...is PUMPKIN !

The sweet girl who I fell in love with when I read about her on Petfinders. I visit the site periodically, with the vague idea of adding in a third cat into our family, but with never any real intentions.

I found Pumpkin and showed her to David and have been talking about her off and on for awhile now.

But the deal was done when we went to the Animal Allies shelter here in Manchester yesterday and saw the sweetie in person. She was mushy, cuddly yummy in my arms and snuggled her chin right under mine and I was done.

David, or Dada as the animals know him, loved her too and was influential in us deciding to go for it and fill out an application !

We should hear by Wednesday if we are approved to have her come home with us !

A few plans for the rest of the week: if all goes well, getting the house ready for our new arrival so that everyone can meet gradually. That and continuing with the craft fair stuff will keep me plenty busy, I think !

Here is a picture I am sharing of exactly how I feel today...

Blessed by the bittersweet gifts of life.

*************************

I hope you have a fine Monday, Beautiful Ones !

Big Love !

Haiku My Heart–The wind has stripped them bare.

2011-11-11T07:49:00.001-08:00

My heart is tender.

Accepting the changing view

Takes a little time.

************************

Working on accepting the “bare branch against the sky” look of winter that blew in overnight.

Not easy for this color-loving heart of mine.

Going to try and be gentle with myself about it.

(art from October 2009 – Leaves of your heart)

And surround my Self with the color from the inside out.

**************

Happy Friday, Beautiful Ones !

For more haiku and to connect with some incredible hearts, visit Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon

Share the Joy Thursday–It’s in the little things.

2011-11-10T07:10:00.001-08:00

I found joy in the Queen of Arts Studio this week.

It is where I spent a lot of time, so that makes sense.

I found it in the furry visitors that sometimes share the space with me :

(Chica)

(Azzy)

I found it in the color, message and abundance of what I created :

(Car Jewelry, ready for packaging)

and I also found it in the little rituals I have in my space that make me feel grounded in the moment.

I am grateful for all of these little things that bring me joy.

And I am also grateful for the joy that comes from cataloguing and sharing them here !

Have a joy-filled Thursday, Beautiful Ones !

More joy at Meri’s Musings.

Just jump in !

2011-11-08T08:21:00.001-08:00

A brand new Moleskine Portfolio Watercolor album.

That’s a lot of blank pages.

Where to begin ?

Be Fearless, and just jump in !

Get out the grass green india ink !

Drip and doodle with the eyedropper lid. See how the paper holds just enough

Lovely, lovely watercolor paper in this journal.

Close the book – make a monoprint.

Love having this big two page spread.

No spirals, no drips onto other pages.

Stencils, stencils, where are you ?

Ah, this one. Brand new, never used.

I was lucky enough to win it in a giveaway from Julie Balzer a few months back.

Time to get it dirty!

Acrylic paints on a sponge will work well.

Flip the stencil and we have both a left and right hand !

Black India Ink and a dip pen – tools of my heart !

A little line work and what emerges ?

Eyes behind a mask…

A creature with a strange head ?

Reminds me of some strange creature that Dr. Who may encounter…

Shut up, critic who says I am super weird !

Just Go with it…

My being behind the mask starts to develop…

A tattoo on one cheek,

a scar on another.

Details with India ink, a white gel pen and Twinking H2O’s.

Some good tunes playing as I play.

What is on now ?

Jason Mraz, “Details in the Fabric”.

“Hold on.

Know your name.

Go your own way.

And everything

will be fine.”

Ah, yesssss.

That works.

With that, my first page of my new nest feels complete for today.

I think I am going to like my new journaling home.

Happy Tuesday, Beautifully Creative Ones.

***********

Taking it slowly…

2011-11-07T07:30:00.001-08:00

Hello, Monday !

This weekend was all about leaf raking with the hubby. We made a start on the big yearly task. With 6 big maples in the backyard, we still have a lot to do. Yay for teamwork !

I was also working on the gifties for my mom’s office staff.

Every year, the boss’s wife gives me a contract for 40 or so of whatever crafty thing I come up with to add to the gift bags that she makes for all the staff.

This is what I came up with this year :

Car Jewelry !

If you drive in big city traffic like they have in Montreal, I figure a little message of calmness and something pretty to look at hanging from your mirror is a nice gift.

The charms are made out of self drying clay and the words are stamped with a rubber stamp alphabet. My friend Kim shared her technique with me. Thanks, Kimmypoo !

I received my new blank Moleskine art journal but haven’t taken the time to start using it yet.

I am focused on the craft fair in December right now and I am missing the real arty me.

I promise myself to find at least an hour, and splatter some paint around on a couple of those pristine pages this week.

Azzy and I are ready for the day.

How about you ?

“I need neither future nor past, but to learn to take today not too fast.”

~Jeb Dickerson

May you have a slow but sure Monday, Beautiful Ones.

Big Love !

Haiku My Heart – Being here now.

2011-11-04T06:18:00.001-07:00

I am sad today.

Friends in pain, hardships abound.

I send light and love.

**********************

“There is some kind of a sweet innocence in being human - in not having to be just happy or just sad - in the nature of being able to be both broken and whole, at the same time.”
― C. JoyBell C.

for more haiku and to add your light and love to the beautiful web,

visit recuerda mi corazon.

(This post is dedicated to my Haiku My Heart friend, Spadoman, and his beautiful, beautiful heart. Peace to you, Man. )

Little altars everywhere…

2011-11-03T06:42:00.001-07:00

I have been making little altars in my space since I was a little kid.

A gathering of items that bring me joy.

Things that represent me in the moment.

Bits and pieces I love.

On my computer desk, I have this little altar spot right in front of my eye.

There, I have a postcard made by Facebook friend with my life mantra on it.

I have a little clay piece my dear friend Kim made for me.

I have the amazing rock vase made by NH artist Lee Spiller that I gifted myself with.

And I have a sweet painted heart rock from my soul friend, Lynne Hoppe.

To these lovely bits, I occasionally add a rock of my own making.

This morning, I needed a rock.

I needed one to ground me.

I needed one to keep me filled up as I was feeling far too much on the empty side…

The rock I chose was “hope”.

I love that word.

I even love the shape of the letters that form it.

But this morning, it didn’t feel like enough.

So, I reached into my bag of rocks for another.

Guess what rock came to me ?

Okay.

Message heard.

I guess today, I needed twice as much hope as usual.

So full of hope,

I will meet the new day.

I hope your day is a joy-filled one !

Big Love !

*******

More joy sharing at Meri’s Musing.

Catching up…

2011-11-02T09:44:00.001-07:00

I am a few days late in getting my October sketchbook out to my other Creative Sistahs this month.

I somehow forgot that after Halloween, it is November ! Ooops !

But it is going out into the mail today.

The pages for Kathy’s book were inspired by the lovely red tutu adventure I had for my birthday earlier in October and this photo.

I am happy with it.

I especially love how cute the rocks in my hand look.

The red tutu is out on its was to its next secret Red Tutu Chickie.

I am sure we will hear all about it when she gets it!!!

I am busy in the studio, painting rocks and doing crafty stuff for an upcoming local high school craft fair in December, as well as making 40 or so gifties for the staff at my Mom’s office which I do every year.

I am working on keeping the blahs about the winter season away. It feels like it is approaching very rapidly here in New Hampshire.

Today is not so bad. Though there is still some packed snow around, there is a lot of melting happening with the temps nearing 50 degrees.

I can handle that.

Off to the Post Office !

Happy Wednesday, Beautiful Ones !

Happy Birthday to the King of my Heart!

2011-10-31T06:03:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday to my Halloween Baby Hubby, David !

(David, earlier this month, with his other favorite girl, Miss Katie !)

I am grateful everyday that you are in my life, and that we have found one another to make this journey with.

You are sweet, funny, caring, brilliant and so very loving.

And I want to thank you for all you do to make our life together so wonderful,

including digging us out from this incredible October dump of the icky white stuff!!!

(Snowtober – images from our house, Saturday morning, October 30, 2011)

Today, let’s celebrate Everything YOU !

I love you more than words can say.

Happy birthday, My Love !

Nature does it…

2011-10-28T07:02:00.001-07:00

Nature does not ask

If you are ready or not.

She just does her thing.

*****************

Yes.

We did get snow overnight here in NH.

For us, here in Manchester, it was just enough to make things a little white

and force David to find his scraper for the car.

It was early for this stuff, especially since we have had a pretty warm Fall.

I am not ready for snow.

In fact, it kind of makes my bones ache to think about what is coming.

But I can still find the beauty in this first snowfall.

The beauty is that it should be gone by noon.

Happy Friday, Beautiful Ones !

Haiku my Heart Fridays hosted by the beautiful Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon.

Many Kinds of Joy !

2011-10-27T06:28:00.001-07:00

Where did the joy come from this week ?

Tender Joy : A phone call to a dear, dear Loved One whose Mom has made the journey to the other side, loving her through, and then lighting a candle on the altar to light the way…

Joy In Anticipation : Preparing a space for my own sweet Mommy to visit. What kind of flowers ? Mums, of course !

Joy in the Many Gifts ! : My mom and I shopping and finding her the perfect down-filled coat for Montreal winters, and at a bargain, no less !

Joy in Connection : These furry family members who brings such cozy joy to fill us up everyday.

Joy In Love : My Mom and I help one another fly. I do love her so.

Acknowledging and having gratitude for the joy is an important bit of our work here on this planet, I think.

In the midst of all the hardships and darkness, the joyous light is always present.

We just have to remember to look for it !

For more joy celebration,

visit the amazing Meri and the gang at Meri’s Musing.

Happy Thursday, Beautiful Ones !

And in the end…

2011-10-24T07:03:00.001-07:00

I completed the last page in my art journal yesterday.

It is an black, hard cover Canson 9 X12” Mixed Media sketchbook with a spiral binding that I bought at Barnes and Noble for 19.99. I think it has about 45 pages in it.

I love the paper and how it holds up to the acrylic paint, watercolors, glued on papers and ink that I use in it.

I do not love the spiral binding that separates the pages.

This is the second one of these journals that I have filled.

This one took almost two years to complete.

That is a lot of time.

A lot of changes, some subtle, some bigger, both in my life and in my artistic process.

To have this document of my life, created by me, and with all of its pages completed

is a pretty special feeling.

It was actually kind of hard to do the last page.

I felt like I should create a finale.

But the other pages were filled with inspiration from the day they were made.

So I kept to that and finished the journal with this…

The words from the Beatles song “The End” seemed fitting.

And the crow, that has visited quite a few times throughout the pages of all of my journals, flew in to give the message…

It is a pretty good one !

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3

I have ordered a new journal.

A Moleskine Folio A4 Watercolor album that has no spiral binding, has lovely paper and a lot of space to spread out…

I hope it makes a good new home for me and my journaling juices !

It will arrive in a few days, which is just fine because I will be busy this week

enjoying a visit from my Mom !!!

She arrives tomorrow for a special Mommy and Me week of shopping, walking, hugging, talking and loving ! Yay !

(Mommy and me – 09/2009)

Happy Monday, Beautiful Ones !

May any endings you face today be the sweet beginnings of something new.

Big Love !

Let yourself fall…

2011-10-21T07:42:00.001-07:00

A Haiku for the Maple Seed :

I let my Self fall

Trusting that where I fall is

My true place to grow.

*********************

It is a spectacular Fall day here in New Hampshire today.

Even right here in my backyard !

Check out this Maple !

I love how the tree colors are reflected in the window of my neighbor’s garage :

What do you see in the reflection?

It looks kind of Chagall-esque to me.

A weird horse head below with an angel holding a baby above ?

Speaking of art that is open for interpretation…

Here is my latest journal page.

I actually only have one page left to complete in this journal.

I have been adding to it for almost two years.

This page was created by just letting paint and ink and black gesso tell me where it want to go.

I am digging the white doodles…a little like the crazy thoughts I have in my brain sometimes…

Not the happiest of pages. My woman with scars looks like she is dealing with a lot.

Like so many of us in this world.

But I think she still sees the beauty…

I know I do.

Wishing you a day filled with trust, beauty and some good haiku !

Big Love, Beautiful Ones !

Get your haiku here : Recuerda Mi Corazon – Haiku My Heart

Daily Poetry…

2011-10-19T07:12:00.001-07:00

Today on the amazing blog 3X3X365,

South Bend, IN

(aka Kathryn Schuth)

wrote

“What is our daily poetry?”

The idea of our daily life as poetry, as art, struck a cord deep inside me.

As did that idea that we have choice in the kind of poetry we choose to write each day.

Will it be full of “fine” or not so fine whine?

Will it be full of “Oh, poor me!” or “I can’t”s?

Or will it be full of the long list of blessings we can count ?

Of beauties we have around us ?

Of the many ways that LOVE fills us up ?

Oh, that choice, that responsibility isn’t always easy !

In fact, some days, it is incredibly hard.

But life will go by whether we create the art we want to live or not.

So what poetry will you choose to write today, Beautiful Ones ?

<3 <3 <3<3<3

I will share a little bit of mine…

(art journal page ‘ “Plan ? What Plan?”)

What I chose to see in the vast quantity of maple seeds covering the back deck…

The last marigolds from the pot of annuals I have yet to empty on the back deck, tucked into my favorite rock vase.

They all fit together beautifully somehow, don’t they ?

Poetry I set up on my desk to remind me of my work today…

And if you need just a little more inspiration to tap into your own beautiful strength and courage, please read my dear, dear friend Rebecca’s post today. It brought tears of joy to this brave heart.

Light and love,

and happy creating !

Show me some love !

2011-10-18T05:19:00.001-07:00

Today, I will do the following things to show myself some love :

1. Go for a walk with the dog.

2. Eat Greek yogurt and Kashi cereal for breakfast.

3. Call a friend and vent, laugh and cry if necessary.

4. Take a hour to play in my neglected art journal.

5. Make a list of things I am grateful for in my neglected gratitude journal.

………

Oh, and I will send my friends over to Finally Me, where my friend Meri

celebrated one of my favorite, recent posts from this blog by including it in her great new project !

Happy Tuesday, Beautiful Ones.

Now, go love on yourself !

Walking in Orange…

2011-10-17T09:19:00.001-07:00

PMS sucks.

I think that’s what it is.

Or maybe it is the planetary alignment ?

Whatever the cause, I felt very sucky when I woke up today.

That just happens some days.

The day was seemingly following my mood as a few things happened as the day got underway that were kind of sucky too.

In an effort to change the pattern of suckiness, I went for a walk with Chica.

It is gorgeous out today ! Sunny, very windy, but warm, and the colors of Fall are absolutely spectacular !

Here are a few views from my walk...

Our neighbors, Kim and Dave (how funny is that ?!), who live two doors down have lovely porch décor.

Look up ! That orange against the blue sky is so pretty.

I know that Chica wishes I would listen to this rock but being on leash is a must in the city !

Not sure what these berries on this prickly bush are called, but their persimmon red/orange color really caught my eye.

This shot is of a pile of broken glass, really thick stuff. I don’t know what it belonged to but I thought it was cool looking.

Some more orange. A scared looking skeleton, swinging in the wind.

Here is a shot of a Rock Fairy classic - putting a rock atop the fire hydrant.

Orange again…

I snapped a couple of pics of the “okay” rock.

I like this one too – with two pairs of feet…

Speaking of feet…

Fall would not be complete without walking through the leaves, listening to the swooshing, crunchiness. I even love the smell of the decay…

I picked up a Gingko leaf to bring home. Their shape and the fact that they are a symbol of strength, hope and peace made me pause and want to bring some of that home with me this morning.

For this pic, I paired it with the last rock in my pocket.

A message for the rest of my day, perhaps ?

“Go with strength, hope and peace.”

Nice one…

So while I still feel kind of sucky,

and while there may be things about this day that will continue to suck,

tonight when I go to bed and look back on the day,

there will be sweet moments of strength, peace and hope to focus on,

in spite of the suckiness.

I hope you have an un-sucky Monday, Beautiful Ones.

Go with strength, hope, peace and Big Love!

Love changes things…

2011-10-14T06:46:00.001-07:00

“Love is the answer to every question.” – art journal page from 2009

Think of your dear friend.

Encircle her with love’s light.

Soul’s work being done.

**************

Worrying doesn’t change the outcome.

That has been a huge lesson for worry-wart, anxious, Kimbo.

I am still working on it, and probably will all my life.

But I have also learned that Love is the answer to every question.

And learning to focus on the Loving…

well, that makes all the difference in the world.

Where there is love, there is hope.

Happy Friday, Beautiful Ones.

I wanted to share this video that I watched this week. It is the most inspiring thing I have seen in a long time. Talk about Soul’s Work. Wow.

Light and Love !

More haiku love at recuerda mi corazon.

How do you wish to be loved ?

2011-10-12T06:47:00.001-07:00

At Wishcasting Wednesday, Jamie asked : How do you wish to be loved ?

I wished to be loved just the way I am in this moment.

I wish to be loved without judgment.

I wish to be loved with kindness and compassion, and for all the kindness, compassion and love that I bring to the world.

I wish to be loved fiercely and strongly, so I have the strength of that love to shine brightly.

I wish to be loved gently and softly, so that love’s comfort helps me stay brave in the darkness.

I wished to be loved deeply and well.

And you know what ?

I am.

****************

I had the most magnificent birthday weekend anyone could wish for!

Loving messages from all around, gifts full of thought and care, hug and kisses, laughter and connection, and weather that was definitely the glorious icing on the cake.

The thing I came away with most is how very, very blessed I am, and how very loved. Those two things are the greatest gifts we can receive in this life, Beautiful Ones. I am so very grateful for them !

I hope you truly know how deeply you are loved today.

Happy Wednesday !

(Pictures above are from The Rock Fairy’s visit to the beach yesterday. How cute are those sand pipers ???!!!)

Haiku My Heart Friday–The Red Tutu

2011-10-07T07:23:00.001-07:00

Edited *** A few weeks back, my lovely friend Meri, shared a pic of herself with a beautiful red tutu that she had received from the amazing Deb at Talk at The Table (not my friend amazing Deb Taylor at Deb Did It as I originally posted - Sorry to have gotten my Debs confused but thankful to have discovered Deb C. and her lovely inspiring blog through this !) to celebrate her birthday.

Meri did the sweet deed and then offered to pass the tutu on to someone who had a birthday later in the year.

Guess who jumped on the opportunity to share such a gift ?!

My birthday is on Sunday but I will be away in Canada with my family.

So today seemed like the perfect day top celebrate my Self !

Here I am in my Rock Fairy Uniform, featuring the beautiful, fluffy red tutu hand made by Deb !

David, my best cheerleader, but who I am sure thinks I am just a little nutso, helped me with the photo shoot ! (A little ?)

I even wrote a haiku in celebration of this sweet event :

The Red Tutu came

Full of love, laughter and fun.

My Self wore it well !

It was great fun to be silly, to not care about what anyone else thought and to just be me in all my Rock Fairy, Princess in a Tutu, 46 (almost) year old glory !

A funny thing happened too, as I was editing this crazy fun photos.

When I came to this photo, which I love, love, love…

I was instantly reminded of this photo I have blown up and sitting in my studio :

She is still in there, that 5 year old me. Shiny and bright, 41 years later.

Somewhere along the lines, she sure did learn the lesson well.

Use those wings, Beautiful Ones !

And a tutu too, if that works for you !

This is our one, precious life.

Let’s Live It Out LOUD !!!

Big Love !

Haiku Lovers, head over to recuerda mi corazon for more lovely word play.

Share the Joy Thursday–Putting the gloves on…

2011-10-06T06:09:00.001-07:00

It is 39 degrees this morning.

That about 4 degrees Celsius.

I could let that cold get me down, knowing it is just the beginning of the long,cold, cold-ening ahead.

But just like I am choosing not to let stresses or worries that are all in my head take over my day,

I won’t let the cold steal the wonder of being alive away from me this morning.

I am turning to JOY instead !

These beautiful hand-made felted fingerless gloves appeared to me first thing on my desk in the studio.

My friend Suzy made them for me last year.

I love them.

From the colors, to how they fit me perfectly,

right down to the perfect little heart she added on the bottom inside.

Life is so full of joyous little treats, ready to greet our hearts when we open them, and

let LOVE come in.

Look for, and love those little joys today, Beautiful Ones.

They are nourishment for your heart and Soul !

For more joy inspiration, plus an announcement about an amazing new project called Finally Me, head over to Meri’s Musings.

What a difference time and love can make…

2011-10-05T07:31:00.001-07:00

Yesterday…..

Today…

Today’s post is dedicated to my friend Suzanne, who is hurting, and who I love very much. This day is coming for you, my strong and dear Friend. I know it is.

Here’s to a sunshiny new day, Beautiful Ones.

Big Love !

For today, Monday, October 3rd.

2011-10-03T07:19:00.001-07:00

FOR TODAY
Outside my window...it is grey, and probably about to rain. The leaves on our maples are still green for the most part and have just started falling…

I am thinking...about next weekend, Canadian Thanksgiving and my BIRTHDAY !!! Mostly I am thinking about the logistics about travel, dog kenneling, where we are sleeping when we get there, where the turkey will be cooked, etc…

I am thankful...that my cruddy cold that lingered all weekend is easing off today and that I have a bit more energy to get some stuff done !

In the kitchen... Mother Mailhot’s kitchen is bare but I am dreaming of chili with tons of veggies in it, topped with sour cream, cilantro and lime.

I am wearing...a blue cotton nightshirt & flip flops.

I am creating...samples of “car jewelry” that I am making for my annual crafty gifts for the staff at my mom’s office, pages in my Creative Sistah Lori’s sketchbook, and a huge mess on my studio table ! Creating is messy in my world !

I am going...to the post office, to the grocery store (chili ingredients !!!), and then to meditation class tonight.

I am wondering...why the days seem to be flying so very, very quickly…it is almost scary…

I am reading...very little these days, other than Facebook and blogs. I am listening to “Something Borrowed” by Emily Giffin in audiobook format before bed.

I am hoping...I can work through is very achy neck and shoulder to keep up with production needed for crafts fairs, Christmas gifts and Rock Fairy demands.

I am looking forward to... doing a photo shoot of myself this week with a very special prop !

I am hearing...the hum of the computer and the distant roar of the garbage trucks. Quiet Monday morning.

Around the house...it is actually pretty tidy, other than my studio table, as David and I tag-teamed it yesterday and captured all dust kangas in the vacuum cleaner.

I am pondering...how it got to be 10:00am and I am still glued to the computer…again…

One of my favorite things...putting clean sheets on the bed and plugging in the twinkle lights in the bedroom last night. Cozy and romantic. Fall nesting, I think.

A few plans for the rest of the week: lots of stuff in the studio, lunch with Lois on Tuesday, a trip to the beach at low tide for some rock gathering and finally, a drive up to Montreal and La Conception for the long (my birthday!!!) weekend.

Here are some pictures I am sharing...

My two pages in Lori’s sketchbook for the month of September. Man, how that month flew !!! It is off into the mail today to you, Jennifer !

Okay, off of the computer and back to the studio table !

Happy Monday, Beautiful Ones !!

Haiku My Heart–Hope-Full

2011-09-30T06:52:00.001-07:00

Kindness just because.

Helping hands. Heart Connections.

Morning Light. All hope.

********************

I hope your weekend brings you all kinds of hopeful stuff, Beautiful Ones.

Happy Friday !

For more Haiku My Heart, visit Rebecca, one of the most beautiful hearts I know, at recuerda mi corazon.

Share the Joy Thursday–Balancing the Shiny

2011-09-29T07:44:00.001-07:00

This week has been filled with opportunities to connect, to create, to branch out…

many of which have brought me joy in shining my light.

Art journal page – Balance the Light, September 29, 2011

But in this world, with so many of us looking for light,

it can be hard when you open yourself up, shine that light brightly,

and really share yourself with the world.

Sometimes, people try and take your light away, like a magpie who has noticed something sparkly in its line of vision and wants to take it home to its nest.

Sometimes, those old fear demons that live inside us, rise up and try and squelch the light from within.

And sometimes, the validation of our shiny-ness from outside, which feels so wonderful in many ways, tempts us to stretch ourselves too far,

and to wander away from the true light we are trying to bring to the world.

One of the best joys of this week has been when I have done something to protect myself and my shiny.

Like saying no when an opportunity comes along but that doesn’t fit with what my heart’s work really is. (This is hard !)

Like making my fear my friend in a way, and acknowledging it but choosing to risk anyway. (Those fears are ugly but they really only want to keep me safe.)

Like taking time to be present and enjoy life exactly where I am ! (The only shiny I know for sure is the one in this moment !)

So this week, I am giving myself a blue 1st place ribbon for the care I have given to my shiny !

My friend Colleen and I with our blue ribbons, yesterday at the Deerfield Fair school building where we served as judges for the student artwork competition.

There is a lot of joy in presenting that kind of prize to your Self.

For more joy, make sure and visit the Lovely Meri at Meri’s Musings.

Happy Thursday, Beautiful, Shiny Ones !

Wheeeeee, all the way home !

2011-09-26T11:11:00.001-07:00

I find that when I step away from my regularly scheduled life and experience three days of amazing things like I just have, I am challenged by what to exactly to share when there was so very much that happened to me ! It is also a challenge to convey the amazement that I feel about my experiences.

As I sat down to write this post, I was facing that challenge.

I thought I might find some help from the photos that I took.

But it turns out that I actually took very few. And some of the photos I did take were kind of silly or rather mundane. They didn’t seem to have a lot little “meat” to them.

(The purple ceiling at the Armory Building in Somerville, MA, where the retreat was held.)

(Part of the ceiling and the sign over the Cambridge baaw (in my best Boston accent done by a Canadian) that we went to after the retreat.)

But wait a minute !

(The molten chocolate lava cake that Susie ordered for us from room service at 10:30pm when having some chocolate was absolutely necessary!)

(The amazing Susie Riley in the flesh, with her kooky orange sunglasses purchased on a previous adventure we had together, doing her Susie on a Stick pose.)

Maybe some of those pics are a little meaty for the imagination !!!

But they don’t really convey what I experienced or loved most about the weekend.

In the end, I decided to make a list of the top ten things I came away from the weekend with (in a random order).

Susie and me in the Cambridge Mariott rooftop garden.

1. The number one thing that I loved about the whole weekend was sharing time with some really, really shiny, talented, open, and brave people. I met so many of them throughout the weekend ! The time with my friends, Susie Riley and Patti Digh, was especially good for my heart. I love those two women a lot.

2. I was moved by how many people came up to me and let me know that a rock that I had marked with a word or two of love had made its way into their life and touched them. Sometimes, very deeply. It made me feel so very grateful to be a part of something so beautiful.

3. I appreciated learning that while writing is an important part of my creative process, I know that I am an Artist first and foremost. That is where my passion lies.

4. I loved sitting at the baw, drinking a cold Stella, with Susie as she sips her Guinness, and tawkin’ and tawkin’…

5. I learned that I really want to work on being a better, more attentive listener.

6. I confirmed, once again, as a result of this weekend, that I really need a community of like-minded people in my life to keep me well. Sharing and connecting with others fills me up ! I know that I will keep on building that, and being a part of a meaningful, creative community both on-line and in person wherever and whenever I can.

(rock left in the rooftop garden of the Cambridge Marriot)

7. Taking bits and pieces from what three very different but all very creative women (Jen Louden, Sue Piver and Patti Digh) shared about their own creative process, and seeing where I can improve, or enrich my own.

8. Brainstorming with two women that I really respect as creative beings about where the Rock Fairy will be flying to next…

9. Getting confirmation over and over again that while I cannot control the circumstances of my life, I always have the choice in how I will react to them. Happiness is a choice. And I want to choose it whenever I can.

10. Having a nice long, wonderfully silly lunch with Susie and Patti on Sunday afternoon, and waking up this morning with aching ab muscles (I actually have those. Who knew ??!!) because of all the laughing we did !!!

(Susie, Kim, Patti – photo by Patti Digh and borrowed from 3X3X365)

For those 10 things and all the other ones that are inside of me as a result of my three days away, I am truly grateful.

As my wise friend Susie would say,

I am one Lucky Bitch.

Happy Monday, Beautiful Ones.

Haiku My Heart–Being Me

2011-09-23T06:06:00.001-07:00

“Just be you.” he said.

How is it we forget that ?

Shiny me, I’ll be.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It is much easier to be shiny through the computer screen sometimes than it is to be shiny in person.

I am off to my writing retreat. Excited and nervous.

But probably heading into a place where just about everyone feel the same.

Working on letting go of insecurities about wardrobe, and/or having the coolest notebook,

and remembering instead

that this is my experience and I choose what kind of experience I want it to be.

Bringing my bag-o-rocks with me, of course.

They help me to remember who I am.

Shine on, Beautiful Ones, and have a great weekend !

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Love haiku like me ? Head over to recuerda mi corazon for a sweet dose of Haiku My Heart Friday.

Share the Joy Thursday–Process

2011-09-22T06:03:00.001-07:00

There is a joy in getting lost in the process…

Art journal page background painting…

In letting whatever wants to come, just come…

With no expectations about the outcome…

Art journal page with figure, a title, some pen details…

Having moments of being fearless in creating…

Being a conduit for messages from inside or from out…

Lyrics on the art journal page from this song that was running through my head…

(It’s almost 20 years old, yikes !!! But I still love it so !)

Letting the Artist voice inside tell you when it is complete…or not.

I found this in my inbox this morning from Bone Sigh Arts

and saw myself in it so clearly. I knew it had to be added to the page…

turning point
“ lighting a candle in her own darkness,
she came and brought it to the others.
'i understand,' she whispered, 'and i want to help.'
there was safety in what she offered.
there was hope in the flickering shadows.
quietly, they gathered.
and it began.
crying, trusting, struggling, sharing.
empowering and celebrating,
they grew and became more.
taking their own candles back to their own worlds
they changed the darkness back to light. ”
~terri st. cloud

Yes, there is a joy in the creative process…

And also in the fact that I can re-create that joy whenever I want…

“Creativity is God's gift to us. Using our creativity is our gift back to God. “
Julia Cameron

Make yourself some joy today, Beautiful Ones. Get creative !

For more joy sharing, head over to Meri’s Musings.

I am immersed in Love !

2011-09-21T07:10:00.001-07:00

“What do you wish to immerse yourself in ?”

That is the question Jamie had the wishcasters ponder today.

You know the answer that came to me immediately.

Love.

You know what ?

I am already immersed in the Wonder Stuff !

And it is stronger enough to make the crankypants I woke up in this morning disappear when I focus there.

It is easily done, but takes commitment and practice.

You put in out there, loving with all your heart, letting go of judgment and criticism to the best of your ability in the moment, and offering up forgiveness and understanding instead,

and low and behold,

the wave of Love rolls back over you.

And you get immersed in it, the more you do it.

And Baby, living in an Atmosphere of Love is the only way to go once you have been there !

I don’t want to live anywhere else.

The gifts are so bountiful !

Like this amazing love-filled one that arrived from my friend Elena, at My Quest, just yesterday :

(And she didn’t even know that Sandra Boynton has been a huge favorite of mine for many, many years ! Just ask Katie !)

Thank you for the loving gift, My Friend. You have touched my heart more than you could know.

<3 <3 <3

The thought and care that goes into sending a random love gift to someone you have never met in person but know so well by Heart, is what blows me away !

I have done it for others and I know that the giving fills you up in equal measure.

That is how we create an Atmosphere of Love, my friends!

What random Love Gift could you offer up today ?

It doesn’t have to be something you can touch.

A loving word or gesture have the same impact and don’t cost one penny of our tight budgets these days.

Send love out and see how it flows on back to you.

Before you know it, you will be immersed…

Happy Wednesday, Beautiful Ones.

“The joy lasted all day.”

2011-09-20T06:45:00.001-07:00

The September 2011 Katie photo shoot was done :

Three and a half, cute as can be, extremely confident and hilarious.

The family came together in a rag tag kind of way, with each of us taking part, some definitely going above and beyond…

and the cottage at Lac Bibitte got a beautiful new roof…

(Huge thanks to my Uncle Charlie, cousins Matt and Simon, and to the awesome Bro-in-law, John, who made it all happen ! Big love to you amazing guys !)

With a drive home that put me in my own bed as of Sunday night at 11:00pm, the roof raising weekend was done.

Maybe it was the night time drive or the day in the cool fall air, but I had some really interesting dreams on Sunday night.

While the details are getting fuzzier and fuzzier, I remember being on a kind of reality show where you had to slide down a big hill, run up another and when you reached the top and touched the diamond rock face in front of you, you would be told what your challenge would be.

When I touched the rock, I learned that I was going to be “reborn”, whatever that meant.

What I do know is that I was completely overjoyed with that challenge, and I was sobbing “I am going to be reborn. I am going to be reborn!” with tears of joy running down my face…

Told you it was interesting…

That dream kind of lingered in my mind all day yesterday as I came in for a landing after my whirlwind weekend.

And it inspire this morning’s art journal page :

Not sure what the dream meant but I like the idea of being filled with joy that way.

I am going to go with it today as best I can, as I spend some time getting some things ready for my “Walking into Fire” adventure next weekend, and into creating some new things in the studio.

Like the last of the blooms on my annuals, I am going to take advantage of the day.

Happy Tuesday !

Share the Joy Thursday - The song of life is a sweet tune.

2011-09-15T07:27:00.001-07:00

What gave me joy this week ?

Rock Fairy business – little bits of my heart sending love out into the world…

I have painted and written thousands of them now but I still get such a thrill seeing a tray full of love !

Meme en francais ce fois ci ! (even in French this time around !)

New haircuts that make you feel sass-say and fun exchanges with your hairdresser/friend !

Knowing that I am heading up north this weekend to be a part of this trio of deBroin women, coming together to put a new roof on the old homestead cottage with lots of help from some great manly men friends and family.

The fact that next weekend, I will be attending this with a dear, dear friend, and getting to see my Writer-Lady friend, Patti Digh in the flesh again. Plus I will doing something wonderful for my Self, mind, body and spirit, with $$ I earned from my art. And having my husband’s complete support and encouragement is beautiful, sweet icing on the cake. I just love it when a plan falls together and you can see so clearly what you need to do ! So excited !!!

All in all, a pretty fine week on the joy-o-meter, I would say !

I hope your list is at least as long, Beautiful Ones !

Happy Thursday !

sweet song of life…

For more joy, head over to Meri’s Musings !

I got a brand new key…

2011-09-13T07:31:00.001-07:00

Art journal page for Tuesday, September 13, 2011 :

Fly Free, Beautiful Ones !

Happy Tuesday !

A new week…

2011-09-12T07:29:00.001-07:00

Settling back into home after a peaceful week in Maine.

Feels funny to be away from David when we spent so much time together.

We really do get along so well, and have great fun together.

Such a gift !

Here's a few of my favorite shots from our time…

David took this one using my camera as the batteries were dying but I love the blur.

I am pointing out the glorious sky above. There were huge waves on this day too – our last at the beach.

A perfectly posed seagull feather on the sand…

Miss Chica sniffing the air from the trailer doorway.

“Smells like the rain is finally gone, Mommy !”

The traditional arms length couple shots…

Me and my man…

Me and my pooch !

You would think that with all the rain we had, I would have done a lot of art but I didn’t !

Just a page or two in the journal…

This one celebrating my little buddies, the sand pipers who made me giggle out loud as I watched them play in the surf !

And this doodle-y one that came about when I didn’t feel like getting the whole paint kit out…

This page was done yesterday at home, as the candle burned and quiet, loving prayers were being said…

I woke up this morning with a buzzy brain – thinking of all the things that need to get done, that I want to accomplish, and especially how very, very fast time is flying.

September 12th already !

In response to all of that, I am working really hard at taking things slowly, one little chunk at a time and pausing to breathe…

This guy has it right ! I found him dozing in the studio this morning. He started to purr when he heard me enter the room.

He is choosing happy in advance.

I am going to follow his example as best I can today !

Oh, and Meditation Monday starts back today. Another cool tool for my “Keep calm and carry on” tool box.

Wishing all of us the strength to make this a slow and easy Monday, Beautiful Ones !

Big Love !

Remembering, Living, Loving…

2011-09-11T04:38:00.001-07:00

On this September 11th, 2011,

on the 10th anniversary of events that changed the world forever,

I turn my heart to the only thing I know to be absolutely true.

Love

the

Answer.

Living and loving today because I am so blessed to be here.

And remembering those who are not…

Please read this wonderful tribute written by my Writer-Lady friend, Patti Digh, entitled “Remember”. She so eloquently, strongly, honestly and lovingly puts into words what this day represent to me and to so many.

Peace, blessings and Love to you, Beautiful Ones.

Haiku My Heart–I can choose…

2011-09-09T07:37:00.001-07:00

I can choose happy.

There is such power in that.

I can choose happy.

We had a very rainy week in Maine.

But that’s okay. We rested, read, played obnoxious games on the laptop,

had naps, walked the dog through the puddles, and were snug as a couple of bugs in our little camper in the quiet campground.

We did venture out for some shopping yesterday, when the rain let up for a few hours.

I chose this handmade pottery mug – “happy” on one side, “grumpy” on the other.

This morning, the sun came out.

I did a photo shoot, extreme bed head and all.

No matter what I did, I couldn’t pull off the “grumpy “ !

Too busy making the choice to be happy, I guess.

The bracelet David secretly bought and snuck into the bag for me at the Abacus Gallery store says it all…

“Live the Life You Love”

“Love the Life You Live”

Happy, happy Friday, Beautiful Ones !

For more haiku, you know what to do ! Visit Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon.

Chica says…

2011-09-04T04:41:00.001-07:00

Gone Fetching !

Catch you later, Furry and non-Furry ones !

(Now, throw the darn ball, Mom !)

Haiku My Heart–Everyday is day one.

2011-09-02T07:07:00.001-07:00

The smiles mark the days

I take Good Care of my Self.

Day One, everyday.

**************

Seems kind of childish, like getting a gold star for behaving in class.

But watching the calendar fill up with happy faces, and having to pass by it every day, multiple times a day, as the calendar is right by the computer, will be motivating I think.

Used to help with my first graders so why not with little old me ?

As you can see by the calendar, we are headed to Maine next week.

We will be staying in a nicely equipped camper at a campsite just down the road from the beach.

Cooler temps. and quieter beaches await us,

and that is just fine with me.

The ocean, art supplies, books on the Nook, cozy sleeping bags for two, my pooch

and my Man…

Sounds like a perfect vacation to me !

Thanks in advance to my friend Colleen-y, who will be taking care of the kitties at home.

Wishing all of you a wonderful Labor Day weekend.

Remember to take some down time for yourself. That’s what it is all about, right ?

Big Love !

Haiku My Heart Fridays are hosted by the remarkable and beautiful Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon.

Share the Joy Thursday–My Heart is Fine.

2011-09-01T08:47:00.001-07:00

To say I am radiating joy today would be a very true statement.

For you see, yesterday, while my glorious Rose of Sharon was in full bloom

I was feeling pretty crappy.

A scary trip to the ER yesterday afternoon for chest pains, a huge battery of tests and monitoring,

and I found out that my heart is fine !!!

My lungs are fine !

I am fine !!

(Primatene Mist is an over the counter drug, available for mild asthma reactions due to allergies, which actually contains epinephrine. Epinephrine is not what you need when you has slight breathing challenges from allergies!!!! Especially not when combined with high anxiety levels like I have. This drug will no longer be available over the counter as of December 2011. My bottle is now in the garbage !)

So, today I am joyous about life in so many ways.

I feel like I have been reborn in a way.

I have work to do on this planet, and I am going to take care of myself better so I can stay here and do it for as long as possible.

A little added confirmation for this whole feeling came when my friend Colleen linked this unbelievable blog post to me this morning :

Thoughtful Thursday : Thoughtful People by Michelle at Yesterday’s Trash

A woman I met three years ago at Squam Art Retreats was celebrating me as a thoughful person in her life !

Can you just imagine how honored and humble I felt to read that ?

Honored, humble and ready to get back to work.

Back to work spreading the Love, Baby !

I hope your Thursday is filled with moments of sweet joy, Beautiful Ones.

Big Love !

More joy plus the awesome Meri at Meri’s Musings.

Semi-Wordless Wednesday–The Eyes Have It

2011-08-31T07:14:00.001-07:00

A trio for the day…

pic 1 – a Rock My World Rock left for the finding yesterday

pic 2 – An eye I found while walking yesterday (see Chica’s head behind the tree ?)

pic 3 – “Looking for love” – an oldie but a goodie art journal page from 2009

What are the eyes telling you to look out for today ?

Happy Wednesday, Beautiful Ones !

Tend Your Own Garden

2011-08-30T07:16:00.001-07:00

In spite of the cicada singing this morning, and the fact that

my geraniums,

mandevilla,

and hibiscus are blooming in joy

(thanks to me protecting them from Irene)

this morning had that feeling.

You know the one…

where it is just a little cooler in the morning than summer usually is,

and where the light has changed the position it shines through the windows.

All things pointing to the next season coming along.

It has been a glorious summer here in NH.

No complaints at all about that.

But how I wish it was just a little longer…

Oh well, I will try and focus on the marvels of the new season as they arrive.

Fall is kind of wonderful.

This Arty Queen was born in the season after all !

**************

Here is a bit of art that I managed to do in spite of feeling pretty crappy physically the last little while…

I finished my August pieces in Jaime’s Creative Sistah Sketchbook

I am happy with how they turned out – sharing little bits of myself and my August 2011 experiences with the lovely hostess of our Sketchbook project.

It will go off into the mail today.

Art Journal page – The Gardener, August 2011

As for the physical stuff, the why’s of it are kind of besides the point – maybe allergies, maybe poor eating habits and not enough physical movement, maybe anxiety of the state of the world…whatever…

The main message I got from the physical discomfort was that I am in desperate need of some self-nurturing and “mothering” care.

I tend to give a lot more care and love to the people who mean so much to me

than I do to myself, and have for all my life, really.

I am learning the importance of being my own gardener.

Pulling the weeds, offering good nourishment,

and marveling the beauty of growth.

I still have a long way to go to get that thumb to green,

but at least, I have heard the message loud and clear.

Now, it is time to start listening to it…

“Kimbo, what do you need ?”

and begin providing it for my Self.

On that note, I am enjoying my low fat, low sugar Greek style yogurt with a handful of All Bran cereal in it, that will be followed by a walk with the sweet Chica-dog.

‘Cause that is what I need today.

Sending big love to you, Beautiful Ones.

Happy Tuesday !

Haiku My Heart - Want

2011-08-26T06:35:00.001-07:00

What do I want ? I

Want breath, nourishment, shelter,

love, sunshine, kindness…

I want purpose, art,

You, your arms, laughter. In truth,

I want for nothing.

(This haiku and art journal page were inspired by my friend Elena, who asks some very fine questions.)

I am so grateful to be able to say that in this moment, I want for nothing.

I have everything I need to survive, to thrive, to live this precious life fully.

How amazing is that ?

Counting those blessings today…

Every day…

***********************

Off to an Artsy Friends sleepover tonight.

Maybe some art, definitely some dominos and margaritas !

Back home late tomorrow to batten down the hatches with my Love and our furry kids.

Go easy, Miss Irene…

Light and Love for your weekend, Beautiful Ones.

Share the Joy Thursday–A week’s worth of joy…

2011-08-25T08:28:00.001-07:00

I had a week full of joyful moments when I ventured back to my Canadian homeland…

Visits with friends who just get me…

quiet times of chatting, puzzle doing, fun in nature…

even enjoying the rain in da hoods !

Time with kiddos that I love dearly…

Doing a little arty fish making…

giggling and smiling a lot…

Napping when necessary…

or simply taking the time to watch the clouds flow by…

There was even a moment or two of solitude that let my artist soul get nourished a bit.

A safe journey home with a little love leaving on the way

brought me back to hearts that missed me while I was gone

and blooms on slightly neglected plants that I thought had given up.

Those moments of joy are always there for the taking, Lovely Ones.

We all have the choice to reach out and grasp them whenever we can.

Happy Thursday and BIG Love !

In My Hometown…

2011-08-17T05:05:00.001-07:00

I am off.

Going to my hometown to get some time in with my friends there.

They sometimes get a little neglected when I go up for weekends and spend all my visiting time with family.

So this trip is about all about the girlfriends!

Suzanne, Darlene and Andrea, Kimmypoo

Katie…

Hee !

There actually will be some sweet time with the family towards the end of my trip so yes, people, apparently it is possible to have it all !

David, the kitties and Miss Chica will hold the fort until I get home next week.

Have a great week, Lovely Ones !

Big Love !

Weekend Sweet Spots

2011-08-15T08:19:00.001-07:00

So this weekend was kind of boring. Nothing special. At least, on the outside.

It involved a lot of errands that I would have usually done during the week, but the “monsters” kind of interfered with my energy level last week.

It involved household duties like lawn work and sprinkler fixing for David. And for me, normal laundry and bigger stuff like washing the dog crate bedding.

It did not involved lounging in a chair by the sea, or really celebrating the shortest of all seasons here in New England as I would have loved to do

but looking back on it, it was a “take action” weekend for lots of odds and ends

and that kind of gives me a sense of accomplishment.

Some sweet spots included :

stopping at the pet store for dog food, and finding this big, long, fluffy friend for Chica in the clearance aisle !

I also printed out quite a few pieces of my art work and created some cards, a few of which went into the mail this morning with surprise birthday wishes inside.

Sunday was National Waffle Day ! (oh, no, did you miss it ?!)

Waffles are a fav of the hubby so I made up a batch and we had breakfast on the back deck to celebrate.

I also spent sometime doing my Rock Fairy duties. The staff at my oral surgeon’s office is doing the Light The Night Walk for Leukemia in September and I have donated a custom bag of Rock My World Rocks to hand out to the participants.

Their team is called “Angels and Heroes” so each rock has that on one side, and some inspirational words from the Rock Fairy on the other.

I love being able to spread the love in these little ways! I will be dropping these off today when I go to my last follow-up appointment after having my wisdom teeth out in May. The tongue is still slightly tingly/numb on one side as a result of that long ago surgery but there are days when I forget about it most of the time so that is good sign that I may just heal up completely over time.

(The flowers on the back deck this morning are celebrating the rainy day !)

So while not everyday can be about the big, juicy celebrations,

taking the time to notice the simple graces in the every day is what makes life feel special and well lived, don’t you think ?

What was your sweetest of simple graces this past weekend, Beautiful One ?

I hope you took the time to notice and celebrate them a bit.

Happy Monday !

Haiku My Heart– Living Up

2011-08-12T06:31:00.001-07:00

Down ? You can choose up.

Choose to look, go, see, BE up.

Living up is grand.

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As you know, the monsters where hanging out this week.

I was being pulled into their mire.

But something wonderful helped me pull myself out of the muck.

From the depths of the muck to the top of a mountain, in fact.

I chose to be present, look for beauty, revel in friendship…

In short, I chose up.

And the view from there is grand.

Photos from the 78th Annual Craftmen’s Fair at the Mount Sunapee Resort, Newbury NH.

My lovely friend, Susie Riley and I took the chairlift to the mountain top.

A failed panorama shot but you get the idea – gorgeous !

Rock and driftwood sculptures from artist Mark Ragonese

He actually had rocks piled there on the grass available for people to build their own totems.

This one against the glorious sky made me feel UP.

Imagine this beautiful “Isis” in your garden?

The piece won best sculpture in the show.

We saw hundreds of gorgeous pieces of art ! So inspiring.

The Rock Fairy had to have her own souvenir, from a kindred spirit, NH artist, Lee Spiller,

who creates amazing vessels out of rocks found by the sea.

This little rock with a hole in it can home with me.

Monsters are at bay.

I think they will stay that way.

I am so grateful for today, anyway !

Kimbo wants to play.

Have a great weekend, Beautiful Ones !

Big Love !

more haiku love at recuerda mi corazon