A little more action, please!

FOR TODAY
Outside my window...it is 67 degrees at 9:00 am and we are expecting a high of 90. In April. In NH. Weird stuff !

Maple buds bursting..

I am thinking... mornings go way to fast and that the computer sucks so much time but that I love blogging !

I am thankful... that I am feeling a little better today. Stomach issues suck the energy out of you !

In the kitchen...looking for dairy free goodies for me and animal product free stuff (short term) for David as we make some big changes to how we are eating and try to be really mindful about what we put into our bodies.

I am wearing...my blue t-shirt cotton night shirt and eggplant-colored El Naturalista clogs. Oh, and very bad bed head !

I am creating...little bits of art again and it feels so good.

I am going...to the Health Food store, the grocery store and the post office. Woo hoo !

I am reading... information about being lactose intolerant and Probiotics. A life without cheese ?!?! Kind of depressing  but it may just be the ticket!

I am hoping... that making some good changes in my diet will help me feel better and give me more energy.

I am looking forward to...my visit with Colleen this week. We have a secret creative project that I am excited about ! More later…

Around the house... windows are open, the birdies are serenading us and the furry pets are having their morning sunbeam naps.

Boo in a studio sunbeam.

One of my favorite things...the carwash ! The Rogue-y is back to its sexy, shiny self !

A few plans for the rest of the week: meditation class tonight, creative time with Colleen, a haircut and hopefully some more art time !

Some pictures to share with you : I made art ! Yay !

First up was adding my piece to my Creative Sister Eva’s book for the Creative Sisters Travelling Sketchbook project. We had gotten way behind due to life’s little challenges and that meant that I was creating a spread for the month of January in the month of April.

But since January is usually my least favorite month of the year, I was still inspired !

Eva’s book will be on its way to Jennifer today and hopefully, we can now keep up with the new flow, right, Sistahs ?

I also got to work on a 12 X 12 canvas I had started a while back.

The background was done, and these bits got added to it in two separate sessions.

The first session of Friday afternoon was actually very frustrating.

My girl’s face was soft blues and Payne’s grey but just wouldn’t work for me.

I ended up painting over the whole thing with black ink, and leaving it aside for the night.

I am still not sure I love it all.

But there are definite sweet spots in it that feel so good to my Artist Eye.

 

I am so pleased that I finally had some time to mess around and just create.

The rusty bits will soon smooth out with the creative oils being applied as needed !

So that’s the scoop around here on this fine Monday.

I hope that your week has some moments where you can do exactly what you love !

Light and love, Beautiful Ones !

For Today, Monday, November 14, 2011

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 !

For today, Monday, October 3rd.

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 !!

Simple Woman’s Daybook : Monday, July 25, 2011

FOR TODAY
Outside my window...it is a perfect summer’s day – warm, dry, a nice breeze tickling the trees. Awesome !

I am thinking…a lot about my sisters, as they both begin the holidays this week. Natalie traveling to Vancouver with her man, Dave, and her son, Nathan. And Kristina taking her week at our cottage on Lac Bibitte with the kiddos and her hubby John.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Natalie, Kristina and Me a few years back at the cottage)

I am thankful for...my loved ones, pink toenail polish, the weather this summer, and this gift of this day.

From the kitchen...time to make some Pasta Primavera – cubed summer tomatoes, chopped Spanish olives, basil, basil, basil, garlic, cubes of mozzarella cheese left to marinate on the counter all day and then spooned over hot linguine pasta…drooling and it’s only breakfast…

I am wearing...black leggings, a purple t-shirt, flip flops, my glasses and a bedhead hairdo.

I am creating...in my journal, on canvas, in my mind and it feels so good !

(art journal page from this am.)

I am going...to put together some orders from the Etsy shop and get them into the mail. Also need groceries kind  of desperately…

I am reading…”Something Blue” by Emily Griffin – the sequel to “Something Borrowed” which was just made into a cheesy chick flick with Ginnifer Goodwin and Kate Hudson. Pure summer trash.

I am hoping…that all the bridge trouble that the city of Montreal is having will be calmed down enough to make our upcoming trip up there relatively easy.

 I am praying for…a safe and easy flight for my sister across the country. Also for the hearts in mourning today, close to me and across the world in Norway.

I am hearing...the fan blowing in the window (yay, the AC is off for the day !) and the heat bugs a-humming outside.

Around the house...dust kangaroos are splayed all over the floors (How can 1 Yellow Lab have so much damn fur !!!!! ), my work table is covered in play stuff that needs to be put away, laundry needs doing and nary a house elf to be found !!!

One of my favorite things...the Rockwell Blade Runner saw that we bought this weekend – it just may be the saw that helps me get over my fear of electric saws for good !

A few plans for the rest of the week: Meditation Monday tonight, a Tuesday Artsy time at my friend Patti’s poolside paradise, Rock Painting to fulfill a few Montreal orders, and heading out to the hometown and our cottage next weekend. (Oh, and Katie will be there ! !)

Here are some pictures I am sharing…

I like taking pictures of my art work on the back deck beside my zinnias in pretty pots.

A few of my favorite pictures from last week’s visit with Suzanne in Biddeford Pool, Maine.

Suzy at the beach

A hearted sign…

The gorgeous rocks and waves a-crashing…

And my theme for the day :

Rock On, Beautiful Ones !

Happy Monday !

Simple Woman’s Day Book–Monday, June 27, 2011

FOR TODAY
Outside my window...a most beautiful summer day has finally appeared. Sunny, dry , light breeze and a high of 82 today ! Awesome !

I am thinking…that today would be a lovely beach day but I will be sticking closer to home, playing the Rock Fairy for some big orders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am thankful for...all the hard work that David and I have put in to the apartment upstairs that is for rent. (David especially !) It is looking so beautiful and ready for a great tenant to come and share our house with us !

From the kitchen...with all the painting, cleaning, and so on, there ain’t much cooking in the kitchen. David had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, some carrots, and a couple of bananas in his lunch today !

I am wearing...black leggings, a lilac tank top and my favorite studio shirt ! Ready for painting action !

I am creating...some more Rock love to go out into the world….

I am going...to buckle down and get to work right after this post. I need to stay off this computer as much as possible today !

I am reading...”The Red Garden” by Alice Hoffman. I am actually listening to it, read by Nancy Travis. I borrowed the audio version of it from my local library to have for one week on my Ipod. How awesome is technology ?

I am hoping…that just the right tenants find our cozy apartment as soon as possible.

I am praying for…a dear friend and her Mom who suffered a stroke. Much light and love to my friend and her family.

I am hearing...the hum of the laptop, birds chirping outside, and in the distance, the flow of the little city I live in.

Around the house...dust kangaroos hang out under chairs, dog snoozes, one cat chases a fly that flew in from the door propped open in the living room, the other watches him play. The bed is made, and the sun and air are streaming into the bedroom. Cozy place, I live in.

One of my favorite things...how the flower boxes I planted (the only gardening I have done this year !) are filling out so beautifully.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Meditation Monday tonight (I need that today !!!), a Tuesday Artsy time at my friend Patti’s poolside paradise, a follow up appointment on Thurs. with the oral surgeon as my tongue is still partially numb as a result of my wisdom teeth coming out (it is improving every day though !) and hopefully, finding the perfect renters for us ! (Can you tell that this is on my mind a little ! )

Here is a picture I am sharing…

Taking time to smell the flowers…

Now off to the rock painting ! Happy Monday, Beautiful Ones !

Simple Woman’s Day Book–Monday, May 16th, 2011

FOR TODAY
Outside my window...cold, drizzling and grey, grey, grey… but also green, green, green !

I am thinking...what a lovely weekend I had with my Mom. It was so wonderful having her here at my house and I loved all the time we spent together, just the two of us.

I am thankful for...my close relationship with my Mom and how wonderful David is to her as well.

From the kitchen...coffee and cereal for breakie, and for lunch, left over fajitas and homemade guacamole from last night’s supper.

I am wearing...a long sleeve black t-shirt, jeans, black flats and a bright pink pashmina scarf.

I am creating...pages about the month of May in the first swap sketchbook from my Creative Sistah, Andrea at Falling Ladies.

I am going...to spend some time just reading today and maybe napping as I had a lousy sleep and got up early to take my mom to the bus home to Montreal.

I am reading...Switched (Trylle Trilogy, Book 1) by Amanda Hocking on my Nook (for reading “fast, playful stuff”, I will still by proper, paper books for books I love),  and Art at the Speed of Life: Motivation and Inspiration for Making Mixed-Media Art Every Day by Pam Carriker, a copy of which my friend Bethany sent me as a giftie ! Love that !

I am hoping...that the forecast is wrong and we will not be having rain and cold every single day this week !

I am hearing...my sweet red boyfriend, Eddie tweeting and twertling up a storm outside my window in the maple tree.

Around the house...Dog and cats are dozing, bouquets of lilacs and tulips picked Friday are wilting, and my Nook and a blankie are calling…

One of my favorite things...is how cool my Nook looks in my new cover and decal skin from Bundle Monster…

A few plans for the rest of the week: Meditation class tonight, Tuesday Arty time with the Girlfriends tomorrow afternoon, and an appointment with the oral surgeon on Thursday, re : consultation about the removal of 4 wisdom teeth. Have I mentioned that dentists/doctors bring out the woosiest part of me ? Extreme anxiety warning !!!! Let’s keep on saying  that Thursday is still far, far away…Be in the moment…Breathe…Can anyone say “Xanax.”?

Here is (another) picture for thought I am sharing…

Bleeding hearts and hostas growing in the back garden under the maple trees. I am thinking of each blossom as a prayer for some loved ones who really need them today. Consider them yours if you need them.

Big Love and happy Monday, Beautiful Ones !

Monday morning musings…

FOR TODAY, Monday, March 28, 2011

Outside my window...bright sun, lots of wind, 26 degrees (-2 C).

I am thinking…that the Rock Fairy needs to go on a mission today. I am a little too stuck in my own head this morning, and getting out and giving always makes me feel better.

I am thankful for...my husband, David and the sweet times we share. He is my bestest friend, you know.

From the kitchen...cereal, banana and coffee…boring…

I am wearing...my pale purple Land’s End robe and my old green clogs…

I am creating...postcards for my DIY Postcard swap with Hanna from IHanna’s Creative Space. Fun to work on mini-pieces that are finished quickly. Some instant gratification is good.

I am going...to the post office to mail off a box of brand new socks. I have joined in Michelle Ward’s Socks for Japan project. Helping out others has to start somewhere, and socks have a special meaning for Michelle, so it because a natural place to put some of my loving energy….

I am reading...blogs, news on the internet and Facebook. I am between books right now…

I am hoping…that the weather warms up enough to take my socks off and put my damn winter coat away for good. Sick of it. Sorry for the whine….but I am seriously sick of the cold.

I am praying for…freedom from suffering for so many of us on this planet and the strength to take care of myself better.

I am hearing...the crazy cold wind whipping around outside, the hum of the computer motor…

Around the house...animals nap, laundry needs folding, dishwasher needs emptying, art table is clean and ready to go, but I may need some Advil to get rid of a headache before I am.

One of my favorite things... Bertucci’s oven baked pizza. We went yesterday at lunch and I had the thin, crispy crust with fresh asparagus, caramelized onions and Italian sausage. It was so yum ! Wish I had some leftovers for breakie.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Meditation Monday tonight, lunch with my friend Lois on Friday, and lots of art making and maybe a few naps in between.

Here are some pictures I am sharing…

Some of the postcards I am working on…

I hope you have a great Monday, Beautiful Ones.

Big Love !