Living in the Light I find

Back on dry land

2012-01-31T16:47:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the support and love sent my way during my past few weeks of darker days. It may not seem like much at times...a small note left in the comments section of this blog, or a little "heart" icon on a facebook post,... but it is a gathering of small and lovely things that find their way through to the heart.

I've been creative again and creating again, and most importantly have welcomed the 'silly ' back into my daily life. Here are few photos of what I've been working on lately, as well as proof postive that I'm well, and my heart is filling back up with the joy that is open and ready for us to take in at all times...even when we shut off our hearts to it.

I think I almost ran myself out of thread on this piece! The trees on the mountains in the front is all thread work!!

working on a challenge piece for an upcoming retreat...it has to include a number of different type of "stars"...perhaps I'm taking it a little too literally! LOL

A consignment piece for a customer who bought a wallhanging a few years ago from another artist (see the photocopy above the piece) I did my best to match the style of the original artist, while still making it my own as well.

My two best girls...best friend/chosen sister, and Godchild.

Love and blessings to you all!

If we're not careful...this is what we'll be seeing more of...

2012-01-18T07:23:00.000-07:00

Click here to find out more.

waiting for the dawn...

2012-01-16T21:04:00.003-07:00

It has been a little dark in my world the past week or so. Sometimes 'blue' just sneaks up on you and starts to color how you see everything, or deal with the little setbacks of day to day living...for me it has hit my patience and my compassion---mostly with myself. And when you are easily angered by and mean to yourself, you can't be an open and shining light for others. I miss being that light...feeling that brightness in my everyday as I encourage others in their projects at the quilt store, guide new sewers toward future projects and answer questions for those who are facing their own walls in search of a door. I know this feeling will eventually lift...but the living in it is tiresome and I'm weary from the weight of it.

In other news, I am excited to be part of this fun event...(even if there isn't an exact time for it yet...most likely March).

If you are an artist...or just have an artistic passion I highly recommend getting involved.
Click HERE to learn more information....otherwise keep posted for more info on my blog, and if you have a little extra to give....send a little light my way. I promise to return it when you need it.

Peace.

And on the 12th day....

2012-01-06T11:57:00.000-07:00

This year I decided to challenge myself to do a personal 12 days of Christmas. I admit, initially is wasn't anything more than a play on the popular Christmas tune of the same name. But as is the case when you take time and focus for yourself, it became something more.

I posted each day on Facebook for the amusement of my friends and family. During the last 12 days I've unsubscribed from a number of emails that fill my inbox, started back into a regular routine of yoga and cardio/strength training, wrote thank you cards, completed long-standing items on my 'to-do' list, updated my etsy site, took myself for long walks, celebrated my mother's birthday to excess, made homemade turkey soup, and covered my sweetheart's office area with stickers.

Each day I wondered...would I be able to come up with something for this day? And even though I came close to the day's end, something would always present itself. And what I love is that now, after only a few days time, I find myself thinking each day "what will be the something that I do for myself today?".

That new habit is a gift unto itself. But my final day approached and I wondered...what could possibly fill the 12th day slot. The tradition of the 12 days has a few different historical references--for me the focus has become the time it took the Magi to find the Christ Child. I've always loved that image of Christmas...the wealthy and wise seeking the meek and mild to pay respect and offer themselves.... whew...I think I made it! Sorry about that. What was I saying? Oh yes, the adoration of the Christ Child. The birth of hope and light in a dark time. And the idea of everyone gathering to offer whatever they could...be it gold or be it a lamb.

Personally I feel more like a shepherd than a King in my everyday existence, however, I still realize what wealth I have in my life. I have a beautiful place to live, the ability to be warm, fed, and surrounded by people who care for me. I not only work, but am also lucky enough to work doing things that I love. So how could I pass up this opportunity when it appeared like a shining star in my world?

photo credit: Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake

A request for donations was left at the gallery where I work. for the 2nd annual Princess Ball to be held at the Hilton Garden Inn on January 21st. It is held in honor and memory of Valicity, a young girl who was diagnosed with Leukemia one week before her third birthday. After a good solid fight, she finally lost her own battle in July of 2010. But to thank the organizations that helped their family through the difficult journey Valicity's parents started a Princess ball to raise money and awareness so that other families would be able to have the same help that they did. Last year they raised over $15,000 for Angle Flight and this year they are giving to the Montana Hope Project (similar to the Make a Wish Foundation). At the princess ball they have dress up clothes available for kids of all ages, and there are beauticians on hand to offer free hair and make-up to make anyone feel beautiful...no matter if they currently have hair or not!

So on this 12th day of Christmas I come with what I have to offer: a small child's quilt with the words "plant smiles, grow giggles, harvest love" in the border. And upon offering it, I somehow feel all the richer.

For anyone wishing to find out more info or to make a donation to Candy and Josh's fundraiser

you can reach them at valicity4ever@hotmail.com.

Peace

Darkness and Light

2011-12-28T09:14:00.000-07:00

Once again the fabric of my world seems more sheer as we approach the turning of another calendar...At times I feel as if I can gaze through it towards paths not taken, goals that were abandoned or that became to hard to hold on to. I find myself at one moment basking in the light and love of people I cherish--so present in my every day life, and then in the next moment mourning the loss of others, experiencing the pain of those close to me or of dreams that once held a large part in my heart, now fading away. A carousel of past and present, joy and sorrow, triumphs and regrets.

I'm also recovering from the driving pace of trying to reach out and touch as many friends and family as possible during the holidays. Which of course leads to the larger question...why do we attempt to do this only once a year? It makes so much more sense to spread the love (as it were) throughout a year...rather than try to catch everyone up on everything that has happened within the space of one month. But with all great questions and intentions...is there a chance that I can actually place such a thing into action? Every year I say...."this is the year that I'm going to write letters again!"...and if my failing posts here on this blog aren't example enough, you can guess how that goal has come and gone each year.

It is hard not be a cynic when it comes to wishes for the new year, when so many of them mirror the year before and year the before and they year....well you get the idea. But we must keep dreaming right? We must keep reaching for those things we wish for ourselves and for those we love...even if it means another 365 days of good intentions placed in a desk drawer of stationary and stamps.

It is true that much of this year I have felt as if I'm just barely keeping up...or more often that I'm a few measures behind the tune...but when all is said and done....how can I keep from singing?

Best wishes to you as we embark on another journey into a new year. I hope that you find a way to realize a long standing goal of your own. Or better yet, to be at peace with where you are in your life and to live in each moment the best you can.

Peace,
Monique

The Needle Strikes Again!

2011-10-07T12:52:00.000-06:00

Fall is here in full force which means cooler temps, some much needed rain, and the call of quilting!

The Quilt show is now over for this year and I am humbled to say that I actually won three awards for my work! It is a talented group of women that I am lucky enough to sew with, and I feel very lucky to be recognized indeed! (if you want to see some of the pieces you can go to our guild's blog HERE.)

For a while I've been wanting to finish up a piece I started based off of the wheat field harvest time here in my little corner of Montana but I struggled and struggled to get the hay bales to turn out they way I saw them in my head (and in the fields surrounding me.)

I'm not sure how it happens for other artists, but there is this moment when you feel something 'click' into place and you know that whatever wall you've been struggling with just turned into a door. The other night I heard that lovely 'click' and I ran up the stairs to my studio and grabbed fabric and thread....sure enough finally the "right" hay bale came to life and I've got the piece together.

Bolstered by my success in the fields I turned my attention to another project that I've been 'meaning' to start for some time. A new series of small art quilts based off of photos I've taken while wandering around Glacier Park.

Here are the first two works in progress from my
"Postcards from the Park" series:

There will be more to come!

Trick or Treats!

2011-09-08T21:25:00.003-06:00

I'm so happy that it is time to get my cute little pumpkin and bat fabrics back out and make some more cards!

I've got a nice bunch posted on my etsy site....Please swing over and visit when you get the chance!

Tomorrow I get to head over to my 2nd year of 'dance camp'. I'm so excited to be approaching three days of twirls, smiles, good music, the chance to swim in the lake and a few friends that I've not seen in far too long. Hopefully I'll have some more fun photos to share when I get back.

Blessings!

Come spend a moment in the river with me...

2011-08-23T19:02:00.001-06:00

How can life be any sweeter than this?

2011-07-30T12:47:00.002-06:00

A rare day at home, sunshine, fresh raspberries, fresh peas...(which somehow never made it to the bowl) and a few ripe strawberries.

Today is not the day that I will try to answer questions that I don't understand. It is not the day that I will pay attention to or expend energy on matters of politics. Today is a recharge day. A day to let the mind be quiet, listen to music or the music of the river, to jump in the water, to play in fabric, to rest.

I hope you all find your bowl of fresh raspberries today.

Along the beaten path

2011-07-16T14:26:00.004-06:00

Back in February I was lucky enough to be gifted a pair of beautiful shell earrings from Raven Moon Magic. She choose me to receive this gift because after reading her beautiful story and seeing her wonderful photos I was inspired to do something similar.

My goal was to create a wonderful story that resulted in some item being left on one of our hiking trails near my home for some person to come upon and open...finding in the box not only a tangible treasure, but hopefully the inspiration to continue the cycle. Pay it forward if you will.

Enter the Montana winter of 2011....which ended....a couple of weeks ago! (most of the hiking trails around my home are just now becoming visible and passable). And to make matters more complicated, my schedule this year has been busier than it ever has since I made the move back to the mountains.

And so, upon finally getting to a trail with said present in hand, I found I had not even remembered to bring my camera! (to try and recreate the fun and adventure of the beautiful posts of Raven's) But this is an opportunity for me to accept things are they are, (not perhaps as I would like them to be). There are times in life when you are not polished, when life slows down just enough to allow you a moment to do part of your plans....and frankly I didn't want to wait any longer for another opportunity!

I did manage to snap a shot of the box and the small note I left inside. I hope that the person who found it enjoyed the surprise of finding it and will, in their own time, find a way to offer up a gift to the unknown in their own way.

Once more around the sun

2011-07-07T23:05:00.003-06:00

So today I step into another year of my life. And while birthdays don't have the same feeling they once did, I still enjoy the celebration of having made it one more time around the sun. I also like taking a moment to turn and look back at the landscape that I've covered, remembering the views that I can no longer see, and still feeling the muscle aches of the hills that I've climbed or the tumbles that I've taken.---(can you tell we finally got to go hiking today?)

Life is a wonderful journey, and even on the days that we don't enjoy ourselves...the days more full of pain or grief or discouragement, it is still a blessing. I'm lucky to show up each day for another opportunity, another chance to do something that makes a difference or to enjoy a simple moment--like now in the dark cool of the summer evening, listening to the crickets sing as the wind blows through the leaves of the tree outside my window.

I am not on the path I thought I would be on by this incremental point in my life....but there is a quote that I read recently...it might have been Whitman...that if you can see the path ahead of you, that is not your path. Your path is the one you take without knowing where it leads, because each step you discover more about who you are and where you are going.

Here's to walking forward into the great unknown....

Time....

2011-06-10T16:02:00.003-06:00

I'm taking advantage of a somewhat slow afternoon at the gallery to come and visit you my friends...my long ignored but not forgotten few, who still hang on to see if I'll come up to the surface now and then. I can't tell you how much it means to me that you still wander by to see if I've been by my own place of rest and writings.

I'm managing the dance between the quilt store, the nursery, the gallery and doing consignment quilting projects for others. I'm also finding a few moments to spend with my Godchild, and tonight I get to go watch my eldest Niece graduate from the 8th grade and wish her well as she heads away from the small rural school and heads to town next year to become a High School student.

Time. It all comes back to time. Where do we spend it? Are we aware of the currency of seconds that seem to disappear as quickly as the change in our wallet? Or do we--thinking we still have that 20 dollar bill in here somewhere---go to pay for something only to find remnants of past purchases that didn't seem large in the moment. All these moments keep adding up, to children becoming adults, to parents and grandparents facing new struggles, to that reflection in the mirror that looks familiar and yet foreign--as if it were someone you might have known at one time, but now you're not quite sure.

I know that in a month or two, my schedule will ease up off the accelerator a bit. I'll find a few more days at home, a few more moments for breath and cloud gazing. But what will I find has passed by between then and now? As always, I do seem in synch with nature...as our river is rising and roaring past our home--taking with it large logs and downed trees. Perhaps my lesson is to still go with the flow, without becoming submerged or too battered in the process.

You my dear friends are my life raft, my buoys, and my ports of call. And I thank you for being there!

The race continues...

2011-05-22T18:39:00.003-06:00

Yes, it has been almost a month since I ran in Bloomsday. Sorry for the delay...Spring has sprung and it seems that everything in life has sped up and in some way demands attention and time. I don't mind (at least most of the time) as my life is full to the brim with wonder and bliss. But there are days when I wonder where the next needed energy burst will come from.

But on to catching you all up:

My first road race...a 12k run. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would ever run in a race like this...until last year when a little voice said....'why not?' And I decided why not indeed?!

So with a lot of work and panting...I trained and achieved not only finishing the race, but enjoying myself while doing it! Even with nearly 60 thousand other people...and I'm not a big 'crowd' person. Thankfully I had the support of Bob and his family as well as my friend Karen who agreed to run the race with me.

I plan on doing the race again...next year I look forward to racing my own time. While I'm pretty happy with how well I did this year, now that I've done the course I know I can improve, it will just be fun to see by how much.

The fun part is all the different ways that they break down your results. For example: I finished within the top 25 of people from my home town and I was FIRST of people with my last name. (and yes, for the record I was the only one with my name competing. ;)

More to come....but now I won't delay this post any longer! Thanks to those who have sent little notes of hello and 'how are you' :) I really do appreciate you!

Racing

2011-04-24T16:39:00.004-06:00

Lately I've been racing a lot....
racing to get my textile pieces done to hang at the art gallery.
racing to try and keep up with my work schedule(s)

racing to find some time to clean my poor neglected home

and racing....to get ready for my first ever race as an adult.

This year, I have registered to run Bloomsday in Spokane. It is a 12k race on May 1st that I've been to a few times with Bob (he has a tradition of taking race day photos) but it was something that I never saw myself as participating in. Then last year, when I started to jog again...I began to ask myself 'why not?' I don't have any ideas of grandeur of winning the race, or even my category. I just want to finish, and to try and get a realistic time for my current abilities.

I have not trained as hard as I could, but I have at least continued to train. And today--the first beautiful 60 degree day that we've had since the calendar told us it was Spring--I did a trial run.
8 miles along a foot/bike path that follows the hwy to town. And while my arch is a bit sore on one foot, I'm feeling pretty good and very proud of myself for accomplishing something that seems almost crazy.

Having fought with my weight almost all my life, I have built up many walls to keep me safe from how others view me. In spite of preconceived notions of my size I have been part of a ballet company and was an excellent dancer. Even though I always worried about the costume fittings I perform on stage and do pretty well at that too, and I'm strong...always have been--either from growing on a farm, or maybe from just the every day weight training of moving around in this world!

Even with all these things that I have to be proud of and admire in myself, there is still that little voice that tells you what you're not, or what you could be if you just (fill in the blank). But I received a small but beautiful gift the other day. It seems almost silly to admit that I cherish this moment as much as I do...but after walking over to the deli in order to collect the lunch order for the gals taking a class at the shop, I overhead one of my coworkers say "wow that was a fast walk" to which my other coworker replied "well, she's a runner."

And I heard the not so nice voice in my head immediately start up with "obviously she's never seen you run"...but it didn't matter. Her words got in and I cherish that perception of me like a small beautiful flower at my very core.

It does not matter at what speed or to what end....yes, I am a runner. And in one week, I will be one of the thousands out on the course.

Opening doors

2011-03-23T22:45:00.003-06:00

Tomorrow I have been invited to show my work to a local gallery that is looking for a textile artist. The gallery is run by a group of artists who share the cost and the running of the space. When I found out that the current textile artist was leaving I thought it might be interesting to check it out. I did not expect to be as impressed as I was upon walking in the door. Gorgeous paintings, photographs/prints, jewelry, pottery and sculptures....all very talented artists indeed.

I've been doing my best to try and find the best photos of my work as well as hurry along a few pet projects that I've always planned on doing, but never gotten around to so that I have something to show. As with many artists, I have given away most of my work--sold a number of pieces too, thankfully--but it remains that I don't have a huge collection of work ready to hang.

I'm excited for the opportunity to have my work considered, and of course I'm nervous as all get-out. And even if my work is accepted, I'm not sure that my schedule can handle another commitment...but I will not let that stop me from trying...from showing up and saying "here is my work, I hope you enjoy".

(and here, are some of my latest 'works in progress' as well)
wish me luck!

How Can I Keep From Singing?

2011-03-14T09:03:00.008-06:00

I've been off line for a few weeks--firstly to recover from my sprint through all the wonderful blogs participating in the One World One Heart event this year....wow, what awesome inspiration! And then I took an actually vacation...not tied to working or touring in any way...just a lovely escape to an island that I've always wanted to see, but had not traveled to...Kauai. GORGEOUS! And even with one sleepless night due to the tsunami warning and listening to the sirens outside our beach house rental it was a beautiful and amazing trip. (but more on that later).

FIRST! I am behind my schedule to sing the praises and to deliriously dance in my good fortune of being a One World One Heart winner. I am humbled to say that my name was chosen 9 times this year.

Honestly it feels a bit obscene when I list out how many times I was chosen as a winner. I'm not sure why it is so much more difficult to receive than it is to give...maybe we don't feel we deserve such riches, maybe it makes the discrepancy between those who have enough (food/ water/ shelter/love) and those who struggle for even a fraction of basic needs more tangible...I live fairly simply by most definitions, I'm still working on getting out of debt, I work a few part time jobs along side my theater habit and there are many things that I can not afford or am able to even consider...but the fact is, compared to so many in the world I am wealthy beyond their dreams. I have a beautiful place to live, people who love me and I am never wondering where my next meal will come from. I cherish each of these things, as there have been times in my past when this was not the case. And when I lived in the city, my path would cross others each day that found their home under awnings and meals from trash bins. I got to know a number of them and I still think on them today--wondering how they are, if they are still homeless or if they found their way to a better place.

We take our security and safety for granted...and during times like these--when we see it washed away for those in Japan--it should give us pause, and allow us to send up not only an extra prayer for those who have lost everything, but also one of thanks for the small treasures we neglect to be grateful each and every day in our own lives.

And I am thankful. Thankful for beauty and love that surrounds me. For the ability to see and recognize the constant song that nature sings, the power that art holds and the way that sharing it gives fuel to the fire within all of us.

The Art of Non Conformity by Chris Guillbeau from Ross at Run 4 Kelly

Shell Earrings from Sheree at Raven Moon Magic

And she even included a very special surprise as well! I'm so impressed not only by her art, but by the time she takes to make both her posts and her gifts very special and heartfelt.

Clay stones (love, hope, trust) from The Bodhi Chicklet
(and she even included 'yes' and 'grace' as an added bonus!)

all in this GORGEOUS little fabric bag....
The Beautiful Mirror from our lovely host Lisa at A Whimsical Bohemian

with instructions that I'm to look in it each day and remind myself of the beauty there.

A Gorgeous Dream Art Journal from Robin at Dreams of Blue acadia
How wonderful to have a piece of art work that you can store your dreams in!

My new favorite bear (complete with knitted tea/coffee cup cozy)
from Sarah at Cottage Garden Studios.
We're sure to become fast friends over a nice warm cupa!

The cutest little knitted bird every by Miriam at Borduurblog
who will no doubt need to join me and the cute little bear for tea.

Nature inspired journal by Ramona at Create with Joy
(even though this one has yet to find me in Montana
she has a wonderful photo that I borrowed from her site:)

A collection of patterns and some cute hearts offered by Days to Short

A last but certainly not least....this stunning mixed media painting
of a egret by Michelle of Lost Coast Post

Every time I look at it I feel my shoulders lower, and my lungs fill gently with air.
Art is powerful people! Go make some!

In the next few days I hope to post a bit about my recent travels to Kauai as well a special project relating to paying forward my good fortune--inspired by Raven Moon.

Your numbers up....

2011-02-17T20:48:00.006-07:00

And the winners are

Dot Lewallen : from SpeedieBeadie! She will get the little quilted candle mat.

And Barbara from Blossom's Bloomers receives three of her favorite quilted greeting cards.

This honestly is the hardest part of One World One Heart. I want to give you all a little gift! And who knows....maybe throughout the year I will do exactly that! (It's just crazy enough to try!)

You all have given me a beautiful gift in sharing your art, your dreams and celebrations, your fears and tragedies. You have strengthened the heartbeat of our community and through love and generosity filled the entire world with beautify and wonder.

I could not ask for any greater gift than that.

I am of course thrilled that the spirit of this event will continue (Lisa you tease!) I'll be looking forward to Our World Our Heart next year. Until then, look out for me to randomly show up with a goodie at some point during 2011.

Coming up for air

2011-02-17T07:03:00.003-07:00

It has been another amazing journey through over 800 blogs of artists. I've done my best to visit everyone on the list (although I know I missed a few!--I plan to catch up with them after the event is officially over.) Although technically, this kind of connection to other artists never ends!

I was away from an on-line connection for four days in the middle One World One Heart this time, which made for a huge push in the last few days. I didn't get to spend as much time as I would like at each site, and therefore have a long list in my notebook to return and wander instead of sprint.

My eyes and mind are full to the brim of new inspiration, of funny stories, tragic stories, love and heartache. I'm enjoying the feeling of being a small part of a huge world full of art and artists, and at the same time enjoying the closeness of knowing that 6000 miles is easy to reach across my computer screen. What a beautiful example of what the tool of technology can do for the heart beat of art and artists.

I had planned on shutting down comments for my One World One Heart post at Midnight on the 16th...but after struggling to try and meet the deadline of other blogs, I'm going to wait until I return from teaching my class today. Just in case there is someone (like me) who arrives a bit later than planned, but with no less sense of good intention and love.

I hope that you've at least stepped into the stream of artistic consciousness that is OWOH, even if you didn't participate yourself. I've never found its equal.

Many blessings on your Lisa for not only creating this event, but for chairing it 5 years. You've started something so beautiful. And we will miss your leadership!

Words fail me

2011-02-02T14:32:00.005-07:00

I just came in from a short walk outside. It feels lovely and warm today even though it's only 14 degrees. The sky is a clear cobalt and the suns rays are like a constant embrace in the glittering white world.

My mind is full to the brim of thoughts of gratitude for the beauty where I live, the thankfulness of a day off coinciding with such a stunning day of sunshine on bright snow, and of possibilities of things I would like to do in this coming year.

Will this be the year we put in a full garden or build a bench or area to sit and listen to the songs of the river? Will those plants and trees near to our hearts still sleeping under a blanket of beautiful white wake and prosper in the coming spring?

I'm also in awe of the fact that in a few months time the landscape will transform itself so completely. Ice will give way to the rushing waters of the snow melt and we'll watch daily to see what new treasures have taken on the journey of the current. The empty spaces between the evergreens will seem to fill overnight with budding shrubs and trees. Our tasks will change from gathering wood to gathering seeds and dreaming of the magical moment when sprout bursts through earth and shows us the tangle dream of our own potential.

And so, with so mind is wandering along so many different paths that it resembles the tracks left in the snow by the deer and turkey. My soul does not have the words to express this kind of fullness and joy....so I'll leave you to wander visually through this magic land instead.

Nurture those seeds in your soul. Their time to sprout will come.

One World One Heart 2011

2011-01-31T14:01:00.007-07:00

****to see the post about the winners from this event, please visit Feb 17th Post "Your Numbers Up" Thanks everyone!!***

Welcome to all of you on the wings of One World One Heart!

I hope you'll take a rest for a moment and linger long enough to peak through some of the things I've been working on or thinking about. My blog is a place where I talk about the shows that I'm a part of, the quilted projects I've created as well small slices of my life in the mountains of Montana. At the end of last year I also finally got myself organized enough to open my own little shop on Etsy called Ladybug's Cabin Creations. You can find it by clicking on the photos at the right, or by searching the name on either Etsy or Facebook...Crazy to be so far away from the city life I was once leading and yet still connected to so many people!

I'm so grateful that I stumbled upon One World One Heart four years ago. I've had the pleasure of being a part of it ever since, and even though this will be the final year I know that the friendships that I have formed through this amazing event will last and remain strong. A big heartfelt thanks goes to Lisa at A Whimsical Bohemian for creating and organizing this beautiful event. Please visit her and tell her 'thank you!'.

As you surf through the (what I'm sure will be near if not over 1000) pages of wonderful artists and generous bloggers, do yourself a favor and spend a little extra time wandering through their posts and photos...or (as I sometimes do when I'm pressed for time) keep a note book near you, so you can jot down the name of the site you want to go back to visit when you have more time to linger. It has been in these separate moments from the crazy fun of seeing what everyone has offered that I found myself laughing out loud, reduced to tears and so inspired...gifts that I treasure even more than the wonderful items that I've been lucky enough to 'win' during this event.

If you don't know about the event you can find more information and a (growing) list of those blogs who are participating HERE.

This year I want to offer two different items:

Heart Themed Quilted Candle Mat or Table Topper

This small quilt is big on love! Made with 100% quilters cotton and surrounded by handmade heart yo yos, the quilting also includes hearts as well!

Hand Made Quilted Greeting Cards

I make these cards in many different themes, some with printed words inside, others blank.
One lucky winner will get to choose three of their favorites from my etsy store.

All you need to do is leave a comment on this post with a way that I can contact you before Midnight Mountain Standard Time of Feb 16th. Winners will be drawn at random on the 17th, and I will not only post the winners here, but also contact you each directly. If for some reason I'm not able to get a hold of you, another winner will be chosen. (so make sure I can find you!)

From the bottom of a drawer...

2011-01-22T17:34:00.004-07:00

Here are some photos of the 'found' quilt that a gal brought to me to fix and quilt....just finished the binding tonight! I'm so happy to have this bit of memory now in a secured and stable way...safe to be enjoyed!

In stitches....

2011-01-17T07:25:00.006-07:00

I'm a quilting fool these past few days...with a stack of tops of my own that need to be quilted, I figured that scheduling a few days on the machine after the Christmas rush would be just the thing to get a number of these quilted and finished and out of their quilt 'purgatory'...hanging on my quilt stand waiting their turn as I get sidetracked by so many other projects waiting to be created!

I had two quilts to quilt for other people as well, but still that leaves plenty of room for my own right? But I forgot about the scientific studies...if you rent the machine with the intention to quilt a backlog of quilts of your own, more will show up! And did they ever! from two consignments I suddenly found myself with six to finish! Now to be clear, I am not complaining! I love to quilt for others and am always humbled by the idea that someone puts in the time and effort to get a quilt top done and then hands it over to me in faith that the next time they see it they will love it even more.

I've been doing this long enough now that I'm not nearly as tense I used to be while working on a quilt other than my own, and yet there are always new things that show up that keep it all fresh. And I do go through quite a lot of paper as I doodle and doodle trying to find just the right balance of patterns for each individual quilt. (who knew that doodling would ever come in so handy in life!---let your kids doodle!!!)

Yesterday I quilted a true treasure....a woman had donated a large box of fabric that used to belong to her aunt to a group of kids learning to quilt, and in the bottom they found a quilt that had been pieced from all types of garments and random fabrics...very much a traditional quilt from an earlier era. Thankfully they returned the quilt top to the gal who had donated the fabric so she could have this amazing keepsake from her family. But never having quilted herself, she brought the top into the shop to see if we could help. There were a number of repairs that needed to happen (and a LOT of fray check on the light weight fabrics) but yesterday it made it on to the quilt frame and is now stabilized and waiting for binding. How wonderful to be part of getting a quilt from the bottom of a drawer to a usable state or at least into a state where it can safely be handled and out of its solitude! (When I get a chance, I'll try to get a good photo of it so you can see it too.)

I'm am truly grateful for my mother's passion and talent getting me inspired and interested in this art form. It transcends time...so many years of history and traditions are in play, and yet quilting has also become something quite current and beyond the simple function of warmth that it was created for. As I tell all the husbands who accompany their wives into the store...'as vices go, I'll take this one'. I have something tangible to show for my entertainment and there is nothing quite like the feeling of seeing someone you care about (or even someone you don't even know) wrapped up in a quilt that you in some part helped to create. Or seeing a small child cuddled up and sleeping under a quilt made with them in mind.

So it's time for some breakfast and back to the machine! (just don't tell anyone that I scheduled another day this month for myself) ;)

On lessons and hope....

2011-01-11T22:42:00.003-07:00

Saturday hit me like a brick. I don't know any of the victims personally, and even though I have friends who live in Arizona (as far as I'm aware) none where near harms way that day. And yet my soul cried out as we witnessed another act of violence that seems as if it should have been prevented, with very little way that it could have been prevented.

I'll admit that my fears of this being a political act spurred on by so much anger in words from every avenue was a knee jerk reaction. And while what we are learning about the shooter and those who perished does not seem to fit that mold there is a part of me that can not quite release the idea that the hate and anger toward people who feel differently than the person next to them in the political areas these days, had a part in this.

I have many words and thoughts in my head and even though I have tried a number of times to express them (some via friend's posts in facebook, some in conversation with family, I just don't seem to be capable of expressing my thoughts in a concise and clear way.

Tonight, after returning home from a visit with my parents, Bob and I watched a few episodes of the Daily Show...and even though I find it sad to admit that for the best expression of what is going on in our country and our world I have to turn to the comedy channel....John Stewart's intro to his program felt like the closest thing to what is in my own heart.

In case you missed it: The Daily Show (stay with it until the end....his best words being after the 5 minute mark)

May our focus be on the victims and their families. May our hearts open to listen to each other without the hatred and quick to rise anger so prevalent in our world today and may we learn from this, and find a way to work together to making sure this kind of tragedy is a rare rare occurrence.

It's been a busy week...

2011-01-07T20:42:00.003-07:00

and I'm feeling the mind wander off without warning. (For example I just got up to fetch a pen to and found myself distracted by dealing with a few items from my Etsy Store. And speaking of Etsy..I'm trying to do better to keep my site populated and get more involved in the community there. I love flipping through the many diverse items available, and to visit each shop I come across with a fun item to see what their favorite items are...Frankly it is a wonderful place to wander when you don't mind forgetting what path brought you there in the first place!

If you've not wandered in yet, I highly recommend it....and for those who want to score extra brownie points (or handmade goodie points) please stop my shop and "heart" ladybugscabin. I know it sounds a bit silly, but there is something so gratifying to see that someone stopped by and decided say..."hey I 'heart' this store!" It is these small moments of recognition and appreciation that plant seeds of love that even trump days when you feel you can do nothing to your expectations.

I actually had a lovely moment to at the quilt store. A gal that I have helped pick out fabrics for a few projects, came up to the counter while I was helping someone else with their fabric and began to explain to the customer how with my help she had worked on a quilt that she loved through the entire process...something that had not happened for her before. I know we shouldn't need spontaneous kind words to remind us of the good effect we can have on others, but it was such a lovely gift. I wish I could have expressed my appreciation for her kindness in words instead of blushing and offering a shy 'thanks so much'.

It was a good reminder to offer my own thanks to people who have done me a kindness...what a beautiful world it could be if we each looked for those opportunities every day. May you find many! (and if you experience any, please let me know!)

Beginnings

2011-01-01T08:52:00.006-07:00

It is a new day and the start to a new calendar year. Many people are rising today and giving some thought to what their hopes are for 2011, many are making resolutions (and perhaps a few haven't already broken them!) and quite a few people I know are more than happily shutting the door on the last year with relish.

It is odd this shift from one calendar to the next. Almost as if past voices from years long gone are slightly more audible through the thinning or stretched skin of the last month. A number of times this week I've had thoughts pop up from being back in college, or even from high school--thinking on some that I've lost touch with, some things that I regretted, some things that were truly joyful moments that I don't seem to include as much of currently in my life.

I'm not the biggest on making resolutions for a number of reasons...it feels superficial to jump on the passing bandwagon when you know that before it is a mile down the road most aboard will have wandered off. I also think that the idea and energy of looking for ways to improve your life shouldn't be a once a year endeavor. That said, I do have a few thoughts that I have been working on for the past month that fit nicely into a 'resolution package' so here goes:

Dance more. Be it at home in my socks and jammies or out with friends I need to dance. It feeds my soul and exercises my body and calms my mind. Bob and I went out dancing last night to celebrate the end of the year and there is a certain type of grin that only appears on my face when I am in the process of, or having just been recently twirled....I would like to see that grin more often this year.

Challenge Myself. This past year, with the encouragement and example of a dear friend of mine, I took back up the habit of jogging. I've certainly made some small progress (even if I'm on a bit of a hiatus at the moment with all the ice outside). And to help with my focus and goal setting, I've created (and now committed to) a goal. I'm going to 'run' the Bloomsday race in Spokane this year. Why not start with something smaller? Why throw myself into the mix of thousands of other people--some who are able to finish the 12 k well under and hour when I am hoping with all my might I can do it in under 2 hours? My dear friend asked me why I wanted to do this race the other day...My answer even surprised me a bit: It doesn't seem like something that I would ever do. It's way over the mark, and so far over and unbelievable, that it actually seems possible. So this morning, before writing this post, I registered for the race. May 1st is on its way, and I'm going to greet it by showing up and doing the best I can.

Give More Backrubs. I'm fortunate to have a sweetie who understands my need for relaxing knots of stress in body as well as mind. I used to be better at giving as well as receiving...I need to even out the playing field a bit!

Write It Down. Be it on my blog, in a journal, in a letter, or in a manuscript...I want to use that big muscle in my head more often for creative things...I've had a couple of ideas floating around in there for possible plays, and frankly it has been too long since I've left those doors open long enough for ideas to come fully through.

Make Room. I'd like to start my Spring cleaning early this year, and continue it through the summer and fall. Even though I live fairly simply, there still seems to be a cloud of clutter that follows me. I would love to feel more room in my closet, my cupboards, my shelves and drawers. (and my jeans too!) So let's get rid of excess. This is something I've been working on in small bits for a while--including 20+ pounds that I lost last year, and I look forward to continuing on this path. (certainly the earlier paragraph for Bloomsday will help with the jeans!)

So we go forward into this new year, fresh with motivation and excitement for what now seems possible. I hope that whatever your wishes and dreams are for this coming year (or years) will become more realized and feel more possible with each passing day.

I'm thankful for you, my blog readers, lurkers and comment-ers! I'm thrilled for the blog-friends I've met, and I look forward to discovering some new ones this year!

(and to that end my next post will be about some new blogs as I've just been given a lovely little blog award by Laurie Harrison at Grandma Sez So. This award asks that you pass it along to 15 recently discovered great bloggers, so I'm off to do a some surfing and reading.)

May you have a heart full of peace and life full of love!
Blessings!

Tis the Season...

2010-12-17T21:41:00.003-07:00

As we turn the corner into the last week before Christmas many are scrambling to finish shopping, finish creating gifts, make it to the post office, write sentiments in holiday cards that don't sound repetitive, prepare menus, stock up on food for dinners and parties, and the list goes on and on....

For my part I'm feeling at once on top of the game and still behind. (the lovely dichotomy of life). We have one more final push of shopping for our giving tree items, most of the gifts that I've made for friends and family are finished and off to their various locations, and I've even managed to complete a number of 'need to be done by Christmas' quilting consignments for people trying to finish their own lists.

We don't have any plans for holiday parties or large gatherings, although next week has my annual appointments with my Godchild and my Nieces and Nephew to make special items for them to give to their families and friends. My hope in these days is to awake that part of them that realizes that in this season on consuming and wishing for and wanting, that the best joy is in giving not getting.

It is so easy to be swept up in the jingles of bells in songs and tills and avoid the sound of bells ringing outside the shops asking for the change jingling in your pocket. I don't have a lot of money (as an artist I think at times it is a basic requirement) but I hope that with a little creativity and a little inspiration I help to make up for my lack of resources with a willingness to offer what I can to those who have even less than me.

Honestly, in my mind it comes down to the simple fact that if enough of us contribute a little, everyone would be taken care of. And every year I dream a little of this spirit that inhabits people of all walks of life, all political beliefs and all religions to think of others in practice not only in theory. What a world we would live in if every month the focus was 'what can I do to help a stranger'? Can you envision the glut of giving? Picture if you will a world where the most challenging thing is to find a person who needs something. This is one of my favorite images from the story 'pay it forward'. So many people helping others that it becomes harder and harder to find anyone who needs. Do me a favor and sit with that image for a few minutes....(turn off your inner cynic first!)

The only other request I'll make is this...make sure that you include yourself on your lists and your calendar. Treat yourself as if you are the most honored guest in your house this holiday season. Give yourself the good towels, make yourself your favorite dish, fluff your pillows, make yourself a cup of tea, light a candle and think on all the small gifts you receive each day, and the beautiful gift of simply breathing...go on....take a big breath right now, close your eyes and surround yourself with a loving thought. You deserve it.

Of Thanks, and Giving

2010-11-26T22:09:00.004-07:00

My stomach is still working through all the bounty that I've given it in the past couple of days. Flavors galore! My social muscles have also had a good workout, even if I've not included any yoga sessions in my schedule this weekend either. But it was a weekend full of family and fun, food and many reasons to be thankful.

Today we participated in the consumer-fest of Black Friday sales, but used the specials to stock up on items we can share through our local 'giving trees' that we visit during the holiday season. Honestly, if you've never purchased a teddy bear (or seven) knowing that --after you fill it full of a massive amount of hugs--it is going to be given to some unknown but wide-eyed child on Christmas, you really should give it a try. There is no greater feeling than being generous just because you want to. And although I struggle against our consumer society and the desire for us to buy more, spend more, have more, want more...I feel that maybe the act of buying something for the sole purpose to give away cancels out some of that spend-happy chaos.

And on the topic of spending...for those who have visited my Etsy shop, I've been trying to add a few more items to my store. I actually have a couple of quilts to post as well, but still need to get the photos organized. In the hopes of luring more people to choose to invest in and give out handmade gifts and items this year I'm also offering a coupon to use until December 4th. Just type in the word HANDMADE in the coupon code box during check out and you'll get a lovely gift of 20% off your order!

Tomorrow we head back across the mountain passes, with a pretty snowy forecast, to return to our little 'cabin', a fire in the wood stove, and some wonderful turkey soup made by Bob's mother for us to take home (so we don't have to cook once we get there!)

We'll be taking it slow, thankful for every moment spent traveling through this beautiful world we live in.

Many blessings on you all!

The Dance

2010-10-12T21:23:00.003-06:00

It was a good weekend. Full of time spent with friends, teaching others at the quilt store to have as much fun with fabric as I do, and music and dancing. (Not to mention the stunning colors and the leaves also dancing across the blue clear autumn sky).

There were many moments to cherish: getting to dance with my Godchild on a dance floor in front of many admirers of her spirit to a great jazz song, introducing some friends of mine to Contra Dancing as well as the basics of swing dancing. Listening to wonderful music played with humor and love of the art form with my sweetheart, watching great dancers translating music into movement and enhancing the experience of listening with both eyes and ears.....but one couple in particular won my heart.

They were not the best dancers. In fact they could barely move from age and lives I'm assuming that have been well-lived. I did not speak with them (as I do tend to when I see people dancing lindy and dance forms that resonate with me...I can't help myself!) No, this elderly couple, out on the dance floor might have looked laughable to some, but what I saw in their faces as they shuffled through movements was their memory of what their bodies were doing in their youth.

I have felt that 'brain memory' myself....after years of ballet and other dance training, at times I find myself dancing through my kitchen to a tune of old only to catch a glance in a reflective window and I'm stunned to see that my leg--which feels as if it is high and straight in it's proper ballerina pose is actually bent and barely off the floor....our brains remember what that form was, and until we are shown differently, we believe it...we feel that form from years ago.

As this couple danced, they transformed from their simple shuffles and tiny hops into a couple in love with the music and each other, extending their hands, legs, hips and shoulders as far as possible to include every inch of the music. They laughed with their heads thrown back in their youth. Instead of my eyes reflecting the reality of now, I was welcomed into seeing their reality of memory. It was beautiful and it still brings tears to my eyes.

I would wish for each of you in this time of endings, and the transition of the fall to visit those places of living memory in yourself or if you're lucky enough...to witness it in another.
Dance like you used to. Sing with your full voice. Climb the peak of the mountain...as my sweeties alumni swim teams t-shirts say "be all you used to be". I don't care if it's only in my mind....why shouldn't our minds be the place we keep our eternal youth and love of the dance of life?

A wonderful weekend!

2010-10-03T21:09:00.004-06:00

This weekend was busy one, but full of great and wonderful things.
Although I had to work on Saturday (and it was a very busy day at the quilt store), I still managed to get a quilt completely quilted before the day began, and then had the opportunity to take a quick swim in the river after I got home. There will be very few chances to do that much longer as the water is extremely 'refreshing'.

Today I had a lovely breakfast with my sweetie, then spent four hours at a swing dance workshop with some great friends, then dinner out and a Disney night at home....bliss!

I've also still been enjoying having an Etsy shop...there is still lots of work to due, more things to place on the site, and certainly some more marketing to do...but as it's just a start for me I'm thrilled even to just see that people have viewed my items. If you get a chance to even just stop by and encourage any of your friends to do as well I would really appreciate it!

I also hope that you get a chance to crunch through some fallen leaves, breath in deep some of the beautifully crisp air and soak in the gorgeous blue of the Autumn sky.

Blessings!

A little sweetness...

2010-09-27T08:49:00.004-06:00

I recently got a new book on ideas to decorate cupcakes by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson called "What's New Cupcake?". FABULOUS ideas in this book and really not too hard to accomplish. Here is my first go at making some fun little cupcakes to welcome my sweetheart home yesterday.

Cute eh?

Here is what you need:
cupcakes baked in yellow cupcake liners (I made 24)
vanilla frosting (you use a lot for this process so get at least two cans of 16oz each)
12 marshmallows
20 plain doughnut holes
14 orange fruit chews (tootsie rolls or starburst)
48 mini m&ms (I couldn't find these so I just go a small black frosting gel tube in the baking aisle)
yellow food coloring

You bake cupcakes just like normal and let them cool.
Frost the cupcakes with plain vanilla frosting and then take plain doughnut holes and position them to make the head of the duck. Cut the marhmallows in half (on the diagonal) and place one cut on the other end of the duck to make the tail. Fill in the gaps around the head and tail with frosting to secure. (For the diving duck place the marshmallow tale in the center of the cupcake.) Place your ducks in the freezer for about 15 minutes.

While the little birds are chilling, place about 3/4 cups of frosting in a microwave safe container and mix in the yellow food coloring. Place the container in the microwave and heat until the frosting become like thick whipping cream (about 45 seconds) Be sure to check it and stir it often.

Take one duck out of the freezer at a time and holding it by the liner dip the duck into the frosting and coat. Allow the extra frosting to drip back into the container. Sit upright and get the next duck! After all the ducks have been dipped (you might need to reheat the yellow frosting a couple of times if it starts to get too thick) it's time to put on the beaks and feet!

The diving duck gets two little feet cut out of the fruit chew. Work the candy until it becomes flat, then cut two triangles. Mold the feet to look like duck feet and use a toothpick to create the little lines. For the bills, create some ovals and then fold almost in half and then squeeze together and shape the bill. Press the candy slightly into the cupcakes to secure.

For the eyes pipe a little white frosting and then place a mini m&m or use a gel tube to create a small black dot.

***be sure to have plenty of milk on hand! (and I would suggest NOT feeding these to your kids before bedtime. ;)

Going for it

2010-09-22T18:58:00.003-06:00

It's the eve of the Quilt Show here in Kalispell and I've got my head going 5 directions at once...so what better time than now to finally get my act together and start an Etsy shop?

It is still fairly sparse at the moment (as I don't know how many of my finished items will sell at the boutique this weekend). It seems silly to list them on Etsy only to have to take them down immediately. But after laying the ground work for this shop months ago, I finally made time to get thing organized enough to go live! I hope you'll check it out...maybe even make a few things a 'favorite', leave a nice comment, or heck even buy something!

If you want to see more of what I'm taking to the quilt show this weekend, become a fan on Facebook: Just search for Ladybug's Cabin Creations and look for the sunflower photo as my profile pic.

Thanks to all of you who have cheered me on the past few years. I'm excited to see if this adventure takes off! (and to that end, please feel free to tell you friends and their friends and their friends, and so on and so forth).

Blessings!!!

The end of Summer

2010-09-13T17:06:00.005-06:00

...Means the beginning of Autumn. My favorite season of the year. I love each one for different reasons, but there is a special magic about this time of year as we enjoy the warm sun from summer during the days, but exhale with the cool nights that arrive bringing with them the signals to slow down, show off the final colors of the year and enjoy the end of the growing season.

This has indeed been a busy Summer for me (following a very busy Spring)...so I'm ready to exhale. I invite some time to sit and enjoy the last of my flowers, the change in color of the hills along side the change in weather. The increasing darkness and the thoughts of winter yet to come. (although we've already had a few days where we could see the snow kiss the tops of the mountains above us!)

This past weekend I allowed myself to do something I've always wanted to try, but for whatever reason of the day (money, time, energy, fear, etc...) I had never managed to follow through. I went to a contra dance camp call Bear Hug. From Friday to Sunday I went to a lovely camp on Flathead Lake and listened to great live music while I danced and danced and danced and danced. It was a very special weekend for me, not only because I got to meet new friends and share in the love of movement and great music, not only because I discovered a new (to me anyway) group call The Great Bear Trio which in short played music that took me to another place while I danced. (It was in short trance-like.) But the reason that this weekend was so beyond my expectations is that I got to share it all with my partner. He enjoys dancing with me, but has never been 'addicted to twirling' as I am...yet as we danced this weekend I could see him understand the pure JOY that it brings me. His eyes filled with the same spark that I feel as I move with the room through the notes and the melody....to be able to share that together was magic indeed. By the end of the weekend our cheeks hurts as much from grinning as our feet did from dancing!

The Beautiful Flathead Lake where I grew up

It doesn't matter if you're young or not-as-young,
dancers are people who know how to have fun every moment of the day.

Happy Fall everyone. I hope that you find peace in the change of season and time to exhale as you enjoy what brings the most love into your life.

Dance on!

Sometimes you just need to let the photos speak for themselves...

2010-08-23T22:51:00.001-06:00

Impromptu art show

2010-08-06T21:57:00.005-06:00

Tomorrow (am) I get up early so I can meet up with my gal pal and chosen sister to embark on a quick, but well deserved road trip. So far the adventure involves a 10k (not for me YET..but I'm getting there!) an outdoor quilt show (in which I have a quilt hanging!) a retreat center with a labyrinth and meditation house, a cabin at one of the hot springs, and a short visit to my parents! The rest we'll fill in on the way.

Tonight, as I was thinking about the things that I should be actively putting in a bag I got slightly distracted by a beautiful art show of nature. Even took a few shots through the matted frame of our loft window....am I the only one who sees beautiful faces in these clouds?

Off to the next adventure! I'm sure there will be plenty to post when I return!

Blessings!

Seven Lovely Things (day Seven)

2010-07-26T17:20:00.004-06:00

It took me a few days to post this! But I did manage to find a very nice thing to do for my seventh lovely day. Even after having to fork out some money for dental work (which usually puts me in full lock down when it comes to any other 'wants' that have expenses tied to them). Instead, however I sent off a check and my registration form for the Bear Hug Mountain Festival Contra Dance Camp! I've always wanted to go to a dance camp, and this one being so close to home and on my favorite lake of all time seems like a solid bet!

It's not until September, so I have plenty of time between now and then to look forward to it (which is in itself a treat!)

Today during my sweetheart's lunch break we did an hour long snorkel downriver. We picked up so much discarded trash from inconsiderate and oblivious floaters and boaters. And at one point we had to stop diving to pick things up...we couldn't fit it all in the large mesh bag that we had brought with us. I have a hard time, I admit, not giving people floating past our house the 'stink eye' when I see they are drinking...and especially when I see they are drinking out of glass containers...a big no-no on this river...but unfortunately not well enforced. I hate feeling like the cranky old lady on the river, but man it comes out when I see people toss things over their shoulder.

What if everyone went out today and in their different chosen paths picked up at least one piece of trash that was left behind by someone else. How much closer would we be to a cleaner world? And would it stop them from tossing their own garbage if they took the time to stop and pick up something thrown on the ground by someone else? I want to think that it would....but I have to admit that I wonder.

Seven Lovely Things (day six)

2010-07-18T20:55:00.005-06:00

The trip to the park was indeed "lovely". And I enjoyed the hike not only because it was beautiful, not as buggy as I thought it would be, not as crowded (we got there early enough to miss the large crowds coming in behind us) and a place that I've heard of many times but never visited before....but also because I did really well on the climb! I'm not an uphill kind of girl. I don't do well on the, never really have...but I've been working on my cardio as of late and I'm so happy to say that I NOTICED a big difference in today's hike. It feels a little odd to say that I felt proud of myself during my hike today...but I did. And it is so much more enjoyable to take in nature when you're not pretending that you are not about to fall over gasping for breath at any given second! ;)

I came pretty close to a sprained ankle on the way down mind you, but I think I managed to avoid any major twist...I'll know more tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow....how appropriate that tomorrow is day seven of "Seven Lovely things". Tomorrow is also an appointment to have a root canal 're-done'. It's a tooth I damaged when I was just a kid at Church camp (after having dived into a rock while swimming). It has never hurt me but it didn't survive the crash and so years later I discovered that I needed a root canal for it. The procedure was a lot less painful than I thought it would be....I certainly hope that tomorrow will feel the same way. I always get a little anxious about dental visits....so my Seventh lovely thing for tomorrow is going to have to be a good one.....but I don't know that I'll plan anything just yet. We'll see how I'm doing after my appointment. My state in the moment might be the best way to choose what my lovely thing will be for the day.
Here are some photos from today's hike....I'll be trying to focus on them tomorrow when I have my eyes closed!

Seven Lovely Things (day five)

2010-07-17T19:04:00.003-06:00

Today was lovely all the way around. My first Saturday off in a while and my sweetie and I enjoyed sleeping in a little (which for us is 7am) Did some yard work in the morning while the cool from the evening was still present and then after the combination of work and the mid day sun made things too hot we grabbed our inner tubes and headed for a float down the river.

The rest of the day was spent puttering (on a few projects) as well as trying a new recipe for Strawberry Rhubarb crisp, and then for my 'actual' lovely thing for myself I took a break from my 'to do' task list and took a turn on the hammock out on our deck and watched the bird traffic on the feeders as the river traffic continued.

Tomorrow we're planning a short trip in to Glacier National Park. We don't usually go when it is peak tourist season, but the call is just too loud not to listen to. That reminds me...must go charge my batteries for my camera! Hopefully we'll see some good critters tomorrow (from safe distances of course!)

Hope you all are having a lovely weekend too!

Seven Lovely things (day three and four)

2010-07-15T22:38:00.002-06:00

So for my third day of doing something nice for myself I chose to do some yoga before bed. The original plan was to do a nice long session, but by the time I actually got to the end of my day it was much later than I wanted it to be and I decided a secondary lovely thing would be to not stay up too late doing a lovely thing!

So I did a small yoga session and was off to la-la land in no time flat!

For today my lovely thing was to meeting up with my dear friend (and chosen sister) for dinner and a chat. We've been through a lot together and we're working on more in each of our lives so it was a pleasure to have some time to relax, talk, laugh, dream, and all those things that happen when you're with a good friend who knows you better than you sometimes know yourself.

Tomorrow, I think my lovely thing will be a movie night with my sweetheart! He and I sometimes get sidetracked and don't spend enough time in 'cuddle position'! That will be a good thing to think on to make the work day go by faster!

I hope you are finding something lovely to do for yourself this week. It truly is a great exercise to practice. Surprise yourself. Go do something lovely just for you!

Seven Lovely things (day 2)

2010-07-13T23:44:00.002-06:00

Today's lovely thing was to take the time to sit and enjoy a foot bath! I love soaking my feet...why don't I do this more often!?

I am also celebrating today because I finally put the finishing touches on my latest thread art piece.

Here is my Owl! I'm still thinking of the perfect name for the piece....any suggestions?

Seven Lovely Things

2010-07-12T09:59:00.001-06:00

My dear friend (and chosen sister) have been working through The Artist's Way again. It's a lovely book that helps you wake up and be accountable for your creativity and the things we all do to block ourselves. This week one of our tasks is to do one lovely thing for ourselves each day. This assignment resonated with me, reminding me that it doesn't take huge things to improve your life...it takes small steps, but many of them and consistently to really make a difference. It also reminded me of why I started this blog in the first place. Based off of Carla's creation from zena moon candles, I began this blog as a project for Sacred Sunday...taking time each week to find and acknowledge something sacred in my life. I've lost some momentum on that project, but have felt all the benefits from that little focus in my life over the past few years.

So, today, with fresh intention I am committing to sharing my seven lovely things this week, as well as beginning to post once a week again. Regardless if I feel I have the time to write something that is well crafted or thought through.

I have been opening doors in my life lately that I've long stared at and for whatever reason, sharing the process in words and deeds seems to bring about the changes that I believe I'm looking for. (and a few I didn't even know I needed).

So for today my lovely thing was to call and make myself an appointment to have my hair cut and colored. It's something that I neglect and view as unnecessary. But I love the way it feels to have my hair done and I love the gal who does it. So there you are self. My treat.

Since we've last chatted (blogs are a bit one-sided I know..but I DO feel as if I'm in conversation with most of you!) I have celebrated my birthday (along with my dear partner's birthday the day before mine) and had the most company in the house we've ever had! And then there was the issue of the bug bite....for some reason I was bit by a particularly germy black fly or maybe a deer fly, right on the corner of my eye and it swelled up so bad that I couldn't open my eye lid. After a 4 am trip to the ER and a week's worth of meds, I'm good as gold....if not a little suspicious of the little flying bug-a-boos outside.

The good news is that my incredible work schedule has softened to a dull roar now and I'm enjoying more time at home again and just in time to really take advantage of our short but beautiful summer.

I've also been inspired by two friends of mine who enjoy running. I'm not a runner (and I doubt I ever will be) but I have jogged in the past and even though it is a struggle for my body I do like the effect it has. I also have always wanted to get to a point in my life where I could go "out jogging with some friends". As it is now...not only would I not be able to be part of any conversation during said jog, they wouldn't be able to hear themselves over the sound my labored breathing! But with a little work and consistency I've already noticed some improvement...actually a heck of a lot of improvement but I had a lot to improve from!..I'm not at a place where I'm comfortable running with people yet, but I do look forward to the day. For right now I'll keep wearing my noise canceling earphones and try to get my running time to at least a 12 minute mile...right now I think most people could walk to my jogging pace....but so be it. This is the path I'm on and I have to be ok with the scenery along the way.

Blessings to you all! Please do drop me a note if you think of it. I love hearing from you!

What a difference a day off makes....

2010-06-19T23:02:00.003-06:00

I had today off from work (I've taken on extra work this Spring and while I love my jobs it has been a bit much to try and find any 'me' time.)

Today involved the massive clean up of papers from mail long past, a lovely 2 hour kayak, gardening, cutting flowers from my garden to put in a small vase and home made pad thai for dinner.
For dessert we were treated to a beautiful sun set.

I have a lot to post about, but for now I'm going to allow myself to be simple and brief.
I hope all of you have found some time to do what you feel called to do and have remembered to enjoy every moment as I did today.

Peace!

Simple gifts

2010-05-12T22:21:00.003-06:00

It has been a full on week of working both at the nursery and the quilt shop. Today was a marathon day that began with an early morning phone conference to go over changes to our shop's website and then followed by a full day of working in aisles of fabric. (Even when it's a busy day I really can't complain!)

When I got home I was beat. Exhausted and mentally foggy. I treated myself to a small cat nap (even though it was near 7pm) and then sat outside and read for a little while enjoying the happy hummingbirds who have only just recently returned to our area--and who I made sure had their sugar water fix asap. I love watching these little wonders! This morning, before I dashed out the door to work I made sure that the hummingbirds, the chickadees and the turkeys were all fed. Even in my rush it made me feel great knowing that from small to large, I had taken care to offer nourishment to other living beings.

The enlightenment of the evening came from my reading tonight though. My dear friend and I are doing another round of The Artist's Way and one of the things our current chapter was talking about had to do with taking time for yourself. My own self care has suffered a bit lately between two different jobs, fighting a bit of bug and trying to find times to meet up with my friends and my Godchild. The good habits I had begun after my return from Australia have been pushed to the side. When was the last time you worked out? When are you going to fit in that walk? What about the healthy, easy to take with you meal that you had planned on making for a week's worth of lunches?

So with a bit of convincing I managed to find myself in my workout clothes and up and moving. I may still be tired, but feel as if oxygen has reached the far corners of my body again and instead of zoning out to an audio book tonight as I puttered in my studio I've turned on some music that I love but have not listened to for a long time. Candles are lit, the kitchen counter cleaned and laundry folded. I feel as if some of the messy corners in my life have been tended to. And that makes tomorrow schedule feel more doable knowing that I've taken time to take care of things for me as well.

Why do we need to constantly be reminded to put ourselves on the list of things to take care of? I know I'm not alone in this, but I hope that as I continue to remind others, that I will in turn also be reminded by them: Sit. Breath. Listen. Clean up your cluttered spaces and allow yourself to feel oxygen in every corner of your being.

Snow Fall and Fun

2010-05-04T13:10:00.005-06:00

I think my desire to 'sprout', and the need lately to still rest after dealing with being a bit under the weather has been mirrored a bit outside since this morning it has been snowing without stop. The plants are growing for it none-the-less, but it is a good reminder....rest has to be a part of growth.

I had a wonderful first day at the Nursery yesterday, and even got to learn a few things about replanting in the middle of all the other tasks. I loved watching the others who work there handle the plants with confident care and knowledge. There is so much to know in this world. I'm always in awe in how much more there is to learn every time you turn a new page in life.

For today, I've got the woodstove burning warm, and I'm working on the long neglected pile of UFOs (Unfinished objects) in the quilting studio while listening to audio books.

Just for fun, I thought I would post a couple small projects (License plate quilts) I made for a challenge earlier on in the year. I was lucky enough to win prizes for both!

What have you been working on lately? I'd love to hear about it!

Sprouting

2010-05-02T21:25:00.002-06:00

It is a difficult thing to balance between prepping for new things in your life to grow and becoming overzealous and detrimental to that growth. Seedlings are so delicate and need good soil, the right amount of water and sun and enough time to become strong enough to stand on their own while the roots take hold. It is a hard thing to be on the top side of things waiting for signs of change and the growing into the flower you hold in your mind.

I say all this because I find myself impatient with having to rest this past week due to fighting a bit of a bug. The first time that I have been ill in almost a year now (thanks to improving my intake of the right blend of nutrients and vitamins). I feel as if I've lost some of the wonderful momentum that I had going from my return to the States after a long and successful--as well as very stressful--time on tour with my theater company. Part of this illness seemed to come with almost a depression of spirit as well as energy and it was the first time in a while that I found myself that low in the comforts of my home and the beauty of my surroundings. Odd to experience that here...and even though unsettling, somewhat useful.

I appreciate when feelings catch you off guard, because in a way it helps to wake you up to viewing things with fresh eyes. What else am I missing or what part of the picture am I filling in just because I assume that it is there?

I'm challenging myself right now to step up to some things that I've always said I want to do or be doing, and that is pushing against the walls of the habits that I've formed the past few years and I'm curious to see what the new landscape will look like once I'm done with this round of 'improvements'.

Until then I need to make sure that my watering can is full of compassion for myself, and that I have plenty of sun beams to curl up in, and allow the slow stretch of new roots to take their time and gain their footings so that I will be able to stand up stronger in this new tilled Earth.

New for this week: starting (an additional) job at the local garden shop, hosting my first Quilters Guild Meeting, and looking forward to seeing (and driving) our newest addition to our transportation family members!

Finish what I Started

2010-04-08T13:13:00.005-06:00

That is my new phrase. It's come about after coming home to my house, my hobbies, my work and the bits and pieces that keep my occupied when no one else is asking for my time. As I enjoyed my 're-entry' into this little paradise I call home, it felt a little odd trying to remember where I left off on certain projects....what was this pile for? Why is quilt top still sitting here when all it needs is borders?...do I really plan on ever USING these things or do I want to just permanently store them? And in this glorious transition between work abroad and work at home I have the luxury of time and space in my thoughts. Time. It's beautiful when you're not fighting it or trying to ignore it passing, or attempting to walk backward up it's very steep decent.

So my mantra currently is' finish what you've started'. If there is a small project that just needs some hand sewing, then pick it up and finish it. If it doesn't have a home then sell it as a consignment or better yet, give it away. It's time to release things that I've been holding on to that do not serve my needs for living. I see it as unused potential that might be just what someone else is looking for but can't find (possibly because I see value in something but just not for me) I don't want to just throw things away...but that shouldn't mean that I then just let its potential use fade away under a layer of dust. Besides...there is a phrase that a friend of mine used to have hanging over his desk....You can't have what you want until you've had enough of what you don't want.

I think I've had enough of things that I no longer want or need. And if I can use them, then now is the time to do so. Spring is fast approaching here and it's almost time to till the soil and plant the seeds of things I'd like to harvest this fall. Until then there is a lot of clearing to do. Old vines and plant waste that needs removing so that when the sun shines brightly and offers warm kisses to the Earth I will have the space and open fields ready to focus on a new fresh crop, and I won't be trying to grow the new out from under the old.

So it's back to those patient piles and boxed items. Time to be set free!

Shows and Reviews

2010-03-22T01:33:00.003-06:00

Here as promised are some of the great reviews from the shows I've been working on!

First off, This Is a Play written by Canadian playwright Daniel McIvor.

This fun short show is a three-hander in which the audience gets to hear the inner workings and thoughts of the actors as they perform on stage instead of only the "script". Llysa, Pamala and Ricky were great (as you'll read from the links below) and even though we really had only just started hitting our stride by the time the show closed, the run was good and anyone who had any experience being on stage or even watching people on stage certainly enjoyed themselves.

From the Adelaide Advertiser: 4 3/4 stars out of 5!

From Australian Stage

From Adelaide Theatre Guide

From Glam Magazine (5 out of 5 stars!)

Another show I was involve in (this time performing) was Myth Understandings. This is a fun show that Andrew and I wrote a number of years ago to perform as a part of the Youth in Education program here in Australia. We decided to bring it back to the South Australian shores this year as well.

From the Adelaide Advertiser: 4 1/2 stars out of 5!

Adelaide Theatre Guide

From Glam Magazine (5 out of 5 stars)

And the largest production that I directed (as well as managed way too many other things) only had one review that I know of. Although we had a lot of wonderful comments from the masses of audiences who came.

Festival Freak

I'll be sure to put together a little slide show, as to describe it is difficult without visual aides. Safe to say it was the one show that I wasn't quite sure I would survive during the last two months, and also one of the things that I'm most proud of. (go figure)

There were two other productions that we took to the festival this year, but as I was not directly related to them this time I'll save the reviews for them for another post.

Lots more to come in the next few weeks as I catch up on some rest and enjoy my last few days in Australia.

Blessings!

Checking in....checking out

2010-03-15T20:03:00.000-06:00

It has been a long and hard journey so far this trip, with plenty of sucesses and beautiful things, coupled with lots of stress and difficult times. Now that the festival is over I will have more time to go into detail, but I did want to at least give a short note and a bit of the view that I'm headed toward today. Three days on the beach with some dear friends, followed by a couple of days at Victor Harbor with other good and dear friends....it's a lovely way to end two months of full on work.

The shows were a critical success, if not as well attended at times as we would have hoped for. I'll be sure to post some links to the reviews when I get a few moments, but for now I'm signing off my computer instead of my fingers on the keyboard, I'm opting for sand between my toes.

Lots of love to you all!!

And the Winners are!

2010-02-16T05:51:00.002-07:00

I always get to this point and wish that I had over a hundred prized to give. Giving is so much fun, especially when it is to other artists that I've had the pleasure of meeting during this great event.

But enough suspense!
My three lucky winners are:
julie mitchell: When the spirit Moves Me
Papillon Bleu: Papillon Blue UK
Sara: Fabric n Fiber Fanatic

Thanks for all who left a comment. I hope you'll come back again!

And for those of you wondering how things are going. We've made it through one performance weekend and are in rehearsals for our second this week. Soon I should have a little time to put some photos up of the shows that I've been working so hard on...but till then, please be patient and keep sending those good thoughts!

blessings!

One World One Heart Giveaway

2010-01-27T10:24:00.006-07:00

We are off and flying on a magic carpet ride!

The lovely Lisa from A Whimsical Bohemian has yet again created an event that invites artists of all walks of life to gather, wander through each other's blogs and offer something of their own to a lucky winner chosen at random on Feb 15th. (comments are accepted until midnight Feb 15th Mountain Time USA)

If you are new to this lovely event, please either click on the logo/artwork and you'll find out about the history of One World One Heart as well as how you can join in on the fun!

For my part, I would like to offer a couple different give-a-ways:

I have two small candle mats to offer (or you could use them as a flying carpet for your favorite doll!) These were pieced and quilted by yours truly and hopefully will inspire you to always keep the candle in your heart lit as a beacon for others in the world. I'll give one to the first person I draw, and then the other to the next name drawn.

Thirdly, I have a small quilted wall hanging of flower. Good for reminding us that no matter how deep in winter life may be, there are always things getting ready to bloom!

All you need to do to be part of this drawing is leave a comment on this post and a way for me to contact you should you be a lucky winner.

*I will also say that my items might take a little while to get to you after the winner is chosen on the 15th of Feb as I'm traveling for the next few months. But rest assured that they will find you!

Much to do...

2010-01-12T09:02:00.004-07:00

As I've mentioned before I'm getting ready for the next theater adventure in Adelaide Australia during their wonderfully large arts festival. (click here to see some of the shows that my company is bringing this year)--look for shows by theater simple.

But before any of that can happen there are a thousand and one things to accomplish before I leave to finish rehearsals in Seattle and then fly the long flight across the pond to a country that is currently almost 100 degrees different in temperature from home.

I am making progress however, and trying to take each day as it comes, mainly because on my to do list is also enjoying my moments here before I leave. Having that on my list really helps me keep perspective on the times that I don't feel focused on all the many things that need to be done. I am a list maker and a planner and at times I feel I live too much on the planning page and not in the actual real moments of the day. So this I see as progress of a different kind.

This morning's sunrise was filled with pink in the sky, pink in the clouds, and the frosty slate blue of winter. It asked to watched as the transition from dusk to dawn found it's way into the world of 'the cabin' and who am I to deny it an audience?

When I return to this slice of heaven, winter will have passed and we'll be feeling the first part of spring, so I need to soak up every ounce of winter beauty my eyes can handle.

Today is a new day

2010-01-03T11:12:00.004-07:00

Happy New Year to all!

I am still a bit in disbelief that we've finished another calendar year and that I'm as close to leaving for my next big theater adventure as I am. Still, I love turning the pages on my calendar and knowing that we begin each day new and that with every uncertain step into the unknown, we walk toward countless blessings and possibilities of what we want for ourselves and for those in our lives.

I was lucky enough to spend New Years Eve with my parents (along with Bob). It was a double blessings as Mom's birthday is today and we had not seen them over the holidays--and with my leaving the country soon, I won't get to hang out with them until Spring!!

Back home now, I'm faced with a steep 'to-do' list before I leave for rehearsals in Seattle and then on to Adelaide bringing 5 different productions with us this time. Daunting yes, but I'm sure it will be another grand adventure with the good company I keep at theater simple.

I'll do my best to keep you all posted as to how our adventure is going.

And although it will be more challenging for me to participate this year, I do plan on doing the One World One Heart blogging give-away again this year. I've been a part of this amazing collection or artists and bloggers for the past three years, and it is one of the most wonderful ways to meet and be inspired by other people around the globe. I highly encourage you to join in as well. Everyone from people who make their living as artists to people who haven't made something by hand since grade school participate. It is truly a wonder and a joy to behold. Check it out!

And my wish for you in this beginning of a new year is to take time to recognize your needs, to raise your voice from both your joy and sorrow and to do at least one small act of kindness (to either Earth or People) each day. You are a beautiful part of this world, and I'm so glad to have met you here.

Peace!

Happy Solstice!

2009-12-21T23:13:00.002-07:00

It is the longest night of the year for us here in the Northern Hemisphere. We finally have our Christmas tree up and lit (and a few of the trees outside), and I just completed the last Christmas gift I had hoped to finish before Thursday night. It is a bag for my oldest Niece, who is quite avid about the Twilight series. I've not read the books myself, but even though I'm not sure they are my taste, I love that my Niece is a reader and loves books as much as she does.

For fun, last year I created a couple of photos that had the characters of Twilight and put her face in the place of Bella's. (they actually look quite a bit alike so it was pretty easy!) This year I printed the photos (along with the different cover art for the books onto fabric and made her a book bag. It turned out wonderful!

Christmas eve Bob and I usually spend with my brother and his family...it is a fun evening that is full of the energy that only three excited kids can create...followed by attending a Christmas eve service and the deep quiet of our own home.

It is hard to believe here in the deep dark of the longest night that starting now we are headed back toward daylight. More and more will be present each day forward from now. It's a good reminder that even when we feel the most darkness in our own lives, that is the time when we actually headed up the other way. After many years of learning to embrace the darkness in life I no longer dread this part of living. Nor do I seek the light in every dark moment. I trust the light is coming and when they need to, my eyes will adjust. For now I revel in the dark, the exhale of the seasons and a time to start anew.

I wish for you in this turning of seasons, a renewal of your spirit, a desire to act upon some dusty dreams, a reason to dance for the sake of movement, and a long and lasting, loving embrace of yourself. It's good to hold your own hand for a while and listen to what you have to say. Make yourself a cup of tea and get reacquainted.

Blessings to you all.

gentle kisses

2009-12-10T08:52:00.005-07:00

The snow is finally softly falling outside. After weeks of very bitter cold and no blanket for the plants to sleep under this morning feels like a gentle kiss from the the sky as it tucks the earth in for it's long winter's nap.

I don't like that most of my posts this year I have felt the need to begin by saying "I'm sorry that it has been so long since I've posted", but it doesn't change the honesty with which I make that statement yet again. Lately a number of my personal traits/habits have had a spotlight land upon them and I'm trying to navigate a fairly narrow passage between wanting to make some changes in the way I am and relate to the world, and not reverting to an even older habit that took me many years to release.

For many years I sought acceptance and love from others by trying to become what I imagined (and sometimes was told) what they wanted. It was a very dark time in my life that was fueled by my lack of sense of self and fear that who I was, was not enough. I believed that I had climbed up and out of that valley of my life and learned to love the somewhat odd, extremely passionate, often silly, creative woman that I am. But because in matters of life there is only one 'final destination' here is a good reminder to enjoy the journey. I find myself awake on the path again...further yes, but walking/climbing still.

My challenge now is to realize that there are parts of me that I have continued to regard as wanting, lacking, even broken and my dislike of them is damaging. If I expect others to love me as I am (faults and all) should I not demand the same encompassing love from myself? And is it possible to wish to change parts of who I am and yet still find a way to love what 'is' in the process?

The falling snow outside is beautiful, and seems to have helped add a quiet and a calm to my inner mind and heart. Perhaps it is a visual metaphor that I should give a gentle kiss to each part of me that feels hurt or broken, and show the kind of love I would give to any living thing that needed care.

In these quicking days toward the end of the year, full of schedules and deadlines, stress and chaos, I hope you allow some snow to fall in your inner world and let the quiet stillness expand within. If you need me, that's where I'll be walking.

Peace

Go for it

2009-11-01T20:10:00.004-07:00

Today I said I love you and goodbye to my Grandmother.
The woman who helped to make my mother the strong, opinionated, impish and beautiful woman that she is. A woman who I feel I never quite got to know as much as I should have, but loved hearing about so many of the things she accomplished in her life.

It was a blessing to be there with her this weekend....the weather had been bad just a few days before and had kept my own my mom getting to their house. But the temps rose, the roads cleared and my mom, one of her sisters, and her brother were all able to make it. By the time I arrived Grandma was no longer able to speak, but she gave me a beautiful smile and held my hand as I snuggled in next to her for a while. Thank goodness for Bob (who did all the driving to get there) and who was my steady rock as I rode the emotional tide in and out while trying to be strong and full of love for my Grandfather as well as do my best to be helpful around the house.

The entire time I was there I was mentally replaying one of my favorite sermons of all time (from Pastor Kevin at Advent Lutheran in Washington) He gave a childrens' sermon that blew me away on an All Saints Day service. He talked to the kids about how hard it is to see those we love in pain--especially as they lose those they love to death. He mentioned that because we don't want to feel that kind of pain (when we don't have control to make things better or easier) that we tend to tell those we love "don't cry".....He then looked at each child and said "I want you do me a favor...the next time you see someone you care about sad, crying and hurting, I want you to pull up a chair next to them, reach out and hold their hand, look them in the eye and tell them 'go for it', and I'm going to be here until you're done."

Honestly, what could be better than that type of love?

I love you Grandma. I'm so happy that you are now free from this final pain and struggle. Thank you for your gifts in this world and for the family you helped to create that now holds each other's hands with love and memories.

Falling leaves and falling temperatures

2009-10-16T09:41:00.003-06:00

The temperatures have dipped down into single digits already this fall, and most the leaves that have not yet turned, might not have a chance this year. (Although I still hold out hope!) The coldest weekend came during the perfect time for me however....Fall Quilt Retreat! Three days of sewing, laughing and hardly sleeping with my mom and good friends from the shop where I work. BLISS!

Here a few of the smaller projects that I was working on:

This little quilt is a donation quilt that I did for our Quilter's Guild. They give you a bag of fabric and you decide what pattern to use and put it together! I wanted to give this pattern a try so I figured it would be the perfect opportunity to play with it! Lot's of bright colors to be sure in this bag!!

And just to prove how serious we take our sewing weekend.....

As the weather has changed lately, we've started seeing our winter friends around the property again. This year we have a wonderful gang of baby turkeys living near by....they are so cute when they chase down grasshoppers!

And I have to admit that I'm surprised by how many small animals we are still seeing...I hope that the intense cold we've been having early this year doesn't harm them!

I've been getting more and more requests for consignment work, which is thrilling and a wonderful compliment. I'll try to post some more photos as they are completed. I taught a wonderful woman yesterday to maker her first quilt, and next week I teach my first fabric greeting card class! I don't know if I'm keeping in or out of trouble...but as long as there are people who want to play with me, I don't think it matters. :)

I hope that your feet stay warm and your hearts are full of love this autumn! Enjoy the magic of the changing seasons!

Happy Peace Day!

2009-09-21T19:50:00.007-06:00

The past few days have been magic...and not because of any large events in my life. On the contrary they have been magic because of how much I've been enjoying the little events in my life.

Listening to audio books in the evening with my sweetie as I sew.

Snorkeling in the river with the full knowledge that with the frost this morning that swimming season will very soon be over for the year.

Watching my sweetie prepare the wood pile (and our new shed!) for the firewood that will keep us warm and toasty all winter.

Tending to the garden and enjoying the last blooming plants while watching others start to fade.
On a whim, going to a new restaurant with some good friends because of a musician that none of us had ever heard of, but wanted to listen to (I highly recommend him!! His name is Dorian Michael and you can find him on itunes and Youtube: He eve has his own website.)

Watching the light change as the sun and moon trade places in the sky.

Looking at the stars at night and feeling as if you could reach out and brush your hand through the milky way.

Apples, Apples, Apples....it's been a good year and we've been picking! Which means I've been baking up a storm and I love the smell of a house that has apples and cinnamon recently baked together.

Having a tea party with my Godchild where we painted with watercolors and told stories of "Indiana Dragonfly"

Catching up on my quilting consignments! (for those keeping track, the mosaic piece was picked up and she did love it *whew!*) One store sample is finished, another is ready to have the rows put together and then one more wall hanging to quilt and I'll be looking around my own things and getting to choose what wants to be made next! How fun!

And best of all, my dear and closest friend, (my chosen sister) who has been through so much this past year, is really starting to find her footing and is learning what we all need reminding sometimes...how beautiful and strong and talented she is.

Actually, for all our sakes, do this right now...go to your nearest mirror and tell the one standing there all of those things. When we recognize the beauty in ourselves, the world will be one step closer to finding peace.

I hope you find the magic in all your 'little' things too!

Blessings!

Getting back into the swing of things

2009-09-13T19:07:00.004-06:00

I'm going to do my best to be here at least once a week....more if I can manage it. I miss connecting (albeit cyber-ly) to my friends around the globe, and frankly I also think it's good for me to sit down and think 'so...what is on my mind today?'

On my mind today is the joy of baking with freshly picked apples, of planting in some last minute perennials before the weather changes completely, of watching the tomato plants that we grew from tiny tiny seeds, fruit and ripen on the vine, having a tea party with my Godchild and my best friend (complete with goggles made from the plastic containers that apples are sometimes sold in!) and the beauty of snorkeling in the river that makes up our back yard.

I've snorkeled many times in the past, although mainly on vacation in far off places and in either the ocean or a lake. I've never snorkeled in a river with a fun but significant current. I love that by simply placing your face under the surface of the water you enter a different world. All of the sudden you start to recognize where you are by the large rocks at the bottom of the river bed or by the shallows where the light place across the rocks like music.

I also love feeling the desire to fight against the current, to struggle up river and try to get just a little further than last time....then to choose the right moment and let yourself go into the current and by carried by the momentum, effortlessly and free. It's a good way of looking at life I think...we do need to struggle sometimes...need to work on getting just a little bit further up our river, but it's good to remember that when the times comes to release and go with the flow for a while that we should enjoy the sensation. Enjoy the scenery, and of course...watch out for oncoming rocks in our way!

The light is falling on another day here at the cabin and I'm blessed...I know it. And somehow knowing it makes it just that much sweeter.

I wish you well in all your swims this week!

Home Sweet Home

2009-09-07T10:21:00.000-06:00

After traveling and performing most of August, I'm happy to be home and enjoying the last of summer and welcoming the coming autumn with open arms. Both Bob and I had busy summers and were away a bit longer than either would have liked, but our different adventures went well and we're truly blessed to have as many opportunites in our lives as we do.

Yesterday we went over to my parent's old farm...the place where I grew up, my father grew up and his father was raised as well. While they no longer live on this piece of land, it is still full of memories and childhood dreams. When I was driving by the other day I happened to look over and see our old apple tree (which my memory told me had the BEST apples in the history of ever). The year was good for apples it seems as the tree was laden with big green circles. So, since the sale of the property is still not complete, Bob and I decided we had best go and do some picking!

There are times when you memory from childhood does not hold up to the reality of the present day. Things aren't as grand or enormous as they remained in our imagination. Foods aren't as wonderful and comforting as we remember them to be. HOWEVER, in this instance....I picked an apple, wiped it off and bit into my childhood. It was wonderful....so sweet, with just enough tartness to add some fun...and I flashed back to days playing, exploring, day dreaming and watching the clouds pass. The sound of the grain waving in the fields and the cows asking for more hay. How magical to have this memory remain as strong and vibrant as it ever was. What a gift.

And this morning.....apple pie. The first of the season (but with the box we picked, certainly not the last!)

I've also started to catch up a little in my sewing studio on a number of projets. Here is the completed mosiac consignment piece I've been working so hard on. All that is left to do is some hand sewing on the binding and to tack the sleeve on the back down, then add a label! I sure hope the woman who ordered it likes it!

And I decided to teach a class in October! I've been having a blast using up my scraps to make greeting cards from fabric and other bits and pieces I have around (and to match quilts that I've done). A few people at the shop sounded interested and so I put my name in the teaching arena! Now to get organized! It's one thing to play on your own...quite another to have others follow you!

I do still have a few weeks left in my garden too. Lately I've begun harvesting seeds along side the vegetables. I'm excited to plant them next year knowing that their parent plants where enjoyed so much the year before.

Life is good here at the cabin. I hope life is also treating you well in your home.

blessings!!!

many journies....

2009-08-06T11:16:00.005-06:00

I've been off and away again (as if you couldn't tell!) Today is a brief moment of rest before my summer performances begin in full force. For those near Hamilton MT or Edmonton AB keep an eye out for 'theater simple'...we'll be performing two different family friendly shows in August and there is always room for another audience member!

Another journey that I've been on this year is a very special consignment project that was given to me back in the Spring. I was given a photocopy of a photograph, and a small magazine cut out with an example of colors and asked to create a wall hanging to resemble them. The inspiration is the tile floor in the Nativity Church in Bethlehem. Not having a pattern to follow this process has taken me longer than any other consignment piece I've ever done. However, getting to design the project from the start to the end is a pretty amazing process and now as I get close to finishing the project I'm excited and hopeful that the woman who requested this piece will love it.

To show you the journey that I've been on here are a few photos....photo copy and magazine clipping

the sketch that she started before bringing the project in the store

My design layout, which I then enlarged to act as a pattern...

And here is where the piece is today! (actually I've done most the quilting on it but I haven't taken a photo of it since I started....I'll be sure to get a good shot of the finished product!)

It's been a fun summer, but I'm very much looking forward to fall, time at home again, and catching up with everything that is going on in your life as well!

Blessings!

As promised!

2009-07-13T09:58:00.005-06:00

It is a beautiful rainy (much needed!) day today and I'm so grateful to have today off from work (since last week was wonderful...but full on)

Here are some more photos of my birthday trip up to Glacier Park...it is a stunning place and we're doing so much better this year in making time to visit it at least once a month. (and yes Lynn, sadly you were no where near my corner of the state during your visit, but you know you're always welcome!)

I don't think I'd like to have my back scratched with this guys nails....

yes...that's a large snow field in the middle of July...they don't call it "Glacier Park" for nothing!

As I catch up today on rest and projects around the house I hope to take some photos of the projects that I've been working on, as well as some of the hand dyed fabrics that I did yesterday as a part of of Ellen Ann Eddy's class at Glacier Quilts this past weekend. I have high hopes! :)

What a perfect day to rest and relax, with the sound of the rolling thunder and the strong life-giving rain outside....May you all find your own much needed drink of water this week.

More to come....

2009-07-11T23:25:00.000-06:00

Since we've spoken last time has blown by on strong winds and the days feel like clouds, passing over the sun for a few minutes and then gone....

I've celebrated my sweetheart's birthday, (and started of a new year in my own life as well) and have begun the prep for the summer theater tour that I will be performing in next month.

I'm currently in a weekend full of classes with thread artist Ellen Ann Eddy (you might remember her from some of my first posts on my blog--and the fish that I created with her technique). This time round I'm learning a different process as well as learning how to dye my own amazing fabrics, threads, and other speciality cloths. I'm very excited, and I promise more photos will follow.

The photo above is from our trip into Glacier Park on my birthday....we were treated to a Mamma and baby Moose, Mamma and baby mountain goat and a host of other wonderful creatures who allowed us to to take a quick gander as they wandered past on their way.

(again...more photos to follow)

I hope you are all well, and I can't wait to spend some time checking in with you blogs soon.

Blessings!

M

Where my heart is....

2009-06-15T18:08:00.006-06:00

Sister Kathy...this one is for you! When I found this heart while watering I immediately though of you and smiled...Thanks for the calling card! :)

(even hummingbirds need to rest now and then)!

Life continues on at its own pace and there are days when I feel like I'm on a wild ride, and others when I'm able to sit back and enjoy the float (which by the way I DID a few weekends ago...the water was a bit cold, but the warm sun kept me nice and toasty!)

Today was a day off from most of my endeavors (although I did manage to work on a few of my 'to do' items. Now I'm watching the clouds roll in for what I hope will be a lovely rain tonight, while I watch and listen to two eagles across the river high up in the trees. The sounds of crickets in the flowerbed outside my window brings a grin to my face and feeling of some residual dirt under my nails reminds me of my time outside nurturing the beautiful collection of plants.

Imagine a soundtrack of crickets, the river rushing by, and glorious bird songs as you wander through some of my recent photos...

and may you find your own moment of bliss in your world today too...

blessings!

Balance

2009-05-31T21:32:00.004-06:00

Even the moon appeared to be in balance this week...as I gratefully accepted a time of rest from the stress of last week.

I wanted you all to know that life has either calmed down a bit here in my world (and those of my friends)--either that or we've all just decided to relax a bit more and enjoy the ride on the rapids!

The past few days have included some beautiful and blessed rest, fun, work and peace.
I thought I would share a bit through some snapshots at least...even if the proper words don't come.

McDonald Lake in Glacier Park with evening sun on fresh spring green.

Clouds playing across the landscape of mountains never fails to calm me....sometimes I swear I can hear the rocks humming.

then again....maybe it is the bees I hear as they sing out in celebration of blooms and nectar from the trees bursting forth.

The river overtakes the large rock outside our house...in the fall and winter it is possible to walk out and climb up on the rock...as the snow melts off the mountains our little river rises hard and fast and the sound and power (as well as the view is stunning).

During a visit to Glacier Park, we were able to get further up the road (most of the main road is still closed due to snow pack that needs to be cleared). Here was a little stop along the side of the road to enjoy a picnic dinner with my sweetheart and my chosen sister.

Here is a mighty tree, long since fallen from it's standing in the forest...but now the roots create a dance or a tangible look at the weave of life. There was a bench placed in front of these roots. At first I thought "why would you sit and look at an upturned tree?" then I sat, looked, and understood.

I hope you find a bench to sit and ponder on this week. If no one is kind enough to remind you...I hope you choose to sit on the ground and just look up.

Blessings!

Strong Currents

2009-05-24T15:48:00.003-06:00

Yesterday I was able to make it to part of the Wild Mile kayak competition near where we live. It's the same little river that flows by our house, at times with strong currents and at times wide open and gentle...but you get this place on the river and it's rapids all the way.

I think this is a bit how life seems to be working lately too. All around me, my loved ones (friends and family alike) are headed down their different paths and for some reason they all seem to be in rapids right now. Each choosing how much to fight and paddle to forge their chosen path or just fighting and paddling to keep from being turned upside down in rough waters. It's hard to have so much stress in the lives of those you love...hardest I think because there is nothing you can do to change where they are. You have to be willing to let them work it out and have an extra paddle on hand in case they lose theirs. (Personally I'm looking forward to the warmer weather and warmer waters and simply 'tubing' down the water's current myself....but we have a few weeks before that is likely to happen!)

I'm grateful that even in each stressful moment, there is still cause for joy and contentment abounding right now. Flowering trees and the garden plants beginning to grow. Birds of every shape and color visiting our feeders each day and some that have taken us up on the offer of a new bird house the Bob built this winter. Bob's family ages (3 to 93) here for the weekend to spend time together, chat and check in with each other's lives...

It's good to remember how much love surrounds us, even when all we focus on from time to time is the fear of the rapids ahead.

I hope you all are enjoying a lovely weekend, be it on your own, with your family, or remembering those who were a beautiful part of your family.

Blessings!

2009-05-22T07:29:00.001-06:00

Spring has finally arrived here in the mountains of Montana (although we're still frosty in the mornings)...the landscape is turning to that neon shade of green, and what once was barren is now lush and full. It's a good time of year to remember that life ispresent even within the woody sticks of winter. While there has been much to grieve in my life (and the lives of those close to me) lately, there is also much to celebrate...and the metaphor of Spring is a welcome way to continue growing and enjoying the pure fact of being alive.

I know I've been remiss in posting...I've started countless times, but could not find words or focus to actually write anything. Thank you to those who have sent encouragement and small notes letting me know I was missed. What a joy you all are!

After my visit to my Grandparents (and their comments on the quilts I was working on then) I decided that I would make them each a small lap quilt to help keep them warm when they needed it. As well as feel as I could be useful even after I had to return home. My Grandmother was so frail when I was there, and certainly the idea that she might not be with us much longer was on minds of many people, but I was pretty sure I recognized the spark still within her, and I'm pleased to say that while she is still struggling a little, she has really made some good recovery! It is so much fun to call and hear her voice stronger and her fiestiness back in full swing!

Since she is also a fan of Chickadees (as am I) I made a traditional quilt but took photos of some of the little birds that visit my feeder and appliqued them on to the quilt (using the photo printing fabric that I love so much!) Here was the result!

I called it Chickadee Garden and backed it with flannel for extra warmth. She loved it!

For Grandpa, (who loves wildlife and the outdoors) I made this quilt--also backed with flannel for those colder nights.

And then for Mother's day, I got a hold of a beautiful project that my mom had started years ago, and did the thread work and quilting for her...It's hard to tell in the photo, but there are also some three dimensional petals and leaves on this piece as well.

Currently I'm doing my best to translate a black and white photocopy of a historical mosaic tile floor from a Church in Bethlehem into a wall hanging for consignment of mine. I've struggled with starting for a while, but I think I'm on a roll now....I'll try to post some progress photos by next week.

I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend! I promise to be back soon!

Peace,

More thanks are due

2009-04-26T19:31:00.003-06:00

I've fallen a bit behind with my 'focus of thanks' to those artists who participated in the One World One Heart event this year. My goal to is give a note of thanks to each of the artists that I was fortunate enough to receive something from. And as tempting as it is for me to group some together in one post, I want to give each their due separately. We all need recognition for the work that we do, and frankly, anyone who sends their art out into the world (especially to strangers) is a friend of mine. (it's one of my favorite things to do!)

So that said, tonight I write in praise of Cathy at Hazelruthes's

Cathy has a love of creating art, but also collecting items that not only have historical value, but frankly can be seen as art themselves. (she's got some amazing old thimbles for sale right now too!--go to her blog and check them out!)

I was lucky enough to receive a beautiful little sewing caddy and a CD with vintage sewing images on it. While I haven't giving myself the chance to play with the images yet (I do have some fun ideas mind you!) I have used the little sewing caddy many times in the past few months...most recently when I traveled to Eastern Montana to help take care my Grandmother. I have always enjoyed having some 'busy work' to do while I'm off any away, and I took three quilts with me to hand stitch the binding down on while I was there. The little sewing caddy was perfect to have along!

Cathy, thank you so much for being an artist, and a generous one! I hope that everyone who reads this post will stop by your blog and let you know that as well!

It's so good to be thankful in this world!

My life flows on in endless song...

2009-04-20T15:15:00.005-06:00

The Shack, by Wm. Paul Young

Moments ago I finished a book gifted to us from dear friends. While the rational part of my brain has been trying to tell me that it is predictable, a bit hard-handed and at times odd, my heart has leaped full force into the message in this story's pages.

Again...the topic is love, and how can we love in the face of such pain and terrors in our world? How is it possible that God or whatever name you wish to use can either let tragedies happen to those who are good and loving or even worse, cause the pain in our lives to "help" us. When it comes down to it, living is difficult, but if we can remember that we are surrounded by love (more than we can ever comprehend) we'll have all the strength we need.

There was much in this book to digest, but what I've taken with me today upon closing the final page is that bad things happen not for the purpose of teaching us...but when something bad happens, there is opportunity to learn and grow. I'm not sure if that will make sense to anyone but me right now...but I'm loving this idea of a different understanding of the Trinity and the stuggles that I too face when it comes to what religion says and how people choose to use it.

I do believe that when we are open and ready/willing to hear messages they come to us in varying, many and often humorous ways. This is no exception. And I plan on giving this book to a few people who I think might also benefit from reading it.

It's not a hard read...and I'd be very curious to hear what you think about this book...so if you do pick it up...let me know your thoughts! The Shack by Wm. Paul Young

In other happy news I got to go dancing last week! Dancing!! It has been far too long and even though my soul remembered how to move the body had some catching up to do!
But life is good and frankly, it's even better when you decide to start moving to music...add a room full of people who have the same idea and you've got bliss. Pure and simple.
See if you can find a 'contra dance' near you...if you can walk you can do this simple and social style of dancing. You don't need to bring a partner either...but do share it with a friend...life is too good to let other's miss out.

Wishing you all moments of clear love and twirling

blessings!

There is light...even in darkness

2009-04-15T23:33:00.001-06:00

Just a quick update on how things are going here in my little corner of the world.
I wasn't able to attend the memorial for my dear friend, but my spirit was lifted hearing about the gathering from others.
My Grandmother continues to make a recovery from her illness, and we cherish each slow step toward her feeling better.
My friends have found, in their pain, a way to still communicate and work together, even if the end result is chosing to be apart.
And I continue to quilt...because as my lovely wise friend Kathryn said in the comments of my last post....I am a quilter. And when all the seams of the world seem to be unraveling...I do know how to put scraps back together. The result may not look the same, but it is still something with which to keep warm and to hold around you for comfort.

How blessed am I to have people in my life to hold me up and remind me of my strength and ability to love not only the darkness in life, but to open my eyes to the light that is there.

Thank you for being there, for listening, for leaving love notes, and for living each day.

Blessings!

From where I'm standing

2009-04-04T09:28:00.000-06:00

Everywhere there are small signs of spring trying to make it's way into our world, and yet winter will not let loose its hold. I feel this metaphorically as well, since it seems there has a been a large portion of death and dying and endings in my world lately. I haven't spoke on this (or even posted much) lately as there are few things that simply seem to rob me of my ability to express words more than facing death. It is a part of life without question, and while it is sad to say goodbye to someone who has lived a long and full life, that at least feels more natural than when someone disappears from our lives unexpectedly, or when two people reach the end of their ability to express love to each other in ways that are not hurtful.

While those who care for me and see the added weight in my soul lately would appreciate knowing why and what I'm carrying, I have tried to find a way to express what is going on, but it doesn't translate to the page well....it begins to take on the look of some saddened laundry list of events and I don't want to represent these things in that manner. Instead I'll just send out messages that should others read and want to send out healing and loving thoughts as well they will at least have a general target at which to aim.

To Brinda, mother of three, beautiful dancer, gentle soul, inquisative spirit...we miss your light filled smile and impish eyes. You left too soon my friend and your loss feels strange and jarring making it hard to believe we won't find you hiding behind a tree just around the corner.

To Grandma, mother of my mother, we understand that you're tired. If you are ready to go we'll support you, and if you're not yet finished here we'll help you hold on.

To my dear friends who are stuggling between a love together and a love for yourself, just keep your focus on love--in any form and know that whatever the outcome you will be ok and stronger for the journey.

To everyone who is feeling the weight of anger, or sadness or isolation, light a little candle inside your heart and let its warmth fill you from the inside out. I do believe that the chill of winter will give way to let us feel the sun's warmth on our skin soon. Some transistions are harder than others. Be kind to yourself, and when you feel you have extra, be sure to share someone with the person next to you.

2009-03-26T13:54:00.001-06:00

I'm going to off-line for the weekend but wanted to let you all know that I'm doing ok
even with the chaos of this past week.
For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about I'll
explain more when I get back to my computer.

Until then, here is a little journey through what my eyes have been looking at the last few days.

New children's quilt that I've recently finished...

It is spring here in Montana...but we know better than to expect Winter to leave suddenly.

Happy Spring!

2009-03-21T09:19:00.005-06:00

While yes, there is still snow on the ground here, even that is starting to give way to the warmer sunlight and the longer the days. In the past week we have seen a huge influx in the amount of variety of birds returning and this morning we were privy to watching a large group of turkeys being courted by a few Toms. Spring is in the air!

Next weekend I get to spend three days sewing with my mom and friends at Glacier Quilt's Spring retreat and with any luck that will be followed by a short visit from some dear friends in Seattle. AND my Newphew is turning 2 next week!!!

There is a lot going on here in the mountains of Montana...but you should never be too busy to be grateful for the gifts you receive, and to that end today I'm trumpeting about the beautiful collection of spa items I received from Layla at The Ladyblog as a part of the One World One Heart event this year.

Her site is fun to wander through (and she has these really cool new face scrubbies that you can just put through the wash--and even the dryer!) I'm looking forward to trying some out myself! It's hard to say which of the spa goodies I'm in love with most...my fave changes from day to day as I use each item! Today...it's a lovely Saturday and the black currant tea is just the thing to sip on as I watch the birds and deer outside.

Thanks Layla for being part of the glorious One World One Heart event. If you didn't join on this year, put it on your calendar for next January...it is good to be reminded just how plentiful art, beauty and kindness is in the world.

Thyme for more thanks!

2009-03-11T17:05:00.003-06:00

I still have a number of lovely bloggers to feature as a part of the gifts I received from this year's One World One Heart. (I don't know if it was synchronicity, luck, or divine guidance, but I gave away eight gifts...and RECEIVED eight as well!)

I've enjoyed each and every one of my surprises as they've arrived and will write about each of them and the people who've sent them to me.

Today's focus? Jane Marie at Thyme with Herbs. Her blog is wonderful! and so timely for those of us itching to get out and start putting our hands in the soil (I'll have a to wait a bit longer as it was NEGATIVE 11 this morning...but I can still start planning!)

One thing I love about her blog is great products and resources that she writes about. One of my new fave items is a pair of gardening gloves from Ethel's....durable and stylish...just like all of us right?! :)

I also love that Jane is a quilter too...and in fact the prize that I won was a pattern! (and who can't use another pattern in their life?)

So thank you Jane! and I hope all of you reading this will drop by her blog and see what she's up to...it's worth a visit! (and she does like to do a good give away, so stop back often!)

2009-03-09T19:20:00.000-06:00

Here is a little project I've been working on....the mom of these two cuties had a birthday on Sunday and couldn't decide what to make for her....but I figured that anything involving her cuties would work. Ever since One World One Heart, where I was able to wander through over 900 artist blogs, I've found that I've gotten out more of my 'crafty' items that I've been collecting for years but only using occasionally. Freshly inspired by the art made by others, I've started making cards, and fabric bowls and sock dolls and...well you get the idea. I'm having fun!

That's not to say that I'm not getting some quilting done too! I now have four quilts that are quilted and just need binding put on, and two other quilts that are almost ready to be quilted. (we won't go into how many other projects I have in the still being pieced phase...those are still too numerous to count.) But quilt retreat is coming! We'll see if I try to finish some of the old, or just say heck with it and start something new!

Today was a lovely quiet day here at the cabin...listening to music, reading, quilting, doing laundry, watching the snow fall, the deer searching for anything edible, the perching birds take turns for seeds and a beautiful Eagle joined the scenery right across the river from our living room this afternoon and looks as if he'll be spending the night there.

My sweetie return homes tomorrow and then we can enjoy this beauty together.

bliss

On the edge of winter into Spring

2009-03-03T17:23:00.004-07:00

We've found ourselves in March and I can begin to feel the reluctance of letting go of winter fade. Spring is beginning to make it's way up through the layers of snow and you can almost feel and hear the trees starting to stretch out of their deep sleep of winter. The sun has changed positions in the sky and when the beams reach you directly the warmth is striking and almost feels foreign.

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about transitions and a few that I'm hoping to undertake personally. It seems impossible sometimes to imagine ourselves in any other state than the state we are currently. Then I am reminded of how the landscape changes during each season here and I have to admit, that it is possible to change, to transform and become something that seems like an entirely new world, even though the ground has not shifted....it's just what we choose to let bloom and grow in our lives.

So as we approach the coming Spring, ask yourself: 'what do I want to grow in this new season of my life'. I'm asking this question myself right now...I'll let you know what sprouts. Until then, enjoy a few more scenes of the quiet winter of now.

Blessings

More reasons to be thankful

2009-02-25T10:33:00.003-07:00

It's been a busy week here in the Mountains. We've had lovely company staying with us, I finished a few consignment quilted wall hangings and then there is the great outdoors that constantly call for us to wander out in them! I'm very grateful for the opportunity for all of these things!

But another reason that I have to be thankful, is for yet another gift that arrived in the mail due to the One World One Heart event that I participated in again this year. Today's lovely gift?
Laughing Crow Eye Cream from the Farm at Coventry blog. This is a great site with links to classes and events on the farm, as well as lovely shop full of goodies! I hope you can take a moment to wander over. (Be sure to click on the various links under the top banner!)

but back to this lovely cream.....Here is the great description! ( I highly recommend it...it is DIVINE!)

"Laughing Crow Eye Cream" that includes a lovely blend of herb infused oils, rosehip seed oil, and an exotic blend of patchouli, carrot seed, vetiver, neroli and helichrysum essential oils. After a rather slow start (and people mistakingly calling it "Laughing Cow"cream, which didn't help it's image much) it has blossomed into a top seller with many repeat sales and customers singing it's praises. Being quite partial to anything containing patchouli myself, I am one of it's biggest fans and I use it for my entire face and body."

I hope your week is full of blessings of your own!

More thanks than I can hold

2009-02-18T08:07:00.004-07:00

First off, I want to say thank you to all who have sent good energy my way this past week. It was felt and cherished! The issues that were sucking up much of my spirit have been resolved and I am feeling balanced once more!

Secondly, I received in the mail yesterday my first gift from One World One Heart: a beautiful pin/pendant from Bobbi in OR. (I was blessed to win a number of pieces of art--I suppose taking the time to visit all 900+ sites helped my odds a bit!)

Today, however I'm celebrating Beading at the beach! Bobbi is a mixed media artist (including fiber arts and textiles! so I have a special love for her work!) She has been creating art as far back as she can remember, and it shows! And if you don't get pulled in by her photos of her pieces (some in progress, some finished) your mind will enjoy wandering off into the photos of her home!

Thank you Bobbi for this beautiful and whimsical pin/ pendant! I'm not sure how, but it is even more beautiful in person!

Balancing act

2009-02-16T08:59:00.002-07:00

It has been a difficult past couple of days, with certain things happening in my life that I would rather not have happened. And while I am ever grateful that no one was injured, and that I am still blessed with home, love and safety it still has been a drain on my spirit. So what better way to balance this than by honoring a woman who is very connected to the spirit!

My bountiful blessings continue from One World with another 'gift-a-way' that I was honored to be chosen for. A spirit doll from When The Spirit Moves Me. Julie came upon her talent after taking a Goddess Doll Workshop five years ago. The experience not only moved her to create, it helped connect her to her constant inspiration, and the art has poured out from her ever sense.

I love wandering through her posts not only to gaze at the spirit dolls and find myself lost for moments of time in their beauty...but also because she is a great storyteller and her posts are not only well crafted, but directly from her heart.

I encourage you to take some time to wander and see the work that she is creating, and to also witness the beauty that she is inspiring in others who visit her site.

Thank you Julie for honoring me with your spirit doll, and for bringing beauty and love into the world each day.

Blessings!

Generosity Spotlight

2009-02-13T19:11:00.002-07:00

I feel so blessed that I was randomly chosen to receive a number of wonderful items during the One World One Heart event! To thank them for their generosity, I am going to feature each one in individual posts. I hope that you will take a moment and visit them as well!

My focus today: Diana Evans- Back to the Drawing Board. Diana is an illustrator and artist. (she has some wonderful work on her blog (and even a link to a very sweet children's book that she did the illustrations for!)...I have to love it...it has dragonflies in it! ;)

She also has a WONDERFUL shop where you can see more of her art, and better yet, pick out some to come live with you!

What I think I love most is that she doesn't make necklaces or pendants...she makes Neck Art! I love this recognition of jewelry for what it is....it is art, and why should we not adorn ourselves in it!

Thank you Diana for being a part of One World One Heart! (and I'm so grateful that I was lucky to be chosen to receive your lovely giveaway of the cupcake notecards!) I'm looking forward to seeing them in person!

blessings!

If you give...so shall you receive!

2009-02-12T21:27:00.003-07:00

I love giving things....to friends, family, complete strangers (who are really just new friends you don't know yet!) There are few things in life that give me greater joy then seeing a smile on someone's face, or sensing that one is there....and knowing that you had a part in making that happen.

Well...I have a smile on my face today too! And I wanted to post a little about those who are sending me things that they've made and decided to share (as I was so lucky today to be chosen by a few different sites!!) So over the next few days I'm going to post a little about the people who I was lucky enough to be chosen to receive their work.

First up: Farm at Coventry

I fell in love with the blog the first time I wandered to it from the One World One Heart list. I too grew up on a farm and reading through Susan's posts felt familiar and like I was visiting with a long lost friend. Her photos are beautiful and the stories she shares from her daily life are not only a good read, they are heart-felt and so beautifully open.

Then there is all the beautiful things she makes and sells at her Farm Shop! Herbal creams and facial care products, bath and other spa goodies, herbal remedies and soaps and even faux coffee!

I hope you will wander over and check out her blog and store...Even though the drawings have happened, the true magic of One World One Heart begins now...getting and staying connected to others who have beauty to offer to this world of ours.

Blessings!

The Numbers Have Been Choosen!

2009-02-12T08:20:00.004-07:00

Today is the day!!

2009-02-11T11:12:00.002-07:00

Make sure that you've left a comment on my One World One Heart post!

comments will be closed after Midnight (MT time) and I'll pick the lucky winners tomorrow morning!

A drop of water....

2009-02-03T23:24:00.002-07:00

It seems appropriate that I have been working on this challenge piece during One World One Heart--seeing over 800 artist blogs has certainly been inspiring and is a great way to think of our big wide world c0nnected through our passion for expressing ourselves with art.

The challenge was to create a quilt based on the the theme "helping hands" using fabrics created by hand at the “Fabric of Life Project”. With a little world crafting help from my sweetheart this is what I submitted with my entry:

I waited until I received my fabrics from the “Fabric of Life Project” before deciding what to create for this challenge. Opening the package, I found a gorgeous, light blue solid, and a deep purple pattern. Immediately my mind jumped to the ocean and the Earth we all share; like a drop of water can create a wave, one person deciding to make a difference in another’s life can ripple outward, continuously growing and spreading and influencing. My goal with this woven quilt is to express why I believe we should all reach out and offer a helping hand. We are all connected, so by helping just one person, we help everyone. The rays of light (fused Angelina fibers) represent the reciprocal ebb and flow of the process--we give of ourselves, and in return we receive (inspiration, a kind word, advice, etc.). My blue challenge fabric is the ocean, the base through which other batiks are woven circularly. The beautiful purple fabric borders the creation, and is embellished with rhinestones to represent each of us and the light we have to offer.

I hope you enjoy the piece, but more importantly, I hope that you find inspiration in this day and the next to keep creating, keep reaching out, keep communicating with those around you. You never know when some small thing you choose to do for someone else will cause the tide of their life to flow in a positive direction.

Why we should always keep trying...

2009-01-25T23:37:00.005-07:00

This weekend I had the great fortune of seeing the movie "The curious case of Benjamin Button". I highly recommend this movie for its beautiful portrayal of the blessing of our lives...even if they are not what we (or anyone else) seems to think they should be.

This story of a man born old, and then who 'ages' as he gets younger, has the strongest 'heartbeat' I've felt in a long time from a film made in this country. And the little reading I've done on the film, I've discovered this project was not an easy birth either. The time line of the movie's production is almost as captivating as the film itself!

Written in 1926, the short story by Scott Fitzgerald was picked up by Ray Stark in the 50's...but he sat on the story until the 1980s when writers began to try and adapt it for a film. Finally in 2001, the story was passed to Eric Roth, who in the midst of losing both of his parents, put so much of his own story and thoughts on loss and love and mortality into the script. The result...is quite frankly....stunning.

Then there was the whole problem of how do you put an old man's head on the body of a child? With much experimenting (and quite a lot of selling ideas to the studio) they managed to work technology so that both the lead actors (Pitt and Blanchett) play their characters as they grow through life....it's something to see, believe me!

What I love, is not only is this film something we can enjoy by simply watching, it is a great example of how long it sometimes takes to realize a dream, an artistic journey, or a creation that you want to breath life into...it reminds you that things worth doing are worth fighting for, no matter how long they might take. And of course, also that we should use the time that we have sharing, and filling our lives with as much love as we can...

(excerpt from Timesonline)
"Similarly, Roth concludes that the film is at its best when it gets you thinking and puts you in a better place. “It reminds you that you have only so many days and that you should try to make the most of them,” he says. And that, from a movie that began 87 years ago and spent a lifetime coming to the screen, is ironic, paradoxical and, much like the film itself, sweetly moving. "

My hope for us is that we air out those projects collecting dust in our closets or in the back of our dresser drawers and keep trying to breath life into them. We're not crazy for being driven to create...I don't care what it is that moves you in life. If you love it, and by doing/creating within that medium you share that love and that enthusiasm for living, then it is worth doing.

Use the time we have well. Create. Live. Laugh. and yes.....Love.

Hope. Faith. Love. Action.

2009-01-20T20:34:00.002-07:00

I don't think that I have a photo that captures the feeling of my heart and mind today. Although the perfect picture is etched in my mind as I write this.

I was able to watch most of the ceremony this morning before I left for work, and I was not as interested in the pomp and circumstance at the podium, but by the sea of people, the ocean of humanity gathered together to welcome our new President. The visual image of all of those people standing together because they have hope for our future, for our country and for what we can do in the world...it was beautiful and it brought tears to my eyes.

I know this is going to be a hard time for our country. We have a lot of repair work to do to even come close to fixing some of the mess that we're in. But here is a leader who not only remembers that the country belongs to the people, but he expects them to rise to the challenge to help make it better.

We are the change we seek. How nice to be reminded.

I am looking forward to finding opportunities to volunteer, and to watching our children see through our actions what it means to work together to create not just a country, but a world that can communicate, work through hard times, and strive for peace and prosperity for all.

Am I a dreamer? Absolutely. Shouldn't we all be?

One World-One Heart 2009

2009-01-19T08:11:00.014-07:00

The Numbers Have Been Choosen!

And my list of lucky winners is as follows!

Diana from Adventuring through Life
Paula from Serendipity
Danielle from Collective Elements
Jennifer from Just Jingle (and happy birthday to you!)
PawsN2Stamp
Sam from The Life and Times of Me
Dianne from Dianne Rambling On and
Penumbra's Clasp

If your name is listed here, please leave me your contact info (you can find my email if you go to my Profile--don't leave your address in the comments sections)

Thank you to everyone else who left a comment, I don't know how long it will take me to respond to all of you, but I will!

Blessings! Keep the spirit of One World One Heart alive until next year!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is officially Midnight (or a few minutes after) so comments are now closed.
I'm thrilled with the great response and I can't wait to see who my lucky winners are!
Stay tuned!

UPDATE: 2/11/09
Today's the day! The last day to enter this giveaway! (simply leave a comment and way for me to contact you should your number be randomly picked!) I hope that I get to see some of you again after you recover from surfing through more than 900! blogs this event. Way to go Lisa! Thank you so much for putting in the time and effort to organize One World One Heart!

I will post the winners here on this post, as well as in a new post on my blog TOMORROW!!!

Peace and Blessings!

UPDATE: 1/29/09
Due to the great response and wonderful comments, I've added a few more goodies to my giveaway! I will offer five mushroom pincushions (as those seem to be a fave) and I made some candles today as well, so as long as I'm able to ship them to where you live, these will be 'drawn' for as well! (see below for photos) Thanks all for visiting, I hope that you'll come back soon and wander the pages a while!
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I'm so excited that it is time for One World-One Heart again! I participated last year and not only met so many wonderful artist and bloggers, I also received some beautiful things too!

The idea of making something to share with someone (regardless if you know them yet or not) is wonderful, and I highly encourage all of you to sign on! Anyone can join, just click the picture at the top of this post to read the directions of how it works. And you don't have to have something to offer this time round in order to enter my give-away either! If you are not able to offer something this year, I would still encourage you to take some time to visit the other artists that are a part of One World One Heart and spend sometime on their blogs. It is a great way to meet new friends and certainly to be inspired!

For this year I'm offering a heart-themed quilted candle mat or centerpiece I made designed by Rochelle Martin. It measures 14 x 14 and is quilted with metallic red thread and surrounded by fabric hearts.

And because last year's event was so wonderfully large, I'll also offer as a second prize a small (travel sized!) pin cushion shaped like a mushroom!

SUNRISE CANDLE
(scented with orange, mango, lemon and vanilla to bring
new light to your life!)

ONE WORLD (inspired by this event!)
scented with Desert Sage and Green tea for meditation on peace for our planet
and to energize the spirit to act and connect with others)

Please leave me a post stating that you're interested in being on my list by Midnight (Mountain time) Feb 11th at the latest, and make sure that I can contact you either via your blog or an email address so that I can let you know you are the winner!

A winner will be chosen (at random) on Feb 12th. If I'm not able to reach that person, I will then draw again, so be sure I know where to find you!

Enjoy meeting new artists and friends!

And Thanks again to Lisa who is the glue that holds us all together!

taking a deep breath

2009-01-12T22:56:00.000-07:00

I know that most people tend to do their big cleaning and organizing come Spring...but maybe because I'm a list builder, I've always like January/February as months to start the purge. While I don't really like doing resolutions, I do like the idea of refocusing my intentions.
I've been 'listing' lately...taxes, cleaning up my recipes, quilts to finish, quilts to start, more yoga and exercise, better eating habits restored after the sugar fest that is the end of December....playing my mandolin more (or any of my instruments for that matter!), going on more walks, taking more naps...the list seems to just grown and grow some days with little hope of seeing the final line crossing the last word of text out.

Then life offers you a tap on the shoulder....this time in the form of a wonderful Christmas gift that I just received (I love getting gifts after the holiday is over...makes it that much more fun!). The gift? Zena Moon's "Winter" gift set. Not only do you get the lovely goodies, you get a collection of things to help you refocus...refine...and help you to remember five very important parts of life:

Illumination (in the form of a beauitful candle): reminding us of the light that we carry within us, which can brighten up even our darkest days.
Generosity: reminding us that life is abundant...and that we should constantly be willing to give to others and striving to pass it on.
Stillness: A beautiful eye pillow, to remind us to take the time you need to be still...to rest...to replenish the energy that we spend each and every day.
Introspection: In the form of a journal, inviting us to dream, doodle, and explore ourselves...those place we keep meaning to spend time in, but allow life to interrupt.
and Magic....yes, a bottle of magjc that I can hold in my hand when I need it most.

A beautiful gift from a beautiful friend.

Blessings to all of you...may you discover (remember) your own illumination, generosity, stillness, introspection and magic this month, and all year long.

Days of rest

2009-01-04T11:04:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy time....holidays, visiting, making gifts, baking and feasting. I feel the weight of the season (and not just on my thighs!) and as I look out the window this morning at the vast expance of white and laden trees I am thrilled most of all by the stillness of it.

Now is the time for winter, for preparing ourselves for growth, but not yet growing. A good time to dream of spring, but to allow yourself a bit more of winter's sleep, rest, reflection and calm. And while there will always be schedules to keep, drves to shovel, wood to chop, work to do....I hope to check my pace and keep the strong and steady trees in mind.

May you find some added days of rest for yourself this winter. Dig deep, nurture your roots and listen to the quiet calm within.

Blessings!

Here is a little moment of snowy zen for all my blogging friends!

2009-01-02T12:24:00.002-07:00

2008-12-25T18:27:00.002-07:00

Self Portrait taken on Christmas day outside in the snow.

It's been a wonderful day: Quiet, lots of snow, good food, good company, generous and lovely thoughtful gifts...and now we are sitting here by the wood stove enjoying the darkness, the warmth and the feeling of contentment. We've talked with many of our friends and family members on the phone or via various cyber-interactions and we both have the same satisfied grin on our faces.

I doubt it will be a late night tonight...there might be some puzzle building, or quilt magazine reading...or perhaps I'll just sit here and enjoy staring out the window.

Who could blame me? :

I wish you peace and joy where ever you are.

Season Snap Shots

2008-12-21T21:44:00.005-07:00

Our backyard

The Road to "the Cabin"

It's been so cold here lately, that even the glacier fed Lake has steam coming off of it!

Terran, looking over the balcony at our local production of The Nutcracker

Bob and Terran...getting ready to go watch Sugar Plums!

My Niece Nicole, on her Birthday enjoying her "new" sticker book from her sister.

My Nephew Justin, on his little wooden rocking horse.

My Niece Sarah and I 'hamming' it up while baking cookies.

Maddy, our new friend (thanks Martha for making the introductions!)

"The Cabin" as it should look in winter

Karen, Terran and Martha hard at work creating works of art on sugar cookie canvas.

Terran, my Godchild, and ultimate Elf.

2008-12-20T21:35:00.000-07:00

This was our welcome home after doing a trip to visit some family and deliver some Christmas presents. While I can't say that it was WARM welcome home, it was a beautiful one. As soon as we pulled in the drive we jumped out of the truck with our cameras and ran around as fast as we could to capture the last of the afternoon light. (until my hands started to hurt from the cold and I had to go inside!) It's cold here tonight, and it will be cold for the rest of the week, which means that this beautiful snow will stay with us through Christmas, and once more we'll be blessed by the beauty of winter as we celebrate the birth of light into our world again.

Pale Moon Rises

2008-12-11T17:55:00.001-07:00

The moon rose over the Mountains just as dusk fell tonight...making for a glorious transition from sunlight to moonlight. It was a stunning day (near to or in the low 40s) In the next couple of days we are supposed to head down deep into the single digits and dip below 0 at night.

So how does one keep the house warm?
(Besides the wonderful fire place and large South facing windows you mean?)

You have a cookie making party!

This Sunday we're having friends over to fill the house with good smells, too much sugar, and lots of holiday cheer! If you have any "must have" recipes please let me know!

Now if I can just beat off this cold so that I can REALLY be a part of the messy fun instead of just sipping my chicken soup watching! lol

I wish you all the kind of warmth and joy that is created by spending time with others!

Blessings,

The Best Gift

2008-12-08T20:52:00.005-07:00

Its winter...or very nearly there...and my hope is that in the darkness and hunker-down feeling of the year that I'll be better about posting my thoughts, feelings, dreams and day dreams here. Sorry I've been so scattered...but all things in life have an ebb and flow and some times you just need to float with them.

I'm excited for this giving season. I love Christmas for many reasons, but my favorite thing is that I can give gifts with abandon and no one questions why. I LOVE giving things to people that make them smile, keep them warm (inside or out), and inspire them to think about how they can do the same to someone else...whether they know them or not.

To that end, should anyone want to give a gift to me...this is what I want this year:

Please go to your local charity of choice, or your local mall or Veteran's home or Assisted Living residence, children's hospital, etc....and look for a giving tree with labels of desires or needs for people who are alone or perhaps forgotten. Pick one (or four!) and full fill their wish. Nothing would make me happier than thinking of a smile on a stranger's face come Christmas.

Isn't giving the best gift ever?

Many Thanks

2008-11-25T19:40:00.003-07:00

I'm posting this as I prepare to travel with Bob to spend Thanksgiving with his family. I took this fun photo last week when I was visiting my own family and thought it seemed fitting as we all head toward large feasts and sports or movie watching to help us cope with our indulgences.

I hope that this week brings you more than your fill of love and family (blood or chosen) and that you feel rested, well fed (spiritually counts too!) and that you find small moments to pass it on to loved ones, and most importantly to strangers...the world is full of people who could use a little extra these days.

Blessings!

A Morning Meme

2008-11-20T07:01:00.006-07:00

A fun meme that I found on Lynn's blog this morning:
(I like that you can only answer with one word!)

1. Where is your cell phone? Table
2. Where is your significant other? California
3. Your hair color? Brunette
4. Your mother? Fiesty
5. Your father? Rascal
6. Your favorite thing? Kindness
7. Your dream last night? Faded
8. Your dream/goal? Health
9. The room you’re in? Dinning room
10. Your hobby? Art
11. Your fear? Intolerance
12. Where do you want to be in six years? Happy
13. Where were you last night? Town
14. What you’re not? Warm
15. One of your wish list items? Hammock
16. Where you grew up? Here!
17. The last thing you did? Slept
18. What are you wearing? PJs
19. Your T.V.? Off
20. Your pet? Critters
21. Your computer? On
22. Your mood? Grateful
23. Missing someone? Sweetie
24. Your car? Waiting
25. Something you’re not wearing? shoes
26. Favorite store? Quilts
27. Your Summer? Worked
28. Love someone? Always
29. Your favorite color? Blue
30. When is the last time you laughed? Now
31. Last time you cried? Forgotten

multi-tasking

2008-11-16T21:13:00.002-07:00

While helping set up my parent's new television set, one of the resident foxes wandered into the yard to look for crab apples. Somehow, I managed to grab my camera and take a couple of shots as I was also programing the television...thankfully the shots turned out ok, and the tv even works too!

It's always fun to get to spend some time with my folks on their farm. I love the quiet, the open spaces, getting to bug my dad, and playing in the best quilt studio and stash in the state! Mom's been helping me put together the gift I'm making for my secret santa recipient. So far so good! Tomorrow I get to quilt it and put it together...so hopefully things will continue to turn out well.

For now, I've got a stack of old quilt magazines to look through (that my mom doesn't need anymore) and the dark quiet before the moon rises to keep me company.

Hope reborn

2008-11-04T22:30:00.002-07:00

Tonight I am among those who celebrate a new direction for our country and how we interact with the world. I'm lifted and elated and happier than I have been in a long while. How wonderful that we have achieved this. And I look forward to the work ahead...and yes, there will be work involved.

My hope (or one of the many) for this land is that we find the courage to begin to listen to one another--especially those we don't always--or ever--agree with; and realize that it is possible to not agree, to argue even, and still have lunch, have tea, and take care of one another.

I ask you to reach out to those who are not celebrating tonight and listen to, and find ways to work together so that we are ALL headed forward.

Let change begin here. Let change begin now.

Blessings to you all.

feet on the ground, spirit soaring

2008-10-23T00:15:00.003-06:00

It has taken a while for me to feel as if I'm finally settled and 'home' after being gone for so much of the summer. After meeting a number of deadlines upon my return from my last production however, I think that I'm feeling "here" and not living in the transition anymore.

Autumn is in full swing, the snow line is creeping ever closer down the mountains, and I've had the opportunity to experience the BEST tea party in the history of world with my God Child last week, and had my Nephew (who hasn't seen much of me in his short time yet on this Earth), reach for me to hold him, hug him and then he fell asleep on my shoulder.

Bob is in California this week, and the house is strange and quiet without his energy here. My sleep patterns are all over the map as I revert to my night-owl ways...but I am getting some good cleaning and sewing done! Still I look forward to picking him up on Friday and having my companion home again.

With the onslaught of winter, perhaps my blogging frequency will also improve. It is not that I don't have any thoughts to share...I just don't seem to be connected to the computer when I'm thinking them lately.

Thanks to those who are still reading my intermittent babbles. I look forward to getting to read some of yours soon as well.

Blessings!

Where Love Is

2008-10-05T10:45:00.005-06:00

Yesterday was a busy day....but a glorious one. Susan, the owner of the wonderful quilt store where I work (glacier quilts) invited Bob and I to travel down to the Drummond Quilt show where my m0ther's work was being showcased as the 'Featured Quilter'. We didn't tell my mom that we were coming (which was HARD to say the least!) and so we had the wonderful experience of walking into the small school gym and hearing her cheer with delight when she saw our faces.

We spend the day looking at the quilts from the show, having a nice long lunch at a local country cafe, and then Mom, Susan and I sat surrounded by my mom's work and did some hand work as we chatted. I was so greatful to have the opportunity...I was grinning from ear to ear.

I was pretty impressed with Bob too, as there were certainly other places that he would have rather spent his full day than at the quilt show with a bunch of chattering women! lol...but his ability to appreciate the artwork and craftsmanship of the quilts in the show and his constant support of what makes me happy is a blessing indeed...and even my mom talked about how lucky I was to have someone so understanding and patient on our way home from the show. I couldn't agree more!

While we were down there, Susan also agreed to help get my mom's Grace Frame set up and running so that she could begin to quilt some of her larger projects at home. It is something that I know she has been wanting for some time, and it was wonderful to watch it happening all in one day.

I've always had a huge respect for Susan and her ability to do what she sets her mind on, but also for the care that she takes for my mom--she is always looking out for her, making sure that she's feeling alright and calling her on it when my mom is pushing herself too hard. Yesterday, it was wonderful to watch Susan in action as she not only set up the Grace Frame, but had organized dinner (and brought it with her) so that my mom wouldn't feel the need to fix anything or go to more work after a long day at the show. Thank you Susan....your kindness is not unoticed or unappreciated.

Today....is my Godchild's 7th birthday...and Bob and I are in for another crazy fun social outing as we get ready to head to what we are sure will be an entertaining (albeit loud) gathering of cuteness.

It is autumn, the sky has both clouds and sun today, the river is sparkling and the colors on the trees are like a living quilt, and I'm constantly reminded of the goodness of those who I'm lucky to share this life with.

Live is indeed good.

This....

2008-09-23T20:05:00.002-06:00

This is the beautiful site that met my eyes as I returned home today....home....really home...(as in not leaving again for any prolonged time for work). For those of you keeping count I had come home from Seattle just last week, but had to make one more journey (this time to Arizona for one last production).

I've had a long and busy summer surrounded by my friends and peers in the theatrical world...and now I am thrilled to be surrounded by my trees, the sky, the dusting of snow in the mountains and the colors of fall.

I'm so lucky....so stinking lucky.....;)