i'ts a spring thing...

  Lately, I cannot seem to stop myself from grabbing Hart's camera and wildly snapping away at all the new things popping up in my yard. They are a total and complete surprise because I did not actually plant them.

 As the story goes...the seller who sold me this house was a whimsical and wacky landscaper who seemed to throw seeds up in the air and wait to see what happened next. Of course, this is me coloring the story with a sweetness that was not part of the buying and closing process. The seller and I...let's just say we don't speak.

 However, I feel a strong nurturing urge to pay homage to his green thumb even if only in a blog he will never see. At least I can forgive him in prose and pictures...and believe me I do think forgiveness is the order of this day as I watch the sun blazing on my unbelievable red Japanese maples in the yard.

 I am lucky. I work to pay the bills, yes, and I have an amazing support system which includes my sister sweetly leaving strawberry plants on my porch, But I am blessed with an abundance of good soil, and happy plants and trees of which I am simply a humble onlooker. The magic in my yard moves me especially because I hardly know how to turn on the lawn mower, much less to make a ginkgo tree grow and prosper.

so I thank you, Mr. Gardner, and the sun, moon and stars for granting me the time and space to enjoy my tiny patch of Earth on loan. Who knew watching grapes grow could fill my heart with song and an utter longing to be free and wild just like the child I still am.    
Happy Magnificent Earth day!

x, y, z & ordinary things

Today I just felt like posting something light and breezy, so here is a row of paper flags from my ever growing paper scrap collection. I simply cut out triangles with fancy edged scissors and folded them over the twine with a little glue.  When I walk in my art room I see little miniature kites in a cornflower blue sky.

I also felt like writing a list of 'loves' in celebration of Valentine's week... 

I LOVE:

• when the huge Carolina moon lingers over the hazy indigo mountain tops
• the wondrous amount of love that circulates through my life 
• the moment when the perfect paint color reveals itself
• the stunning acoustic guitar music in the world
• looking forward to a long awaited trip to the ruins in Mexico
• the day after a great yoga class
• a simple walk home with a friend
• when you know you have helped soothe someone with your words
• quietude, grace and gratefulness
• the beauty in ordinary things

winter green

*all photos taken by me :) unless otherwise noted

Not to seem crabby, (even though my astrological sign is Cancer) but I usually find it extremely hard to feel 'sunny' in Winter. I get inspired for a few hours here and there, like when the house is clean, or when Hart is making me laugh hysterically and sweetly...but overall, I am a creature of Spring and Summer. Give me color or give me sleep! So this year I am honing my skills towards loving what is winter. I must admit, the hidden gem that I have found this Winter is time. I have more quiet pockets of time because I am not out chasing the day for yard sales, social events or daily hikes. Instead I find myself curling up with the early darkness and letting myself feel its natural limitations. We are supposed to slow down and feel the inward hush; or at least feel more cozy.  I feel lucky to have finally found this piece of the puzzle. Winter beauty. Winter quiet. Winter green.

small things

I have always loved small things. Small things remind me of magic, of slowing down and drinking in the details of beauty. What stumps me lately is that as time speeds up and work fills in the spaces, I find it more difficult to cultivate and keep this magic...as if now, I am only an occasional visitor to these little worlds. When I do get the chance to visit, it feels like coming home. When a collection of objects and images stir up memories of living in Hawaii and loving mermaids, or a group of words give me peaceful pause, I know I am present with the joy of the moment.  Altars put my inner musings out there; they dream it to be. They make me feel safe, alive and joyous. Anything can be an alter as long as you feel love for it or it transcends you momentarily. I hope these altars find you dreaming and being at the same time.

*first image: postcard of "Blythe" by Gina Garan

First timer

When I was in third or fourth grade, my teacher had us study Japan, specifically Mt. Fuji comes to mind. We had to take recycled glass bottles and make our version of cherry blossom trees using pink wadded up tissue and twigs. I remember taking this task very seriously and painted a little picture of Mt. Fuji on my bottle and carefully glued my little flowers on the twigs and Voila! For some reason I have always wanted to try this again. So...here is my latest attempt with glue gun, awesome paper from Michael's and some branches.  Fun to do... could make a unique gift. I want to call these branches 'Bot-bots' (short for Botanical bottles). Who knows if I will create more twigs; these busy days, I am feeling good if I can even day dream about doing a project. Enjoy!