Thursday, August 29, 2013

The gift of YES

I promise myself so much every year.

"This summer I will sit in the dappled shade of the cherry tree and paint." But I never find time.

"This is my year for kayaking and sketching the moon jellies."
"And making my own leather travel journal."
"Cycling across our little valley."

But somehow it doesn't happen.



But this year it was different.

I said yes!
Yes, please.


And if you've noticed my absence here lately, that's why.


Munch a ripe peach and let the sweet juice trickle down my arms?
Why yes, don't mind if I do!

Roast another marshmallow? Meander in the garden? Cycle at sunrise? Adopt a puppy?
YES! Why not?


I cycled. Sketched. Painted at the beach.
Snipped under the apple tree.


Kayaked into the sunset. Sketched and sketched and sketched.
Baked a dozen pies. Probably more. Ate more than my share of each and every one.


Lettered all day long without stopping.

And so much more.

Best summer of a lifetime.
Why wait to give ourselves the gift of that one little word...

YES.


Was this the summer you gave yourself the gift of yes?

Let us welcome in an autumn better than any other.
What's your plan? 
Let's plan it, do it, make the dreams a reality.


Make this autumn the one we tell ourselves yes!

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Painting plein air in the garden...


Summer painting in the garden is the very best of all.

This afternoon it was strawberries!
 I sat beside the alpine strawberry plants so cheerfully mounded in the garden.
They have lasted weeks beyond the cultivated types.

The piece I painted today isn't finished yet, but oh, was my mouth watering for one of these pastries I ate in a French bakery in New York...
And yes, I did lick my fingers!


I've been busy in the studio and will be posting more crafty DIY videos- it has been far too long since I pulled the old ones down. These will be quick and easy little things you can do in minutes- such a satisfying way to craft.

Friday, August 2, 2013

The ordinary extraordinary


"The only difference between an extraordinary life and an ordinary one is the extraordinary pleasures you find in ordinary things." - Veronique Vienne


Isn't she right?
And wise?



Oh, the thousands of pleasures of everyday life!


"Is not this the true romantic feeling- not to desire to escape life, but to prevent life from escaping you?" ~ Thomas Wolfe


Let's vow to savor the moments, the ordinary, extraordinary little moments.

They are the things of which eternity is built.