Gifts from the Sea

The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.
 - Jacques Cousteau

 My favorite souvenirs are shells and rocks, gifts from the sea and from nature.  They remind me of the beauty that is all around and of the grace of imperfection that can be found in a cracked shell that has been gently worn as it tumbled through the salty surf year after year.  I have bowls, vases and shelves with rocks, sea glass and shells in every room of our house.  In my spring cleaning and reduction of our possessions I thought that perhaps I could cut down on having them in every room and combine some of the smaller collections all together into one display. 

Some of my photos did not turn out as well as I intended because I did not realize that the setting was set for portraits requiring a tripod (oops). 


To create a Shadow Box Collection of Shells you need:

·        8" x 8" shadow box from a craft store that has a secured back (some of the shadow boxes now have a magnetized door).

·        Your favorite sea shells, sea glass, rocks, found treasure etc.

·        Black fabric or other black filler material

Ø  First remove all of the packaging from the shadow box, remove the backing from the shadow box frame and clean it inside and out very good to remove all dust and fingerprints.

Ø  Next lay the frame face down and arrange your favorite shells face down on the glass.

Ø  Continue filling in with others shells and rocks until you cannot see the clear glass any longer.

Ø  Then fill the remainder of the empty unseen space of the box with black fabric. I did not have any black fabric handy but I save every scrap of ribbon and year’s worth of Victoria Secrets ribbons filled the case.

Ø  Throughout the process you can place the backing to the frame back in place and hold it securely with both hands to see how much the shells shift and add more shells as necessary.  I did this about 4-5 times until I felt it was full.

Ø  Lastly secure the shadow box backing back onto the frame and it is ready to hang.  

The frame also looks lovely displayed on a flat surface such as a coffee table or book shelf as well.  I plan to hang mine in my bedroom as part of another project that I am working on.

Looking Forward and Backward

I have been everywhere except for here lately.  I have missed this time but every time I have tried to write I find myself wanting to reach for a book, or google a question I had, or make a call, or return an e-mail, or make a list, or run an errand, or make dinner.....and on and on I have been flittering to and fro and feeling very fragmented the past few days.  We are fixing up our home and looking for a new one and there is of course the everyday life in between all of that too. Sometimes I just let it all overwhelm me too much.  Sorry that I have been away but I will be back soon.  I need a long bath and nothingness time.  I need to let my worries go in a whirlwind fashion down the drain after a long soak.  I need a few minutes of silence and nowness to myself.



October 2010, Washington State



This picture reminds me of the soothing water, of looking forward and backward but I know how very present and alive I was and how I felt in this picture.  



It was a morning of awaking before dawn and trespassing onto private party (oops) to watch the sunrise and to our surprise to see sand dollars and star fish. Sometimes looking backward and forward can be so very good for us.  It is remembering who we are and where we come from.  It is remembering how far we have come and how much further we want to go. It is anticipating what is to come with child-like excitement. Right now I just need to settle into this moment though. 

I am so thankful for this moment, for this place and for being able to write.  The writing lets me get it all out.  I dump everything onto this white canvas and I feel like the words are tea leaves and I swirl them around until I read my heart. 

Until we meet again. XOXO

Lucky

I feel lucky for this morning as I awake with no alarms,
just the sunshine and my body deciding it is time to rise.
I feel lucky realizing that we have both outlasted our previous models
and time frames and notions of how long love could last and that we are still
in love with one another.
I feel lucky that when I cry and whine to you about some utter nonsense
that is a result of me being too tired or too sensitive or both that you patiently listen
and reassure me once more.
I feel lucky that I was born to the caretakers that raised me and comforted me and taught me how to live and even swatted at my legs with switches when I was ornery or bad but mostly turned a blind eye to my often reckless nature.
I feel lucky for my deepest friendships that have weathered adolescents, and college, and distance, and jobs and husbands and babies; changing as we grew and continue to grow into the women that we are.
I feel lucky to find four leaf clovers in the early morning while stumbling in the back yard with the dog that is my sweet shadow.
These 8 petals of green life remind me of what is good and true and free.
I pinch myself and whisper...... this really is your life. 

Week 5~Get Your Paint On

Week 5 of Get Your Paint On took me into weeks 6 and 7 for completion.  I think this one took me the longest to paint because I honestly had no idea what on earth I wanted to paint, because I wanted to try to incorporate pretty papers into the piece (which I had never done), and this piece seemed to require a lot of time to sit and steep.  The fact that this took me 3 weeks to paint does not make this a staggering work of genius either-I realize that.  This piece is rather simple in fact.  It did however allow me to play and experiment and really listen to what I thought should come out of this and that for me was simply wonderful.

Here is the evolution of the piece from painting that first coat of petal pink, to thinking I would cut out a design that I would incorporate into the piece (it inspired swirls) that led me to cut out a simple heart instead, to a sketch in my idea book of a heart and grids and words, and from landscape to portrait and laying more paper on top of it all.  Even the original words that came to me originally when I sketched out the idea grew into new lines of their own. 

I don't know that this painting is really done yet, but what I remembered from this process is that neither am I.  I truly believe that we are all works in progress and that everyday we have the opportunity to grow, stretch, and move in new ways...ways that change us...ways that give us those ahhhhh ha moments.  Sometimes I forget this and am thankful for the reminder this painting gave me.

Get Your Paint On meant so much to me and was just what I needed.  I cannot thank Mati and Lisa and all of the my lovely class mates enough for sharing your talent, inspiration, kind words, ideas, skills, and camaraderie with this beginning painter. I cannot wait to meet up with everyone again in the fall for part 2!!

While our class is over, I am inspired to continue painting and hope to share more with you in the future.  I have an idea for two paintings that I want to paint for my bedroom that I plan to begin within the week.

Spring Blooms

Spring 2011 from a brief Sunday morning adventure

Spring reminds me
that life is good, even
a little great,
and filled with trees of cotton candy blooms.
I am mesmerized by little honey bees
dancing from bloom to bloom,
dizzy and drunk on long awaited nectar.
I find myself a little drunk and open mouthed too,
thankful that spring can leave me
gaping and smiling, and feeling
tingly all over.
Spring reminds me of the magic in the world
that awaits me when I pull back
the curtain and open my eyes.

Spring 2011 from a brief Sunday morning adventure

Weekly Delights

Ahhhh daylight savings time and also the morning Butters decides she needs to get me up at what was 6:30 AM before this Spring Forward business.  That is how I felt when I first got out of bed.  Then I enjoyed the absence of noise, the pinkish sky, coffee with cream and time with my journal, and knowing I had time to get in this post before the day gets ahead of me.

This week my biggest delight was spending time with Alan while he had a break from school.  The beginning of the week was filled with movie nights, the middle with to do lists made and a few items checked off, and the end with house hunting online in preparation for tours next week. There were also many other bits and lovely pieces in between my days though.

• My heart swelled while cooking dinner and overhearing snippets of conversation between my Mother and Alan talking about my maternal Grandmother.

1906-1998

 They were upstairs and I was on the main floor getting dinner ready.  I let gentle happy tears flow down my cheek as I heard Mother compare my heart to my Grandmother's and I giggled as they laughed about how I dirty up every spoon, bowl, plate, utensil, etc. in the kitchen while cooking just like she did.

• I made this for dinner one night. 

Spanish Roast Chicken (Source)

The gremalada was yummy and the chorizo was sweet and smoky with just a hint of heat.  Overall I would do this recipe again but not for a while.  It was the chicken I bought though and not the recipe.  I bought a chicken labeled as an oven roaster and it had a strong flavor all of its own (maybe gamey I don't know).

• My oldest niece had an art showing nearby and I got to spend some much needed time with my older sister and nephew riding to and from the showing as well as catching dinner at a timeless little pizza restaurant.  My niece is very talented and I was honored to be at her event.

Holly's Art Work

• A post from Mighty Girl made me stop and think for a bit about how I am living my life.  Her post essentially boiled down to " Is this part of who I want to be, or who everyone else expects me to be?"  I made up my own question after reading this post: "By whose rules am I living my life and why?" 

• This quote from Joseph Cambell also reached out to me this week and had a similar message.     We're so engaged in doing things to achieve purposes of outer value that we forget that the inner value, the rapture that is associated with being alive, is what it's all about.

• I also enjoyed listening to Adele this week and her soulful sound.  She seemed to be everwhere I turned this week.  I like how Rolling in the deep builds up and feels like a soundtrack song.  Ah, soundtracks...that is for another post all by itself. 

• If you have not heard of Brain Pickings yet you really must got check them out! As their website clearly states, "Brain Pickings is about curating interestingness — picking culture’s collective brain for tidbits of stuff that inspires, revolutionizes, or simply makes us think. It’s about innovation and authenticity and all those other things that have become fluff phrases but don’t have to be."I just got my weekly newsletter delivered to my inbox this morning.  You can also sign up to get a weekly newsletter summary of their weekly media mining.  Great stuff here!

The coffee pot is now empty and the day is getting ahead of me so it is time to be off and running with the doors flung open to the spring air and bird song.

Wishing you a magical Sunday full of sparkles and sunshine.

Before and After

Oh Saturday morning with the sun shining (and promises of a high of 66 today) how I love you.  It feels so good to be able to sit down in my own space and write again.  I have missed this space this week and the creative outlet that this blog is for me.  I love gathering bits and pieces of my life and the lives of others that I discover and taking photographs and finding other photographs and putting it all together here to share in this online journal.  I found a class of sorts yesterday on art journaling that I would like to take and posted on the owners blog that I had never done art journaling but in my own way that is what this blog is (for me). 

In case you don't know, Papa Bear (that is my pet name for my husband) and I are planning on moving soon and are in the process of preparing our home to go on the market.  My job these days is to do as much possible to get that done.  This week was going to include many projects but only one was accomplished.  I had a section of a wall that needed the wallpaper removed and re-hung due to water damage.  Now all along I have been saying that we had enough wallpaper to do this because when I looked under the cabinet where I kept the left-overs I saw two rolls.  Guess what?  One roll was a roll of all pieces.  So one wall turned into one room.  There are some things you should keep in mind when removing wallpaper too.  Know what kind of paper you are dealing with.  I almost destroyed one wall before we realized that the paper that was up could be pulled off removing the top design and leaving a rough thin sheet that contained the adhesive.  That rough thin sheet came right off when sprayed with warm water.  However, before I knew this I spent hours spraying one wall trying to get the water to go through the wallpaper and this was just not that kind of paper.  On another note, I also found this week that simply posting a note on facebook and asking your online community for advise is awesome!  I got several tips on removing wallpaper and my favorite one was "If the wallpaper was put up properly, it's a snap. If it wasn't, you'll need a bottle of wine ... and some Kleenex for your tears."  I also referred to these sites that were helpful as well: 
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/getting-to-know-wallpaper-removal-techniques.html and  http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/how-to-remove-wallpaper-patience-is-a-virtue/index.html 



Before



Old Wallpaper

Thank goodness for the helpful capable hands of my sister-in-law who volunteered to help me put up the new paper.  She is a pro at stuff like this but I know she was glad when it was all done (about 8 hours later). I was going to wait and post pictures after I hung up the towels and put back in the plants, etc. but then remembered I still have not posted before and after pictures of the kitchen because I am still trying to figure out what art work I want to hang in there. We still have to caulk around all of the trim and paint it too so it may be a few more days before I put everything back in there.  So without much fan fare here is the after. 


After




After Close-Up (showing texture and color)

 It is neutral, but I really love it.  It has a nice texture and was simple to hang because there was no matching required.  If you have ever hung wall paper with an intricate pattern, you know what I am talking about.

I also have wall paper envy for some wallpaper that I saw over at Black & Spiro yesterday.

Wallpaper from Black & Spiro Design

I think something similar may find its way in a future powder room some day.  I think this is like stepping into a magical garden

Just a few things...

Source

I wanted to check in lest you think that I have forgotten this special place.  I am still finding my way around and determining what to write here, what exactly is appropriate and how much do I want to share.  I actually share a depth of emotions here, but I want it to feel safe, for me and for you the reader, and more than that I want this space to bring us both light.

                                                                                                                                

So to catch up on things I have been working on my last Get Your Paint On painting for 7 days now.  Working is really a stretch of the word as it has been sitting more than being worked on.  I was almost finished with it last night when I became unhappy with words that I was painting and rubbed them all away.  For now the painting sits and I will get back to it later.  It is so different from the other paintings and I am looking forward to sharing it...when I get it finished.


Alan is on Spring Break this week so I am enjoying being able to have conversations with him and hear him laugh again.  He has quite a bit of pressure on him with these last two classes (Calculus 2 and Linear Algebra) on top of working full time.  He works so hard and goes-goes-goes all day long from 7 AM until after midnight every night.  This break could not have come soon enough and I am enjoying this week with him and the extra minutes in the day we have together.  We have watched Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson and Freakanomics  Both movies serve as a reminder of the magic that some poeple possess to see with a special eye into this world and for lifting the veil for the rest of us to catch glimpses of what is real.


I have also been working on my resume and preparing myself to re-enter Corporate America.  There have been a few gentle reminders from the Universe that I have some waylaid lessons to learn in preparation for this re-entry and for my journey in general. There has also been the reoccurrence of the fair weathered friend named Fear.  Fear's visits leave my stomach and spine in knots.  I really do hold my breath and all of my body in check and so writing these words I breathe in deeply and then exhale slowly releasing some of the pent-up particles that have accumulated.  The difference I see today is that I am not trying to push fear away (although I want to), but today I am looking fear in the eye and asking it what it has to tell me.  There are lessons here.

So while it may be quiet in this little corner of the world for the next week, I will be back and will check in as time and inspiration allow to share a few words or pictures.

Short and Sweet

Source

Tonight I am borrowing from artist Candy Chang and her Before I Die installation.  In her words, it is about remembering what is important in life and about turning a neglected space into a constructive one where we can learn the hopes and aspirations of the people around us. 

I was very moved by this and how it prompted me to acknowledge my own list.  It is kind of scary throwing these kind of thoughts out into the world, but also so very liberating. 

Before I die I want to walk the Road to Santiago.
Before I die I want to see the Aurora Borealis.
Before I die I want to write a book.
Before I die I want to travel to Greece.
Before I die I want to learn to play the violin.
Before I die I want to make a difference in my community.
Before I die I want to travel through Africa.

What do you want to do before you die? 

I've Got a Confession

Happy Pants (Source)

For the fashionista's out there this will be no less than a crime in your book, but I love overalls.  Yep, overalls.  Several years ago I saw that Eddie Bauer carried them in tall and I bought 2 pair!!  I had never been able to find a women's pair that fit me (I am 5'11") and all of the men's that I had tried on before did not fit right.  Anyway, I bought a pair in olive and a pair in denim and lived in them around the house and sometimes outside of the house until other's in my life told me I needed to ditch the look.

I rediscovered my overalls recently when I was cleaning out my chest of drawers and I decided that the olive pair would be great for painting.  When I started doing the tile work and painting in the kitchen I wore them constantly.  Now that I am working in the yard raking leaves, pulling weeds, cleaning out flower beds and just generally mucking around I find that I am wearing them once again. 

So while I can think of at least two people in my life (Kendra and Jeff) that are shaking their heads now if they are reading this and wondering how I could be their friend or sister, I still confess my  love of the overall and here are a few reasons why:

• Comfortable-They do not constrict or tug at any part of my body at all. The loose fit of what is basically a onesie allows for easy movement. 
• Durable-They are work worthy and I am not talking about the office here.  These things can handle all the paint, grime, and dirt in the world-this just gives them more character.
• Character Building-I feel like a gardener, or a painter (of walls or canvases) when I wear these.  Slipping on the overalls is like slipping into a character.
• Practical-They have tons of pockets that are big enough to hold a tape measure, a spade, a pair of scissors and a cute little loop for a hammer so whatever you need is close at hand.
• Happy Pants-They make me feel so happy and carefree, like a little kid again somehow.

So fess up, what article of clothing do you have lurking in your closet that you just can't imagine parting with but may have been told you needed to get rid of?

Harmony

Photo Source

This morning I sought harmony; a balance, neither light not dark, but perhaps a shade of green.  Green for growth, for life, and for energy.  I sought a haven where all of my parts and thoughts are welcome and present, nothing right or wrong, just present.  These were my thoughts as I realized that today was the day I must start meditating.  Not thinking about it, or planning to do it, or trying to do it and finding excuses.

It took me 2 hours......  

First I needed to write and pour out thoughts that were floating around in my head.   I then attempted to do a seated meditation.  Our dog, Butters, jumped up on me wanting to play.  I took her out for a brief walk.  Then I read some about anxiety and meditation in order to get receptive to the idea again.  I again attempted a seated meditation and again was disturbed by Butters. So I went and got her a raw hide bone which I think is the equivalent of sticking your child in front of the TV. She was mesmerized and focused. I closed the door to my office and tried again.

 I did three different seated meditations, two concentrating on my breathing and one allowing myself to be aware of all the sounds and sights around me while still being aware of my inner self.  I was getting there but still not feeling quiet and relaxed enough.

Then I thought, why not look for a guided meditation on You Tube.  Ta Da!  I also decided to lay down instead of sitting up. My feet were planted on the floor with my knees about hip width apart and palms facing up and my head was resting on a pillow.  This felt the most natural and with my feet planted and knees up.  I not only felt rooted to the earth but also felt there would less chance to fall asleep.  At one point, towards the end of the meditation, I did let the knees rest together and that felt perfectly fine too.

I really enjoyed this guided mediation.  It is right at 14 minutes and concentrates on the chakra's.  The guides voice was soothing for me too. At first her accent was distracting but that went away quickly as I was swept into the breathing and focus inward.

Here is the guided meditation that I used today if you are interested in trying it.

Because I Need Freedom Now....

Just wanted to share this song with you today....I do believe I found my new theme song.  I realize this song has been out or a while now, but it took a  while for it to find it's way to me.  I hope it brings a pep your step and gives you a fist pump too!

Magical Pair

The Moon and Venus

This morning I awoke around 4:30....restless....with my pillow weighted in thought.  Images, words, colors, ideas, past hurts, love, and confusion all fighting for a solo in the melodrama of my waking. 

And then I rolled over and saw two bright lights in the sky. 

A sliver of a golden moon and Venus to her right shining high in the sky.  This is the moon of my childhood, when I thought the sliver was God's fingernail and that God was trying to point out something to the earth with that fingernail.  Was this the reason for my waking? 

I got up, made a cup of tea and waited for the moon and Venus to rise higher....just above the trees.  I stepped outside into the cold damp morning and greeted the dawn quietly and thankfully and somewhere in my mind I wondered who else was startled from sleep by this magical pair. Who else was up greeting the morning and staring at the same sight with different eyes but a similar heart?