guest house

i've been feeling a little tired and melancholy. maybe a late afternoon nap or brisk walk down by the river or these yellow beauties will help brighten this snowy overcast day. as i sit and watch out my window, i'm admiring the sun for her persistence in trying to break thru this dark cloud that has been my companion as of late.

this being human is a guest house
every morning a new arrival.
a joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
welcome and entertain them all!
even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably.
he may be clearing you out for some new delight.
the dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

~ rumi

mister snowman

the snow is glistening. i'm loving this white day.

what are you loving today?

this tornado loves you

march has definitely made its bold and furious entrance. there has been an abundance of blue sky and sunshine and many little teases of a warm, glorious spring coming. but the wind...the wind. cold, fierce gusts blowing the clouds in circles. a force of nature soon bringing...snow and more snow. as if winter does not want us to forget her. its time to snuggle back in knowing nothing lasts forever.

and while i wait...i'm listening to this amazing beautiful album.
over and over again.

on my wall

yesterday, the wall above my computer became a whole lot brighter. i count myself extremely lucky to have collected these paintings from some of my favorite artists.

every year art access gallery hosts its 300 plates fundraiser and exhibition in may. last year, 82 established and emerging artists were invited to create a work of art on a 10" x 11" recycled metal printer's plate. the first painting hung is $65 and each painting thereafter increases sequentially in one dollar increments. its an incredible way to purchase an affordable and favorite piece of art. i'm eagerly anticipating the show and possibly adding a new piece to my art wall.

left to right:
{ lindsay frei - sitting duck
{ doug snow - earth and sky
{ steve larsen - out pour

her show

a perfect night of celebration. congratulations chels!
the show will hang until the end of march. so, if you missed opening night be sure to stop by coda gallery soon.

+ more paintings and photos.

forty days

today...a little early spring cleaning in the yard, a walk down by the river, pausing to view an amazing rainbow and eight geese swimming upstream in a perfect line, finding not one but two lucky quarters, enjoying a late afternoon coffee....and celebrating the first day of lent. forty days (really forty six until easter) without sweets and instead lots of the above. please, wish me luck. i can only dream of sugar plum fairies dancing in the land of sweets.
what are you giving up?

pure lovely.

+ inspiring me and making me happy:

my amazingly talented friend, chelsea james, is opening next friday night at coda gallery in park city. this is a small glimpse of the many beautiful landscape paintings she will be showing. i love her colors, mark making, layering of paint and especially the emotion that each piece evokes. i am so excited for her and can't wait to attend. please don't miss this one, february 27th 6-9 pm.

also, her lovely website.

be mine, all mine

dearest family & friends,
happy valentines. i hope you all have a day
filled with joy, laughter & of course, LOVE.

find your heart and give it away.
my heart is with you.

OXOX

sweet dreams

i will lay my head with you until the day i die.

plenty to share

"all love is sweet, given or returned."

-- percy bysshe shelley

his day

happy birthday my sweet love.
had you not been born on this seventh day of february, who knows where i would be. everyday, i love you. twelve full years of laughter and tears.
i've loved it all. may all your wishes come true!

punxsutawney phil

"the bright sky above me shows my shadow before me,
and six more weeks of winter it will be."

prediction on gobbler's knob in punxsutawney, pennsylvania

finding winter

"love the winter. don't betray it. be loyal.

when the spring gets here, love it too--and then the summer.

be loyal to the winter, all the way through--all the way, and with sincerity--or you'll find yourself high and dry, longing for a spring that's a long way off, and winter will have abandoned you, and in her place you'll have cabin fever, the worst.

the colder it gets, the more you've got to love it."

~rick bass fr. winter - notes from montana found http://www.kerismith.com/blog/

juicing

i'm making an honest attempt to include more fruits and vegetables into my daily meals. oh, oh how i love treats...especially in the evenings. goodbye candy, cookies, icecream. i might only enjoy our love affair on rare occasion.
the euphoria eventually has to subside. right?

me and mr. mishkie

in 2008, i learned (and i'm still learning) to take a moment each day to raise my arms up high and smile at the sky. [thanks jen]

my life is filled with countless beauty and gifts. on my journey, i hope to move through this world a little more slowly with plenty of grace and peace. the mysteries of 2009 are beyond imagining and if we listen to the voices of our hearts they will be real and true and rarely what we expect.

warm wishes to you.

everyday

my favorite breakfast.

happy, happy

happy new year to you!
i'm eager to begin this year 2009. hello, hello. its nice to make your acquaintance. its time for some small and big changes to grace me....a reawakening, a rebirth of creative energy. i have high hopes for more time spent in the studio painting and maybe even a new camera.
may all your dreams come true.

(2009 banner a gift from shanna and betsy at hellohandmadepaperie.etsy.com. thank you!)

merry, merry

merry christmas to all and to all a good night

tradition

i have so many fond memories of spending the weekend before christmas with my sweet grandma. we would bake dozens of the most delicious cookies to share on christmas day. i know my very favorite was her batch of springerle. a centuries-old, anise-flavored german christmas cookie made using a decorative, carved wooden rolling pin. and my second favorite, for sure ..... sugar cookies. i just love the frosting and the sprinkles.

its a marshmellow world