Summer Love

My little man sharing a kiss with his mommy.

Is that the sprinkler???

I just got sprinkled!!!

Now that he is armed . . .this could get dangerous!

I tried to get him to water the plants, but the plants don't run and scream like nanna does. Shooting everyone else with water was so much more fun!



And later . . .a little garden tour. Here we are, trekking through the wild tomatoes.



More picutres from my wonderful friend Vicki . . .

She has such a way of capturing the beauty and simplicity in each moment.

I love the summer.

I love the growth of the garden.

I love the warm sun.

I love looking at things through my grandsons eyes.

I mean - really. How many of us, as adults, would laugh and smile if we were sprayed with water from the hose?

Thank you, Cameron - for reminding me of the joy that exists in the little things right in my own back yard.

Don't forget . . .Saturday and Sunday, August 13 and 14, we will be a the West Linn Arts in the Forest in Mary S. Young park.

Come support local artists!

Looking with Fresh Eyes

 I have returned from my wonderful vacation with my friend Vicki -

I didn't go anywhere special.

I slept in my own bed every night and ate in my own kitchen/dining room - well at least some of the time.

But I did have a total break from my normal routine.

We It was great to have her visit from Canada. I look forward to her visits every year.

When she visits, it just feels so natural and comfortable.

We talk, we laugh, we do art, we solve the world's problems, we solve each other's parenting problems, we inspire and gain ideas for new things. . .

We went to the movies - like in a real theater with a big screen.  In fact we went to movies . . .TWICE!

We ate food at a Parisienne cafe, a Mexican restaurant, a Thai restaurant and even a local fast food place.

We went on field trips and to concerts.

We spent time pampering ourselves with massages and pedicures.

I coudn't have enjoyed myself any better if I had traveled somewhere.

Vicki is a fabulous photographer and I love when she visits-

she takes random pictures of things in my home and my yard.

I look at my house and my yard and I see all of the flaws -

the weeds in the garden, the dirty socks on the floor, the peeling paint on the deck, the places where something bumped against the wall and the paint in the living isn't perfect, the cobwebs . . .

And then she takes photos and shares them with me and I see it with fresh eyes.

I see the charm in the old bike I found at a garage sale years ago for $15 dollars.

I wanted a bike with a basket filled with flowers for a yard piece.

When I saw this bike, it wasn't as "vintage" as I had hoped, but the price was right and I figured it would work. I paid the man and he asked how I was going to restore it.

I told him my plan and he was not impressed . . .he fact, he was a bit disgusted.

It sat on the side of my house for several years, and we finally pulled it out (thanks Cierra), washed off the dirt and planted some flowers.

I love the way it looks.

My moon face man - I acquired him at a sale that we attended in Seattle a few years ago.

The artist makes these beautiful dolls and figures.

Usually when I think of "dolls", I think of . . .well - let's just say most dolls I would not feel a need to purchase and display in my home.

But these dolls . . .Yummy!

They all have enchanting faces and posable arms and legs.

This little guy has a head made out of a poppy-seed pod. His face is molded out of polymer clay.

I love him.

He is sitting on top of the world and looking out planning his next adventure.

OK - maybe not the world, but he is sitting on top of a hand-blown glass ball that looks as if a large tree is growing inside of it.

I saw the glass ball at a local shop and commented on how unique and beautiful it was about 5 years ago.

A little elf must have been listening - or maybe it was my daughter -

because it found it's way under our Christmas tree that year.

Both the ball and moon man are hanging from our light fixture above our dining room table.

Moon man likes to be in the center of the commotion. . .

The last time Vicki visited, we took a trip to the Anthropologie store.

Yes - they have beautiful clothes . . .but more than that - I love the way the store is decorated.

Their window displays and decor are total eye candy.

I snap pictures all over the store.

When we were there in November, they had the coolest garlands and mobiles hanging all over the store. They were made out of recycled colored paper cut in large circles and hanging on a thin string.

I came home and before the night was out I had made my own version. I used pages from vintage magazines and vintage postcards.

I tied the strings to a metal circle - the kind used to make dream catchers.

The mobile hangs in our living room and when the windows are open or the fan is on, it spins and dances.

I find myself staring at it sometimes, mesmerized with how it moves.

There are more adventures that I will post later -

but I have to say "Thank You Vicki" for helping me to look again with fresh eyes.

And now for a moment of personal marketing . . .

We will have a booth next weekend at the West Linn Arts in the Forest at Mary S. Young park in West Linn, Oregon.

It runs August 13th and 14th from 10:00 to 5:00 pm.

Great artists, entertainment, food - this is a good one!

How To Know When You Are Tired . . .

This has been a crazy couple of weeks and we are still moving forward.

We have completed the Sandy Mountain Festival - which was a great success

and the Gresham Art Walk - also a huge success.

Now we will be participating in the Estacada Art Days on this Saturday,

and then the West Linn Arts In the Forest in mid-August. 

Whew!

I know that I am tired - but I thought I was covering it up pretty well.

Until my husband pointed a few things out.

So how do you know when you really need a nap???

Well . . .

1. Your husband walks to the other end of you great room and you are totally unaware that he is still in the room.  Let me explain - On Sunday, I was in my kitchen prepping food for a birthday dinner for my mother. My husband had been in the kitchen with me and left.

I thought he had gone outside (in reality he had opened the door to let in some air.)

He instead moved to our couch. Our floor plan is that of a great room and very open. I can see the couch quite easily when I am in the kitchen. I asked my daughter where dad went. Both my daughters played along that they couldn't find dad for over 20 minutes! It took me that long to see him even though I looked in his direction several times.

Maybe I was just focused on what I was doing . . .or maybe I am more tired than I realized.  Hmmmm.

2. Fast forward to a game of dominos. We all know that we play dominos alot at our house. It is a bit of a weekly tradition - in this game, there are several rounds and you begin the round with seven dominos. I drew my seven dominos and organized them. I waited for everyone else and then I drew my seven dominos again. I organized these. 

Then I "woke" up and realized I now had 14! Not a good way to start a game where the ovject is the to be the first to get rid of your dominos.

Over achiever or tired????

3. Yesterday I had the day off. It was spent running errands, working on filling orders, helping my daughter get ready for a camping trip - you know.

We drove around in my sweet little Mustang - and although it wasn't very warm - it was warm enough to take the top down on my car. We came home, went in the house and continued on the various projects. 

This morning I woke up to realize I never put the top back up on the car.

And it rained.

Fortunately the car was mostly undercover and only got a few wet spots. 

But I was even more relieved to realize that the neighborhood bully cat had not "marked" his territory in the interior of my car. 

Whew - dodged that one.

And nothing was missing -

Am I very trusting of my neighbors . . .or tired???

There are many other things that have occured this last week - but I think you get the idea. I am greatly looking forward to next week when I have a vacation -

a week that will be spent with a dear friend of mine.

We will vacation right in my home town - but we will spend our time going to hear live music, thrifting, being creative, laughing and there will definitely be some quality time lying around and watching the clouds drift by.

I can't wait.

In the meantime - have a great week everyone.

Summer Season . . .Here We Come!



New product . . .yard stakes!




In their "natural" habitat.

We are actively gearing up for summer sale season - which begins this weekend! I have been painting plaques, lazy susans and mirrors and  prepping prints, finishing paintings and adding a few new items to the mix.

This year we are adding yard stakes!

Every year I am asked if my art is suitable for outdoor use - so I decided to make some specifically for that purpose.

A little garden zen . . .

I have to admit, that when my husband and I began talking about this, he asked me . . .

"Are you sure these won't be too "country?"

I tried to make it a point to keep the bright, whimsical style with positive affirmations.

Now we wait and see how they are received!

Other than that - life has been moving along just fine.

We have finally started to get some weather that actually resembles summer.

My garden is growing every day.

The slugs have backed off and aren't making a feast of my veggies.

We had a wonderful 4th of July -

we spent it with friends and watched fireworks from their backyard.

Harry Potter comes out in a week -

yes! I am a junkie.

Don't judge me - :)

I just completed an exteded long weekend and was able to spend some time doing daily meditations while watering my garden.

This simple habit is one of my favorite summer time rituals.

A rebalancing of my day and life.

I must say, that since returning to a "full-time" day job, one of the things that I miss the most is my

morning watering routine.

Yes - I can put on a sprinkler and water my garden. But I have always preferred to hand water.

To stand outside, barefooted, hose-in-hand and water each plant and flower pot.

I feel the sun, listen to my windchimes and the local birds.

I pull a weed or two and share the fresh greens with the chickens.

I grab a few berries off of the vines.

In fact - I often find myself spending longer than necessary because it so relaxing and meditative.

Ahhhh - summer.

I am glad that you are here!