Friday's Quote

I woke up this morning feeling a kid on summer break. The next eleven days are work-free days, with no alarm clock going off and no real plans. It's during these stretches of time, that life slows down and time takes on a different meaning.

I'm looking forward to enjoying some of the 'lazy days of summer.' Sleeping in a bit, art projects, outdoor markets, a trip to the beach, cold glasses of lemonade and whatever else feels right in the moment.

 'And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees...I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.' F. Scott Fitzgerald

Lavender Grace

A while back, my mom called me one night and asked if she could purchase a few jars of lavender hand scrub for her friends. Delighted to have an order, I of course said yes. At the time I didn't think much of it, but during one of our lunch time chats, she told me she had a little something for me and to remind her the next time we saw each other.

One of her friends has diabetes and wound up losing her foot and part of her leg. I can't even imagine what that must be like. As part of her recovery, my mom had given her a jar of the lavender scrub and a second one when she used it up. She used it to keep her hands hydrated and feeling nice after her hands took a beating from using her wheelchair. Throughout her recovery she told my  mom what a comfort the scrub was. The scent, the feel and the thought - knowing someone made something for her that aided in the healing process, both mentally and physically.

This wooden sculpture by Willow Tree named, Lavender Grace, meaning 'May all your senses be filled with healing grace' was her thank you to me for making something that brought a little hope and relief to a trying time.

I'm incredibly touched and humbled at the thought, especially considering all she has been through and to in turn, think of me. Lavender Grace now sits in my studio as a reminder of how we can heal one another even in our darkest hour.

Friday's Quote

Do you ever wonder who you were in a previous life? Sometimes I think I would love to know, and other times I'm quite sure I already know.

This knowing comes from the way a place feels overly familiar as if I've been there before, and yet, I've never been. The way I'm innately drawn to certain things or interests since childhood, but with no real roots or familial ties to it. To me, these feelings are our souls' ''cell memory'' -- a pathway to remembering who we are. In essence, who we have always been. How we were created.

This is how I've come to be comfortably, happy moving forward with the great unknowns in life. Astronomer, Carl Sagan said it best, when he said, 'I don't know where I'm going, but I'm on my way.'

Field of Flowers

A few times a week, I pass a field of purple flowers. No matter the light; dawn or dusk, no matter the weather; sunny, rainy or foggy, it captures my attention. And each time I pass, I think to myself, one of these days I seriously need to snap a few pictures before the farmer mows down the field. 

One night last week I was on my way home and noticed the light couldn't have been more soft and pretty. I drove home, picked up the camera and headed right back out [luckily the field is only a minute from the house]. Before the battery died in the camera - go figure- I was able to capture this purple field of flowers in all its evening glory. 

As of late, periwinkle, violet and lavender colors are working their way into my personal color palette [how ironic this color is not already one of my colors given my obsession with dried lavender], which is typically made up of pale sea greens and blues. It's a secondary color that compliments this palette well, but I have to wonder what this subtle shift is all about. 

Colors have such a powerful way of conveying emotion.  I do believe it's time to check my Colorscope and get to the bottom of this. What's your Colorscope?

Nifty Thrifty

[Mary had a little lamb......I have a little chair] 

This cutie is destined for a new home, but I couldn't let it go without a photo shoot in the garden. As you may have noticed as of late, I can't get enough of old, fun furniture, fabric and do-dads that are up-cycled. The ideas are endless.

[scrabble Necklace made by one of my crafty friends] 

There has been a super nice stretch of weather here. Warm, breezy days and cool nights. People all around just seem to be in great moods and more energized by this ideal weather. With all this new found energy, I swear there are more garage sales around town than I have seen in quite some time.

[peas in pod velvet pin] 

Poking around other people's stuff, has really gotten the juices flowing on things to make. It's a long list, but one I'm looking forward to.

Happy Weekend!

Living on the Edge

Don't get too excited about my living on the edge [wink]. We're talking furniture makeovers of these fun finds and potentially sending them back out into the world, all spiffied up and ready for a new lease on life. This is a huge step for me to work on a piece of furniture and then sell it [versus keeping it]. 

This secretary desk is whispering, 'please paint me using a two color, shabby chic palette.'  

And even though this dress form [for years I used to call them Maidenform's - ha - not sure why] has seen better days, I was head over heels happy with the find. Ever since reading about the Core art show project out in L.A. a few years ago, I have been inspired to work on an art deco version of one. Not sure what my theme for this pretty is going to be yet, but when she's ready to get all gussied up, she'll let me know. 

Morning Light

Do you ever wake up feeling as though your soul has just returned from a far away place? A place of respite, visited while you were sleeping leaving you refreshed and centered. It's one of those mornings. 

I headed out to visit one of the local pick your own farms, hoping to capture the morning light, but they were closed. I was equally happy walking around the yard with Jax capturing the morning light...

...my shadow...

...lavender ready to bloom....

...and Jax eating his bone in the yard. 

Friday's Quote

It's a sweet summer day here. The kind of day with crisp cool air, sunny blue skies and a sweet smell in the air that collectively melts away worries and lets you believe that all is right in the world. Moments like these don't come often enough for me, but when they do, they are meant to be savored. What an important reminder to live in the moment.

'Happiness, not in another place, but this place...not for another hour, but this hour.' - Walt Whitman

A Torn Heart

Not sure where the time goes, but I have to apologize for being an absentee blogger. The days are flying by with house projects, art projects and life in general. A few weeks ago I stumbled across this picture and it captured my attention.  A scruffy Shih Tzu with glasses -- crack me up. My husband loved it so much he made it our dog's Facebook profile picture [I know, I know. Don't get me started. It's all Arte's doing]. 

All kidding aside, it turns out it was a bit of a prophetic moment. My little guy has been having a hard time finding me in another room when I call him, not able to see the toy in front of him and even finding the little pieces of food that falls on the floor when I'm cooking. It's been a slow and gradual change, with a noticeable decline within the past week. 

With a vet visit this morning, we now know he has cataracts. Sigh. My heart broke to hear those words. He is partially blind with only peripheral vision. It is likely he will go blind without surgery. The up side is that dog's can lead a 'normal,' happy life being blind in a stable home where furniture and rooms stay the same. They know by heart where things are in the house and are able to function without difficulty. 

Not being able to attend the visit with him this morning, I was eager to get home and be with him. In my head, I forgot that he has been living with this and nothing new has changed from his perspective. My furry friend and first love, greeted me at the door with lots of kisses, tag wagging and nuzzling, ready for a treat and a little play time.

Whether or not we decide to pursue surgery is yet to be decided, but the one thing I've learned from my Jax is how resilient one can be. This, along with his love and loyalty has and continues to teach me some of life's greatest lessons.