Finding light

I picked a handful of our blackberries and topped a dutch babie I baked with them along with some warmed fresh peaches. Unfamiliar with what a dutch babie was, but remembering the tempting photo in a cook book, I decided to try the recipe. It's so simple to whip up and comes out something like a light popover/souffle/cake. Yummy, we liked it and think it's worth making again.

Yesterday we walked around the wetlands and I took a few film shots that came out well. But I have to say, I don't know what happened to this roll of film I just got back. There were nearly 14 shots that were entirely clear on the negative. Has something like that ever happened to you? Did I just have my settings way off? I'm not usually that off. Or was it a bad roll of film? Bad processing? Camera problem? The part that makes me saddest is that the shots that didn't come out are of dear friends. Makes me feel like I've really lost something to not have them. I mean, why couldn't this shot of the blackberries not have come out instead? I think the film roll knew which images I would most treasure and had a mean plot against me. Film can be fickle like that right? So today I loaded up a different camera with a different kind of film. And I believe I'll be sending my film off to somewhere else now.

Here's a new painting entitled "finding light" from last week. I've been working in the abstract as of late.

How's your weekend been?

H

the good list

Hi there,

First, thank you, to each of you for taking time to comment and cheer about the book progress. It's so nice of you, and I really appreciate hearing your voice and interest about this project. It's truly encouraging to me!

Yesterday I hit a point where the high humidity just started to get to me, I was getting grouchy, thinking why do I always have to live someplace where it's so humid? Anyway, internal rants aside, I told myself to snap out of it. It helped me to write a list, "the good list" of specific things about the day that were good, that made me feel positive, for which I could be thankful. Here's a select few:

* make a loaf of bread

* hug (or smooch!) someone you love

* be an encourager

* be honest

* buy yourself a little treat (yesterday's treat- French mint soap)

* read something inspiring

* listen for the quiet sounds under the noise (like the sound of your cats crunching their food)

* look up to the sky and say thank you

* say thank you again

* wear your favorite color (yesterday black, today purple)

* wear lip gloss

* cross something off your to-do list and feel good about the accomplishment, even if it is small

* remember a loved one who is no longer with you

* go for a bike ride

* say hello and smile to everyone you pass

Now if I could be in the habit of journaling a list each day!

. . . . .

Here's a nice "In the home studio" interview with Stephanie.

And lastly, we're sharing memories of our grandparents with Shanna this week as she spends precious time with her grandfather. I share about my grandmother on her blog today.

Thanks for stopping by,
H

Sneak Peek - Water Paper Paint

Good morning!

Today it's an honor for me to share with you a few peeks inside my book, Water Paper Paint, Exploring Creativity with Watercolor and Mixed Media which releases January 1, 2011. This project, which is still going, has been nearly a year in the making. Last summer the executive editor for Rockport Publishers/Quarry Books, Mary Ann Hall, approached me with an idea. Through many conversations, exchanging thoughts and ideas, planning, writing, making, photographing, and everything ten times over, etc., here we are. This stage feels to me like a beautiful culmination of it all. Seeing the ideas come together and turning actual pages is so exciting!
I am very grateful for the hard work of my good friend Rachel (the photographer), Mary Ann, the artists and contributors who share their talents, and for the individuals who have been and are currently proofing, editing, and designing this book. Many hands help give shape to these ideas and the folks at Quarry Books have made this a truly great experience.

In other news, here's a couple great things to check out today:
habit has a treat in store for July which you can be part of and a new joy + ride is up.

Today I will be reading through each page and marking up the pages with a colored pen! Wahoo!

Thanks for stopping over, more soon!

H

just some good stuff

Look what arrived via FedEx today! The first set of layouts of my book! I'm so excited to see it on actual paper, not just in my head or on the computer. It's becoming a real tactile thing! In the next couple days I'll share a few sneak peeks, so I hope you'll check back!

Other little bits:

This weekend I finished reading "The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake" by Aimee Bender, which I'd reserved from the library. I read it in under three days, it was that good. 

We're swimming in cucumbers from the garden, all from volunteer plants. Last night we mixed up a little cucumber salad with dill, which M. really likes. Also we grilled slabs of garden broccoli and marinated squash, nice and easy when we finally decide to fix dinner after dark, 9 o'clock.

Progress on the house reno is moving along bit by bit. Our front porch, gone. Old front of the house, mostly gone. New sheathing, going up.

We could have kept the most adorable cocker spaniel puppy we met this weekend.  Her name is Honey and she's a sweetie.  But since we just spent an arm and a leg taking our three cats to the vet last week for their annual check-ups I said eh, maybe now's not the right time.  But she was pouring the cuteness on thick.

Jan is hosting Summer Colours Week all this week.

I'll return in a day or two with a book preview!

H 

this moment

This is the view across my table this afternoon, with new work brewing, full palettes, and sunlight streaming through the skylights. This morning I decided again (seems like I have to remind myself of this) to make note of moments (little or large) and not take these days for granted. Last night I found out a dear gentleman neighbor of ours from down the street passed away. He used to jog down our alley regularly, say hello, talk about gardening, how our building projects were progressing, art, his granddaughter, etc. He was such a kind person, a friend to everyone, always eager to check up with people, and M. and I also knew his daughter in school. It is amazing how even people whom you don't know super well make an impact on your life. I am sure he inspired the lives of many.  I miss him already.

And on another note, a little bit of book news : My editor just sent me a preview of my book layout and next week I will have actual pages in my hands! Is it silly to say I cannot wait to see it?! Certainly this is a moment to take in. Hopefully I'll be able to share a teensy peek with you too.

Celebrate something this weekend ok?

H