Weekly Wrap Up

A few things from the week that I found thoughtful, inspiring, funny, poignant or just great:

Thoughts and wisdom of Maxine Peake

I don't have any 2 year old boys in my life, but if I did, I would definitely knit this. Maybe I will anyway, it's just so cute!

Have you ever seen flowers this beautiful...or this gigantic?

The false economy of not making has some great points and encouragements if you're afraid of failing.

I would love to hang out here!

The most incredible paper art I have ever seen by Myriam Dion

Weekly Wrap-Up

A few things from the week that I found inspiring, funny, poignant or just great:

Perserverance and the "slow churn" of creativity and if you liked that, you might like this book. I know I'm intrigued.

Perfect Summer Salad | Limoncello and Balsamic Strawberry Victoria Sponge Teacake

I've been looking for a little something to spruce up my bathroom a little.
I think these just might do the trick.

Puttin' these on my list for a special corner in my kitchen.

Have you seen these photos? They just might change how you think about this tiny creature.

The life of Oliver Jeffers.

Inspiration Saturday

Seen at my one of my favorite coffee places

TONS of inspiration in these mood boards.

I don't know quite why (although comedians are my favorite people), but I'm addicted to this. Wanna get some coffee?

Amazing and beautiful

The daily routines of these writers

What to do when you don't feel quite good enough This is brilliant!

Inspiration Saturday

 Really enjoying this song

How about breakfast with one of these?

My affirmation lately: "Something is now manifesting for me in totally satisfying and harmonious ways."

Have you heard Thandie Newton's Ted Talk?

Oh yes, this is luscious.

Nothing is more important than self-care. Nothing. Check out this list of 55 gentle ways to take care of you. Or make your own list (even better because nobody knows what you need like you do) and share a few of your favorite items in the comments below.

For those of you in the path of the storm, real or metaphorical, take good care and be safe.

Inspiration :: Make Good Art

I recently saw this video of Neil Gaiman giving a commencement speech. What he shares resonated with the truth that lives inside me...even as I struggle to breathe it, think it, and live it, everyday. That struggle is the Truth of the creative life I've chosen and that so many of us have chosen. So I wanted to share it here because honest truth-telling and inspiration from others who are living it is helpful. Make good art.

Take Care...

Somewhere along the line during the past couple of months, I got a little "off". Have you ever had this happen? One minute I was doing well, enjoying my moments and feeling inspired and then a few minutes couple of months later I {suddenly} realized that I felt bored, stressed, tired and uninspired. What happened? I forgot to do what makes me happy and enjoy my moments. I got caught up in doing things for everyone else and taking care of the daily grind...and there's no inspiration in that! So here I am eating a plate of one of my favorite rice dishes and drinking a glass of chardonnay for pure enjoyment and determined to make June the month to get back on track. My prescription:

• Enjoy my moments; have fun no matter what else is happening
• Be creative (even if all I'm making is breakfast)
• Enjoy radical self-care 
• Look around and see all the beauty around me
• Express my gratitude 

Food Inspiration

In the middle of all of the gray, dreary and cold weather, I'm feeling a little, well, gray myself. Right about now, the lack of color  is making me wish I could just hibernate until the end of winter and the sun starts to make the flowers bloom again. So, I went looking to find something inspiring...and warm. Look what I found:

Courtesy of Smitten Kitchen

Spicy Soba Noodles with Shiitakes from  Smitten Kitchen. Soba noodles, cabbage, shiitake, edamame and chili paste. Spicy sounds like just the ticket to me to warm both body and soul.

And how about this hot chocolate recipe from Seven Spoons.

I absolutely love chocolate and cinnamon together. And the espresso powder adds another kick. Another thing I like about this recipe is the fact that you can tweak it to your liking.

What comfort foods inspire you?

Finding Peace in the Busy-ness

"In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. 

Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways,

and they're still beautiful."
~Alice Walker

With my busy schedule and all of the family, home and work obligations, I have found it a challenge lately to balance my creative endeavors...let alone blog about them. I have so many creative projects swirling around in my head and heart trying to find a way out. Providing them the path is my job.

I used to go to the beach to clear my head. But now that I live hours from it, that's not possible. And while I miss it terribly, I have had to try to find other places to go within nature that clear the cobwebs and fuel my soul with inspiration.

I have recently found this beautiful park not too far from my home. Now that it is spring, the perennial garden is blooming and is absolutely gorgeous. So many shapes, colors and varieties of plants. So much inspiration. It's pure enjoyment to walk among all of the beautiful plants and flowers in the late afternoon. It's also just as enjoyable to see others enjoying it as much as I do.

Inspiration

Spring is here and tulips and daffodils are beginning to peek out and pop up. I love the arrival of Spring!

I don't quite know what it is about Spring, but it is always inspiring to me. Maybe it's all of the color that begins it's vibrant display. Maybe it's all of the new life that begins springing up everywhere. Whatever it is, fills me with joy, awe and appreciation and with the desire to create and make things new and fresh.

Lately, I'm feeling the urge to paint and create some multi media projects. I've spent the winter learning to knit and I'm still working on my socks. I'm on the home stretch now and glad because I can feel my heart getting ready to express something new. I've got to go and get me some new colors of paint and some fresh canvases. I'm also looking forward to planting some flowers and plants and a small vegetable garden in my backyard. 

Mmmm. I can almost taste all those luscious fruits and vegetables now.