Sabrina Ward Harrison’s first book did just that and I went on to purchase everything she’s ever written. Love, love, love this girl!

I was so excited to learn about her art retreat here in Portland. I’m all signed up—’Just what the doctor ordered to unwind after the job-finding whirlwind…and a chance to do my art thing before my school year starts. She has such a free-flowing, let yourself go way of doing her art. I find that my creative process is a bit rigid…probably because so much of it is in Photoshop. I’m ready to let loose with some paint and collage! Maybe even get some on my clothes—gasp!

Happy week, Lovelies…I hope your summer is beginning sweetly.

OX.

I adore Kimberly and to see her inspired is a work of art. She’s going to an orphanage in Uganda (which her mother has set up) to help and is now in the process of raising funds for these children. I wanted to share the details of the auction she’s having on her blog next week for this cause.

* * * *

Reply

Forward

* * * * *

I’ve been working on the our little sanctuary behind our house. The huge evergreen trees back there provide such a lovely spot to sit and cool off in the summer. Some pluses about NW summers: zero humidity and few mosquitoes. I was also looking to create a table where we could linger with friends over summer meals…it all started with this little guy from World Market:

Compared to the Sundance catalog (where I first feel in chair love), these were a huge bargain and I used a coupon….awesome-sauce.

I expanded the seating quest and looked for a table that could literally weather the storm. The World Market tables did not get good reviews, so I ended up going with one from Tar-jay. It was an “online only” deal and came quickly and was easy to put together. Love you, Tar-jay Boutique.

Oh, Happy Day in my yard!

My Mother’s Day present from 2008 is in the background behind the table.

We’re finally getting salad fixings! I love eating from the garden…makes me feel so Portlandia.

The lounging area was the project of the summer of 2009 and I still love the bright colors.

I’m maintaining my zest for all things cheerful and bright. I don’t know about you, but I find myself annoying when I go hog-wild with a décor theme or color and then veer in a different direction. So far so good…I even got these happy versions of the stacking chair to go on my wrap around porch.

Can a person have a yellow period like Picasso and his blue fixation? If so, I’m in the middle of one, for sure. I’m working on a project for the porch that’s got PH’s panties in a wad…it involves hanging Missoni patterned (black and white) curtains from every post. His sideways look worried me for a minute, and then he said the magic words, “Yeah…I’ll help you hang them.” Love that man!

All things summer are finally heading our way and I am one happy camper. Sylvia, the ’73 Airstream, is almost done (can’t wait to show you!). We’ve got some serious adventuring in the next two months before my new career begins with full force. I plan on sliding into home in late August with dirt all over clothes and big popsicle stained mouth. Until then, I will sit here with family and friends and take in the sweetness.

How ’bout you, Lovelies? Any family trips getting you excited? What’s on your summer horizon?

OX.

via Anna Heimkreiter and “Wandering Heart”

Sorry to be MIA.

It’s been a whirlwind here!

My girls have their big district championship track meet today and we are gearing up for a celebration. They’ve both worked so hard. I’m a proud mamma! My youngest begins an elite track program and based on her mile time (5:31!), she might be doing some US travel this summer to compete nationally. ‘Loving watching her passion for running and knowing that it could be life-long.

My aunt, who was the coolest person you’ll ever meet, passed away and I’m heading out East to her memorial with my dad and bonus mom. PH is holding down the fort. I’m feeling heavy-hearted for her children and grandchildren…they will really miss out on an amazing grandmother as the kids grow. Life can turn so quickly…it’s got me thinking. My aunt was a model in the 60′s—even got on the cover of the glossy, Mademoiselle . She was a class act with so much style…I loved being around her.

* * *

I wanted to share with you an upcoming book and movie my college friend Erik Wahl is releasing. I’ve written about him in the past.

He is truly an incredible person and has created a creative existence for himself that is remarkable (and it all came during the recession when he was being downsized). So proud of him and his message.

The book will be out June.

Can’t wait to read it!

The movie looks pretty intriguing as well. Go Erik!!!

UNTHINK – the official film trailer from The Art of Vision on Vimeo.

I am busy wrapping up all kinds of life this month, considering I’m having a complete career change. I’ve got one killer photography studio sale scheduled for July 14th. Email me for details if you’re in the area.

I will have some fun finds for you the next time we meet

Happy almost summer, Lovelies!

The rains have come back.

With force, dare I say. How can there be so much moisture in one set of clouds? I wanna say it’s been raining consistently (either pelting or spitting) for four straight days….at 45 degrees

I want summer back, please.

* * *

I’m trying to see this weather as an opportunity to get things done at home and the studio. I know full well what the fall will entail….teaching is a ton of work (that I will love, I’m sure), but I’ve got a list of things to get done before we arrive at that spot. So I hunker down and crank up Pandora.

I like to listen to Madeleine Peyroux when it rains. Her voice is like melted chocolate…running over the edges of the dark day.

This is my favorite album…you know you play something a lot when your kids groan from upstairs, “Not this one again.” I love it anyway.

What’s your rainy day music, Lovelies? I need a collection for rotation in my classroom.

Happy long weekend! I hope you enjoy some nice fam down-time.

OX.

OVER…it’s so lovely not to have to do text on images in Photoshop after downloading…the fonts are super cute too.

So…this week in images:

New kicks…for some reason I’m really into yellow right now. Miz Mooz shoes are definitely a luxury, but I will have these forever.

The flowers have been gorgeous around here lately. We have had unbelievable amounts of sunshine and you know how I love it when the big ball in the sky comes to play in the NW.

I mentioned here that my word was RELEASE for 2013. Having a bit of a tough time remembering that, but thankfully my buddy Heidi gave me this as a visual.

On a morning run last weekend I noticed these lighter needles on the evergreens on our property. They are fresh, new and full of promise…kind of like I’m feeling right now. Growth is good, right?!

**********************************************************************

This picture was sent to me by my ex-Pat friend, Lisa, who is currently galavanting around Shanghai with her husband and kids. I love her Instagram shots—so much color! She snapped this of PH and me before they left and it makes me laugh out loud every time I look at it. Mind you, he’s 6’6” and I’m a shrimp, so go figure. Lisa said in her email,  ”Next time we will put you on a booster chair and jack up the camera!”

I’m feeling so much more relaxed now that I know what the future looks like.

Teaching, I’m finding, is like breathing for me.

I love it…had forgotten how much these little beings add to my life. Why did I wait so long? Ahhh….I know that everything I’ve done up to this point has been of value. It’s all a means to an end, for sure—that is one thing I’ve tucked deep inside this heart of mine. Such gratitude this week—it’s seeping out everywhere!

Love to you, Lovelies~

OX.

Yippee!!!!

Hello, third graders…I’m your new teacher…Mrs. Blair.

Relieved and happy.

Thank you for all of the prayers and good thoughts.

***************************************************************

Some fun finds pour toi:

~ Thinking one of these might be necessary in my Elvis room. It is an Elvis room, after all.

~ My dogs are so naughty that I’m contemplating putting a montage of these together.

~ This photographic artist is simply incredible. Coolest composites ev-ah.

~ I’m totally doing this in my classroom. I have this little guy and he works great!

~ A viral video spurs a debate…I think it is a good discussion.

~ I think this designer is a genius and if I could do this in my house, I totally would.

Happy almost-Friday to you, Lovelies~

OX.

happy happy happy

A downward dog here…a tree pose there.

Then months of stiff board-like movement without an ounce of stretching, with my mat gathering shredded cobwebs in the corner.

Sometimes you turn to something out of sheer necessity (like troubled knees and a bad back) and somehow it seems to stick. I’ve been doing this video (which is so perfect because it has ocean waves—ocean waves!—-in the background). I found it on Vimeo and listen to Zev’s soothing voice every morning at 5 a.m.

It’s been 10 days of doing it every day and I can tell the difference in my back. I ran four times this week, which is usually pushing it, and I felt great. I especially like the soothing breathing exercise at the end. I could definitely get used to this.

The other little friend I’ve found is the Rocket Blaster.

Strangely, I saw it on an infomercial (something I usually don’t get sucked in by) and the idea appealed to me. I’ve been using it for a little over a month and it really supports the back when I do sit-ups. Sit-ups are usually quite uncomfortable because of my lumbar issues, but so far so good. (and you can get it at Wal-Mart,  of all places!)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

My kids are in the middle of track season right now and to say that I’m proud of my girls is the understatement of the year. My youngest runs a 5:31 mile and is currently beating the boys in her grade (6th). She is gearing up to take districts again (all after two broken bones in her leg in October) and I live to watch her run…she is so focused and disciplined. I couldn’t be more proud. The fact that I’m volunteering as team photographer is a special bonus because I get to be on the track when the runners come in…hence the finishing tape shot below.

Then there’s my lovely older kidlet who is throwing super well in the shot put and PR’ing in the 400…but even more awesome is her ability to cheer on others on the sidelines with wild abandon (especially her sister). She is such a sensitive person with a knack for making people feel good. I love her heart.

These middle school years are producing such good stuff…so thankful for all of it.

Hope your weekend was wonderful, Lovelies. I will be wearing a path in the carpet this week, waiting to get word on the teaching job. ‘Praying it’s sooner than later. Thank you for your kind words and continued emails of encouragement—you are appreciated and loved!

OX.

Found them on a great site and ended up getting three so I can rotate them during the day (especially in the classroom where I’m finding it impossible to read anything smaller than an eraser head). It’s really quite amazing how fast your eyes can go.

Amazing as in:  appalling. 

I think I have too much pride to hang them from a chain around my neck…gotta wait a few years before I do that…ah, vanity, you silly thing.

***************************************************

The lesson went well this morning at my final interview stage for the 3rd grade position. It revolved around Crimes Against Punctuation (my own design). I am so exhausted. Lots of practicing and ulcerating, but I feel really good about how it went.

There was a cape involved.

 ’Nuff said.

Now the waiting begins. My favorite part! 

But I have decided something. It wasn’t hard to do….

Because there really isn’t any other way, is there?

How ’bout you? What are you running towards?

Happy Mom’s weekend to the lovelies~

OX.

My dad sent me this video and it made me cry. This teacher gets it and does such an awesome job of communicating what “it” is. ‘Truly inspiring as I sit here and wait for my fate. It will be so lovely to know what the immediate future holds!

**********************************************************************

I hope you’re all having a wonderful spring. Some of you have snow—what the heck is that?! We’ve been having incredibly lovely (and unusual) weather this past week.

It makes me so happy.

Still room in our Ignite the Heart retreat May 17th-18th. Deets here.

OX.