Thank you for my lovely gifts...

personal teapot & handmade inspiration

Women: Soheila

I have the great fortune of being surrounded, and I mean surrounded, by amazing women. My mom and three sisters, countless female cousins, friends and teachers... I really mean surrounded.

Over the years, many, many of these wonderful women have moved to far off places in the states and abroad. Every time one left, my heart grew a little emptier. It took a long time for my stubborn expectations to allow me to see anything positive about this loss. Expectations are a serious thing that sometimes keep us unable to move forward and grow...

Today, each visit from one of my far away ladies leaves me a little richer in laughter and tears and love and experience. I treasure these moments and try hard not to place expectations even on these visits. I try to enjoy each of these moments and put them away like little treasures

where there used to be empty spaces.

Today I wanted to highlight this beautiful lady, Soheila.

We have worked together and traveled together...

We've shared milestones and celebrations...

We both married Taurus men (this alone is a bonding experience, lol)...

We are comadres (her son is my godson)...

She was one of my first art teachers, setting up still lives on her kitchen table while she cooked and took care of her two beautiful babies...

Today, I celebrate this lady,

And I get to see this lady!

My empty space grows smaller and smaller :)

and I'm still playing catch up here...

I feel like I started out strong with this blogging thing. I was organized, excited and motivated. I would jump out of bed in the morning and go straight to the computer to create or publish a post. Now, days go by and I am consumed with countless tasks that have derailed my previous organization and enthusiasm for blogging.

I know that when the to-dos list starts to grow, I slowly but surely become a bit overwhelmed and some things have to take the back seat.  I can only focus on a few things at a time and currently that time has been given to home improvements, doctors appointments, going to class and working on assignments, daily chores, life... My goal is to complete the house stuff, school stuff and doctor stuff by the end of April; making more time to enjoy this space. In the meantime, here's a quick glance at some of the things I've been up to :)

Sketches for next oil painting assignment

Trips to antique stores and workshop studios 

for my decorative arts class

New travel sketchbook

Painting backgrounds on pages

Trying out a new smoothie recipe in my Vitamix

Chai spice + almond + coconut breakfast smoothie

You can go here for the recipe. Delicious and filling!

A Glorious Day!

The high was 61˚F today. I took a long walk and bought flowers. I also bought some carrots, eggplants, and mushrooms to sketch (then turn into something yummy to eat). It is almost 6:00pm and the sun is still shining. I hear birds chirping outside my window. The hubby and I are popping out for some guacamole and chips...

It is a glorious, glorious day!

Hydrangea

Protea

I am on a sunshine HIGH!!!

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Happy Year of the Goat/Sheep

Last year's celebration included Chinese take-out and a table setting courtesy of my 3rd grade classroom decor.

Snow Day!

It wasn't the blizzard we all prepared for, but there was enough snow out there to keep me indoors. So, I made a crafty day of it.

I have neglected my embroidery for quite some time. So, I pulled out my secret stash of fiber and thread, and planned out/started some Valentine's Day projects.

 Before I knew it, it was passed 3pm. Perfect hour for some tea and ...

Season 5: Episode 4

The rest of the day was spent sewing, tidying the house, preparing dinner, and spending time with the hubby.

Crafty Christmas Gift

Just a fun, crafty gift for my nieces and nephew...

Purchased at AC Moore

Small pads of printed paper $2.99 each.

Wooden cut outs $0.29 each.

3-D Glitter Glue in red, green, silver, and gold, $1.00 each.

Ribbon from my secret stash of crafty stuff. 

Now they can make there own paper ornaments. :)

Christmastime

It's taking me a long time to get anything up on the living room and dining room walls, which can make our home look quite bare. But, at Christmastime, the greenery, the lights, the red and white ornaments... they really make the place feel so warm and inviting.

Greenery, candy canes and red garland.

A favorite ornament, a gift from my niece and nephew.

Ornaments collected over the past five years from a variety of shops.

A cozy nook that seems to have been made for this tree.

JOY!

Fall Flowers

My photographs do not do these flowers justice, but I had to share. I love flowers... 

and I love, love fall.