art journal page…watercolour and ink

New Growth surrounds me right now.  Spring bulbs are pushing up through the earth.  The buds on the clematis and the rhododendrons are becoming bigger and fatter every day and the pussy willows are very close to opening.  New growth is self evident for those who take the time to look.

To some extent I spent much of the last year and even the year before and the year before that, looking inward and focusing on my own growth.  I was digging deep, turning the soil, planting the seeds…asking the big questions.

This year I feel very much in tune with the new growth that’s pushing upward and outward.  There's a quickening, an eagerness and an excitement about life...life in general and my life in particular..that’s pushing through and I haven't felt this for a long time.  It feels good...really good.

It also feels very right to be here in this much cooler and decidedly wetter corner of the world this winter, rather than in the sunshine of Mexico. The spring growth seems to more accurately mirror my own inner awakening.

It’s a happy day for new growth.

I’m slipping a Friday end-of-the-week summary in here today too...

Seeing …outside:  overcast, with varying shades and tones of greys and greens…so west coast winter!  Also a flat of cheery primroses to plant in pots this weekend

Seeing…Inside:      A fresh bouquet of mauve and white tulips.

Hearing:     Molly was very excited this morning as “Poppa” played hide and seek with E.  Molly knows they’re playing the game as soon as they start counting.  By the count of three, she is already over the top excited and starts running around, barking and ratting out the the hidden person. She kind of ruins the game but it’s also kind of funny. 

Tasting:  The gastronomical highlight of my week was a breakfast sandwich at a local cafe/bakery/farm garden called The Roost.  Laugh if you will, but OMG, I really, really love their breakfast sandwiches; they use their own organic eggs and they actually grow their own organic wheat, mill it and bake everything they sell with it.  I have mine on rye (also their own) which I seem to be able to tolerate in small doses.

Feeling:     (see above re: new growth)

I am Grateful For:     My weekly online webinar with Victoria and Eloheim.  That hour and a half of down to earth, step by step wisdom and guidance has taken me from 0 to 90 in the last two years…well, maybe not quite 90 but definitely 85!  Mr. I and I (that sounds just a little too cute) are going to Sonoma, Ca. in September to gather with others for an Eloheim retreat.  Sooo looking forward to it.

Have a lovely weekend everyone and thanks to all who stop by.  Sending you happy thoughts of spring and new growth!

To be beautiful means to be yourself.

You don’t need to be accepted by others.

You need to accept yourself.

Thich Nhat Hanh

Wishing you a day of beautiful love…a day of knowing your own true beauty.

I haven’t joined in with Bella’s 52 Photo’s Project since the New Year…now that I actually think of it, it was more like mid-December when I last participated…and I’ve been itching to get my camera out and play around, so today I did just that.

The theme for this week is “love notes”.  I dug out a book that I bought at a thrift shop a few years ago called Routledge’s Complete Letter Writer for Ladies and Gentlemen. by Arnold Villiers.  It doesn’t say what year it was originally published but it was updated in 1952.

It covers everything from how to write a letter to reject an unwanted suitor…to how a mother should write a letter to her daughter at boarding school to say she has had a bad report from the head mistress…to how to answer an advertisement in the paper for a lady type-writer (not typist), and every other conceivable reason one might have had to write a letter in the 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s. 

It’s fascinating to see just how much our culture has changed in the last 75 or more years…we’re so much less formal and the art of letter writing has all but disappeared.  Today, unwanted advances are likely discouraged via voice mail, email or (horrors) even Facebook.

I’ve been watching Masterpiece Theatre’s series “Downton Abbey” (which I love!) for the past month and these letters remind me of the formality and “correctness” that Downton Abbey portrays in the Edwardian era in the UK.  I’ve heard that the BBC who produced this series, is quite astounded at how popular it’s become in the US and has actually sent someone “over” to investigate the phenomena.

I also read a review where it was suggested that WW1 was the end of an era and at that time people felt like they were on the brink of change with something very new and very different about to happen in the world...and that people today can identify with that feeling of great change lying just around the corner.  I think there may be some truth to that but as pure entertainment, I love the characters (especially Maggie Smith's character) and the costumes, as well as the history.  If any of you are watching this series…what is it that you most enjoy about the show?  (just doing my own little survey here )

Thanks so much for stopping by…and if you ever need to reject an unsuitable admirer, just let me know and I’ll send you the appropriate letter. 

The bone structure of the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, January, 2012

This will be the first winter in over 10 years that we haven’t travelled south for a least a short break in the sunshine.  Most years, we’ve been fortunate to have at least a month in the sun and sometimes two. 

This year we’ve decided to stay home for several reasons but the main one is family health concerns.  Interestingly, neither Bob nor I are minding that we’re not at the airport today with suitcases packed and passports in hand (as our original plans would have had us).  I had thought that I might be feeling just a teensy bit pouty…but no, not at all. 

While walking this morning, I was thrilled to see snowdrops popping up through the earth and I’m already checking our own garden for early signs of spring.  I bought a potted pink hyacinth yesterday and I’m looking forward to the heavenly scent of it’s bloom.  These are the little things that I haven’t experienced for 10 years!  I know we have at least two months of winter left but somehow, it feels just fine.  I will miss the family and friends that we usually meet up with in Mexico and all the happy gatherings and walks along the beach, but the hermit side of me has plans for more art time as well as some writing projects.

I’ve been thinking about stories…people’s stories.  I believe that everyone has a story that needs to be told and needs to be heard.  You  have a story…I have a story.  We all have important things to say and we’ve all had life altering experiences happen to us and come to know "something that is true".  We’ve all learned so much in our lives and have much wisdom to share.  Not sure yet just where this is going or how it will play out but it’s percolating.

And no, unlike Andrew Wyeth, I don’t prefer winter but I’m thoroughly enjoying “the bone structure of the landscape”.  As for not going away for our two months of sunshine, I’m reminded of a quote a friend recently posted on Facebook…we plan and God laughs! 

And now here we are slipping (or sliding?) into February and 2012 marches on.  I hope that January has been a gentle beginning to the year (or maybe even an exhilarating one!) but at the very least, I hope it has somehow touched your heart with the enormous beauty of life.

 a (melting) icicle hanging from my father's roof

…Friday Fill-In prompts...here we go!

1. It's time to get back to warmer weather and bare roads so I can start walking again. I haven’t been able to walk for almost 2 weeks and it feels like I'll be starting from scratch…but I haven’t lost the desire!

2. Let’s get together soon and don't forget the fun and laughter!

3. I'm trying to live the truth of who I am.

4.  ______ was the last funny comment I received. I can’t remember the last funny comment I received but I know I get lots of them from Mr. I…he’s a sweet and funny guy! (love ya honey!) 

5. Please send good vibes and positive thoughts to everyone you see today (and tomorrow, and the next day….and the next…) We all need it!

6. I intend to live my life fully, with passion and wonderment, 'cause I'm in it for the long haul.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to eating a Shepherd's Pie that was made with love by an old friend, tomorrow my plans include saying a final farewell to a very dear lady and on Sunday, I want to be delighted by the snowy, wintery wonderland of the mountain passes while I’m driving home!

Words that are inspiring me today...

Oh yes,

these words are really speaking to me lately... 

...something to think about!

Have a lovely weekend dear friends!

The winter view from my fathers deck

I’m having a longer than expected visit with my father and getting a much bolder taste of winter than I usually have at the coast. This photo was taken from dad’s deck…a beautiful spot in the summer, overlooking the town and down into the valley. My parents moved into this house when I was just seventeen and I’ve sat on this deck…which catches the cool breezes in the intense summer heat…and enjoyed many an hour in the shade of the weeping birch tree.

Winter on the other hand, is not deck sitting weather and this photograph was the result of a very quick dash outside. It was snowing when I took the picture but I “enhanced” the snow with a texture from Flickr.

It’s no secret that I love words…especially in my artwork. I have a difficult time not including words somewhere. Words, both written and spoken, inspire me…they seem to kick start the creative juices. I read this quote today on the website of one of my favourite digital artists…Alice Popkorn. Alice’s digital art work is always inspirational and she often includes a link to a beautiful visual meditation video as well as an inspiring quote.

Another of my favourite photographers/digital artists is Dawne Boynton at Quidity 2 and French at Heart. This beautiful and dreamy piece is one of my very favourites of hers.

And I have to mention Jamie Heiden…oh, I am so in love with Jamie’s digital work…and she does it all with photographs that she’s taken near her Wisconsin home. I’ve sat and studied her work for hours and even wrote to ask her if it she adds any hand sketching/painting but no…it’s all done digitally. As someone who’s had some experience with creating digital work, it’s really quite amazing.

What I love about digital art is the ability it gives an artist to conceptualize and create “magic”. One of the first digital artists that I came across who captured a piece of my own creative heart with this particular style of magic, was Aimee Stewart with pieces like this, this and this. BIG sigh of bliss. (I realize there are a lot of links here but if you have a few minutes, they're really worth looking at)

Sending much love out to everyone and feeling great gratitude for all unknown blessings that are already on their way!

snow nestled in branches outside the front door.

After days of temperatures that were too cold for walking here in the interior of our province, today I decided to pick up my camera and brave the chill to look for beauty, for astonishment and delight.

I didn’t have to walk far…as soon as I stepped out the door, I was immediately astonished by the temperature (-19C/-3F), awed by the beauty of the whiteness swirling around me and utterly delighted by two silent deer standing mere feet from me.  Breathe…breathe deeply.  Wide, wide grin. 

As I stood looking at the snow falling, it struck me that what seems to be disharmony or chaos whirling around us, can actually be seen as movement making way for newness, seeing new patterns, new ideas and new possibilities emerging.

We had a full weekend with family and have now settled down to the quiet of companionship with my dad for the week.  The freezing temperatures and chaotic road conditions encourage gathering by the fire, telling stories and drinking copious amounts of tea.  There is a sadness present here too, as a dear and treasured friend of my father, makes her transition from this life.

Change…life is all about change. 

I was going to write a completely different post today…but this is what my heart told my fingers to type.  Funny how that happens!

Blowing kisses through the snow to everyone,

The Life List…from my art journal (watercolour and ink)

I often do a Five Senses Friday post on Fridays as a way of summarizing my week and today is (drumroll)…Friday!

I’m going to switch it up here today and do another Friday prompt that I found in my blog hopping meanderings. I love the idea of prompts as they get a stagnant brain moving…and they’re fun.

Friday Fill-In’s is simple…just finish the statements!

1. When I looked out the window this morning I saw the moon shining brightly in the western sky. The skies have been clear since the full moon on Sunday and for several nights now it’s woken me up with it’s brightness. It looks like we (and all the neighbours) have left all the lights on outside.

2. Trigonometry and Algebra and anything to do with numbers doesn't make sense to me. (my mind just blanks out when I see numbers)

3. Remind me about almost everything! Focus Kate, Focus!

4. Laughing is something I love to do!

5. TP is toilet paper? Technical pollution? Too plastic? Your dogs name?

6. I cleaned the refrigerator recently and I found that it should have been cleaned weeks months ago! (I have no shame)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to doing absolutely nothing (except watching a British Drama on T'V, tomorrow my plans include driving 500 km to see my dad with my son, my daughter and my grandson in the back seat…this should bring back some happy memories of 20 (or more) years ago! …and Sunday, I want to sing happy birthday to my father who will be 96 years old!

Have a great weekend dear friends…whether you’re nose is kissed by snowflakes or your feet are sinking into the warm sand of a tropical beach. It’s all beautiful. All of it. Throwing kisses!

the greys and browns of my winter morning walk

textures by Flypaper and Kim Klassen

I’ve been busy…still walking! No kidding, I’m still walking almost every day and it’s amazing what a big chunk of time it takes out of the day…especially when coffee is included as an incentive at the end of it. And because of it, I’m feeling great…the exercise, the sunshine and extra Vit. D (or alternatively, the wind, the rain and stinging pink cheeks), the deep breathing and oxygenation, the physical tiredness, not to mention all those happy little endorphins that are swimming around in the chemical soup. I wake up in the morning wanting, needing, to get out, to get moving, even when the weather is west-coast-wild. This is just not me, at least not any aspect of me that has ever surfaced before, but I’m thrilled with it and have a feeling that this me is here to stay. I have more to say on this and what I think has triggered the change within me, but I'll save that for another day.

I’ve been playing around in my art journals for the past month… I have several journals on the go and they’re all different sizes, so yesterday I ripped all the pages out, punched holes in them and put them all together under one cover, held together with rings. The cover is made but not quite finished yet.

I've been using my journals as a place to develop ideas as well as trying out different media and techniques. I can then decide from there if I want to change something up and take it another step...and sometimes I just look at it and think "well that was fun but that's enough of that".

…The cover is made but not quite finished yet. (the writing was just photoshopped on the picture!) Does anyone actually say "pizzaz" any more or am I just dating myself?

I’ve also been redesigning my blog and will be updating that soon too (in the next few days). So as usual, there's a lot percolating beneath the surface here, both mentally and physically.

I'll leave you with this quote by Neil Gaiman, which I really, really love...

I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're Doing Something.

So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.

Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it.

Make your mistakes, next year and forever.

Wow, I'm still rolling that one off my tongue and trying to get used to the sound of it. It's that time of the year when most of us are thinking of new beginnings and although I abandoned New Years resolutions years ago, the contemplative soul that I am still likes having an "intention" to focus on.  Like many others, I've been choosing a "word for the year" for at least four years now. Some, like last years word, have been a good fit and others...well, not so much. 

This year I had a difficult time settling on my word. None of the ones that I've considered for the past month felt right.  Until today that is (I'm writing this on the 31st of Dec.).  I had decided that I wouldn't rush it...that I'd let the word find me...and it did.

As you've guessed by the photo above, my word for 2012 is Embrace.  As soon as it came to me, I knew it was perfect.  I've come to a place in my life where I'm ready to let go of striving and struggling to make things happen.  I've (mostly) let go of needing things to be a certain way.  I'm ready to allow possibilities to unfold.  I'm ready to embrace life with all it's ups and downs, it's highs and it's lows, it's great and it's not-so-great!  It's not that I'm feeling fatalistic...not at all.  I'm just ready to see the possibilities, the opportunities and the potential's in whatever rolls my way, rather than needing things to be different before I can be happy.

So there it is...Embrace.  I'm embracing 2012 and looking for the gifts that each moment holds.  Bring it on!

(Have you chosen a word for 2012?  I'd love to know what what it is, if you have.)

 For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.

 
~T.S. Eliot, "Little Gidding