Happy May!!!

It has been so long since I posted that I had to go back and figure out what you already knew about us, and what you were waiting (anxiously, I'm sure) to hear about!  A quick catch-up.

I committed to a goal of 6 stepping stones.  Here is the first! A sweet little owl under the night sky with a full moon on a branch in a tree.  Got all that? HA! I love her.  Should be grouted and in the gallery by week's end.  Next up is to finish a cupcake (random, right?!) that I started late last summer! There are birds on the drawing board ... and some other ideas looming.  So happy to be back to the mosaic world.  It's a contentment like no other for me. 

I worked for a lovely man for a few years, Hugh Fields.  The Crossnore School holds a golf tournament for fundraising each year and they have renamed it in Hugh's honor.  His children always participate in giving the winners their awards, and choosing raffle winners, etc.  From left to right are: Lawson Fields (Hugh's son), Sarah Whitfield (Hugh's daughter), Keith Crane (the son of the late Phyllis Crane, director of The Crossnore School), Tom Dale, golf pro at the Linville Golf Club and huge advocate for The Crossnore School, and Brett Loftis, the new CEO of The Crossnore School.  I was included in the participation for the day because I work with wonderful people who are generous and understand my previous connection.  It was such a splendid day, one Hugh would have delighted in on the course to be sure!  Just as a side note, there are not too many better ways to spend a day in the mountains than on the premiere golf course up here!  Glorious!

It was Mother's Day ... missed that, too, I see.  I so very completely miss my mom.  She's been gone 20+ years now, but I can still hear her wisdom and ask for her direction when I'm stuck. 

And, here are my sweet babies ... albeit all grown with babies of their own.  My first born, my daughter Jenn Hall, who is an incentive to me each and every day.  She inspires me to be the best I can be ... whether it is a mom, a human, a teacher, a child of God, or whatever.  So proud of her, and proud to be her mom.  My little girl.

This man, Jon Adams has been the source of my sense of humor, sense of adventure and never ending patience since the moment he arrived.  I am so proud of the man he has become, and so grateful that he chose me as his mom.  And he still calls me "mommy".  My little boy.

I have been blessed with a step daughter, a son and a daughter in law, grandchildren and literally hundreds of students that I also feel like a mom to.  I am one privileged woman, and grateful for it every single day.   It is with great pride and love that I get to witness these people becoming who they are meant to be.  And it just totally rocks!

Paul has been gardening, I had one iris actually bloom today (!) and many more preparing to blooms out, and life is slowly but surely warming up and getting into my soul.  It makes such a wondrous difference in my attitude.   Thank goodness it has arrived.

I had the good fortune to again be published in the Carolina Mountain Life Spring edition.  If you get the chance, check it out.  The entire magazine is filled with info for the High Country.  Things to do, people to meet, places to go, etc.  Click right here to check it out.  I interviewed and wrote an article on an incredible folk art quilter!  She is such an amazing lady.  Worth getting to know Virginia Greene!

This was on facebook's Dancers over 40 page.  This man is amazing, yes?  Anyway a friend of mine suggested he should be made into a bottle topper.  I'm right there with that idea! Wow!  The site is really good.  This is Weston Krukow of Amy Seiwert's Imagery — with Luciano Gomez Câmara and Kuah Ming, according to the post.

And one more for those of you who adore muscles and pointed feet.  Oh.my.gosh!

Matthew Powell, NYC Ballet — with Kuah Ming.

Hope ALL y'all have a wonderful happy week and a safe Memorial Day.  That's just in case it takes me a while to post again.  Since I've gone "back to work" my organizational skills are being challenged. Imagine that!

Blessings!

Up in Here

It does seem like the pedal was to the metal for a solid month, and this weekend came to the rescue as R & R time.  None too soon, and ever so grateful, even though it was mandated to "fast".  Oh. my. gosh.  THAT was unpleasant! But I sure did get some rest!  And that was my main goal.

~~~~~~~~~

My son and his wife (Jon & Melissa) are on their way to Maui!! I am green with envy but certainly overjoyed that they will have this experience before their precious little pink bundle is born.  It might be a while before they'll get the opportunity again ;-).

Those are the smiles of two happy travelers.  Safe journey to you two!

My daughter (Jenn) is in Orlando teaching at Orlando Mania this weekend. Here she is with some of the other trainers there at the SCW fitness education.  (Jenn, top left)  

My son-in-law and grandson (Victor and Christian) are having a boys' weekend!  Here is Christian all fashion-ista for the movies.  This kid is one of a kind. ;-)

Victor and his beautiful momma, Mary have been staying close to the hospital as Victor's dad heals there.  Any prayers and good wishes for Roscoe are absolutely appreciated.  (All of the above photos were pilfered from Facebook. :-) )

This is one happy Englishman.  He has begun receiving the parts he needs to get his Vespa back on the road.  I am so happy for him I could bust.  It has taken us one entire year to save for these.  Since spring/summer has taken so long to get here, it's been great timing.  I am sure Paul is beyond ready to get back on his trusted steed.  Ride on ... Sir Paul.

I have returned from the PA DAR conference with a renewed understanding of how things work at the School, and what the relationship really is with the DAR.  It was a wonderful experience for me with opportunities I am astounded at having had!~ So very grateful.

This was our booth .... long and full!  It was great fun setting up.

 The set up process ... and my travel partner, Jim who was/is an incredible asset! Jim is the new Chief Advancement Officer at the Crossnore School.  His enthusiasm and dedication is perfect for the job.  He is, above all else, a fundraiser.  His ideas are voluminous and his knowledge is impeccable.  His brilliance, totally impressive.  It is such a pleasure to welcome Jim aboard.

The last night we were in PA we had the opportunity to see the Philadelphia Symphony! It was amazing.  This is me trying to see if I looked alright! I was laughing so hard I couldn't get the photo to focus.  It's hard when you travel alone...

I had to ask the housekeeping lady to help me out with tags and such!  I put on a beautiful blue stole from the weaving room and off we went to the city! THE CITY! I walked around a real city! Ladies and gentlemen, I have been reborn.  SO GRATEFUL!

I was able to really WEAVE this past week...

Green stoles and blue scarf ... I was a HAPPY WEAVER!  It's lovely to get back to the loom after a bit of a dry spell ... Whoo hoo!  The weaving room is busy, busy, busy.  It will be a challenge to keep up with orders, retail, book work and new and improved ideas on the drawing board.  Onward!

A BUNCH of my precious friends, who at one time were my ballet, tap & jazz students, graduated this past weekend.  Most of them from college! ( holy smokes - where did the time go???)  I am so proud of them I don't know what to say!  There are so many geniuses in that group.  And they will all go on to do amazing things.  Congratulations to you all, you beautiful, lovely women!

Angela LaGambina

Emily Smith

Kaley Komanski

Samantha Hudson

Kristin Holysz

 hopefully I have named everyone, but will be revising this as the high schools begin their commencement ceremonies.

Meanwhile,

I have a goal of 

~6 stepping stones this month

~some kind of felted journal cover

~planting the garden later in the month

~practicing grace

~and getting my health on

Warmth, please come on up here!

Blessings to you all,

Reflection

There has been a lot of reflection going on here in Cheriland lately.  It finds me no matter what I am doing.  Sometimes a sneak attack, even! To be sure my attention is gathered, visuals generally accompany the nudging.  I was having breakfast in the hotel and these lanterns were reflecting on the glass (as photo indicated).  My co-worker and I were chatting about the different seasons of ones life when I noticed it.  I can't decide whether to label that absurd or profound!?

Lighter side ...
we drove from NC to PA on Wednesday.  It was a lovely (uneventful) trip.  We passed through Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.  The fact that we can do that in one day with all boundaries abandoned just blows my mind.  Freedom! What a continued miracle for us here in this country.   So many photos not taken because I just wanted to enjoy the scenery.  But here are a few I managed!  They aren't cropped, but they will be and I'll find a good one to showcase later.

 We passed by Front Royal, VA where my parents are from and it was a flash from the past to go through some of this country side.  On our way up, I sent pictures to my "little sister" of our childhood travels from Texas to VA.  

Nostalgia.  Fun and sad together.  Is there a word for that?  Melancholy?

Now we are in King of Prussia, PA ... right outside of Philadelphia.  We are attending a DAR Regional conference.  The Daughters of the Revolution are huge sponsors of the Crossnore School.  90 years worth.  It's lovely to meet even some of these women.  They are adorable with their hats and personalities.  So much camaraderie and plan ole' girl friend time with a side of campaigning and politicking!  And, it's entertaining.  We are selling our weaving here at the conference and educating the members about the School and the programs we offer, as well as explaining about what the school does as a core based orphanage.  While telling the stories, it is a "lump in your throat" marathon.  

When I'm thinking about the children of Crossnore, this image is ever so perfect for their self image.  Mold thyself.  I love this!

And this is what I want them all to know

You Are Loved

"The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave." --Patrick Henry

 Good things are happening.

Blessings,

   

Angels Flying

This week,

We've had these kinds of sunrises

(my photos are untouched - no photoshop here)

 

And these kinds of storm sun showers, so pretty and eerie all at the same time!!

 the shadow and the BRIGHT contrast ... so cool/scary

Today I discovered cherry blossoms on our tree!

And the forsythia is blooming...

 And, during my personal favorite time of day ... sunset/dusk I found a nice shot through the trees.

Things are so quiet and peaceful.  The world gets pretty still.  It's calming to my heart and soul.

 And Mother's Nature's swirls in the sky ...

which looks like an angel in flight to me.

I am sure there are lots of angels in flight right now considering the heartbreaking week this country has experienced.

And out of honor, respect AND LOVE for all of those beautiful human beings who are brokenhearted from their losses this week, I will refrain from my usual chatter and simply offer my most 

sincere and precious wish for

Blessings

to all.

And may the beautiful souls who have passed rest in peace.

 

Barn Tour, Patch Work & Guest Post

Paul and I went for a "barn tour" on Sunday.  He toured me around the Tennessee area to a couple of the barns he'd worked on (and is currently working on) and it was quite the tour!  The barn building is amazing and so is the scenery around the barns.  No wonder he likes working this job.  He's outside, he's with animals (not even counting the other guys he works with ;-) ) and in open spaces with brilliant scenery as far as the eye can see.  And some gorgeous barn quilts out there, too!  And here are some visuals for you!

Barn number 1 was an extension to an existing barn.  Paul does the work up high mostly, walking on rafters and working on ladders, and that is why you have the roof view ;-).  

Here are some scenery photos of Barn Number 1's location.  It was a hugely overcast day, in case you can't tell (haha!).

And here is barn #2, which is further along by now.  This original barn burnt to the ground.  They had to dig out some of the poles that were below ground level and start all over again.  Paul also works up high on this one...I think that's his "role".  This barn has been some tough maneuvering.  See those boards up top?  He gets to walk across those (2 inches wide) and nail things under them.  FUN! 
This barn is a big one!  Across the street are tobacco crops, drying setups and etc.  It's a big ole' farm!

I will post finished photos too ...  meanwhile, some beautiful scenery

 barn quilt on the barn in the distance!  photo to be posted soon.

The barn quilt is really cool .... Up close you can see that it is actually flowers.  But we couldn't get a photo because it's a main road and it was ... well, NOT SAFE!  Paul has promised a photo later. :-) So ... stay tuned!

What do barns have to do with art, you ask?  Let me just say that I have learned in the past few months there is a definite art to barn building!  

So ... this week I've been stuck inside with some garden variety "crud", respiratory and sinus, fun stuff.  And I've no time in my schedule for being sick. Ugh! So I finished a journal for my 10 year old friend, Emma in between naps and coughs.

And I figured out how to incorporate my needle felting patches into my journals by making them pockets.  I was thrilled with this idea simply because I have a lot of these little patches sitting around because I love doing this!  I may just make an entire journal cover out of them when I get enough ...

these little things are sitting all over the place ...

I need little plastic tubs for all of this stuff!  Maybe I would have a hope of knowing my inventory! 

That might just take all the fun out of it.  I kind of like the whole scavenger hunt thing.  It's a bigger feeling of accomplishment!  Am I making you Type A people crazy yet?  :-)

During my hiatus I have actually organized and cleaned up the dining room (make shift winter art studio) which is the ONLY reason I can joke about the organizational issues.  I become very unhappy and uncomfortable when it gets to level it achieves by April each year.  Usually that is about when I can move back into the studio! But not this year, because it is snowing today.  Still!  I would commit seppuku if the forecast wasn't so promising this weekend!  HONESTLY!

And if you aren't sick of reading my writing yet, you can go over to my friend, Chrissie Grace's blog and read my guest post! How about that!?!

here's the link!

Chrissie is doing a series entitled "Beautiful and Brilliant".  I have a soft spot in my heart and soul because of the girls I work with everyday at the school.  How will they find Beauty and Brilliance?

I hope you enjoy my excerpt and maybe even know someone it might help!

Meanwhile,

Blessings!