AWARE

 I am on high alert! AWARE it is spring time, quite early for us in the mountains, but very welcomed indeed!

 Aware that I am blessed enough to have these views every single day.  (this is Grandfather Mountain in the High Country of NC - around Boone/Linville) If I need to see majesty, it is merely outside the walls of my house.  This is actually the reason we chose to live up here.  Glory!

I am aware that others are aware --- like Meghan, who lives down the hill from Janine and Mark. 

 I aware that there are secrets amongst friends, and healthy mischief that makes the world a better place.

 

 I am aware of adoration, Meghan adores Axel, and he adores her in turn (animals are much better at raw emotion that we are).  They have been best friends for years.  Axel resides with Janine and Mark.

 And I am aware of how important big brothers/sisters and mentors are to the up and coming.  Axel has a new sister, Maya, who keeps him very busy and has rekindled some youth in the old man!  I LOVE the energy of the young and find myself doing my best to tap in to it as often as possible, don't you?

I am aware of how every single blossom is in its very own phase of blooming ... just like people are!  And how beautiful each and every color is.  (That also applies to people).

I am aware how things that used to be normal (like a handmade iron railing in the back of Mr.'s pickup truck) can transition into being the abnormal.  And how very familiar and comfortable it is to see it again.  Not to mention how incredibly beautiful the blue sky is!  What a GLORIOUS day to be aware.

I am aware that in less than a month my Mr. will be riding this vintage Vespa, 1967 Allstate, from Savannah, GA to San Diego, CA on what I like to think of as his middle life adventure! Although I am excited to pieces for him, I will miss his physical presence in my little part of the world greatly.

Blessings to you on this Wednesday!  What things feed into your being aware?

Can't. Sit. Still.

I do strive!

~~~~~

This week has been super duper hard for me.  And for zillions of others. 

My deal ... the reality.

When I got the news about Dylan, the Dragon Knight, it rocked my world.  There are so many things that come with a child's leaving this earth.  It felt like someone hit my "deflate" button and took the wind right out of my sails.  I KNOW I am not alone in this, and I KNOW our Dylan is in such a better place.  But grief is just that, grief.  And I will not dis it, for it will return with a vengeance and demand to be dealt with again and again until it's done.  Ugh. So not easy.  His funeral service was this morning, and as it is in Tallahassee, I could not attend.  That also makes me ever so sad.  

Sweet, sweet child. Rest in peace.

 (Dylan 2003-2012)

In amongst the waves of grief, I've worked at the store.  I've managed to paint a few things for the upcoming show ...

a cute little 1950ish side table that I used coco chalk paint and clear wax on

Another vintage classic table ... in progress right now ...

before

during - will have to post "finished" next week.  This is Versailles w/ old violet edges, eventually...

And end tables (night stands) in progress too.  From boring old brown to fresh white!

 (Not pictured yet)

 I really like doing this because you can see tangible evidence that you have done something!  Always a plus.  They change personalities completely.  I love the process of watching the pieces come back to life after being so ho-hum.  It's especially rewarding when you are trying to get centered and hope the funk and creative "block" are doing an about face.

I have several things on the drawing board and the cutting table ... a beach bag, another mosaic owl, several journals.  When I can at least sit still again, I will sew.  It's just not possible to sew and walk in circles at the same time.

I sure am glad Easter is fast approaching.  I always feel better with the Newness that Easter offers us.

This afternoon a young German man, Jan, stopped by the shoppe.  He was hitting the Appalachian Trail and needed some directions to the Family Dollar and the trail head which is about a mile from the store.  It has been a pretty soggy day or two.  I morphed into "mom" mode s.t.a.t. and escorted the fella to the Dollar store, and dropped him off at the trail head.  Not before offering him an evening of free room and board in a warm and dry house with an entertaining old couple and lots of food.  But like a good thru hiker, he declined the invite and decided to hike.  Nice little treat to take some of the angst away.  I love the way the universe works! And the way hearts heal.  Thank God.

Blessings,

Dragon Knight

We live in the extreme weather part of the North Carolina mountains (northwest corner of the state).

  This is our 6th spring here.  It has never been this mild/warm this early before.  I have also not had this many spring flowers and buds come up in my flower beds before.  I have been filled with wonder.  Things that are showing up are new gifts.

Even my indoor plants are blooming earlier and more beautifully than ever before!

And I kept asking, "why are you all out so early"?  

Yesterday I received my answer. 

 They all bloomed to escort and honor Dylan, our little dragon knight, as he transitioned to his new role as an angel.  

 Dylan's previous post here

Blessings and love with hugs to all the family.  Peace at last to Dylan.

Sunday Inspiration

Art by Tammy Brinkley

Periwinkle Pass Studios

here for more

 

"Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. 

Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next-door neighbor… 

 Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.

 Be the living expression of God’s kindness; 

kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, 

kindness in your warm greeting.”

Mother Theresa

This quote is widespread and I've seen it for years in various places.  But last week I found it on one of my former students' facebook status.  She was announcing that she was taking a break from facebook because she thought that is what she was being guided to do.  I was so impressed!  Mary is a freshman in college and she is listening to her "guides" as they are giving her suggestions to grow and flourish.

I have 500 or so former students, easily.  I try to keep up with the majority of them because I love each and every one of them and I am interested in who they are now as well as who they are becoming.  It is awesome to see what wonderful human beings they are!  Many of them are still in high school, while a special group who I taught are now in college.  And there are some who are raising their own families and have daughters who are in ballet!  Yikes! That, my friends, makes me feel old.  But mostly it makes me proud that the love and dedication they found in the dance studio was impressive enough that they are sharing it with their own little people!

 I am so thankful for all those students in my life.  There is no way to measure what they taught me!

Love and

Blessings to you all,

And the winner is ...

If you haven't check out Little Bit Funky's blog today, you need to know that Crystal posted the winner!!  (go here!)  

And the winner is NICOLA! 

I am so thrilled to be giving this sweet journal to such a wonderful woman!

I guess it would be good to do this again!  But until then, I always make them to order.  I make each journal specific and personal so you can identify with them and get on with the important part ... journaling!  However, I also make journals that have these adorable covers and are simply sketchbooks, or notebooks inside (pictured above).  They are an easy way to make a girl friend present very special!  So if you are interested, just contact me!

  So I will do another giveaway after Easter.

Thanks so much to everyone for participating!

Blessings to each of you,

Monday's Top 10

1. I really like The Doowops and Holligans with Bruno Mars.  It makes my workout on the Treadmill fun and energized.  I'm sure my husband enjoyed all those notes I was singing with my headphones on too ;-).
2.  After 5 minutes on the treadmill filled with anxiety about how I could be doing 50 other things, I had calmed down and begun to organize my day in my head and actually formulate a plan of action.  Such a HUGE help!
3.  My cats are petrified of the treadmill ... and the vacuum cleaner.
4.  I love the milder weather.  Thank you to Mother Nature.
5.  I made a bunch of happy tea towels yesterday with yo-yos and pinwheels and it was FUN.
6.  Mercury is retrograde beginning today for the next 6 weeks.  Not my favorite time in the sky.
7.  It's Jenni Horne's 40th Birthday!  Happy Birthday Jenni!! visit Jenni here
8.  This is the sweetest story ever about a newborn calf in distress AND it has a happy ending!
Shreve Stockton's NICU Part II.  This woman is amazing!
9.  I finished the first Hunger Games book last night (wee hours this morning, really).  It was VERY hard for me to get into the book because of the nature of the story.  After 3 days of trying to make up my mind, I read it and it was good.  Still hard to stomach the intended story, but well done by the author.  Bottom line, I liked it.  I will read the second.
10.  I am on a mission today to run errands, paint some furniture and finish my yo-yo tea towels (adding stems and ruffles). 

Hope your Monday is a great one!

Blessings,

On Change and other Random-ness

 With the obvious evidence of spring upon us, I'm always aware of things in the CHANGE mode.  I usually take the opportunity to change with a nod toward the Lenten season embracing a spiritual and physical cleansing.  So there is a change in my mind and body ... to be sure!  I like having a little more energy, a little clearer mind and a little slimmer physique.  (actually, I'd like to have a LOT slimmer physique ... who knew aging was neatly packaged with a new body? The things mom didn't mention).  Mostly I like being able to use my power to say "no".  No to chocolate cake with chocolate icing, for example.  No to that glass of red wine I would normally have with the pasta dish that I've said no to.  No to destructive behavior, like skipping my workouts.  But more importantly I have found myself using the word YES more.  Yes, I will be productive today.  Yes, I will make a piece of art.  Yes, I will be creative and industrious.  These blue skies and beautifully non frigid days are recharging my battery and filling me with life again.  THANKFUL!!!  So, so thankful!  And a serious thank you to Cindy Michaud for encouraging me to go with "permission" for my word this year.  You were SO right Cindy!

Random notes:

Paul's daughter, Nina was here for Spring Break.  It was DELIGHTFUL to have her here with her wonderful energy, talks of nursing school and young adult life!  She left Friday and the house is quiet and just the two of us again.  And our cats, if you want to be technical.

Mr. Super Scooter shared his scooter with Nina ... so fun to watch them together.  Thanks for coming up Nina! We loved having you here.

There is a new booth in the Boone "Antiques on Howard" store with Tammy's stuff in it, including art work and paint as of yesterday afternoon!  Check it out if you are over there.  Great store with all kinds of goodies inside!  It was fun setting it up. :-)  The folks there are nice and friendly! Ahhhhh.

This is what our Friday evening looked like ... two sleepy guys on the sofa.  Don't know why but we were both in this mode by Friday night this week!

 Such a sweet kitty when he's sleeping!  CRAZY kitty when he's awake!

Sadly, the report on my little buddy Dylan isn't happy news.  He had a feeding tube inserted this weekend because he just didn't feel like eating ... couldn't in fact.  This little fella has fought SO hard and leukemia has just made a huge hero out this little boy, as well as his mom and dad.  The family is struggling with every facet of life right now, including just breathing in and out according to his mom. I cannot even imagine!  Please take a moment to send up some good thoughts and strength for Dylan and his family.  And if you have healthy children, say grace!  Lots and lots of grace. 
Happy Spring everyone.  Happy weekend with our new time clock.  Always a challenge for me and Mr. Nightowl!

Blessings!

To be PERFECTLY clear

 I am OVERwhelmed, FLABBERgasted and very GRATEFUL for all of the sweet words that are written on the comments you have left on Little Bit Funky, ArtsyMatilda and facebook!  Oh. my. goodness!  Oh, my heart is filled with complete happiness today!

To be honest to the core, I was afraid no one would enter the give-away.  Ugh! Filled with nervous energy yesterday I kept myself away from my computer.  Then I heard from my daughter that I needed to look . "no, seriously, mom.  Go look".  

**Tears. of. joy.**

And I thank you, from my whole heart.  It's so sweet to have validation and appreciation for something you believe in!   I am still numb from the sheer joy of receiving your kindness.

And Crystal, thank you for believing and encouraging me to go ahead with this!  You were right.

Great gobs of sincere thanks!

I am so excited to see who will be the recipient of the journal!

Blessings to all!

It's a Give-Away!!!

Yep, you heard (read) that right!  I am giving away this inspiration/art journal!  

It will be personalized just for you.

Here are a few peeks at the contents!  

 pockets on the inside

 trims and adornments on the pages

 handmade clay bird of art ... frills and bows

 fabric pocket for treasures, fringe for fun

 special tags and places to write with chalk, even!

 handmade book mark and pockets for stuffing

 more trims and tabs

All you have to do is one of these things:

1.  Follow my blog

2.  Like me on Facebook

3.  Leave a comment
Then you have to tell me so I can enter your name in the drawing!

You could win a one of a kind, handmade journal.

Hope you win!
If you've come over from Little Bit Funky, thank you very much for stopping by!

Blessings to all,