Artfire Collections are a great way to pull together some favorite items. Imagine my surprise and delight to find I was featured in the "Pansy" collection with this photo:


See the full collection HERE

Summertime....

It has been forever since I have posted, and for that, I am truly sorry. Life, as happens, attacked.


It's been a good summer here, if a little cooler than I want. I've been spending time in my garden, which is a rich and rewarding thing. Harvesting my dinner is so fulfilling, and the kids are loving it, too.


We're growing Brussels Sprouts, onions, garlic, salad fixings, beans, brocolli, zucchini, tomatoes, and sunflowers.





Oh, and I got another tattoo... I think it's adorable :)

Paper

I am addicted to paper. And stickers. And glitter. It's a weakness. Nothing makes me happier than rifling through my stash, looking for the perfect piece, and combining things to make little pieces of art which I know will make someone smile.

For a while last fall, I taught an origami class to a group of 3rd and 4th graders at my son's school. It was a blast, and very fulfilling to bring to them an art form which I have loved since my days as a fourth grader.

There is something so peacful, so quieting about sitting down with my supplies and creating. It helps me to get my mind in order, to calm myself, and to find peace.

>

Well, we made it to and from the coast. That's my fella there. He's a good fella. We've been travelling together for some time now. The surprising thing is how much we still enjoy each other's company.

It was good to get out without the kids. We did a lot of walking, and chatting, and looking at shops, and taking pictures, and eating rich and fattening food. It was a wonderful weekend.

In our wanderings, I came to a realization. I think I know why macro photography holds such fascination over me. I think people don't spend enough time. They don't pause, like a child would, to enjoy the little surprises hiding in everyday life. Somewhere in the journey from child to adult we lose the ability to wonder. This world we have been given is a gift. It is time to slow down and enjoy it. Look at leaves and puddles and bubbles. Smell the ocean air. Have a long conversation with someone you love. Eat some new foods. Thank God every morning that you are awake and alive and all is well.

Thank you for taking the time to look. Be blessed this week.

D and I had a good walk today.

I think the thing I love so much about macro photography is the chance to see worlds no one takes the time to look at. Like the above photo - how often do you look inside rose leaves?

Today was lovely and sunny and cold. Before settling in to work on our cold-weather garden, my daughter and I went for a walk. Lucky for me, I remembered my camera.

The wind was crisp today, and there was still a lot of dew on the ground. We walked for quite a while, seeing again the mountain and hills, the neighbors goats, the death left behind by winter, and the promise of regrowth from Spring.

New photos from today as well as new cards, just listed on my artfire!

This little guy to the right is one of my favorites.... I remember taking this around sunset, which accounts for the long shadow behind him. It's amazing the worlds you see when you take the time to look!

This fellow to the left is my garden gnome Ernie. I caught him napping on the job one day, hiding under a leaf.