Back to Reality

I have returned . . .

to the land of the living,

to reality,

to work,

art,

to family. . .

to life.

I just returned from a much needed retreat.

An extended weekend at the Oregon Coast for a mini-vacation.

The first vacation in a year that wasn't associated with a sale or a project of any kind.

I spent my weekend listening to music -

the music of the waves, the music of the rain and my favorite musicians on my i-pod.

I knitted - I am working on a shawl. I don't know if or how it will turn out. Knitting is not my strongest art form - but I enjoy it and find that I am drawn to it every winter. So I am knitting because I need to. The end result is not the issue (but I am secretly hoping that it is wonderful!)

I read.

I slept.

I painted.

As I headed away on this mini-retreat, I approached it with a bit of a challenge. I usually take boxes and boxes of supplies with me. . But this time, I decided I was taking paper and paints.

That's it.

I had blank watercolor paper for painting.

My box of paints.

A few key pens and pencils.

And a few sheets of tissue paper for building up texture.

That's it!

I didn't want the pressure of projects, or commissions, or "have-tos".

I just wanted to paint and see where my ocean muse took me.

It was wonderfully freeing to have less to work with.

I created several originals that will soon be  in my Etsy shop, available as matted prints.



(This is my theme for the year!)



It offered me the permission to do whatever the moment dictated.

Sometimes that was reading, or knitting or painting -

and more than once it was sitting on the couch staring out the window and doing absolutely nothing.

I call it my "coastal coma".

I gave myself permission to totally give in to my bodies natural rhythm.

I ate when I was hungry - I slept when I felt sleepy.

I took clothes to wear each day, and found I returned home with clean clothes because I stayed in my pajamas most of the time.

I returned home on Wednesday afternoon feeling like myself again.

I was happy to be home and I awoke this morning feeling like I could face life again.

After my post last week, I received a comment from a dear friend reminding me that even Mother Nature needs a season to rest. Those words spoke to my heart.

We live in a world that sets up unrealistic expectations.

Everything operates on a 24-hour clock.

We are supposed to work more and play less.

Fortunately when I am "working" with my art - it is more like play for me. I feel lucky and blessed by that fact. But every once in a while - I even need a break from art.

Now on to new projects and custom designs.
I am excited about the things on my project board and will be sharing pictures in the near future.

Until then -

Remember to play and dream while you are awake!

My feelings for this week . . .hmmm. I don't even know how to answer this question.

I'm feeling a bit like I am lost in a vortex of some sort.

Not quite sure what I want to do - what I want to work on.

For some reason January is a difficult time for me every year.

Ever since I can remember, I have always been busy. Very, very busy.

I remember in high school having my days filled with school and extra curricular activities.

I would leave the house at 6:30 in the morning and return home at 10:00.

Go to bed.

Get up and do it again.

When I would have an occasional weekend off, I would spend it sleeping and achieving a proper vegtative state.

And then for one reason or another - the schedule would change and I would be faced with

days of free time.

Just school.

No before - no after school activities.

More than enough time to do all of the "have to's".

and the "have to's" were the last thing I wanted to do.

I would find myself in a stupor -

too much free time and not knowing what to do with it.

So I would accomplish nothing.

And that ate away at me.

I haven't changed much.

January is the same.

We are finished with the Holidays.

The decorations are put away.

I am finished with the mountain of winter shows.

I go home from my day job, make dinner for the family, we eat and then . . .

nothing.

Nothing is pressing the HAS to get finished right away.

My order board has a few things on it - but nothing bearing down on me.

The 6 am - 10 pm schedule is pleasantly free.

It is a gift.

But instead of appreciating the gift - I really just want to do nothing.

And when I do nothing - I feel guilty and irresponsible.

I hate operating under the pressure of impending deadlines.

I hate the stress that accompanies that.

Yet - the irony is . . .that seems to be when I am the most productive.

My brain is firing ideas and inspirations;

my ability to produce and get it all done happens more efficiently . . .

But when my schedule is like that,  I am cranky and short tempered when I am under that kind of stress.

I don't sleep well.

I don't "rationalize" well . . .

It truly is a catch-22.

How is it that a person can be at their best when they are at their worst?

So . . .as I face this new year -

I have not posted my resolutions - even though I have been asked the question.

Until now . . .

my goal for 2011 is to

"Be a deliberate creator of my own life".

I don't want to be a victim of crazy, overbooked schedules.

I want to be concientious about asking for help when I need it.

I want to make time for fun!

I want ot make time for creativity - not production of work - but actual creativity.

I want to take some art centered classes in order to glean inspiration from others.

I want to continue to build my network of artists.

I want to step outside of my comfort zone and ask others "how?" - so that I can achieve my dreams.

I want to deliberately think about me . . .my health, my diet, my physical body and what it needs.

I want to make a point to frequently connect with friends and family.

I believe that if I can be deliberate about my life - even if time is limited - my time can be more productive and worthwhile.

Perhaps I might even be able to find some balance!

OK - now that I have that out of my system -

Let's attack 2011 with a DELIBERATE VENGENANCE!!!

A new year. . .a new month. . .a new day. . .a new moment.

As I have looked around at my favorite blogs, there is a repetitive theme of the new year.

How could there now be.

As an artist and a person with creative endeavors, this is a time for reflection and planning and looking back at the things we have accomplished. What worked? What didn't? What goals were accomplished? What weren't?

We have been talking alot about those things in our home.

Changes we want to see in our creative business, our creative lives, our family. . .

In some ways, the new year fills me with feelings of hope and repurposing.

In other ways, it leaves me feeling overwhelmed.

I prefer to focus on the positive things.

This was an interesting year for our family - in many ways it was very difficult.

But in many more ways, it was filled with miracles . . .

* we added a member to our family with the birth of our first grandson and were blessed to be a part of the miracle of birth

* we watched two of our children graduate from school - one from high school and one with his associates degree

* our home grew with daughter and baby moving back in, blessing us with the ability to interact with our grandson every single day

* we attended the most fairs and festivals that we ever have - some were fabulous, others were not - but as a whole, it was a great season of art and selling

* we met new friends and rekindled relationships with old friends

* we found our products being sold in more stores and meeting some of our past goals

* we are expanding our horizons with an updated Etsy shop and looking at other opportunities as well.

I welcome the new year. I welcome the chance to attack some of my new family, artistic and professional goals.

I look at the gray skies that cover our corner of the world accompanied by rain and I welcome the chance to stay warm and cozy in our home - paint brushes in hand.

This time of year affords me the opportunity to work on different projects because we aren't gearing up for a "big" festival. I am using this as a chance to reexamine what I want out of this roller coaster ride called life.

I would love to know what other people are planning for this upcoming year. . .share your goals. Maybe we can all support one another. That is the only way to make the ride worthwhile!

A Christmas Card -

Enough said.

Merry Christmas To All

More evenings spent getting in the Holiday mood this last weekend.

We experienced a few more light festivals.

We took in the Oregon Zoo Lights - a festival I haven't attended

for over 20 years as.

My, my, my - that little light festival has certainly grown up!

We treated ourselves to dinner out one night and dessert on another.

We listened to beautiful choirs and attended a Christmas concert.

Santa's helper (disguised as my husband) wrapped presents while I completed some last minute orders.

We sat on the couch in front of our tree and watched Christmas movies.

I think I am officially "in the mood".

I wish I could have felt that way about 2 weeks ago -

Then I wouldn't be feeling like I have to go without sleep over the next few days

while I try to finish everything up -

but I will take what I can get at this point.

I will trust that everything will work out just as it always does.

I don't know that there will be another post before the holiday . . .so just in case -

may you all be blessed with peace and happiness.

May you all feel the spirit of the season, whatever your beliefs are.

May we all remember to carry the feeling of love and generosity on into the new year.

May you be surrounded with people that you love.

Merry Christmas . . .

The Lights of the Season

Now that the Holiday shows are complete, it's time to engage in some Christmas magic of my own.

This truly is my favorite time of year.

I just can't get enough.

I'm not talking about the chaos - I could do without that for sure.

But the lights, the music, the cold walks outside, the wonderful yearly activities . . .the MAGIC!

It really does feel like magic to me.

Last night we attended the Grotto Festival of Lights.

I remember the first year I attended this festival. My oldest daughter was 4 and my son was 2.

My husband was working at a job that required crazy hours into the night.

I wanted to do fun things, but found myself sitting at home feeling sorry for myself.

Afterall - I couldn't do these events by myself. I had small children.

And then, I realized - that attitude was going to lead to a very dull existance. So I packed myself and the kids up and we headed out for some magic.

The Grottw features all kinds of lights decorating the property, choirs perform every hour, a petting area and a spirit of Christmas that can't be explained.

Our youngest daughter now gets to sing in the HS choir and they performed last night. The performances are in a large Catholic chapel with stone floors and walls, high ceilings and some of the best accoustics around.

Every year, I look for the angels that seem to be singing with the choirs.

As we strolled throughout the grounds, I was reminded again of the meaning of the season.

It felt good.

It felt magical.

It felt peaceful.



Where Has Laurie Gone?

Has anyone seen Laurie? She is tall, short dark hair, dark eyes, generally a happy person. . .She seems to have gone missing.

With the craziness of the last month, some things had to be neglected and this blog was certainly one of them. We have been crazy busy in the studio, at home, and with work and family. Sleep has become a "if there is time" part of the day. More than one mini-breakdown has occured. It has not been a pretty sight.

But we have successfully completed the Holiday shows, made our way through Thanksgiving, and are well on our way to Christmas and the New Year. My number 1 man and I have spent many, many hours talking about our needs, wants and goals. We have come up with plans and new directions to pursue. I am happy with the progress that we are making.

So here is a quick run-down . . .

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family.

Our day started with our family tradition of turkey bowling.

Now I know that for most people, that implies a muddy game of football. But neither my husband or myself have any patience for the game. We neither watch or play football. Instead, we went bowling . . .

We started this tradition several years ago when we found ourselves alone on Thanksgiving day. All of the extended family had gone out of town. Once the turkey was cooking, my children looking sad and destitute.

So we did what any loving parent would do. . .

We loaded them in the car and headed for the nearest bowling alley.

We were one of 2 or 3 other families rolling our balls down the lanes.

And the tradition has stuck for nearly about 10 years now. And it has grown to include at least 2 other families. We laugh at our pathetic skills (I only bowl once a year!), we do our best to distract each other, and we peruse the sale ads in order to plot out our shopping for the next day. A good time . . .

Even the youngest got in on the act . . .

Later in the day, we joined together with extended family and gathered around the table for our Thanksgiving feast.

Next on the calendar was our trip to Seattle for the Phinney Winterfest. This is one of our favorite shows.

The sale is well attended, fantastic artists attend, and we get to blend our time with a visit to Seattle, Washington. Although most of the time is spent working, we did manage to enjoy a few new restaurants.

Our favorite was a little cafe called Chocolati.

We stumbled onto this little jewel after a wonderful dinner up the street. Having seen Chooclati on our way to the restaurant, we made it a point to "save room for dessert"!

We ordered a plate of 4 truffles and delicately cut them in half. A small taste for each of us. They were chocolate covered cashews, peanut butter and chocolate, mocha and my favorite . . .a cinnamon chocolate truffle. Heaven!

To compliment our truffles, we indulged in a European style hot cocoa spiced with cayenne pepper.

Oh my!!!!

We watched the barista spoon ladels of thick dark semi-sweet chocolate into the bottom of the cup. Then he poured steamed milk in and topped it with ample whipped cream.

Truly one of the richest things I have ever tasted.

The first sip was sweet and chocolatey . . .then at the last moment a hit of heat from the cayenne lit up the back of the tongue.

A perfect combination.

But oh so rich - we ordered only one small cup to share and had a hard time finishing it.

Highly recommended

After Seattle, we headed to Salem for the Salem Holiday Market.

This was the first year we participated in this event but it definitely won't be our last.

Salem was very welcoming of our designs.

The rest of our season will be spent filling custom orders.

And enjoying the Christmas season.

We will see lights, and wrap presents and spend time with family.

Now it is on to the next project . . .