Happy Birthday, Dad!

My dad doesn't live here. He's in Cleveland, my hometown. I adore Boston, but home is where your heart is, so a big chunk of my heart is still in Cleveland with my dad.

Today, he was tickled because he got to sit and watch an entire day of the Discovery Channel's UFO marathon. It was blissful synchonicity. Someone up there was thinking of him, scheduling that awesomeness on his big day. Had I known earlier, I would have done all I could to plop myself in front of that TV to catch some of it, despite my obligations. Apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

I love and miss you, Dad. Happy Birthday.

Making Myself Scarce!

My family and I decided last week to run away to Cape Cod to disappear from the world.

It was so serene. Windy and sandy, and embracing everything that is not Boston. Don't get me wrong. I adore my city. I am blessed to be in such a beautiful place, so rich with history, education...GOOD FOOD...But you need to escape to a different rhythm to reset your mindset.

We did just that.

I did everything I don't normally do. Like, sleep.
Nap.
Sleep.
Feel the tide pull the sand out from under my feet. Admire the seagulls on the beach rather than in a parking lot.
Stay quiet.
Be present.

I always have to be reminded that when we do all those quiet, rare things, funny synchronistic blessing start cropping up. Problems solve themselves. Things seem less dire. You feel more alive. You pause more and interrupt less. You pause, for nothing in particular other than because you know it is good to do. Your timing suddenly becomes right. I find it odd that while I know this rhythm is good for me. While I know it's healthy and right, I find it hard to maintain it on a daily basis without serious, mind-rattling effort. So I have to return here. This time it took me three days to settle in. Maybe next time it will take me two...

Anyhow, while I mostly lazed about, I did manage to pull out a pencil a couple times, and this is what I did...

Congratulations! It's a TEAM!

Oh yes. We are official!

After lots of primping, polishing, and scouting the happiest, brightest, most heartfelt artists for children, a team is born!

ETSY CHILDREN'S ART STREET TEAM IS A GO!

And we are so excited to strut our stuff. Please visit our delightful, fresh blog as we nail the final boards in the treehouse, and set up shop....

http://www.etsychildrensartstreetteam.blogspot.com/

HIP HIP HOORAY!

Can you hear it?

Shhh...

Wait. there it is again....
It's the sound of something absolutely, delightfully exciting and new happening!

Aren't you dying to know what it IS??!
A new team is waiting in the wing - we should hear from ETSY any day now! In the meantime, come see what we're all about!

www.etsychildrensartstreetteam.blogspot.com

Finally Spring

It's been so totally warm here, and after a long cold winter, I am happily thawing out my blog, my shops, and my paints...

I have been doing lots of new stuff but my newest, happiest re-emerging star is my little banana slug. A lovely Etsy friend of mine brought him up and was seeking notecards, and I was inspired...

So thaw out everyone! Here comes Spring!

The Holidays are here!

I always say Halloween is my favorite, until Christmas arrives. Then I change my mind. Every year.

If you aren't in the mood already, here's some things to get you in the mood for winter (if you are in a colder part like we are) and the holidays, and if you create, to get you inspired if you make items for the holidays. It's my little list that helps me when I am making my greeting cards for the holidays:

Christmas cookies
Pretty lights
PRESENTS!
Buying other people presents!
Little surprises
Ornaments
Candy Canes
Cranberries!
PUMPKIN PIE PUMPKIN PIE PUMPKIN PIE
PRESENTS!
Santa Hats
Snow
Logs on the fire
Big Red Bows
Mistletoe
Scarves
Candles in the windows
Hot Chocolate
Reindeer
Bells
The smell of your neighbor's fireplace in the cold winter nighttime air!

Got any more?! I would love to hear it! I always need inspiration and love to hear what brings other people joy!

The joy of the season

They say the happiest people are those who put their relationships first and try always to be as grateful as they can for all that they have.

So many people in this world go without, and while I grump and grumble about silly things, as most of us do from time to time, I am going to try this season to begin a practice of being as grateful as I can. maybe even after the season is over, I will have established it as a habit.

I am grateful for:

My son, Jack and his beautiful, funny, energetic and loving personality
My husband, Mark who is my world, my support and my best friend
My health
My family's health
My eyes
My ears
My hands
Food in my cabinet and clothes on my back
My friends

and some other things:
Brownies
Pie
Autumn days
Miles Davis on my cd player
Hot baths
Good cheese

So tell me! What are you grateful for???? Tell the world!