Buzzing Around - Little Big Econ State Forest

A Lady Gift Guide

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I'm loving this little list. I haven't done one of these in awhile - well I guess since last year. I just got the boots a couple weeks ago and love them… to bad it's not very cold here in Florida (sad face). I would really love to get the gold charm with Olivia's birth date engraved on the back… so sweet. The grey farm bag is from a company called MAKR. My sister has one in navy. It's made really really well and with a hefty price tag - it might be a bag you carry for a lifetime. The tree print I got on an Instagram sale - I was excited to receive it but sadly it's a digital print of the stump (boo). It's still a nice image to look at. The Clarisonic! I want one bad! My face needs this thing. The last time I got a facial (maybe a year ago) the lady told me "buy this thing, it's awesome!" but still haven't the extra cash for it. Once I do - I'm getting it unless I win it from Instagram (crossing fingers). Happy Holidays!!

It's all in the eyes

Lately, I've been back in the studio... thanks to a special teacher of mine. I swear she can read my thoughts. I'm so lucky to have her around these days. She's inspired me to start working again and to work with a little more seriousness and concentration. Painting the self seemed like a great way to get back in touch with myself but also something more than just myself... everything underneath. The feelings of connection and disconnection almost always arise and thankfully small tokens of fullfillment as well. It's been a breath of fresh air... really whichever way it goes, I know working is the best thing for me right now and can't imagine a time that isn't. The settling of my ideas, thoughts and feeling all live to be stretched over a surface - brushed, marked and blended together. I live for the knowing I can be back the next day, week, month or year. Time doesn't change that little space. It lives... and lives and lives. Sitting back and looking at my face, my eyes, my nose, my ears, my lips, the color shifts - the way the light hits my skin while my mood slightly shifting makes it work. It's not strenuous work or boring but tedious and technical. It has questions and answer to everything and nothing. Yeah, I just said that. hahah I'm sure most people have walked by a piece of art and felt nothing for it but then years later have had it have profound effects on them. At least it's happen to me. That's what I mean by "everything and nothing" existing at the same time. The work lives through people, the artist. This idea has come up recently, How long can paintings live? Some people say forever but that's not true for all paintings. I've seen paintings live for like two days and then it's done. I think that's why artist keep working and working for the painting that lives forever for everyone to feel and experience at any time. It really is challenging, thoughtful and necessary. I work in about 3 hour sessions. I paint as much as I can - sometimes I get it all in and sometimes I'm working on one section which feels like forever. The eyes are an area I find most enjoyable and challenging. The gaze is really exciting and important to me in a portrait and so much information can be received by the eyes. Information is not always something I'm searching for but when it's given - it's delightful even if it's sad and depressing. I'm working on that magic.

Indian Dance Party

Well, we decided to have a small group of kids over for a fun Indian headdress making / dance party. Monica, my sister, made some delicious Gluten free appetizers. Popcorn with crispy kale, Fennel salad with pistachios, deviled eggs, small beet sandwich bites, cheeses and fruits. It was all so scrumptious! We laid out crafty stuff for the Indian headdress – beads to hang from the sides and paper feathers to color on. Zach made a special dance mix with lots of Yo Gabba Gabba. It’s a must in our house. We danced (that picture of Eli and Olivia holding hands and dancing is amazing), we ate, we made stuff and we laughed. Even though the bunch ended up smaller than expected, it was fun to catch up with the mamas and see how big their little ones are getting.  

So some of you know and many of you don’t know that the last couple months my sister’s family and our family have merged under one roof… plus grandma. We’ve been living together for about 5 months. It’s actually been a lot of fun. We were a bit on the fence if this would work for all of us. 5 months later we’re kind of impressed by how well things are going. I mean overall it’s just great to see our kids growing up together and waking up together every morning. They’re the best of friends and knowing that when they grow older, calling each other cousins, will be so special. The bond will be strong. They’re only about 13 months apart. As I say this, I realize it's not always going to be this way. Life has a tendency to separate or challenge close bonds. As their parents, I hope we can keep this bond strong and full. I’m always curious if anyone has had any similar experiences? How do you keep the bond strong if the kids end up in two different states? We’ve been living in the now which really is all anyone has but my brain drifts off into the future almost daily with the “what if’s”. It’s a habit… it’s the problem-solving mother in me. I guess I need to accept the planner side in me and let go of the outcome. We’ll see how the relationship molds. Right now, it’s really amazing to experience the sweet and loving connection they have for each other. (note: I’m not really sharing the terribleness that does happen //pushing, shoving, taking stuff from each other, screaming and jumping on each other these two go in and out of daily – but with that, every morning, their eyes light up when they see each other – they run to each other and hug. It’s like seeing puppies playing guys… everyone’s happy and smiling.) Sweet moments are stronger than the chaotic ones. 

Fall Festival

We were invited to spend the day with Olivia and her classmates frolicking around her school for their Fall Festival. They divided the groups of kids into Pilgrims and Indians. Olivia was a Pilgrim. A Pilgrim who in no way shape or form would wear her little white paper bonnet. She ripped that thing off immediately. She looked so cute but who blames her... they're annoying to wear, especially all day. She ran like the wind from one station to the next. Her school did a really nice job having so many fun things to do. As you can see, with all the pictures, we pretty much did everything. It was an enjoyable day being outside and spending time with each other. I hope to do more outdoorsy things coming this New Year. In December, we are camping with some fun Gainesville friends… looking forward to it!