Ten Truths

The  latest challenge from Kim Klassen's Beyond Layers class - write 10 truths about me and add a photo to tell the story.

Fresh eggs . . . new beginnings . . . all natural . . . organic . . .cozy nest . . . warm heart. . . looking forward to spring . . .

eggs in nest

  1. I have been married to my sweetheart for 30 years. He wholeheartedly supports me always.
  2. I have two sons, 10 years apart, who are almost 15 and 25 years old. They are the light of my life and my most dear blessings. They are alike in temperament and appearance but different in their passions.
  3. I am a great believer in fresh starts, new beginnings, and the power of forgiveness and grace.
  4. I love the f- words:  faith, fun, food, family, fitness, friendship.
  5. I have a naturally sunny disposition – though my life has not always been so sunny. Both my husband and are cancer survivors.
  6. My favorite hobbies are sewing and quilting, running, photography, cooking, reading, and gardening.
  7. I have a southern country accent.  My youngest son takes great pleasure in teasing and mimicking me.
  8. I most always finish what I start.
  9. My favorite clothes are my pajamas
  10. I believe that most of what is truly important in life can be accomplished by just showing up.

Ode to Domesticity

My son volunteers at our local library every Saturday, and one of my very favorite things is browsing through the books as I wait for him to complete his work. I recently picked up a gorgeous book, The Gentle Art of Domesticity, by Jane Brocket. The cover photographs were the big draw for me . . . photos of food, and books, and gardens, and quilts, and life at home. 

Jane thinks that "all domestic artists should have a little pocket in their aprons where they can keep their favorite poems."

If you have have time to pocket only one, make it Pablo Neruda's Ode to Things in which he praises "every little thing," like buttons, knives, scissors, cups, hats, and thimbles that "bear the trace of someone's fingers."

I just finished sewing this sweet little reversible apron - and it just happens to have a pocket for poetry.

What a splendid idea!

Donna with homemade apron

Small Talk

two dogs talking

Thank you to Kim Klassen for  instruction in the Painterly Effect and two new lovely textures, finale and sienna. 

We really miss having a family dog, but for now these little pocelain dogs will have to do.  I've been wanting to photograph them for a while, but just couldn't decide what these two might be discussing. They sit side by side on a rustic table in our den.  Despite their somewhat serious faces, they make me laugh. I double dog dare you not to giggle, too!

Happy and Healthy

The theme for Texure Tuesday is happiness.  I really believe that joy is found in everyday relationships. I wanted to take a picture of people interacting – hands touching, dancing, hugging.  You get the idea.  I think of the components of happiness – generosity, hope, kindness, friendship, empathy, love, forgiveness, acceptance, encouragement, communication, and gratitude - and I can imagine a million photographs that convey these concepts.

But, honestly, today I am happy with myself.  It’s difficult to feel and share happiness with the world when you don’t value yourself.  When I beat myself up, feel guilty, and wallow in should haves, I am certainly not a ray of sunshine.  For years I worked to lose weight and become my perfect size.  My weight was always on my mind. I can’t explain how or why but I have finally made peace with my weight.  I exercise. I make healthy food choices more often than not.  My belly and I are friends these days. I am happy as a clam, almost happy-go-lucky, and a very happy medium.

This funny little picture is textured with Kim Klassen's beautiful new texture, felicity, along with another favorite, lily.

me standng on the scales

Happy Valentine's Day

 

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.

Helen Keller

 

Valentine's Storyboard

Photo Stories

Call them story boards, mosaics, collages, or hodgepodge. . . to me they are like story books.  Remember the sweet little books we read to our children where pictures told the story?

Thanks to Kim Klassen and her Beyond Layers class for these adorable templates.  My favorite is the story of our family - just a few snippets of every day life here.  Wow, no better way to feel grateful than to see your life from a different vantage point. The camera is great for giving perspective . . .

family collage

sew lovely collage

pretty in pink collage