sweet indigo life

Fortune cookies, postcards & wonderful old friends

I am greeting you from my desk on my day off.  Ahem.  (Pardon me, while I finish laughing....day off, that's a good one! lol!!!) Well, a day at home to do my "home" work.  Groceries in particular, which by the way, make me a little nutty anyways but in particular, when I return home to my new box of clementines that are going off (yes, I checked them, it was the bottom layer!) only to lay eyes on this gorgeous post full of fresh and delicious adventures...including a roadside orange purchase that would make any fruit lover envious.  I seriously don't get how they can make it all the way from Morocco to Canada and still be tasty.  It defies logic.  I should know better!

I am excited because a fortune from a fortune cookie from dinner the other night reads:

"A cheerful letter or message is on its way to you."

Really? Oh my!!! Could this be because I begged happiness & love in the form of a postcard from you the other day?  This could be exciting!! Can't wait.  Like I said before, I will post pictures and quotes from the postcards when they arrive in the New Year.  I want to then pass the torch to a willing participant, who in turn could do the same...you see?  How lovely this could be???

Lastly, but not leastly, my friend Steve from Greenleaf Wood Studios dropped off a gift I ordered the other day.  Steve and I reconnected through a social networking site and so technically have known each other for the better part of 30 years.  Steve is a generous person, funny & has many interests including his woodworking studio.  He is a married father of two gorgeous girls, and had more fun at DisneyWorld recently than they did, I'm sure.  (insert grin here!) So, that said, I paid Steve for the *secret Santa* gift I ordered through him, (because I like to support the handmade, people). Then surprise, he drops into my hand this, a gift for me;

It is heavy, green, and he made it himself (not sure what kind of wood it is), and a joy to write with.  It is my new favourite pen, and no, I won't be lending it out...sorry.  If you want your own one of a kind pen, or bowl, or pepper mill...visit Steve for yourself.  Thank you Steve, and Merry Christmas to you and your family! xo 

P.S. Steve blogs right here, he is a feel-good, wood turning, martial arts kind of guy.  He likes to swing a sword in his downtime.  Do pay him a holiday visit! Thanks and much love to you all.

Before I go, some gratitude:

1. Turkish delight and those who eat it!!

2. When I discover new blogs written by funny people!

3. The silhouette family generator! So much fun, thanks Randi xo

the world is my studio, winter blooms & colourful Sundays

 
First let me tell you that today is going to be wonderful. {Because I just decided that, actually.}

I am tidying up my studio space, and make it more functional for producing winter-magic-infused creations.  I like the word "studio". So many throw it around so loosely (myself included), and I've decided that is for the best really, for, like a soul, we all possess one.  When you create, that space thusly becomes your studio.  If you write; your desk is it.  If you paint; your easel is it.  If you shoot photographs; the world is it. You get what I mean! In the kitchen cooking? You're in your studio!

My actual studio space is a rather large and toy preoccupied unfinished basement.  But, to the artist, it is a blank canvas of possibility.  To me, that artist I just referenced, it will become multifunctional, an art space for my painting, photography and writing.  It will also serve as a home gym.  So if the muse tip-toes away, or my inspiration-well dries up...I need only to jump on the treadmill I asked Santa for.  So part of today's task is clearing space in case I've made it on to the Nice list. It is my hope to make it a functional space after today...

And now for a couple of random happy things: First, I was picking up supplies at the shop for my spa, when the woman suggested Moroccan Argan Oil for my hair.  I need it to keep my hair soft and smelling lovely. Happier than happy that it actually works.

Secondly, I am rather giddy because I discovered that my African Violets really found a new home, within my home. Yes, it took some serious work of the heart to find exactly where she needed to be, but beside the kitchen patio is it! There are now ten blooms, where for two years before she sat all green-with envy at the other blooming plants.  She has come into her own; as all of us do.  You can see her right here.

A short & sweet gratitude list today:

1. Blackest India ink.

2. Green & cranberry dressers made into "studio" furniture.

3. Blooming violets.

xo (click the hug and kiss for a sweet little video)

from behind the magic lens....a wish or two....for YOU

 
 My wish{es} for you today:

That you be happy.

That you be fed.

That you be loved.

That you be carefree!

That you be reckless & wild (for it is so much fun to forgo responsibility every now and then, we all have an inner child to nurture.)

That you be surrounded by warmth.

That you listen to loud music of your choosing.

That if you need a hug, someone gives you one unconditionally. (Twelve a day, is essential for life. My friend Cate is a huge hugging advocate, and says that the first four fuel you for survival, the remaining eight balance you and maintain you...so twelve is of utmost importance!)

That if you are alone and sad that you only look up to a shining star and know that I am thinking of you.  Yes, I am thinking of YOU.  What could be nicer? (Will you return the favour?)

That you be at peace with your decisions today.

That you put yourself first, and then subsequently put others first in order of importance.  Life triage.  Decipher who needs you most and GO!  Giving of yourself makes you feel great.

That you accept someone new and annoying into your life because they are likely there to teach you something.

That you let it roll.  (Water off a duck's back.)

That you forgive.  (Who cares? A year from now, will this truly matter? If no, then let it go....)

That you challenge yourself to something new...a language, a new road trip, a new "look" (some of us are still wearing the same old clothes we always did, distinguish yourself and redefine yourself, and DON'T care what others say about it....)

That you join a society...or a guild....or a brotherhood.  We all need to belong somewhere.

That you try preparing a new food.  Seriously, no one wants your "famous" meatloaf anymore!

That you do your body & mind a favour tomorrow morning and s t r e t c h before you do anything else.

That you buy a coffee press, and indulge in one of the finer tastes on the planet.  French press coffee. 

That if you aren't a coffee person, go out and treat yourself to a soy chai latte at Starbuck's.  (Not an endorsement, just a personal fave. Go for extra foam and cinnamon.)

That if you haven't been in awhile, go dancing!! Shake your bootie! Or is that, booty? Either way, just go shake it cause that is why you were given it.  For real.  I wouldn't steer you wrong.

That if you have to let someone down, do it gently.  For what goes around comes around we all know that. (No, I am NOT driving the bitter bus! lol)

That you trust.  That is all.  That is a tough one, for those of you who have been let down.  Get over it.

That you send me a postcard.  My address is 215 King Street East, Oshawa, Ontario L1H 1C5.  That you say something nice to me on that card to make my day.  I will then share the results here on this little blog for all the world to see.  You will be part of a really good "feel good" project and then we'll pass the torch and YOU may be next to get postcards.  Yes, this is fun.  Do it. Oh and if you do and you are on Facebook then I shall add you.  Oh yes, how much fun is this? We are starting a real party here...!

That you wish a darling girl a Happy Birthday! today...yes, today.  She rocks. Though she be speechless.  Hard to believe actually....lol....xo

That you....have a wonderful weekend. 

My gratitude list:

1. Harissa sauce.

2. New York City!

3. Will Farrell.

No links today.  You don't need the extra work.  Know that you are treasured beyond measure when you gaze up at our star system and know KNOW that you aren't alone here in the cosmos.  For don't we all want to just be part of something bigger, and better than ourselves?  Oh yes.  We do. 

Much love, happy happy! xoxo

a song, a mantra & sparkly Christmas miracles

Sorry I'm late posting.  Life.  Gets. Ahead of me sometimes!!! LOL

My favourite song of all time.  Seriously.  EVER.
I could listen to it ten times a day. {I wouldn't care to open up a can of worms, and I love love LOVE John Lennon, but...Paul.  Well...has uber talent all his own, wouldn't you say? Yes, a Paul fan! In fact, it was Linda McCartney that put me on the path to being vegetarian before.  I am seriously considering it again.  I have her cookbooks.  Love her. Heather who? Seriously, even Paul can't replace her.}

May we all find the peace we seek. {Yes, all of us. ALL. Read them all.}

I called Julian at his new store tonight, to ask if he had a certain accessory for the snowman the kids built tonight.  We now have a beautiful new snowman complete with a carrot nose, and a corn cob pipe. (I shall photograph him and show you soon.  He is so cute.)

Those crazy things are my three.  Gratitude mulitiplies your blessings, you need only to be grateful in order to cultivate more to be grateful for. It is a lovely equation.

Like last night, when folding laundry, and vaccumming (sp?), I felt so happy to be able to do those things.  I love my home.  My home makes me so happy.  It is like our nest.  So fluffing and folding gives me pleasure.  You see?  Every so often I'd look out the window at our new snowman.  He glowed in the snowy night.  (An aura only a mom can see, due to him being given his spirit by the children, right?)

I looked about while doing laundry, I saw a book of portraits, inscribed by a good friend.  I saw a wall hanging, created by a good friend.  I saw two beautifully nautical and perfect Sanibel seashells, given to me by a good friend.  It would seem, I'm surrounded by them.  (Good friends, that is. Thank God.)

If you have but one friend or twelve, I hope you are grateful for them.  Treat them like gold. They deserve it.

(Likewise, so do YOU.)

Today's gratitude is really random, but that is okay.  Life is too sometimes. xo

starving artist

~starving artist {primarily}~ photo by Gillian da Silva

Tuesday starts the glorious most melancholic month of madness, December.  I'm going to post a favourite photo each day.  Most will be mine {favourites I selected from the year}.  Some will belong to another {faves I've faved, over the year}, which I shall give credit for upon posting.  Join me if you care to, I'd be honoured.  List three things you are thankful for with each photo.  That is it.  Simple and sweet. (It is like a break without the break...no thinking....just thankfulness from the heart.)

In FIVE posts, I'll be doing my 200th post on this blog.  I'm having a give-a-way. I wish to celebrate all of YOU.  Leave me a comment here, between NOW and the 200th post...and your name will go in a hat-of-wonders...good luck and details on the prize soon.

I loves yous!!!!  So much so!

File under favourite Christmas quotes:

I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.  ~Charles Dickens

A song to go with this quote,  I do believe. His voice makes me CRY. {canto della terra, means "Song of the Earth"}

 A song to send you over the Yuletide edge (seeing him Thursday...! yay!)

p.s. Is that David Foster on piano? ;)

oops, I'm going to start early....three things....SINGING, COOKIES, FRIENDS xo

What the water gave me.

What the water gave her.

I had to indulge in a little "Frida" moment. He questions me.

"You are taking your camera in the bath?" he asks.

"Yes.  It isn't what you think."

"In that case be careful, you wouldn't want to drop it in there.  You know how much that cost!!" he replies, grinning.

Well for art's sake, I was willing to risk it.

xo

Pretty plum purples~a passion

I'm plum tired.  I had the flu shot yesterday, because I work with the public and must do my duty to protect myself, my family and my clients.  But today, my arm feels like a giant purple bruise and my head is swimmingly tired.  My spirits are up though, so that is a good thing.  At least I'm not tired and miserable!

Purple has been one of my favourite colours since childhood.  Purple and rich green.  So here are some shots of purple that won't leave you feeling under-the-weather! But first, speaking of childhood, a friend of mine has taken up her passion for writing, and is now publishing a blog for all to enjoy...please visit Tracy and say hello, you'll love her passion for writing, biking & cooking! 

 


 

Look at that face! Does she need a nap or what?? lol

That M*A*C eyeliner is my favourite...POWERPLUM :)

Here is a shot for you, on this rainy day in Ontario.... xo

Oh...and a song too! {Don't watch if you are a sappy sap like me, I cried! Super sweet gesture, Miley}

 

Yellow's complimentary colour is...indigo. ;)

 
The festival of *colour* continues with luscious yellow.  I used to be afraid of yellow.  Much like Margie was afraid of white...but it has grown on me.  (I dreamed once of a beautiful yellow room in which everything I ever loved was there, everything and everyone!)

Never mind the white Margie, white was yesterday, and you are conquering that one anyway...here is (among other things) a sugar artist...who works with lovely mediums: wire, sugar, threads...my personal favourite was *monkey with leica*. The *Last Supper* done in chocolate sauce is a wonder to behold.

On with the march of yellow:

My door.

My bunch of bananas.

A yellow starry hoodie.

A cob of Indian corn.
   
A wacky chick with a duckie umbrella.

Tomorrow when you see me, I'll have been immunized for the flu.  So tomorrow expect to see a shot or two of purple. Have a sweet, happy, productive Tuesday.  xo
 
 
 

Sugar animation; inspiration in *white*

Today is whimsical and wonderful white!  I'm inspired by many things, many people.  True hearts prevail out there it would seem.  So a small *white* tribute to those dear souls.  This first photo is inspired by this incredible sand animation artist. 

I am fascinated by animation of all kinds.  But, as an amateur photographer it makes me feel like an ant on the mountain of technology that is available now.  Click here to see why.

The reason behind all the white here today is a *colour week* project. My world is a flurry of white dotted here, and there...

 
 
  


Please join in the festival of colour this week over at n o d d y b o o m. See you tomorrow, with my favourite, yellow. Enjoy all this day has to offer you! xo

I love you in order to begin loving you. :)

 
I'm learning my camera this week. The shot above was taken this morning in my bedroom.  I shoot mainly in manual and aperture-priority but now I am learning shutter-priority and it is fun!  I'm zipping around the house taking test-shots of things with different shutter speeds and various white balances. I really want to know what I'm doing when I get to Jordan, and seeing as the technical functions of my camera aren't my forte-I am studying hard.  I'm more of a point and shoot kind of gal, in aperture-priority mode.  I will be on this trip with people that swamp me in technical knowledge and gear, so I'll be "the little engine that could" hanging on for dear life! Wish me luck I only have a few months to really know what I'm doing.

I have some link love today;

Gallery Thirty One, a twenty-photo essay about the Day of the Dead festival in Mexico.   

This ornament would make a startlingly beautiful addition to any festive tree!

We are heading out to get a turkey today, and all the trimmings (so they are as fresh as can be) for tomorrows little gathering at our house for Thanksgiving. I'm no Martha, but I want to make it a pretty presentation.

How many times have you judged, without trying to see both sides of the story? Or bought into a single story of a person or place? There is danger in a single story. 

One of my best friends lives here.  What a hip city!  I have her, her husband & daughter on my "must visit" list. Her and I try to talk on the phone a few times a week, it is our time to vent & laugh.  You can read a little more about her here.

Happily reading the following:

Digital Rebel XTi/400D Digital Field Guide

Paulo Coelho's BRIDA

Paulo Coelho's THE DEVIL AND MISS PRYM

100 Love Sonnets by Pablo Neruda

Here is a snippet of one (that fits beautifully with Day of the Dead celebrations): 

XCII

My love, if I die and you don't die,

my love, if you die and I do not,

let us not give pain more territory:

there is no expanse like the one we lived.

 

Dust in the wheat, sand in the sands

of time, the wandering water, the lazy wind

carried us like sailing grain.

We might not have found each other within time.

 

This prairie in which we find ourselves,

oh small infinity! we give back.

But love, this love has not ended,

 

and just as it had no birth

it has no death, it is like a long river,

it only changes lands and lips.

(Yes, there are 100 like that in this book.  Such delicious words!)

Last but certainly not least...I'm topping off my list with Frommer's Los Angeles 2009.

***

Have a love infused week.  Stay true to who you are; bow down to no one...forgive yourself mistakes you've made and pledge to learn from them.  Embrace new opportunity.  Carve out a new niche for yourself.  Study something new...the brain thrives when you feed it new information, so give it a good old fashioned work-out.  Sleep well, eat well, and take brisk walks.  Remember how important your contribution is, don't diminish yourself with pity, or self doubt. 

xoxo