painting at the kitchen table

 Tara has been sick with the flu for the past week...so I set up all of my painting stuff at the kitchen table and have been painting up a storm while she has been snoozing, watching movies and resting.I've been having so much fun...playing + experimenting. Truthfully...these past many months, I haven't had much time for painting, blogging and photography because Tara has truly needed me so much more and I decided I would scale back...just doing tiny bits and pieces here and there. She's only going to be little once...and time is just a flying on by. But...I have missed all of this so much...So, while I have been tired over here...it also feels really really great to get my hands all messy again!!!

And this is Tara today...feeling so much better, thank goodness:)

And of course nothing spells comfort food more than homemade pies!!! It's cold + dreary outside ...and I am dreaming of spring. In the meantime, though, keeping toasty warm. Happy + full of gratitude for so much.

life around here: day #21

 The weather around here has been really strange this summer...very volatile (it hailed last night!!) ...so I have been taking advantage of the sunny days. Every opportunity finds us outside...Tara with her magnifying glass, looking at all sorts of things and me...feeling the grass on my bare feet...listening to Bob Marley, reading a book or cloud watching. Sometimes we go to our backyard or...pack up a picnic lunch and head out the door.

 This is my gorgeous sweet girl...growing up in leaps and bounds. She has a confidence and air about her that I still don't possess. Love!!!

 There's a tea festival coming here friends!!!! A tea festival!!!!

 This about tells the story of Tim and Tara's relationship right here...

  Photowalks have become  a daily practice for me...just grab my camera, be present and mindful...and go! It really allows me to focus on this moment...and all the beauty and joy around me.

Been getting healthy over here, friends! My new schedule-wake up at 5 a.m. Mon-Fri to work out (cardio, core exercises on the ball, knee strengthening and yoga), then coffee and blog/computer stuff. Having super healthy/delish smoothies for breakfast (almond milk, tons of spinach, protein powder, frozen fruit, flax seed, and just discovered this right here) ... then... my day with Tara begins!

 Been doing a lot of writing in my journal. I want to find me way back to morning pages...but just can't fit it into my schedule these days...I mean...I don't want to wake up at 4!!! But still...finding lots of time to write throughout the day. Just focusing on joy, opening my heart + mind, being present...and growth!!! That's my life around here.
*update on my blog challenge: Okay! Some days I really wonder...whatintheblazeswasithinking???? but...most days I actually look forward to writing a post. Even those days (and there are many!!) where I wonder what on earth am I going to write about...if I give myself a chance...it manages to flow.

on the edge of wonder: life around here: day 3

 “The doors to the world of the wild Self are few but precious. If you have a deep scar, that is a door, if you have an old, old story, that is a door. If you love the sky and the water so much you almost cannot bear it, that is a door. If you yearn for a deeper life, a full life, a sane life, that is a door.”-Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes (WWRWW)

Motherhood has been a door for me.  I learn so much from Tara...how she fully embraces each moment, delves right into whatever activity she's doing...and is full of fun and playfullness. How she surrenders to joy and expresses all of her emotions; without holding anything back. How she's always standing at the edge of wonder...unleashing magic every chance she gets. How she can grow wings out of laughter and thin air. Sounds so simple...but I have to intentionally practice that.She is my teacher and ...I am filled with deep love, humility and grace for the experience + opportunity. Motherhood has opened the door to my deeper, most authentic bare self. 

 

Here I am a few days ago at the Funky Caravan dropping off a batch of new prints. So very happy that I have this opportunity ...if you happen to be in the area...please stop by!!!

Funky Caravan, 2606 West Colorado Ave. , Colorado Springs

Here is a display of my recent prints...I decided to make them in a few different sizes (matted and unmatted) ...loving the whole vibe!

Am going on photo walks every single day (sometimes more than once!!). Am so loving this practice (thanks to Vivienne McMaster via Be your Own Beloved). I find that it fuels me, keeps me grounded + in the moment plus...it's great combining creativity and self care! Loving how I'm practicing self care more + more (I feel a whole other blog post coming!!!) and ...love how I'm listening to what I really need.

This is Tara today in full princess/ballerina mode. She simply bursts my heart wide open...full of energy, sass and pizazz. She's starting ballet classes and oh my!!! She just can't get enough of all the twirling and swirling:) She's an absolute girly girl...through + through. If it's pink and sparkly...if there are roses + butterflies and ribbons...all the better. I'm sure you can tell!

Loving the gorgeous summer skies over here...this was taken on our evening walks one day last week. Tim and I hold hands and chat while Tara skips on ahead. So very grateful ...for so much.