life stories: celebrating birth

while the picture was from our camping trip earlier this summer, celebrating one of my two brother-in-law's day of birth, it is a fitting image.  i am not sure if you've experienced years of misfortune or disappointment on your birthday.  i have.  while i entered this year with some hesitation, with a huge event this weekend, i had the best experience.  this year was so good.  so simple.  so taste-full.  this year's birthday was filled with well-wishes from friends & family, tweets, FB messages, good food and good shopping at my fav shop: Anthropologie.  so much of my favorites were involved:  my son, my hubby, seafood, laughter, cute new wears, and wine.  

my favorite moments included my son walking up to me, "mom, it's your birthday!" and then walking up to others, "hey, this is my mom.  tell her happy birthday."  he was so proud.  he sung the loudest, too.  a sweet sound for any mother, especially celebrating her birth. 

so, thanks, friends.  thanks, family.  and blessings to you as i plan to celebrate birth for the days to come.

july just flying by

wow.  who said that july would be a slow, leisurely month?  if anyone in this household did, we were misinformed.  while it's been a very good month, it's been one filled with surprises and unexpected gifts.  i am grateful.

i appreciate the past sunday's lectionary text a great deal.  especially when there's so much to do, places to go, people to see, work to accomplish.  whew.  my heart beats a little faster each time i write or think about all that has been done and what is left to be done.  our pastor and ministers reminded us through sermon and worship that we are called to rest.  not because we have done so much or because we earn the rest, but because that's part of the gift of creation:  rest.  so, today, for a moment (maybe two) i rest.  i rest with my feet up.  i rest as i inhale deeply.  my heart slows and my anticipation for the next two weeks is soothed.  i rest because it's a gift to receive today.  a gift for myself.  

as a minister, as a mother, but especially as a woman oriented to being highly productive, it's a must to balance and believe in rest and recovery in the daily routine.  while that doesn't always come, i consider a moment reading with my son as rest, for that engagement speaks to my soul.

the rest that i need isn't the same as the rest you require.  my soul rest involves a movie sometimes, a good drink often (right now sweet tea), a book (a favorite activity), paper and a few items to draw with.  what do you need to rest?  what do you need to find recovery from life and the demands you face each day?  

while july is just flying by, i remember our promise as a family to spend a day a week engaged in nature or learning.  i remember our promise to love each other well and to care for each other.  we've done this well.  what i often forget in the spaces between is how to care and love myself and give myself the rest i need.  

so today i will not be at bryan park market.  today i will spend the afternoon at home.  today i will make dough to grill bread with friends.  we will enjoy what time we have individually and as a family with friends who have become dear.  

so, as i tell myself:  stop.  take a deep breath.  close your eyes.  another deep breath.  and another.  open your eyes and inhale gratitude.  let your mind and body have 30 seconds of deep breathing bliss.  even that moment can work miracles.

life stories: play dough

we love making our own play dough.  don't get me wrong, though.  this is not the play dough in the yellow tub with the colorful lid.  each have their own place.  i love home made play dough and will always make my own.  the other can come in and out of the house, too, and we'll reuse some of those containers for a variety of uses.  

along our summer together in our cozy home, we enjoy the art of making and pretend baking with play dough.  we create long snakes, skinny worms and other imaginary pets.  this morning it was a hand shaped pancake with designs on top, made by the sweet son.  

today has been such a sweet day of decorating the space at church for this week's vacation bible school and a good reflective day from worship this morning (more to come as i ponder the themes presented).  i wanted to give you something of life here that you could carry with you in your life journey.  now for the sharing!  listed for you below is the play dough recipe i've used ever since working in the MC lab school through college & grad school.  source unknown.  it's safe to bet that this recipe is like many others out there, but it's a never-fail recipe in my dough making experience over the past decade.

Cooked Play Dough

1 c. flour

1 T. oil

1 c. water

1/2 c. salt

2 t. cream of tartar

food coloring (i use icing coloring and mix with the water before adding to the other ingredients)

Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan or electric skillet.  Mix well and cook over medium heat.  Stir constantly until mixture forms a ball.  Remove from the pan and let the dough cool a bit on a clean surface.  Knead until smooth.  Store in an airtight storage container after it's completely cooled.

Be warned:  if you use red, pink, and some purple icing colors, your hands may reflect a tinge of pink.  Wash immediately or use gloves if you're concerned about semi-dyed hands.  

life stories: magic beans

what a sweet treat but for my farming husband to harvest these beautiful magic beans this morning.  i loved receiving this treat of our first black beans harvest.  they're simply magic. these simple, beautiful beans are such a source of inspiration to focus on this moment.  the colors are so lovely with hints of purple.  beans, that when planted create magic as their plants grow.  oh, i love our happy garden and our cozy home.  

it's a treat to have the home all to myself today.    i love the day getting my work and fabrics organized, tying up some loose business ends, taking photos of a truly artsy friend's spectacular work, and taking deep breaths.   all of this energy will be poured into creativity, with those magic beans near.  i'll celebrate new art and design as i carve, and will work on writing a new program working with the chronically ill for the fall and prepare for the evening's bereavement work.

these magic beans care for me in their simplicity and beauty as i create work that is meant to care for others.    

a week of story

as i prepare for a storytelling & art event for a fellow young clergy woman, i am excited and energized.  her theme "the story of me" is go great.  these teenagers will work with me and make accordion-style books incorporating painting, collage, drawing, and journaling.  can you tell that so much will happen in a short amount of time?  we'll have a grand time creating and talking.  above is the custom logo created for her theme and will be put to great use.  the stories shared will be full and meaningful.  it's going to be amazing.  i'm looking forward to the entire week, including gathering with sweet friends and reconnecting in meaningful ways.

these days have been busy enjoying the mild summer, cooking with really good produce, watching my preschooler grow and discover, vending at various markets in town, creating new hairpins & art, and writing plans for upcoming group work.  a good life.  a creative life. 

fourth of july market weekend

Friday, July 3rd Zou Zous Basement & I will be setup at The Market Umbrella at Quirk Gallery.  

Saturday, July 4th, we'll be at South of the James Market under The Market Umbrella.  Come out and see our latest works!

may your weekend be filled with good times, great laughter, and the generosity of friends, family, and neighbors.  cheers.

facebook savvy

finally!  i've been trying this for weeks and had success creating a facebook page for Silver Tree Art.  Thanks, friend, for the help!

if you're on FB, and i've done this link correctly, you can Become a fan.  i'll post about the markets i'll be vending at as well as online links, press, and news about silver tree art.  you'll get the latest here as well.