Around here lately....

I had the pleasure of video chatting with Monica Lee over at Smart Creative Women. Do you know her site? She's got gobs and gobs of awesome chat sessions with all sorts of creative women. I often listen in while I make stuff - always lovely to hear other women dishing on all things business, creativity, challenges, celebrations, life!

So anyhoo, that's what we did. We chatted for about an hour - you can listen in on part one here and part 2 here. I found myself telling stories I haven't told in a long time. Like the time when John and I had had enough of the Portland rain and up and sold our house, put everything in storage, quit our day jobs, and high tailed it on one very cheap adventure (camping! for months!) - we were 26ish I think and this was years before my finding art. I had no idea what I wanted to be or do but that big risk/decision would be the first of many that led me to where I'm at now. Life is short. I err on the side of adventure, even when it turns out to be way harder than expected.

Listen in over here and here.


 Mom is letting her red hair go grey. I love it and I think it makes her look wise and serene and seriously stylish.

   
Speaking of my mom, I walked into her house the other day and saw this awesomeness. She took her "foot" bookends and screwed them to the bottom of a suitcase to create a funky coffee table. How cute is that? You can see her other "feet" projects here. For this one, she screwed the bookends to the bottom of the suitcase by placing pieces of wood inside the suitcase and screwing those pieces of wood down into the bookends. Brilliant.

 
Thought this light was so lovely in our home the other day...had to capture it.

   
Been making some big art. LOVE the happy messes that come from creating.
   
From our veggie/herb boxes in the front yard. Did you know that if you plant food or plants, they actually grow and then you can eat the stuff that you grew? SATISFYING! I made spinach basil dip with these. Two handfuls of spinach, one handful of basil, 2 advocados, pinch of salt, a garlic clove, and lemon juice from one lemon - add to food processor and voila - yummy goodness.
    Speaking of growing stuff, these lovelies all came from our yard. FROM THE YARD, friends! The dahlias are in bloom it's just one of the reasons why Portland rocks summertime. Dahlias everywhere.
   
Spotted this happy face on True's plate of waffles. Love.
   
Also spotted this massive heart while on a family bike ride with True and John. Made the whole caravan stop so I could capture it. Definitely going in the collection.
Sending summertime warmth to each of you out there...