Our special day

I found this very beautiful yet simple dress at White House Black Market...it even has pockets!

My sweet parents

We did it!

On this day...November 21st, 2011 I married my love, my best friend...♥

This photo was taken by my good friend the talented Georgia at  Gypsyrae.

My grandmothers jewelry was recreated by Beth at Beth Quinn Designs , she does amazing work!

Our flowers were done by Amanda at Butterfly Petals...Absolutely fell in love with her eclectic taste!

Summer time splendor

Fresh Garden Goodness

 Bug the cat sitting on my lap on an early Alaska morning

One of my favorite flowers indeed♥

African Daisy

This lil guy let me get soooo close to him and he just stayed put. I especially love the coloring of his eyes.

 In the background is the highest mountain in the country...Mount Mckinley, Alaska

I just love ALL of the colors of my sweet summer....looking forward to what I see this Fall.



The Wee Hours

We have many farms around us that intermingle with suburban neighborhoods. The corn, cotton & alfalfa fields are large pockets of beauty that I always wish we had more of here in this place we call home . This photo was taken in the wee hours of the morning. There was a chill in the air, the red winged birds were just awakening and beginning their daily chatter...they sounds so inviting. I wonder what it is they are saying when they sing so loud, they seem to have much to say. I always imagine they are singing their morning praises to the beauty all around them, asking for abundant blessings and expressing their gratitude the little lives they live.

What would it be like to sleep in the middle of a corn field I wonder...the cool breezes through the large stalks of growing corn, the crickets galore, the lullaby songbirds serenading at dusk and dawn & the expansive sky above with all the millions of stars sparkling the night away.

What is growing in your neighborhood, please do tell? I would really like to know.

LaLaLand

(This picture is courtesy of Christa Wagner)

Yes it's true, I have been somewhere other than here. Well I am here of course but somewhere deep has been occupying my mind and body. The kind where you don't know what it is but your heart tells you to keep quiet, spend lots of time alone, and do only the things that keep you fulfilled . The things that don't require a lot of energy. I also have been nursing a cold that is trying to keep me down but it 's not just a cold, it's also LaLaLand which I occasionally visit to sooth the soul. So here is a list of things that help me when I feel the need to visit LaLaLand...

*A gallon of whole milk to use every drop in a long hot bath, in the dark, with a candle and the curtains open so I can see the stars.

*Home made chicken soup that sooths the body.

*A clean kitchen floor free of the previous weeks traffic...this is one of those things that truly does make me feel better and does not require to much energy.

*A quiet home with only the sounds that a home can make, also the occasional cats meow telling me it's time for snuggles.

*Tinctures and concoctions from Dr. Jess  that sooth the soul and body.

*Fresh flowers and pumpkins that remind me the seasons are changing...so important here in hot, hot, hot Arizona.

*Sleeping in...ahhh love this one.

*Lounging around in my most comfy pants.

*The sound of the laundry machine doing it's magic

*Girlfriend phone dates.

*Paying a visit to all my favorite blogs, saying hello and maybe stay for some tea.

These are just a few of my favorite things I do more of when I feel this way...

Open heart

Over the past few months I feel as if I am living with my heart wide open. I notice lots of lil moments that leave me feeling so peaceful & grounded & and just plain happy sappy. I'm not sure if it is all a part of being engaged and living off a daily dose of happy endorphins or just a process, a layer of being in the middle of a life altering rite of passage but it all feels so right and so good. I have worked hard to get to this place in my life and I want to just absorb all the juicy splendor I can stand! So here I sit, honoring my feelings, taking every opportunity I can to connect, feel, and be a witness to this open heart adventure.
What kinds of things are you witnessing in your life? I would love to know!

Life

My latest lil piece of art..tiny yet significant

Crafty goodness

My my my I have been in such a productive crafty mood! Since I have been on break from school life has slowed down enough to catch my breath, fill my cup and renew my mojo. Here are pictures of some of the wonderful things that I've been up to...

I made these adorable house pants out of 2 pillow cases

 My famous Jammy Jam in the making

♥The complete product ♥

 Home*made Strawberry Ice cream...ohhh man

This post was from earlier in the summer and for some reason I left it behind...But it's never too late as now with school, new office & wedding planning I've been on a roll today!

Alaska Adventures

Doesn't this place make you want to just cozy up with a good book or a girly outing

One of my favorite places in Alaska....Homer. You must visit the spit and throw rocks in the ocean

Im a happy girl

Do you see what I see?

Our dear friend Miss. Carol is passionate about her "Junk Yard Art"...*Love*

The vibrant colors of Alaska are awe inspiring♥

♥Gushy♥

So gushy I have been for this man right beside me!

 I am so beyond giddy to be his wife and he my husband

following our hearts in this beautiful life we share... 

Some exciting news

Oh yes, yes he did!

July 9, 2011 my honey man asked me to marry him in one of the most romantic places here in the valley... and I was totally surprised!

So very excited to continue walking on this journey with him.

♥I am blessed♥

Mothers Day

I loved creating this piece. I gave it to my mother on Mothers Day and it was hard to part with but the recipient was well worth it!

Is it hard for you to part with your art?

 I love all of my work and really do feel like my heart is left with each and every canvas but I feel it would be more appreciated by others whom feel led to have it. I reconnected with a friend of mine on Facebook from eons ago recently told me she has kept one of my doodles all these 13 years and hangs it proudly in her bathroom..

I'm am honored!

To me it was just a doodle done on a drizzly day in Alaska in the middle of know mans land, long forgotten by me but has meant something to her and I feel connected to her in that lil way, even though we are miles apart and leading busy lives of our own.

So I commit to continue working diligently on my artistic expression and put ME out into this big beautiful world. 

Jammy Jam Jam

Nothin like farm fresh Strawberries, Rhubarb & Orange Blossoms to make some of my favorite jam!

I've been in a creative kinda mood....met with my gal pals last night for an evening of making and creating...Bloomers, when they are finished I will share but I must say they are ADORABLE!  Drinking wildcrafted Tinctures from dear soul Latisha . She made me a scrumptious one called "Study Ease" to help with the school stresses, and as we speak I am trying out that crazy recipe of  Carmel condensed milk in  a can , boiling it for 4 hours and  creating an incredible Carmel pie filling for say....banana cream pie!

♥Ahhhh I love Sundays in our home♥

This Cat

This cat

Makes me giggle

Makes me feel loved

Lets me give her lovins

Loves to cuddle

Loves to rattle her head around when she gets excited

Waits for us by the door to come from our nightly walks

Loves Max but will never let him know

Adores Michael

Wants to just hang out in the bathroom with you

Announces when she wants company to leave the house

By my side when ever I'm sick...

♥Love love love this cat♥

Mill rat

That is what they call those who hang out on Mill. It is full of young and old, the super talented, the artistic, ASU students & those rebelling against society to choose a life living on the streets making it day to day on their artistic bead & necklace making talents and or music abilities. Its a small stretch of a street but it is a lil urban utopia in the middle of our desert and I have always loved this place.

 The post office always smells like ice cream and fresh made waffle cones, art festivals take up the streets with hundreds of locals perusing around.

 I once got the chance to live just two blocks away and would walk here often . It was a wonderful time in my life, my lil apartment. Very tiny , very old  but just my style.

 I have still kept in cahoot's with my ol landlord, sweetest  guy by the way. He is the kind of landlord you would want to have. He recently told me that my old apartment will be available soon. A while ago I mentioned to him that I had  been daydreaming about renting that space again and using it for my Art/Massage studio. My imagination has been running wild as he brought it up to me today and if I would be interested in actually doing it.

My ohhh my would I!

The responsible part of me is debating the dreamy part of me......who shall win.......

Im a stocker.....card stocker that is

One of my tiny obsessions...good cards.

 I buy them when I find a great one knowing it will someday be sent to the perfect person with kind, heartfelt words handwritten in my best penmanship. It feels awesome knowing I have these treasures by my side and when I have that quiet thought of that special person this box makes my life a lil easier to send a hug through the mail.  

I'm off to ....Trader Joe's, why do you ask?

Have you seen the cards for sale at Trader Joe's? They are BEAUTIFUL, full of great art work on fabulous paper stock and the best part is they are only $1.00!!!

I just read on one of the blogs I follow...Christine Mason Miller that her Art work is  appearing on the cards and are to be sold at Trader Joe's. Yayyyyyyy!!

♥Im gonna need a bigger card box♥

*grateful*

I had the most lovely of days with my family. It's really somethin when everyone can gather in our home all together from our busy lives and be together in celebration. I feel loved and am grateful for everyone of em!

One of my favorite finds

I think I found this at the Goodwill near my house.  I love wandering in Goodwills...it's a secret pleasure:)

I have seen these hunks of wood before but not sure what they are actually used for but for now, in my home it houses my paint brushes.

*Love*

Magpie

Our lil Max

Also know as

Magpie

Maxy

Big Boy

SugarPup

 One of my favorite things about our Maxy is he always looks for me to be sure I'm not to far off. When we go hiking he is of course so excited and realizes I'm a lil behind and he will run to me and then run ahead as if to say "come on slow poke" !

My Kitchen Sessions

When ever I am in a deep hard  place emotionally I always feel better getting into the kitchen bare feet  and all. I'm not exactly sure how things get worked out in my head but I always end my "kitchen sessions" feeling less of a load. Almost like a purge, yes an emotional purge. The kind where you feel a burden has been lifted and you have a renewed sense of problem solving & and new perspective. Sometimes my tunes are on sometimes not, a candle is always lit and open windows are a must...if weather permits. And of course this is when our animals most want to be by my side at my feet. Teeka usually wraps her body around the corner of a wall and Max, well he is typically on the rug by the sink and has no problem not budging when I need to get to the sink. I like the energy they provide me in my kitchen sessions...like  gentle support.

What helps you in times of struggle? How do you create your space for emotional work?

Step into your beautiful self

Do you ever feel yourself actually becoming more of who you always envisioned to be?

I am feeling a bit that way now....big things are on the horizon..............

My witchy women

I have a few very special ladies I get to be with when all the stars align, this last gathering was an evening to honor the new moon, and our sisterhood with each other. It was lead by Latisha in her humble abode. We were surrounded with all her herbal plants in her Lucius garden, the kind of place one can contemplate your deepest thoughts and leave feeling fulfilled and rejuvenated.

We shared our hearts, and tears, struggles and triumphs and it was sooooo girly!

Latisha made the most incredible offerings to us as you can see in the picture above. I went home and had to play with each and every item.

I am so looking forward to the next full moon gathering!

Desert ride

My honey man treated me to a birthday horseback ride with my family through the Arizona Desert and it was PERFECT! The weather was incredible, spring had sprung everywhere, even the wild Ocotillo were glowing bright green in the evening sunset...it was soooooo beautiful!

I am blessed

My Purple Potato surprise

My good friend Ursula and I were enjoying ourselves at the Tempe Arts  Festival and decided to renew ourselves at one of my favorite stops...Cafe Boa .

In my salad I stumbled upon this fabulous find ...  a big ol smiley face staring right back at me!

It's the little things right?

Paying it forward

Thank you to the kind man in front of me  in the drive through at Starbucks whom surprised me by purchasing my drink for me!

It really lifted my spirits as I was on my way to class to take an important exam and was dragging my feet. My whole outlook perked up as the teller told me that the driver in front of me treated lil ol me.

He didn't even leave me a number to call him or give me the googly eye in his review mirror, It was just genuine kindness.

It made me think of all the lil opportunities that come up in a single day we can take advantage of to help make someones day a  little brighter!

How has someone "paid it forward to you", I would LOVE to hear your thoughts? 

Beauty

Usery Park

Sometimes im caught by surprise about how much I've come to truly love this place. Yes its a far cry from my Alaska upbringing but you know something....I somehow created myself the most beautiful life with the most amazing friends and family, especialy Michael. Someday I will share with you that incredible moment...the moment I followed my heart and completly changed the direction of my life.

Do you recall your defining moments? I would love to hear them!

One of my favorite to do's

I have been on spring break this week and getting the chance to catch up with all of my favorite to do 's . One of them is reading my favorite magazines ...can't you tell? My favorite mixed media artist ...Kelly Rae Roberts in Somerset, Artful blogging... Mary Janes Farm...ahhhh I'm in heaven!

For all you Farmgirls

I just wanted to spread some goodness to you all....have you picked up the Mary Janes Farm magazine lately? If not you are truly missing out!  Enjoy it and lose yourself in all its glory!