Saturday afternoon I lit a fire in the stone fireplace, made a cup of green tea to go with my lemon squares and worked away on my poem boxes while listening to benny goodman records. These little poem boxes are matchboxes covered in various japanese hand made papers and I am so utterly pleased with them. Along with my five (seven, nine) word poems I am giving tiny prints (3 x 3) of my photo’s as gifts this christmas as well. Each little poem was written for a particular friend in mind and bloomed in quite a beautiful way in the end, thank goodness. I seriously cannot WAIT to deliver these this year!

It is Sunday and it couldn’t be a more perfect day to announce that I am so thrilled to be a part of Mindy’s Wishful virtual art retreat where I will be teaching a course called ‘Three Wishes.’ Pop on over for early registration and see the brilliant group of effervescent instructors she has lined up. I am truly honored to have been invited to be a part of this delicious weekend and am completely in awe of Mindy’s passionate energy and deeply generous center.

This week…I am planning a christmas party at my home on Friday night where I will be getting everyone tipsy on Darlene’s homemade eggnog, contemplating the beauty of a life filled with a series of thousands and thousands of tiny miracles and loving dylan’s unique take on a vintage christmas tune. It is Sunday and there is a dance of snowflakes outside my window I think I shall take my camera out for a snowy walk. Oh, and happy Sunday everyone!

Oh this weekend flew past me! But it was perfect if fleeting nonetheless There was a trip to seattle, wine and brilliant birthing of ideas, repotting my succulents for my studio, a very spicy vegetarian pasta sauce for sunday night dinner with friends, blustery walks on the beach collecting gifts from the sea….midnight music and blackberry tea when I simply could not sleep (reading ‘the war of art’ with furrowed brow and small epiphanies) and loads of crumpled papers on the floor from a terrible bout of writers block for work. A quiet pact was made with myself this weekend to not buy anything new at all this year with the exception of art supplies, books and a microphone (for my e~courses) and it feels so wonderful. The occasional visit to the thrift shop is allowed for above mentioned books however. (and perhaps the occasional vintage cardigan) I have the lovely Darlene and Kristen to thank for this new pact as I hop on board:)

I am deeply unearthing small (seven word) poems which hold me in thrall as I carefully pen delicate poems for friends as Christmas gifts. Along with these poems I am elclosing a miniature 3 x 3 print from my polaroid series. There will be gold and silver enclosed as well…because well, it is Christmas after all.

My first round of the ”yes’ e~course is almost done and I am feeling quite sad as it was such a brilliant and engaged group of participants. In the next few weeks I am testing my new photography e~course for children based on the program I am teaching in the Fine Arts school so I am looking forward to that very much.

It is Monday ~ I am making a curried broccoli soup and Irish Soda bread ~ and there is a whole week of possibility ahead of me ~ what are you up to?