happiness is ... (sunshine edition)

... the sunshine waking me up before my alarm ... the robins serenading me as I run ... more and more warm days (mixed with cold and rainy, just to keep things interesting) ... the produce section of the market becoming more inviting (only weeks until Farmer's market!) hence a supper of roasted golden and red beets served over greens and lemon zest goat cheese on ciabatta buns. Is there anything more delightful than the smell of fresh lemon?  Mood lifter indeed!

All kinds of craziness happening over here ... Spring fever has taken hold and I've discovered a new passion:

Tie Dye!  Prepping for shibori in Bali next October.  

I might just be opening a scarf stall when I get back (how many scarves can I bring home through customs?  Hmm ....)

Finding the best medicine is trying new things. Learned that from Martha Beck - it is good for the brain and good for the creative soul.  What should I try next?  

Anything sunshine yellow and turquoise I'd say ...

happiness is ... (post-break edition)

 These moments together ...

It is easy to slide back into well-established grooves ... as Cowgirl gets older, she is quick to retreat to her room to listen to music, draw or read and it is easy for me to busy myself with dinner prep, the mail or any of the quotidian tasks that tend to overpower one's sense of priorities.  Slowing down helps to provide space and perspective: what really matters in this moment? A washed and sorted pile of laundry? Or the last minutes of sunlight and together time disguised as a new project?

Tomorrow we will sew our new prayer flags.  I don't believe in limiting myself to the number of prayers released into the world, do you?

No, I believe in maximizing the opportunities for giving voice to our hopes, our prayers,  and I definitely seek out opportunities to maximize more sunshine in my world. The brightest, warmest light? This smile ... it never fails to melt my heart ...

Watching her grow into the brave, trusting, adventurous girl that I first knew as a babe in my arms now skating away from me and into the world brings both happiness and no small amount of mama fear for bruised knees, bruised heart.  

But I trust in the foundation we've been building and I lean heavily upon the hope that she knows that love, comfort, support and safe haven wait for her and welcome her home. Always.

happiness is ...

The return of a healthy urge ...

Rekindling my love affair with my cameras.  Flipping through stacks of books (Mary and Linda McCartney), looking about, camera in hand, itching to go exploring.  I blame it on the sunshine. I'll bundle up and brave the cold ...

happiness is ...

One project off the needles ...

my new shrug ...

Another one on ...

A third waiting in the wings.

Nothing makes me happier than experiencing the delight of beautiful wool caressing my fingers, lingering in my hands.  I  express my love through wool.  There is great pleasure in the making and more pleasure in knowing I have the perfect person in mind for the particular piece I am working on.  

How I love Autumn!  Time to cuddle up, cozy in, a mug of something spicy and warm by my side and the sense of short days filled with my most favorite of things.  Perhaps it is knowing the days are shorter, I tend to plan less but focus more intently upon what I do love, what does matter.

Quick now, here, now, always-
A condition of complete simplicity
(Costing not less than everything) 

T.S. Eliot, Little Gidding