Bluebirdbaby

full

our life is so very full these days. so very full. it's all i can do to just take a few simple breaths, click the shutter a few times at the beauty around me, and find some simple words for this space.

but i wanted to pass on some things i'm loving:

• Oh Land
• Already Yours
• this song and video is the sweetest
• look for me in the Pop Up Shop in a week! If you know anyone who's getting married, let them know! Major discount on my wedding packages!
• i'm loving Closet Visit
• i want these bangles
• loving Black Crane clothing
• oh, how i wish i could afford these for summer
• i saw this in person...it is fabulous.

What are you loving this week?

painting

Yesterday we enjoyed a morning painting in the sun. The little one finished this piece and I just love it. She is so excited about painting that we had to go back to the art store for more! I can't wait to see where this takes her.

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend! xo

chasing light

i spent the morning chasing light around the house. i've never experienced a Maine winter quite like this. so warm. i've been wearing my tweed blazers, scarf around my neck, and newsboy cap when walking around town, just soaking up the sunlight. i don't mind the lack of snow, or the warm temperatures.

today, walking through town i smelled grass. green growing grass. like spring. and i stopped, took a deep breath, smiled, and walked on. i thought about how sweet it smelled and how exciting the changing of the seasons are...especially coming out of the hibernation of winter. it's like a brand new start every year to look forward to.

for now, i am enjoying the sun streaming through the windows, reaching into corners and changing as the day progresses. there's nothing more beautiful than light...

A Mishmash

A collection of photos from a roll of film shot late last fall. Click on the photos for descriptions..

Hope you are all enjoying a happy weekend!

And, I'm in Love

Had my first painting lesson yesterday with Lari. It was amazing and wonderful and I had so much fun. I decided to work on a few collages for an upcoming art night. And I finished three, plus started two other acrylics!

I'm smitten with painting. Absolutely love it. Can't wait to do more. Next week I'm headed to the big city for some supplies!

Thanks Lari!!

 

What are you all working on this week?

A Little Tuesday Tune

 

 

One of her favorite songs. She is silly. I love the bouncing foot! Happy Tuesday!

a trip up the coast

we ventured up the coast yesterday to visit some galleries, get some pizza and ice cream, and walk around with our cameras.

the little one was in a bit of a mood, but i was able to capture these images that pretty much said it all...

 

a sketch date with my girl

we spent a rainy friday afternoon sketching up in my studio. just the girl and i.

she drew horses, and i doodled. we giggled and had snacks and listened to tunes.

it was a perfect afternoon.

i just can't believe how big she's growing. and reading, and writing, and her pictures are blowing me away.

this growing up thing is crazy sometimes...

 

hope you're all enjoying your weekend! xo

traditions

more old film.

this is our after thanksgiving dinner tradition...a walk down the road. it's always much needed after all that food.

it was a sweet walk, i remember. and sweet to be with family again.

but really...i just love the light in these photos.

i hope you all have a happy weekend! i've been painting the living room for days...you'll never guess the color! (the little one is very happy about it...)

around

Shots from a roll of film last November. Just around the house. Nothing special. Just daily life. xo

food

We've been enjoying some simple meals around here lately. I always start the day with two fried eggs. Always. It is a rare occurance if I eat something else, and even then, I feel as if it throws my whole day off. Two fried eggs are like waking up on the right side of the bed for me. Plus, our chicken's eggs are amazingly delicious, and slightly addictive. Throughout the day I have numerous cups of PG tips (more than I care to admit here), and am usually snacking on chocolate here and there.

Lunch has been leftover soups, baked eggs, simple spinach salads with turkey and a pesto mayo dressing.

Dinners are always different. I love that. Last night we had a cutting board filled with crackers, chianti cured salame, manchego, olives, and quince paste. Oh, and a glass of French wine. Yum. Other nights it's Mexican with friends featuring local meat, homemade guacamole, and plenty of hot sauce. Then the next night could be a frittata with chard, prosciutto, and sheep's feta. And the little one loves homemade mac and cheese, which I make using goat cheddar and mozzarella, with lots of butter and salt.

Tonight I'm thinking of making this herbed flatbread. Grain free too. We still have jars of pesto I made last fall in the freezer. It's fun to use those every week and think of our once green garden.

What's been on your menu lately?

tea with lari

I had the pleasure of finally meeting a local artist I had met on flickr so long ago. We sat down to tea this morning in her lovely home, chatted about photography and art and travel, took some pictures, and then I got a studio tour.

Lari is so incredibly talented. I was inspired by her work and her eye, and I can't wait to meet up again. (In two weeks I'm getting a lesson! So excited!) Check out more of her work here, and see some originals for sale here!

Thanks again Lari! Can't wait for next time...

a simple meal

we enjoyed a simple meal over the weekend. this skillet rosemary chicken was amazing. easy to cook and so yummy to eat! what recipes are you loving this winter?

and the room is almost done! it's so exciting. i love the white. i am on the hunt for some really bold artwork now, and i'm considering having my friend draw something directly on the wall. blank slates are fun! up next is pickling the floor, then i'm moving on to the living room. can't wait to enjoy many dinners in this room when it's done!

happy tuesday!

 

gathering

We've been talking a lot about strengthening our social community for a year now. 2011 was the year of big bashes, lots of music and dancing, BBQs, bonfires, karaoke, and potlucks. This year, we have grand plans for simple entertaining; shifting the focus from large gatherings to intimate dinners and quiet evenings. I think we're all ready for this shift, and I'm excited to see what this year will bring.

To start, I've spent the week so far painting the new dining room. I'm almost done, which is very exciting...I've never painted for 4 days straight before. It's tough work! After the walls are finally done, the floor is next. Then the table will hopefully be finished and in the house, we'll be on the hunt for mismatched wooden chairs, although ideally I'd love folding chairs like these.

With the new dining room, we can gather with a few other couples, have a simple meal, and maybe follow that with some music making or game playing. We're so excited for this simple shift.

 

For the past couple of months, we've been starting this trend with various friends. Mostly to lighten the load of cooking everyday of the week...we've been spontaneously gathering at various houses to enjoy a meal prepared by everyone, with a single ingredient brought to use. It helps our budgets and we also end up having a good conversation, or delving into some kind of art project. It's always fun, and so mellow with no expectations or grand plans. I love that.

I'm looking forward to a mellow 2012, full of good food, good people, and good conversations! And I can't wait to show you all the finished dining room! I'm off to paint another coat...

xoxo

a girl's night

sandy left friday night for a weekend retreat. the little one found ourselves alone with 2 dogs, 2 cats, and 7 chickens. we called it a girl's night and had a feast of smoked salmon, goat cheese, quince paste, and kale chips. i sipped on wine and she slurped her kefir. we had fun, the two of us.

i'm currently spending my days working on photo stuff, doing some shoots, taxes, and painting the new dining room. it's been pretty busy. i just started feeling better a couple of days ago, but i still don't have my full energy back. it's good to breathing normally again though!

hope you all had a happy weekend!! xoxo

noticing

this sickness is definitely getting the better of me. everything is shifting, but not in a pleasant way.

i've been spending so much quiet time at home this week. and i am not normally a quiet person. it's been interesting to just relax, and be, and enjoy everything around me. i've noticed how much in this house i am grateful for on a daily basis. i love it all. it is home.

i have some exciting home improvements i was counting on starting this week,  but just like everything else, they have to be put off for a time when i am feeling better. and that's okay too. it just means i get to enjoy what we have right now a little bit longer...

and i'm off to start preparing a super special dinner for a super special man. sasa's birthday is today, and the little one and i are going to pamper him and feed him and shower him with gifts and love until he closes his eyes tonight.

happy birthday, my love. xoxo