Planned By Him

I sunk my toes in the sand, heard stories about bohemian artists, and had the sea breeze in my hair all because my husband planned it. 

There's not much I don't plan. What to eat for dinner, where to go, what needs to be done when, and quite frankly it's tiresome. I've never been an all mapped out person. Random trips that happen on a whims notice - that's me. They feel like magic moments. The ones where you get to escape without a care or thought to think about, not knowing what you might discover along the way.

We were suppose to go to the largest flea market in the area this Wednesday, that was the plan. He schedule his day off, I cleared my day off - but sometimes as much as you plan, things happen you don't expect. 

Then he planned it all. A day just for me. He took me to the Florence Griswold Museum, where there is painted door panels, and stories that made me wish I was part of the art colony started there.We ate lunch at a nearby cafe we had never been to. I showed him my secret spot I would sometimes drive to when I worked in the area and had gotten there a little too soon. 

Then we combed the beach with our shoes in our hands and feet splashing in the tide. Finding sea glass, shells, and driftwood pieces for an art mobile I'm working on. 

It was the best day I've never planned.  

* PS - I think our little aspiring artist Miss Aries will have her own art colony one day. She had one of her art pieces picked to be in school district wide art show. We couldn't be more proud! 

Wednesday Nights

I have the weirdest days off, honestly. Sundays and Wednesdays. Sometimes it feels like I never leave my day job. But it all works schedule wise. 

This year I promised myself to carve out a sliver of time that was just for me, get back to blogging, art, and to try new things. Pottery was at the top of my list. So every Wednesday night I go to pottery class. It was intimidating at first. My first real art class as an adult. 

Throwing the clay, pulling up the walls, getting dirty. It's a much harder than the potters of the art world lead you to believe. My first couple of pieces are the size of toothpick holders and possibly a wonky personal sized gravy boat. 

But this one class was a turning point. Hovering over the wheel, trying to get my lump of clay to go more vertical, I could hear myself in my head saying "just make a bowl already". Always being busy, in a rush, and more than likely the mom of three littles - was making me actually try to just hurry up the process, and well pressure the clay into something. The whole point of the class was to relax, slow down a bit.  

What the potters have that I didn't was patience. 

I'm slowly getting better. My second batch of pieces produced a nice bowl, a couple of planters, and a mug. The whole process really makes you appreciate all the pottery pieces you've ever owned and took for granted how they were made. 

Celebration of Spring

We marked spring on our calendars and have been patiently awaiting it's arrival and the new beginnings it brings. 

The crocus's we planted last fall, sprung up from the grown in lovely shades of white, yellows, and purple. Odyn picked the daffodils in our yard and handed them out to the neighborhood girls. Aries talked with the butterflies, whispering to them promises, while Damien helped me clean up the old leaves still left in our yard.

On Easter we went to my mom's for a quick lunch before hubby had to go to work. It will be the last celebration in the farmhouse before it goes on the market this spring. A new beginning for my mom and her husband.

Beltane has begun in full swing. May day is right around the corner. The hopes of warmer days and longer nights.

*Farmhouse now on the market - click here if you want to see more info. 

Marked Spring

We have made it past the last birthday which marks spring in our house. It was the best orange birthday a mom could pull off. 

There is so much happening during the weeks around here that I made myself a schedule to follow. I've started a pottery class, which is much harder than it looks. So far I have made two wonky toothpick holders and a personal sized gravy boat - I must say all by accident. It's going to take a lot of practice to get a decent looking bowl or cup. 

We are also desperately trying to finish up our bedroom but there have been little unknown hurdles. The latest one being a missing headboard and footboard, that was suppose to be delivered on Friday. Also I'm having the hardest time finding the perfect dresser and storage cabinet. Our new bed is heavenly. I just can't wait until everything has a place. 

Almost Past the Birthday Hurdle

We have celebrated two out of the three birthdays that happen this time of year. Aries' had a sprinkle party and invited classmates to help crack open a pinata. That was the only thing she asked for this year. A giant pinata filled with candy. 

Damien's party was more low key. Must be this new age of 11. A simple chocolate cake with chocolate frosting - no balloons, no decorations - just no fuss. He had a separate sleepover party with a friend that happened to fall on a giant snow storm here. But one friend was still able to make it, we braved the snow and went out for Hibachi, played video games, and laughed way too long into the night.

One last birthday boy to go. Which in our house marks the beginning of spring. The birds are starting to chirp, the lake at the park is starting to crack, and we are starting to see more light at the end of our days. This seems to be the most dreariest of winters. Every other day there is snow, which is magical when it falls as long as you have no plans to go anywhere. I can't wait to feel that spring motivation! It's almost here ...that last birthday.. that last hurdle....the last push to spring. 

New Toys

Santa was very good to us this past Christmas! Damien's surprised face when he opened his gift was the best ever. It's the looks of utter disbelief. Odyn and Aries have been busy playing with their new gifts everyday. 

I got a new camera! Something that was long overdue. But like most new toys I need to learn how to use it. There are more buttons, noises, and over all functions than I'm use to. The old camera is still here, now my trusty backup, so very hard to resist picking it up because I feel so comfortable with it. I just keep telling myself soon this camera will feel that same way.

Now that the holiday season is over it's time to focus on the kids birthdays and house projects. Our plan is to start working on all the bedrooms. Right now the wallpaper is off the plaster walls and is a leaving a very cold industrial look upstairs.

This is my favorite stage, the planning part. It's the time to choose paint colors, find the perfect furniture, decide on all the details. Looking at pictures to get inspiration. Day dream of new bedding, soft area rugs, and pretty patterns. 

I'll be sure to take plenty before and afters.

Reflection

Wow what a year 2013 was. Looking back on the pictures it was a great year. Like every year it had it's challenges and rewards. This year I hope to be back here more. Make it a priority! Also take a couple of art classes, a summer vacation with the family, and just enjoy every moment more. Like many other full time working parents I've found that sometimes the days can blend together. This year I want to stop and take more time to really enjoy everyday. Hope your New Years is off to a great start!! 

Hey. Hello. Hi.

I feel like there has been this long unspoken break that happened here in this spot. Thanksgiving has come and gone without a turkey or pie picture, in fact the whole month of November. It's very unlike me, which is exactly how I've been feeling lately. 

Not much on the craft work, not much about the shop, hardly any pictures being taken - except for the random photo that pops up on instagram. These months have been a juggling game with work, spending time with the family, taking care of the necessities, and sleep. Now I'm starting to carve into the days finding moments for myself. Small day trips. Working on small projects for friends and a future magazine feature (something I'm over the moon about). It's the most settled, secure, and proud of us I have felt in awhile. While a little piece of me may have gotten lost in the shuffle it's starting to return.