january's nest

The weeks following the holidays and December’s festivities leading into a brand new 12 months, new chapters awaiting to be discovered leave me feeling like a nestling in my warm home, making preparations to soar into the new year! It’s a time of renewal and cleansing, as I organize closets, drawers, filing cabinets and make my dream lists of what the year ahead may transpire - some are in my control, while others I leave up to the Universe to take hold, guide and make manifest. It’s possibly one of my most favorite times of the year. I’m great at dreaming up new schemes - just ask Kurt!! (;

I’ve been on a Facebook cleanse, as a friend of mine calls it. I tiptoed my way back in after taking a full 2 months of “deactivation” and reactivated my personal account a week ago, but I must tell you, I’m not really “there.” I apologize if I’ve missed the latest news that my friend connections have posted within the site, however, I’ve found that my mental health and creative life was suffering — actually, I only realized it after taking the break. It was much needed. I do love Instagram though! Please connect with me there if you haven’t already! So… please, fill me in, friends. Let me know how things are going with you!! You all know how much I love your comments!

I’ve put my girls on a cleanse also. The minecrafting, youtube watching, pinterest pinning, and anything unrelated to homework has been put on pause. I noticed Alanna writing again; Emilia is creating up a storm (quite literally a STORM - and I go in to her new art studio space to scraps of paper, glitter, pens, markers, colored pencils galore!! - insert my scary face!!)! Alanna has always been a book worm, but she’s been more so while on the internet fast. They are making their plans for when the break is over as they prepare to make videos for their youtube channel, including stop animation. But, in the meantime, I think they’ve gained a new appreciation for their creative selves.

The girls and I took an afternoon and made our way to a local favorite, The Mill Property Antiques. January is a great time to find good deals while treasure hunting within their brick and mortar walls. I love to find unique gifts to give while rediscovering the past nostalgia of collectibles that are a plethora here!! Although, there are new, antique inspired goodies here that are equally rare finds! Plus, it’s just plain fun to browse the booths!

I added some vintage finds, and not-so-vintage items to a happy house-warming package I sent to my Chelsea and her partner, Sara, as they settle into their new home in Craig, Colorado. I’m so dang proud of the two of them!! Talk about brave girls - they surely are! We’re counting down the days until we visit them!

I’ve been dreaming (there I go again!) of painting an entire wall with chalkboard paint for YEARS! Well, we did it!! We’re calling it our “Welcome Wall.” It just happens to be the wall you first see when you enter our home. Perfect! We’ve been having so much fun with it.

I’m in the process of developing plans to expand on my summer program for girls ages 7 and older, to include year round art activities in our studio space! We’re set to launch this new idea into life this February with a Pizza & Paint Night on Saturday, Feb 16, just in time for Valentine’s Day! The girls will be making their own personal size pizzas (rolling out the dough and all!) then we’ll paint a Valentine’s inspired design on 11x14” stretched canvasses! This is bound to be a memorable night together with my hive of Busy Bee girls!

There will be more art nights and days coming up this year to keep our girls buzzing along together in a safe, creative space where they can grow their beautiful minds, and keep their hands busy making art. A calendar of the spring events will be coming up via my newsletter. Have you signed on yet? If not, click here to subscribe. Special discounts apply for our alumnae of girls.

Alanna outlined Emilia (:

Emilia outlined Alanna

The Busy Bees Summer Camp calendar will be announced on Friday, February 1. I’m loving all the positive responses to the ART studio and for your warm encouragement and friendship. It’s going to be loads of fun and Busy!!! (: Check out the new page I added to my website for a preview of what’s to come: Busy Bee Girls

Please let me know how you’re settling into the new year. What’s one thing you’re dreaming of? What’s on your agenda to create? I’d love to hear from you! xo Wishing you ease and joy in your day.

September... Already?

It's been a prolific summer, one among many for the books, friends!  The sunflowers have taken off and up, blooming tall and proud.  I had specifically chosen sunflower varieties that would grow approximately 3 feet overall, yet, this patch has far exceeded 6 feet - some closer to 8!!  Geez, guys, talk about over-achievers!!!  Ha!  I wonder, though, if I had planted them farther apart, spread out more if they wouldn't be competing so hardily for the sun's affections?!  This gives me plenty of ideas for next year's garden of flowers!!  Regardless, the gold finches, bees, butterflies and other buggie critters aren't complaining.  They rather keep sending me flashes of beautiful "Thanks" and "Appreciation!"  I'll take it!   

The hubby fixed our small Mantis 'tiller with new blades (yea baby!) and dug up the earth adjacent to the sunflowers, like a boss!  AND just in time for fall planting.  I can't believe we are staring at fall already!!  Don't get me wrong, I love the changing of seasons.  There's always something to look forward to in the garden.  I'll be moving some of the spreading perennials to the new patch and saving seeds for next year's garden.  Hmm, now to decide which patch of grass is next to cover, starve to death and then prep to plant in the spring!  

I had to share this colorful growth by my home studio sign by the mailbox.  Non-local peeps, I'm guessing you all have heard the news of our rain drenched, wet summer by now.  No, we did not float away (although, there were times when I contemplated building an ark in the backyard) and, YES, the flowers are in heavenly delight - they don't seem to mind all the dampness, not a bit.  The chrysanthemums I planted last fall - from 2 inch slivers of root found on the discount rack - have multiplied by the millionth power of sun, heat and rain!!  I'm in awe at how magnificent they have become this year.   

Whew.  Well, this felt great to get back to my blog, give it some love and fresh images!  Thanks so much for stopping by to have a view.  I have much more to share here and I'm thinking of a month to month style of a summer wrap-up of images.  June highlights is first to come on that list!  

Wishing everyone a beautiful September!  
Have a happy Labor Day holiday with your family and friends!
God bless all the fruits of your labor. 

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Sunny Sunflowers

Nothing quite says "summer" the way sunflowers do.  And we're in plentiful hands this summertime!  The sunflower patch I planted almost 7 weeks ago is about to bud!  After my struggles with the rabbits, affectionately now named, Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and Peter (whom I'm constantly scolding for losing his jacket!), the sunflowers have bounced back!  It's a race to see which one will bloom first and which one will grow the tallest.  So far, the Lemon Queen variety is in the lead, with the Autumn Beauty trailing far behind!  These are fun times in the garden.  I'm easily amused, can you tell? 

My home gardens are blooming all over the place!  I love this time of year when everything is full of life!!  I'm inviting you to join me for Sunflower Summer Portrait Sessions in the evenings during the next few weeks in my gardens!  I'll post more about it and examples on my Instagram feed.  Won't you join me?  The kids will especially love this time with you!!  There's lots to explore!    

The Sunflower Sessions at my home studio will be #1) evening appointments only, preferably beginning just before sunset for that warm, golden light.  They will be #2) 15 to 30 minutes in length and #3) five to ten images with download capabilities to share and print for personal use only.  Contact me for more information and specifics on package details.  Email is best: 
my3girlsphotography@gmail.com

In other news... say "hi" to my new friend.  I'm not sure what to call her/him?  Can you help me out, friends?  Is this a katydid, cricket or grasshopper?  Or all of the above?!  Here's another look on my Flickr stream --> click here <--  

Fancy fella, if you ask me...

It's been an amazing summer so far.  We've had many memorable visits with family and friends, far and near.  I am working on a summer round-up of photos to share with you.  My Busy Bee Girls will be joining me come Monday for 4 full weeks of giggly silliness, loads of art projects, a play performance of the Aristocats, and lots of mermaid time in the pool!!  I love summertime!  

I couldn't remember if I'd shared a photo of my home studio sign by our mailbox or not.  The zinnias I planted are beginning to bloom and the nasturtiums - hiding behind the flourishing chrysanthemums - are preparing to take over the sign.  Now you know where I am, come see me!

How's your summer been?!  What's popping up in your garden?!  I do hope you are enjoying your summer to the fullest!  Savor every moment.  :)