Charcoal Drawing

You all know I love color, but my other obsession is with charcoal. I am practicing getting an actual recognizable likeness in my drawings. This one is of my sister and after several attempts, this actually looks a lot like her. Not exactly, but closer than any attempt before. I am sure I'll try again...

Wishing you a gorgeous weekend!

❧ Silke

Visit to Germany, Part 2

An especially enjoyable part of my trip was staying with my sister and her great family for a few days and getting to enjoy their company and play with my nephews. Oh, what fun it was!!

There was much climbing,

running,

launching of ships with important cargo (sadly, the ship took off down the river without a proper photo),

examining of bugs,

jumping for joy,

more climbing,

vital scientific experiments with the common dandelion,

driving lessons,

for for those future race drivers,

and merry-go-rounds for the young,

and the young-at-heart.

Of course, having such a good time can be quite exhausting and called for plenty of good food 

and rest in the sun! 

I had a most wonderful time! Danke, Caroline und Familie!!!

P.S. For those of you who asked about the custom of the bride and groom sawing the log in front of the church, I wrote about it in the comments of the last post. Speaking of which, thank you for all the heartfelt comments since I've been back!! 

I've Missed You!!

Well, dear friends, I am back from my trip to my "other home" in Germany to visit family and friends. And what a joyful ride it was!! But more about that in later posts.

For now, I wanted to say: "Hello, I've missed you and it's good to be back in blogland!!"

Twenty Years Ago Today...

... Daniel and I said "I do" in a beautiful outdoor wedding ceremony in sunny California. How young we were!

Definitely older now, but oh so happy together!

Because we also got married in Germany one month later, the only one present at our wedding in California from my family was my sweet sister, Caroline. And so, from my side of the family, she's the only one who really knows what this day was like for us!

She was even there for my bridal shower.

I think that shower was a first for both of us, Caro, wasn't it? Daniel's wonderful sisters planned it all! So much fun!

I will see you all again tomorrow! Today, I will be celebrating with my honey!

Peace - a Painting

Every painting these days seems to be a little different from the others. This one is a little darker and then again a bit more playful. The writing around her reads: "she felt peace wash over her." I like that feeling.

And because today is my little sister's birthday, I am dedicating this post to her! Happy birthday, Caroline!!

Farewell, 2009!

Yesterday, my sister sent me this photo of my painting hung up in her house, but what I loved most of all are my sweet nephews sitting under it (and my sister saying I could post it on my blog)! They are just the cutest little boys and so very much fun and always full of energy!

Well, dear friends and family, today is the last day of the year. I started the year without knowing most of you and I end it being so many friendships richer! I feel like the luckiest woman!

Do you do resolutions for the new year? I haven't had much luck with them, but I do like coming up with a theme for the year. Last year that was appreciation, especially of what I already had in my life and I had thought that this meant that my life would sort to stay in place, just be deeper and richer. A lot of deepening happened, but mostly, my life expanded in a wild way this year and I want to explore that feeling of expansion further in 2010.

I want to examine all the corners of my life, look beyond the obvious, courageously try new things, say "yes" to opportunities coming my way, listen to my heart, leave fear outside the door, love everyone whose path crosses mine, assume that everything is unfolding perfectly, and embrace the person I am becoming. And, of course, I want to share that journey with you all and at the same time follow your leaps and bounds as you continue on your creative paths. This is an awesome community and I am so happy to be a part of it! Together we will change our worlds!

Here's to a wonder-filled, happy and healthy 2010 for all of us! Wishing you everything you are hoping for!!

Happy Birthday, Caroline

Today is my little sister's birthday! Caroline still lives in Germany and is one amazing young woman. She is a gifted Montessori teacher and a wonderful mother to two sweet and rambunctious little boys. Her life is busy, busy, busy, but she gets everything done with incredible grace and patience. Not having children of my own, I admire the fantastic mother she is. And, of course, the best little sister I could wish for!! Happy Birthday, little sis, and Happy Mother's Day!
Ok, so I wasn't sure if I wanted to post this photo where my sister looks cute as ever and I am a gangly pre-teen. And those clothes...it was the 70's, people! Allowances must be made...

To all you mothers out there, Happy Mothers Day!!