Wednesday Mishmash

This morning, I have a few things to share with you that make me super happy these days ... and one question. But we'll get to that later...

Last week, I bought a beautiful crocheted necklace from my friend Deb and I just love it! It's different from what I usually wear and just what I needed for the spring and summer. Deb's blog is wonderful (The Wug's Backyard Blogspot) and well worth visiting. There you can also find a link to her Etsy shop. Her work is great! 

Now, let me introduce you to my new favorite dessert. Some time ago, my friend Vicki (her blog is 2 Bags Full) and her wonderful husband came through Savannah and we had a fun lunch together. They brought us a bottle of this amazing chocolate balsamic vinegar. I've been eating it drizzled on sliced strawberries - absolutely delicious!! I can't get enough of it! Make sure you visit her blog - she is giving away one of her incredible nests. I own two already and I'm hoping I'll win a third...

Ok, here is my question for you yarn people out there. I am almost done with my soft and cozy blanket and am wondering about two things.

I'd like to wash and block it. The yarn says it's machine washable, but I'll wash it by hand in cold water. I'm nervous about all the colors together. Do any of you have any advice on that first washing?

Also, the yarn I used is a super soft, mercerized cotton and somewhat slippery. Do you have any tricks on how to keep the ends that I worked into the blanket from slipping out and showing?

Thank you!!

And last, but not least, last night as I was checking my e-mail one last time, I saw that Fiona had sold. Such a great surprise. I'm always so pleased when my art sells and still somewhat stunned - I guess that comes with being a new artist. Fiona decided to go live in New York! Happy dance, happy dance!!

In my next post, I'll share the Orange Salmon and Asparagus recipe with you.

And for today, I wish you a beautiful day. We are expecting rain and looking forward to it. Our garden needs it!

I'm off to package up the painting (yeah!) and run a bunch of errands. It's that kind of day... I'm sure I'll enjoy it.

I'm late, I'm late...

crabapple tree, Washington, D.C.

I am late with these spring photos as well as with an award I received a looong while ago from the lovely Kay. Her blog is "Georgia Girl with an English Heart" and so worth visiting. She lives here in northern Georgia and at the same time a piece of her heart is at home in England. Her blog posts are always an interesting mix of thoughts, questions, and gorgeous photos!

azalea in our garden

A while ago she so kindly gave me the Versatile Blogger award in which I am to tell seven things about myself.

chinese fringe tree, Savannah, GA

I thought I'd intersperse those seven items with spring photos, some of which are from our yard, some from Savannah and the rest from our recent travels up the East Coast.

Rather than just telling you seven facts about myself, I thought I tell you seven things (if I can come up with that many) that have surprised me in the last few years.

camellia, Duke Gardens, NC

1. I love to write. 

That's a big surprise! I never considered myself even mediocre at writing, but starting my blog three years ago has changed all that. Not only does this kind of writing come easily to me, I also truly enjoy it and wouldn't want to do without it anymore.

not sure what this was, Washington, D.C.

2. I can no longer imagine my life without making art.

Another huge surprise. I lived very happily without making any kind of art or much of anything creative for 43 years. Then suddenly I started painting and everything has changed. I now consider myself an artist. Just goes to show. It's never too late and life always has surprises in store for us...

tulips, Duke Gardens, NC

3. Blogging has brought me closer to my German roots.

This is something I truly did not expect! Never!! But through a few blog visitors from Germany, I became familiar with the German blog world (my list of great German blogs in on my left sidebar), which is every bit as creative and beautiful as our blog world here. This has brought me in contact with everyday life in many parts of Germany, some of which I've never even been to and I am loving it.  I moved away so many years ago and it's been so enriching being able to connect to that part of myself. Vielen Dank!!

tulips and violas, Duke Gardens, NC

4. Through my blog my world has become much bigger and at the same time smaller.

When I started my blog, it was basically to have a record of my creative unfolding when I started painting. I didn't know the first thing about blogging. I didn't know that anyone could follow my blog. I was doing this only for myself, my close friends and my family.

The day the first "stranger," a fellow artist left a comment for me and I visited her blog, it changed everything. And now, on a daily basis, I visit my blog friends all over the world which has so enriched my life and significantly expanded my horizon. At the same time, there are no barriers of distance in this medium, which makes our world so beautifully small.

magnolia tree (deciduous), Duke Gardens, NC

5. Finding a truly supportive community. 

I did not expect that when starting my blog, but I find that this blogging community is truly something special. Most of us have never met in person, yet we care about each other. Truly. And not just theoretically. I've seen it again and again. In very tangible ways - the uplifting of someone who has had bad news, the support (even financial) of someone who is going through a tough time, or the rallying together of many to send a surprise package or a flood of handmade cards to someone whose life has become overwhelming. It makes me proud to be a part of this group!

dogwood tree, Jamestown, VA

6. I stick with things. 

Here's a big surprise. You know how we all have opinions about ourselves, some of which being incredibly false? Maybe they are leftovers from the past. For me one of those was thinking of myself as someone who doesn't stick with anything. So not true!!

I've been blogging almost daily now for three years - actually yesterday was my blog anniversary if I remember that correctly (yeah!!!) - and I have no plans to stop! In fact, I love it! So, you all are stuck with me for a while longer...

lenten rose, Duke Gardens, NC 

7. I actually finish things.

Another huge misconception being proven wrong. I always thought of myself as someone who loves to start projects but then loses interest and doesn't finish them. Again ... not true! In the last three years I have finished over 150 pieces of art and knitted and crocheted and sewn probably again as many things.

It seems that slowly but surely I am discovering my true self and I like what I'm seeing!

ornamental pear tree, our garden

Now I am supposed to pass this award along to seven other people. Here's something else I've learned about myself - I don't like to exclude anyone. So, instead, just go to my english-speaking blog list on my right and/or my german-speaking blog list on my left sidebar and pick one you haven't visited yet, leave them a comment and maybe make a new blog friend!

I am so grateful for all of you! You are making this creative journey of mine even more fun than it already is...

And thank you again, Kay, for passing this award on to me!! I'm so glad we met in blog land and I am sure we'll meet in person one of these days, both of us living in Georgia...

Follow-up

So, yesterday's post on planning and lists and following those got some interesting and helpful responses. Thank you!! 

And ... as it so often happens, I checked in with a wonderful blog from Australia called Down To Earth, a blog about a simpler life with lots of really useful info (I regularly make their laundry powder). While I will never have the same simple lifestyle Rhonda and her husband have, just visiting her blog makes me breathe deeper and slow down. And it always inspires me!

Today I came upon one of her posts called "Daily and weekly routines." Click here if you want to read it. In it she talks about her very flexible routine and planning, and she also talks about the issue many of us have with feeling guilty if we knit or do anything that is useful, but at the same time really fun for us. A perfect post for me yesterday!!

It also reminded me how much I love to be in our kitchen and how cooking or baking completely centers me. Last night, I totally enjoyed making the spice rub for steak we were grilling,

and prepping the asparagus and grape tomatoes for roasting (8 to 10 minutes at 450℉- yum!), tossing them by hand in olive oil and a little bit of sea salt.

And I can't believe what joy it gives me wearing the apron I sewed last summer,

and the using the dish cloths I knitted. Soon I'll have to make more as these are starting to become a little stained and worn. Plus, I have another apron all cut out and just have to get busy sewing.

Once again I was reminded that it's really the little things that bring me pleasure and comfort. They are so much more important than any to-do-list could ever be! And in the end, (almost) everything gets done anyway... with or without a list.

More and more I want to live an inspired life rather than an organized one! And I think that's alright.

A Gallery Share...

Kelly with gallery owner Kathleen Fenton in front of Kelly's beautiful art!

My sweet friend Kelly recently wrote a couple of beautiful posts (with lots of photos) on the latest artcrawl at The Gallery Off Broadway, where our art is on exhibit. Kelly was lucky enough to be there in person for this huge event and kind enough to take photos of her blog friends' art. Click here to visit her blog and have a looksee! Thank you so much, Kelly!!

Kelly also talks about some of the fantastic events planned by the gallery - another art crawl and probably even an art retreat later this year! Stay tuned for more news on that...

And ... the lovely and energetic owner of the gallery, Kathleen Fenton, is still looking for more artists. So, if you are interested, send me an e-mail and I'll get you connected so you can find out the details!

I am off to class this morning. We are in the home stretch and this is going to be one very busy week! I'm going have to remember to have fun with all of this...

Happy Monday!!

Friday Flowers & Rosemary Oil

We had a gray and rainy day today...  While I'm grateful for the rain for our yard, I was also happy I had brought some of our flowers inside to brighten the day! Our gardenias have started blooming and they smell so incredibly good!

I love this photo of Daniel and me - we took it on another dreary and rainy day in Ireland a few years ago... What a great trip that was!!

My dear friend, Amy, posted the anti-mosquito rosemary oil recipe on her blog for me and for all of you who are plagued by those pesky little bugs. I will start some oil this weekend! Click here for the recipe! Thank you so much, Amy! If this works, you will have made my summer so much more bearable...

I hope you all had and still have a beautiful Friday!

Altered Painting, Treasury & Blog Love

First of all THANK YOU for all your wonderfully supportive comments on my last two posts - you all are THE BEST!!

Well, I worked on my dancer (I decided he looks like a dancer or a swimmer) a little more. First I just deepened the shadows and brought out his eyes a little more. Then, I scanned the painting one more time before adding the Permanent Maroon drippings, lest I ruin it in the process...

Daniel said: "It looks a little like blood." Well, maybe, but somehow it reminds me of the web of life we are all part of, that connects us all on some level. This boy certainly tugs at my heartstrings. There's something about him - he stands proud and firm in his own reality! He knows his place in the universe. He expresses what I aspire to...

Web of Life, 8 x 10" acrylic painting

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Now on to something different, prettier and less intense! A treasury I curated not long ago...and a fantastic blog!

My dear blogging friend, Debbie of The Wug's Backyard BlogSpot, recently wrote two very fun posts. The first (click here to see it) was much about another friend who curated a beautiful treasury, about me with this "Dragonfly Dreams" treasury I put together not long ago, and some of her favorite pieces from the treasuries. Thank you so much, Debbie, for the feature and all the kind things you said about me!!

The second post (click here to see it) will definitely awaken the travel bug in you and make you want to go see the world immediately -- even if only as an armchair traveler...

Now, let me tell you a little about Debbie's creative work and her blog. Debbie is a crochet artist - she creates the most fun flowers, jewelry, scarves, mittens, hats, slippers, and more for her Etsy shop - all with colorful yarn and her crochet hook. And every piece she makes has her personal flair. Simply beautiful!!

And ... she is a wonderful poet and every one of her blog posts features one of her original poems at the end. I love it!!

Debbie also is one of the best at highlighting other artists' work. She will accentuate her sometimes funny, often inspiring and always heartfelt posts with photos of fellow artists' works and links to their blogs and etsy shops. With that she creates a wonderful community of like minded people, and I am so grateful to be part of that!!

I was going to write this post earlier. However, I decided to go into school and work on my still life for class some more. It went really well!! When I got back, the temperatures had gotten up to 91℉ (33℃), which just made feel like taking a nap.

But seriously, whatever happened to our spring?! I hope it's visiting you all who have been waiting for it so patiently...

I am humbled...

... by your comments and your support on my last blog post. Truly - you are amazing and these flowers are for you!! Some of your comments were pure inspiration for me, some felt like a big hug and all of them made me smile and feel so lucky to be part of this incredible community!

I've had some questions on my last post as to why now and how I made that decision. It's been percolating for a while, but I think it was a conversation I had with my sister, Caroline, that brought it all to the forefront. We were talking about getting older...

I am turning 45 this year, and don't get me wrong I love being in my 40's - there's something very liberating about that. However, I am reminded more and more that my mother was only 48 when she died and Daniel's mother was also in her late 40's when she passed away.

I am not expecting the same to happen to me, but it does remind me of the finite amount of time we have in our physical bodies and it brought up the question for me: "When are you going to live the life you were meant to live ... fully and without apologies?"

The answer: "If not now, then when?"

It is incredibly hard for me to allow the world to see the "other side of Silke." It's not that it's so different (there are thousands of people interested in the bigger and hidden meaning of life - like me), but I've tried so hard to be "normal," that it's going to take a while!

However ... I can already feel the power that comes with making a decision - and declaring it publicly! It carries it's own momentum and today feels like a fresh new day!!

Wishing you a most wonderful and magical Friday!! I am off to marinate some chicken for grilling later tonight and then to make some art!

P.S. Tomorrow, I'm going to have a treasury to share with you and more...

Blossoms & Pretties

Yesterday, I received the generous gifts from another giveaway (it seems like I enter many of them, but I really don't - just have a lucky streak right now...) by the super talented Annie of Blissful Bohemian. She makes little pretties of porcelain and let me tell you, they are exquisite!! Make sure you visit her Etsy Shop to look at them all. She sent me one of her feather vases and that delicate dream pendant. Both so perfect for me...

As we've been exchanging e-mails, we realize that we actually have much in common, least of all our love for New Mexico! And once again, I am reminded of how blogging has enriched my life! Thank you so much, Annie!!

Now a few pictures from our Sunday walk through the Savannah squares. The sun was shining and it almost felt like spring. The parks were filled with people and the camellias were stunning!

Aside from the camellias, not much is blooming yet, but the magnolias are certainly getting ready!

I am heading up to my studio right now to finish that painting I want to show you. Yesterday was one of those lost days. It rained and rained and the low air pressure had me feeling like I never quite woke up. Suffice it to say that I didn't do much painting...

Today is new day, the air has cleared, and the sun is shining! Wishing you a sunny and uplifting Tuesday!!

A Big Thank You!!

I have so thoroughly enjoyed your comments on my last two paintings. It is so much fun to paint and then share it with you! And believe it or not, I have another one finished, but you'll have to be patient...

Because today I have to say a great big THANK YOU  to three bloggers and friends, whose giveaways I have won in the last few weeks. Yes, people, I won THREE giveaways!! 

Can you believe this beautifully hand painted wooden bangle the talented Gloria of Viva La Vida made for me?! I just adore it - it has all the colors I love! Thank you so much, Gloria! Gloria, doesn't just make those beautiful bangles, but also pendants, she paints and cooks and her blog posts are always fresh and interesting!

Janine, I just love that fan you made for your giveaway! It is so creative and incredibly beautiful and it looks perfect in my studio! You'll have to visit Janine's blog, Join Janine, to see her gorgeous paintings - she is one talented lady (plus, her posts are written in both German and English)!! Thank you so much, Janine!

And then, just a little while ago, I found a new creative blog, Art of Mine, by Susan. And wouldn't you know it I arrived just when she was giving away these pretty hearts she had crocheted. Imagine my surprise today when the heart arrived in this beautiful pink pillow pouch with a few extra goodies. Thank you, Susan!! I love it!

I feel incredibly lucky!! And grateful!

And tomorrow I should have more art for you...

Comfy Cozy

After yesterday's post brought up such intense feelings in all of you stuck under blankets of snow, I thought today I'd show some more appropriate winter photos....

Daniel is traveling this weekend (enjoying the snow in New York City!) and I did something very unusual. I built a fire in the fireplace this afternoon. When Daniel is home, he builds the fires and when he's gone, I never think of doing so myself. But this afternoon, I had hankering for real coziness and a fire in the fireplace is part of that for me.

Add to that a good cup of tea, a walnut brownie, another Miss Marple mystery, and a beautiful slouch hat in the making,

and the result is a truly cozy afternoon!

When I had the privilege of meeting Vicki of 2 Bags Full in person here in Savannah a few months ago, she brought me three skeins of  this gorgeous silver yarn with sparkly sequins. Then she also gave me the pattern for this perfect slouch hat. I think it'll look great with my silver hair...  Thank you, Vicki!!

Tomorrow, I may actually have some art to show you. I'm working on a small piece that just isn't quite there yet. The talented Anne of El Milagro Studios gave me some valued input (thank you, Anne!!) and now I have an idea of what must be done to move this along. We'll see...

Thank you all for your comments on my last posts! I always love, love, love hearing from you!!! Wishing you a great start to your weekend...

Kindnesses - Treasuries

Some time ago, a couple of my art prints were included in two treasuries, which I wanted to share with you! 

The first one was curated so beautifully by Theresa and you can see it (and leave a comment) here. She was so kind to include my preening egret print. Thank you, Theresa!! If you haven't yet visited Theresa's blog, Fairie Moon Creations, make sure you do so by clicking here. 

Don't you love her sweet pendant made from her own artwork and this snow flake necklace? You can find those and much more of her gorgeous jewelry and artwork in her Etsy shop! I have to tell you that I have never met anyone who promotes other people's art and creations like Theresa does. I have found more new blogs and Etsy shops through her than any other way. And on many occasions I have been the lucky recipient of her kindness! Thank you, Theresa!!!

My "Fear Not" print was included in this beautiful butterfly treasury. I was thrilled - you all probably know by now that I love butterflies... Please click here to see the treasury and leave a comment if you wish!

Make sure you visit Lolailo's Etsy shop.

She is a winemaker in California and makes her creations from materials she finds around herself. Click here to see more. Just beautiful!! Thank you so much!!

I hope you are all doing well and are taking a few moments between busy moments to truly enjoy this special season. We are doing well here. Daniel was dealing with a pesky stomach bug yesterday but is feeling good as new today.

I've actually been painting again! I can hardly believe it and will show you my latest creation tomorrow. It's rather different for me and I love it! See you then...