Girls, we need to talk!

Ok, this is going to be a girly post and for those of you not interested, I've posted some photos we took on a recent trip to Denver, Colorado. Daniel's dear aunt passed away, to whom we were both very close. So, it definitely was a bittersweet visit.

The sweet part was seeing family and friends and being in beautiful Colorado. We miss living out West so much!

Now to my post. I know some of you are too young for this, but some of you have already gone through it and I am hoping for some of your humor and wisdom.

I seem to be entering peri-menopause (yes, The Change is happening) and feel like I am traveling through a strange and confusing land.

Actually, I am reminded of the strangeness of my teenage years, when everything seemed so dramatic and out of proportion. Now that I am older I know that it's only my hormones messing with me ~ back then I really thought my world was ending about five times a day.

Here's the strange part for me. I suddenly feel so emotional and actually fragile. I had to miss the last two episodes of Downton Abbey (a show I love) because it was just too sad for me.

I just want to hole up at home where it's cozy and quiet with some tea and my knitting. Everything else seems too much for me at the moment. It's bizarre! I've always been the strong one. The one to whom everyone tells their problems.

What is happening?! Ok, I know what's happening... But how long will this last?!

The weird part is - I know it's shifting hormones and not the "real" me, but still it's happening.

Don't get me wrong, I'm quite happy - I just have to be way more cautious of what I do and read and watch. Right now, I cannot watch the news at all and so I don't. I can't drink caffeine (it makes me anxious), so I don't. It seems to take more effort to maintain my equilibrium.

All in all, it's not bad, just totally unsettling.

As to painting, I haven't painted in days, but know I'll get back to it. I am knitting a lot and cooking quite a bit. And reading. And spending time with Daniel and our pets.

It's also a little explanation of why I am blogging so haphazardly these days. Life seems sort of haphazard at the moment.

Still, I love blogging and am so appreciative of you all!! Being connected to you makes my journey so much more joyful!

❧ Silke

A Splash of Color

I love color. Bright color. Intense color. I look at some designs that are all white in white or all brown and beige, and while I appreciate the beauty and elegance of that, I have always been drawn to more vibrant colors.

Like a little splash of sunshine in the house.

Or  a bright cardinal making a statement on one of our bird feeders.

And then in my postcards, where I get to play and be daring with color! These two are ready to be sent out...

I hope you all had a great weekend! Ours was busy without much computer time, but time spent reading, being outside, much cooking and visiting with friends.

Now a new week is in full swing - amazing how time flies! I'm headed to my studio now to play a little more with color...

❧ Silke

Another Walk and the Giveaway Winner

You might get tired of these "dog walk" photos, but this is the season for us to be outside and enjoy the cool weather. So, I hope you'll indulge me for a while longer.

What had me captured most of all on this outing was the sky, which was still pink when we left the house.

Below is one of the neighborhood ponds. It is quite large actually.

Just look at these clouds! I wonder what the weather will bring...

Someone had these beautiful ornamental cabbages by their mailbox. Aren't they gorgeous?

I think Winslow was wondering why I was stopping so often to take photos...

Awkward self portrait!

And this was Louie yesterday all tucked in to his nest. It was cool, but the sun was nice and warm. 

And now to my giveaway from the "Grow Your Blog Party" post. I used the random number generator and it spit out Number 2, which is Ines, aka Eusebia Blumenstengel of Funkelglück! It looks as though my little clutch is headed to Germany! Congratulations!!

I am off to the health food store to get some spelt flour so I can bake bread. It's a baking kind of day...

Wishing you much joy and happiness today!!

❧ Silke

New Painting

It has been a while since I participated in the Illustration Friday weekly topic ~ and I almost didn't make it this week. But then I realized that I had created the perfect painting for their topic of "Wings."

And...because it's always so much fun and I have been missing this great group, I'm also entering this birdie into Paint Party Friday!

Wings
5 x 5 inch acrylic painting
on wrapped canvas

It has lots of texture and many layers before the bird made an appearance. It's on a small, gallery-wrapped canvas and available in my Etsy shop!

For more fabulous art, check out Paint Party Friday!

For more entries in Illustration Friday, click here.

Wishing you all a beautiful day!

❧ Silke

Pink Morning

I am happy to say that I have revived my habit of snapping photos when I am out and about in the hopes that some of them are good enough to show you. This morning, it is warm and humid where we live - it definitely feels like spring is here.

The air is balmy and clouds are moving in for some much needed rain (hopefully) and even storms. The winds are starting to pick up and you can tell that change coming.

Now, to something creative. A friend of ours made this when she brought a bottle of wine for dinner one night. Isn't it fun? I was with her when she bought those fun fabrics and the big beads. That's such a great idea for dressing up a bottle of wine, don't you think? I might have to give it a try...

Wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday!

❧ Silke