Lavender & Lace

ever since i started messing around with mixed media and collage, i've been trying to put together a piece that includes photos in it, but i haven't been very happy with the results.  i just finished this one and i kind of like it - it's called lavender and lace.

lavender and i go back to the summer of 2000 when we were cruising throught the olympic peninsula and stumbled upon the lavender festival in sequim.  i knew nothing about lavender at the time, but i learned a lot and we liked it so much that we went back in 2007.

we toured the lavender farms and were blown away by how many products and foods can be made with lavender.  it's amazing!!

everybody dresses in lavender, of course - there's music and food and the colors and smells are divine!  lavender is so soothing and has many healing propertes.

my lavender piece contains some little hidden tidbits from the festival, so it has some sentimental value for me.

take a little lavender break here!

Who'd've Thought??

so we decided to take an easter hike in a local park not far from here.  silly me - i almost didn't take my camera!  who've thought we'd end up seeing such cool treasures...

like flowing water

cactus in full bloom

wildflowers galore

even dancing butterflies (2 of them were dancing together, but i could only capture 1)

followed up the hike with a good roll in the grass.....

and finally..... the happy ending!!

just goes to show:

-beauty is all around us

-don't forget your camera!

hope you all had a happy and memorable weekend!!!

Spark of Life

“each of us has a spark of life inside us, and our highest endeavor ought to be to set off that spark in one another”

 Kenny Ausubel

ok, i know it's easter, not the fourth of july, but i absolutely LOVE this quote and thought you might as well.  i used it at the retreat and feel like it is one of my retreat "missions".

More Space Between

the space between

 is a very special space. it’s a space that you step into with purpose and courage, but not always with ease.

it’s a space that will change you and change can be frightening.

if you step into this space with an open heart, it will nourish you and feed your soul.

it’s a juicy space and it may shake you up a bit

. one thing is certain. once you step out of this space and back into your world, i can promise you that you will never be the same.

Upper Meadow Lodge - Mt. Palomar