forcing it

Amazing what a few forced forsythia branches can do for my spring-needy heart...

(On a completely different note, April vacation begins on Monday and my plan is to paint, paint, paint the week away. Along with my larger paintings, I'll be working on a new batch of custom pendants. Want in? I'm currently having a Mother's Day Sale in my shop - just use coupon code MOMSDAY2013 for $5 off a painted pendant from now until Mother's Day..you don't even have to buy it for your mom. I mean, you SHOULD. But I won't tell either way. ;)

www.seakettlestudios.etsy.com

my vision

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art

Thou my best thought, by day or by night,

waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Giving thanks...

- His presence, my light
- quickly filled/filling art classes for next year
- a slowish and restful week
- mid-day (cyber) love letters
- a last-minute consignment outing with Ariel and Elsie, a few good finds
- creative arts "rest month" at church, a few weeks with no responsibilities
- Levi; riding his bicycle around the kitchen, turning on the radio to dance, fearless climbing, joyful jumping, sentences!
- Sunday afternoon hang-out with the Antonells, dinner with my parents
- hand-me-downs
- Levi's excitement when he sees his grandparents, aunts and uncles
- fresh, handmade and oh-so-delicious ravioli from the new neighborhood pasta shop
- skype dates with Thailand and Fiji and all in one day! and catching up with some of our nearest and dearest.
- warmer days and ending more and more of them with my boys on the common..

friday photo-dump

I'm afraid when I went looking for a favorite (photographed) moment of the week, I couldn't decide between like..20. Whoops. Hence, the photo dump and admittedly excessive number of photos of my sweet little toddler doin' his sweet little toddler thang.

Happy weekending, friends.

date diaries

(a forgotten-about day off + Nana offering to babysit + a sunny, warmish spring morning + a Cadbury Egg Latte (!!) + a slow walk through the woods to the ocean + time with just me and my love = ahhhh...yes.)

Easter wear

I'm a big fan of matching *something* on Easter. Growing up, most years my Mom either sewed us matching Easter outfits or better yet had us sew our own matching outfits.  My sisters and I picked up on this tradition again a few years ago and we try to do a little something each year (along with others, depending on the year). Here's a short retrospective - and not exhaustive by any means!

This year, I decided to make the gals a matching accessory, since I wanted Brian, Levi and I to match too (we all wore green). Using inspiration from this tutorial for fabric rosette necklaces, I gathered some left over cotton gauze, ribbon and felt and whipped 5 of them up in an afternoon. I made one for myself, my Mom, sister-in-law and for each of my sisters (Kimmie, I have yours saved for when you get home..we'll all wear them again this summer!). I love how they came out and my large and ever-growing stash of fabric scraps is just begging for me to make more. A rosette necklace to match every outfit? yes, please!

Easter 2013

Easter was -

the James family clothed in spring green, waking early to don the church in beauty, a meaningful and joyful celebration with peacock feathers, toasts, party poppers and the kids dancing with gusto in the back, my paintings used for the edification of the church, listening to my Dad testify to Christ's work in his life and health, holding baby bunnies and kittens in the warm sun and a big pancake breakfast with church family.  It was taking Easter pictures in the yard (Uncle Matt making us smile), matching neck-wear, dining on ham and potatoes with my family, a relaxing drive down to Arlington for Easter dinner #2, an Elephant pinata,  British meat pies, Hummingbird Cake and many special treats. It was driving home late, nestling in bed with my teacher-love for some last minute lesson plan touch-ups for the both of us. Yes, Easter was full, fun, beautiful, meaningful, with countless reminders of the boundless grace and new life we celebrate. 

Easter Monday Thanks

Thankful this Easter monday, for-

- our risen Lord; new life, restoration, victory 
- a successful work event and lots of interest in my classes for next year

- an unexpected date morning; a Cadbury Egg Latte, a long walk in our old haunts

- Levi singing and relishing our names ("paappy, paapppy, papppy! mama, mama, maaaama!) 
- remembering
- Holy week; Maundy Thursday get-together in Sea Kettle, a reflective tenebrae service, a fun, worshipful and celebratory Easter.

- energetic worship, baby animals, pancake breakfast, my Dad's testimony to his own recent "resurrection"
- oodles of origami
- picking and arranging Easter flowers
- Levi's post nap snuggle with his Grampy

- lunch with the McKennas, dinner with the Jameses - lots of family time and sweet Easter gifts
- the sun and the slow warming