last time i wrote school had just ended and summer was officially here.   deep heavnly sigh.  take me back to that day, i want to do it all over again! 

and now summer is packing up all her belongings, while fall stands by the doorway, tapping her foot impatiently.  i love the changing of the seasons, but i hate to see summer go, it breaks my heart every single time she leaves.  what a grand summer this was...

there was very little time spent in my studio this summer, as i wanted it to be. and yet it was a full summer, which made it fly by even faster...  with soccer camp, my bff from high school's wedding, a visit back home to Pennsylvania, visits from dear friends, art camp, lots of cooking/baking, hours of playing, and running... lots and lots of running.  

what there wasn't much of was being online and i must say, i really needed that this summer.  of course i still checked in here and there, but a lot less than ever before.

 back to this running thing, when i say running, i mean the kind of running where you sweat, pant, and maybe even swear a little under your breath while doing it.  not the running from this to that kind of running, although i guess we did that, too.

i find it rather amusing that i am writing this  -  i took up running over the summer.   never. ever. ever.  would i have guessed that this would be something i would or could do in my whole life.  when my friends would ask me to run with them i would always smirk and adamantly say... "i am not a runner"!  and now... now what can i say? i give myself full permission to just go with it, permission to change my mind, permission to be whatever it is i want to be, and for now... crazy as it sounds, i am a runner - of sorts.  ;) 

 how important i am finding it to be that we MUST give ourselves permission to change course or accept new ways to thinking/doing when they present themselves.  it wasn't like i planned this anyhow, my daughter and a few of her friends all signed up together for the women's 4 miler race.  so i signed up, too.. wanting to be there with her.  i figured i could walk it, if not run a little, ha.  training started in May and so, i joined in.  four months later i am very proud to say i ran the whole 4 miles in 35 minutes!  not bad for someone that is not a runner?!  ;)  

forever more, when i hear this song,  i will always think of the nights spent at the track, lapping around and around and around and around... trying to get somewhere. 

race day love! <3

as i reflect back on this summer i think it was pretty monumental in a lot of ways...

my daughter turned ten.

 a whole decade already.  i cannot even get a grasp on this idea that my children are growing up as quickly as they are.

we celebrated our 15 year wedding anniversary...

my boy learned how to ride his bike... faster than i can run!  :) 

we spent a long weekend in one of my favorite places... nyc. 

we hiked a few trails...

 

our little ruby girl is growing, growing, growing...

soon to be a cat - not a kitten.

my girl went to her very first concert.   American Idol... where she got to meet almost the entire group of performers, including Casey, her favorite. he even patted her on the head, which caused her to burst into happy tears...  oh to be young and star-struck.

and here we are...back to school already.  counting down until summer vacation.

 i am finding my way back into my studio, getting ready for my upcoming workshops, SQUAM & Portland (still space in my Cover to Cover class ;) .

i have been showing up at my easel, watching what unfolds! 

and so that's the news around here.  

hope all is well in your world!  

thanks so much for stopping by! have a wonderful weekend!   

before you go... Craftside is offering a chance to win a copy of my book... head on over and check it out!  

Comments

[Rose D., NJ USA]

Love, love, LOVE your book!

[Joana]

Loved looking at your pictures and hearing, I mean, reading, about your summer. Sounds like you had a great family time! Love your work!

[judy wise]

What a sweet visit; we've missed you. And brava for running. I want ... Everything you did this summer - just beautiful. Thank you for taking us there. xo

[judy wise]

what I meant was that I want to be a runner too. :-P

[Michele - Pipi La La]

You are cool! and you inspire me to try new things - just not running. :-p

[Serinissima]

Ditto Michele, and ditto Judy (minus the running), Misty so proud of you though with the running, Bravo!!!
Gorgeous work, as always, so glad to see your back here, always a pleasure.
Gxx

[Brittany]

happy anniversary misty! i took up running last summer and i'm the same--i never would have thought. :)

[Kay Ranft]

Thanks for sharing your summer with all of us. Lots of beautiful memories! Love your photographs and artwork--so inspiring. I am not a runner and never hope to be (my knees would never forgive me!), but congrats on your major accomplishment. Don't stop now! :) So sweet to see you again.

[nicole]

welcome back. ;) i am always so sad to see summer go, too. but after 90+ degrees these last few days, i'm ready for cooler days. but sad to see the sun setting earlier each day. :( what fun to take up something new! running can be so freeing. i've always admired those who run for sport or for fun! so much to do, to see, to celebrate. life keeps marching (and dancing and singing and playing) on.

[Sharon Tomlinson]

Thank you lovely lady for this beautiful wrap-up of summer. Enjoyed every word and picture. It was like being there. WOW, you did the run and you look so happy in the picture. But my favorite pic today is the father-daughter capture. It has that specialness about it that tells a story. Showing up at your easel is inspiring. So, I shall do that this weekend too.

[amanda jolley]

The running thing, I get that! I've never liked running and for some reason began this past spring. And by golly, I'm actually enjoying it.
What an incredible thing to join your daughter in this. She will never forget.

[beth]

hi sweet you....i'm so glad to come here and read about your summer and all the milestones.

life just continues to happen....and like you, i'm not letting it pass me by. instead i'm grabbing onto it's neck with all my might and strangling it to death...well, that sounds harsh and a bit gross, but you know what i mean :)
xxoxooxo

[Nancy Melbourn]

I have downloaded your "running song" and I am off for a long walk. I used to run, but my knee was causing me trouble and a wonderful Dr. said don't run for 1 month and that was it. I couldn't run anymore. Believe it or not that was 10 years ago. I still have the occasional running dream, but now I am forever a walker. So I've got my ipod all loaded up and I am heading out the door. Thanks for the inspiration with the running and the painting, and everything.

[gigi]

Really, really have missed your blog. And your art. But I understand that family/life takes priority.

[Francesca Di leo]

Nice to see you again misty. I've misses your posts. Glad houbara great summer. I'm now on my way to Boston for a few days before squam. Can!t wait for your painted icon class. See you soon xoxx

[Tammy M]

YAY!! you're back! xoxox Thinking of you lots over the summer, so happy to read you had such a good one :o) Your little owlet flew the coop a week ago. Hope she lands in your mailbox soon! MISSED YOU!! have a super week!!

[Jennifer White]

A perfect recap...love you and miss you...glad I was part of your wonderful summer (and you a part of mine as well)...xo

[regina]

Looks glorious and sweet. So good to see you back in this space. You were truly missed.

[n]

thinking of you this early autumn.....x

[Angela DiGiovanni]

I'm happy to see you back in this space and hear about your full summer. Your new pieces are delightful.

[Kimberly]

Hi Misty! I found you this summer while reading an article in Sommerset - while you absorbed summer with your family, I absorbed all I could on your blog! And you book, which I love love love! I lost my way from art after college, you have helped to guide me back to it! I've not been this happy in a long time, reconnected! I'm so happy to see you'll be updating! :-)

[Pam Holderman]

so glad your summer was awesome... not ready for summer to be over either. i need more sun! running - not for me yet, but it is great to find a new 'thing' that makes your life zing isn't it?

[Carol Weiler]

Great to see you back!! And what an accomplished summer you had.your daughter is looking so grown up and seeing a little of her in your painting. A little more summer would be fine with me!!!!

[teddi]

yay! so glad you had such a fabulous summer creating & savoring the precious moments in your wonderful life. smiling at the glimpses you shared.

http://honeybeelane.blogspot.com/

[Janice Scherer]

Sounds like a fabulous summer. Love how you shared it. I feel like I was right beside you, except when you were running. I can't see myself as a runner (either). Your new pieces are beautiful. You continue to inspire and amaze me. I've missed you and am so happy you're back. Any plans for a fall online workshop? You know I'm game!

[stephanie]

There are a million things I want to say about your lovely visit here with us...but I'll just keep it to what Melissa just said to me over my shoulder:
"What's India doing with my future husband??!?!!"
:)
ox

[Kelly Snelling]

oh good golly i feel the same way! i hate seeing summer end. i get melancholy when those long days start to taper off. but it is so sweet that are running with your daughter. i admit i always tell my running friends that God gave me a car so i don't have to run. or i tell them that only thieves and children run. hee. :0) i used to run when i was in high school but only sprints. so i can run really fast but just for a tiny bit. now i walk as fast as i can and will do quick runs in the middle of it all. it is nice that you changed your mind because it seems like you changed your mind to be with your daughter. who is now 10! i get that, too! my oldest turns 12 next month and i almost want to cry, which is not like me. everyone says they grow up so fast but that doesn't begin to cover it. i think that as mothers we feel we are always young, always the same age, and the kids are zooming along almost catching up to us. i swear, in my head my son is still four years old and i should be taking him to preschool. but is heartbreakingly lovely to see them turning into these new people every day. is is so nice that you are celebrating that with running. hugs to you!

[PJ]

Oh my....all that in a summer! That sounded like the best! wonderful re-cap very much enjoyed it :)

[Sherrie Drummond]

Hi Misty,

I've signed up for your portraits class at ArtFest 2012. Really excited about it!

I was just wondering if you have an RSS feed? I didn't see one and I didn't want to miss it if you did. Thanks! sherrie

[Eileen Weigand]

Welcome to the world of running!! It is not going to be easy and it is worth it!! :) I've run on and off (races when I was younger and for myself now) since I was 11 ~ 30 yrs. I'm glad to see you running with your daughter- what a gift that is - to run with her! I know how precious your summers with your children are and am thrilled you had a lovely time with them. So glad you are back on line for those of us in adoration of you and your work. ;) Beautiful pieces again and I'm off to learn of your upcoming teaching offering. Have a lovely Thursday!! xoxo

[Shelley Whiting]

Your work is very lovely and magical I love all the rich imagery. Very unexpected and wonderful.

[Diana]

I have just discovered you and your work and your book, and WOW - I am so grateful for all the inspiration and most of all showing how we can create in different ways. I love painting/drawing/collage but also poetry/writing and other crafts, so I am finding your book an absolute treasure! I would love to do your latest online class but the cost is a bit beyond me at present - do you have any plans to repeat it later in the year? or, you mentioned an ebook possibility - that sounds good. And even better, I would love to do a class with you in person... but... I am in the UK! One day maybe. Thank you again Misty!