When I said I was taking a break I guess I meant it.   April already?  mid April... and over 4 months since my last post.  eeek.  I am wondering if there is even anyone visiting anymore?  I certainly understand why, if not.  I just can't seem to get a grasp on this whole time thing... after 36 years I am still trying to figure out where it all goes and why do damn fast. 

 four months have passed.....  and I am not so sure where to begin here in this space.

So i'll try to start fresh, as fresh as I can...  with a new blog banner.  new photos that I just took.   new words, new links, a new to me poem by Billy Collins that I absolutely LOVE! a new mix of music. in a new season (kinda, even if it's mid season).

{eye see you}

 This morning as I walked along the lakeshore,

I fell in love with a wren
and later in the day with a mouse
the cat had dropped under the dining room table.

 

In the shadows of an autumn evening,
I fell for a seamstress
still at her machine in the tailor’s window,
and later for a bowl of broth,
steam rising like smoke from a naval battle.

 

This is the best kind of love, I thought,
without recompense, without gifts,
or unkind words, without suspicion,
or silence on the telephone.

 

The love of the chestnut,
the jazz cap and one hand on the wheel.

 

No lust, no slam of the door –
the love of the miniature orange tree,
the clean white shirt, the hot evening shower,
the highway that cuts across Florida.

 

No waiting, no huffiness, or rancor –
just a twinge every now and then

 

for the wren who had built her nest
on a low branch overhanging the water
and for the dead mouse,
still dressed in its light brown suit.

 

But my heart is always propped up
in a field on its tripod,
ready for the next arrow.

 

After I carried the mouse by the tail
to a pile of leaves in the woods,
I found myself standing at the bathroom sink
gazing down affectionately at the soap,

 

so patient and soluble,
so at home in its pale green soap dish.
I could feel myself falling again
as I felt its turning in my wet hands
and caught the scent of lavender and stone.

 

I have fallen in love with this beautiful feather. 

a gift from Lorra Lee Rose,

one of my artfest students this year.  Her work is stunning.

spring decided to come early this year in virginia.  it has been so absolutely gorgeous. unbelievably gorgeous at times.  so much to notice.  even the dandelions feel worthy of attention.  my son and i gathered handfuls last week to make roasted dandelion root tea that we are going to savor this afternoon.  our latest favorite tea is rosebud tea, that mixed with a little Blue People Oolong....perfect!  so fresh & delicate. rose anything lures me.  the smell makes me think of my grandma. 

rose tea, rose preserves, rose turkish delight, rose oil,  rose perfume, sweet wild roses  = love 

a few thing i have been loving lately...

~  The hours my daughter and I have been reading the Hunger Games books together. They are pretty captivating and while I don't often have/make time to read fiction all that much, I so love reading with my children.  Before the Hunger Games took over our lives we read Hurt go happy, a very touching book.  And before that Roald Dahl was taking us places. The BFG still remains a favorite.

~ The exploring my family and I have been doing on our time off.  

~  Cooking in the kitchen... making wildmushroom & greens flatbread. sprouting seeds for salads.  roasting radishes. pickling beets. making kimchi {so easy and so much better than store bought versions}. 

~  Daydreaming about moving and maybe living in a treehouse like one of these on this site. 

I have been doing a little painting and hoping to do a lot more between now and June.  I will be having another show at Glass Growers Gallery this year.  It was several years ago that I had my very first show there.  

I am also hoping to get more prints made to be listed in my for now abandoned etsy shop.

I continue to fall in love with song after song...  if you'd like...check out my newest mix on 8tracks.

I am still loving instagram, posting there often,  and really hoping it doesn't change, at least not too much. 

 check out the work shared from my Open Studio students.  what a fabulous group!!!!  while at artfest this year i got to meet a group of my online students from this and past online workshops... what a feeling to finally get to meet those you grow to know online in person!  i truly cherish those moments!  thank you to all of my students, online & in person. you teach me so much!

 I have two more workshops lined up for this year.  Valley Ridge, Sacred Play, where i will be co-teaching a 3 day workshop with my dear friend, Katie Kendrick.  Katie was one of my very first online friends and i am so looking forward to sharing this experience with her and those that join us.  I think there are one or two spots left, if you are feeling spontaneous and in need of a nourishing weekend.  After that I will be headed back to Orvieto, Italy for a bound to be inspiring week in one of the most beautiful places.  Kristi and Bill make the best hosts and I cannot wait to join them again.  

As of now,  I do not have a single workshop lined up for next year.  I am making room for other things... things I am not even sure of yet, but I feel I need this space for now to see what it is that will come.   I do plan on having another online workshop come January, otherwise, maybe I will see you in Wisconsin or Italy or who knows where... :) 

“I see my path, but I don’t know where it leads. Not knowing where I’m going is what inspires me to travel it.”
- Rosalia de Castro

Comments

[samantha jenkins]

I am here and still popping by! I've missed you and your beautiful work, so it's good to see you back :-)
I think the virtual world brings a myriad blessings, but also it's own 'problems', so I totally admire you for taking the time you need away from it all. I also love the last quote you shared. I hope one day to be in a place where I find my uncertain future inspiring, rather than frightening.
I'm just making sure I've got the funds in place to take your Open Studio class!! I need some Misty love! (Your absence made me really need your classes!! Could be an alternative marketing plan for you :))

[Frankie Kins]

I checked every day for a new post and finally, today, I was rewarded. Thanks for the update. I really miss your frequent postings (no pressure, no pressure). Have a great day, Misty!

Frankie Kins
frankie.kins@yahoo.com

[Kristin Steiner]

Dearest Misty....we can't wait to have you back in Italy with us! Your week was truly one of the most enchanted ever. No one wanted to leave the bird's eye studio, the soft embrace of gentle Orvieto, or you! We know this fall it will be even more amazing. Anticipating a magical adventure.

[Judy Wise]

Fabulous post; I feel you near. Thank you for the Billy poem; a new one to me. Love and more love.

[beth]

you couldn't get rid of me if you tried.....of course i'm always here waiting for you to share you with the world.....xo

[katie]

You're back! So exciting! Made my day. :)

[Carol Weiler]

Even though I've been seeing you in Open Studio it was great to see this beautiful post. Love the poem, music, and most of all the art.

[regina]

So happy to see you here again. I'm reading The Hunger Games with my son too. I love it. Wish you could come be to see my 22 rose bushes. They are covered with buds and will be blooming very soon. The most amazing scent fills our home and our yard. Thanks for the kimchi recipes (have been wanting to try), the music, for everything.

[Sharon Osborn]

I am new to your blog. I'm not sure where I found you, but am so glad I did! Your artwork is simply amazing and inspirational. I enjoyed learning a little more about you. Blessings.

[Susie LaFond]

welcome home Misty...it's ok to take a break now and again, we are still here, peeking in, sometimes putting distance and time between your true, day in, day out life and the one you share on your blog...people who really admire what you create, understand how important your kids and family are and (they are growing like weeds) we are still gonna be here. I remember many posts back when they were just wee ones and your thoughts as each one began school...life goes on and on and a break once in awhile from the crazy 'have it now, do it now, split yourself in a million tiny shard just to keep up the pace...nah...kick back, paint, enjoy those 'getting bigger' kids of yours and keep your home fires burning...we know you will share when you can...we understand...your new art is awesome too!!!!!! Must check out your new music picks!

[Emelie]

Good morning, I follow you around surely you have seen me out of the corner of your eye. usally I come to see in instagram and try to get centered back to my own thoughts about some art work, it is a study about being more free losing that upstight perfectionistic thing that can creep in all the time. The element of surprise for viewers seems important.
REading the peom, thinking of how days one can love everything, even the design of the coffee spills on the floor, then again that gets lost in the thoughts of daily pickup and tidy up. Sometimes the daily can really mess up the process, late at night it can all come back, me and the romping cats seem to find that a good time.
Ok I am writing a letter, I do that go off on something for a bit.
We have cliffs like youphoto around the St. Croix valley, you reminded me of what is just down the road. Thank you

[Francesca Di Leo]

that beautiful feather reminds me of the 'peacock lady', that i took home with me and hangs proudly in my dining room. xox

[Karen]

Misty

Really delighted you are back. Much Love Karenxx

[Tammy M]

{{hugs dearest heart!}} I always check...just in case, and YAY! Today was the day! Love your post, so relaxing to read about your last little while. :o) Sorry if I was too excited when I saw you at artfest! LOL! I just love seeing you, then I cant think of good stuff to say! haha! But I really missed having you this year. We will have to see what teesha and tracy think of next LOL!! blessings your way lovely lady!

[Jo]

LOVE the poem! And thanks for the book recommendations - I am reading young adult stuff at the moment and loving it... Can I recommend 'A Monster Calls'(amazing illustrations as well) and The Truth about Celia... Nice to see you here again...

[sandy lupton]

hi. still here. no worries. sandy

[stephanie]

I passed by my computer a dozen times wondering why the sleeping screen was sparkling. Turns out it was you...visiting here...spreading your sunshine.
ox

[Brittany]

i still check from time to time. :) glad to see the update.

[lorraine lewis]

such a beautiful post sweet misty. you live a beautiful life and i love all that you share. all of it. xo

[gloria martin]

The poem is as beautiful as you, and everything you do! Thanks for sharing it all!!! XO

[wanda]

YAYYYYYYYYYY...inspiration, love and hope!!! i started laughing out loud after reading that maybe everyone had left...and then i see over 20 posts....HAR! misty, you hold magic in your heart and fingers that we love, and then you realease this to us...ooooooh, i thank you. welcome to SPRINGY times! xoxo

[JenEve]

So wish I could be there to learn some more from you and Katie - that sounds divine - but maybe you will both come my way - yes! Come to So California in 2013! Bring the whole fam! Xoxo JenEve

[Jennifer White]

Lovely post from my BFF that I miss dearly...xoxoxox

[Eileen Weigand]

Oh, I am here!! :) I stopped by while you were away from blogging to see if you'd resurfaced and today was such a pleasant surprise! Yay, Misty's back online blogging. Gorgeous photos of nature, your son's dirty muddy hands are the best, I think. <3 And, on my goodness how I swooned over your new work... lovely!!! xoxo Happy Spring!!

[Kathleen Botsford]

Glad to see you back Misty but I so understand about the time thing. You young moms amaze the heck out of me with your energy and drive. Love you and miss you!

[rusted wings]

you have been sorely missed but this luscious post was worth the wait....even though i've known you've been as busy as a mama bee can be! you always light up my life!!
love & hugs ~
abigail

[kellyjeanette]

Beautiful post, Misty. Thank you for sharing.

Peace and blesings

[Graciel]

rose anything...is my favorite, too. especially the rose petal tea and the turkish delight!

what a beautiful life you lead. you are a strong ray of light and hope in this world.

xo

[Angela DiGiovanni]

Yay - so great to see you back here! I know you've been so busy, but I check back here once a week or so, just in case :-)

Love your latest paintings that you posted here. It's fun to see you explore new color palettes - though I'll always be the biggest fan of our cool-toned monochrome girls <3

Ah... The Book Thief - one of my top 5 all time favorite novels.

[Roberta]

Oh Misty, sooo sooo happy to see you posting here again...I did keep checking :-) I've missed your "voice", seeing the world through your eyes and art. Love love the new art you are creating...and the new journals are sooo lovely!
I've been busy too, working on assignments from your super awesome online class earlier this year. It will take me a lifetime to explore all the art instruction you gave us! But that's ok...I can handle that :-)

Hugs to you, Misty!

[Elizabeth Ann]

What a lovely post! I am so smitten with that poem, he is a favorite of mine.

[hol]

Welcome back Misty! Your post has indeed covered all said in your new banner! A delight for heart, vision and spirit!
Best to you!

[Nadia]

still here! checking in now and then in between the chaos. just admiring all the beauty you posted. reminiscing about how much I enjoyed your last online workshop and looking into joining the new one. you are an amazing online instructor! the journals are gorgeous! happy day to you! ciao!