Dee's Journal

mustard

2012-01-29T19:22:00.001-05:00

mustard, a photo by Dee - purl happy on Flickr.

This months contribution to Twelve - the photo project started in 2011 by Amanda at Mockingbird.

This isn't a great photo, but the goal, for me, is to keep taking them each month. And to keep learning to use my camera, and to take pictures like the ones I love online. I'm slowly getting better. That is a good start.

Like a bear

2012-01-28T11:12:00.002-05:00

It is -34 degrees right now. It is supposed to get colder later, -38 degrees. I am staying inside. Hibernating. Like a bear. Diving under the covers, and keeping the hot tea close.

Chef and I are here together. That is a good blessing. Maybe we will stay in and play more cards. We've been playing Monopoly Deal and Sorry Revenge recently. These are like the board games, but faster and on playing cards. They are super-fun.

Better luck next time

2012-01-23T22:51:00.002-05:00

{northern lights, August 2011, photo by Dee}

One of my goals, for the last couple of years, has been to photograph the northern lights.

I use the AuroraMAX forecast from the Canadian Space Agency, and its twitter alerts of when the lights (aurora borealis) are visible above town.

I haven't yet got a good photo of the lights. But I await eagerly a clear night when it is not too cold and not too late on a work night to head out. Tonight was one such night. At 7:30 pm off the back of my balcony was a green moving line.

I was all set with my tripod, wide aperture lens, with my settings all lined up. Except I didn't have it set to manual like I thought. Oops. I ended up with blurry fuzz again.

Get up & do

2012-01-09T08:54:00.005-05:00

I think this is becoming my new motto, with no relation to New Year's Resolutions. I need to wake up in the morning, and start doing. don't go back to sleep.

This morning I'm starting to knit a sweater.

On Saturday, I made bread, just one loaf, as result of watching the following gorgeous video.

sourdough. (no natural light)

Dutch Oven Bread from Kinfolk on Vimeo.

photo credit: Dee, author's personal collection, 2012.

photography goals for 2012

2012-01-05T09:25:00.005-05:00

This year I plan on taking a lot of photos.

I plan on continuing with project Twelve. I completely failed on it last year - I only took one of the monthly photos. 12 photos in a year should not be a lot.

Which is why I am also adding a monthly self-portrait to the mix.

I have also started a daily gratitude/things that made me smile project. So far I made it all four days.

I also have several 'lifetime projects' that I started a while ago. These are the projects I take a photo of the subject if I come across it, especially when traveling, and they may never be complete. Usually, these are things that are generally the same but also different around the world. Currently, these projects are of milk, prohibitory signage, and old signage painted on the side of buildings that are usually now used for something else. I think there is a name for that, but darned if I know what it is.

Don't ride the dinosaurs. Calgary. 2011.

I may also be taking photos around town for decor at our wedding.

I also plan more me + Chef photos, because I don't want to grow old without the ability to look back on these times. I love looking at the photos of my parents together when they were newly married.

Having a camera + taking photos makes me happy, so I don't really consider any of these a chore. Now just to have some of the photos printed this year. I really miss that about my film camera.

a new year...

2012-01-03T21:47:00.002-05:00

time passing quickly again
getting back to work
re-focused
on my path
intensely grateful
for the year that was
2011
healing
blooming
passionate

2012
about to be
luminous
full
special
& ordinary

here we go....

2011-12-22T11:52:00.001-05:00

Wahoo!

The solstice has happened. The days will now get longer a little bit each day. That makes me feel better already.

I'm taking the rest of the month off from blogging. I'll be back in January. See you then!

paint & bokeh

2011-12-19T09:11:00.004-05:00

I painted this calendar page in acrylic paint and marker in about five minutes last night. It is an amalgamation inspired by this pin on pinterest about the 2012 linda and harriett watercolour calendar, and the wording on this i-d cover. The original calendar is more beautiful than I can hope for, but I needed to do something artistic, and when I couldn't get it out of my head I whipped out a similar page in my art journal.

The second photo is my first-ever attempt at making bokeh with my camera. I love how this turned out. One of my favourite stuffies (Culmer from Belua Designs in Edmonton, Alberta) in the front, and the bokeh (circles of lights) in the back. All you need is a large aperture. I was using my f1.8 50mm lens at f1.8. I found it much easier with a focus object in the foreground. I love the rainbow sparkles created.

2011-12-16T09:45:00.003-05:00

Wahoo, Friday!

This is such a great day (yay for the weekend), I'm going to do some Things I love ~~Thursday~~ Friday:
- seeing ptarmigan in a tree from my office the other day
- the solstice is four days away
- feeling much better about my job these days - it really does take a few months for the newness to go away
- having joy about all that I accomplished this year
- planning to finally try my DAVIDsTEA holiday pack while I do the chores

light in the darkness

2011-12-15T09:58:00.001-05:00

I'm dreaming of only four more days of work (after today) and then a few days off as holiday time. I have never appreciated the lights and trees in windows more than this year. For some reason this year feels darker than usual. The lights bring such a joy when walking home in darkness at 5 pm. Anxiously awaiting the solstice here.

photo credit: Dee, author's personal collection. Montreal, 2011.

breakneck speed

2011-12-12T09:52:00.006-05:00

3 p.m. December 10, 2011

Each December I do something different to review my year.

In 2009 it was Gwen Bell's challenge. Last year was Reverb10, though I gave up partway through, then completely cribbed Gala's review.

I'm halfway done!

On Saturday, up early, I gathered everything, my planner, my journal, my favourite pens, and journalled my heart out, with my main yearly questions (what I accomplished this year? what do I not want to do next year? what else do I want to do next year?). I've also been pondering Jamie's planning day.

Still left to do: My mondo beyondo list, and scheduling for next year hasn't happened yet. I've still got some time, but deep in December time flies past at breakneck speed.

trailblazers are stunning

2011-12-10T11:06:00.002-05:00

An Open letter to all the Full Moon Dreamers:
You are amazing. This year we spent time each month in the rhythm of the moon phases, creating art and considering what each of us truly wants from life, blazing trails all the way. Every dreamboard so unique and so wholly you - each is incredible to witness. It has been a pleasure to create 'with' you each month. Congratulations on all you have accomplished this year. May your dreams continue to expand and serve you as we head into 2012.
Signed,
Dee
P.S. That is my December Full Cold Moon dreamboard above.

dreamboard image credits:
Photo by Dee
left page::woman with red background – Globe and Mail November 26, 2011; ‘seeds of inspiration’ Mercier wood flooring ad Canadian House and Home Nov 2011; orange armchair – styled by Gena Sigala, photo by Eric Piasecki Room to Grow editorial, Elle Décor July/Aug 2011; woman with cup on green chair - Citigroup Inc. ad Lucky magazine Dec 2011; woman driving -Toyota Camry ad O magazine Dec 2011 ; ‘GO FAR’ – Air Canada ad, Globe and Mail November 26, 2011; people jumping into water – RBC Royal Bank Avion credit card ad, Canadian House and Home November 2011; bowl of limes – Soup Therapy editorial Globe and Mail November 26, 2011; bear/hippo wooden sculpture – Fanimation ad Elle Décor July/Aug 2011.

right page:: wolf – photo by Coral Von umwalt, "Howl" editorial by Polly Brewster O magazine Dec 2011; winter light in pine tree - Aveeno/Johnson & Johnson ad O magazine Dec 2011; ‘trailblazers are stunning’ – Talbots ad O magazine Sept 2011; handful of diamonds – Banana Republic ad Lucky magazine December 2011; room with brick-pattern ottoman – Homesense ad in Globe and Mail November 26, 2011; white chair with orange pillow and bowl of mandarin oranges – photos by Stacey Brandford, Sarah Richardson design column Globe and Mail November 26, 2011; feather - Olay hair removal ad Lucky magazine Dec 2011; woman with fedora – White House Black Market ad Lucky magazine Dec 2011; woman in pjs with vase of yellow calla lilies – Vicks/Proctor & Gamble ad O magazine Dec 2011; lamps – lamps designed by Scott Yetman design, photo by Monic Richard Open-Door Policy editorial, Canadian House and Home November 2011; white plastic baking bowls – Super Soul Sunday OWN telveision ad O magazine Dec 2011.

2011-12-09T08:00:00.001-05:00

(source on pinterest)

This year I am wildly excited about the solstice for reasons I can't explain. It hasn't been particularly darker than other years, the fewer hours of light each day (five hours and fifteen minutes today) don't seem to be affecting me more than usual. I will be glad when on December 22 I get five more minutes of light each day. A half an hour a week makes a big difference. Two weeks more of the long darkness.

I'm loving the display of candles, pine cones and deer in the above photo, found on pinterest. I have no idea who took the original photo, the credit is lost in a tumblr somewhere. I am really enjoying that it is "winter" decoration, rather than a "holiday" or "Christmas" grouping. It is inspiring me to dig out the candles on the solstice and really give thanks for the increasing light.

snow removal

2011-12-08T00:17:00.003-05:00

These signs have been popping up around town over the last few days. It has been three years that I've lived here, and I still can't get over these signs. Or that I live in a town small enough to advertise snow clearing with portable (and collapsable!) wooden signs. Or that, when clearing the snow, they plow it into long triangular rows in the middle of the street before hauling it away in a truck.

space of one's own...

2011-12-06T08:00:00.004-05:00

(photo by me; "trees with barn" painting by Kal Barteski)

My Dear Chef,

Thank you so much for setting up a desk for me before I got home from work yesterday. That is so thoughtful. Here I am lamenting the lack of extra space for a dedicated office in our place and wondering if I'll have to overtake the kitchen table forever, and you work with what we have (our patio table) to set me up. I am so blessed that you are so good to me.
Love, Dee

My sweetie set up a desk for me on the same day my original painting arrived from Kal in Winnipeg. Have you seen her blog? It is awesome art & design, and my favourite blog I've read this year. I didn't really intend to buy more art recently, but this one evokes peace and calm in me, so it seemed like it needed a home at my house - in my office. Perfect timing.

December 5

2011-12-05T09:49:00.005-05:00

Over the weekend I started turning my mind to how the last year has gone for me, before I start looking towards the new year.

I know one thing for sure: 2011 was miles better than 2010. For that I am thankful, grateful and joyous. (full review to come later this month).

This weekend I:

- listened to the new Nickelback album on repeat. over and over.and over.
- made this year's peppermint bark
- wrote a two page list of accomplishments completed this year
- baked traditional Lithuanian gingerbread cookies for the first time

doorway into thanks

2011-11-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

A little bit of love for your Friday:

Praying

It doesn’t have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch

a few words together and don’t try
to make them elaborate, this isn’t
a contest but the doorway

into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.

- Mary Oliver

(via Gluten Free Girl)

This is largely how I feel about photography, at the moment. That I see these little pieces of beauty in the world, as I see them through my viewfinder, I capture them, and my heart feels a little bit lighter, and freer.

2011-11-24T09:31:00.002-05:00

Well, that was more time away than I intended. I'm still wrestling with what I want this site to be, and how I want it to be set up.

But I've also been more present in my life. Some beautiful conversations with Chef, as we think about what the next couple of years might look like and what we want from our life - and how to get it.

First up, is surviving these last months before the wedding in the full of winter. It's nine months away now. Fortunately, we have the large stuff covered: the venue, the guest list, the dress, the cake, and flowers. The save-the-dates have been sent. We are well on the way to the caterer and officiant.

My tips for surviving winter:
- find a hot beverage you love, and drink it often (I just discovered DAVIDsTEA which should take up all winter to find my favourite).
- get out of the house often (even just a short walk)
- cozy up in some blankets with movies, when you just can't bear to go outside
- spend time with friends in town
- call or write to out-of-town friends...concentrate on what's going on with them, rather than your weather woes
- dress warm with layers you love! (my scarf and mittens make me happy)
- try to get outside at noon when it is light out, as the sun sets early here
- if you live in a remote area like I do, get out of town for a bit!

How deep is your well?

2011-11-14T09:44:00.003-05:00

I watched the show Visionaries, the one on the Oprah Winfrey network about creative people, last night. It was a beautiful cap off of a very lazy weekend, in which I spent the entire three days on the couch watching movies I love as I attempted to get over a cold that has been coming on over the last couple of weeks.

The episode was about famed photographer Annie Leibovitz. I knew next to nothing about her (except that she was a photographer) before I started. The episode followed her around as she travelled the world in search of the photographs that meant something to her, for her book "Pilgrimage".

She was somewhere in England, I think at Alfred, Lord Tennyson's house, she explained that taking the photos for the book was "refilling her well" and that she was the well was very deep.

I was engrossed by some of the places she was taking photos, and watching her work with the subjects of her portraits. But more than that, it reminded me that I take photos because it is one of the ways I step away from my life as a lawyer at the end of the day. Slowly learning to take better photos is one of my favourite ways to refill my well.

photo: Dee, 2011. {early one morning last week with my point and shoot}

Remembering

2011-11-11T11:04:00.003-05:00

Remembering wars past, and thinking of soldiers now. Of men away, women at home making do and mending, supporting as they can. Of war brides (like my Grandmother). Of peace I enjoy because of it all. I will not forget. (I wear my poppy). Remembrance Day 11.11.11.

photo: Dee for purlhappy, 2011.

frost moon dreamboard

2011-11-10T09:47:00.005-05:00

my frost moon - full moon dreamboard (in two parts - two sides to every story)

I'm surprised by the recurrence of orange after all of this time, and the white bowls and cup, but most of all the zebras from last month are on the move! oh, and some reflection (water, windows, the woman's journal).

photo credits: both images by Dee, 2011, for purlhappy. ~~Credits for magazine images to come!~~

*edited to add: top photo: orange cube with bowl - Carpet One Floor & Home ad // woman with dogs - Bobbi Brown QVC ad (Vogue Nov 2011) // big salad bowls - photographed by Montse Garriga Grau in Tripartite Coalition (House & Garden Sept 2011) // photographer - photo of photographer Montse Garriga Grau (House and Garden Sept 2011) // counter with berries - Harvey Jones.com ad // windows with cacti - Silestone ad

bottom photo: woman with orange computer - Lenovo/Intel ad (Vogue Nov 2011) // woman in kitchen - Home Depot ad (Canadian House and Home) // couple - Trump hotel ad (Times magazine, sept. 25, 2011) // water city with boats - Bank of Montreal elite mastercard pamphlet // zebra illustration - M-H Jones for Driving Passions (House and Garden Sept 2011) // gates and door with round holes and thatch roof - Sand Castle by Brooke Hodge (Times magazine Sept 25, 2011) // "re-defining" quote - Hardware Grill, Edmonton ad*

2011-11-08T00:30:00.003-05:00

The switch from daylight savings time to regular mountain standard time threw me for a loop yesterday. And now, today I really noticed the change. The sun set at around 4:30 pm, in a blaze of red and low cloud ceiling. This meant that I walked home in the dark. First time this year.

I am waiting for the solstice. Let there be light.

slow

2011-11-04T09:38:00.005-04:00

This week has been slow for me. There were a number of days where I was hoping for the weekend to come sooner, so that I could sleep in. We got snow on the weekend, and about a foot more yesterday... The photo was taken on Sunday after the first snowfall. I slowed down, and read two novels.

They were so different but beautiful.
1. Left Neglected by Lisa Genova.
Compelling story of a wife and mother that gets a traumatic brain injury in a crash, and has to recover. I hadn't heard about this one beforehand, but it was beautiful and gripping.

2. stay by Allie Larkin.
I had been avoiding this one, because I was afraid it was going to be another book in the voice of a dog, and had one of those already this year (The Art of Racing in the Rain). I didn't want to be the girl that only reads about the thoughts of dogs. But I love the love story at the heart of this novel.

photo credit: Frame Lake, by Dee, 2011. Author's personal collection.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-30T23:09:00.002-04:00

photo credit: Dee for purl happy, 2011.

2011-10-28T09:41:00.004-04:00

CRAFTSMANSHIP. This word always reminds me of old men working in studios making furniture. sturdy and solid. (What an image huh? That is clearly an assumption I hold. Where did that come from? That is a whole 'nother post).

Yesterday I heard another definition. While reading an interview with Susur Lee, the famous chef, in the lastest issue of Canadian House and Home he said craftmanship is the idea of doing one thing over and over again until you really know how to do it. He said by the end of doing that one thing, it would become you.

While the old man with a furniture shop may identify as a furniture maker. I know I don't often identify as a craftsperson.

My perfectionism wants me to be perfect right away, and I am disappointed when it is not. I'm redefining myself as a craftsperson in law. And wondering what effect this redefinition will have, rather than just seeing myself as practicing a type of law. Will this ignite any niche or specialization in me?

photo credit: Dee''s handmade pots, by Dee, 2011.

ask for it

2011-10-26T09:54:00.003-04:00

I am not very good at asking for what I want. I always assume that the answer will be 'no', so I don't bother. But I'm beginning to think that this is a skill I'm not really cultivating.

Yesterday, I needed to book some time off for next month, I was assuming that the answer was going to be no. I almost didn't bother to ask my boss for the time. I sent the request anyway, against my own nature. (I got the time approved).

I think I also might need to manage my own expectations about things.

I'm thinking about this this morning. Do you have any tips for asking for what you want? Is this something women are poor at?

monday, monday, monday

2011-10-24T08:00:00.001-04:00

Monday. It is snowing as I type this, we'll see if it stays. The darkness getting closer everyday, as it is the light is gone at about 7:30 pm these days. But I'm feeling good this morning...I brought the patio table indoors, I did my laundry and a lot of art this weekend. I spontaneously made the hot chocolate with whipped cream. A great weekend.

Onward to what this week brings.

Our superior level court (called the Supreme Court of the NWT) since Friday has three female justices (out of four). I think that is worth celebrating.

photo credit: 2011, Dee, author's personal collection

the joy of making

2011-10-20T00:02:00.003-04:00

For the last six weeks I have been taking a pottery course. Learning to throw pots on a wheel.

I knew nothing about throwing pots before this. I had almost never thought of how pots are made either, but that is another story. With sprays of brown water, and streaks and clumps up to my elbows, seeing the bowls appear almost out of nothing, out of a rotating lump of clay and some time, makes me happy.

Taking small amounts of material, clay, cloth, yarn, whatever is available, and transforming that into something else with your own hands. Making the item, be it clothing or pots, the way you want it. In the colours you like. This is the joy of making.

for fun

2011-10-18T08:00:00.000-04:00

top and bottom, still life with utensils, 2011 by Dee

Taken this morning, for fun. They aren't perfect or great. I am not a food stylist or a food photographer. I like them nonetheless, so I'm sharing them with you.

a peek at northern life

2011-10-17T08:00:00.000-04:00

We had the first power outage of the winter. As usual it was blamed on a raven. "Because they are bigger than squirrels" is the usual reason. I will never get over blaming a poor electrical system on birds.

2011/12 power outages:
I

photo credit: Dee, author's personal collection, 2009.

2011-10-14T09:59:00.004-04:00

{my favourite of yesterday's goodness}

I got them all. All of the ones that I missed the day before. And the sun was out for part of the day! (It has been raining for the last week).

Carry your camera with you. Haul it out when you see the beauty. Be Fast. That is all I can say. Now just to remember that in future...

Happy Photo-taking Weekend!

photo credit: 2011, Dee, author's personal collection

2011-10-13T09:48:00.007-04:00

Each day I am fortunate to have a job and live in a town that I can walk to and from work in. I walk home for lunch. Usually with headphones jammed in my ears, blocking that space between work and free time. On autopilot, walking down streets without really thinking about which way I am going.

Yesterday, my walk was punctuated with things I wanted to take pictures of. But didn't. I was feeling a bit wrung out from work, needing to get home for dinner before my nighttime class (pottery), and I was feeling a bit like hauling out my DSLR was too much work.

I was reminded later of the Lomo rules for photos: use it -day or night; be fast; don't think. I wished I had used any of these yesterday.

But today is no longer yesterday. The shots I wanted to take, are probably gone, because I wasn't fast enough yesterday.

Today: Have camera; Will take pictures.

---
Saw this article "10 things every creative person (THAT'S YOU) must learn" by Chase Jarvis last night. "Be different, not better. Better means you are following someone else," is filtering through my head today.

Full Moon Dreamboard October 2011: Harvest Moon

2011-10-12T08:00:00.001-04:00

This month's prompt was "what do you want an abundance of?". I see great strength and endurance, and steadiness in the images. And a light deep inside, the core of that strength. Along with some wisdom (the white horse), joy (the little girl on the left) and romance (the couple).

I think I read somewhere that each zebras stripes are unique, so each zebra is individual.

Those seem like ingredients for a beautiful life. I will take an abundance of the good life.

This post is part of a monthly series of collages made on the full moon, and linked to Jamie Ridler Studio's Full Moon Dreamers.
photo: Dee, 2011, author's personal collection

RIGHT PAGE:: zebras - World Elite Mastercard ad (New York Times magazine, Sept 25 2011); lights - Smallbone.co.uk ad (Marie Claire UK Sept. 2011); painting of animal - Vivienne Westwood anglomania ad (Marie Claire UK Sept. 2011); dog on stone driveway - photo by Montse Garriga Grau for "Tripartite Coalition" editorial (House and Garden Sept. 2011); stone cave - Pantene ad; woman with white tea cup and journal - singer Kaylie Deon in Dove promotion (Marie Claire UK Sept 2011); rings - Macy's ad (New York Times Sept. 25, 2011); white horse - photo of Reese Witherspoon (not shown) from Water for Elephants in Marie Clair Reporter (Marie Claire UK Sept. 2011); LEFT PAGE:: couple - Guess ad (Marie Claire UK Sept. 2011); "A steady presence" - headline of article New York Times Sept. 25, 2011; sculpture on plank - Calvin Klein ad (New York Times Sept. 25, 2011); girl dancing - Paradisus playa del carmen ad (New York Times magazine, Sept 25 2011).

Inspired: Bonnie Czegledi, art theft lawyer

2011-10-11T08:00:00.002-04:00

This is a bit of a wing and prayer post. swift departure from the everyday. But I have been ruminating about this all week. i'm female. and a lawyer. I am endlessly fascinated by other women lawyers' stories. especially the ones doing something different. down their own true paths, as I am just starting out on mine. When I was shopping in the city, I read a book review in the Globe and Mail that quoted Bonnie Czegledi, an artist and art theft lawyer in Toronto.

The articles I read about her, state that Bonnie wanted to be an artist but that she went to law school to please her parents. She also knew at law school she wanted to specialize in art theft law.

Everyone told her not to. She is now a respected lecturer in this field.

At each step in our career and lives we have the opportunity to choose our direction. In this Canadian Bar Association article in 2009, she describes her practice and states that she didn't have a mentor and had to work at it for a decade, that she calls the lost decade. Her advice in this piece about creating a niche practice is stellar (and I think applies to most careers, and is cheering me right now as I work toward my dream practice):

+choose an area in which you have deep interest and affinity, and educate yourself as much as you can
+ ignore the pessimists that say you can't do it
+ take time out each week to keep you inspired and energized
+All you need is one client and you are on your way

Bonnie Czegledi's website.
Her book | Crimes Against Art: International Art and Cultural Heritage Law

holiday monday

2011-10-10T08:00:00.000-04:00

Today is a holiday. Canadian Thanksgiving. We've already had our fill of turkey and all the trimmings this weekend. I'm resting up today, but will be back tomorrow.

photo credit: Edmonton 2009, Dee, author's personal collection

2011-10-05T09:59:00.000-04:00

Feeling under the weather these last couple of days. I'll be back real soon.

city driver

2011-10-03T09:43:00.006-04:00

{Pinterest pin}

"I don't drive in cities", my best friend S. states.

We are picking up the rental car, on the first day of a three-day girls weekend, where I sign up to drive us around.

All goes well until we are coming back from dinner after sampling and ordering my wedding dress. Instead of continuing down the busy main street, I turn down the wrong street, that doesn't go back to the hotel like I think it does, and end up going down the hill, away from downtown.

The GPS spews out directions, "turn left on 102 Avenue".

I miss 102.
101.
100.

I finally find a street to turn up. It goes up a hill, a big hill. One I was hoping and machinating to avoid. Much like my friend doesn't drive in cities, I was not going to drive up this hill. This particular hill is famed, in that, only if you don't roll backwards when stopping on this hill during your driver's test, you will fail.

I did it - I powered up the hill. The world did not end. (okay, I didn't have to stop so there wasn't much chance that I was going to roll backwards and crash the car like I feared).

Since this incident told in this story took place I have been thinking about limits, and how easy it is to put up a limit for myself. For ourselves.

I don't have the answers for how to push past the fear, and not to create these limits. But I know that limits are in our heads most of the time. And we do not know what we can do until we test them, and push up against them. And through them.

Things I love Thursday

2011-09-29T09:57:00.003-04:00

Things I'm grateful for...for the week of Sept. 23 to 29

~Vacation day. (Planning my week appropriately to accomplish my tasks, I am now ready for a quick three-day weekend away from work.)
~ starting a new (on-paper) journal
~ my cherry tomatoes finally turning red ...indoors
~ supportive pottery instructors...and knowing how to fix my pots
~having sent out my save the date emails
~ friends and family being very excited about my upcoming wedding
~ seeing Moneyball with Chef on date night

2011-09-28T00:24:00.004-04:00

Every month for the last couple of years on the full moon I have made a collage of my dreams with Jamie's group of dreamers. On the new moon is when we start collecting the images that appeal to us for the collage. The new moon was a couple of days ago. (I don't always do it on time. It is a forgiving process).

This month's prompt:

What harvest do you want to invite into your life? As you go about your preparations, ask yourself, “What would I like an abundance of?”
Whatever our dreams this month, let’s also take time to give thanks in our hearts for all the wishes and dreams that have moved ever closer, some even arriving for us to enjoy and celebrate!

In the spirit of thankfulness, a review of the last few months of dreamboards.

My June dreamboard was white, and bowls and lots of chairs. And an invitation to rest, in the form of a girl lounging in pyjamas on a bed with lots of pillows surrounded by books. (There was also some green and orange).

My July dreamboard was about clean airy sheets, fire, paths, and twists in them. this board became all about change, and growth and alchemy.

(I didn't make a board in August).

September's dreamboard, includes a pink house, a wolverine facing out very strong and determined, a woman in a sexy fitted dress and tall Louboutin heels, a creative home office space, and a girl with wild curls and a big smile, luxurious folded soft blankets.

In June I made time for some fun and read some books (my idea of fun and relaxation!), and just relaxed. It was summer, after all. In July I took a vacation that month, and relaxed some more. At the same time as my July board I made some decisions about my career, that would shake it up. Those decisions showed up on my board as the clean sheets and airiness.

The next day after making July's dreamboard, (the very next day!), I received a phone call about a job opportunity. One that I thought I wasn't in the running for.

September's full moon came on the day I started my new job. coincidentally. It it full of new dreams now that the path of my career has opened up in a new direction. The house is easy enough, I do want a house with my honey eventually. The office is a better home office, and a far off dream that is now now showing up in the distance, only getting closer. The confidence and determination of the ladies and the animal. And the invitation to be a bit more dessed up and stylish and feminine. To wear my heels more.

I took action on the heels. I don't save them for special occasions any more. I don't wear them only when I'm wearing a skirt.

start anew

2011-09-27T09:48:00.003-04:00

September is the time of year when children start school again after summer break. It has been two years since I finished law school, but I still feel that tug of newness that the weeks after Labour Day bring.

This year was no exception. A couple of weeks ago, mid-September, I started a new job. I am still sliding into it. Meeting people and understanding my new role.

This time I am better prepared for this period of overwhelm. Assistance comes from all over the place. One kind talk can change your perspective.

A lawyer who changed jobs last year told me, "don't question whether it is a good move right away. In the first three months or so it will seem like the worst decision you could have made. But after about three months, it will start to feel right". I have been holding onto this morsel of wisdom. I know it is true.

With fall also comes frost. This morning people are scrapping frost off their windows. Time to bundle up.

2011-09-26T09:40:00.003-04:00

This is one of the snippets of beauty I snapped last week on my walks to work. I don't know what this plant is, but the white puffy stalks spoke to me as I focused on the beauty around me.

I have been thinking a lot recently about the identity I bring to my relationship with Chef, and that I will bring to my marriage. I was thinking about this over the weekend as I slowly plodded along with wedding-planning-related tasks. I sent about half of my save the date emails and booked my dress shopping appointments.

It started with this post of Meg's about going dancing from earlier this year, and then this essay of Jane Fonda in O magazine. I agree with Jane; to have a successful relationship, I think, you need not to share every bit of your life with your spouse. When each person brings themselves, and has things they do for themselves by themselves, you are stronger together. I practice my photography, and Chef has his interests. I like Glee, and Chef can't stand it. But each Tuesday we have date night, where we spend a few hours together doing something together, even if it is just watching tv.

photo credit: Dee for Dee's Journal, author's personal collection

Fall Week day 3

2011-09-22T09:47:00.001-04:00

The first official day of fall.

Things I love Thursday...
- that it is still quite warm
- walks at lunch time
- settling into a new routine in a new job
- that lots of other people are starting over this month too
- remembering the total value of handmade as I take a beginner's pottery class
- Chef talking me down from hysteria when I've read too many horrible wedding dress shopping stories online (his response is I am going shopping out of town with my best friend! He's right).
- waking up early
- a good read: Clara and Mr. Tiffany by Susan Vreeland. Thoroughly enjoyed it (stayed up to finish it last night), and it is true, a woman designed the famous Tiffany lamps.

Fall Week day 2

2011-09-21T19:59:00.003-04:00

In Clara and Mr. Tiffany, it is frequently repeated that Mr. Tiffany advises Clara, the designer of his famous lamps, to look for the beauty in the everyday. The book is full of little details of colour and other beauty that the characters notice.

I really enjoyed having this reminder. I have been noticing and loving the change of the leaves to yellow-orange, and the bright blue sky of the clear, warm days.

Fall Week day 1

2011-09-20T09:54:00.004-04:00

f1.8
We already had the first frost here (last week). The leaves are a mass of yellow. This week I am celebrating the coming of fall.

This photo is from my walk home from the library. I started reading "Clara and Mr. Tiffany", by Susan Vreeland. I am sucked in to the story of a "modern woman" in the late 1800s working at Louis Comfort Tiffany's stained glass workshop already. I have no idea how it is going to turn out, and I love that, but it is gorgeous and lyrical.

dreaming out loud

2011-09-12T22:23:00.004-04:00

What are your dreams? full moon dreamboards at Jamie Ridler Studios.

photo credit: Dee, Sept. 12 2011.

try something new

2011-08-07T15:13:00.003-04:00

LEARN from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

This video is "Learn", part of a trio of short movies made by Rick Mereki. He was commissioned by STA Australia, and he and two guys traveled to 11 countries in 44 days to make it. More information at IBtraveler. These videos have been all over the internet; I heard about them from Today's Letters.

They are all incredibly put together, but this one makes me want to go out RIGHT NOW and try everything.

paint

2011-08-02T09:48:00.004-04:00

August. the snow will start coming soon (unfortunately). hopefully not too soon. I want to hold onto the last of the summer sun for a while yet. I had a very relaxing weekend, indoors out of the thunderstorms we had here. Me, Chef and a good friend had an arty day for several hours on Sunday. i painted my toes, and some old cereal boxes.

photo credits: all by Dee (author's personal collection).

summer evening

2011-07-24T23:00:00.004-04:00

Sunset over Frame Lake, Yellowknife. July 23, 2011 9:53 p.m.

I walked to the lake over the weekend. I am lucky to live in a city with such natural beauty just steps away. Even though most of the year it is covered in layers and layers of snow. I am making more of an effort to capture this beauty. This is one of the things I want to remember and look back on in January. I sat on the steps watching minnows swim under the surface of the water, as dragonflies and seagulls flew above it. I watched the ripples as the light changed.

This walk to go and take pictures of the lake was somewhat inspired by Kal Barteski's blog [i] LoveLife. Kal is an artist in Winnipeg. I recently found her blog (via Ali Edwards), and have been absorbed in reading it, and her "bulletproof positive attitude" as she captures her life on the move with her three daughters. She ends all of her posts with GO. and it seemed like a good call to get off my duff and head to the lake since the snow will be coming sooner than I would like.

2011-07-17T13:01:00.003-04:00

Full Buck Moon Dreamboard

I get this one. sometimes my dreamboards take a long time to speak to me. this one i understand immediately.

airy, freshness and clean. new. chemistry. alchemy. possibility. paths. re-routed. not straight. and yet order. calm strength. fire. lit up. warmth. enthusiasm. purpose. CHANGE.

i love this list. there is something so delicious about it. rolling each word around in my mind. i am ready to step into this list this month.

maybe redecorate my place. maybe change directions in my job. airing out an old way of thinking (i'm finally starting to own my title as a lawyer. this is new, but a big change for me. Having the qualifications, the law degree, didn't make me feel like one).

the next full moon dreamboard: August 13, 2011

clockwise from top: woman with sheet - Arie Skelly/Getty Images as used 'Life's a Breeze' editorial in Fresh Home magazine summer 2010 // Chef - Velux skylights ad as seen in Elle Decor June/July 2011 // "Open for Fun" - Ritz TM (c) 2010 KF Holdings // Fireplace - Edward Ferrell Lewis Mittman ad as seen in Elle Decor June/July 2011; shopeflm.com // "into the wild" - Dossier about Piet Oudolf as seen in Elle Decor June/July 2011 // basket of laundry and bowl of rocks - Ronbow ad as seen in Elle Decor June/July 2011 // books with flowers - Ikea ad as seen in Oprah magazine December 2010 // Woman in dress - photo by Phillip Toledano as seen in editorial 'A Miracle Course in weightloss' in Oprah magazine December 2010 // path through brush - photo by Roger Davies as seen in editorial ' ' in Elle Decor June/July 2011 // "fresh twists" - as used in Hallmark Gold Crown ad in Oprah magazine December 2010 // blue poufs - from photo of Phillips de Puny and Company shop in NYC by Philips de Puny and Company as seen in Elle Decor June/July 2011 'Shop Watch' // woman on wooden bench with concrete walkways and greenery - from article "Escape to New York", page L1 Globe and Mail, July 7, 2011 // woman with basket and child - Neat Freak! laundry basket tag, Neatfreak Group Inc.

2011-07-16T15:00:00.003-04:00

I've been away on vacation. July somehow became all about rest from my work, just like my dreamboard said, so I took off to a new (to me) city for a few days and haven't been posting, and then I took a few days away from the camera as I get back into my life.

While I was away though, I got a new lens for my camera. A 50mm f1.8. This has led to some beautiful photos. They are coming soon to a computer near you.

summer colours

2011-07-03T17:43:00.002-04:00

poppy, a photo by Dee - purl happy on Flickr.

I have been obsessed with the blogs of photographers this week. I am remembering the Ansel Adams exhibit I saw at the art school in Cleveland a couple of years ago. At least, I think it was a couple of years ago. Time eludes me. It could have been more recent than that, or longer ago.

I have been taking photo walks like crazy. Chef says its because I "just got back into photography hardcore". I'm dreaming of black and white photos, and yet taking photos of bright summer flowers.

Photo credit: Dee (me), 2011

rainbow on my way to work

2011-06-30T22:27:00.001-04:00

Untitled, a photo by Dee - purl happy on Flickr.

for summer colours week

yellow

2011-06-28T00:06:00.001-04:00

yellow, a photo by Dee - purl happy on Flickr.

for summer colours week

suds

2011-06-26T20:14:00.002-04:00

suds, a photo by Dee - purl happy on Flickr.

This is one of my photos for June for the Twelve photography project. The themes for this month are light, yellow, white and gold.

This is my photo for white, taken in the incredibly low light of my kitchen - which is a new skill for me.

In other photo-related news tomorrow is the beginning of Poppytalk's Summer Colours Week. Tomorrow's theme is yellow.

photo credit: Dee

amateur photographer

2011-06-19T17:27:00.003-04:00

The benefit of personal cameras means anyone can be a photographer. Especially, with digital cameras, where you don't have to know how to develop the film properly.

But there is another reason I'm an amateur. I spent this afternoon playing with the settings on my camera on manual. I just took 16 photos with the lens cap on.

Photo credit: Dee [me], June 19, 2011

full strawberry moon dreamboard

2011-06-16T00:40:00.003-04:00

I just finished my dreamboard for this month. I haven't figured it out yet. But I have noticed that there is/are a lot of green, chairs, white, bowls, windows, blankets. Except for the windows, these are not symbols I normally use.

***
photo credit: Dee/me

collage source credits: Blue chair – photo by Ruven Afanador (editorial “Easy Does it!” Oprah June 2011)//woman in field – photo of photographer Jacqueline Bates provided by her to Elle, May 2011//White window and table with grey bowl – photo by Mark Burstyn; designer Amy Kent and Ryan Martin of Chroma Design (Style at Home Best Designer Secrets 2011)//Basket with knitting – Designer Kelly Deck; photo Barry Calhoun (Style at Home Best Designer Secrets 2011)//Bowl of cereal and mug – Barry Calhoun (Style at Home Best Designer Secrets 2011)//Girl on bed – Obasan mail flyer//"Live the moment" – Harry Winston ad//Glass things and bowl on table – photo by Virginia MacDonald (Style at Home 2011 Best Designer Secrets)//Door into shop – shop is Capitol in Charlotte, NC//Matches – InnovAction Awards 2010 (National October 2010)//Love paperweight – designer: Robert Indiana//Woman – John Frieda a//"The power broker" – text Oprah magazine editorial August 201//Hammock with luggage and San Pellegrino – photos and styling Colleen Duffley Productions, Fresh Home Summer 2010

holding onto the possibility

2011-06-06T00:05:00.003-04:00

photo credit: tea drop heart - Dee (me)

One of the several heart shapes that have appeared in my path in the last few days. I am choosing to take them as a sign of a cosmic yes - that I am on the right path. I have felt exhausted recently. I don't have any real idea of why. Though, I am starting to think its resistance of success, aka an "upper limit problem" (required reading: Danielle Laporte - How to resist success; Marie Forleo - Do you have an "upper limit" problem?; Jamie Ridler - Dance Away Resistance).

But last week, I took on some new challenges at my job, and greeted them. I went swimming on Thursday evening with some friends (even though I wanted to bag it because I was tired). This weekend, I collaged and painted in my journal, and slept in all morning. I'm feeling really relaxed now after my lazy weekend - much more rested.

I am holding on to the possibility that this means that I have expanded my horizons, and developed a new self that is a little bit stronger.

June theme - Twelve

2011-06-01T23:18:00.004-04:00

This month's theme for the Twelve project from Amanda (Mocking Bird):

The theme for June is: Light

June Colour Inspiration: yellow, white, gold

This month, notice where the light is, get up early and shoot in that gorgeous morning light or skip dinner and shoot in the magic hour before sunset. Look for that gorgeous light and use it to your advantage. I am excited to see some beautiful photographs this month!

What a perfect theme! In this neck of the woods, June means more than 16 hours of light each day and the sun doesn't really set. I'm planning to take many photos in the later hours...

but, right now I have to wait until it stops raining.

Check back later this month for my photos.

1

2011-05-30T21:33:00.004-04:00

aloe vera, a photo by Dee - purl happy on Flickr.

it has been summer, unofficially, for a week now. (last weekend was the Victoria Day holiday, that is generally the unofficial start of summer).

this past weekend brought the average day of last frost. gardeners know this is an important day. after this day, generally, you can set your plants outside without worrying (too much) about whether they are going to get struck down by the frost.

i'm not a great gardener. last year was the first successful year i have grown anything. this year, Chef and i have started a modest amount of some basic veggies. thankfully, because of all of the sun the nwt gets with the long, long days this time of year, growing here is pretty easy.

i have started to put the plants outside.

photo credit: Dee (me), May 16, 2011.

brave

2011-05-17T23:51:00.004-04:00

Jamie suggested this full moon we consider: “Who are you when you are in full flower? What exudes from your personality? What’s possible for full-flower you? What colours shine? What dreams flow freely? What pours out of your heart and into the world?”

I'm shocked by this dreamboard. all of the elements came by surprise.

Some thoughts on my dreamboard, in no particular order. aqua/blue and yellow, my two favourite colours, are strong. ocean and sunshine, ingredients for sustaining life. a huge grin. I get giddy and sing for no reason when I am completely happy. adornment and sparkle. wedding rings (commitment). And BRAVE in Huge letters. strength and confidence. writing and journaling. the words pour out. When I am stressed out, the thoughts take too long, and take over, or don't get out. Now I am slowly owning my title as a writer. And as a lawyer.

at the end of the day, i do know this. "unbelievable beautiful change" is possible.

Photo credit: Dee, May 17, 2011.

2011-05-17T21:43:00.004-04:00

When you do get distracted by all the ideas and inspiration take a step back and ask yourself “why you want to scrapbook?” – I remind myself of the real reason I want to do this in the first place. Simply asking myself that question helps me refocus on what’s most important and just start making stuff. ~ Ali Edwards

I love this quote from Ali Edwards' blog the other day. This is the advice that I wish I had had in the last few months. Its so simple, and, yet, I NEVER thought about it. I stayed away from this blog because everything I was seeing online I loved, and was inspired to write, but I was also feeling like a fraud, that I would just be copying something someone else had said recently, and they would say it better than I could. So I stayed away.

At the end of the day, writing here still calls to me. So starting today, I am reminding myself why I started writing this blog. And writing. It is a new beginning.

forest fire season

2011-05-16T23:10:00.003-04:00

May 16, 2011. Yellowknife, N.W.T. 7:30 a.m. - the thing about spring here is, with it comes forest fire season. Smokin'.

date night

2011-04-11T00:46:00.008-04:00

One of the things my fiance, Chef, and I try to do each week is a date night. We hope to keep this up throughout our marriage. Sometimes it is more involved, sometimes less so. Often we fall back on dinner + a movie.

It feels like it has been since January that the movie theatre here has had a movie worth seeing. I don't know if that is true or not, if it was really that long, but we didn't go to the theatre for weeks. It is one of our easy dates, dinner + movie.

This last week's date night, we had sushi then saw Hop.

But there are infinite other possibilities*...

sledding or tobogganing/skating/x-country skiing/snowshoeing/tennis/golf or mini golf/fishing (anything outdoors really)
horseback riding
attend a concert/ comedy club/live theatre
picnic in the park
pub crawl (if you drink)
bring your favourite movie night
go to the beach + swimming
go to the casino (if you have one....here it is bingo or the meat raffle)
cook dinner together or bake cupcakes together
build a snowman or sand castle together
bowling or play pool/billiards
stay a night at a fun or cheesy hotel
go karting or the water park (if you have 'em) or play the Wii version of them...
take a course in something new to both of you, like pottery
take a long walk (or run!) and stop when you get to the lake/ocean/end of the trail...
watch the sunrise (toward the summer solstice here you could watch sunset in the wee hours of the morning and the sunrise shortly thereafter)
go out for cheap wings
visit an art gallery or museum
look at the stars (or northern lights!) together
make a fort together
pretend to be tourists around town & take lots of photos
dress up and go the fancy hotel/restaurant in town for dinner

Now, what to do tomorrow?

* options may vary by location and/or season

Big thanks to my cousin, A., for posting a similar list on her Facebook, and Gala's Very Definitely Not Dinner and a Movie

back and forth

2011-04-11T00:35:00.003-04:00

Hello. How have you been?

It has been a while since I have been here, I know. I think about coming here and writing, often. But then I wonder whether the thing I was going to write about is worth writing about. I go back and forth in my head. Yes. and no. So, mostly, I never end up writing. Here, anyway. I write over at 750words.com everyday.

I can't guarantee that I will be able to keep up writing here, but I will try my best.

I'm going to start where I am.

Here.
Yellowknife.
April 10, 2011.
It's a Sunday.
28 years old.
It snowed about an inch or so this morning.
I learned origami at a fundraiser for Japan this afternoon.
This evening I planted an onion set.
I forget all of the folds now.

Things I Love Thursday

2011-03-17T21:29:00.006-04:00

Things that made me smile this week,

getting my first decent photo of the Northern Lights with my new DSLR!
planning my summer garden & anticipating buying seeds this weekend
today, it was finally warmer than negative 30 (even if it is still snowing in the middle of March)
"bug" sundae made by my honey, Chef
exercise! (went swimming, felt great)
clean kitchen counters
blueberry-coconut-graham cracker yogurt parfait for breakfast
crossing things off my to-do list with goddess leonie's wild donkey strategy to getting stuff done
Street Cred 2011 poster (below) by Pia Jane Bijkerk and Erin Loechner of Design for Mankind

Poster by Pia Jane Bijkerk & Erin Loechner, font by Yvette van Boven

Respect other people's copyright. Credit photos.

2011-02-14T10:01:00.003-05:00

some good love, on this Valentine's Day. I hope you get told you are loved today.

Marry Me by Amanda Marshall

5 senses

2011-02-08T22:27:00.004-05:00

Some of the things I'm experiencing with my senses these days...

SEEING: a little bit more sunlight over the horizon when I walk to work in the morning. (Makes me feel so much better. Spring is on the way!)

HOLDING: my new Canon Rebel XS digital single-lens-reflex camera. (I haven't taken any photos for weeks)

HEARING: Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me! (always worth it for a good laugh) & This American Life (always makes doin' the dishes go faster). And Q just before I go to sleep, the long interviews wind me down before bed.

TASTING: Chef's homemade rosemary pizza dough.

SMELLING: does dreaming about the smell of cinnamon rolls, count? I'm ready to do some Valentine's baking this weekend.

lover's month

2011-02-06T20:18:00.002-05:00

I've been out of town, and then in bed with the flu, but I'm ready to get back to life. Work, writing, and reading, and loving. February is lover's month. Me and Chef celebrate two years together this month, and, of course, Valentine's Day, that annual love-fest, comes on the 14th. We have reservations for dinner at the nice hotel in town. But beyond all of that, this month's twelve prompts are love, red and pink, and all of their hues.

I'm hoping to take more photos this month than I did in January. (I only took one). And, this month, I have a new toy: a new Canon Rebel XS. So much to learn with my new camera, but the possibilities are endless...so there is also much to look forward to.

more loving...
+ full snow moon on the 18th

unplugged

2011-01-23T12:25:00.005-05:00

This past week, I unplugged a little. Didn't watch much television or read as many blogs (or post here).

After days of delaying, with the cold snap we are having, I went to the local library, borrowed some novels, and read the latest issue of HOW design magazine.

I enjoyed Let the Great World Spin by Colum Mccann (such great distinct characters!), and cried through Shelter Me by Juliette Fay (beautifully written novel about a family after the death of their husband/father and coming to terms with that).

I had also borrowed Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O'Neill. I had been meaning to read this for a couple of years, since it came out. I gave up about a hundred pages in. The first person narration and swearing grated on me. Oh well.

This little electronic vacation brought me back to my baseline.

creation island

2011-01-16T14:16:00.003-05:00

I have kept a creative notebook for several years, doodling, writing, painting, collaging. A little bit of everything here and there. messy. with no objective end.

Last year it slipped away from me a bit. I was struggling to keep myself above the stress and never felt like working in my notebook.

Since the new year my notebook has been calling to me. (and when the muse calls, you listen...) More and more I have been dragging out my markers and acrylic paints. Marking down whatever idea is in my head.

Recently, I began a series of paintings. I've never done this before. Girls in parkas. puffy and down-filled. trimmed in fur. northern night skies. birch and pine trees. frozen lakes. breath crystallizing in the air.

I have completed two so far. I don't know how long this will last,but I am proud of them.

Things I Love Thursday

2011-01-13T08:00:00.001-05:00

...the under-the-weather edition. (I'm snuggling in under the covers, hoping to get rid of a cold that is settling in... though I'm sure the negative 40 weather isn't helping)

fuzzy hot pink jammies (& matching pink toenails)
comforter with stripes in the colour of the seas
tea
watching old favourite movies
dreaming up scarf patterns
Sarah 101
doodling a mix of jen lemen and kelly rae (in my notebook...elements of both giving me hope)
collage vision "cards" in my planner
one more day to the weekend!
my hair is long enough for a ponytail
the photo of us from Vancouver
fat quarters ready for quiltmaking
the yarn harlot: "When you start something new, you will suck. If you continue (knitting), you'll likely suck less tomorrow".

2011-01-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

Relax.

This is going to be fun.

Relax.

This is going to be fun.

You are a capable woman, and can do this.

So, far, in the three days I have been thinking about my upcoming wedding, I've been a ball of anxiousness. order dress 12 months in advance (um, like, now). find perfect venue (three provinces away). pick a date (which would make this thing real). bridesmaids. a big party (I don't party).

Basically, this is exactly why I haven't thought about the wedding in the six months I've been engaged to Chef. So I'm trying to keep in mind this article from A Practical Wedding, the Guide for the Newly-Engaged. (Hint the guide involves: the above advice, and the 5 W's).

New photo project

2011-01-06T08:00:00.005-05:00

Do you ever see connections in the world to things you are thinking about? I love when that happens.

I created the post the other day stating that I want to take my photography more seriously, and take more photos. Up cropped the best project that I have seen in a while: Twelve!

Amanda, at Mocking Bird, is a great photographer with polaroids. She has developed the Twelve project for 2011. It is a monthly photo project. Once a month she will post a theme word and a colour at her site. Then you take 3-6 photos, of the theme or combining the colour and the theme, and post them to the flickr group.

I am very excited about the challenge this presents. To find several ways to interpret the theme and yet still have a purpose, and to try for several pretty good photos each month this year. Twelve will give me a good push to boost my photography.

January's theme: wish
January's colour(s): white, violet

Want to join in? Check out Amanda's introduction at her site.

image: DeeDee (author's personal collection), October 2010.

being a better photographer

2011-01-05T08:00:00.003-05:00

Since I wrote the other day about bringing your passions to the forefront even if your life is hectic, it seemed like a good time to talk about photography. It is my passion that I am still learning to integrate into my life.

About twelve years ago, I didn't take the photography course at my high school, even though it was in my heart to do so. I deeply regretted that decision ever after. Until 2005. I studied the art history of photography at university to compensate because taking photos seemed out of my reach. That was before I had a compact {point-and-shoot} digital camera. Before I had a film camera. Finally, during the summer of 2005, took a course at a local art school with my Mom's old Canon film camera.

Since that course, I have started taking more snaps with my compact camera, but it has made me lazy. I don't really focus on taking good photos.

In 2011, I want to change this. I want to take photography more seriously. By more seriously I mean, I want to actively work at taking better photos.

The first step was to read up on how to do that. Fortunately, I have several photoblogs that I study regularly, that provided ample tips. Some of them are listed below:

Find natural light. Early morning, or late afternoon are great. Turn off your flash.
By paying attention to the light you can adjust aperture, shutter speed, and ISO speed to get the results you want.
Read your manual. (They will tell you how to adjust aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.)
TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES. Then take more. (It helps to take photos of things that really interest you). Take pictures of stuff around you, your coffee or tea, your pet, your family, your friends, your neighbourhood, yourself as a self-portrait.
Hold your camera steady (and learn to hold it properly). Or steady it on a tripod or other solid surface to prevent blurriness
If you want blurriness, learn to shoot with a short depth of field (i.e. with a small aperture (f-stop)). It will focus on one small detail, and make everything else blurry.
Focus on details, by scanning around the viewfinder before you snap. try shooting on the macro setting.
Start a photoblog. Needing to post will give you a reason to keep taking photos.

The next step is to start taking and keeping track of my photos....

image credit: DeeDee (author's personal collection), August 2010.

baseline

2011-01-04T08:00:00.000-05:00

On the weekend I was having a phone conversation with my best friend. 2010, at various points during the year, seemed to slow progress to a crawl, for both of us. So slowly at points it seemed like we were going backwards. (maybe we were.)

But these slow crawls, led to the big learning of the year for me. The sign post from the Universe for the year. Dear Universe, I get it now. I am picking up what you are putting down. You must take care of yourself.

For much of the year I didn't think I had time. For anything. I had work. I had the bar admission course on top of that. I was trying to keep our place clean & pay the bills. Myself seemed to always get placed farther down the list.

I always showed up, but I was tired. I was dressing poorly, and my place had more than a few dust bunnies.

I was so focused on work, on learning to be a lawyer, that the rest got pushed aside. But then when I tried to pick up my art journal, I wasn't into it. I wasn't writing, as I wanted to. I hardly read any novels last year.

All of these things were missing from my life. I noticed them missing from my life. Yet I couldn't seem to find the time to put them in, without worrying about work, or thinking I should be doing work or school. Getting up earlier, and working later into the night, or both, weren't easing this anxiety. I ended up feeling defeated, and done. Finished.

Remember that there must be time for vacation and fun, and YOU (whatever you like to do in your spare time & the necessary things for your health). You must fit these into your work, in proportion//your life cannot be separated from your work. You must start from this place or you will be unable to continue. Like we need to work at a place where we get along with people, since we often see them more of the day than our spouses, you need to bring your passions along with your work. To make the time for them. This is the baseline.

I'm happy to report my journal has been calling to me the last few days - and I am creating and writing more than ever. Looking forward to 2011 with a (re)new(ed) baseline...

Start as you mean to go on

2011-01-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

I dislike making New Year's resolutions. I hardly ever stick to them. However, every now and again, I like the jolt that a fresh beginning provides to get me going on the things I have been meaning to do in my life. These are a few of the things that I have done recently to get ready for 2011! At this time of year is the perfect time to begin as you intend to continue.

Freshen up your food. Last year I made a commitment to make the bread that feeds our baby family (i.e. me and Chef together). Fresh homemade bread, with no preservatives. This continues our commitment to eating less junk, and be more sustainable. Continuing with this, I made my standard loaf of white bread. I have also just tried a loaf of sourdough. I also started planning the garden for this summer. (We have such grand plans for growing in the coming seasons...)

Of course, your plans in this regard may be different. Maybe you need to remove the junk food from your kitchen. Or remember to eat more green or orange at every meal. Or eat vegetarian once a week. Or try a new food once a week. The possibilities here are endless. Choose one that suits you.

Get moving. Your body, that is. Almost everyone makes a New Year's goal or resolution to lose a few pounds. Figure out your goal (whether to lose weight with more cardio, to be more flexible, or to just be able to walk up the stairs without huffing and puffing). Make sure your goal is measurable and attainable. Maybe you choose 90 minutes of cardio twice a week, or to lose a pound a month. (that's 12 pounds this year! you can do that right? yes, you can) After that, you can decide whether a gym suits you, or whether to just take it outside, or maybe your city offers sports facilities you can start using. Whichever you choose, stick to your plan!

Live where you are now...even if you might be moving in the future. If nothing else, hang one picture that you have been meaning to hang. That one piece of colour hanging on your wall will bring you joy, and a permanence to your housing situation. Bonus points if you also frame have one photo you have been meaning to. I just did this, and it makes me so happy to see the photo on our end table. Or throw a new comforter on your bed. This instantly changed up our space.

Take care of yourself. This is a big one for me. One of the biggest learning points that came to me last year, is that there is always more than enough time to take care of yourself. (And, in many instances you will need to take care of yourself before you can assist others). I restarted a beauty routine that I had been neglecting. I ensure I floss, even when I am tired. I started a vision board for new makeup and style that I want to try out. Okay, that last one really doesn't ensure my health, but style is important.

Plan your outfits. This is a new one for me. But trying to stare at my closet in the half-dark as the light slowly returns (or complete dark with a flashlight as I was doing before the holidays) in the morning is not working. And bonus: I get more time to write in the morning if I have my outfit ready to go. A new year is a fantastic opportunity to remix your wardrobe and make some new favourite combinations to take you through January without racking up more shopping bills. If you want some remixing inspriation, look at any of the 'style bloggers'. One I really enjoy is Kendi Everyday.

Things I Love Thursday

2010-12-30T23:00:00.003-05:00

For Thursday, December 30, 2010:

supermarket hot pink gerber daisies// getting my financials in order by opening new higher-interest savings accounts// tidying my bedroom// hanging up a new vision board for a new year ...which is inspiring new makeup fun// opening our first engagement gift to discover a frame & putting a photo of us in it (our first!)// warm (-5 degrees) temperatures when at home for the holidays// Wii MarioKart racing with Chef (ah, time off!)//playing pool with Chef and S. at S.'s// Jamie Ridler's winter meditation

Things I Love Thursday started by Gala Darling.

A different type of review

2010-12-29T18:15:00.008-05:00

I have been really struggling with the posts for Reverb10. I haven't been able to find different stories for the topics; only the same ones over and over, which is boring me. I fell in love with Gala's year end review post, and it got my gears turning. The structure of this post was completely inspired by {copied} from Galadarling.com.

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Travelled to:: Edmonton, AB (once a month until July); Toronto, ON; Kingston, ON; Vancouver, BC; Toronto, ON (again); Barrhaven, ON.

CN Tower from Union Station, July 2010

What happened:: Chef and I had our one year of dating anniversary; grew tomatoes and potatoes on our balcony from seed; said yes when Chef asked me to marry him; got called to the bar & changed jobs (in the same weekend); had weekly dinner with S. - including chocolate buffet in Edmonton; took a step into the professional spotlight; played a lot of wii bowling "on vacation" in August; updated my resume; collaged a dreamboard on almost all of the full moons; wrote 100,000 words in 118 days; had Tuesday date nights with Chef; went home to Toronto for the holidays & introduced Chef to the whole family.

Most-played albums:: Anuhea - Anuhea(self-titled); The Big Chill: soundtrack to the original motion picture; Burlesque: soundtrack to the original motion picture.

Most-loved television shows & movies:: Heartland; Sarah's House; Mythbusters; Despicable Me; Megamind; How to Train Your Dragon; Burlesque; Wall Street.

Meghan + Blake, by Katie Osgood Photography via Brooklyn Bride

Definite style obsessions:: ruffled panties; stacked rings; small backyard weddings; vintage wedding dresses; chunky necklaces.

Best things I did for myself:: wrote daily; set up direct transfers of $100 of my pay to my savings each payday; began to work from a place of how I intended to feel.

Lovliest gift:: A new Canon Coolpix from Chef, one random date night.

Best websites:: White Hot Truth with Danielle Laporte; Galadarling.com; A Practical Wedding; Today's Letters.

Couldn't be without:: Moleskine planner; ipod nano; Canon Coolpix; contact lenses; my engagement ring.

eclipse solstice dreamboard

2010-12-21T20:08:00.005-05:00

This is my dreamboard for December 2010. I loved creating this one. I had joy gathering the images and seeing what attracted me, after listening to Jamie's winter meditation. I'm happy that without much specific intention on my part, I chose images that represent all of the things I really want for 2011.

Shortly, after finishing the collage, I went outside and observed the lunar eclipse. Knowing that it was the first full eclipse since Galileo's time was invigorating, and may be the source of the movement on the collage.

It is also the winter solstice. The longest night of the year and the shortest day. This only means one thing - light will slowly be returning to the north. We will start increasing from the five hours of light we have today in the NWT.

Want to make one of your own? Check Full Moon Dreamboards out on Jamie Ridler's site.

Collage sources: Lucky magazine October 2010; Oprah magazine, Glow magazine December 2009, Style at Home December 2010 :: Telus ad (chameleons), Macy's ad ("find your magic"), Herbal Essences ad (photo of Leighton Meister); miscellaneous editorials and ads.
Image by DeeDee (author's personal collection).

2010 in five minutes

2010-12-15T23:16:00.007-05:00

Aurora borealis at Easter

BIG Dragonfly landing on my leg

Getting to walk my dog a couple of weeks before she passed on

sweet engagement to my significant other

Hot tubbing at S.'s

First ever trip to Vancouver (a city that has been on my list for a long time!)
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This post in response to Reverb10. December 15 – 5 Minutes Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010. (Author: Patti Digh)

2010-12-14T20:17:00.001-05:00

Exhausted. Totally. Going to sleep. Will try Reverb10 again tomorrow.

Good night.

wisest decision of 2010

2010-12-12T10:22:00.000-05:00

Asking for help. Learning to deal with stress. I won't go into the details on the internet, but suffice it to say that reaching out is always the wise decision.

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This post in response to Reverb10 December 10 – Wisdom Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out? (Author: Susannah Conway)
image by DeeDee (author's personal collection, 2010.

11 things I can do without in 2011

2010-12-11T22:30:00.000-05:00

Eliminating these will take willpower, but I much prefer how I feel without these. To be without these will change everything. As long as I have Chef along for the ride, I'm doing just fine. I really could do without numbers 1 and 11 though.

image graphic by DeeDee (author's personal collection).

A small note {Days 8-10 Reverb10}

2010-12-10T22:36:00.000-05:00

I have really struggled with the prompts for the last few days.

Will try again tomorrow.

community

2010-12-07T23:52:00.004-05:00

December 7 – Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011? (Author: Cali Harris) For Reverb10

Offline, I discovered community in my profession. Online, I participated in the Full Moon Dreamboard circle.

I'd like to more deeply connect with Full Moon Dreamboards in 2011. Starting with this month....

We are in the phase between the new moon that occurred over the weekend, and the full moon that will occur on the Solstice. I am gathering the list of abundance, all of the wants with abandon. How about you?

Day 6 - Handmade

2010-12-06T23:21:00.003-05:00

Reverb10 December 6 – Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it? (Author: Gretchen Rubin)

You'd think this would be the easiest topic there is. I make things all the time. I knit. I collage. I doodle in my collage sketchbook. I bake, bread and desserts. Cupcakes and crumbles. Recently, peppermint bark. Yet telling this story is hard.

The last thing I made was a shawl. With my hands, two pointy sticks and some bright blue cotton yarn. Almost peacock blue.

I normally don't wear shawls. That nearly made me forgo the yarn. I didn't know what else to do with the yardage. But I loved this yarn in the store. Americo Original Cotton Flame in colourway J424. I was immediately drawn to the colour.

I finished the shawl on Thursday evening, watching Jamie's American Roadtrip with Chef. On Saturday evening, un-sewn-in ends and all, to a party.

I acquired the yarn during an afternoon in Toronto with my friend K. I was in Ontario for a week of vacation. We met up, wandered the Chapters, or maybe it is an Indigo store, I can't recall, at the Eaton Centre, before heading down Queen Street West to the yarn stores. We were walking. The streets were filled with shoppers, and drinkers sitting on patios of bars and restaurants. It was approximately quarter after four and we weren't quite yet close to Romni Wools. Stores would be closing soon.

I wasn't looking for more yarn. I was trying to avoid yarn. I wanted to use some of the yarn from the stash that I had created over time at home. All I was looking for were some size 0 double-pointed needles. K. was looking for yarn for her next project.

At some point we passed a store we had never heard of before. K and I went in. We entered to chunky alpaca and laceweight cottons, and wools, in every other weight, and colour of the rainbow.

I was doing well on my self-imposed yarn prohibition until I came to the back of the shop, past the cash register, near the classroom area. I spotted the blue yarn. It was the blue yarn of my dreams. I debated about purchasing just one skein, while K engaged the shopkeeper about patterns for a relatively new knitter. It had a large amount of yardage, I would be able to do something with it.

Then I saw the shop sample of the pattern made with the yarn. It was simple. A long straight rectangle, done up in cream coloured cotton. With the barest of ribbing on the edges and sides to keep it from curling under. But oh so soft, and squishy.

I nearly said no. But the blue yarn was calling to me. I knew I would want it later, so I tried on the shawl sample. I thought, If I wear it as a lace scarf I'll get use out of it. And it won't make me think of old ladies. I bought two skeins that was recommended for the pattern that came free with purchase: Roman Holiday.

That is the story of the most recent thing I made.

I am still wanting to make stamps for my wedding invites, but I need to clear time for it. I need to practice carving the stamps, and then work out how I want the invites to look. I need time for that. I also um...need to set a date for the wedding. Small detail. If I'm doing the invites I'm going to need to get them sorted before I stamp them.
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Find out about Reverb10 here.

UPDATE: As I wrote that, I got a craving for something chocolatey. I made chocolate haystack cookies. A similar recipe to mine is this one from a couple of years ago on Design*Sponge. So the last thing I actually made was cookies. With my hands, some oatmeal and coconut, and a pot.

writing, wonder and letting go

2010-12-05T18:53:00.008-05:00

I lost a lot in my life this year. My hamster. My dog. My grandfather. All of that was sad.

I also let go of procrastination with my writing.

I used to wish that I could find more time to write. That I would finish my novel if I could just have more time. (Of course, I never had actually made time for writing before).

I let go of watching the news in the morning, and instead get up, turn on my computer, and start writing at 750words.com. Private blogging, for all of the thoughts that built up in the night, or what happened the day before.

I still haven't started the novel, but writing each day has given me an appreciation of the ordinary.

As has carrying around my point-and-shoot camera on my daily travels. I don't get it out in time for all of the things that pass my way. I didn't capture the fox crossing the road, or the fog over the lake under the full moon as we sped by. But I remember them. The wonder that I felt didn't go unnoticed. Nor did it, when I travelled to a new city I had never been to before.

This has also allowed me to approach life with a little slowness. To notice life as it is happening.

Joseph Campbell once said, "We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us."

I changed jobs midway through the year. This meant I had to let go of the path that I thought I was on.

All through law school the goal is to get a job at large law firm. A Bay Street firm, if you do really well. Make partner after a few years of struggle as an associate. For a while I thought I was on that path. I bought into that path.

But I hated it.

Eventually, I let go of that path, that expectation. It was not easy. For many weeks, I had little idea of to do with my law degree without working at a firm. I searched around, pondered other legal related jobs. I networked and interviewed and researched other jobs. Maybe some day I will write a book about that.

I am now at the beginning of a new path. I keep having to remind myself that I am just starting out. I am working on letting go of my need to be perfect and have all of the knowledge.

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Find out about Reverb10 here. December 2 – Writing. What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it? (Author: Leo Babauta) December 4 – Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year? (Author: Jeffrey Davis) December 5 – Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why? (Author: Alice Bradley)

A moment

2010-12-03T23:06:00.004-05:00

One day in August. Sun blazing high in the sky from early morning, until well into the night.

Watering the plants on the small balcony. Clear blue sky and high heat, mixing with a slight wind blowing dust and rock particles from the excavation blasting for new condos at me. Heat reflecting off the siding of the building. Seagulls shrieking near Great Slave, and horns warning of the next explosion, while planes in descent roar overhead. Counting the seconds between the horn and blast, the reverberations rattling the windows.

Relaxed, soaking in the sunshine and the feel of the earth.

Response for Day 3 of Reverb10.Moment - What was a moment you felt really alive this year? Describe it in vivid detail (colours, sounds, smell). Prompt by author Ali Edwards. Reverb10 is a challenge with prompts everyday to reflect on 2010 and manifest hopes for 2011.

Photo credit: author's personal collection, 2010 by DeeDee.

Reverb10 - Day 1

2010-12-02T00:21:00.005-05:00

December 1st. The start of Reverb10. The goal to answer a prompt each day December 1 - 31 in whatever way feels appropriate - a photo, a story, a tweet, or maybe something else.

Today's prompt: Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?

I pondered this question all day.

All I could think of this morning was hard. And soft.

Yin and yang.

Except that's three words. Gwen asked for one.

Duality. That didn't seem right. Balance. That seemed worse. As in, there was none in my life in 2010. The first six months of the year were in a really bad place, in a job I totally didn't fit with. The last six months haven't been perfect, but they have been better. Though a lot of death in my loved ones. To go with the happiness of loving the one I am with.

None of this has been easy. But I am learning. I am expanding from the experience.

So maybe my word for 2010 is growth. Or change. Yeah, those are close. I have had to deal with a lot of change, and I'm really not very good at it. But I have put all of my energy into learning, and adapting, and putting out new shoots of action. Flailing a lot, grasping for a foothold. I did some things I never expected, and wouldn't have previously, but I like where I am now.

I am not yet in full bloom, but growth is the word that best encapsulates 2010.

Now for 2011. When I look back at the end of next year what do I want?

Next year I want to bloom. I want to find my place and flourish there. I want to grow deeper into my love with Chef. I want to look back and see the results of all of the struggle from 2010 behind me, and for it to have been worth it.

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There is still plenty of time to sign up for Reverb10 - to reflect on this year and manifest for next year - over at the Reverb10 site.

were-collaging

2010-11-22T23:15:00.003-05:00

I was explaining dreamboarding to my friend the other day. I explained I make a collage on the full moon. Chef interupted and explained: "its like being a werewolf..."

This month was all about emotions to invite in. Fun, love, joy.

Here's to a good month.

November dreamboard

2010-11-19T09:34:00.005-05:00

This weekend is full moon dreamboard time again. This month is just speeding by! as they do at the end of the year.

This month is about intention and the emotions you want to invite in. I have several. I'll be back on Sunday, with my dreamboard.

Maybe, at some point, I will have the words for what I learned from October's dreamboard that I didn't like. I finally started getting intune with it, but am having trouble writing about it.

until then:
Jeska is back at her collage blog Record the Day. Her cue-card collages are always inspiring. Her coordination of colours is excellent.

I'm excited about #Reverb10. Gwen, Kaileen and Cali have upped the success of last year's #best09, and it hasn't even started yet. End your year right, sign up is on the reverb10 site on Nov 23.

top of the morning to ya'

2010-11-09T09:43:00.002-05:00

How do you like to start your day?

I like mine fairly early, or it feels like the day slides quickly out from underneath me. I like to begin in quiet. I used to watch the 24-hour news channel, that told me the same story, in the exact same way, six times in an hour. I don't do that anymore. Now I write at 750words.com. Some days it is important. Some days it is not. Some days it is longer, some days it is shorter. But I do it.

I am reminded of Jen Lemen's What 100 paintings will teach you here.

Some days that I write, I read some blogs before I write. Some days, I read after. It depends on if I have something to say.

The blogs I affectionately refer to as 'my morning blogs' tend to be more day enhancing. Which is really what we should be reading about as we shake of the cloak of sleep and step out of our pyjamas.

new moon - November

2010-11-07T17:30:00.004-05:00

This weekend marks the new moon. This is the time of the month where we starting thinking about our dreams for this month, and gathering images that call to us (to later be put into our full moon dreamboards ...on the full moon).

This month's moon is in Scorpio, which can be very emotional. Jamie asks us to consider both the emotions brewing around us and those we want to invite into our lives:

Let gathering for your dreamboard both connect you to the emotions of right now and also serve as an invitation to the emotions you would like to invite in. What would you like to be feeling as you step into the Full Frost Moon? Serenity? Joy? Excitement? Passion? Devotion? Peace?

I am still considering what showed up on October's dreamboard. I feel much less unease about it now, but I feel like the images are still revealing their true message to me.

What to do if you don't like your dreamboard

2010-10-30T09:34:00.010-04:00

It's been a week since I created my dreamboard. I still haven't posted a photo of it.

The thing is...I don't like it. Sometimes it feels wrong to me. This feeling I wasn't sure what to do with.

So I popped off a question to Jamie wondering what her take on it might be. She replied, asking me if any of the following felt like part of the reason for this wrongness:

* Your board could be filled with images of what you think you should want, not what you really want.
* Your wants may be changing, heading in a new direction but your habit is still to pick what you used to know you wanted. Maybe it’s time to explore new magazines and image sources and see what shows up.
* Your board may in fact be already expressing something you’re growing into but you’re not quite comfortable with yet. I’ve sometimes put images on my board that I didn’t like or that unnerved me but that still had some “pull” to them, so I knew there was something there for me to learn.

One thing you might do is sit down with a journal and your dreamboard and just keep writing about what you notice or ask, “What’s the message of this dreamboard for me?” and then let yourself write, write, write without censoring what comes up.

Let me know where this journey takes you, DeeDee. Ultimately, I think what’s happening is something is shifting. What do you think?

I definitely do think something is shifting. I have a couple of immediate thoughts. I have taken on a couple of new temporary roles in my career, so I think it may be related to that. Even so, I am journalling, hoping to see if some other new ideas come up.

stamp carving

2010-10-26T20:03:00.008-04:00

After much hesitation, I recently began carving my own stamps. I am planning to put my own "stamp" on some part of my wedding invitations.

Yesterday I carved the word "LOVE" into a white eraser. This may or may not end up as part of the invites.

But these other stamps have been inspiring me:

Stamps carved by Minna for her etsy shop eat pray create (via freshly blended)
"love is in the air" stamp by paperfinger for her etsy shop paper finger

card created with hand carved stamp via Once Wed

tutorials for carving your own stamps:

full moon dreamboard day

2010-10-22T09:36:00.005-04:00

laying out last month's dreamboard,
with my notes on what I was thinking about.
See last month's dreamboard HERE.

Its Friday. Today is the full moon. The Harvest Moon.

Dreaming of luxuries this month. That little extra in life that we normally push down the to-do list.

I'll be back tonight (or maybe tomorrow morning!) with my dreamboard.

Want to make one? Helpful hints from Jamie Ridler HERE.

Photo credit: author's personal collection.

Lulu de Kwiatkowski's tips to unleash creativity

2010-10-17T19:11:00.003-04:00

These inspiring tips have been rolling in my head all week.

one

Don't be scared to express yourself, even if you feel it will shock people

two

Bring nature into your life. Flowers, driftwood, rocks, etc.

three

Make your own Christmas cards, thank you letters, love letters, etc. It's so much more personal, particularly in this age of computers

four

Keep a journal and don't be afraid to draw in it. Doodle, doodle, doodle - it creates endorphins in your brain that mimic meditation

five

Embrace colour

p. 51, Oct/Nov 2010 Lonny magazine

The Corn moon.

2010-09-23T20:38:00.004-04:00

Today is dreamboard day.

I finished mine on the weekend...I asked the Moon "do you have anything more to say to me?" No further flashes of dreams arrived.

Jamie asked us to take a look at what action we can take to honour the dreams? What are we wanting to invite into our lives? And to embrace these dreams with love and action.

I can give myself space to let whatever is incubating, do its thing.
I can stand up taller.
I can be the centre of attention.
I can light up (from the inside? with my knowledge? to those around me?)
I can go riding.
I can take the lead.
I can join the successful women.
I can travel to London, UK.
I can plan a trip to the UK.
I can celebrate an abundant harvest.
I can dress up.
I can put on my heels and lip gloss and rock it!
I can change my status to practising lawyer.
I can take time to relax.
and play.
I can take self-portraits.
I can take of the ties holding me to the ground so I can soar!
I can start to feel confident in my abilities.
I can look at the big picture and keep the perspective.
I can treat myself like a good friend would, not like the harsh critic I have been.

grateful for

2010-09-16T22:36:00.005-04:00

:: Chef. no question.
:: an email from Jen Lemen that lit up my entire day
:: a sweetly growing community
:: seeing a rainbow just as the first snow of the year blew in (Sept. 15. 10)
:: being prepared for my new job
:: 750words.com (+ the writing habit that came with it - I've written 16,000 words in 19 days)
:: having a man who will keep his promise to wake me up to see the aurora borealis (see #1)

photo: author's personal collection, July 2010

are we there yet?

2010-09-01T16:06:00.003-04:00

On this first day of September, there are bright blue skies, warm afternoon sun shining on the miniscule veggie garden on our apartment deck. Two pots on the table, and a mid-size Rubbermaid container more suited to storing out of season clothes in which I hopefully have a spud or two beneath the soil.

I am impatiently waiting for signs I can harvest my tiny crop. I have yet to see signs of ripening (or dying back of my potato plant), and possibly won't before the first frost that generally arrives around the 15th of September in these parts. Yet I am hopeful for this first rangy patch of vegetables that I have grown from seed. But I know that fall is swiftly approaching, the wind has become just that little bit colder, the rain clouds blow about, and the birch trees around town and up Tin Can Hill have begun, and in some cases already turned, yellow.

Also, it is Wednesday, so there is a raven: