notes for the journey. invitations of inspiration.

leg warmers + flip flops on the 4th of july

i have been peeking my head out into blogworld and even into the "real" world every now and then, and i have come across a few things that invited me to want to do, create, play, and open up:

elizabeth's postcard project

kristen's new project exquisite corpse collective (and her new digs in the violet hour)

mati's painting a day

betsy snyder's book Haiku Baby(a present from viv. we. love. this. book). betsy has a blog and the book even has its own adorable site.

maddie's videos invite me to get out my flip and capture the world around me. love the whimsy and poetry of the little film in this post. and the light captured in this one makes me a bit weak in the knees (in the best of ways). can't wait until this fall when maddie teaches at reveal.

kate's words at the wishstudio about living from your whole body

(oh and just in case you need a little sixty seconds of cute...you can find miss ellie in moving pictures here)

PS a big thank you to all my guest bloggers who stepped in to share inspiration while i took a bit of a maternity leave from this space. their posts will fill up your soul's well, so if you haven't already, please read them all here.

notes for the journey. on a day in may.

 

a little glimpse into a april afternoon with viv (polaroid by viv)

i have been quiet over here. i think it is because i have entered that "whoa, it is getting difficult to get comfortable" stage of things, and resting whenever possible (i.e. not multi-tasking) is where i am trying to dwell. but there is quite a bit to finish in these three weeks before she arrives. we are working on the nursery (but have let go of the need for perfection before she gets here). i am finishing up some more book edits (please let me not be working on them while hanging out in the hospital). i am working on some new pages and other fun things for the be present retreats site, and i am indeed hoping to have the fall retreat information up very soon. and there is that thanks for hanging in there with me (and stopping by to say hello). 

oh and happy mother's day! my sweet husband baked me a cake yesterday to celebrate my first mother's day, but alas there was an accident in the kitchen that created little shards of glass everywhere last evening and a few found there way to the top of the cake. always something. i think there is a plan to make another cake today, but really, it is the thought that counts in this case. it is a beautiful thing to be gently pushed to know that i am indeed already a mama...

and the "nesting thing"...hmm...i suppose it is showing up in little bursts now and then. saturday, i made a quilt top (and i am determined to finish it this week) for the little one's room, along with a patchworked "dresser scarf" that makes me smile. i really do love the rhythm of patchwork.

okay, enough babble, here are a few ponderings and wanderings for you to explore and think about in your own quiet moments...

leah's thank you notes are simply fantastic (via susannah).

danielle's new spot in blog world (and her etsy shop) make me smile.

mindy's birds (and other creations) are full of such whimsy, color, and joy.full.ness (this one will be hanging in the little one's room).

jon and i received this brilliant "baby" book by artist nikki mcclure. we hope to fill out a few pages during those early moments of "do you think i really am in labor?" when we are on the cusp of the adventure that is to come...

mary ann's blog, dispatch from la, is a current favorite. i hope to take her remains of the day workshop later this year. such goodness here.

even though insomnia (and not being able to get comfortable in bed) is not my favorite part of this day, there is something really beautiful about being awake when the birds first start singing there song to welcome the sun. yes. beautiful.

lately, when my mind turns to something that currently has me perplexed and more than a bit sad, i have inhaled deeply and felt my feet under me to know that i am grounded and then exhaled with an image of compassion and love finding its way to all the corners that need light. it helps a bit.

spring brings {notes for the journey}

i sometimes am in awe of all that spring can bring. i whisper to myself spring shall return on days when the grey sky mirrors my thoughts...whether that might be a day in october or june or february. it is a persistent truth in our lives: the grey will give way to the light and color. it is a gift we cannot ignore even when we close our eyes to it.

during the last few weeks, a few words and photos have walked across my path that have spoken to this truth that rests inside me. here are a few for you to explore:

vivienne talks about the intense and the soft.

a mermaid shares the truth about being open.

survarna captured the beginnings of blooms.

jenna invites us to take in a springtime blessing.

maddie gently reminds that spring has returned.

meri muses about reality.

darlene gives us the gift of light and shadow.

(thank you to each of you for sharing your light)

notes for the journey. on a day in february, 2010.

 

port townsend . february 20, 2010

christina's new project, a field guide to now, truly rocks. i am simply in awe of how she is putting herself out there to create such a beautiful project that explores how we can stand in the present in our lives. watch the video at the site to understand a bit more about what christina is creating. i can't wait to see how this project blooms...

katie's world is pure magic.

notes for the journey. january begins.

 

jam + mascarpone + fresh doughnuts (a very good thing) . lola, seattle, washington

i have been collecting ideas, posts, thoughts during the last few weeks as the new year has approached and arrived. a few that have caught my eye and made me pause (or want to participate):

jen lee's journal along . i am looking forward to opening this journal and writing from my gut this month.

pen's farewell to fear . stay tuned for a photo of my letter inspired by pen.

leonie's invitation to create your goddess year . downloaded this and plan to give myself the gift of time to write in it very soon.

lisa's view of each day as a living prayer . these words keep twirling around in my mind as i look for ways to bring the intention back into each day.

susannah's new desktop wallpaper . this image + words has been a much needed reminder these last few days.

glimpes into katie's journal . i want to reach through the screen and touch these pages. and then i want to invite myself to katie's studio and create create create alongside her. (how i wish i had the time to participate in misty's art journal along this month. maybe when this writing is done i will jump in.)

spending time reading habit . hula is posting over there this month and i was reminded to add it to my daily reading. how i love this blog.

and you? have you found anything lately that has caused you to pause or want to participate? please share...