fullness

 

Yesterday I spent a glorious day on the shores of Lake Superior with a friend.

I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.  The weather was wonderful and the company equally so.  We didn't have anything on our agenda except play on the beach, which we did.  For many, many hours.

 There was rock-picking.  Oh yes there was.  We spent much of our time picking up the stones, feeling their texture, marveling at the different shapes and colors and how warm they were from the sun.

 

I skipped a few, kept a few more, and played with some too.

 

A number of agate-hunters were combing one of the beaches we visited.  Some of them walked where the water met the shore, some crawling on their hands and knees digging in the stones, and some of them right in the water with their shoes on. 

 

So when I found a nice little agate among the smooth stones I snuck down to the water and left it, hoping it would make one of those agate-hunters happy.

 

 All of the stress of earlier in the week had been forgotten and replaced with a fullness that comes from a day with your feet on stones and lake breezes.

I hope this weekend give you a similar fullness.

Happy Friday, all.

Wordless Wednesday

I'm back!

After taking a few weeks off to finish up some projects, hang with the kiddies, and play a little at home, I'm back in the swing and feeling a little refreshed.

On my break I finished a couple of projects that I had been asked to do for an upcoming crafty book. It's due out this winter and I'll share the details later. Here's a sneak peek at one of the projects I've contributed.

I made jam. Lots of jam. 25 jars of jam. Mmmm. Strawberry, rhubarb, strawberry-rhubarb, balsamic strawberry, and apricot cardamom (which I'm using on tonight's porkchops).

The kids and I walked the beach a little. Which of course means going in the water, no matter how cold it might be.

My 3 year old found an enormous Lake Superior agate in the yard and recognizing it as one of momma's favorite pretty rocks, washed it in a mudpuddle and presented it to me. It weighs almost 12 ounces, he should be very proud.

I treated myself by making 4 terrariums, all for me! I don't know about you other crafty types, but I never make things for myself. My creative energy is spent making things for other people, so this was quite a treat for me, indeed.

Have a great day, everybody.