Lilac Bees and Holey Lights

It feels like forever since I’ve done a peek-into-my-week post, but I’m happily returning to the fold and joining up with folks playing along with Amy Putkonen at her shiny new blog.  Come join the fun.

internal landscape:

What a strange week it’s been.  I seem to be jumping on and off the timeline – just two seconds ago it was Monday and now it’s Friday.  I’m both being very productive AND wondering if I’m actually getting things done.  My rhythms are changing and I’m either in the groove or tripping up.  Paradox reigned supreme this week.

breathing the fresh air:

Squee – my lilacs are beginning to bloom!  I’m swooning from the deliciousness – that scent, those colors.  Today was the first day of sitting outside on the front porch for morning coffee and leisurely assessment of the lands in my empire.  Several bees were spotted visiting the lilacs including a delightfully huge bumble.  I suppose it’s an exaggeration to say it was bigger than my head, but I’m telling you it was HUGE.  Fabulousity times a thousand.

on the studio table:

• I actually spent more time this week straightening up and organizing the studio than actually producing anything, although sorting through the bits and pieces on my table as I was putting them away generated another billion and a half ideas for future projects.  My studio space is actually the enclosed porch space on the second floor of our house and this time of year the light is absolutely the best.  My heart starts beating a bit faster with joy when I step out there and know a new season of creation is about to get underway.  But first a requisite table clear is always in order.

epicurean adventure:

• I am on a serious avocado binge at the moment, and Avocado Potato Salad is on my make list for today.

• I’m all about iced coffee in the warmer months, and the day I have my first one of the season is a day of celebration.  But I’d definitely give up my iced tea for an opportunity for Turkish Sand Coffee – doesn’t this look amazing?

good things:

• Deep conversations and lots of laughter with old friends and out-of-town visitors

• Tweaking my morning practices.  It’s been WEEKS since we did the spring-forward clock change, and yet it’s taken until now for my body to fully embrace the changing morning light.  I always look forward to that time in Spring when I start awakening quite early and entirely energized – it feels like the gift of so much more time each day that I truly relish.  Which is a double blessing because I’ve added some new practices into my morning routine and the extra time is very welcome indeed.

• Switching out the cold weather wardrobe for the warm weather one; trading socks for sandals and storm windows for screens.  I’m a bit worried my lovely little rose tree didn’t survive the harsh winter, but I’m out there giving it daily pep talks and maybe it’ll surprise me.

turning the pages:

I’m definitely going to have to find the secret door where extra time is hiding out and make a withdrawal, because my reading for 2015 is seriously behind schedule.  And that’s not a good thing when I literally have a kazillion books on my list of I can’t-wait-to-read.  However, the truth is I’m currently savoring 3 delicious books that have me thinking deeply and simultaneously doing some side-project writing/arting/digging deeper with their prompts.  I’ll leave the tease there, promising you’ll get titles and reviews soon.

on the screen:

This week we discovered the Canadian science fiction series Orphan Black and I’m hooked into a world of clones.

favorite word of the week:

Leechdom, meaning a remedy or medicine.  First known usage is documented in 900.  While one might reasonably assume the word is connected to the rather appalling practice of blood-leeching, in truth the words actually have different etymologies and aren’t related.  Which in mind only ups the attractiveness of leechdom.  I’ve been entertaining myself all week by referring to my flower essence practice as  administering my leechdoms; and I’m giving a covert shout out to my friend who had a tooth pulled this week and is navigating some leechdoms of her own.

what I’m loving to support:   Practical, portable, attractive solar lantern that folds to flat, and the opportunity to donate them to those in need, including Nepal.

on the wish list:  Bee Loving Hussies postcards.  Seriously, how can you possibly resist these?  And why don’t I have a bee hat like these?!

fabulousities, curiosities, and brain igniters:

• Do You Know What You Look Like?  I’m a huge fan of artist and shepherdess Katherine Dunn, and this recent painting of hers, along with her reflections about aging is really stirring something for me.  I kind of like that state where I’m not quite sure what’s being sparked in me, but something is and I can’t wait to see what unfolds.  But surely it’s connected to the topic of aging.

• Stellar Cave, the amazing glowing string art by French artist Julien Salaud.

• Scott Blake has created some amazing flip books.  I can’t even begin to understand how you’d figure out how to do these patterns, but I’m telling you it’s got me wanting to punch holes in things.

• Éléonore Delisse’s Day & Night Light directly address the issue of SAD (seasonal affective disorder)  but does so so beautifully my heart practically explodes.

So there you have it – a peek at what’s been on my radar this week.  What about you?  What’s capturing your attention?  What signs of Spring (or Autumn) are showing up?  Love lilacs?  Seeing bees?  Prefer holes in your books or your cheeses? Do tell – you know I love to hear.