I’m Thankful…

 

Sometimes you can’t ask for more. This was the scene outside my windshield saturday evening as I was driving home. It was just beautiful and so surreal.  It made me feel thankful for everything in my life. No things aren’t perfect, far from it, but I am blessed to have what I have and that includes all of you. Although, I don’t like the cold and I still dream of living in a little cottage on the beach, you can’t beat the wildlife, turkeys, deer, raccoon, blue heron, etc, livng  just beyound my window or the gorgeous midwestern landscape surrounding me. Sometimes I can’t believe that I live right in the middle of it all. Now go out and enjoy your day- every tiny moment of it!

xo-jj

The sumptuous table

Its time to get down to business, make a plan, a theme, or at least a menu for goodness sakes. I’m looking for that extra something that makes a Thanksgiving dinner special. The wonderful smells coming from the kitchen as the turkey turns to a golden brown are nice and the festive look of a crisp white table-cloth and fresh flowers certainly helps but there’s something else I’m looking for. It’s that feeling of welcomeness, the sound of engaging conversation and oh yes, that intimate connection of family. Every year I scurry around in an attempt to make everything look just right, details, details, and prepare something  a little out of the ordinary to make the dinner extra special. When none of that really matters at all because all of the ingredients needed for the perfect meal over a sumptuous table is already in place the moment the family arrives.

*Not five minutes after posting this I looked out my window and no more than three feet away was a big tom turkey strutting himself across the yard. I guess this was his way of reminding me who is really the star of most Thanksgiving Day tables.

xo-jj

My words

This little pile of rocks lives on a pedestal in my great room. I love, love smooth rocks from the cool waters of Lake Superior. The flat rocks are perfect for painting little messages. The trust rock encompasses so many areas of my life; my trust in family and friends,  trust in my faith, and trust in the universe. You have to trust!

Trust me when I say, “everyone has a purpose and everything is on its way to somewhere- I promise!”

Have a great day!

xo-jj

Feeling kind-of groovy

 

There’s nothing like meeting an old friend you haven’t seen in over 25 years. We were high school buddies that lost touch after graduation. We hugged, we laughed, we shopped it was amazing, just like we picked up where we left off. It’s funny how we think we’ve changed so much until we go back in time with a friend and realize that “hey, I am the same person I was  many years ago but just a little wiser and calmer. ” Before the day was over we both promised to meet again, sometime soon and we will. 

Last night I got out a few holiday decorations and played around a bit. I love vintage looking bulbs and ornaments like bottle brush trees, mercury bulbs and oh yes I love, love my little blue deer. He is so groovy with his retro good looks and sparkly glitter and he has the tiniest bell around his neck. 

Some of you had a few questions about the book, “A Sea of Whispers”, well this started out as a novel that never got published.  I’ve now taken the idea in a totally different direction.  Instead of a story about a woman whose life didn’t turn out as she planned, it became a book of inspiration through images and words. How does a novel become a coffee table book of inspiration, well remember who you’re talking to, the girl who changes course in mid-stream at the blink of an eye.  Wink, Wink…   This book is self-published and I hope to sell it in my e-store. I have to say that the quality of this book took me by surprise, it was superb. I was so afraid that the images may turn out too flat or pixellated or that my choice of lay-outs wouldn’t look just right. But as soon as  I unwrapped it, I feel in love. It feels wonderful in my hands and the images and layouts are exceptional. I made a couple tweaks and added a thing or two and then back to the publishing company it went. It’s not a cheap book to print but then I couldn’t except anything but the best quality. As soon as it comes back from the printer I will take some pics and share. I’ll keep you posted. Writing a book and being published has always been a dream of mine and so I decided to take matters into my own hands and just do it. I can’t wait to share it with you!

 Well I’m off to get everything ready for my son, who is flying home from Oregon tomorrow. Yeah…. I hope he’s home for good. He ’s a bit like his mother with stars in his eyes and wander-lust in his heart. 

Have a magical Wednesday!!!

xo-jj

 

The simple truth

 

 

Colorful but uncomplicated,

warm and true,

there’s beauty in all things simple

and simplicity in all things beautiful

.

 

Have a warm and beautiful day- keep it simple!

BTW I’ve made a few tweeks and sent my book back to the publisher, it should be available soon. (opps that was a secret)

wahooo!

xo-jj

She’s a little quirky but I’m keeping her

 

Several years ago while on a vintage treasure hunt I came across an old chair. It was simple and sturdy but what I found most intriguing was the chippy paint and delicate details.  I didn’t have a plan for it, so there it sat in my office, lonely and bare, until a few months ago when I decided to give it a purpose and adorned it with a quirky vignette in pink. The hat was found at a vintage clothing shop and the umbrella was used for a recent photo shoot but the shoes are special. They are seldom worn and aren’t the easiest things to walk in but when I do, I become a princess. Why you ask? Well, it could be the silky fabric or maybe it’s the ruffle detail and perfect craftmanship. They are beautiful but I think it’s the way they delicately grace my foot and come to the perfect little point that make them special. It takes me back to a time when I was a little girl playing dress-up in grandma’s closet. 

There is a part of me that desperately wants to de-clutter this place and live in a house of clean lines and open spaces but then that other girl with her quirky style comes out and leaves her trinkets and treasures all over the house. There are days when she really gets on my nerves but at other times she makes me smile and reminds me of the little girl living inside this woman in the mirror.

xo-jj

forest sparkles and secret wishes

 

Drizzle, drizzle, no rain just a little frost melting off the branches. I wish you could have seen the beautiful trees in the woods this morning as the sun twinkled through the branches. The sound in the forest was that of a mild rain shower as the ice slowly melted off the trees. It was lovely….

A few berries were left on the trees and the sky was the perfect shade of blue. It was very cold but the sunlight reflecting off the drippy branches made it dreamy. There were so many other things I should’ve been doing but there was no other place I wanted to be. The sun makes everything better- I crave sunny days and we get so few here.

Last June I began to think about what makes a home cozy and for some reason I thought a big fat cat added that cozy feel and helped make a house a home. I didn’t own a cat at the time so I pondered the idea of getting one but didn’t. Well not long after that a big fat bob-tailed cat showed up at my door, followed shortly after that by momma cat and her babies. How did they know?  A few days later I started thinking about an old friend and began wondering what had happened to her,I wrote about her in my diary and then two weeks later she contacted me.  Hmmm… Over the past few months I have been applying for jobs in hopes of supplemented my very minor income but my heart wasn’t in it. But just a few weeks ago I started to feel a little more motivated and wished for a little work outside my studio and guess what happened? I got several calls for an interview and got hired.  It’s funny and sometimes a little scary when that happens. I guess the moral of this little story is be careful what you wish for…  Sometimes it happens!

Have a great weekend y’all

(p.s. I’ve always secretly wished to live in the south, near the ocean with a little lemon tree in my yard)

wink, wink…

xo-jj

Fobot fabulous

      Are you looking for that perfect Christmas gift for the hard to please woman on your list? Me too. I found this little goodie on Anthropologie.com a few weeks ago and feel in love until I saw the price it was somewhere in the neighborhood of $300.00 Whoa! well Fobot Betty is no longer available but that got me to thinking how easy it would be to make a little betty out of a few odd and ends I have around the house. So one of these days when I have some spare time, ha ha, I may just whip something up. I mentioned in my last post that I have started shopping for the princess and Dear Renee asked what kind of gifts I had in mind. Well, this year it is all about strawberry shortcake, the movie the dolls, and yes the doll house. She’s crazy for little Strawberry Shortcake- loves everything about her.

 

She is adorable and smells even better than she looks and if that’s what the princess wants thats what  she gets. Most of my gift buying will be done at Pottery Barn this year, I work there and get a 40% discount, plus the merchandise is wonderful.

The sparkle collection and the peace tree accessories are my favorites. I love to mix rustic and elegant together. Just this morning I trudged out to the words and cut off a big knarly branch to display in one of my vases. It’s the perfect rugged touch. It looked better when I first brought it in because it was covered in glistening frost, hmm, maybe I’ll spray it with a little frosty glitter and seal it.

Now if I can figure out a way to not spend my whole pay check I’ll be doing much better.

In other news the cable guy is coming over again tomorrow to try to figure out my intermittent service problem. That’s one of the reasons for my inconsistent posting. Yeah I’m sticking with that excuse!

I know, I know it’s not even Thanksgiving yet but I’m getting in the Christmas spirit already, even though the weather has been frosty in the morning but a gorgeous 50 degrees and sunny by mid afternoon- only in Michigan.

xo-jj

Me with a frosty nose and a cup of Joe

I bundled up this morning for a frosty walk down the lane.  The sun was fighting its way through the frigid mist on the pond.  What a beautiful way to wake up. Me in my pjs and a long wool coat and high heel clogs (they were handy) trudging down the hill with my camera in one hand and a cup of Joe in the other. Three feral cats from the neighborhood were following not far behind. I felt a bit like the pied piper ( no flute though). As I got closer to the water, I could see the fog lifting and a few geese enjoying a frosty swim. Brrrr…

I can handle a little frosty weather as long as the sun promises to stick around.

My book is done and I’m waiting for a copy so I can inspect the quality and decide if I want to sell it in the studio. I’ve been working a little at Pottery Barn and yes my cable has been out intermittently. No resolution as of yet. It’s getting old. I’ve been mulling over my Christmas list and thinking about the menu for Thanksgiving. Wow I can’t believe it’s that time of year again. It seems like only a day or so ago I was cheering for spring. Of course I’ve already started shopping for Princess 1 and Princess 2, I just hope there’s money left for the rest of the fam. Tee he…

BTW happy V day

So whats happening in your neck of the woods?

xo-jj

Unremarkably perfect

The day floated by without making a sound, it was perfect and yet totally unremarkable. A soft 60 degrees with a gentle sun over head. The optimal weekend to finish outdoor chores or take a long walk. It was an appropriate way to say goodbye to fall. An old sweatshirt, soft and faded, loose-fitting jeans with a hole in the knee- my favorite pair, and flip flops, that were off by mid-afternoon- bare feet. You heard it right- bare feet in November!

 Last night I enjoyed a blissful night of sleep with my window cracked open just enough to allow a lingering smell of burning leaves through the crack.  I awoke this morning to temperatures in the fifties. I felt a bit like Dorothy in the wizard of Oz when she found that her house had been planted in a different place- this can’t be Michigan- it’s mid-november and weather like this almost never happens this time of year. I loved every degree of it! I hope you enjoyed a little weekend bliss, as well… Happy Monday!

xo-jj

Lusty green and playful pink

The shelves are dusted and newly stocked items have been carefully displayed in the studio.

A faded rose just outside my window

melting into the perfect whisp of pink

a luring scent

a climbing tendril

the whisper of fall

It’s the little things that make the difference

 

The dream:

 a world without conflict

 life in a peaceful kingdom

love for all 

Feeling a lust for
Lush green
and the need for
cool waters

Wishing you a peaceful day of lusty green and whisper pink.

xo-jj

 

Winter’s prelude:A frosty kiss and a full moon

 

Picture yourself in warm woolen mittens, cashmere scarf, cable knit sweater, and toasty leather boots wandering a frozen wonderland filled with tiny crystals of light.  Your cheeks are flushed with a kiss of frost as the morning sun deposits her promise for a beautiful autumn’s day.  Yeah, it was something like that!

Just trying to get used to the idea of winter slowly making her debut. I love the dance of nature but winter gets to be too much of a drag for me.  No violins yet, it’s only the beginning of October and this is just a winter’s prelude. The moon is full and so is my wine glass. Sigh……

goodnight moon

xo-jj

Can you keep a secret?

 

 

I’ve been searching for this year’s perfect anniversary date and I think I found it. Although I’m not a horror film or gory scenery kind of girl I do like to be a little scared now and then. So after a little investigation I came up with Haunted Hideaways, a company that specializes in haunted tours. They claim their stories are not scripted, which makes the tour fresh and entertaining. The tales and legends are blended with paranormal and historical fact making them entertaining and educational. The thought of a haunted tour of Detroit sounds rather intriguing.  I’m not so sure Mr. Java will agree but our first date was a Halloween party so I think this is rather fitting.  They also offer a graveyard tour called Beyond the veil.

This is what they have to say about the graveyard version.

Beyond The Veil – Tombstone Tour offers a unique way to learn about history, folklore and culture through guided tour that will take you to several local historical cemeteries. You will learn how to use paranormal investigation equipment. It doesn’t have to be nighttime to have an experience!

I think this one may be a bit over the top for my ultra-conservative hubby. I’ll let you know what I decide and how it turns out. The worst part will be keeping the secret and then dragging him to location without needing to explain myself. He isn’t very hip on surprises and not very comfortable when I say trust me you’ll love it.

Don’t forget this is a secret.

Shhh!

xo-jj 

A fresh day

 

A fresh day filled with time and possibilities. An open mind on a path to discovery. The engine running, a tank filled with gas and me. It’s amazing what can happen when everything comes together in a perfect fit. 

Sometimes I can feel it; the day is right and almost anything is possible. I think I’ve finally learned to trust my instincts and seize the moment. My window is open as the breeze gently nudges me awake- I feel so alive. It’s time to refresh and take another fork in the road. I don’t know where it will lead, but there it is, all laid out before me, tempting, promising and it feels right. It only takes a step or two, one foot in front of the other, eyes straight ahead, no reason to fear or look back. Trust yourself, trust the moment, trust the universe, and go all the way.

Do you feel it?

xo-jj

My little box of Obsessions and a passionate spell

 

I think I’ve told you before about my little box of obsessions, haven’t I? A wooden tool box filled with little trinkets from nature, shells, rocks, nests and feathers. Ah yes the feathers, layers upon layers of  wispy threads woven together in a web of colorful heaven. I love feathers and marvel over their intricate design and pattern. I’m completely obsessed by the mere beauty and function they possess. I guess you could call it a kind of spell that drives my passion for photography.

Yesterday I interviewed for a position in one of my other passions, home decor. I was the least qualified candidate but yet I have hope that my passion and shear determination will win out over experience. I don’t intend to leave the blogging world or my little studio behind. I plan to blend my passions in an eclectic mix no matter how deep or complex it gets.  It’s time to spread my wings and expand my interests as far as I can reach. I feel hopeful as I sit on my porch and take a deep breath filled with crisp morning air. I’m light as a feather and my dreams are floating softly toward a new day.

Don’t be afraid to fall under a passionate spell- it’s a good thing! 

xo-jj

Prelude to a Kiss

A short break in the rain allowed me a trip through the garden for the last cuttings of the year. A handful of roses and a small bouquet of lavender made the perfect centerpiece on my breakfast table. A little romance for breakfast never hurt anybody!

 

Prelude to a kiss

 Kind words are softly spoken

as two lips tenderly melt into one.

A look,

a feeling,

a spell is cast,

and the dance begins.

The arrangement not only made the perfect decoration for my table this romantic image made its way into my studio. I loved the look so much, I decided it was worthy of forever. The title was inspired by one of my favorite movies with the same title. Here’s a clip of Meg Ryan’s Prelude to a Kiss. 

I just had to mention a special friend and her perfect day- she so deserves it! Click on the image and take a quick trip. There is nothing more special than a loyal friend!

 

The artwork and award are by a very talented artist Ces, check out her amazing work.

My wish for you- an extra special weekend!

xo-jj

Monday blues

( I made this collage in a writing  journal a while back. It seemed fitting for today’s post)

I applied to a handful of companies where I could see myself working and now I’m waiting, mulling over and wondering what will be. I feel as though I’m in a sort of holding pattern, floating directly above all decisions, all destinations, just waiting for something to happen. I’m at a fork in the road with no clear direction. Here I sit waiting for a sign before I proceed down the road of life. A part of me says move on don’t wait for an answer and then another voice speaks up to say, be patient- take your time. How long should I wait for that tolerable job to come calling before I submit to another stint of cubicle incarceration. I just can’t see myself back in a desk job but if I’m too picky I may never snag that second job.  Hmmmm, a little help here.

I’m looking for the perfect job or maybe just a few words of wisdom….anyone?

xo-jj

Seeing things from a different perspective

 

I decided that today was the perfect day for a little extra color, something a bit unusual. So I digitally painted this otherwise tipical image of a  sunflower in hopes that just maybe it would brighten up an oh so grey fall day.  I love the passionate blues and cozy butter tones, it’s fresh and new. Michigan isn’t known for its sunshine but I have to say I don’t ever remember a year with more grey days and bitter temperatures than this one.

I’ve decided not to let the grey skies paint my mood. So today as I’m driving my car, running in and out of buildings and going about a normal day, I’ll keep my eye out for little bits of  color and inspiration where ever I can find it.  I wonder how different things could look if I changed my focus just a smidge. Just now looking out my window I notice how green the grass looks in the absence of sun. Perhaps those grey lifeless skies will be the perfect backdrop for a wide array of fall colors or maybe I’ll be surprised by a few snowflakes quietly falling on my windshield. The forcast is calling for a few flakes. I’ll let you know how this little experiment or shift in attitude works out.

Enjoy your day from a different perspective and see what happens.

xo-jj

Diary of the girl next door

Dear Diary,

If you are white, are a girl, have a family and look pretty ordinary than you just might be considered the girl next door. I never really subscribed to that theory or most other stereo types initiated by the middle class. Growing up middle class in a small town I felt protected, a little ordinary maybe but still protected. I never worried about whether there would be food on the table, a warm bed to sleep in and I never thought about violence of any kind. I wasn’t allowed to watch R-rated movies (which are more like the PG movies of today) and anything labeled adult conversation was not spoken in front of the children, ever!  I was a country girl from the mid-west and knew very little about life outside small town America. It was implied that I would finish school, get married and raise a family, whether I had a career or not was up for grabs.  Things were pretty simple and quite ordinary back then. I was considered the girl next door. I knew a lot of girl next door types and some were quite ordinary like me but then there were others that were anything but ordinary.  They might have been considered the girl next door at first glance but if truth be told their membership would be revoked in a heart beat. But the world was a little more polite back then (I’m talking the late 70’s- early 80’s)  and we lived by the golden rule of don’t ask- don’t tell. I’m not so sure that’s a good rule, well it doesn’t really matter because that rule has changed. Kids are no longer sweet & innocent until they arrive at adulthood and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a sixteen year old kid that hasn’t seen at least one R-rated movie.

So what happened? Is it a good thing that the girl next door doesn’t  exist anymore. Are we any safer now that our kids know what the world is all about both good and bad? What they don’t know can be googled  in 30 seconds, anyway. Although, I believe it’s dangerous to be too naive, fear invokes limitations on people.  They used to say “what you don’t know can’t hurt you” but today there isn’t much we don’t know. That theory was completely bogus anyway.

Now that this middle class- girl next door approaches middle age she kind-of, sort-of misses her bubble of innocence but then she also wonders what would have been if that bubble had never existed in the first place.  What if I’d known then what I know now…

xo-jj

and that’s the truth

All right, without further delay or procrastination here it is, the honest scrap about me.

This honor was bestowed upon me by my good friend the Seawitch.

1. I live in the same town where I was born- moved away once but came back. I always thought I would grow up to be famous and live in a big city.

2. I have been writing crazy little stories and poetry since I was 12 years old.

3. I am fiercely loyal and can become dangerous if you mess with my kids

4. I had a stalker when I was 15. Thank God that’s over.

5. About 12 years ago I ran into a burning house and retrieved 3 kids and 2 dogs. I put them in my car/van and waited until their mother arrived home.

6. I’m a terrible speller, spell-check is my friend.

7. I have only finished reading about 6 books in my lifetime I get bored too easily.

8. In 10th grade my girlfriends and I hid in the locker room of the opposing football team at half time and never got caught. We didn’t see much but it was still worth the thrill.  he he

9. I had to stuff my bra for my best friends wedding because I missed my last fitting and well it didn’t fit. Thank heavens everything stayed put.

10. I believe helping others is the best way to help yourself!

That’s it, 10 things you don’t know about me. Have a great weekend!

xo-jj

Everything is on it’s way to somewhere

 

“Everything is on it’s way to somewhere”, ran through my mind as I captured this series of  images. The breeze gently carried each and every tiny seed across the field in a hurry. It looked alot like my life, with bits and pieces of me rushing about going here and there, without an inkling of destination.

Life has been busy this past week and I haven’t had any time to chat-a  sick child, me playing the role of baby nanny and a new job. My seeds were scattered in all directions but as things began to quiet down I headed out with my camera on a mission to capture the journey of life. It was refreshing and now my child has recovered, batteries are recharged and my seeds are ready for a new journey- destination unknown, of course.

 

 

This one is my fave and I will probably make it available in my shop when I get some time- who knows when that will be- Soon I hope!

 

These tiny seeds are wrapped in a ball of fluff, their design is perfect and the sight of them taking flight is beautiful .  I tried to capture the magic as I saw it but I think you just had to be there.

xo-jj

You’re my first

I sold this writing  journal in my studio a year ago.

I think firsts are so important, first kiss, first birthdays, first house, etc. There is nothing like the first time. You just can’t recreate that feeling of a first time discovery or indulgence. I am very open to trying new things and I love to look at things in a new way. It’s called a beginners mind and it allows me to realize that every single moment carries something distinctive within it. You could say it’s kind of a Zen thing or child-like. The possibilities are endless when your in this state of mind. Although I am very open and love to try new things, MR. Java is not and does not. So every once in a while I feel it necessary to surprise him with something that he would never do if given the choice. Something totally spontaneous and maybe a little crazy. He usually resists and groans a bit in the beginning but we almost always end up having a great time. So for our anniversary I decided to do something a little unusual for him. Tonight we will embark on a ghost tour of Detroit. He and I and a couple of friends will board a bus along with 14 other brave souls,  to several locations known to have paranormal activity. This is way out of the normal realm of things for us but thats what makes it perfect. He thinks we’re just going to dinner… he hee!  

MR. Java has been way too into work lately and needs a diversion in the worst way. I can see it now- he will give me a squinty eyed glance and shake his head, as if to say, what have you gotten us into now- I love that look, it makes me smile.   

They always make me smile!

Speaking of things that make me smile, I have to share something incredible with you. It’s a youtube video that is so worth a moment of your time. It took place in Chicago, the magnitude of so many people doing the same thing simultaneously, in perfect harmony, just blew me away. Keep an eye on Oprah and the total joy on her face. Notice the crazy girl in the front-she’s the only one dancing at first but then… The energy of this video is infectious-  you just have to see/feel it for yourself!   I got a feeling!!!

Isn’t that incredible? I would have loved to have been there! Like Oprah said it’s JOY Rising!  My favorite part is the wave toward the end when everyone is touching the person next to them. I love the upbeat music of the Black-eyed Peas but the energy in the crowd is phenominal- if this can’t inspire world peace, nothing can. I have to confess something  a little embarresing, this video made shed a tear because it was so beautiful!

xo-jj

Witches Night Out

 

Picture me in a long pink wig, sleek black dress, black boots and a pointy hat. I will have a spooky martini in one hand and the remote in the other. Why? you ask. Well my pretties, tonight is my turn to host this months girls night with a witchy twist of course. We will feast on a caldron filled with a mysterious concoction, sure to delight any witch with an appetite. Next comes the toast to a good spell of wishes come true and friendships that never end. Then we will settle into a comfy sofa or two to enjoy the cult film, Practical Magic. It will be an evening of laughter and witchy tales too good to miss. I wish you all could be here to enjoy my:

 Espresso Martini

• 2 cups freshly brewed espresso, chilled
• 2 cups orange-flavored vodka (recommended: Stoli Ohrani)
• 1 cup coffee liqueur (recommended: Kahlua)
• 8 slices orange peel, twisted

Directions

Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add the espresso, vodka, and coffee liqueur. Shake for 30 seconds, or until foamy. Strain into a chilled martini glass and decorate with the orange peel. Serve at once.

Along with a bewitching casserole

concocted with a few secret ingredients.

So close your eyes,  put on your pointy hat, and then click your heels 3 times to join me (in spirit) and my friends for a night of fun and laughter.

Cheers!

xo-jj

Instinct or imagination

Do you trust your first initial feeling, that special knowledge that’s worth believing?  I ask you this because I’m trying to understand a few things  that took place a very long time ago. A few truths from my past have come to light just lately. These truths were things that I had a feeling about, knew something wasn’t right but chose to ignore because I was young and didn’t trust myself, didn’t want to ask questions and didn’t really want to get involved. All of that is in the past but still I wonder what could have or would have been different if I would have asked those questions, or said something about what I was feeling. My life went on without a hitch but there were others that didn’t.  At what point do you really know if what you’re feeling is real, not imagined, and not just a worry and where do those feelings come from? Are you an evidence kind of person where seeing is believing or do you trust your gut and act on it?

For some reason I’m doing a lot of thinking today, maybe it was too much orange vodka in the martinis last night or the hours of chit chat with my girlfriends or perhaps it’s because we watched the movie Practical Magic twice in a row last night. No matter the reason, the questions are still the same.

Have a fabulous Tuesday…

xo-jj

Tunnel Vision

Over the past year and a half I’ve been working a little from home and enjoying a respit from the every day office scene. It’s been different and nice. You would think that by this time my house would be completely organized and I would be totally up to date on all current events. But somehow I feel less informed and my house is the same- looks good unless you open the closets-  beware of falling debrie!  I quite often boycott the news because I don’t want to hear about the unemployment rate for the fifth time today and I really don’t care about the political views of our daily talk show hosts. I am quite often guilty of tunnel vision and only see whats right in front of me or what directly affects me, me and oh yeah, me.

With my head in the sand, I’ve been left with several questions like: what happened to daylight savings- weren’t we supposed to fall back already? When are our troops coming back from Iraq, did we enter some sort of extension or just decide to stay? Has New Orleans recovered from the flood, is the city rebuilt and is it business as usual fo her residents? Who killed Jonbenet Ramsey and what happened to the former president , has he officially become a missing person?

It was easy to stay on top of the news or daily current events  when I was working with a political junkie, a religious zealot and Ms. CNBC but now I am totally and quite blissfully, I might add, unaware of whats happening in the world today. Is that wrong?

I have started a new part-time job but there really isn’t much to report yet. It seems my new place of employment is nothing like the highly organized, rule oriented place I left behind. They can’t seem to keep a manager long enough to begin training for the new hires. I get a call almost daily explaining a new plan. I’m told it will be some time next week but no exact date and time as of yet. Now, I understand why they asked if I was flexible- flexible yes, unorganized a little, confused quite often… hmmmm, maybe I’ll fit right in 

xo-jj

Grazing the Moon

The Story:

A seed is planted without any guarantees. No way to know if it will grow and prosper, but the anticipation is worth the risk. The meadow outside my window is tended to by a horticulturist who from time to time plants a few seeds for no reason other than he can. I have the privilege of waiting and watching.  Sometimes they emerge from the ground as tiny shoots and then wither away in the harsh Michigan weather but other times they prosper and spread far and wide. I remember a year or so ago watching this man toss seeds about, the very same seeds that I have enjoyed from behind the lens of my camera. He probably never imagined that his actions would befall the eyes of so many.

 So as you’re reaching for the stars and when you sometimes graze the moon remember every action causes a ripple and leaves a mark forever- you can’t fall out of time.

I added this image and the story behind it to my studio. Thanks Doc….

xo-jj

Color me Pink

I’m having a little color envy today. I love fall and her vibrant colors but I was in need of something a little lighter, something soft and dreamy. This pic filled the order nicely. It feels like only a few days have passed since I took this image when actually its been several months.

 I’m looking forward to the greet and treat tomorrow night. I love to see all the little kiddos donning their favorite costumes. A few well placed candles flickering on the porch and me sitting in an open window with a big bowl of chocolate goodies in my lap.  My favorite music playing in the background and Mr. Java making the trip from the great room sofa to my office every now and then to take a peek at the scene. I sit on a stool just inside my window unless the weather is unusually warm, which is rare for Halloween night.

Have a spooky but safe Halloween and save some chocolate for the kids!

xo-jj

Cozy incarceration

It’s quickly approaching the time of year when our thoughts turn inward. It’s time to cozy up our homes with a warm blanket or a new set of flannel sheets.  Freshly baked pumpkin muffins and a hot cup of tea  comes to mind as the perfect afternoon snack. I am not a fan of winter but I do enjoy cozy thoughts, like a big bowl of homemade soup, (wide egg noodles, chicken stock, roaster chicken, chanterelle mushrooms, fresh herbs and lots of garlic) a cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream, or a pair of fuzzy slippers and a thick fury blanket.

I’ve begun the process of cozying up my home with a few softly scented candles and a new fofur sofa throw. I’m currently on the hunt for the perfect pair of cozy slippers and a new pair of woolen mittens. The long dark winter of cold and incarceration makes me feel as though I’m being punished, which initiates the sense of entitlement that forces me to treat myself to a few comforts along the way. I have yet to make it through a holiday shopping season without buying myself a new pair of warm pj’s and a fresh set of flannel sheets.  The notion that finding the perfect pair of boots and a few other toasty accessories will somehow make the winter a little more tolerable has been debunked but that doesn’t stop me from trying it again and again. So I’m gearing up for the up-coming months of hibernation but I’m trying to enter this season with fresh eyes and an upbeat attitude. A few months of cozy incarceration never killed anybody, right? If you said right, then I have to ask- how well do you know Junie? Cabin fever here I come!!!

xo-jj

A sea of whispers

A little seascape made from reminants of my 2007 sanibel vacation.

It’s time to make my reservations for another spring break by the sea. Every year I pick out a cottage on-line with a preconceived notion of how it will look. It’s always perfectly fine and usually quite lovely but never exactly as I envision. Below is what I’ve imagined for this year…

Standing alone in the silent little rented cottage, she sighed and sat down in a comfy slip covered chair near the open window. The warm salty breeze felt wonderful against her skin. She loved the way the long sheer curtains blew across the floor. It felt as though the room was alive and breathing.    This cottage had a life of its own and somehow offered a sense of companionship. The old girl had once been a care takers cottage to the slightly dilapidated mansion up the hill.  It wasn’t in the best of shape and the weeds and wild roses had grown up all around but she kind of liked it that way. It felt hidden and safe, just like her secrets; the ones that she had locked away in the vault so long ago. This cabin was part of a cottage row and the closest one to the sea. All of the cottages were old and failing but somehow this old girl had fared the best. She was still quite structurally sound. The inside was painted a creamy Casablanca white. The ceiling was cedar and there was a large wooden beam across the middle. The cupboards were cottage blue with weathered metal handles. The square kitchen table had a chopping block for a top, and faded blue legs. The chairs were wooden, straight back- two painted cottage blue and the other two in a sunny yellow. The appliances were white, quite old but still very functional.  The floor boards were wide wooden planks and in some places the gaps between them were wide enough to see the sandy soil below. She didn’t mind and felt a kindred spirit toward this old place.  The gardens, now slightly overgrown, must have been someone’s pride and joy. There were so many wonderful flowers that had been carefully planted along the picket fence. The colors of the roses blended together perfectly. The soft peachy roses next the baby pinks then fading into the creamy off-whites and finally a stellar white to end the row. She loved the honey suckle vine that climbed the trellis wall; the smell was divine.

The setting here was lovely and mysterious. The old cottages seemed all but forgotten and the intriguing Mansion on the hill looked so ominous. All of this was constructed so masterfully on beautifully lush grounds overlooking the sea.

I have a vivid imagination that is hard to live up to. Enough day dreaming- off to work!

xo-jj

The promise

“A promise for the future floats on the breeze in moments of laughter because everyone has a place and everything is on its way to somewhere.”

 I wrote that on a day when I needed to hear it but came across it yesterday while putting together some tidbits for a book that I plan to self-publish soon. Yeah…..

There must be a little ghosty-ghost playing with my cable because it goes out of service and then back on again at the very same time every few days. Comcast can’t figure it out and neither can I. It’s a mystery…..

xo-jj