shetoldstories

Felicity:

Funny thing about my daughter finishing up at elementary school this year: there is a ton of running around & prepping for yearbook and graduation. Projects are due, art portfolio deadlines, etc. It's only 5th grade yet it feels like she's finishing up at high school. Girl is keepin' me busy with 'mommy i need to get this' and 'ma, i need 9x12, not 8x10 paper !!!' requests. She is all business right now about her projects, which I love but, wow she's got me on alert - having me type all these deadlines into my phone for safe measure. 

Today, the three of us are driving into the city to renew my girl's passport. I know.. book a vacation online before checking if our travel documents are in order <-- so like me! I hope it's a quick, in & out appointment so we can have lunch and do a little shopping before driving home. Should be a fun day. My big camera is coming with us ;)

In the meantime, check out my interview over at Vivienne's You Are Your Own Muse site here & this fabulous interview I did with one of my favorite flickr friends Liberatad Leal, here.

Today's texture is by Kim Klassen ~Felicity (I love this one!)~ set to soft light, 100% opacity.

Wishing you a wonderful day.

a heart in my coffee:

Happy Valentine's Day!!

It's Texture Tuesday over at Kim Klassen's blog and this week the theme revolves around Happiness. These days, I'm a happy little camper, letting go of the everyday stresses and embracing calmness & peace.

My family most certainly brings me so much joy, but it's those stolen moments in the afternoon with my cup of coffee when I get to recharge that are pretty much holding my day together.  Another bonus dose of happy: we're going on vacation to the Bahamas in 2 weeks.  EEeek !! I can't wait to be sippin' a cocktail on the soft sand next to the aqua blue water.  <-- That makes me super happy.

And it was a big surprise to see the little heart floating right there at the rim of the cup.

I edited the photo using Rad Lab, then applied Kim's "Wet Tile" texture @ Soft Light, 100% opacity. 

Wishing you all a happy day.

Texture: February Free & Easy:

For Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday.

Available as a desktop wallpaper! Choose your size, click the link, then right-click & save the pic.

1600 x 900 wide

1280 x 1024

1024 x 768

simplicity:

Simplicity. For Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday.

the pages of my story:

This I know for sure.

 

Texture: Ben's Collection #2 (my fave!) Head over to Kim Klassen's blog to see more beautiful texture submissions. There's a giveaway this week!

Photo of me by: Jen Lee.

open to it all:

Texture: Grey Day Stone by Kim Klassen 

I open my heart to your life and your stories each time I sit down in this space and allow myself to breathe in your words.

I lift up the blinds and sit next to the window. I watch the sun expand her paint across the sky as she rises, and I am open to the possibility that this day will bring me.

I open the door to my home and envelop you with love, with food, with blankets, with me as your companion.

There is an open room in my heart that will hold on to your sadness when you let it spill. There are also jugs of laughter on reserve, waiting for when you need a good belly laugh.

I look for open doors and new passageways because this is the only way I know how to live.

Heart. Eyes. Home... Open.

Embrace: Stars

I've missed you Texture Tuesdays!!!!

I welcome you back with stars.

Texture: Embrace by Kim Klassen - Set at Multiply 100% - Converted to B & W.

from my hands, i can give you:

texture: Storm by Kim Klassen

Rustic Italian Bread

2 pkg. active dry yeast

2 cups of warm water

1 Tbl salt

6 cups of all-purpose flour

Soften yeast in 1/4 cup of warm water (110 degrees F)

Let yeast stand for at around 10 to 15 minutes until yeast is foamy.

Meanwhile put 1 and 3/4 of cup of warm water and the salt in a large bowl.

Blend in 3 cups of sifted flour.

Add softened yeast to flour water mixture and mix well.

Add about 1 half of the remaining flour and beat with a wooden spoon until smooth.

Mix in a little more flour to make a soft dough.

Through the dough on a floured surface and let it sit for around 10 minutes.

To knead the dough use the heels of your hands and gently push the dough away from you.

Fold the dough and repeat continuously for about 5 to 10 minutes until dough is smooth and elastic.

Sprinkle a very little amount of flour on the dough if it becomes to sticky to handle.

Shape the dough into a smooth ball and place in a large greased bowl. Just dab some olive or vegetable oil on a paper towel and grease the entire bowl all away to the top.

Turn the dough one to coat with oil.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let stand in a warm place for around 2 hours until dough has doubled.

After 2 hours punch down the dough and knead on a lightly floured surface for about 2 minutes.

Cut into two equal balls and cover for another 10 minutes.

Shape the balls into loaves and place on a greased baking sheet.

Cover loaves loosely with a towel and set aside in a warm place until doubled.

Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees.

Bake bread for 10 minutes and reduce the heat to 350 degrees.

Bake 20 to 30 minutes total or until golden brown.

 

To get the bread nice and crusty, place a flat pan of boiling water at the bottom of the oven during the baking period. (source)

This has been so good for me:

'Edward' texture & brush by Kim Klassen

'Zuzu' texture by Kim Klassen

My mind wanders to next year. Thinking, planning, dreaming of ways to grow my creative business. Of the places I want to travel to. Of the connections & conversations I want to have. Of the work, the me work - the soul work that I must continue.

In the meantime, I'm moving at a slow pace enjoying the comforts of my warm home which is currently sparkled in twinkle lights. My plan for the winter was to step back and fall into a quieter space. To give myself the room to roam free here with my family. To capture these moments with my camera. To write. To nourish. To settle in.

I'm up before the sun, when the darkness is still thick with dreams. I lapse into a solid sleep earlier than I'm used to. Everything that falls in between serves & sustains my longing to feel rooted into the right now of this crazy, beautiful life of mine.

This has been so good for me. 

*Sharing: I can't even tell you how proud & how happy I am for my friend, Amy G who will be teaching at 3 session of Squam Art Workshops next year. I love Amy's photography. She has the gift of capturing moments & slices of life that are just so beautiful. Go Amy!! I'm so delighted for you, girl.

Over at my 52 Photos Project we are sharing Holiday Treats, Sweets, & Feasts. There's also a great gift idea photo assignment. Come and play.

annabelle, you are a beauty:

view from my office window

a printable goodie from Irene

Annabelle, a texture by Kim Klassen.

Views from my day.