Wednesday on Whidbey

Guess I'm kinda stuck in a 'flora' mode, aren't I?!  

The colors have just been so lovely, though, & everywhere you turn!

This little gem is in front of the shop 

where I go for my monthly haircut...

A Picture Paints a Thousand Words...

One of the things about being an 'artist-wanna-be' is the opportunity to be blown away by the creativity of others regularly. I think the 'wanna-be' part leaves you more vulnerable.  Does that happen to you?
Sometimes when that happens, you say to yourself; "wow, what a brilliant idea--how come I never thought of that?!" (It's so obvious, now that you've shown me!)
 Sometimes it's, "wow, I really like that concept, but I would do it differently"--and occasionally I do use the idea for a 'creative step' to something completely different.
Many times, though, it's "wow, what a brilliant idea--and applied so well; I could never come close to that!" In those cases, most often the concept is so creative, it is truly unique; it stands alone.

That was certainly the reaction to seeing Ohio artist, John Sokol and his word portraits ('sketching' the person in their own words). Wow! (and maybe because he chose some of my favorites to depict...)

I must also give credit to the Amusing Planet  site which took me to the word portraits in the first place--and so many other wonderful wanderings over the months.
Thank you to both!

Wednesday on Whidbey

The lilacs are here!  Yum!! Such a smell...

The May Workday

One of the time distractions in recent weeks was gearing up for the third annual Hearts & Hammers workday--which was May 7th. It rained unbelievably that day! Despite the odds, though, twenty-one projects were completed by 99 hardy volunteers (except for the painting & sealing parts that had to be done a few days later, once the sky cleared briefly!). It's a very heartfelt, sometimes comic, and humbling experience.  

When all the soggy volunteers--and what home-owners were able to come--gathered for a wonderful meal at the end of the day, & each project captain reported on their activities of the day, everyone's heartstrings were tugged a little--or a lot! The close & personal experiences of the 'helpers' & the 'helpees' is so touching.  That mix of tears & laughter is a wonderful feeling! 
Now it's time for well deserved R&R until the first Saturday of May next year! 
Way to go!

After breakfast--before the mud!
(click for a little better view)

There Are No Calories in Looking...

Late at night when watching Stewart, Colbert, Ferguson, et al (and I'm not already sewing or crashed on the couch, unplanned, with drool sliding out...) I'm usually on the computer catching up with emails, bills, etc.  It's part of the multi-tasking mindset (...must not have idle hands!).
About twice a month I take a quick cruise through the Blogs of Note list; it's fun, insightful, & who knew all the possibilities?! (I'm feeling more like Margaret & Helen all the time--and less app'd, bookfaced, & tweeted every day!! But I digress.)

Anyway, Sweet Adventures of Sugarbell deserves a comment--if for no other reason than the eye candy of the most amazing cookies I've seen in awhile (really, you can do that?!). 

And, by the way, I'm so envious of bloggers that have the greatest photographs of the most amazing things!  They're not out of focus, or with a yellow... or red or green....haze included. Foodies & great photography especially seem to go hand in hand.  *sigh*
I digress again, sorry.
Sugarbell is also kind enough to share recipes & tips in case you might ever want to venture into the land of royal icing yourself. She makes it look so easy, but obviously an art form... albeit, short lived (except for the photos!)
Thanks!

Wednesday on Whidbey

here come the new crop of Horsetails--ancient, unrelenting,
hardy members of the Puget Sound family.
(...they're a distant cousin to the fern, and reproduce
via the spores in the long conical 'blossom'...)
They have many herbal, medicinal uses as well as practical
applications (polishing wood & making dyes),
but I like their spunky rebuttal of 'intelligent design' in favor of evolution.

Family Fun

We made a day-trip-escape to Seattle last week to celebrate Nick's 27th birthday (really?!) & have an oh-so-brief, but fun, afternoon together.  Once again we took the light rail down & back--which makes for a stress free & full day, all the while missing the commute & $4/gallon gas! 

Turns out, the trick to not getting poured on all day is to carry an umbrella everywhere (something Puget Sounders are loathe to do...) & never have to open it!   8-)    Who knew?

Isn't this mural great? It's painted on a particle board temporary wall, so it won't be around long, but the colors are just wonderful! (this is just a small corner of a huge painting...) It's near the famous little hole-in-the-wall, Salumi Restaurant, that's been on the 'gotta do' list for years. We started our progressive lunch there--being amazed at the variety of handcrafted salami. Yum!!
Jim & I also had an early morning walk-through of the amazing exhibit of the Seattle Metals Guild at the Convention Center  (they have such great free art exhibits there). This exhibit runs to July--go check it out if you're in the neighborhood.
Happy Birthday, Nick!

Bowling Again...

Stolen moments amidst the wild spring of clinical shifts to help a friend with a Relay for Life fundraiser...

these are the same bowls, reversed.

Wednesday on Whidbey

Impressive afternoon spring clouds--on a rare day the blue sky is visible!
Remember when you would try to decide what the fluff looked like?