quite simply......

I'm working hard on trying to simplify my life.  Getting rid of the "clutter" - material things, emotional clutter, and things that just take up unnecessary room in my space.   Trying to figure out what's important,  paying attention to little things and not sweating the small stuff.  And slowing down - taking notice, being more aware of the simple acts and objects of beauty around me.  And sometimes, being a part of those simple acts.

I've been a little flustered with my creative endeavors lately.    But still, each day, every day, I try to find one small thing that tickles my eye or brings some inspiration to my creative bones.  And today, it was the quiet and humble beauty of some wild phlox along the roadside.   Tomorrow will bring some new adventure, another eye tickler or growth opportunity for the creative process.

Waterfalls

I am so fortunate to live in such a beautiful area.  Surrounded by lakes, gorges, and the most amazing waterfalls,  I am never at a loss for ways to fill my senses with natural beauty, only moments away from my nest.    Went on a photo excursion this morning at Buttermilk Falls and was able to capture lots of series of little waterfalls, gushing with the Spring rain.  It's like getting away on a little mini-vacation in the woods when I venture out like this.  What a great way to spend a Sunday morning!  

Thanking Mother Nature

Sunshine!  Mother Nature finally delivered a little bit of sunshine here today.  The day started out with a lot of very thick fog and heavy air.  By mid-morning, it was warm and humid, but there was sunshine!   I've been watching the trees on campus outside my window getting ready to do their Spring thing.  Every year, I'm too late with my camera.  The trees bloom with prolific color and it seems like within a few short days, they quickly lose all the petals, ready for the leaves to sprout  Thank goodness I had my camera with me at work today.   I was able to sneak outside and snap some shots of these gorgeous blossoms before the clouds rolled in and the thundershowers began.   They are short lasting, as is Spring, but fortunately, I was able to capture the beauty of these luscious floral bouquets.

Rain....

Woke this AM to a beautiful sunrise and rays of light beaming through the house.  Oh so hopeful for a beautiful Easter day.   The sunshine was short lived.   The clouds quickly moved in by the time I was done with my coffee, and soon it was raining - AGAIN.    When I was young, I loved to walk and play in the rain.  It didn't stop me from being outside.  And today, I decided it was better to return to the days of my youth, than to sit inside and be grumpy about yet another grey, wet day.    So I packed up the dogs and my camera.  And I'm so glad that I did.  I forget sometimes how much I love the smell of rain.  And the gentle tap, tap, tapping of water on my jacket. My bright yellow/green rain jacket is actually one of my favorite pieces of clothing.  And today when I zipped myself inside, I felt like Spring.  The brilliant colors of everything right now - blades of grass, trees that are about to POP with leaves and blossoms, early Spring flowers - breathtaking!  And today I heard my first red-winged blackbirds.  One of my favorite sounds.  Reminders of growing up in the country and spending hours in the woods and open fields.  Things are coming back to life.  Soon we will be enveloped in days filled with sunshine, colors and textures and all the things that we ache for during the dark, long, hard days of winter.

More Signs of Spring

We have had days in a row of grey skies and lots and lots of rain.  I know April showers bring May flowers, but I was beginning to wonder if we might lose all of Spring to the rain.  Lo and behold, it stopped long enough for me to get out and capture some of the trees FINALLY starting to show some color.  A gentle reminder that we need rain in order to make things grow.  And things do grow, Spring does come and before too long we will be bathing in sunshine and color everywhere!

Signs of Spring

It's been some time since I've posted.  Been very busy with other projects - pottery, lots and lots of pottery. And some jewelry pieces with my photography.  I can't wait to get them finished and posted.  They will be for sale as soon as I have enough inventory.  Keep your eyes peeled!   And working on a whole new look to my blog!!  I've been hibernating in between snow and rain clouds, but creative juices have been flowing indoors.

 I'm just getting back to shooting pics and was out for a long walk and found some very beautiful signs of Spring.  The Skunk Cabbage plants caught my eye immediately along the water.  They look like little beautifully colored sculptures, which I will try to replicate in clay, and some even more miniature versions in my jewelry pieces.   And I almost passed by the flowers that stood only about 3" high and were buried in the leaf piles.  At first glance they looked like weeds, until I stepped closer only to see that there were beautiful blooms opening with beautiful color, both in the flower and the leaves!

It is so refreshing to be out smelling the fresh air and breathing in the colors, the smells, and the beautiful, natural forms and textures of nature!

SNOWSCAPES

 While walking the dogs through the plantations the other day, I noticed a row of trees that caught my eye.  The brilliant bunches of red berries hanging from the branches, each one covered in snow caps.  With my macro lens, I snapped several pics.  Each frame reminded me of miniature snowscapes.  A landscape of contrasting colors and textures, each bunch looked different and created a different mood.  I look forward to the changing seasons, at which time I will re-visit these trees to preview the new landscapes that have been formed.