Zing!

Zing as in amaZING (in case you were wondering about the title of this post).

My hubby has turned into something of a local celebrity. He has been interviewed 3 times by the local newspapers and a couple of TV stations over the past few weeks. I expect the paparazzi is already lining up on the sidewalk outside our place this morning.

I know you haven't heard me rambling about newscasters lately, but it's not because we've stopped stalking them. Winter is just newscaster hibernation time. However, spring is newly upon us and you know what that means. NEWSCASTERS!

Please excuse the photo quality, consider this an action shot.

Yesterday Eric's museum opened an exhibit that he's been working on for a small eternity. He single-handedly curated a massive exhibit and then crowds turned up in huge numbers. The governor even came to this small museum to check out the inspired work Eric has done.

The crowd

Eric with the gov.

Anyway one of the newscasters came up to Eric and said, "Good to see you again." We're almost in with them, soon they will show us their lair. Until then, Eric had an amazingly successful opening.

Another action shot. I think my mom was in the middle of a diving log roll to get this photo.

What about you? Is it newscaster season where you are?

Obsessed

Sometime last year my friend mentioned that her son (who is Cordelia's age) had a special blanket and a special toy. I thought to myself that it was a bit strange that Cordelia didn't really have a special something. Sure she has some toys that are more favored--she likes to drag her pillow pet "Bug" around and she has a few stuffed animals that we see more than others, but she doesn't really obsess about them. Out of sight out of mind. Well, that's how it was until recently when she began an obsession in earnest. Over a year ago my mother grabbed a fuzzy blue coat off the clearance rack. She gave it to me and I put it in the closet because a) it was spring and b) I couldn't believe my tiny baby would ever be big enough to wear it. Sometime this winter she began noticing the blue coat. She wondered where it was even when it was out of sight. From there it's been a slippery slope into madness. She now insists on wearing the "BOOOOCOAT" at all times. While she was on the potty chair this morning, still not fully wake she whispered "booocoat". She cries when we leave home without it. She falls alseep clutching this coat.

Blue coat Blue coat Blue coat over pajamas

So I am just riding the wave, as I type this she brought me her blue coat to put on (I had wrangled it off of her in order to change her clothes). The blue coat is fine, but man I really don't love pairing it with her cute dresses...plus it's a little raggedy looking at this point. My mother said that my brother Ben had an obsession with her silky pajamas...so I guess it could be worse.

Kindness Bandit: Newbies

I recently saw some statistics on young and single mothers in Wyoming. I thought about what an amazing time it is to be a new mother, but I can't imagine what it must be like to feel alone during such a time. While I can't really do anything to change people's personal situations I can make them feel a little less alone.

This week I am giving a beautiful crocheted blanket (made by me) to a new mother. A quick drop off and I will be on my way.



What Kindness Bandit activities have you been up to?

More From the Show Plus Time Lapse Video

Well, as promised here are some more photos of our opening. If you look at the end of this post you can see a time lapse video as well!

With Cordelia at the opening


Some of the art


The video


Eric and I with some lovely folks


Costumes from the video


Eric talking


Talking with a friend


Sculptures


The show


Cordelia visiting the gallery later this weekend


Here is a time lapse video where you can see some of the show, shot by Reed Merschat. A little over three hours condensed into 43 seconds.

Spring

It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! ~Mark Twain

We Did It!

Yesterday was a strange day. Eric and I tried to go about things normally, but in the back of our minds we knew that we had a show at the end of the day. When it finally came time to get ready we dressed, we preened and we left our house with nervous knots in our stomachs. I immediately regretted the onions I'd had for dinner. Why hadn't I considered the fact that I would be close talking all night? I was also nervous because we haven't lived in this town for very long and I just didn't know how strong our support system would be.

We entered the gallery at 7pm (or just a moment late...time runs differently when you have a child) and there were already many people wandering about, looking at our art! Eric's video was playing on the large gallery flat-screen hung from the mezzanine. The sound track was playing, creating a totally cool vibe. Our art hung on the walls, the costumes from the film were also on display. My bird sculptures sat on columns placed throughout the gallery space.

My mother arrived and hung out for awhile before she took my sweet Cordelia (I missed her greatly by the end of the evening) for some play time with her grandparents. She would have had a melt down if we'd kept her there the whole night. I didn't get to spend much time with my handsome husband, we were both bouncing around chatting with the people that seemed to keep coming! I kept making eye contact with him across the gallery and that was enough.

The crowd.

As the evening wore on I couldn't believe how many people came. Sold stickers began to appear on the tags, then they began to multiply. People stood and watched Eric's video, asked us questions and gave us compliments that were probably no good for our egos.

Eric talking with our friend

Me, looking a bit intense

Friends old and new arrived throughout the night. Over the course of the 3 hour opening there was a constant crowd of people. I just couldn't believe it!

Eric after the show


Eric at the end of the night

We met some really cool people and hopefully made some new friends. The night was a resounding success! We have the show up for a bit longer so we will be making some more gallery stops. I will also post more photos on Monday (when I get them from my mom).

Thanks to everyone who stopped by! Eric and I had a wonderful evening!!!!

Today is the Day!

Yesterday was one of those super busy days. You know the days where you go and go and go and then you fall into an exhausted heap late in the evening. Yep, it was one of those---but it was so worth it.

We both woke up with sore throats, no huge surprise that we are feeling under the weather because we've just been going and going, plus Cordelia was ill earlier this week. Eric and I both powered through with just a bit of whining. I spent the morning on the phone, going through the motions that will (hopefully) result in home ownership. There was a blizzard of files and paperwork.

Eric spent the day doing interviews for his work. I think he said that he gave 3 interviews in all. Now remember I just told you that he has a sore throat, so endless talking was no big help to his cause. He was on the news last night and will be in a couple of paper interviews too. He's famous (and dreamy).

Anyway, the day drew on and I had to teach my class- a three hour lecture class! I told my students that it felt like the devil had opened up a second hell in my throat and I powered through it. When my class was over we'd gotten through Impressionism and my voice was just giving out on me.

While I was in class my mother kindly watched our little lady so Eric could go and hang up/ arrange the entire show! He sent me text updates of the progress which I checked while I let the class have a break. He was at it until late in the evening.

Show Teaser: Photo by Reed Merschat

We made it home last night and inhaled some vegan sandwiches. There was a little talking, but mostly we just wanted a little rest for our throats. Sometime after that I was asleep, thankful that we'd made it through such a busy and rewarding day!

For the record, we are both a bit under the weather still but we are way too excited about the opening tonight to bother ourselves with silly illness.

Full update tomorrow!!!!

Ophelia

Dear Ophelia,

Why did you climb on my chest at 2:30 this morning? You woke me with your girth pressing down on my lungs and your nasty breath swirling in polluting clouds above my face. You poked my cheeks with your whiskers and demanded some attention. You stayed there purring for a small eternity, digging your claws into the blankets that worked as a protective buffer between us (a little passive aggressive don't you think). I kept falling in and out of sleep and there you were, still chunky and still purring and still sitting on me.

When we brought you home 12 years ago you did the same thing on your first night, with a little more meowing. I can't believe that I am a person who has had a cat for 12 years. I know that you're feeling a little older, a little arthritic, and more than a little annoyed now that we brought a small child into your retirement.

I am sorry that my girl gets wild when she pets you. Thanks for tolerating it...well maybe you're just so lazy that you'd ready tolerate it than move. Either way it's cool.

You've moved with me 10 times, you have endured another cat, a dog, a baby and several attempts at cutting your hair. You've put up with such offensive nick names as Oaf, Loaf, Fatty, Loafelia, and more. Thanks for putting up with us.

Love,
Me

P.S. I am planning to cut your hair again soon!

Perspective

We have had a crazy couple of weeks, crazy. We have been finishing up the last details for our show, doing interviews (OK just the one- but it's gone to my head), promoting and obsessing.

On top of that we are just about done with our degrees! I am sure there will be some maddening details between now and the end, but the big stuff is DONE! I can't even express what a relief it will be to move on from this!

We also have work. Eric is curating full time and is completing a major project. Next week he will have the movers and shakers of Wyoming (oh yes we have them) out to his museum.

I have been working one night a week teaching at the college, but I have also been busy with Wyoming Rose projects as well.

Then there has been the whole house issue. The opportunity just presented itself a couple of weeks ago and since then we've been caught in quite a whirlwind. We love what we believe to be our future home (barring unforeseen obstacles), it's so perfect for us!

Last week I took a break from all of this and went on a long walk with my friend Sarah. We talked about books, family, hopes and dreams. While we were chatting she mentioned that she thought that Eric and I are busy people. She isn't wrong! While I find this period of our lives to be invigorating and terrifying (art show and home buying) I am finding balance right here in our home.

I spend quiet days with my girl. Working on projects when she is doing her own thing. When I say "her own thing" what I mean is those times when she is rubbing crumbs into her face and hair (we have no explanation) or perhaps rolling on the floor or making her stuffed animals kiss each other.

No matter what happens in the coming weeks I have this sweet girl to help me keep perspective. Thank goodness!!

How do you keep your perspective when things are crazy in your life?

Kindness Bandit: Debt of Gratitude

I love doing the Kindness Bandit every week. I love that I get the feel good high of doing something on the sly. I love that so many of my readers do it too! This week my family has been the recipients of some life altering kindness and I am completely overwhelmed, completely.

I guess I can be slightly less mysterious about it, by the look of things we will be moving into our first home later next month. We wouldn't be at this point if it weren't for the kindness of others. A kindness that has impacted us more deeply than words can express. Benjamin Franklin once said, “To the generous mind the heaviest debt is that of gratitude, when it is not in our power to repay it."

So I have to make a vow that I will make these acts of kindness grow and spread into something else, as I cannot repay the kindnesses that have been extended to us. Right now I am trying to formulate a plan, a mission if you will. Do you have any ideas? I want to do something or a series of things that will make a big impression, but I also can't spend a fortune.... I want it to be BIG! I am looking for ideas!

Handmade Gifts

I've mentioned on this blog a few times that I am very interested in giving thoughtful and handmade gifts. I love giving gifts that were made with a specific individual in mind. I admit that sometimes I am just at a loss and I run to the store and gather whatever looks good enough. I hate doing that.

Over the weekend Cordelia attended her first birthday party. I decided this was the perfect opportunity to whip up a little handmade project. The birthday was for a 2 year old girl named Maddy. I decided to make her a little tote bag with her initial and a crayon roll from fabric scraps I had laying around. I put it all together in about an hour and just purchased a coloring book and some crayons! I also added the Andy Mason DVD (Eric and I made it and you can get it here)which has been a huge hit!

We had to leave before the party was over. Cordelia was well past nap time (she let me know this by freaking out over a pink ball). I don't know how the gift was received, but I sure felt good about bringing in a handmade gift!

What did you do this weekend?

Heart and Last Day to Enter Giveaway

Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.
-Aristotle

Hop on over to enter the giveaway at Wyoming Rose.

Design Ideas and Giveaway

I have a folder in the darkest corner of my hard drive. A folder where I keep design ideas, ideas that I plan to use for inspiration when the day comes that I own a home. If I see a picture I like or perhaps just a color combo or some other notion it goes right into the folder. Many of my favorites come from Apartment Therapy and Design Sponge. Here is a little sampling of what I have collected...

I like the mood of this room and the paint color is unexpected for a kids room. I really like how a neutral wall paint really showcases those pops of color. I think this image comes from Oh Dee Doh


I love the idea of a super organized pantry! Now that we are getting a Whole Foods I will be able to buy in bulk again and I may have to take inspiration from this clean organization! I think this image is from Design Sponge


I like the modern/mid century vibe of this kitchen. Image from Apartment Therapy??


What a great idea for a possible sewing area. Image from Apartment Therapy


I love mid century, what can I say? I think this may also be from Apartment Therapy

Where do you get your design inspiration?

***There is still time to enter the giveaway over at Wyoming Rose!

Interview and Giveaway

Last week Eric and I were interviewed in our home. Eric already knew the interviewer and the photographer from his job as a curator, but they were strangers to me.

I have never really done a sit down interview before and I figured that if I panicked I would just let Eric do all of the talking. They came in and had a seat. Kristy Gray, our interviewer, was so friendly and personable that I nearly forgot about the recorder set in the middle of our coffee table.

Photo by Dan Cepeda: Star Tribune

We talked about our upcoming show, our relationship and our daughter. Then we kind of went off on a tangent with the photographer as we discussed a shared love for mid-century design. They left after about an hour of conversation and some photo op time. This morning we got up early and read our article in the paper. Check it out here!

You can also check out some of our art here. Also check out the trailer for the short film Abstracted Landscapes in the Kingdom of the Sky Queen.

Now, we have the giveaway. Please hop on over to my other blog and enter to win!!!

Something About the Process

I have a strange relationship with cleanliness. I remember being a young girl, maybe 8, and noticing that teenagers were supposed to be sloppy. So I tried to be sloppy. I remember intentionally leaving my clothes on the floor so that my room would look more mature. I am not sure if my mother just put them away or what, but I seemed to be incapable of making a respectable teenage looking mess of my living space.

All that changed when I became an actual teenager. I was a full on slob. My parents consulted personality tests to try and understand why I was so very different from them in that way. [For the record they decided that it is because I am an ENFP and they are ENFJ and INTJ in the Myers-Briggs testing. My father is convinced that it all comes from the messy letter P.] Seriously folks it was bad. Let's just say that when I left home there was paint on the windows (I thought it would look like stained glass), mod podge was clotted in the carpet from some art project that had gone astray, and there were various other mystery stains, freak messes and eerie piles.

Somewhere along the way that has all changed. I find comfort not only in cleanliness, but also in the act of cleaning. When did that happen? I have places for everything, systems of organization (although the front closet might convince you that is not entirely true). I like mopping my kitchen floors and scrubbing the stove clean.

I never fancied myself to be the housewifey type, but lo and behold I do have it in me. I get satisfaction from a nicely made bed, fresh sheets, fluffed pillows and vacuum tracks in the carpet. There is something about the process that makes me feel great contentment. Not the kind of contentment that comes from floating on a meditative cloud of all knowing reason, but the kind of contentment and self-satisfaction that comes from getting crusty funk off the counter.

Once upon a time I resented doing the dishes, scooping cat poop (well that's still not a joy), or anything else that seemed to turn me into a housewife. For some reason I had it in my head that if I were to be a housewife that was all I would be. Obviously I was wrong. I think perhaps I have just found a balance. I have a job (which still allows me to be a stay at home mother), I have a creative outlet, I have good relationships and being a housewife (who finds cleanliness fulfilling) is just another part of who I am now. What's your balance?

Change of Plans

Yesterday morning started out normally. We woke up, had some family time, got ready and Eric headed out to work. Fifteen minutes later Eric called me from work. He directed me to the calendar where I noticed that there was a little note penciled in that read, "Eric out of town." Ooops, he'd forgotten that he was headed out of town.

So he raced back home, packed an overnight bag, kissed his girls and soon was on the road. The day was definitely going in a different direction than I'd thought.

Cordelia and I ended up staying with my parents, so much easier to let Bee out their back door than to leash her up, bundle a sleeping Cordelia and head out of our apartment at 10 at night. I am so thankful to have them in town. Plus, they are just fun to be around. Sweet Cordelia just loves going back and forth between her doting grandparents.

Today Eric returns home and we will get back to normal...well not really normal as we have some exciting things going on like our art show, an upcoming interview in the paper and some other stuff.

How was your day?

The Kindness Bandit: Random Compliments

I decided to go old school, and free, with my Kindness Bandit efforts this week. I have always felt comfortable giving people compliments, but more often than not I get distracted and don't take that moment to let the compliment come out of my mouth. So, this week I have been giving mindful compliments to random strangers--a minimum of one a day. I can always find something to compliment on a person; so I look for it whether it is the speedy way they bag groceries or the happy smile on the young lady passing by me in the store.

I am getting so much out of this little project that I hope to just make it part of who I am. I love seeing that person's face light up as they receive the compliment. I have had that happen to me a time or two and those compliments stick with me still.

Have you ever tried it? Care to join me on my one-a-day project?

What!?!

So I know potty training can be controversial with a bajillion schools of thought on the subject. Some mothers like to just start training their babies at birth, while others prefer to wait until later (or much much much later) and generally I don't care to weigh in on that issue.

However, I just can't contain myself--- pun, unfortunately, intended. I have to share it here, mostly because many of you are mothers and you'll care. For some reason potty training isn't a hot topic in other circles (shocking). Anyway, my daughter has really helped me out of the to train or not to train dilemma.

Last night we were visiting my with my parents at their house. They had just bought a tiny toilet for training. I was putting it together, just starting to talk to her about it. We were hoping to get her on the right track making her familiar with the process and such.

After a few minutes of listening to our chatter she ran to the bathroom and knocked on the door. My mother followed behind her and opened the door to the bathroom. Cordelia ran in and lifted the lid on the toilet! My shocked mother helped her get into position and ...well I think you can guess. She said the words and did the deed! She has been repeating it since then. The recently purchased child sized toilet remains unused. She seems to have potty trained herself!

I don't really know what happened here, but I am loving it! Of course I had secretly hoped that my daughter would magically train herself, but I never thought it would really happen. I am sure there will be bumps in the road, but at least we are on the road now!