monday, monday...

after a busy weekend full of gardening, being with people i love, lightening the load of 'stuff' in my world...yes, it was a busy but good weekend.  now monday--new roof time for the art studio--yeah!!  the electricity is waiting to be completed following the roof's completion and the addition of two new skylights...the loft is in the midst of completion but with debris falling all around, it, too, is on hold for the moment.  warehouse lights are on their way to their new home in an art studio...a new faucet is here with amazing instant hot on one handle and cold on the other sharing a faucet!  i didn't even know one could get an instant hot that looked like this much less combining the cold with so one doesn't get burned when washing up...i am 'seeing' how it'll be when its completed... i am so pleased with the way it's coming together and ever so grateful for the very skilled people who have helped create this--such great determination to make Louise the very best she can be (for those of you who missed the blog where 'she' got named, a couple of blogs back that happened...still am not sure why Louise but that's her name...). 

at the present time, the one thing that continues to haunt me is the wall board search...i'd been determined to not use sheetrock, but alas!  any other has its own set of cons as well...still seeking a 'green' option of sheetrock...is there any located nearer than Portland, OR -- i don't know, but perhaps i need to make a road trip to Portland...could be really fun!   ideas are welcomed~ 

small areas around my yard continue to call me as the dust settles every now and again...so, pockets of peacefulness and beauty are continuing to energize me, create a place of BEing for even brief moments...love the flowers and even the newest collection in the wall-pockets i created based on pictures of others' ways of having growth on walls...hence, this little display of succulents.
taking time to find peace within on this path of life is a gift--wishing it on to each one...

today i choose intention

i've been reminded, lately, again, of how little i control...yes, i know, that's something i run from...being controlled, but of course, being on the other end of it, sometimes works really well...like in health issues...building projects...and even on occasion, life!  of late, someone dear, one of my 3sons, has had some ongoing health concerns and wow!  what a reminder of being out of control...this mama doesn't always do well with that one when it has anything to do with her sons no matter what their age!  amazing how much that "mama tiger" wants to come out and be present and active--certainly not just standing by, mind you!  nevertheless, i consciously seek to live with intention--to live fully, actively and peacefully, all at one time--for me, that is intentional living.  being present, paying attention, listening to that internal nudge and acting on it intentionally.  that can mean loving, watching, supporting and lovingly, letting others do what they need to because it is their life and that's how i choose to love and live with intention too. 

when i was young, i often felt over-protected, sheltered & controlled, if you will, by the parental units.  now, mind you, i also know the best of intention was behind all of this; nevertheless, as i grew and became more who i was, i needed the freedom to explore, try and find my way...as such, as a parent later on, i have chosen to seek that sort of parenting with my own children and certainly, at their ages now, i so appreciate the relationship we've grown together...one of loving trust between son/mother as well as a special friendship.  i am rich with appreciation for this gift in my life and grateful for the awareness of its presence. 
                                          today...i, again, choose intention~

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."
 Mahatma Gandhi
                                      (1869-1948)

what a wonderful day of discovery...!

tuesday...life is full and busy with another successful inspection on the art studio named Louise--a wonderful name that still makes me smile!  i'm seeking lights for my new space...have spent time looking at warehouse/barn lights with large galvanized shades...seems to be just the right touch for the space which is unfolding.  today we got the treated lumber to enclose the 18" space we created by digging, digging, digging for a crawl space considered code-worthy.  it would provide space for many creatures--those i don't want as well, so enclosing with ventilation is the next step.  all this practical stuff is needed and i love how it's being created by K...amazing work!  after all the bumbling to get started with this project, i have a huge sense of peace knowing i  have someone of such quality and ability creating this place of creativity and joy. so, my job is to make sure the other pieces are ready and in place to continue the process as seamlessly as possible...electric install next and insulation following.  after that, it may be a bit until the next phase happens as K tends to prior commitments with his fence-building business. 

with sun shining, the atmosphere and warmth are just right for creating & gardening...after our rain and cooler weather, it might take abit for us to feel too warm, but my garden is smiling--in fact, i have small green pear tomatoes!  weirdly enough, i also have a blossom on an eggplant from last year...how that came through the winter, i don't know, but it's a strange & wonderful serendipity!  i'm loving gardening again this year--always something new to see, discover, move, weed, trim and dead-head!  i am always moved by the process of how some dirt, sunshine, water and seeds along with special energy create this amazing color in life...lovely indeed!  i am so grateful to be a part of it~

...friday already?!

well...amazingly, the days fly by and sometimes, one can get caught up in moments spent doing intentional things without thought...or letting hours pass as i am looking for old/new siding for my studio or...you get the idea, i'm sure.  yes, it's been a week of seeking and no, i'm not referring to wanting more than i have because i am really very content and grateful with the 'haves' in my life.  however, as a recent new acquaintence put it, the search is much of the joy in the adventure...as in reclaimed lumber & architectural beauties such as a lovely unique sconce...

so, the studio keeps unfolding...and She,  (yes, she) seems to have been given a name by K...somehow i need to incorporate said name into the future too...louise?  really?  we'll see, but for now, i smile when i hear her being called by name.  as for the practical pieces of where 'she's' at, here's a couple of photos...

after lots of conversation with various people including my 3 sons. ideas & energy flow...to say i'm excited and anticipating a wonderful space is a vast understatement.  the electrician and i just had more conversation as i've clarified my vision, so...a few revisions to the original overview.  the intention of this space remains true...a place for creating, being, breathing, engaging and embracing life...leaning into life...with intention!
                                        Breathe in the moments...fellow adventurers~

another day...another post~

well...life has continued to happen and in ways, unexpected...but then again, that's being in the now, isn't it?  so, the studio continues to unfold.  a few snags with the inspector, which interestingly enough, upon his first visit, mentioned he'd not ever seen a restoration done this way...usually, people lift an old building up and place it down upon poured pad.  not this one, though!  K has done an admirable & high-quality job replacing some of those old posts which were slowly (did i mention this building is 100+ yrs old?!) deteriorating...alas! don't we all need  a little lifting up and supporting every now and again getting to 100 yrs?!  yes, indeed, but with support beams and posts replaced with deep posts and concrete, 18 " of soil excavated from underneath to create a good clearance (and make the inspector happy) and soon a vapor barrier down...we're on our way.  while a bit of an adjustment, without installed heat would allow for no needed insulation in the floor, i think i'll choose to add some for comfort and longevity...after, those amazing, old 2x10's will be placed down for 'sub-floor' with some comfortable and workable finished floor--perhaps some of those wonderful, tile...photos to follow...

over the past days, some of the twists and turns have included some health issues...so, now off to see how M is doing with his growing healthier...watching a 'child' no matter the age, with pain, is ever so much harder than carrying that pain oneself...health is returning though and i am ever so grateful~  being in the now, embracing what is, challenging and wonderful...all a part of living life and worth it!  here's to life, lived deeply.

in the beginning...

so...i've thought of beginning a blog for awhile now and yet...time passes, life goes forth, i embrace what i can in the most intentional way.  how does one embrace life in an intentional way?  for me, i like to stay with whatever it is i'm thinking, working at, creating or being with...and yet, of course, as with all of us, the mind wanders, so intentional every moment i am not! 

one might ask why now am i beginning this blog?  well, a dream of mine, one i've been considering, creating drawings of, rethinking and seeking new-to-me items to help create--a place of creative process...it's begun, just a few weeks back now really!  and i've got photos, yes, real, true photos of this evolutionary process!  my beautiful, old 100+yr old carriage house garage is becoming my art studio...well, at this point, it's hard to tell, but the foundation is being worked into something lovely, true, perhaps even level and with all the goodness of a quality craftsperson creating it...several people are instrumental in getting me this far...K, the creative genius who's chosen to take this project on; R, my patient, caring spouse who has turned his energy to dirt-removal for the better part of several days as well as C, my son, who has also moved dirt and incredibly is spared some of this challenge by having many projects of his own but who truly wants me to have this dream come true. thank you each...i am rich~