Iceberg Infatuation, and Gratitude.

  I just returned from Kauai and somehow on the plane back caught a nasty bug, and am mindlessly drooling and spacing out with the occasional spurt of energy to troll the internets...And somehow I came upon these hauntingly beautiful photo's by Simon Harsent . 

 I am deeply drawn to images of Icebergs, and the Antarctica in general, maybe for it's vast emptiness, or the power it has to seemingly end, begin, or just change the world that surrounds us.

Thinking of these majestic beasts, reminds me how fragile we are, and reminds me of the short time we have here. It makes me want to contribute whatever I can before I leave this place. Whether it be food to your local food bank, or writing a letter of gratitude to the boss of a person who treated you well at a restaurant. These acts of kindness are small, but if we ALL did them, we could change lives. Making people feel loved by asking them questions about they're lives, showing interest in others, offering them helpful advice or guidance that they may be looking for. Surely you shouldn't let people walk all over you, but it is SMALL gestures that make people's lives better, including yours...

Simon Harsent - Melt: Portrait of an Iceberg

Merry Christmas / Mele Kalikimaka

 I have taken a short break from the blog while spending Christmas in Kauai, but I couldn't be stopped from wishing you all a very Happy Holiday! I hope you are enjoying some time with your family, with good food, and drink, and happiness.

 We are doing some surfing and serious rolling in the sand...My little guy is as happy as a clam, and burning energy all over the place, which makes parenting, oh so much easier...Life is goooood down heeeeahhh...

 These little fruits, similar to Lychee, but better, are called Rambutans. They are so yummy, we made delicious Margarita's with them.

 My guy was so tired today, he looked like this on my chest. This image of him will be in my head forever. Sweet, sweet boy...

 I am sure you have heard of the feral roosters roaming the island everywhere. It's actually pretty awesome.

 The last living pay phone, maybe? I was happy to see it, but I haven't seen one of these in YEARS...My son was like, "Mom what is that?"

Have you ever seen Wild Poinsetta's? They are in Kauai, and it makes spending Christmas here even more magical.

It is a nourishing land that is for sure. Wishing you the happiest and healthiest of holidays.

Photo's by me.

Fancy Bird

Leila Jeffreys - Wild Cockatoos, 2012

When I was around 20, I used to be in the same circle of friends of this really cool girl who was older than me and who used to have parties that I somehow got invited to. Almost her entire apartment was draped with tapestry's, even the ceiling. I was in complete awe of her style and what I thought she represented. Her home evoked exotic chic and mystery,but the coolest thing about her place was that she had cockatoos in a giant cage that was almost floor to ceiling and looked like it was from Paris in the 1800's.The exotic birds in her apartment, with a collection of beautiful trinkets scattered about, was a memory that is etched in my mind forever, and has been an inspiration for my own home, or sometimes in my painting's. I never did get to know her, but my fantasy of her is still alive today, and especially when I see cockatoo's. Here's to being inspired by people we barely know, or by anything really, and having the memory stay with you for years to come.
(clink, clink)

Hope you are having a great week! 

What if Money Was No Object - What would you Do?

Piano in the Home...

We are a house full of music lovers and I am so happy that we have a piano for my kids to bang on, and for friends who come over to play what they want, however they want...This home is so cozy and inviting. Piano's are easier to come by than you might think, and not necessarily always expensive, if you do some research. The joy and comfort it can add to your life is so worth it. Have a great first week of December!