Coming Around

Looking for sunshine-y feelings, despite the current lack of sunshine. Not sure why it comes so naturally to me to focus on the somber notes in life, rather than the cheerful ones.
But not today!
Thanksgiving is tomorrow; by far my favorite holiday. I suppose that's because I feel most at home in the kitchen, and I just love to cook for people. We're feeding between 12 and 15 (half of that is just our immediate family, of course!), so I've got my work cut out for me. I tried to be smart this year; I started cooking yesterday.
Despite Peanut being a great help to her mama, I never seem to get as much done in a day as I'd hope;)

It's good for me, too, to remember that cooking is just as much a part of a creative life as making prints or sculpture, or making baby's clothes, etc. And of course, caring for a large family is also a rather challenging creative endeavor, as well. In fact, at this very moment, I am trying to be creative about keeping a 4-month old entertained and away from the keyboard as I try to type this post...

The past several weeks have been about time with baby, mostly, but also about nourishing walks in the woods to find inspiration, little steps in the studio toward making new prints (like the collagraph plate, above) and new books, looking for opportunities to exhibit and sell my work, and checking things off my very long list of to-dos around the house. All in all, not a terrible way to spend one's time. Doubtless, I'll look back on these past few months very soon, and wish that I'd accomplished a little more. As Peanut gets older, and I have to start commuting to work again, I'll also wish that I'd spent a bit more relaxed time just being mom. Because there's nothing wrong with that.

Love and Peace for all of you, during this upcoming holiday season. Blessings abound.