Today feels like: Purple

We have had the most lovely west coast sunsets recently. I don't know what kind of cold, cloudy, wintery weather we need to get the sky to be those colors...but I certainly couldn't resist snapping some shots.

Photography and documenting have been an increasing interest to me over the last few years. I talked a little about that in this post, and am excited to be finally printing some of my pics and working on a collage wall in our stairway. It still amazes me regularly what wonderful pictures can be taken with a simple point and shoot  camera or a cellphone (not really news, I know..)...but still very cool. 

So here's to foggy mornings, warm coffees and purple filled days.

Instagramin

I have finally joined the world and started instagraming! Check out my pics here. So far it has been super fun, the app is really simple to use on my new Nokia Lumia phone, aaaanndd it takes awesome pictures. I must admit that the camera has been my favorite part of my new toy.

I don't use many filters on photos I post on the blog, so playing with all the vintage and hipstimatic colors has been a blast. Be sure to follow along with my progress, and I want to see all your pics too. Happy photo taking!

Captured Moments

A Friday ritual. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment to pause, savor, and remember.

If you are inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

deGroot Violin circa 1982ish. Handcrafted by my amazingly talented father.
Since I have been little, I could spot one of my Dad's instruments amongst a sea of other violins. To me the varnish, the cut of the tiny edges, the delicate inlay, all combine to make more than a piece of wood that makes sound...but a unique work of art.

(This segment inspired by soulemama.com) 

Snow and Smuggling

Winter has officially set in round these parts. Though snow is not unheard of, it is not super common where we live...and his has been coooooooold. These days have been full of homemade soups, hot coffees and snuggy hats. There has also been a lot of knitting happening, as I have been working on my first Yarn Bombing project. More to come on that! 

Also the colder it gets, it seems that I want everyone and everything around me to be nestled in knitted comfort. It seems there are never enough hats or blankets or hot water bottle covers......

Challenge Accepted!

But there is new life around, with the introduction of some indoor plants recently. I felt like an intercontinental plant smuggler (I know...sounds exciting doesn't it)...as I sneaked these lovelies on my carry-on bag, flying from the east coast to the west. Technically I didn't do anything wrong, but it sure felt scandalous going through TSA.
The jade is abundant, and I am already finding all sorts of nooks of sunlight to keep my beauties happy. As I have stated previously, my thumb is not super green but I want to be a better gardener.... I think 2014 is going to be full of new life and very green indeed.
Have a wonderful Monday All.

Captured Moments

A Friday ritual. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment to pause, savor, and remember.

If you are inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

First snow. Blissful December All.

(This segment inspired by soulemama.com)

Captured Moments

A Friday ritual. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment to pause, savor, and remember.

If you are inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

It is finally my favorite time of year (anywhere) but especially in the Pacific Northwest. Every morning lately has been filled with fog and cool air, colored by the changing leaves.

Have a happy Friday Everyone.

(This segment is inspired by soulemama.com)

West Coast Love

Hubby and I have driven across the country twice now, but until we moved here neither of us had ever been to Oregon. So although my camera was packed away, on a few occasions over the days of our trip I picked up my cellphone and grabbed a few shots from my passengers seat. *This would be a good time to point out that I am the consummate passenger on our distance trips. Hubby has done all, and I stress ALL the driving from the west coast to the east, and back again. Thus giving me the opportunity to grab some memories along the way. He is pretty awesome that man of mine.

So here is my first impression of the beautiful pacific northwest, as we cross over the mountains in Oregon.

Captured Moments

A Friday ritual. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment to pause, savor, and remember.

If you are inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Lovely sunset view from our house. This is getting to be what I think is the loveliest time of year.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

(This segment is inspired by soulemama.com)

Captured Moments

A Friday ritual. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment to pause, savor, and remember.

If you are inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

His name is Mufasa. 

Mu-ManO, Mu-GKhan, Teddy RuxMu, Muboto, MuMu, Comrade Mufasa, Mubie Doobie Doo, MuManicus, Fassa Man, Muasaurus, MuBu....I won't go on.

He is a practitioner of Catrate, late night house surveillance, and shoulder rides. 

 He is a good man that cat of ours. He has one job, just to be a living stuffed animal-available for all sorts of love attacks at any moment, and he does it well. 

Have a great weekend All.

(This segment is inspired by soulemama.com)

The Life of a Tomato

 I have never grown my own food, but I have wanted to, reeeeaaallly bad. I don't really know why it has taken me so long to get on this, but I am so glad my thumb is getting greener. So when I saw this beautiful tomato plant one weekend at the farmers market, it stuck out in my mind the whole time we were there, and I just had to circle back by the stand on our way out and snatch her up!

Yummmm! Yes the pizza and the caprese tasted just as wonderful as they look. And PS folks, I grew the basil too. It is pretty much a party in my mouth around here.

Good times :)

We Eat Food

Round here we eat food. I am definitely not a chef and this is defiantly not a cooking blog, but from time there is something about a certain delicious bit that calls out to be photographed.

And this might be the best food photo taken in our house ever-look out Martha Stewart. Because this is how you do Ramen right!

 Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

Summer Days

Just a few moments that are nice to look back on.

 I love the way oil paint moves and blends into itself, and how my Willow looks so lovely decorated with her new summer ribbons. One of Mutties Quilts has my favorite paint color-phthalo blue and I got some roses that were a color I had never seen. All in all things are looking up.

Quack Quack It's A Ballon

So my cat Sasha walked around the house with a collection of four balloons for over a week. She has been hilarious. Somehow wrapping herself in the strings or just pulling the long tails in her mouth, herding the group from room to room. 

This activity has been punctuated by her quacking like a duck now, instead of meowing. I don't know where this has come from, but one day she woke up and decided to talk like a duck. Even as I type this I can hear Quack Quack Quack coming from the other room.....who is she even talking to?! 

Round Here....Lately

Here are just a few photos from around here lately. There has been lots of fresh fruit, green leaves, homemade jam, and evening walks. I discovered how easy it is to make fresh pasta a few months ago, and each meal reminds me of living in Italy.

So cheers to long days,  homemade delights, and my backyard exploding with blackberry's. Have a great day All.

Captured Moments

Been working a lot lately on all sorts of things for Gypsy Gnome. Getting ready for festival season, and making art, making art and making art. Happy Sunday everyone