it happens every spring

I've noticed that every spring I seem to run out of things to say.

Maybe I'm just more talkative during the long Colorado winter when I spend a lot of time alone in my little house. Summers are short here and once the leaves pop out on the trees, it's hard for me to focus on this tiny screen. And so, it's happened again. I'd rather be outside, thinking of nothing at all.

Not only have I run out of things to say, but Blogger has apparently lost my followers! Have you noticed the blank spot where you all used to be? I didn't remove you, honestly. But I see you are gone and I can only hope you are all outside enjoying your summer too!

the better to see you with my dear

Optometrist appointment on Monday.

If not for this crazy wonderful photo from Instantt on Etsy
I probably wouldn't have bothered to mention it.

all I really needed

Once upon a time, long ago, I had grown so tired of the never-ending Rocky Mountain winters that I packed my bags and left to find a new home. I spent some time in southern New Mexico, the land of enchantment. From there I traveled the back roads and canyon lands of Arizona and then settled down for a while in California. I moved back to Colorado though, after realizing all I really needed was a vacation.

So, history has repeated itself and I'm ready to return to Etsy. I've found I miss my old home despite the never-ending storms. I've enjoyed my time away but finally realized all I really needed was a vacation.

That said, in case you thought perhaps I exaggerated about the never-ending winters,
here's a picture I took this morning from my studio window.

Springtime in the Rockies
May 1, 2011

spring!

I'll be hanging out at the park this weekend,
taking a break from the stress of the past couple of weeks,
hoping to be nice and relaxed by the time spring arrives on Sunday afternoon.
Happy Spring Everyone!

photo via icanhascheezburger.com

Japan is in my heart...

Japanese was my first language. My family moved there when I was about a year old and when I began to speak, it was in a language my parents didn't understand. My mother had a neighbor translate for her.

My brother was born there. We returned to the US before he began to speak so he always spoke English. It was only then that I also learned to speak English and eventually forgot my Japanese vocabulary, but Japan has always been in my heart.

I grew up in a house filled with pagoda shaped lanterns, silk kimonos, moriage teacups, netsuke carvings and scrapbooks full of photos and Japanese postcards. My parents always spoke lovingly about their time there and instilled in us a deep respect for the Japanese people.

You have to admire a culture in which people greet each other with a polite bow.

time to share

I do love a beautiful hand crafted silver bead
and have built a nice a collection over the years.
Although it's hard to part with some of them,
a few have made their way into my Etsy shop recently.
I thought it was time to share.

fun with paper

.. today's little celebrations ..
some delightful vintage paper finds

library card notebooks by saratops


one world recycled map garland by MaisyandAlice


vintage ledger paper tags by wildheart515

back in time

I've been burnin' up my scanner lately copying pictures from a great collection of "lifestyle" books I have from the 70's and 80's. I love these rooms and used to fancy myself living in each and every one.

It will be a slow process, but I'll be posting all the photos to my Tumblr blog.
Please feel free to follow along. It will be fun for your inner hippie.

a former cigar factory in New York
from Converted Into Houses, 1976


a converted Victorian firehouse in Arkansas
from Small Houses, 1980

a cozy kitchen corner in Berkeley, CA
from Rugs, 1979

not yet spring

I've been feeling out of place lately
and have a vague longing to be somewhere else
but don't know where that might be.

It could just be that it's not yet spring
and when it is and everything begins to bloom,
I will feel at home again.

I will wait patiently and see.

nature's imprints

It's not often I'm included in an Etsy treasury,
but this morning I got a lovely note from amberike
to let me know my Imprint Earrings were the inspiration for this one.
How sweet!

Be sure to check out the cute, cute, cute button earrings in Amber's shop!

all dressed up

I've been admiring these for such a long time
and thought I should pretty-up my blog
with some crocheted rock loveliness from Stitch Happens.

another caturday

I seem to have stepped away from the blog again. This happens sometimes when there's so much going on that I have to run just to keep up. I'm wishing for some quieter and slower days ahead.

The weather here in my little part of Colorado was so warm and sunny yesterday that I opened the doors and windows to let the fresh air and sunshine come inside. It's good to remember what spring feels like :)

Here's some Caturday cuteness for you.

Hoping you are all able to take some time to stop and smell the flowers.