Chickadee-dee-dee Tea!

Tomorrow is February 1st and the beginning of a month of hearts and flowers! I just love Valentine's Day. I used to not always embrace it as I do, now. In my earlier years, I would have a lot of anxiety around it—hoping someone would show me I was worthy to receive that heart-shaped box of candy or a bouquet of flowers.

At that time of my life I was looking for love outside of myself, rather than feel the love from within. Now, I have no expectations from Valentines Day. I use that holiday to celebrate and share the love I feel for my friends and family. Rather than expect my husband to treat me to a fancy dinner, I celebrate him by making him a beautiful meal and tell him how much I appreciate everything he does for us. My only expectation from him is that he buy me a cheesy card that says "To My Wife on Valentine's Day" on the front. I love it that I qualify to receive a "to my wife" card! <giggle>

One year, I decided to honor my girlfriends with an over-the-top tea party, complete with door prizes, silly valentine-themed gifts, and LOTS of scrumptious cookies and tea that was served from a beautiful samovar. It was amazing. I'm looking forward to doing that again, some year.

My life lesson: Love yourself and treat yourself like the loved one you are.  Love others fully and without expectation—love, love, love 'em up!  Forgive your own missteps. Forgive others missteps. If they are a bad dancer, show them how. If they continue to step on your feet, you can lovingly accept different dance partners and wish them well. After all, we're all just little children in grown-up bodies, just trying to get through this life with minimal suffering.  Like my soul sister Donna Maltz said, "You may not like someone, but you've gotta love 'em!"

Blessings and love to you.

Valentine's Tea Party 2010

An Oldie but Goodie

Berry Happy Raven

This is the very first bird I did an etching of.  It was the Fall of 2009.  I had finished a long bout of treatment for breast cancer and my hair was coming in. My husband and I drove to Hope, Alaska to go camping, take photographs, and enjoy the local music that is played every weekend at the Sea View Cafe.

Another activity we enjoy there is strolling down the little dirt streets and admiring the old log homes and other classic Alaskana artifacts filled in-between with Cow parsnip, fiddlehead ferns, and fireweed. It's rustic quaintness has a flavor of it's own.

During that particular visit, we walked past a log home with an attached art gallery called Sherritt Fine Art Gallery. 

Sherritt Fine Art Gallery in Hope, Alaska

As we strolled past we could see the owners, Scott and Fayrene, out front visiting with patrons and family around a fire pit. (Fire pits are very common near Alaskan homes, as they enhance the enjoyment of the very long summer nights.) We walked over and introduced ourselves and began to talk about one of my favorite subjects:  art.

Since they are "in the business" I questioned them about what shows they like to participate in. They told me about one in particular that is held twice per year and suggested that I dip my toe in the water and have a table at the next show.

Well, I got busy doing etchings of some of the photos I took and that is show that started it all for me. I'll never forget the people streaming through the doors early in the morning on their way to their offices. Right away, I started selling prints. People were actually buying my artwork!!!  It was exhilarating.  From that moment on, I was set free—free to create, knowing that people would resonate with the joy and love and humor that I put into my work. I was free to trust the process.

My husband, who likes to name my artwork, named this one "Berry Happy Raven."  Berry happy indeed.