Loreena McKennitt - The Star of the Country Down


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I've added prints
of two floral wreaths that I recently painted
to my Etsy shop!

Inspired by Washington's Olympic Peninsula
(from which I shared some photos
a few weeks back)
and my Mother's beloved shade garden,
they are available here
and here.



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I shot these photos
almost exactly one month ago
on a fluke 90 degree day (!) in September.
I was having trouble
coming to terms
with Summer's end--
all the inevitable
"But we only did ____ once this summer!"
or
"We never got to ____ while we had the chance!"
My husband was out of town,
and I was feeling a little sorry for myself.

After work, I decided to turn a sweaty bus-ride
up to the dahlia garden
into an adventure.


How can anyone feel any kind of Summertime lack
when standing in front of these magnificent blooms?


The heat, the sunshine, the flowers--
it was the most spectacular finale to the season,
and helped me make peace
with Summer's bow
from center stage.
It was such a gift.


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Agnes Obel has a new album out!

I rediscover her Philharmonics every Autumn,
so I am so pleased to have a new one by her
to enjoy this year.

Her records are perfect for painting.


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Fireweed
& brambles.



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Home at the ocean,
again.

This time last year,
we got engaged.

Now, we are married.





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This mountain
has become
so familiar to me
over the years
and beloved
by my whole family.


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It's been a few years
since we've had such a good flower Summer
on the Mountain.



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Glorious early-morning sunshine
(and a deer)
in the lower meadows
on Mt. Rainier.



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This is my final day
at the place I have worked
for the last 2.5 years.

Hope and fear,
anxiety and excitement,
contentment and longing--
The duality of emotions
has been on my mind lately,
as I have not been able to feel one
without it's counterpart also being present
for several weeks.

I start a new job on Monday.


I offer it up
to how I felt
when I took this photograph--
centered,
exultant & ecstatic--
and trust
in that.


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This time is bittersweet.
My heart is tender,
a ripely swollen peach
that ruptures
at the slightest touch.

I mourn,
even as I celebrate.
The days of Summer's bright expansion
and frenzied relaxation
give way to the gleam of Autumn's gold,
and harvesttime
on the horizon.

The change in the light
is apparent to anyone who really looks.

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I've been so behind,
but I still have quite a few
summer photos to share!
Coming soon...

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