The Sweetest Thing

Mmmm.
We had toast with honey, tea with honey and spoon fulls of honey for breakfast today.
Thanks Kristin!
It really is the best honey we've ever had.
I think the photo's illustrate my point.

The song is Wild Honey by U2

You

I've wanted to print out a hard copy of my blog for years. Especially after my horrible blog loss of '06. Well, post by post, year by year, it is happening. As I put the pages in chronological order and snap it into binders, I glance at the posts and re-read some of the many comments and realize how, since the beginning, many of you have been there. Wow! You have visited, some silently, some offering kind words and a few, welcomed me into your world. This cyber connection can seem so ethereal and distant to me intellectually, and yet, over time I feel that you've offered me a kind of companionship and connection that feels very meaningful to me.

I want to thank you!

When I started this blog, it wasn't to "get" a readership or to meet any social need. It really was to chronicle our lives. And yet I can see that the pleasure I get would be quite insignificant if it weren't for you.

If the little red bird isn't singing your name above, please let me know! I'd love to add it. If you don't find commenting comfortable, that's O.K. too.

Torn

I have the urge to blog... really I do.

My mind is filled with ideas and plans for so many projects....you should see the list on my desk. I've even tried to capture in words where I am and what moves me these days... really, I have a few drafts to prove it! My days and weeks have even been stuffed with blog-worthy fullness! And yet, nothing. I think it's a true bloggers block.

Truth be know, even though I'm a bit torn about my lack of blogging, I really do kind of like it. I'm enjoying putting all my attention on my life, really going slow, and staying in the moment.

Just now I am counting up the time and I think I have kept this blog for at least three years (I lost six months of my first posts when Blogger went Beta) and I have no thoughts of ending it.

And I finally did take some photos today. Annie and I went to the city to have lunch with Pop, and afterwards played in Annie's "secret" garden. The two shots are from our outing.

More later.




Hopefully.

Hello There!

I really enjoy it when bloggers post pictures of themselves, so I'm posting one of my own. This is a self portrait of me at the lakeside in Calistoga, feeling deeply content. I was amongst trees, grasses, still waters, dragonflies and children that I love. It was so quiet and still, and we (Annie, my darling-6, Casey-11, Cameron-9 & Molly-6) were taking some precious time to be together with paint, brushes and thick watercolor paper. Ahhh!

Spinning

If you haven't noticed yet, my posting has almost come to a halt due to all the changes going on in our life. This situation has reminded me that in periods of transition I need more time for internal processing, and quiet, private thought. I've tried to post about our process a few times and it felt too personal and tender. So yes, we have made the decision to leave Santa Cruz and move to San Francisco. Our aim at this point is to live as close to Bill's work near Fisherman's Wharf as possible to reduce commuting time, and to retain as much of our "family" lifestyle as we enjoy now. The idea of living in a city, (especially SF!) is very exciting to me and finding the right place feels key. We are looking for a house or flat that has a yard, allows pets, and has a third bedroom or garage that could work as a studio. My head is spinning with lists of "to do's" and "to research" so please know that I welcome any and all comments, suggestions and ideas about the SF Bay Area or moving in general!

Here's to Olive!

Here's a link to a blogger from Australia that my Aunt Pat, AKA LaLa Pat, found out about and forwarded to me. Her name is Olive Riley and she's 107 years old. She just started her blog this month and she's only posted a few times. Olive has a friend/helper setting things up and doing her typing as she narrates. I'm interested in following her blog and what she will choose to post about given her age and life experiences. Check her out here allaboutolive.com.
Thanks Pat!

Mom! You've Got To Make a Post About This!

Annie's snake completed it's first shedding last night and she is extatic about it! It peeled off in one entire piece showing it's eyes, nose, mouth and it's stripes. One of the first things she said was "Mom, you've got to make a post about this for your blog!" So here it is darling!

Hello Visitor!

Hello MakingPeace Visitors,

I noticed recently it was DeLurking Week in Blog world. It seemed like an attempt by some curious Bloggers to gently nudge Lurkers (those who enjoy reading blogs anonymously) to leave some message announcing themselves, even if it's just a simple "hello!" I didn't join in when I saw it going around. For me, my biggest pleasure in blogging comes from the writing and reflection it brings me. I'm also imagining someday Annie might like to have a copy of it as a way to remember our life together as a family and maybe "seeing" me as I am today.

I'm tickled and amazed that some of you are enjoying my blog too! Some of you comment, call or email me to let me know you are reading and I love knowing who you are! Thank you! Another way I know about visitors is a free blogging service I use called SiteMeter to meter who's looking in. It gives me a general idea of who and where and how long, etc. It's easy to identify certain friends and family by this information. I have to say though, I'm finding myself kind of curious about some of you! What keeps you coming back? Would you be willing to leave a comment or email me sometime? Just a hello or feedback about something you've enjoyed?

I hope to hear from you!
With much warmth,
Patrice

Above Photo-Foyer of my dollhouse with terrier looking into the dining room.

New Skill

I'm fooling around with adding a watermark to the photos that I publish. Have you noticed? What do you think? Too much or subtle enough? Michelle over at Green Kitchen has a tutorial on how-to under her July archives. That's where I got the idea. I added MakingPeace over the photo and changed the opacity, just enough to leave a light impression on the photo. I'm not too worried about thievery, so I'm not quite sure why I'm doing it. Partly to claim my photos and to make it harder for others to use them without crediting them back to me.
Since loosing all of my archives and customizations for this blog, I'm researching moving it to another platform and changing the name. I've been surfing around different blogs, looking at who is using what to blog. I see lots of Typepad, Blogger, and people with their own websites. I checked out my SBC offerings and there I can have a website with my own name (i.e. makingpeace.com rather than makingpeace.blogspot.com) and that appeals to my need for independence and autonomy. I want to check out the services available to me and get real feedback from users before I make any decisions.
Just last April, I stumbled onto my first blog and was captivated and excited. By May I had explored more and decided to give it a try myself, and it has turned into something I really enjoy and have some attachment to. As for new names, the only thing I have on my mind is MayAvenue. I like the name and it would match my Etsy store, MayAvenueStudio.

Photo above is a detail of Morning Light, a painting of Annie Christmas morning 2004. Acrylic on canvas.

Darkness Lifting

I've been in a really dark place with the loss of my entire blog. For a few days I thought of throwing in the towel with blogging all together. I'm starting to pull out of it since I got an email from Laura offering empathetic words. She also put me in touch with Marsha who's attempting to untangle the blog nightmare I've been in. I don't feel as hopeless and alone. Regardless of how things turn out, thank you both for reaching out to me. (Deep happy exhale of gratitude.)

Holiday MeMe

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate. With fresh whip cream. Not too much chocolate.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Wrap. Unless it looks so great that wrapping would spoil the surprise of seeing it "as is".
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? I like white. The ornaments provide the color.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? I haven't this year. I need a fresh sprig.
5. When do you put your decorations up? I usually like to wait until mid-month so it's short but sweet. This year I did it early because we are going to be out of town for a week.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Bill's roast with horseradish sauce.
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Way after all the presents had been opened, my Dad pulled a large box out of the chimney, and it was all covered in soot and he gave it to my Mom. It was a cashmere coat she'd really wanted, and they both seemed so happy!
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I don't remember. It wasn't a shock or a let down. I think it was natural awakening.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? No. We have Santa gifts in the morning. Then we have breakfast. Maybe we go for a walk or to the beach. Then we hang out and make Christmas dinner. Then we open presents and eat dessert. We stretch it out all day. I love it!
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? I start with the lights, tree topper, then ornaments, then any garlands. There really is a method to my tree decorating that I rarely deviate from. I'm slowly teaching Annie my "secrets".
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? I'll pass on living in snow, and I like to visit it.
12. Can you ice skate? Yea.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
I remember getting my first dollhouse. I was eight and I loved it. But my most favorite gift was when Bill gave me the pearl ring that I wear.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Balance and authenticity.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Pecan pie. Or the tiramisu that my Mother-in-law serves.
17. What tops your tree? A wonderful Santa Claus that was on my tree growing up.
18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? It's a close tie, but I'll say getting!
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song (s)? Bells are Ringing.
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? Like the look, but yuck.

I saw this MeMe at Marsha's, who got it from Laura. Pass it on!