It has been so long since my last post. I have been feeling anxious and have been keeping myself busy (maybe so I don’t have to think about what is happening in the world right now). I have been doing things that I have always wanted to do but always put off for some reason or another. Making churros for May 5th, baking brioche buns, beer bread and donuts out of pizza dough ( we won’t talk about the potato yeast fiasco … I may never get that smell out of my nostrils).
We are eating A LOT but we have also taken up daily morning walks which has really helped our mental health. We have more energy and stamina to face the day as well as feeling much more positive. It feels like we are living in the movie, Groundhog’s Day, which in some ways in a nightmare and in other ways a blessing. Remember, the Bill Murray character learnt a lot of stuff and became a better person because of it.
I have also started writing my daily morning pages again. I have done The Artist’s Way on and off for over 25 years and it really does help to get out all that stuff that is swirling around your head when you first wake up in the morning. It allows you to really focus your day, sort stuff out and really… just clear your head of all the stuff that distracts you from living your best life. It helps you get out of your own way.
In the studio I have been playing with silk screening, embroidery and painting a chair, all things that I have wanted to do for ages but just can never seem to find the time. These new experiments may lead to something new in my art or not, it is fun to try new things and so I am allowing myself to do that. That being said, I am painting as well and finished a new Red Poppy Slice that is super long ( and hard to document) but I love the colour combo in the one.
We have also decided to make a raised veggie garden in the backyard. I am excited at the prospect of actually growing tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce, peppers, garlic, kale and of course herbs galore. Fingers crossed that we actually get some plants to grow! That would be amazing. Regardless, the backyard is looking so much better already.
So, those are some of the things I have been doing to keep myself and my girls distracted. Some days are harder than others and some habits are better than others.
Take care guys and remember: Be Safe, Be Brave, Be Strong, Be Inspired but mostly, Be Kind (to yourself.)
( I found all these messages on our walks, put up by some pretty amazing humans. So I am sharing them with you).
Best,
Maria
Raised Veggie boxes and pea/pee gravel
These are the new planter boxes in the backyard that Chris is currently working on. Rosie likes what she sees.
Painting A Chair
I bought four of these chairs a few years ago and they have sat in the basement. No material to be had so why not paint them? This one will be for my studio desk and Imogen and Scarlett have plans for one each. I think that the bright yellow arms are going to be awesome.
Beer Bread
Who knew? I couldn’t get any yeast and then I discovered this recipe for beer bread. So good and so easy! 3 cups of self raising flour, 1/3 cup of sugar and one 12oz bottle of beer. For the first two, I used Guinness …so good! I brush on a little butter on it at 50 minutes and then put it back in the oven for 5 more minutes. (Otherwise it looks very anemic and not very appetizing.)