california, im coming home!

even though we live in portland now, california will always be my home.
and even more specifically, the BEACHES of california are my home.

and speaking of beaches, i tried on a bathing suit today and was horrified.
until i realized that while my body is a body of a mother of two with not a lot of discipline what makes me beautiful is my

smile
laugh
kindness
sense of humor
paintings

and NOT my body. and so i am going to wear a bathing suit, bravely, on the beaches of southern california, because NOT going to the beach with my children, feeling the warm sun, swimming in the ocean would be a tragedy. and it would speak volumes to my two daughters about body concsiousness, and whom i want to teach to love their bodies.

so, california, i have missed you and your beautiful beaches, and most of all the sun. we get to shed layers of clothing for each 100 miles we drive.

cant wait.
oh, and bok choy garden? my most favorite veggie chinese restaurant in the world? you are closed. CLOSED AFTER GOING THERE FOR 15 YEARS! i bid you a bittersweet goodbye. sob, sniff. i will visit your sister restaurant in berkeley. you will be missed.
change happens. you have to roll with it.
anyone going anywhere fun soon?

spring forward.

its spring now. here in the pacific northwest, that means a lot of things. it means longer days, flowers bursting out of the center divide, in alleys, alongside roads, on the trees and in gardens. i planted primroses in the hail and 4 out of 6 nasturtiums are taking hold.
it means hints of sun where there was none in the deepest darkest parts of winter.
it means hope.
we are going to spain this summer.
i have been trying to network and do photo shoots to gather pictures and experience for my portfolio.
i am learning a lot about myself as a mother and wife.
we visited my family in florida and that was really good and good for me and my husband.
i am making changes in my life that feel really good. i feel inspired.
i am exercising again.
i am going to dust off the juicer.
i am going to stretch.
i am going to be more kind, to myself and to all of my conflicts and challenges. by this i mean, i am going to surround my hurts/pain/obstacles with kindness. i see things grow if kindness surrounds it.

books i am loving right now is anything by eckhart tolle and shakti gawain.

making time for myself.

making time for friends- its a ladies night tonight.

if you want peace, you have to be peace.

i am breathing in peace. and spring.


i WILL be posting pictures soon.
i have to show you spring. the trees look like veils of blossoms. its quite extraordinary.

and how is spring treating you?