Life lately.

Life can be so very hard. Maintaining a positive outlook is hard. It's been awhile since I've really spent time with this blog and I think it's having it's effect on me. I love using this outlet as a source of growth and positivity. I love to use this space as a record of the beautiful things life has to offer. Much like Hailey's 365 Gratitude project, this is my journal of sorts, where I can share the things I appreciate. I can share the things I'm making, the thoughts I have, and the moments spent with those I love most. I love that about blogging and hope that even if only one person reads an entry, it serves as a source of joy for that single person.

I've been very busy lately. Working on a new website, making lots of dolls, lots of portraits, and starting many new endeavors that have been bringing SO much excitement into my life. I've been spending lots of time with Odin, some time with Z, and even some time with only myself which has been absolutely heavenly. I'm hoping to give myself a little more me time in the coming months. I've found that I forget to give myself moments until I'm almost to my breaking point, and then it's not as useful. Time becomes a necessity rather than a pleasure and I'd rather not feel like I'm about to burst into a million frustrated pieces in order to get that time for myself. I need to work it into my weekly schedule, maybe time for a walk, or to sit and enjoy reading or playing ukulele. Time by myself that I don't spend working or thinking about work. I'm going to try and find someone to play with little O for a few hours every week so that I can get more done while Zak is at work. 

Odin has been using the toilet for a month now and he will be two in nearly two months. Time is passing by so quickly lately, it's catching me completely off-guard. We're house-sitting this week and so very excited to have a tub, we only have a stand up shower at our little apartment. Odin and I have been tubbing it up every day, singing as loudly as we can and splashing so much that most of the water ends up outside the tub by the time we're done (don't worry Lisa! We're cleaning it up right after!). I've been making art and playing ukulele as much as I can. I really want to learn to play well like some of my dear friends can. Zak bought me a ukulele for our anniversary and it's so dreamy. I've wanted one for years and after visiting Angelica, I was madly in love with it. It's so compact and beautiful. 

So, that's that. I'm hoping to have my new website within the next couple weeks and am very excited to move the blog there. It'll also have my own shop and I promise to work very hard at maintaining an inventory of dolls, toys, illustrations, and custom slots. 

Much love, my friends.

xx

The Last Stretch

For the last stretch towards home, I was pretty sick. It was probably one of those 24 hour bugs but because we were traveling, I wasn't allowing it the 24 hours needed to fully filter through my system. (Sorry friends, if I got any of you sick!) We visited Angelica in Virginia which was heavenly as always. She really is my best friend soul mate and I'm so grateful to have met her. This trip was a little more rushed and I feel sad that we couldn't stay longer, but we did have an amazing evening out while the littles stayed with Angelica's gorgeous mumma. I couldn't even believe Odin stayed with someone that was unfamiliar for such a long time (four hours!). Angelica played the most beautiful songs on Ukulele, so beautiful that I cried. 

Leaving Virginia was hard, but we stayed the night in Maryland with an Instagram friend, Jessy. We've talked about meeting for awhile now and I'm so glad we were finally able to. She's so sweet and has the sweetest little family. Her room is adorned with growing green life and we felt very comfortable immediately upon meeting her and her sweet man, Randy. Thank you so much for having us!

Our last stop before home was visiting a very old friend of mine, Manny, who I miss so much. We have so many memories and I spent much of my college life living at his house making art and drinking champagne with frozen fruit. We would go out dancing every week. 

I'm so grateful for new and old friends alike and am so lucky to have you all in my life. 

Oneonta to Brooklyn

Our first stop as we left our little island was Oneonta, New York. After a long drive we stayed the night in a beautiful hotel, which Odin was overly pleased with (he hates the car). Our purpose for staying in Oneonta was to look at this beautiful piece of land. The land has a stream, two ponds, some natural springs, and a beautiful 150 year old barn. We've been looking for a plot of Earth to call our own and a space to start our own orchard and build a house. We really fell in love with the land, but we have lots to think about as it is a little pricey. Zak will be starting a permaculture blog in a few weeks, and there he'll tell you more about our search and our journey. 

Ian was staying in Brooklyn, so our next stop was to Bushwick to visit with them for a night. Odin loves being surrounded by new people and had the time of his life (staying up until after midnight and giggling with everyone).

Thanksgiving in Maine

For Thanksgiving, I was able to meet the family on Zak's dad's side in Maine. I completely fell in love with the whole bunch and we've already made plans to visit again in June. The weather was brisk until the morning we left, when it decided to warm up a bit. I'm eager to come back in June and really adventure, it will be a bit warmer and there won't be hunters and their guns reminding us of their presence every few moments as their shotguns echo through the woods. Odin immediately fell in love too especially with Zak's cousin Patrick (who previously swore off kids all together according to his mum). They hit it off very well and spent most of the holiday together. We stayed with Susan and Neil at their beautiful home. I was completely filled with gratitude. As much as I miss being with my family during the holidays, being with such a loving extended family is just as fulfilling. I loved seeing Zak with his cousins, some which he hadn't seen for almost 5 years! We played games, watched the Lady Gaga/Muppets Holiday Extravaganza (it was Odin's choice), and drank beer and tea and wine together. 

Our drive home was quite the adventure, but I'm choosing not to reflect on it and just remember the ridiculously pleasant time spent at Susan's lovely home. If you follow on IG, I'm sure you already know of those woes.