photos: recently

projects in progress

funfetti cupcake, for you

the holyoke saint patrick's day parade, 3/22/09, photos by patrick

spring at the smith college bulb show, 3/21/09

selling girl scout cookies at the new england webcomics weekend

daffodils for a good cause

Eric Carle love

I spent yesterday afternoon at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. It's just up the road in Amherst, sitting on a beautiful spot next to Hampshire College, in the middle of an apple orchard. The architecture of the museum is breathtaking and its contents are lovely. If you've never been there, I recommend a trip, with or without kids (and when you go, don't miss the hands-on art studio).

WAMC's The Roundtable is broadcasting from the museum this morning-- I'm listening while I work right now. Word has it that Carle himself will be on later in the morning. While no longer a Valley resident, Eric Carle's influence is strong around here. Many people I know have personal and/or professional connections to the museum, the author/artist, and his work.

And guess what I just learned? Eric Carle has a blog! (I'm sure at least one of you reading knew this- Hi Meg!) There isn't much there yet, but even online his words are gentle and his stories sweet. You can check it out here.

Have a happy, sunny weekend!

Gold

Last night, walking up the steps into the elementary school, I spotted four green bursts poking through the ground next to the building. Nature's first green, right there, standing proud. I called to the 13-year-old girls walking in with me to come look. They dropped their aloof coolness for a moment to squeal with me: Spring!

The snow has retreated to just a few murky patches.
The light and shadows say brighter seasons are coming, hold on a little longer, we're almost there.



*****
photo by me, taken one year ago.

Pretty Pictures

Time for a little plug on behalf of some folks I really like-- our wedding photographers recently revamped their blog. For some mid-rainy-day prettiness, check out the new look of Upstate Photographers. I adore Paul and Brenda. Wrapping up our book layout and final products is bittersweet-- I'll miss them! I'm sure we'll be calling on them a couple years down the line for family portraits!

Antsy

Cabin fever or spring fever or just a need for something new-- whatever it is I've been mighty restless lately. In addition to letting out the occasional "argh!", the antses in my pants have led me to:

• Sign up for an art class. Starting in a couple weeks, Julia and I will be channeling our inner Van Goghs at Art Always. We're taking an eight-week course in which we'll have the chance to explore drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, fabric arts and who knows what else. Divine.
  
  
• Write. I don't know what's been keeping me from this, but it's time to just do it, no matter how crappy it is. This project was a good jump start.
• Daydream about volunteer vacations. Habitat for Humanity's Global Village program looks amazing. Not to mention the hundreds listed on Charity Channel. Reforesting, building schools, organic farming, trail preservation-- there are so many amazing opportunities out there. I'd love to do one of these with the husband.
  
  

• Researching which bike to buy this spring. I am so done with my too-big, second-hand men's mountain bike and I've been promising myself a new one for years. I'm currently drooling over this baby (the one in the photo above). I can't wait to find out what it's like to ride a bike that's actually the right size for me. Here's hoping there will be some extremely good spring sales on bicycles...
  

Along with the change in seasons, I'm hopeful that a little daydreaming and an injection of creativity will help me get over this fidgety feeling. If not, it may be time to think bigger.