Has it really been a week?

It is 6.36am on Saturday morning and I sit, waiting for the massive snow storm that was supposedly coming.  It is at these early hours (I have been getting up at 4am) that I think about my Dad and how he would rise early to start his day.  It is very peaceful at this hour and allows me to breathe. 

Today is meant to be a big day.  Max starts (mummy and me) swimming lessons – I am so excited about getting into my cozzie on a day that is meant to be below zero.  Rose is performing in a local production – she is an old lady that sleeps on stage for the most part of the show – obviously her ability to fake sleep has been discovered.  Then it is off to her school for a dress rehearsal with all the girls for their school production leaving the boys to trash the place play.

This time last Saturday I was dressed and ready to rock and roll with my art girls at “heART of winter” in Warwick.  It has become a much anticipated tradition of ours to attend Jen’s shows every Winter and Spring and catch up with all the girls.

The 3rd annual "heART of winter" was a fabulous gathering of art, and artful spirits. The Girls - Artists Laurie Meseroll, Jennifer Lanne, Diana Card, Nicole Bowen, Jill Wiener and Dara DiMagno were in attendance...adding their style and savvy to the show.

 

I am now the lucky owner of one of Dara’s necklaces – given to me by the Engineer on Dec 22…and I am yet to have a day when I don’t wear it.

  

Jen and her team created the most wonderful world within the charming Warwick Antique Barn.

Me, and the talented Mrs Pom, Earth Angel Laurie Meseroll and gorgeous (and quietly talented) Kathy Nesi….just moments before this beautiful girl below was packed into my car and taken to her new home with Mrs Pom.  It was just like watching a little girl get her first barbie doll. 

 
The Knitting Mermaid – at 36 x 48 she now welcomes all visitors to her new home and how lucky is Mrs. Pom that no matter what kind of day she has had, this is what she sees the moment she walks in the door – the best tonic a girl could ask for!

So now it is 7.05 and nobody is awake…still…which is actually a record.  I am on to my 3rd cup of coffee…living in NY will do that to you, so I will bid farewell for now and go and find my cozzie…hoping that it has not perished in all the wrong places.

Martine’s Fine Bake Shoppe

This is my most favorite place in the world. This is where my dearest friend Joyce and I spend most mornings solving the world’s problems…and hopefully a few of our own.

Perhaps it is the rows and rows of delicious cookies?

Or the cakes that prove I should give up baking!

Maybe it is the cupcakes that really look like real flowers?

Or is it the pastries that remind me of Lindfield Cake Shop?

Possibly the cheesecakes?

But it could be the strawberry poppets….

But today I think I will just be a tart and have it all!

The goddess has now discovered it and Mrs Pom’s taste buds are watering at the thought of her first encounter.

If you are a local – GO.  If you are not, oh well…more for us!

Art Is...to enjoy the moment you are in and relish the moments you have had!

I have been kept busy recently working on our website for Art is...You 2009. We have a wonderful faculty joining us this year who will bring such incredible talent and projects to the table. Attendees from the last year are already counting down the days. One person I am very excited about is the wonderful Nicole Chazaud Telaar who treated my mum and I like royalty when we spent a weekend away together making our felted rugs.

Our theme this year is Taking Tea with Alice and just look at one of the many items Nicole has created...

Clever Girl!!

Of course I have a daily reminder of home with boxes on the dining room table - one for my friend's mum who wanted an Obama Doll! One for my arty friend who needed her Debbie Mumm Calendar (I promise you will have it before the end of February!!), one for Ez who turns another year older and one for Chubby Bubby (below), who turns 1!! Don't worry Tman - I am just trying to finish your birthday DVD!!


I miss him and my Jman just a little bit too much! Riding a horse to London is just not the same when you haven't got 3 little boys bouncing on your knees!

Oh and the highlight of last week, was Max's yearly haircut! The last time it was done was March 2007. This time all plans for a trim to retain the curls went out the door (so did all the other customers) when he decided that a headlock was the only way his hair was being cut! So he got a Number 4. He was rewarded (for his brilliant behavior) with a lolly pop and the stylist and I got a couple of tylenol (panadol)! Sorry no photos as yet due to the camera being dropped in the snow.

Due to the tylenol not working...I had to take myself on an artful weekend escape with the delightful Mrs Pom, the wonderful Pamela Huntington and my partner in most things...(art, shopping, drinking, eating), El. My thoughts strayed to the girls at home and their Hunter Valley escapes, wishing I could be with them to enjoy their company and yet wishing they could be with me so that they could experience the extraordinary friendships that I have made with these wonderful women.

The amazing Jen of Earth Angels produced the second magnificent HeArt of Winter folk art show in the historic village of Warwick, NY and we were lucky enough to go to the show. With our appetite for art fulfilled, we then set about finding a place for tea. Charlotte's Tea Room hit the spot!

The evening was spent at Sleepy Valley Inn. Irish fish and chips, red wine, a little bit of creating, a little bit of magazine reading, topped off with our Valentine pots of sweetheart candy from Mrs Pom.

A wonderful way to close off the week and start the madness of this one! Musical rehearsals for Flossy, school for Mighty Max, work work work for the Engineer and then to me...where I have challenged myself to clean out one cupboard or drawer each day! At this point I can comfortably say, we could start our own stationery company.

xx

The Gift

We have just farewelled The Engineer's mother as she travels back to Australia via Chicago and San Fran. However prior to leaving she presented us with a very unexpected gift.

Maxamillion and Miss Flossy! and yes Jo....there is your beautiful tree topper!

The likeness is uncanny.

They immediately went up onto the wall in my favorite "nook" that features my JoAnnA artwork, Mrs Pom's artwork and some of my own! They will be treasured. Thank you Marie.

Thank You Mrs Pom

Pomegranates and Paper is my must read every morning. This morning I was delighted to find the most wonderful article about Art...Is. Her words capture the wonder of this event and this year I get to share it with Mum.