My son began to play the violin after I read Shinichi Suzuki’s book, Nurtured by Love.  His dear teacher then was quite adept at smilingly nurturing my son’s fledgling violin talent during their half hour lesson each week. We eventually moved, and my son did not take violin lessons for a year and a half.  Through some unforeseen, yet serendipitous happenings, he recently found a very enthusiastic teacher who also directs a youth orchestra.  My son is downstairs playing some of his past Suzuki pieces, and the sound he is creating is beauty to my soul. 

I spent Saturday morning shopping for school supplies. I felt an ironic mixture of autumn-y back-to-school excitement and hollowness in my chest as I placed the pencils and notebooks in the cart.  New friends, new experiences, new adventures in learning await my children, yet I won't get to see them for the lion's share of the day. You understand the mixed emotions, right? This morning, I flipped through photos of our summer adventures in this breathtaking piece of the world.  We have zipped around to lovely, and (mostly) local treasures within a few hours of home. I am thankful for long and beautiful summer days with my kiddos. Now, I can look back-to-school in the face and well, face it. 

I wandered through an art show at a garden center on Saturday. Betty Jean Billups was there with a collection of her Plein Air oil paintings. I could have spent all afternoon amidst her work. This piece is called, "I Am the Sunlight." 

We have two of the kindest neighbors I know.  They moved back into the house next door after spending the winter in a warmer climate. The very next morning, I walked out of my front door to find this lovely Million Bells plant hanging on our porch. I knew it was from them. They are just that way.

I took a class in stained glass during April and May. The process of creating a stained glass window is filled with a variety of hand work and so many touches of beauty. 

The work of Stanley Bielen has me looking for oil painting classes. "Large Ranunculus" viewed at The Harrison Gallery.

This scarved young woman showed up while I was playing with Corel Painter this afternoon. If you like illustration, take a look at Abigail Halpin's work.