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. 

Amy Hackworth has written a thrilling post about the Arts on Designmom today.

This drawing is one of my first attempts to use a Bamboo pen and Corel Painter. I found this image to imitate in an old reader called "Friendly Village" that was given to my children by a dear friend. This little blondie reminds me of my own little girl. She is curious and childlike and lovely. 

Photo by Carlton Davis originally found at brides.com. I came across it at designmom.

We were given some blueberry bushes as a gift some years ago. My husband planted them, but we had to wait until the next summer before we discovered a tiny crop of hard red berries appear on the stems. We were anxious to try our blueberries, but knew they were not ready to pick. A week or so later, I fingered through the leaves and stems, but I did not uncover a single blueberry. The birds had enjoyed them, and they were welcome. The following summer, my husband covered our bushes with mesh. The berries thrived, swelled, and blued under protection.  We picked the juiciest, prettiest ones each morning for breakfast. Sometimes it takes some time, but good things do come to those who wait.

Remnants of snow piles were melting a week ago. My children were running outside without a thought of a coat. I admit, we were anticipating spring. The view from our back door this morning had the potential of crushing our hopes. But it didn't. How could it? Snow falling is beautiful. And peaceful. And I am smiling while watching it layer the rooftops.

I spent yesterday afternoon perusing art magazines at our public library. I was easily the most entranced by an article in "American Craft" about Shawn Lovell, a blacksmith whose pieces are stunning works of art.

Images here and here.

John Singer Sargent's painting, "Girl Fishing at San Vigilio" (1913) brought hopeful thoughts to my mind. If such loveliness and peace exist in one painting, there must be countless works of art, literature, nature and creation that inspire the highest, noblest feelings in human hearts.  No need to waste a moment on anything less. The beauty that you or I perceive may be the result of someone's gift of time and talent, like Sargent's painting. Or, it might be the simple recognition of a kindness done, like when I came upstairs and saw my husband helping our little daughter get her hair ready for church. Or, the beauty that is nature's blessing may warm our hearts when we take a walk under the tangerine sunset sky. If we look for it, we will find it.

Painting found here.