Memories of May - Week 2

Hello, and welcome to the 2^nd stop on the ReMe “Memories of May” Blog Hop!  Jodi’s posts last week (on both her Blog and the ReMe Blog) had my mind a’whirl with all of the magical moments that combined to make our 1^st event in Ocracoke a smashing success.  I have written and edited, and written and edited, and pared down, and edited some more; finally coming to the realization that I will never winnow this story down to anything approaching a “condensed version!”  SO…  I decided that if a picture was worth 1,000 words I could make this easier for all involved by showing you the majority of my favorite things (‘cause telling them all would take WAY too long)!

Any visit to Ocracoke is brightened by one’s mere arrival!  As I mentioned in our kick-off announcement, there is a certain “falling away” of the day-to-day once you are on the Ferry.  After the ponderous vessel delivers you to the dock on OCR, the sense of having “arrived” is palpable – the air feels different, the screech and swoop of the gulls and pelicans like a song in a foreign language, and the sense of being on “island time” enrobes body and mind.  So I guess my 1^st favorite thing is the location itself!

You are HERE!

Our Home Away from Home

We already knew and loved the place (both the Island and our home for the week).  Another thing that made our time in May so wonderful was that we were not merely “in” place, but extra effort was put into being “of” this beautiful place for the time that we were there, as well.  In planning for this event, we included the people and places that make their lives here.  In this way, we were able to show our guests more than a vacation destination – we were able to bring them up close and personal with the ‘real life’ of the island.  From bringing special guests in as speakers at the house, to Field Trips to take in the unique character of the Village, to obtaining our shrimp for our final dinner from the Waterman’s Association – we elevated our visitors to at least one or two rungs above “Dingbatter Status”

A favorite stop on any visit to Ocracoke:
the cozy confines of Books to be Red!

Bringing together a group of women from ALL over the country added another layer of wonderment to our time together.  Only ONE of our guests had ever been to Ocracoke before.  It was very special to see each of them experiencing this place for the first time!  Who but a group of artists would turn viewing a glorious sunset into art itself?

The first of many gatherings on our sound-front beach
to watch the sun slip away

Sunset as Art

 For as long as I can remember, time in the kitchen has been a special refuge for me.  Long before there was “art,” there was this space – a space that afforded me a sense of calm, a place to relax and create, a place to serve (in the most literal sense – ha!)  This trip amplified my love of KP duty to new level.  Meal times were times that saw us all come together – unified by a table full of good food and laughter.  Another favorite thing:  mealtimes!  Not only for the food (which was SPOT ON all week), but for the joy of interconnectedness that infused each coming together. 

 

Ready for the Dinner crowd!
...BBQ chicken for 12, with all the trimmings?  No problem!

After dinner lingering...

Speaking of “connections,” my soul thrilled to see this group morph into a cohesive “being” as we progressed through the week.  It sounds unreal to say that I witnessed the creation of a virtual family in the space of 5 days by the sea – but I DID!  We had the supreme joy of watching as strangers became friends who then became sisters.  They shared their stories and themselves – never hesitating to offer a hand (to both their fellow attendees as well as to their Hosts).  Amid the fully packed schedule, they found pockets of time to do their own thing and try new things together.  It was beautiful to behold!

Crossing the Dunes
...a morning of discovery at the Beach

Spontaneous Dancing
...what's NOT to love?

Memories in the making!
...a beautiful find on our trip to the beach

Evenings in the Parlor
...one of EVERYBODY'S Favorite Things from May!

Finally *mayhap a tiny bit selfishly(?),* I experienced a true “first” – something that I long to experience again and again!  For the 1^st time ever, I witnessed my work in a new way:  someone wearing both (a) a piece they made in a class with me, AND (b) a piece I made, that they liked enough to make their own!  It made my brain do a happy dance, indeed!

Both a Favorite Memory
and a personal first!

So much for brevity in my stream of recollecting (ha!)  Want to see even more incredible Memories of May?  Head over to the ReMe Blog for the 2^nd portion of this weeks Hop!  Don’t forget to leave a comment for your chance to WIN my “Little Leather Booklace” – a fully functional book you can wear!  The drawing for this weeks giveaway will take place on Sunday evening (June 22^nd), and will be announced next Monday!

Comment at the ReMe Blog
for your chance to make
this Little Leather Booklace your own!

There's more yet to see!
Visit the ReMe Blog for"the rest of the story!"

Onward & Upward!

Words of wisdom for today:

"When you wish someone joy,
you wish them peace,
love, prosperity, happiness...
all the good things."

                                    - Maya Angelou

An Art-full Month Was May

Goodness, gracious!  Can you believe it is already JUNE!?  I can NOT!  It seems like only moments ago May was on the horizon, filled to bursting with all the creative wanderlust I had lovingly plotted on my calendar months and months ago.  It also seems like I was away almost as much as I was around for month of May.  I can hear my sweet Grandma, clear as bell, exclaiming "My stars!"

On the Road Again...

It was a grand month, indeed; loaded as it was with the most lovely continuation it what appears to be "The Year of Firsts!"  ...and it was as full of creative happiness as it was 1sts of all kinds!  *I marvel daily at the copious good fortune that laces my days together!*  As it seems that I am geographically removed from virtually all of my endeavors by various fractions of hours, May also included a fair amount of mileage -- what The Man and I refer to as "Windshield Time" (or WT).  In addition to the opportunity to enjoy a good audio book, I welcome WT for the respite it provides from the rush and scurry -- it is a most wonderful time to revel in the visual merriments of greenery & sky, constantly morphing clouds, and the inevitable folly of my fellow human beans as we traverse the byways heading hither and yon.

May began with a much anticipated trip to the most lovely Ocracoke, NC.  After what seemed endless preparation, the actual event was upon us; the resultant triumph of our collective efforts has Jean, Jodi, Theresa, and I still in awe of the wonderment that is ReMe Retreats!  We have hatched a fiendishly fine plot for extending the enjoyment of that magical time, and I have included more info on that a little further on...

Tools of the Trade
...for the traveling book binder

The merry month of May also marked the beginning of my return to Workshop Instruction at Jerry's Artarama in Raleigh for the year.  My offerings this year number FOUR (for complete details, visit the "Where to Find Me" tab, above)!  I really like the fact that our workshops are usually prefaced by a turn at the Try Me Table a week or two before class(es).  I thoroughly enjoyed my stint in Demo Mode prior to this months class.  I love meeting folks as they come into the store, curious about the "live arting" taking place.

My workshop this month was entitled "Long MAY you Wave."  We created kinetic color wheels using the Flag Book form.  It was great fun, and I had the pleasure of meeting new folks who share my love of books; additionally, I was able to enjoy a day with an existing friend who was excited to learn a new thing!  Bonuses abounded as we whiled away the day in an exploration of color, texture, and formation of a dynamic structure.  I do love the process of sharing/teaching!
I had the further good fortune to enjoy part of the weekend with dear friends (along with fantastic dinner and wine) and fellow instructors (for an afternoon of fellowship, food, and creative free play), which all combined to make a fitting end to a month of utter marvelousness!

Here's another of those "firsts" for you!

Standing at the helm of this fresh new month, I am tickled to announce that a Re-Cap of the finest order is now underway!  I hope you will join me along with Jean, Jodi, and Theresa for our Memories of May Blog Hop, as we look back at the wonderments of our very first ReMe Retreat.  Every Monday in the month of June we will take turns sharing our favorite memories, photos, and stories from ReMe - Ocracoke, May '14.  The journey begins on our individual blogs, and continues at the ReMe blog; there we will share the experiences of our Students as they share their favorite memories, photos, and stories from the week.  If all of this doesn't have you looking forward to next Monday, there is more!  Each week will present you with the opportunity to win work from each of us in a prize drawing!  All of the details are available in this weeks post at the ReMe blog.
 

Join us for the Memories of May Blog Hop...every Monday in June!

I'll be back soon with more on all that June has in store.  Until then,

Onward & Upward,

Words of wisdom for today:

"When we give cheerfully
and accept gratefully,
everyone is blessed."

                                    - Maya Angelou

Photo Notes:

    On the Road & Tools  - taken with my trusty Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS1

    Remainder - taken with the Samsung Galaxy S4 Android 

    ReMe Group Shot - by Deborah Belica

Mea culpa...

Hale and hearty greetings, Blog Land!

In my last post, I enthused o'er my new-found technological doo-dad that would allow me to blog from my travels across the sea to Seoul.  Upon landing and getting settled in, I realized that the doo-dad was at home -- many miles/hours away *oops!*  "No worries," I said to myself upon returning home, "I'll get a post up before the next Big Thing (a.k.a. the inaugural gathering of ReMe students/guests in Ocracoke)."  Alas, time did fly amidst the preparations for said Big Thing, and no post was forthcoming.

I have now returned from THAT adventure with even MORE goodness to share, and felt it only right and proper to let you know that it is coming -- all in good time *or...  all in my best efforts to be timely (?)*

It would appear that my 46th year is to be A Year of Great Firsts!  I look forward to sharing each of them with you, right here!  One of them is actually happening right now *multitasking to the Nth degree, today!*  So...  I will leave you with a few 'sneak peeks' of the visual merriments that are to come, and we can look forward to a lengthier visit in the not too distant future!

Magical Moments with Meggie
...snippets of the time spent in Seoul with our sweet girl!

Scenes from ReMe - Ocracoke, May '14
...barely scratching the surface of the wonderments of the week!

More coming, soon!  

Onward & Upward,

Words of wisdom for today:

"I am not the same having seen the moon shine
on the other side of the world."

                                    - Mary Anne Radmacher

Photo Notes:

    All Photos  - taken with Samsung Galaxy S4

    ReMe Group Shot - by Deborah Belica

...just a song before I go...

So much goodness, and the time seems to pass more quickly every day...  The past couple of weeks have flown by in a flurry of work on every front!  I have been riding a wave of utter joy; mind, hands, and heart occupied with the various tasks at hand.  All the while, marveling over the fact that in x days I would be on the other side of the world!?  The Girl and I are SO very excited, and tomorrow is The Day (!)

In addition to being busy in general, some way cool changes have come into the routine here on the homestead.  The Man and I have started "Greening" -- "Somoothie-ing" just sounds weird *ha!*  Inspired and encouraged by the experiences of a couple of friends, I broached the subject of "juicing" a few weeks ago.  To my utter surprise, The Man agreed to give it a try.  After loads o' research, we decided on the NutriBullet.  We are both beyond pleased with this decision!  To my further amazement, he has *quite bravely* enthusiastically embraced this epicurean adventure.  Now we *who virtually never ate breakfast* have been juicing our way into every day for the past two weeks (less our runaway weekend to The Beer & Bacon Festival, of course)!

Green goodness - now served daily!

 

Even in so short a time, we have both experienced noticeable results:  increased energy, less desire for "junk" during the day, clearer skin, and a bit of weight loss.  All of which is pretty much a side benefit, as our primary reason for starting this was to increase our intake of 'good stuff' -- we now begin our day with more fruit & vegetable content than we were ingesting in a whole day!  ...amazing, really.  Between the booklet that came with the machine, the recipes from their Blog, and a general idea of what works well together I have been daily concocting highly palatable green beverages that have us both feeling incredible!  I am really going to miss this beginning to the day while I am away.

I took some time today to construct a vessel for the Big Adventure.  It turned out to be a grand, chunky affair -- with plenty of room for notes, sketches, photos, and the sundry accumulations of interesting bits guaranteed when traveling.  

 

It's a lovely mashup of assorted things I already had.

A handy pocket holds daily cards, pre-punched for easy addition
to the proper area when needed.

Washi tapes, at the ready, housed on the empty backing sheets
from used shipping labels.

An assortment of decorative papers, watercolor paper, linedwriting papers, and blank card stock all come together in a
substantial, handy, totally customized Travel Journal!

Another nifty travel arrangement:  I found a fabulous Bluetooth keyboard that works with both my phone and my tablet *schweeet!*  In case you may wonder, gentle reader, why this matters in the least it is this:  I will be equipped and ready for Blogging Abroad!  Camera packed, tablet and charger at the ready, and a handy-dandy power converter (along with an equally spiffy Global Data Plan); I will embark fully fortified as a Life Reporter.  With my gadgets and my swell journal in hand, my memories shall be well attended to; I look forward to sharing the sights, as I venture to the adopted land of my *not so* wee one!  I am one lucky gal -- and I know it!  When I set out on the morrow for the grandest trip to date, I will venture forth wrapped in the loving thoughts and best wishes of a cadre of family and friends, and the hearty blessings and amazing love of my Beloved.  It really doesn't get much better than that!

Love, good wishes, and plenty of portable sanitary goods!
Life is good, indeed.

I'll be seeing you!

Onward & Upward,

Words of wisdom for today:

 

 

Photo Notes:
   All Photos in this Post - taken with Samsung Galaxy S4
   Words of Wisdom - from GrowingBolder.com