I had a backlog of photos on my camera that I needed to upload this morning, and the timing was perfect because it appears I have a whole entire day to myself, which doesn't happen very often. I'm up in the big bed still in my nightie with the computer on my lap. It's cool outside and the light is flat and wonderful; I can see the trees through the guest room windows down the hall. Andy and Amelia are running around outside; I heard them take Clover out earlier, and I heard music coming from the wagon. I think they must have also been trimming the jungle that is the side yard under the bedroom window. It's no matter to me — I'm off duty after a whole lotta on-duty and it feels lovely.
We've had such nice adventures so far this summer. Andy's mother, Sue, and our niece Brooke were here for a short week a while back and it was such a nice visit. It had been several years since Brooke was here — Amelia was about nine or then months old the last time, we figured. What an utter delight to see these two wonderful young ladies and their grandma getting to spend time together in real life, I can't even tell you. I'm so grateful that they made the long trip out here. How blessed we are to be able to share such nice days, as the weather has been the absolute ultimate. We spent their last day here at the Japanese Garden and it was exquisite.
Since then, Andy and Amelia and I and sometimes just Amelia and I have been going to parks and the river and the woods and the berry farm and the ice cream place and just hanging out and literally basking in the perfect weather. You can do anything in this weather! Anything! It's so excellent that naturally a small, niggling part of me is also living in a constant state of near-panic that it will change any minute, and the temperatures will rise, and the fires will start and the air will turn smoky, as is my style of enjoyment. I know it is coming. But for now, we saunter and linger waterside, under this holy green canopy, stuffing our mouths with tayberries and soft-serve.
Amelia just made and brought me a ham sandwich with a side of stale taco-flavored Doritos and a little handful of M&Ms. Breakfast of champions.
Thank you for your kind comments on my studio re-do!!! I've been in there only a little bit this week but gosh, it's really making me so happy. I think it will change a bit as I use it, and some of you who didn't like it as much have some interesting points. But I was so ready for the change and I love it. I'm still not happy with the overhead light in there, but I am going to work on that. I'm thinking of getting some colored window film for the skylights. Not sure if I should get yellow, or orange, or the salmon pink. . . . Probably yellow. Or maybe a pretty decorative one. . . .
I want to make Amelia something special for her birthday this year, and I know I need to start thinking about it now. I'm thinking about maybe a new Calicozy comforter. Or some other kind of quilt, maybe log cabin? She will need some new sweaters and hat and mittens for fall, too. She's getting so big. I miss making lots of clothes for her. She likes the stuff I pick and would definitely still wear anything I made for her, but I haven't spent the time doing it. I want to get back to it, before she really really won't wear the stuff I make.
I need to make a giant to-do list and get myself back on track. I feel like sparks are shooting out of my head and then fizzing to void before I can fully notice them. My mental bandwidth has felt narrow for quite some time, but I really want some of it back. Working on it. Not sure where to start.
Beautiful greens, and I can almost feel how ideal the weather is... I hope it keeps.
Oh how I love your photos of the river! They take me straight back to my childhood when we took day trips to the Merced river running through Yosemite park. The water was swift over the rocks but when you found that one deep slow patch it was glorious. Summer!
The " wilding of the child" ... How wise you are to expose Amelia to the natural world.
I had to bite my tongue, Alicia,, at some of the comments about your studio being bland. I truly believe you've created an environment that won't compete with your creative thoughts & impulses. Ideally, 'peace' is where we start our creative process.
Enjoy every moment of your perfect summer weather. XOXO Mary
Wonderful photos once again! Going to suggest a quilted sleeping bag that can be unzipped to be a coverlet. Pillow too perhaps. Just my 2 cents. Enjoy your days...
I thoroughly enjoyed each and every image. I always try to figure out where you are when you're at a river and I did identify the one near the soft ice cream place.. I'm lucky as it's only 7 minutes from our house. If you drive out this way towards Vista House, take a left at the blinking light in the little town nearest the Sandy and drive up and on the right you'll see our red barn. :-) Our road goes right back onto the HCRH at the east end. I think your studio is perfect and the reason is - you designed it and picked all the colors and things.. so it's all YOU. I really wonder why anyone would think their ideas supercede yours who will be working in it. I grew up in McMinnville and used to ride my bike out into the countryside and wade in Baker Creek and caught crawdads too. You are giving her the perfect childhood. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
We got a solar-tube skylight for our previously cave-like bathroom, and we used stage light covers to turn the light from cold to normal. The color was just the softest peach, but it really made a difference. :)
hello! Your summer pics are so calm and magical! I feel like I am privy to a secret world where fairies and elves might live! Your state is so GREEN! Anyway, you might check out the 'Anne of Green Gables' fabric line at Fat Quarter. It might be just the thing for a new quilt for herself!
xox
Lovely green of summer! Slow down, life, so we can enjoy the peaceful moments a bit longer! Thank you for sharing your lovely pictures, and....those freckles!!! So sweet!
All that green! I'm glad your good weather is holding. I hope you can find the time to create for your girl. Your creations are always so pretty.
Your photographs are beautiful. They transported me to memories of visiting Oregon.
I know you have a lot on your plate all the time but geez, you really should consider teaching photography composition. Your shots are always great.
It looks like you are having a very lovely summer and I'm happy to hear the weather is staying nice and comfortable. I could go for a cone of soft serve ice cream with sprinkles right now, as it's 95 degrees where I live and we are stuck inside because it's too hot to go outside! Happy 4th of July to you and your family!
This has been such lovely weather, hasn't it! We went on Monday to a walk on the Salmon River Trail, a place I discovered thanks to you :). But I'm mainly here to say that I went and read some comments on your space makeover, and EGADS! It's appalling people can be so rude and inconsiderate: "What I think doesn't matter..." ....well then keep it to yourself! Sheesh! My insides are churning in crabbiness right now. For what it's worth, I think your space looks light and inviting. Personally I have lately found myself craving light and white in spaces, which the younger me would have been truly aghast at.
I love your new studio! And I love how much you love it! :) It's very pleasing to the eye.
If you don't have screens on your skylights, that might be a possibility. We have two skylights in our living room and when a storm damaged the screens that were there, we had insurance money to pay for new ones (because, the storm did more than damage the screens...LOL). Having them off the windows, I realized how much they diffused the light and yet we can still see out the windows, and they still let in plenty of light.
Love your blog, Alicia, and following Amelia as she grows up into SUCH A BIG GIRL! I have to compliment you on your studio redo. I do have one comment on adding film to the skylight, however, and that is: think hard about it. Adding a colored film to your natural light will visually change all the colors you use in your studio for needlecrafts, kits, etc.. This, perhaps is not what you anticipate. If the light seems too "glary" for you, consider adding a white pleated shade inside the skylight to diffuse the light coming in. It mounts inside a track just inside the skylight, and you can move it aside, if you need more light occasionally. I had one in a condo I had in California, and it worked well. Keep up the great work and enjoy your perfect summer days!
You take the most heavenly photos. I always wish I was in the lush, green areas as seen on your adventures. I too am from the Chicago area, but moved to AZ many years ago. I do not love the desert, but it's where my family lives. Just wanted to thank you for always posting such wonderful photos.
P.S. You daughter is beautiful
Your Husband looks just like his Mother!!
Yep! That’s a familiar feeling! Soooooo many things to do, not enough time. Enjoy the weather and the fun-filled summer days, the To Do list will work itself out somehow, it always does!
also, your studio is glorious. You have such an eye for creating a pleasant space. Well done you!! I’m not sure why anyone would say differently....
It's true, there will be a time our children decide they don't want to wear the clothes we made them, anymore. But until now you must take advantage of her acceptance still. You make gorgeous things for her and she looks so happy and shinny on all the pictures. I believe you'll decide what to do for her birthday and it will be great, as ususal. Thank you for sharing these awesome pictures.
Your photos are a great reminder to search out and enjoy local treasures. So glad you are having such a lovely start to your summer!
Re skylight...have you considered wrapping a frame with Japanese Paper, or some other light filtering material, and suspending it in the opening? Your studio is a good combo of efficiency and aesthetics, well done!
I am looking at these photos and thinking that you have no mosquitoes there. Since July came, my children can look at the garden from inside but cannot go outside. I am in Canada. It sucks. Snow will be here in four months. Yet I do appreciate your beautiful photos, your girl has grown so big now! I have followed your blog from before she was born.
When I saw the photo of Amelia with her grandmother and cousin, I assumed they were members of her birth family since they looked so much alike!
I love the image of ideas just shooting out of you and fizzling away like fireworks. I have that experience a lot, so many great ideas (and to-dos) that are gone before I can capture them.
Unless you like a really big to do list, can I recommend making two based on the urgency of getting them done. For me, when I see one massive list I lose my motivation.
I absolutely love your studio! Constructive comments can be ok, but rudeness is never ok and when that is the case, people should not make a comment! I'll never understand why people think it's ok. Regardless, it's great you have a wonderful, remodeled studio! Your summer days sound nice and here in Northern CA, our weather has been perfect-like yours. I know it won't stay that way and soon, it'll be sooo very hot. We all worry about fires and I hope that we will not see any of those in the west! I am attempting to organize, but it'll take me months to accomplish this and I have to save some time for my hobbies - ha, ha. Thanks for sharing your pics and a bit of your cozy life with us!
Love all your photos Alicia but those from the river really speaks of peacefulness! Wish they had similar place around here so we could take our granddaughter. Cute chickens! You do a great job with the photography. I have been following your work since 2012. I love your creativity! That has to be your husband's mother, he looks so much like her. Peace and rest in these warm Summer days!
Hi Alicia,
I have read for many years and so enjoy your photos and writing; I've never written a comment before, but having read that you are considering a window film I just wanted to point you in the direction of my good friend's business. She designs and produces beautiful, made to measure, window film:
https://www.blossomandbrush.com
She is such a talented artist and I think you'll love her designs.
All the best,
Kathie