Sometimes . . .

Sometimes . . .

I just want to shut myself off from the world

Stay in my pajamas ... all the day long

Take a nap in the middle of the afternoon

Not talk to anyone for hours and hours

Read a scrumptious book from cover to cover

Stitch for hours uninterrupted

and watch what unfolds on the linen piece

Sit at my beloved Tapestry Loom

and weave and weave and weave

while watching the image come alive

onto the warp

Sometimes I just don't want to think

Sometimes all I want is to just sit 

quietly alone

Breathing in all the thoughts

that pass me by

(For they are all life nuggets of knowledge)

Trying to absorb life as it touches me

Sitting quietly in prayer and meditation

listening to what God has in store for me

Sometimes life is just moving

too quickly

It is hard to grasp all that is thrown at me

I'm trying to get this life thing right

I want to never turn on the television

and hear all the heart breaking 

turn of events.

I turn the ringer off my phone ...

just to grab a moment of quiet

for social media can drown me 

only if I allow it to

Sometimes I want to take long walks

in the outdoors,

breathing in the beauty that surrounds me;

forgetting the "stuff" that is furiously chasing me.

It feels good to be outdoors

for nature is God's true gift to us all

it is where I truly slow down

to pause and listen.

Nature is free and a gift to us all

Sometimes seems like a heavy word 

at times

then at other times it is the 

gift of hope and possibility

How are you feeling today?

Do you take the time to slow down,

to listen to your heart soul

and what it is saying to you?

Sometimes I wish we could meet face to face

and share a cup of hot tea together,

sharing our thoughts and desires

with one another.

Feel free to leave them here in the

comments if you like,

I'll be here.

Donna Lee

Stepping Gently

 A window view in Washington, NC

Summer is such an amazing time,

there is so much to do,

a relaxed feeling each day,

beautiful sunshine,

vacations and mini getaways,

hot temperatures

and an awakening of the spirit.

People seem happier

and

more relaxed to me!

There are gatherings with family,

vacations and times to slow down from the norm.

More books are read for sure

and 

many more naps in hammocks, right?

Even my Josie Grace finds time to chill

It is already mid August

and I find myself wanting to step gently

for the rest of the summer.

My tapestry camp is over

(and I looked so forward to that!),

we were able to sneak in a day trip to the OBX,

it was our first trip this summer :(

Finding time for a little play at the ocean

We have had so much going on

with our family this summer,

and we are learning to appreciate

each and every day and moment.

Stepping gently has taught me so much.

I look at the wonder around me

and appreciate all that I am seeing!

Here are just a few of my favorites:

My birthday is fast approaching and I will be 60 years old!!!

It will be on August 21st

and I must say it is a very special day this year,

there is a full eclipse!

I call that pretty special don't you?

So in the meantime,

I will continue to look at my surroundings

with a keen eye of appreciation

for all that I see,

I will step gently and quietly,

calming my heart and my spirit each day.

It is so important!

I am totally smitten with my new

Midori Traveler's Notebook,

and am recording my thoughts,

dreams and desires inside the pages.

I'm sketching, writing poetry,

collecting quotes and so much more!

It goes everywhere with me,

and it feels so good in my hands.

Have you heard about them?

They are all the rage for journalers these days.

Here is a link to the one I purchased!

(There is something yummy about red leather!)

Last, but NEVER least ...

I am weaving a little bit each day,

making my time at the loom special.

I have committed to weaving something each morning,

and I must say it starts my day off perfectly.

Weaving always calms my spirit

and I can get so easily lost in the process.

I am still trying to finish up

my woven sampler I started

at Tapestry Camp a few weeks ago,

I'm not rushing at all,

just trying new techniques

and working them out.

My new Lani 8" loom is portable,

and I am enjoying weaving time

outside on the deck!

Weaving row by row and learning along the way

My finished sample of techniques

Dear friend stop and pause,

if only for a moment.

Enjoy this season of fun and play,

relax your spirit,

find time to step gently . . .

Look at the beauty around you

and embrace what is right in front of you.

Don't be too busy,

distracted by your phone in your hand,

put it down,

embrace a slower pace.

Summer is a gift we are given,

what are you doing with it this season?

Donna Lee

Good Morning February!

A recent watercolor play of mine

Today we woke up to a new day,

a new month,

the second month of our new year!

I love beginnings don't you?

This is a great time to stop and re-group, again!

Your January is gone,

you made all kinds of promises and goals for yourself,

how did that go for you?

One month gone . . . ask yourself if you are still on track???

If you were honest with yourself, 

you would probably say NO you are not,

like me!

My January was filled with creativity,

caring for family,

emotions about our nation's future,

a bronchitis slow down for days,

reconnection with friends

and so much more.

So here are a few thoughts running through my head . . .

Election years create turmoil...

I'm exhausted from it all

Creating Art is healing for the soul ...

spending time in the studio is a gift

Spending time in quiet is much needed ...

I just need to hear myself think

Leaving the television off is a good thing ...

The news is so biased and negative

Staying away from social media is an even better thing ...

I'm tired of Facebook ranting for sure

My Grand babies love is the best gift ever ...

their smiles and hugs are just what I need

Not always expressing my thoughts out loud is good for me ...

it is definitely a form of discipline

Watercolor painting is soothing and gentle ... 

It grants a certain kind of peace within

I am a bit overwhelmed with what is happening around me ...

I feel like I'm losing my grounding a bit

I know I need to surround myself with positive souls ...

 Stay away from emotional vampires

There is so much beauty in our world ...

You just have to look for it to see

So happy beginning of a new month today!

May you step a little lighter

Smile at a few more people along the way

Find time to love others

and

be good to yourself as well.

Take the time to give yourself what you need right now!

 Watercolor version #2

I'll be here next week for sure!

Donna Lee 

Celebrating Life

Breakfast in the Cabin

This past weekend I celebrated my 40th Anniversary!

January 15, 1977 I married my surfer boy

and we have been together ever since!

Yes there are always bumps along the way,

but ours have been pretty easy bumps!

We traveled to the Blue Ridge Mountains,

I wanted to stay in a cabin near the mountains,

and my hubby made all the plans.

We stayed at Steele's Tavern Manor

and it was everything we wanted and more!

Our cabin was situated on a beautiful pond,

with cows in the background,

beautiful blue herons

and a peaceful path to walk.

 Our beautiful home for three days

 It's just about the simple things that thrill me!

 Our cottage by the Pond

 Josie enjoyed our Anniversary trip too!

 Hearing the sounds of MOO in the mornings across the pond

We traveled into the town of Lexington,

with its quaint shops and rich history!

We ate delicious food

and visited nearby attractions for the day!

What a charming town!

You know I had to hit every gallery

and art shop there was!

 The buildings were so charming!

We entered the Blue Ridge Parkway,

but it was such a cloudy day we couldn't see anything,

it was a bit disappointing but we made the best of it!

We even decided to turn around,

(mountains, fog and me aren't a good combination)

It was a bit scary to say the least!

 Here we go!

There was so much inspiration around us,

we made the best of a rainy misty day!

I was totally intrigued by this stone wall,

it will become a tapestry for sure!

 Tapestry and Color Inspiration

 Geese by the waterfall

 Jimmy and Josie (my two J & J's)

I carried my Hokett Loom with me for

some tapestry weaving,

and the surroundings outside were so peaceful

and relaxing, I enjoyed having my loom with me

early mornings.

Tapestry weaving is such a quiet art,

I fall more in love with it each and every day!

Weaving by the pond

I believe we must celebrate life in every way 

that we can.

Celebrate the monumental steps in your journey,

celebrate even the small daily wins!

Make the most of the time you are given,

each and every day.

There is so much goodness out there,

if only you will see!

I am truly grateful that I have a

passionate heart.

I have been through some tough stuff during

this lifetime,

but each time I came out on the other side,

stronger, wiser and willing to lead others,

from my own experiences.

Life is all about what you make of it.

Early morning coffee and quiet

So make the best of where you are in your life

at this very moment, 

enjoy the simplicities

that this life can also give to you

and please . . .

don't waste a minute of it. 

I challenge you to celebrate your life,

with all it's complexities

and joys that come with it.

We can learn so much about ourselves

when we get away,

slow down and listen.

I think that is going to be my theme for this new year.

I had a beautiful getaway

and now we are back home and digging into routine once more.

It was truly awesome to get away,

alone and together!

May your week be full of good stuff!

Donna Lee

Summer Slow Down

Zentangle on the Beach

It was a beautiful weekend,

full of yummy goodness!

My husband Jimmy turned 60 years old!

We celebrated with a family Tides baseball game (his request)

and Gelato from Strawberry Fields afterward.

It was a wonderful celebration,

how we love our family!

Gotta have a selfie at the ball game!

Photo compliments of Heather Wynn Photography!

Greeting Jimmy when we arrived to Strawberry Fields

(It certainly helps that your kids own the shop!)

Saturday was absolutely perfect weather,

I started my early morning

weaving on my deck.

I so wanted to finish my Mirrix Loom Weave-A-Long

and I had just 2 1/2" to go ... easy right?

Wow it took me a very long time but it was worth it,

I finished!

With a cup of coffee nearby, the birds singing 

and a gentle breeze it wasn't that hard.

I don't want to even think of how many hours I have put into

this Tapestry Project.

As I have written before, it taught me many things.

I totally loved the challenge!

Found a new place to weave ... outside!

Well my 2 1/2" turned into almost three hours,

sure I was up and down;

but I steadily wove during that time.

Now I needed to cut it off the loom,

and assemble it!

Cut off the loom and finishing it up

My complete work ... hand sewn and beautiful!

A true treasure for me!

Saturday I was quiet at home,

taking care of this project,

my puppy and cleaning.

Much needed for sure!

We have been running so much I was

reminded how good it is to just slow down,

care for my home, my family and myself.

Summer does that for us.

It gives us permission to slow way down.

In a world of hustle bustle most of the time,

here we have been given a season of taking it easier.

Sunshine, beaches, reading books, laying in the sun,

tending to our gardens,

delicious salads and yummy light foods,

quietness in our own backyards,

time with family,

time to nap,

create art, write poetry.

Time to just soak in all the goodness of life.

There is something magical about a sand dune!
I never grow tired of seeing them.

My Sunday was the ending of a perfect weekend.

Worship at my beloved Trinity Church

with family and friends,

started packing for my Outer Banks Week

and then a quick trip to the ocean,

Sandbridge Beach,

just twenty minutes away.

Dinner out for some seafood,

Zentangle® on the Beach,

and a quick swim.

The perfect ending to a perfect weekend!

May your summer be filled with

all good things.

Take the time to slow down,

be good to your own self,

re-prioritize what's important.

Thanks for taking the time to visit with me,

I cherish you and writing!

Donna Lee

The Art of Seeing

Entitled "True Vision"

I was recently able to attend

a Thursday morning

art inspiration time

with my Calligraphy teacher and mentor

Betsy Rivers Kennedy

at the beautiful One 11 Art Gallery

It was a simple two hour workshop

entitled

"Zen of Seeing"

What a treat it was for me!

We gathered quietly at the art table,

and began with a quiet exercise

of drawing for a twenty minute time period

(I was able to share my new app Insight Timer from my iPhone),

The directions were to look at the still life (below)

she had set up for us.

The only thing we were to do

was draw what we saw,

never looking at our work,

letting our eyes tell the story,

not picking up our pen

and NO TALKING!

We slowly drew,

listened to beautiful music 

softly playing in the background.

It taught me for sure to 

slow myself down,

after hurriedly trying to get to class!

Our Still Life to work with

My little finished piece

We then took the time to share with each other

 our drawings and explain how that felt

not being able to look at our work while drawing.

It is truly amazing what your eye tells your hand

Betsy's demo with Inktense blocks

She then took Intense blocks

and just colored a few areas of her drawing,

she then used a spray bottle of water on top,

and blew the water colors around,

it was so spontaneous and lovely!

(Of course now Intense blocks are on my art wish list!)

The second exercise was even more exciting to me,

she pulled out her large collection of colored inks

it was like a candy store!

Betsy's collection of colors

We were asked to chose three colors that spoke to us,

this certainly took a little time,

there were so many choices!

Betsy then demonstrated watering down

a sheet of paper,

adding ink drops of color to the paper

and then we put saran wrap over the colors,

allowing to dry outside

(it was a most beautiful morning that day!)

Betsy's demo

My color choices

Smearing the colors

After our colors had dried, we then had

a beautiful sheet of ink colored paper to work with

then the fun began ...

Betsy demonstrated and talked about different

ink pens to work with, and I was tickled

to try some new pens, I am so used to the

Micron pens with my Zentangle ....

She then began to demonstrate how to start outlining,

shapes and objects from the dried splotches on the paper,

the Zen of seeing ... enjoying the process.

We weren't able to finish our drawings

in class, but here is mine ...

 My complete work!

I enjoyed this process so much

and I have learned even more since I purchased

the book Betsy recommended to us

The Zen of Seeing by Frederick Frank

(inside the manuscript is completely handwritten!)

What a treasure to add to my creative library

Awesome book recommendation

I learned and experienced way more than I thought I would,

on a simple Thursday morning!

I was thrilled to have some time off that day,

and that there was an opening in her class!

I could have just stayed home and done housework,

but where is the fun in that?

Reach out, find a fun little workshop to attend,

all the new things you learn can just be added

to your creative toolbox!

Mine is becoming quite full these days!

Donna Lee

living creatively each and everyday!

It's been a little while

My Heart Talisman
Photo taken in Providence, RI

Well I must say it has been a little awhile since I've been here.

This girl needed a break from her blog!

So much has been going on since I took my hiatus . . .

I have written a lot of poetry,

taught a lot of Zentangle classes,

rebuilt my hot yoga practice,

worked on creating my own Mandala style,

got a new MacBook I have been getting used to,

held another Artful Spirit gathering,

I've worked on my book beginning

while finishing up my e-course

The Conscious Booksmith

with Christine Mason Miller

(a must do experience!!),

I took another session of

Sketchbook Skool,
and have fallen in love
with sketching and watercolor!
I am observing the world all around me.
I participated in another gathering of
Love Notes Project,

I attended the amazing

Squam in the City,

in Providence, RI,
and was able to reconnect with
amazing and precious friends,

I cut my work week

down to three days a week

but most important of all ...

My second grandchild was born,

Grayson Blake Wynn!

So my life is amazingly and wonderfully full!
Being a Grandmom really rocks!
I have so much I want to share with Annabelle and Grayson.

I think I have my hands full!

With fall comes a time to slow down,

appreciate the season change, 

it is truly my favorite time of year.

I gave to myself the gift of quiet,
the act of slowing down as much as I could,
putting the computer aside,

I cut out as much as I could

and concentrated on living more simply.
I am restored and life is still full.

What I did miss was writing on my blog,
sharing my thoughts and life moments,
my artistic adventures ...
it is good to be home again,
it just feels right.
I've learned so much blogging ...
I have gone back to my beginning posts
and read all the way through,
WOW I have written and experienced so much.
Thanks for being here with me my friend
Donna Lee

Summer Solstice Today

Summer Solstice

The passing of spring

in all of it's freshness

The first day of summer is here

A time for reflection,

renewal and strength.

I welcome you here

my personal

Solstice

Being present in this moment

I am setting new intentions

for my life,

opening the doors

of possibility.

Lighting the sage

being quiet this morning,

thinking and dreaming 

of what will truly be.

I don't just want this

to be an ordinary day!

I want to set it apart 

from all of the rest.

Knowing and trusting

it's significance to me.

I am open ...

I am here ...

 Willing to accept

all that lies ahead of me

with excitement and anticipation.

Summer Solstice

a day unlike any other day!

I will celebrate

in my very own way

this moment.

I am present

with my arms open wide

~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~