Happiness for the holidays

Cave Point, 2010   

The holidays approach oh-so-quickly! In fact, we're already in the midst of all the festive parties and building beautiful memories with friends and family. All sorts of moments have warmed my heart - by the hearth - and I look forward to the approaching celebrations of the next few days.

Tonight, presents will be wrapped, ornaments will be find their rightful place on the tree and a handmade glistening wreath (with thanks to my creative friends) will be added to the living room "gallery."

December has been busy and bountiful. I send out gratitude and joy to all for our gifts, significantly the one right outside the window - Lake Michigan - lovely lady that she is.

Wandered

Quilted, 2010

Last week Sunday, I took an opportunity to wander out into winter. I had a mental list of destinations, a warm coat and my walking boots. It had been too long since embarking on such a meander, and it was well worth it.

Destination one was the Holiday Artisan Market at Discovery World, where I found kind folks, a serendipitous St. Nick's Day gift and the memory of a tasty cupcake, which I'd enjoyed the day before. Much of Saturday was also spent at Discovery World with family enjoying the electrifying and fascinating Tesla Lives performance and the museum's informative exhibits. We enjoyed the evening in the Pilot House listening to Great Lakes singer and storyteller Lee Murdock.

Destination two would be the brand new HoverCraft at Bay View Brew Haus - another enticing local craft fair that helped me do some holiday (and otherwise) shopping while supporting local artists, hearing great music and testing yummy cheese buregs. The path there was as much an item on my day's list as the terminus. I took the long way - walking via Lakeshore State Park, under the Hoan Bridge, through the Fifth Ward and down KK Avenue. Photos and detours were taken.

By the end of my day, I'd walked over eight miles (yay!!!), enjoyed the journey as much as the destinations, got to see Laura and April's Living Photo Booth Project in action, and procured some enameled seahorse earrings.

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

watercolor by Racine artist Joyce Ottum

I would like to begin this blog as simply as possible with an image of December beauty, with thanks to the artist Joyce Ottum. She has many fans in the Racine area, and is in the collection of the Racine Art Museum. Her private collectors can often be heard saying things like, "I have 9 Joyce Ottums!"

In the interest of full disclosure, I'm very proud to say she's my grandmother and very talented. She worked as a fashion illustrator for publications and daily newspapers before fashion photography changed the industry. While best known now for her impressionist landscapes, I adore the pieces that show her background in illustration. Joyce captures fleeting gestures and postures brilliantly.

And, her memories are fascinating. I'd probably have months of blogging if I just shared her life stories. 

On future days, I hope to talk about all the people, moments and things of beauty that bring me joy. I will do so with gratitude.