to treat one's self

   on a blustery pre-spring day, i list a few notes on how to chase away the lingering winter blues:  wander into the woods at the edge of the house and pick the daffodils that are struggling to bloom.  bring them inside.  place in a random, unexpected place.  take photos.  do not forget to place the buds back in a lovely favorite vase with water, in the sun.   throw caution to the wind and buy a sweet crewelwork pillow with a bird on it for the bed

go to lovely asheville with a cherished best friend on a sunny free day, stumble upon a beloved n.c. potter's mugs with birds on them, throw even more caution to the wind and purchase not one, but two - then fix hot spiced cinnamon tea for two (with a biscuit for walter) the minute we walk back through the door at day's end  after reading this friend's post about journaling, i have vowed to her and to myself to pull out a beloved, abandoned hand made journal from new year's 2006 and begin work in it anew.   i had spent all new year's eve, both day and evening, embroidering the tiny antique beads onto muslin that i had stamped with words, after assembling the book from scratch with an antique speller cover and ledger pages; three weeks later, my brother died, and i hadn't the heart to continue with it.  now, i shall.  at least, i have declared that i shall, and that is a start.
these pages are too treasured to leave abandoned.  i worked too hard to leave the rest of the book undone.
and so, i am listening to myself this late winter afternoon.  i'm paying attention to the need to reconnect with myself, with the book artist that i used to be.  that i still am, deep inside.  that i'll become, with fervor, once again.  i want to write more hand written letters, as well.  last night i wrote a two page letter on vintage onion skin paper to my sister in alabama, simply sharing memories and declaring my sisterly love.  it was with pride that i walked down to the mail box this morning and tucked the stamped envelope inside as a little rain began to fall.  i owe my dear new zealand sis a promised handwritten letter as well, and that comes next.  i want to take the time to stain white paper with tea.  i want to take the time to write by hand about nothing and everything.  and now, i am headed back into the studio, where i am relishing my hours there, sitting at the table that remains uncluttered and clear, pulling this and that out to use in my work, then at day's end putting this and that back up where it belongs, again.  i have draped the wrapped pieces of my artistry around a water-worn root or branch that i carted home from the river; when i saw it washed up on the pebble beach, it was my jewelry that i  envisioned adorning the weathered wood before i ever even picked it up and brought it home; i saw my jewelry quite at home there on its soft, smooth surface.  i saw my jewelry there.  xo 

Comments

[susan]

This is such a joyful post, Nina. It sounds as if you are having some very comforting and peaceful late winter days.
You have made me smile today. Thank you.

xo dusan

[Vickie]

thank you - it is nice to hear the rustle of the pages, the clink of cinnamon bird cups on the table and knowing you bent to pick up the weathered wood. these little things you share make it easier to see the wonder in my everyday life too and be ever grateful.

[Wendy York]

thank you for this post. It is in the simple things that we truly are renewed.

[Sue]

What a fabulous, positive post! I hope to be inspired by it and drag myself out of the 'winter-blues'. I have been far too grumpy lately!

[vickie]

Visit with one's parents on a bright sunny day; photograph a cardinal alight on a bush branch just outside the dining room window; buy a ruffled round green table cloth at the nearby thrift store; play tug with the Boz in the backyard; rework a bracelet that wasn't quite right-not sure it still is(!); read a bit more from Robinson Cruso. Simple joys.
vickie in kc

[Mary]

Beautiful words,photographs. The photo of the daffodils- sublime!
Thank you for this beauty.
Mary

[Tina in McLeansville]

quiet joy with a smattering of strength and determination and a sprinkle of contentment....this is one I will read again and again....beautiful. hugs to you...xo

[sandra]

the seed is about to pop through the soil in a new green form...mmm can feel spring around the corner. this post inspires hope and new ideas.

[dorylyn]

such beauty...thank you.

[herhimnbryn]

Ah, writing real letters to friends and family is such a pleasant experience, isn't it? I go to the local cafe, paper and envelopes tucked into my bag, a favourite pen and some cash for tea. And to get letters in return. Seeing that blue airnail envelope in my post box, bliss.

Thankyou for this post Nina, it has reminded me to buy more good writing paper. xo

[beth]

that beaded cover is beyond gorgeous....and i think i heard it calling your name....xo

[Loretta]

oh my oh my oh my...you have no idea what you have done for my heart by posting this with a pic of your sweet journal. This is the most beautiful part of the ugly Internet - the heart strings that are woven and pulled across many miles and years between "friends" who have only met in real life once, but are sisters to the core.

You have somehow tapped into my brain and nudged me to work on my "saints" journal, the one that I pulled out of the pile and thought, my God, I love this - and how perfect for Lent. Will post pics on my blog by the weekend.

bTW - more synchronicity - Pam Garrison posted about your little journal awhile back and how it inspired her to do the same and she was picking hers up to work on again.

So many ripples from one pebble.

[Molly Vollmer]

Your postings put me in such a meditative mood.

[Katherine Langford]

Yum -- the tea sounded just right for the day. Cherish these epiphanies. The book is absolutely beautiful and will become a treasured repository for your best soul work yet. I am sending a star to grace your night and bird song at dawn. You made me feel so peaceful as I finish grading one Hamlet essay after another hoping to find one lovely gem in the bunch. That makes the task seem lighter. I think I will now make myself some camomile tea and trundle off. Cheers dear Nina - you make a real impression in so many peoples' acquisition of life's beauties. Thank you from my best soul's shout!

[Jan]

Yes, thank you. Your posts always inspire and give pause for thought.

[Cathy Wegner]

I love your pictures and your words. Your book is beautiful! Every time I read your blog, I want to sit down and create. Thank you!!

[Emily]

You sound like you are in such a good place right now.
Carry On!
And, one of things I loved the most about the book "The Paris Wife" was all the letter writing. Of course, this was the only way to communicate from afar during the 1910's, but still it still such a romantic notion....the waiting for a letter in the mail. I hope your sister appreciates hers from you. Enjoy your journaling time.

[delila]

it is +2 celcius in here, although we should have about over -20. mayeb the spring will come here also and soon i can see the spring bulbs i planted, like bridal crown daffodils. you day looks so wonderful Nina! i do love that cup and pillow, so very pretty. it is such a miracle to see bright spring flowers!

[Erin Perry]

The branch is wondrous - an arm of some dryad now adorned with your beautiful creations.
Erin in Morro Bay

[Nelda Ream]

I have been thinking a lot lately about your books, Nina. about the tactile quality of them, about the vintage treasures and the twisted wire you include in them, about the full and overflowing, wonderful juciness of them. I have been thinking of finishing the book I started in your class at ArtFest. I am so glad you are being drawn back to creating books again. It would be wonderful to see any book pages you want to share here.

[gigi]

Beautiful words, beautiful photographs.

[Diana Giambrone]

xox

[julie]

hey, that mug is pretty cool, what a find!! ;)

[Sharron]

Be still my heart! Back to book making, book filling.....life is good...xo

[Mary G.]

What a wonderful post! Yes, it is good to treat yourself well. I bought myself a bunch of tulips yesterday as a treat (not something I usually would do). The first page of your journal was so optimistic . . . here's wishing you a very good year in 2012.

[san d]

"This Shall Be The Year" journal looks exquisite! May your year and pages be filled with hope and much love. :)

[Sophie]

Thank you for sharing this sweet moment with us, Nina. It was a really nice read at the end of a long day. Your journal looks so fantastic. It is wonderful that you are going to use it. Take care

Sophie

[Rosemary]

beautiful...thank you..hugs Rm

[Cece]

My oh my! That journal is going to turn into quite some story... to be filled in at your leisure.