Finding My Way Back

Hello friends, how are you? I hope well.

It's been so long since I've shared anything here….. other than my regular TT postings. My oh my, I've missed you.

I'm not sure how life got so out of control…. everything building up around me….one thing leading to the next… so many deadlines…. so little time….. John's been under the weather, fighting insomnia that came out of nowhere...... a few family bumps in the road.... Oh my.... Top all that off with some tech troubles....and BAM....

Here I am...writing this post....

I know this is the story of most at one time or another….. it can happen so easily…. life gets off track…..and before you know it.... you aren't sure what the heck happened?

But thankfully Ben remains my constant... makes me walk...twice a day... no matter the weather.... (as I type this the wind is howling and flakes are swirling....sigh)....but he will not take no for an answer....which is a good thing.

I find the more I have on my plate… the quieter I become...…stillness... silence....  just BE-ing …. 

I can go days without connecting with anyone other than John and the boys. I'm pretty sure I could manage quite nicely on a mountain top….. provided I had a good internet connection…. 

'smile'

It goes back to the whole I am an Introvert thing……  So comfortable just being with myself…. I put up unintentional walls….it just seems to happen….. I pull back....find myself so out of touch.....

Looking back.... I see this is a pattern in my life... just who I am.. I suppose...

I'm slowly finding my way back.... feelng a need to connect....longing for real-life creative connections right now.... sooooo desperate.

Anyhow, I'm babbling... I really just wanted to pop in and say hello…..  share a little random happenings.... 

Picture Pro-cess is heading into the final week….. Oh my... this course was big for me...  doing both the cs6 and elements 11 version was a big load.... But it's been good.

The Texturize class is going well….a few bumps along the way...but it's all good….. I have hopes for big stuff at the Test Kitchen….some new classes and a new site name…. soon to be revealed.

On the home front....I've been doing the Paleo thing…. up until this past week I was 100% following the plan…for almost a month.... this past weeks been a little hit and miss with all the busy-ness…. I hope to get back on track…it works well for me. All of my carb cravings just disappeared....

I found this yummy recipe for a muffin in a cup (cooked in the microwave)... just flax, an egg, coconut oil, baking powder, maple syrup (sweetener of choice) and cinnamon.... seriously it's such a treat.... When I'm in need of a little extra special something I add bits of dark chocolate….. I will always need chocolate. I should be caught up in another week.... I know this will help.... you need to be prepared when doing this plan... cupboards and fridge stocked.... 

Brett just finished his first year of university...He's so relieved... Woo hoo. Bryce just moved into a new place.... it's much nicer..... John is finally getting some sleep.... and Ben..... the only thing that changes with him...is his coat..it's long and curly again...ready for a trim.... before the mud season begins....

I mentioned some technical trouble....  sigh.... My iMac was giving me major trouble last week....  so frustrating.... I'm not sure if it's the fact that I was running so much at once..... or what... but I didn't have time to trouble shoot. So, I ended up purchasing a thunderbolt display to go with my Macbook Pro Retina. I just bought it back in September....loaded up .... so it's newer and faster than my iMac. Wow... the change has been a treat... so fast... zippity zip... it's nice because everythings all together now.... I just eject the macbook and take it into my room or whatever as needed. It can even sit at the desk with the top closed....and still run on the thunderbolt display.... It's great!! Honestly it feels like I'm on a iMac...the screen is pretty much identical. Definite thumbs up.

Oh and while we are on the subject of techy stuff, did you know Lightroom 5 Beta was released. If you've been considering lightroom, I would say download the beta and play with it..... Because it's Beta you can use it until the updated version is officially released..... FREE. If you are running 4, you can install 5 and play with it.... just start a new catalog and give it a go. There's some great new features.... but no major interface changes... so it would be easy to move into..... I LOVE the new radial blur option.

I fall more and more in love with Lightroom everyday. :)

Okay friends....I've babbled on long enough......I'd love to hear whats new in your world..... Please do tell...

We are off to John's moms for a family dinner..... I should get ready and take Ben out before the winds get any stronger... Yeesh........

I will be back soon with some new textures and perhaps a few other goodies I've been working on.....

Until then...  be well ....

gratitude always...

xo,

p.s. are you waiting for an email response from me? It's possible it was lost in the shuffle....feel free to resend and I will do my best to get back to you asap.... thank you so much....xo

serious Benny. :)

Autumn Rambling...and the Round Trip Winner Announced

autumn layout made in Lightroom 4 with added touches applied in photoshop

Hello lovelies,

It's October.... already.... Oh my.....The other day on IG I wrote Happy September? Am I really a month behind? 

Autumn has been extra pretty this year. Such a gift..... I've been snapping lotsa pics on our walks... I gotta appreciate the lovely shades while they are here... Winter is LONG and a little dull....in our parts. :)

Here's a few recent pics...taken by the lake.... If you look real close at the bottom right image...that little white speck is Benny. 

It seems like so long since we've chatted. How are you? Tell me...what's new?

It's been a busy few months around here.... life seems to by flying by so quickly... I really wish it would slow down... But that's not going to happen!! So I suppose the key is enjoying the moment... right here... right now. 

'sigh'......

I had a revelation the other day.... I realize that without a doubt when the pressures on... I want CARBS... I mean it's a constant thing...craving crackers, toast, chocolate... pretty much any carb will do!! I try to pick the 'healthier ones'.... and do it in moderation....but still... the craving is always there.

My revelation... I'm a stress eater!! I don't think of myself as high-stress person....I'm pretty laid back.... But maybe that's cause when I'm stressed I eat carbs to supress the stress??? Hmmmm... Anyhow, yesterday I went cold turkey... no 'bad' carbs.. NONE... and I'm going to try that for the next few weeks.... I need to get them out of my system...So I ate lots of veggies, greek yoghurt, nuts, berries, scrambled eggs... nothing processed, nothing white.... and so far so good..... Wish me luck.... I can do this!! Actually...for me...it's so much a head thing... once I make up my mind...I'm usually pretty good at following through...fingers crossed.... 

Oh that reminds me.... John ordered a juicer the other night.... Do you juice? If so, any tips? I have no idea if I will be able to juice... I have this thing about liquids I don't like...causing me to gag..... Ugh... TMI? (too much information?... probably..hah)

Anyhow, I'm open to juicing suggestions.... 

So, lovely friends.... tell me... do you love carbs too? :) I know I'm not alone.... Any tips..... 

Okay.... I've rambled on... enough of that....  I must tell you the Round Trip winner......

Big congrats to....Donna Hopkins... Send me an email Donna...so I can get you 'hooked up'.

Round Trip begins on October 30th... would love to have you join us!

Okie doke... I'm off... Hoping your day is lovely...

xo, Kim

Friday - Around the Studio Lovin'

Hello Lovelies....

How are you?  How was your week? Do tell! I'd love to hear!

Mine was pretty darn FAB.....despite the wind and rain. I'm happy to say the sun is shining today... but a little sad the wind is CRAZY strong!! 'sigh'....

But sun is good!!  :) I will take it!

I really wanted to pop in and say hi and thank you for the lovely comments throughout the week... 

Oh and invite you over to a new friend's 'house'.... where I am sharing a little about me.... actually it's quite a lot....Becky asked me some really FAB questions.... if you have a moment, pop over to Life with Kaishon to check out my interview and say Hello to Becky!  Pretty please.....Thank you so much for having me 'over' Becky!

Seeing as I am here, I thought I would share my blueberry pics....and a shot of my latest FIND....as I ramble...

I bought these berries about a week ago...and I'm just getting around to photographing them.... good thing too.... cause John has threatened to eat them on more than one occasion!  :)

Blueberries are so darn photogenic, don't you think? And I just love how fab they look on my new and totally cool galvanized tray from Winners. I adore the wooden handles... a mix of warm and cold.... so perfect! I almost missed it too! It was kind of hidden under some other 'stuff'.... I'm pretty sure I let out a squeal when I spotted it! :) 

sweet little blue bowls - also from Winners......

{so happy Winner's is open again after the flooding scare!  I think it was closed for about 3 weeks....and I missed it terribly.}

And how about a little peek of my newest FIND. Honestly, we were meant to be together! The first time I saw it I walked away and talked myself out of it. Actually John was doing the talking.....He's much more practical than me!

But, a few weeks later.... I realized it was one of those once in a life time finds! I had the perfect space for it in the studio and I needed more storage! And so, John came home and I was like.... 'honey... I really must have that cupboard...  It's meant to be!' :)

Isn't is so beautiful? :) It stands 7 feet tall....any higher we would not have been able to tip it up.... the studio ceiling is quite low....

I just finished white washing it the other night... it was kind of a distressed grey with the dark wood showing through....and the one side wasn't painted at all. I am loving white....and aiming for an almost all white studio.... Inside it has beautiful solid wood shelves.... and it's FULL already!

Oh speaking of white... we are celebrating 'white' this month at the i-Studio....  come visit when you have a moment.  

 

Anyhow, my studio makeover is almost complete. I will definitely share a tour soon!  In the meantime, just a few snaps of some studio 'stuff' I love...

I'm always tying something with string or hemp or jute.... I found 4 matching coffee sealers.... the day I walked away without the cupboard....  They are Nabob jars...Who knew coffee came in a glass jar?

Anyhow, they have a glass sealer lid, but I grabbed a tin one and drilled 2 holes in the top for the string and hemp to pull thru... works like a charm!

I love displaying my decorative paper...rather than just shoving it in a drawer....

And I picked up this sweet bouquet of spray roses at the grocery store! They are quite cheap right now.... I have another bundle hanging in the closet.... hoping they dry nicely..... for future photo possiblities.... I love the hint of pink....

Okay my friends....  I could go on... but I must sign off.....

I will be back this weekend with a new texture....and to announce the give away winners from the TT Garden Party.

So my friends.... have you found any 'treasures' lately?  I'd love to see.... share the link in the comments and I'll stop by to check it out!

Have a beautiful weekend....

Love and gratitude.....xxo,

p.s. Registration for the July round of the Skinny-Mini Photoshop eCourse is open.  Click HERE to get the scoop!

20 … 10…. bring it on!

wow, this image above is a bit of summary of my year ahead… painting, creating, taking pics, blogging… rediscovering my beautiful life…and i’m guessing as much as i’d like to deny it… i will be sipping diet coke thru it all.

i am beyond excited about 20…10…  Love saying that!  :) 20…10!  i mean that alone is cause for celebration!

okay, so i thought i would do a little review of 2009. i’ve posted a little about the trials and tribulations we have gone thru with our son.  well let’s just say some of 2007, all of 2008 and the first half or more of 2009 was all about that!!  sigh. 

i honestly don’t think i could tell you much about what happened in my life this past year, other than a lot and i mean a lot about that whole stressful ordeal. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

but, here’s my year in review, as i remember it…

january- no clue?  worry, stress, more worry, angry, disappointed, seeking guidance, but getting no help… unable to create.  deep love for my son and praying god would finally answer our prayers. feeling very defeated and alone. 

february- more of january….otherwise, no clue. 

march- continuation of  january and february….bryce’s 17th birthday, john had surgery on his heart (but not major surgery), worry, stress, financial stress, seeking guidance, but getting no help…..feeling alone.

april- ummm, hmmmm, let’s see….. more of the above.  i turned 41, andy turned 12, worry, stress, financial stress, still seeking……

may- major worry, concern, break downs…  and a final unimaginable event that changed our lives and most importantly changed bryce’s life.

june- dealing with the after shock, seeking help, hiding….all at the same time, feeling an awakening in my soul.  started really creating again… from the very core of my being… not robotically. brett met his sweet girlfriend…

july- dealing and coping and waiting for the outcome…..  but still creating and feeling renewed.  finally trusting again that god was right there with us…thru it all.

august- yep, still dealing and coping…. but i discovered a new love.. … my camera…..  it’s inexplicable how taking pics makes me feel!  and, brett (our oldest) moved out to conquer the world. :)

september- school began, things falling into routine.  starting over in many ways.  loving my son and rediscovering him again.  taking some pics, but not knowing what for….  loving my family… gratitude.

october- john’s birthday, beautiful weather, reconnecting with my friend prairie girl. committed to  a daily painting, brett moved back home.  :)

novemeber- brett’s 19th birthday, creating, plotting and planning with prairie girl…  excited about many possibilities.  flickr entered my life…  wow… i love flickr!  so many encouraging, uplifting members and the most beautiful images.  sigh….

december- opened 2BBB with prairie girl . more creating, more flickr…. i won a spot in the mondo beyondo eCourse thru design mom, signed up for misty mawn’s portrait workshop … woo hoo… christmas excitment…. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

phew… made it…

okay, so i know sometimes you may think i’m a little “rosey” and i often talk about being excited about this, that or the other…but after all that has happened..  i need this blog and 2bbb to be that… to be happy and grateful…and optimistic…

so 20….10 has got to be good!  i know it from the bottom of my soul.  i have to believe and trust in that. 

here’s to you!  thank you for stopping by…thank you for the encouraging emails and comments…  just thank you….

xxo, kim

traditions

send this as an eCard

here’s a capture i wanted to share…..  the traditional christmas board game…oh my, it’s truly an event!  my boys, are extremely competitive.  i blame that on their father, because i’ve never been one to worry about winning a race or a game… but my husband and the boys, well let’s just say they have been known to “cheat” to win.  ugh.. shameful! 

so this year’s game of cranium was quite wild at times.  brett and my nephew jeremy won, but i’m wondering if there was a little cheating going on.  at one point my brother, the 2 boys and my mom were all doing the river dance (charades part of the game)… too funny!  and my brother was singing a rita macneil song… lol… 2, 2 funny! 

anyhow, i love traditions…..  i love that we always play a board game at christmas… that john and i play scrabble in the winter, that my mom always makes certain food for certain holidays, that my boys traditionally mock the skinning stockings (mocking the stockings)… it’s a secure, safe kind of feeling and one i know that i should not take for granted. 

i am so excited about 2010.  i plan on capturing all the moments that make it special.  i am sooo pumped to start painting tomorrow.  i have some great BIG plans.  i’m bursting with anticipation. 

so here’s to old and new traditions…i’m so excited… 

2010….look out! 

see you soon……  xxo, kim

p.s. we are celebrating “calm” on the 2BBB…come on over and check it out… 

october 31st…where did the month go?

good morning, good morning….

i can not believe another month has come to an end!  it’s absolutely crazy how quickly the days are slipping away!  i’m a little slow getting started this morning.  i’ve been up for hours, but i haven’t been too anxious to start some of the things on my list of to-dos. 

like these dishes for example.  man can i stack’em!  can you believe we do not have a dish washer?  is that not just crazy?  :) 

andy is a little slow himself this morning.  his 4 mile hike on the trail yesterday with his cousin, Sophie, has made him a little stiff this morning.  i don’t think the damp weather is helping.  he’s resting up for another walk and then for tonight’s little goblins.  he loves to say hello to each and every one of them.

as you can see he really isn’t a big fan of the camera.  but i tell him to just relax and enjoy himself.   look at him …enjoying himself! :)  this is andy’s spot on the couch and he will do whatever it takes to claim it.  no matter who might come before him. 

what i would love, more than anything at this moment, is to turn back the calendar to September when it was warm and sunny and sit out on the porch with my newest books, flipping the pages and getting inspired. 

but oh my, it’s chilly this morning.  so the best i can do is sit with andy and steal just a few more minutes of inspiration before real life steals me away.  what’s your day looking like?

til next time…kim xoxo