isla

twilight in orvieto, italy!

may 24-30th...2009! mark your calendars for a fabulous week exploring, learning, sharing, and embracing life in orvieto, italy! we'll soak it all in...from the time we unpack our bags (for six nights!) in the historic convent B&B that sits over Etruscan caves...whilst we enjoy the 14th and 15th century frescos over a bottle of wine! sounds like a life i could definitely get used to! may will be here before we all know it...so, start planning your treasured getaway now. i will be sending you little temptations from now until then to come and explore this incredible journey in this most breath-taking city that glistens above it all. i will be teaching 'embracing italy through soulful assemblage'...and cannot even express my excitement! we will be creating an assemblage from our finds while exploring these ancient cobblestone streets and local shops. your artwork will represent and tell your story about your treasured time while in italy. these wonder-filled weeks are hosted by bill and kristi steiner at adventures in italy. please go visit their wonderful website for all class listings and fabulous teachers. oh...btw...my husband, dan carrel will be teaching an amazing painting class during the same week as i'll be teaching...even if you've never picked up a paintbrush...(even if you have) you will be amazed with your first painting! he loves teaching...and dispels any myth about 'no talent'! so don't try that one with him...he walks you through with such ease and new insights. just think of returning home with a gorgeous painting of the italian landscape! more to come on this...in the meantime, if you have any questions about this italian adventure...please email me at annie4everfaded@netscape.net or leave a comment and i'll get right back with you. inquiries for dan??? feel free to email him at dcarrel58@gmail.com also....a huge must! please visit bill and kristi also at their website above for more information...a beautiful brochure can happily be mailed to you upon request. google orvieto and be amazed at the history and photos. check it out here ! and here! and last but not least...the steiner's new blog~here!

going...going...gone! again!

i just returned from a wonderful road trip to colorado to help a dear...dear friend (i've known since kindergarten!) another 'annie'...open her darling and welcoming shop in glenwood springs. what a fun time we had together...as you can only imagine...staying up way too late (6am on one night/morning)we are getting way too old for that! we paid dearly for it the next few days! we enjoyed old memories...making new ones...like white water rafting (thx bob!) for my very first time! it was just what i've been needing...a little fun and adventure! it's been quite a while since i hit the road alone...something i didn't tell my mom about until i was there...also didn't tell her about the rafting trip either...she still worries like nobody's business! the road trip was perfecto!...even with the gas prices! i took my time...enjoying the amazing colors of the sunsets across the beautiful flint hills of western kansas...a must see...especially when the grasses are tall...endish of summertime. the skies were putting on a spectacular show each and every day...no matter where i was. i felt so small...like a t9c...(tee-nine-cee) speckle amongst all this grandeur...but, still very much connected to 'it' all. i cried (not a big surprise to those who know me and my love of nature) as i entered the glenwood canyon...it was as if i had entered a most sacred space...a natural sanctuary. i wasn't going fast enough for some drivers...who i'm sure take that trek daily...my thoughts...and words exactly said out loud...'go on around me...cause i'm not going to miss any of this'...i'm soaking it all in! and i did. (btw...i was going 60+...but, with outta state tags...i was a shoo-in to be run down by the locals! i've been guilty of the same out on the crazy hiways of texas! and don't you dare use your 'blinker'! a dead give-away of an outta towner amongst texans!

here we two annie's are...arm and arm...neck 'n neck...modeling some of my bolo style necklaces! we skipped...& held hands wherever we went...almost! just like when we were in elementary school...with our little bobbed haircuts...with too short of bangs! we laughed about how there used to be this pink tape that our mom's would use to cut our bangs 'straight' with...except my mom thought you cut 'above' the tape...which made my bangs really short...i have the pictures to prove it!

here's a night shot of one of the windows...i'll be adding a photo album on my sidebar sometime real soon...so you can see it all...it's fabulous! so...if you're near glenwood springs colorado...it's a must see! tell her t.o.a. sent you (the other annie) and give her a big mmmmmmmmmmmm! hug for me!

another amazing little shop that i get to go visit again is 'olive annie's'...swear that's the name! it's in phoenix area...her link is www.oliveannie.typepad.com/blog see her too...a darling dress shop...'frocks' as she says it....plus alotta more! i've taken some good photos of her shop as well...will photo album those too....lani is the most gracious proprietress...well tied with 'annie' above! you will adore them both! i'm off to phoenix to play 'farmer and the dell'...house sitting for my dear friend, ronda...that is heading off to hawaii to play with her amazing family til the 7th of july...they have a garden and chickens....so, there i'll be gathering the eggs every evening with my 'mabel apron' on...here's ronda in hers! feeding the chicks and lying by the pool...in 110+ weather...i'll wear tons of sunblock...believe you me! and a hat!...these years of sun are catching up with me!  couldn't get her to rotate...lean to the right!

i'll leave you with this...i found a sweet little journal when i was down in galveston at my favorite shop...hendly market...the front says...

"she's turning her life into something sacred: each breath a new birth. each moment a new chance. she bows her head, gathers her dreams from a pure, deep stream and stretches her arms towards the sky"

...i have definetely been going through some major life changes these past few years...so, this is a good daily reminder to keep on keepin' on in the direction of my heart and dreams...even with the choices...good and the not so good...it's all ok...at almost 50...i'm still not giving up...in fact so much is starting to make more and more sense...some things that used to be so black and white,...are seeing a little/alot of grey....it's that old saying 'until you walk in another's footsteps'...just best not to judge. i'm going to try to live by that...looking for the 'pollyanna' in all! thinking of so very many of you all...hope you are having a great summer as well...living, laughing, and making memories.

p.s.....i'll also be a writing fool while i have some peace and much needed alone time for my new book with north light....that will be coming out late next year...can't even begin to tell you how excited i am about that!

'magic...made in texas!

this past weekend i had the most fun with one of my little granddaughters...kassidy paige...she's 5, has the most darling-est texas accent you ever did hear...and is one of the best little goodnight-made-up-story-tellers...ever! we laughed until we almost cried ourselves to sleep! the lady at the hotel desk was having a really bad night...not to mention that she LIED to us about where the ice machine was! "no...it's not in the back of the building...just around the corner"...as we walked completely around the building! we replayed that scene over and over again laughing ourselves silly as we whiled away our time in galveston. just she and i...perfecto! i do believe i have come onto something really special with these one-on-one's with these little bugs (grandkids) of mine. last month i had a fabulous time with kayla on a texas two step trip...houston/austin...if you caught that earlier post. this one was totally spur of the moment...and kass was thrilled. i asked her at lunch...at a little dive of a mexican food place in a little dive of a town! it was one of those good ones...where the salsa and green sauce are amazing! we went to after her kindergarten graduation...she and i both squealed with excitement when momma (my oldest...haley) said yes!

we quickly packed her bag as soon as we got back to her house...and headed south on 45...as soon as we arrived...we headed straight to the beach...dug our toes in the sand and soaked in the generous sun and some waves.

of course we collected buckets of seashells...took a ride on the ferry...hoping to see some dolphins along the way...(no luck this time)...went to her favorite ice cream parlour down on 'the strand'...bought a harmonica for her and a shell box for her momma....& last but not least...we rode the waves...'boogie' style...and i snapped as many photos as you can only imagine that a 'nana' would. those magical moments that were whispering to my heart...'please don't let this day ever end'...please! it did finally come to a close...we were both exhausted by the time we left our little texas island...but, not before we had taken it all in. she said "nana...if we do one more thing i think i'll die"....collapse is more like it!  and we did! mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...magic made in texas once again. these are my most treasured times...no doubt!

lost in lilacs...snowballs & laynee jane

see what i see sunday...not necessarily in this order!

thought i'd start a 'see what i see sunday'...join in if you'd like...i'd love to see what you're seeing in your world this springtime sunday...now monday! (internet went out yesterday!)leave a comment and link to your blog to share your sightings this sunday (now monday!)

lilacs in old...old...ketchup bottles that line one of my kitchen windows...the scent of scrumptious & intoxicating lilacs...a gentle breeze washes our home with this old fashioned memory.

    

snowball is the queen of the garden this spring! she's never shown off quite like she has this year!

'kitty napping' (being less than a cat nap!) laynee jane...our littlest sunshine.

hope you're having a good day off...happy memorial day...to all of those who have served...and will serve our country. blessings always...annie

happy mother's day!

for the most beautiful momma in the world! inside and out...what a treasure my sisters and i (3) share with her as our mother...and all of our children (12...the 'dirty dozen') with her as the best 'nanny' in the world! and now (10) little great-grandchildren to  soak in her love and kindness. she is the most caring and loving person that i know! she has this innate ability to give so freely of her time, of her heart and soul to her family. she tells loving stories of her youth...her loving mother...my dearest grandma...whom she was so close to...and misses everyday...of the handmade clothes that she wore so proudly that her momma sewed for her...she describes every detail of her favorite dresses. she speaks alot of her two favorite aunts...aunt myrtle, and aunt ada...her time as a twirler in high school...and many, many more sweet memories that she remembers as if they happened just yesterday.

hope you are having a wonderful mother's day...if you're one...or if you have the 'best' momma in the world too...enjoy your day today!

here's to you, momma!

treasured symbols...

i have been drawn to spirals for as long as i can remember. they signify a spiritual journey...a quest. i think (no, i know!) it all started many, many years ago with a seashell. it's funny how they (spirals...not shells!) appear in my life when i'm least expecting it...(kind of like my multiple 4's that are at every turn...yelling at me to get grounded!) always pulling at me as a reminder to get back in the circle...encouraging me to not spiral downwards...or go backwards...but, to move up and outward...ushering in growth and awakening, peace and love into this big picture. always a gentle whispering that there is so much more here than what meets the eye...something that speaks directly to the heart. there are angel people that magically appear at the exact moment that i'm needing a little nudge. sometimes i'm moving way too fast to recognize them as such...but, then when i sit with what the day has gifted me, late in the evening usually...i get it...hopefully...giving thanks for those who have crossed this remote path of mine...this little journey i'm living. this mother of pearl shell spiral 'daily reminder' sits atop an aging floor lamp in my bedroom...with the window to the world as her backdrop...all with a happy little bird perched right along top of a tiny treasured branch that traveled home with me from artfest.

kolton...

meet my only grandson, kolton! my lil' texas guy! it's been a while since i've posted a photo of him...he's grown so much. on one of these past texas trips i snapped this one of him showing not only that he was walking...but almost running!

here's a couple of priceless photos that i will forever cherish this memory with he and my mom...nanny ) (great gma! to the kolton boy and 10 others!) i think i counted that right!! she was feeding him some 'big' bites of pancakes...he was in sugar heaven! and nanny was in 'nanny' heaven...her life revolves totally around us girls...and our families. she's the best! more about her on mother's day! we have laynee today and she's calling! later! have a great week-end!

happy may day!!!

tiny little violets...and woodland flowering 'weeds'...mmmm sweetness!

popping up everywhere in our yard...

spreading her springtime blanket for me to fall

into. wonderful spring...new beginnings every

where!

home alone...

hey...well, it's quiet here at my home this late sunday afternoon. laynee just left...i've been keeping her on sun/mon/tues for kelcee while she works...and what a pure pleasure she is...time really does stand still when she is here with us. dan just went kyaking with his youngest son, jared...and i'm here absorbing the sweet stillness that surrounds me. yesterday we made way for an impulse buy that i had...a wonderful creamy leather sofa...but, we have too many sofas as it is, dan reminds me...where will we put this one? the dining room is now no longer amongst us...rearranging everything yesterday to accomodate this new little luxe was no small feat... the painting was the first of dozens of paintings that dan painted for me...i love it. since we live in a home that was built in the 1890's there are tons of doors...all leading to somewhere...and very few large walls to house his bigger than life paintings...so, when this opportunity arose i jumped at it. it has been stored upstairs for a couple of years. it's nice to have it back front and center.  foreground...a baby swing! priorities!   i wish you could see the color of these antique canning jars...they're the beautiful aqua like we've all seen but, i've never seen any quite like these. i purchased these years ago from some nuns that had a booth at our local flea market...they said they found them in the basement of their convent...which was built in the late 1800's! i bought all that were left. they just came down from my hutch in the kitchen to catch the light from my new 'den'...southern windows. here's a close up...i love the wavy glass...filtered through the old sand cast glass windows of this old place. here's a close up of the painting...the water reflection is dreamlike...especially in person...you know how when we were kids we'd 'see' bunnies or cars in the clouds...same thing here...i'm always seeing something else magically appear in these clouds. and here...a broken limb off of my pink dogwood tree...as you can see, she has just begun her show. a little forcing in a vase of warm water coaxed some early blooms. i'll photograph the tree when in full bloom...she's a beauty. so, here you have it...seeing what i see at this moment, in my quiet little world...for the time being. a happy sunday, indeed. now, i'm off to play catch up with so many of you and what's happening in your world...hopefully a happy sunday as well!

sweet memories made...

it feels so good to back home...i look around at the 'stuff' that was neglected before i left for port townsend...and could care less at this particular moment! i have some memories to share. memories with my darling and dearest kayla...my oldest granddaughter. i always have her on my mind...but, somewhere around valentine's day...her sweetness lingered 'round about me like a silent whisper. i knew that once i made my return from a.f. that i would swoop down to texas and spend some one-on-one time with her. we quickly did a texas two-step from houston to austin and back in one too short weekend...but, that we did and it has completely left me without words to describe this time. so, here are a few photos of our little jaunt across tejas...my home sweet home. we headed up hwy 290 making it to our first stop...the magical rolling hills of blue...that is our texas state flower, the bluebonnets...with a spattering of indian paintbrushes and buttercups. i get weepy even as i look at this photo of her...not believing my eyes that she is growing up so dang fast. we stopped in at our favorite mexican food joint for some lunch...and kept heading to austin, where we were meeting up with some of my old high school friends for a birthday celebration for one of my oldest and dearest friends...barb. she's been right by my side since 9th grade. love her so! darla, who has a daughter, maddie the same age as little kayla, hosted the celebration...with such love for us all. her home is so welcoming...as is she. we go way back too...way back to disco days at uncle sam's and high school times as well...another priceless friend that i love so much...but, how can i say this...i'm glad to have kayla as a granddaughter and not a daughter...cannot imagine having one this age at home right now...i got mine all here before my 30th! it's keeping darla hoppin' and young! here's the group that made it...love them all...and grateful for the times and memories shared.  

the girlies were immediate friends...tho, this was the first meeting. quite fun. from here we met up with my oldest sister and her wonderful family for her birthday celebration...where kayla was able to be with her second cousins for the first time. there are so many more i'd like to share...but, for now i'm signing off. i can only hold y'alls attention for so long when it comes to talking about grandchildren! but, if you have them...you totally understand!