Trends

Iris and I took a walk today in our local favorite woodsy place.  While most of what you’ll see in the woods right now is grey and brown (think mud…)

There are hints of green here and there and signs that our area might be trending toward spring.  This makes us very happy.  Especially when the sun is shining.

And so we explored the creek bed to see what recent torrential rains had rearranged.

We discovered what some site specific local sculptors had been up to.

All of this exploration lead to a really tuckered pup.

And a hungry me.  Thanks to a wonderful new friend (via another dear one – I am blessed with the best people in my life!), I have been on a bit of a smoothie kick lately.  The craving for green this time of year is more than in the woods or the cold frame.  It is in our very own bodies.  And it’s not just me, or Julie, or my family.  This trend is also alive and well across the pond where it is possibly grayer in winter than it is here.  I have been admiring the work of artist Michael Nobbs recently whose blog I discovered online.  His thoughts on creativity and working within one’s limits and boundaries are worth reading.  Wouldn’t you know, that as I was doodling the smoothie recipe below, a twitter post comes across that his blog for today is up…. and it’s about smoothies among other things.  Well Michael, I’m right there with you.  Here is the Jakk’s Magic Beans Recipe that is now in my sketchbook…

This all goes in a blender and get’s good and juicy.  The New York Times Style Magazine out last weekend showcased a place that sells this sort of green goodness to New Yorkers called the Juice Press.  People line up around the block to get one!  Yes, the trend toward green is definitely in fashion.

And so is watercolor…. This article from the Tate in the UK introduces us to a British man who painted watercolor paintings of the natural world around him.  These were shown only to close friends and never sold. Only recently have they become available for viewing.  According to broadcaster, naturalist and the article’s author, David Attenborough, these paintings were made for only one reason, and that is LOVE.  Love of the garden, love of painting.  Just love.  What a great reason to do anything.

Wishing you more green and sunshine in days to come.  (and some watercoloring should you be so inclined.)