Friday, May 21, 2010

A Mish Mash of Gratitude

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This is what I aspire to.
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Where does this photograph take you?
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Myself, I am transported to a magical place.
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I want to write about it (I will).
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I want to learn to use my camera like this (not possible).
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This is the special eye of Lori Graham, aka Loritimesfive.
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I am astonished, over and over,
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by how and what she sees in the world around her.
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Thank you for being my friend, Lori. ♥
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Many of you will remember that Emily Rabbit held an auction on Blogland Lane to raise money, uncharacteristically!, for several worthy causes. I was the lucky duck highest bidder for Marianne's mandala (Karin, I've wanted you to see Marianne's work!)
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My photographs don't in any way do it justice. It is SPECTACULAR. See the little pearls?
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Thank you, Emily's best friend Marianne and my dear friend too. You are amazing and I can't wait to meet up with you this summer!
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Can you even believe the sky could truly be this color? It doesn't last long, but here is a shot of Provincetown by local artist Jeff Lovinger. He and I, along with a dozen other artists including JB, built the Provincetown Artisian Cooperative. Jeff gave me this as a gift when I left town. I finally had it framed, and manoman, I bow to him.

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I did not do this justice and I almost didn't include it in this grateful post for that reason. My favorite watercolorist in the whole world is Caroline Soar, who I also am lucky enough to count as a dear friend. I promise I will show this again some time when my skills and the light are better.
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This arrived in the mail along with a hopeful heart pansy ATC, much to my surprise. Thank you Caroline. You are a treasure. Really. Truly.
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So this is the start of my thank yous this week. I had these all framed at Michael's and they came out fabulously well.
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I probably should end this post now but I can't help moving on to my yard. It brings me such joy this time of year.

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I finished stacking the woodpile, just in time for a delivery of mulch. JB had to help me. There will be crisp dry firewood next winter, not that that's enough. I don't like winter. I do like fires but I don't like winter. But what an accomplishment to get this finally done.
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Lori and Robyn, this is for you. heeheehee
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WRobin, the next five are for you:
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And last: this........
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becomes this.
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I look out my kitchen window and wave to these little flowers who are happy to dance for me.
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Sometimes they wave back.
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Happy weekend dear friends.
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If you've made it all the way to the end of this post, thank you for the privilege (a borrowed beloved saying from the ever present beloved Renee)
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Love
kj
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who is also grateful to break bread with friends....
including my dearest most special Studio Lolo,
who sat at my table while
i squealed with delight.

22 comments:

  1. Ain't life grand?!? You are my dose of inspiration today!! TSUP!! Love, Silke

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  2. A lot to be grateful for here indeed! Thank you for sharing everything with us kj, as always i love looking around your beautiful yard and to see your special treasures was a real treat!
    Michael's did a great job on the framing.

    I love the photo of the iris's in the foreground and the picket fence and house in the back, beautiful! all your photos look great (lovely erect flower).haha.

    thanks for the kind words,
    sending love,
    lori (wishing she had a garden like yours...)

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  3. WOW! What a post....where to begin?

    How lucky are you to have "won" that gorgeous Mandela of Mariannes?
    Yes, Ja, Oui, Si....I see the pearls - they make it heavenly!

    And, the photo of Providence - captured in rays of gold and red! It could be Venice, or Marrakesh or Tunis..... stellar photography -and I can see why you HAD to own it.

    Can't say enough about the talent of our Lori Ann.... she has the "gift" alright!

    And, on a purely selfish note - THANK YOU for the SPECTACULAR purple-lavender-lilacy shots of your GARDEN!!!! Dear KJB - I LOVE them - I LUV them....I ♥ them! (Do you get how much I do?)

    You know, just thinking about Renee and you - and how you were the weavers of magic that has brought this "Blogging Family" together. The threads which bind us all are so strong.... and I think they will last always.

    Love to you, to Stella, to JB and yes, to Emily!

    ♥♥♥ Robin ♥♥♥

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  4. Inspirational! I do know the other two beautiful bloggers; happy to second your opinion,

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  5. Beatiful words, beatiful pictures, and beautiful friends. This rocks!!

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  6. so much beauty to be grateful for. the artworks, each one gorgeous in their own individual way. your gardens, delicious! thank you for the eye candies.

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  7. I have that lovely reddish purple iris you photographed, except mine has been beaten senseless by the storms!
    All in all, we have so many things to be thankful for, especially friends.
    Please tell Emily R. I fell out of my desk chair onto me arse today, dumped a huge glass of iced tea down my pants and ended up in a position such as one would be in to give birth.
    I am *sure* she will be amused!
    And there wasn't even anyone throwing frozen peas at me either! Hmmmph!
    Have a good weekend!

    XXOO!!
    Anne......(who could probably write a poem about an old fart who can't sit in her chair, but it's too humiliating....but funny!)

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  8. Love Marianne's art!!! Lucky you!
    And your garden is so lovely.

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  9. Ahh, what a wonderful and filling helping of gratitude kj! That mandala is really gorgeous!! thank you for sharing it, especially the detail :) I loved Provincetown when John and I went there one year. We almost moved to the Cape a few years back - I do love it, too!! and your garden is so colorful and happy looking - and soon tasty, too. I see sweet basil in there, yum!! happy, glorious, thankful day! xoxo K

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  10. Hi kj :)

    it's always nice to sit back and give thanks to all that makes your heart sing.

    big love to you for a fun loving weekend.

    I've been drawn to the outdoors a lot of late and haven't been in blogland as often, but with winter just around the corner I'll possibly soon be glued here ;)

    xox robyn

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  11. oh my, all of the art looks so wonderful in their carefully chosen frames. Good job KJ! (And JB.)

    I love seeing the new additions to the yard I had the pleasure of walking through in my bare feet. (And will again.)

    You chose a lot of the same plants I did ;)

    Great minds whose birthdays are a day apart.

    love you Ms. Kj,
    Behave while JB is away.

    xo♥
    Lo

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  12. Lucky girl you are! Love the mandala so intricate. You're world looks so bright as mine's looking very grey and drizzly this weekend. Have a good one! Don't underrate your photography either, just plug away. You might take 100 shots and one will be just perfect! (Trust me!) Hugs from . . well down here!

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  13. Kj I love you....

    Always thinking about you...

    and great minds think ....

    I've got my garden and studio on my blog...

    Have a great week-end!
    Much love ~ Pattee

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  14. oh ur post made me smile all the way thru!!!! u rock!

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  15. Art and flowers and friends and art and plants and friends and summer is coming!! :) Happy weekend to you, kj! xox!!

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  16. I heard you squeal.

    Love your photos,,,

    and I squealed when I spotted Emily basking in the sun.I love how she refuses to be left out.
    Good for you, Em!

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  17. Well, me thinks that you need to watch the self-affirmation video again, for your shots of your blossoms are very good. Own the gift.

    Ah, yes, the sisterhood...definitely not a filler for between relationships. As much as I love my hubby, and as much as we have in common, he actually is not my best friend. He's my lover, my life partner, the father of my children, the one I want to be old with, but I need the communion of women too. It is they who nurture me.
    **happy smiles** Deb

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  18. what a great post, warm and joyful.

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  19. Some wonderful photos there, really love the sunset (or rise?) photo - vibrant colours indeed! Happy Sunday to you!

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  20. So much beauty - human-made and nature-made. I like the iris/salvia combo.

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  21. Those all came out beautiful....Love the flower photos also..WOW...look at that wood...never cold enough here to use my fireplace..why have one you ask then...came with the house...and I burn candles in it to give an effect...LOL

    xoxoxox

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  22. What a funky little hotel. I would love to stay there.

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