What I'm Reading

Hello. I hope that you are enjoying a wonderful summer.

I thought it might be fun to put together a list of books that I am currently reading. Yes I am working my way through more than one book at a time. I usually do unless I am reading a novel.

You will notice that all the books here are either photography books or self help books. I must confess that I am a self help book junkie. I do love to read a good novel, but I will mostly turn to self help first. Maybe it is a quest to always better myself. My "addiction" to self help books began in my 20s. I was going through a lot of big changes in my life and I ended up becoming depressed. I searched for ways to help myself get out of this depressed state and turned to books that I thought would offer me guidance and peace of mind. Since then, I am fascinated by them and can't help but purchase the ones that I think will open my mind, heart, and eyes to something new.

Having said all of that, here is the list of books that I hope to get to in the near future. The ones photographed here have already been started.

Jodie Lee texture used on photo

Other books on my reading list include:

• On Writing by Stephen King
• The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
• Creative is a Verb by Patti Digh
• A Weekend to Change Your Life by Joan Anderson

What's on your reading list this summer? I hope you will find time to enjoy a great book!

Deb

It is finally finished

Hello there. The canvas that I started months ago is finally finished. Truthfully, it has been finished for a little while now. I was having trouble getting a good picture of it. I wanted to take a picture to post when it was hanging on the wall but alas, it is still sitting on my easel so for now, this picture is as good as it gets...

I am happy with how it turned out. Unfortunately, this picture isn't as sharp as I would like it to be. I need to stop taking so long to make decisions. I also need to have more than one project going at a time. That way, I will be able to move on to something else while I contemplate my next move with a particular project.

I am working on some canvases for my daughter's room. I will post pictures of them when they are finished. I will also be working on (3) 20"X20" canvases for my nieces bedroom as well as some hooks for her bathroom. 

Hopefully, these projects won't take as long to complete.

What are you working on this summer? I would love to know.

Deb

Making Memories

Hello there.

It is finally summer and my children are home from school. Yesterday was the first day that they were all home and that my niece and nephew were here. It was nice to have them all here and to watch them playing and getting along.

This past weekend was a long weekend here in Canada. It was a busy weekend but on Monday we made time to go up to my parents' trailer. The kids can't get enough of being up there and they love to be with my parents.

We went out on the boat, the kids were hoping to go swimming in the shallows but it was too busy and we couldn't get a spot.

My Mom and Justin were sitting up on the bow of the boat and decided to stay there when we went for a tour of the lake instead of swimming.

Sitting on the stern of the boat, I could see my Mom and Justin sitting together. I watched as they talked and noticed my Mom was pointing out shapes in the clouds.

It made me happy to see them spending time together like that. It made me happy that they are able to bond like that and that they are close. It actually brought a tear to my eye.

It made me nostalgic for my own childhood. Nostalgic for memories of sitting on the bow of our sailboat with my sister, dangling our legs over the side trying to get our legs wet. Nostalgic for the memory of finding shapes in the clouds with my parents, sister, and brother.

It made me want to be a child again, even if for only a little while. I thought about going up there myself and taking Justin's place, but I have my childhood memories already and these are the memories that my children are need to make with their grandparents (and us).

So, I will sit on the stern and observe my son making his own memories with my Mom. I will continue to make memories as well, they will just be the grown up kind, like going to New York City for the weekend. They will be different but just as good. I will also have the memory of watching my children make memories with my parents. Who could ask for more?!

We are truly blessed! What memories are you reliving or in the process of making right now?

Deb