squam art workshops | june 2012 | part two

Remember how absolutely blessed you are to have this woman in your life? Remember the part she played in getting you on the road you know you were meant to follow? Remember how she looked into your eyes two years ago and you knew you were enough, that you belonged? Remember how much you love her?


Remember how excited you were to teach? How many hours you spent preparing, and how long you had thought about that moment? It was everything you dreamed it would be, remember? Absolutely everything you wanted. 


Remember what it felt like to meet your class for the first time as they trickled in after lunch? How willing and eager you all were to be there and learn together? You couldn't have asked for a better group of women. You loved every minute of it.

Remember how 3 hours (1st half of class) passed way too quickly and you wanted to slow it all down because the experience was moving way too fast?



Remember how much you enjoyed getting to know them and by the end of the second day you wanted to meet up with them again? I hope and pray our paths cross in the future.



Remember walking back to your cabin with a skip in your step, a twinkle in your eye, elated, feeling like absolutely anything was possible?

Remember the words, if you're prepared you need not fear? How very true those words are.



Remember how you covered yourself with bug spray because the mesquites were merciless? Luckily the spray Jill let you borrow was the nice smelling natural kind. Thanks Jill.

Remember how you missed your friends, Jenica and Amy who brought you there?



Remember how you sat at dinner long after everyone had left talking with Tory and Thea about photography? What we wanted, possible changes, our goals, and personal projects. You loved how quickly the conversation meandered toward meaningful things. Remember how it felt to walk away closer then when you began?



Remember listening to cute Alena and Maya talking about their recent book publications? They are both amazing inspiring woman.

Remember how Michelle and Jen and Elizabeth and Lauren popped up everywhere? How they were willing to do any and everything for you to make your experience magical? They did so much work before, during, and after to make squam absolutely wonderful. THANK YOU!!

Remember when you walked in on the girls, my cabin-mates, learning to belly dance? How could you forget how effortlessly Fiona was able to do the shimmy.



Remember sitting on the couch crocheting a hat, that ended up way too big, talking to Thea late into the night? How your conversion passed all the niceties, the pleasantries, and went straight inside? How you went to bed feeling like she understood you a little better and vice versa? How you're convinced you were always meant to be friends. Remember what you love most about squam? How it brings you together, your walls come down, and you leave fuller than when you came.



Remember how your prayer was answered? How He provided the opportunity?

Remember how you only regretted one thing about the whole trip -- not taking a photo of your class. I guess I was just too much in the moment that I missed it.





Remember how great it felt to sit on the dock and chat in the sun? How you couldn't bear to get in the cold water again, but how refreshing it was just to put your feet in? Remember thinking it was a perfect way to spend a carefree Saturday afternoon when all your work was done. You loved watching Cal work and getting to know her and the lovely Jen Gray, Tory, Jonatha, Jessica, Rebecca, and Helene better.


[photo by tory williams]

Remember how Tory and you left to take photos with her film camera in the white bathtub? It was so dark in the bathroom you were surprised she was able to get a clear picture. You still haven't seen the film, but love the digital ones she took. She has an amazing eye.

Remember how much she loved your home town and how you wanted to take her home with you? How her curly hair matched her happy countenance. Remember days before you barely new her name and now you couldn't imagine her not in your life? Love this girl.





Remember after dinner playing on the dock with Thea, attempting to capture the fading light and then messing around taking self portraits? You definitely found a kindred spirit.





Remember how great the art fair was Saturday night and how amazingly talented all the artist were? Remember how you wished you could have bought one of each?


Remember sitting in Tory's room with Thea chatting and laughing while they both packed. Remember how you wished Saturday had not come so quickly, but grateful to have met and had squam to get to know one another.


[instagrams]

Remember walking out of the dock Sunday morning to say goodbye until September, but instead felt compelled to write? You were only okay to leave because you knew you'd be back.

Remember how you shared a plane ride with Helene and she was the last person from squam you got to say goodbye t?

Remember sitting on the plane thinking how truly amazing it is to see friendships forming and feel like they were always there just waiting for you all to find each other?

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Squam has this way of opening me in places I've been afraid to unlock and filling me up in ways I never knew I was empty. Every time I leave I have always felt a better version of myself -- ready and able to face the road ahead.

Go here to see my squam photos in full.

squam art workshops | june 2012 | part one

I've been sitting with my thoughts for over a week now hoping the words would begin to flow and I would be able to adequately express what this experience meant to me. I suppose it's always hard to attempt to sum up an experience that is so near and dear to your heart in words. When something touches your core there are no words that can possibly do it justice, but I attempt nevertheless because I long to remember.

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Remember how calm you felt as you boarded the plane?

Remember how you felt on the shuttle talking to the driving Joe? Butterflies in your stomach as you made your way to the lake and he told you all about his artist son who just graduated from school, his daughter who's married -- he said he finally felt like his kids had moved on. He rambled on keeping you company as you enjoyed the green landscape.

Remember what it felt like to pull up to Brae Cove again and put your luggage in the same room? Time stood still as you walked in the living room and took it all in -- the smell, the warmth -- and remembered what it was like back in September. You had this moment of panic wondering how this experience would compare to last fall (it was so amazing) and then you realized it would be exactly what it needed to be -- and it was.





Remember what it was like seeing Elizabeth for the first time after all those months? You were suppose to meet Lauren to get your materials, but there she was, walking out of the dining hall to welcome the "new arrival". When you saw her you couldn't wait, but ran out to her. She gave you a big squeeze and said, I didn't know it was you I was coming to greet. Remember you couldn't stop smiling? It felt good to be with her again.



Remember when Elizabeth asked all the instructors, on the spot, to share with everyone (the group of 200) their favorite most inspiring teacher? There were several names you could have picked, but it was Adam that kept coming to your mind. Of all the things in your life you could learn he has taught you about some of the most important -- love and sacrifice.





Remember that first night sitting around the fire meeting all the other woman in your cabin? They were all teachers and you loved learning what each of them specialized in. There are some seriously creative people out there -- I'm grateful to know a few more of them.



Remember being thrilled to share a room with the uber talented Helene?  You met her last fall and was grateful to be able to get to know her even better. She has such a delightful french accent too.

Remember the sound of rain gently hitting against the roof as you drifted off the sleep?

[instagrams]

Remember watching Thea walk out of breakfast with that big smile on her face ready to teach her class? As you watched her go you couldn't help, but wonder what that would feel like to you to be heading toward your class the next day. Remember watching her go you never thought you would leave Sunday feeling like she had been missing from your life.

Remember having Thursday to yourself and going for a run after breakfast to clear your head and get the day of travel off you? It was a beautiful run full of oxygen. Can't believe how little there is at home.



Remember that run is what tempted you to get in the, I don't know, 50 degree lake? It was freezing, but I was so warm I was willing to go for it. I think Jill, who was on the dock knitting, must have thought I was insane, mostly because I was taking self portraits.



Remember what it as like meeting Tory, the wedding photographer that was the videographer for the week, for the first time? You're not sure you made such a good impression as you asked her to please stay away from you with her video camera. You should have known by her response that you would end up friends by weeks end.





Remember the first time you heard Time by Jonatha Brooke and you were speechless? Jonatha sat in the cabin all afternoon, as you were reviewing your class and making some last minute adjustments, getting ready for her performance that night. When she sings, she shines.

Remember when you and Jen Gray helped her, Jonatha, with her presentation and listened to the stories of her mom while laughing and crying? Loosing a loved one definitely has a way of connecting and bonding you together -- funny how so many of us have been touched by it.



Remember how fabulous her show was? How she made you think about what is most important in life? She is an amazing storyteller.



Remember when you talked to Adam and gave him the highlights and he mentioned ever so slightly to look for something in the mail? Even with his best efforts of sending the package the week before it didn't make it in time. It finally did show up at home the Thursday after you got back. In it was summer shoes, a mixed cd full of good music, and a little note. you are so blessed.

Remember sitting around the fire thinking you should go and get your camera, but getting so pulled into the conversation you never did?

Remember, before the group photo at Long House Friday morning, playing with the gorgeous east light and taking self portraits with Alena and Thea and how much they made you laugh? You don't know why you still find it amazing how quickly connections can form for the smallest of encounters.





Remember the warmth and the sun? There were moments of rain, but for the most part it was sunny and perfect.

Remember seeing your classroom space for the first time? After the group photo you began to set up your room so you would be ready after lunch. It was a great space, much darker than you had anticipated, but cozy nevertheless.





Remember all the little goodies scattered throughout?







Remember walking back slowly to your cabin taking pictures along the way enjoying your surroundings, the sounds and smell of squam lake? I loved having more time to roam and enjoy where I was before moving onto the next thing.


to be continued...

12of12 | June | iPhone version

01. Morning
02. Backyard pool = all day in the sun
03. Ready to jump in and cool off. It was 99 degrees.
04. 3D glasses from last night show Aladdin. She popped the lenses out and has been wearing them around.
05. It was amazing to look around and see the scattered amount of water toys.
06. Megan and her friend enjoying the pool.
07. Making beaded bracelets by the pool to pass the time.
08. The color of shade.
09. Flowers Waiting to bloom
10. Inside outside
11. running errands with Bella
12. Enjoying what flowers can survive the heat.

It was a fun change to use my phone the whole day -- it's always nice to mix it up. Although I will be ready to go home, it was great to come home from NH and go straight on vacation. After a full week of travel and teaching it was perfect to take a few days to veg.

How was your day??

Today is the 12th

I'm sorry to be so delayed in reminding you that today is the 12th. I flew in Sunday evening, slept in my own bed, and then pack again and left down south that I haven't even realized what day it is.

My 12of12 this month is going to be another iPhone version. I don't have the means of downloading my images so iPhone it is. Remember I did that last July and had a great time with it. I'm looking forward to playing around again.

Happy shooting.

P.S. a squam update will come later in the week when I get back home. I have so much to share. :)

peace and calm

I have not intentionally  neglected my blog for the last few months it just sort of happened. I suppose when something had to give that was the thing. It certainly hasn't helped that the photos I've taken since march, excluding 12of12, have been sitting on my computer waiting to be looked at, let alone edited -- apparently my thoughts are very much tied to my images.

I have so much that I've missed, so much that I want to share with you, but I'll start with what's at hand -- I'm in route to New Hampshire as I type (big smile). I remember when I was asked to teach I couldn't imagine it actually happening, it just seemed so far away, and now that it's days away, I could even count by hours now if I wanted (eek!), I can't imagine it not happening. It seems like the most natural thing in the world to be teaching something I love so dearly.

The calm that I'm feeling right now is not even recognizable. I'm usually a mess before getting on an airplane, stomach all in knots, let alone on the precipices of my dream come true, but I have this quite peace about me. I know I'm doing exactly what I'm suppose to be doing right now. The feeling is so palpable I simply can't be anything but elated right now. I'm sure the nerves will come, maybe tonight as I enter the cabin and am welcomed by the lake once again or perhaps Friday morning over breakfast knowing the time has come or maybe the nerves won't come at all. I'm just taking it a day at a time and letting it all happen.

Actually, I'm afraid of the experience rushing by too quickly. Already the last couple months, especially May, have passed by in a blur. I just don't want to miss anything,  I want to savor each moment and take it a little at a time so I can soak it all in.

her words

A delightful treat to read on mothers day. Written in their own words, typos and all, with the help of questions to prompt.




Funny, nice, helpful, and silly
Mother of... Megan, Bella, and Tess
Lover of...kids, art, and chocolate
Who feels...loved, cared for, and awsame
Who needs...love, family, and friends
Who gives...kisses, warm hugs, and lovings
Who would licke... to see world, future, and jungle.
Love, Megan

You are special because...you buy our food we need, and you make the food to feed us and be healthy.
I like it when...you help me when I need it, and draw with me.
I think your best at...art, photography, sewing, dealing with kids.
I like to make you smile...by smiling back, making funny jokes.
You are as pretty...as a daisy, sunset, sky on a bright sunny day.
You are smart! You even know...mathematics, what's under my bed, where to put things and what to do at the right time.
When I'm at school my mom...goes shopping, laundry, reads, nap, clean, makes food, pictures, talk with friends, pull some weeds in the garden, call on phone, do her photography class, make plans for the week, make brownies.
My mother worries about...our rooms not being clean, bad grades, me practicing my piano, clean clothes, getting hurt, going places on my own.
The most important thing about her life...is love and her family.
Love, Tess

[I'm sharing the projects they did in school, so the other thoughtful words, including Bella's, I will keep for me]

After I stopped smiling after such a delightful morning with breakfast in bed and sweet thoughtful words from each of my girls -- wait I never really did stop smiling -- I couldn't help be grateful for them for coming into my life and making my dreams come true of becoming a mother. As i assume you mothers know, it hasn't always been exactly what I imagined, how could you really know what you're in for. It has certainly tried my patience, made me question myself, but it has, aside from starting a life with adam, been the greatest thing I've ever had the chance to experience. I am most blessed to have my three and I certainly wouldn't want it any other way.

I hope all you lovely mothers had a fabulous day!

12of12 | May

[click here to enlarge]

01. Adam came home from taking the girls (and two friends) to get bagels and related how on the outs he was this morning sitting at a table with 5 girls. Supposedly they didn't stop talking long enough to eat and he couldn't get a word in edgewise. He felt he was on the outside, no longer apart of the conversation that ebb and flowed with laughter.
02. Our day was filled up and my lazy morning in bed only made me behind schedule. I ran to the grocery store and got home just in time to drop the food on the counter and head to Tess' art show.
03. This was one of Tess' pieces she had on display at the art show.
04. We were in the car a lot today.
05. Soccer :: there were two games that overlapped one another. I don't mind having them back to back, but I hate only getting to see half of each.
06. Tess and her friend enjoying the mother's day card Adam was making for his mom.
07. The first watermelon of the season. Delicious.
08. When Megan and her cousin Olivia get together they always end up switching clothes and copying each others hair styles.
09. We met at Robyn's new place to celebrate Mother's day. The first of many celebrations to come -- I hope. :)
10. I'm either getting too old or out of shapes (i hope it's neither). After channeling the kid inside I jumpped for a few minutes with Bella and it took my legs sometime to recover.
11. I saw this photo on Robyn's dresser of her with her siblings and of course loved it. I always imagine my boy would look just like that if I had a son.
12. Heading home.

I love at the end of the day when you've been taking photos the whole way along and thinking you didn't get enough or it wasn't a great day for photos and be pleasantly surprised with what you captured. I suppose your day can be full enough that you forget all that you've done. It was enjoyable to look back at my day and remember it was a great day, full of togetherness. I hope you all had a great day as well. Don't forget to share. :)