This week was full of unexpected turns and twists. A storm rolled in, which I knew was coming but underestimated and completely shifted my creative direction. Elevate was selected for a juried exhibition. And Bubba came home from his work trip. The week didn't go as planned, but that's becoming its own kind of rhythm, and I’m learning to really love the pivot.

Me with Elevate. This piece opened doors for me, built confidence, reminded me what I'm capable of. Especially now, after two juried wins, it holds a special place in my practice.

Ideas for new pieces have been flowing through me. This was a two minute carpool pickup rushed sketch for Spicy, what I thought would be my next piece. The idea felt so ready. Jagged and colorful, dark and light, pain and pleasure. Then the storm came in.

What naturally emerged when I came to the tufting frame was something soft, muted, inward, light, elusive, ethereal, distant. The opposite of the harsh realities of this storm. Dream took over where Spicy was supposed to begin. I'm learning to follow what wants to happen, not what I planned.

A massive dye processing weekend was on my ‘get to do list’. With the storm, the solar realities mean it's paused mid process. Collaboration with nature off grid requires letting go, knowing I'm not the only element at play. We're in this together. It all takes the time it takes.

A close up of Elevate without me in it. This piece perfectly captured a moment of creative expansion. All the growing pains, the glow of blooming, and a knowing that I was just at the precipice of something massive. Looking at it now, I can see how right I was.

Since life has been so full and busy, we've defaulted to our family staples. For lunch, especially on days I'm solo, my go to is salad rolls with fresh herbs from the garden and our weekly meal prep. This time braised lentil seitan.

This week for crafts, I took it to the garden and focused on seed saving. Basil, magnolias, Hawaiian chilis. It's been a meditative way of staying fully connected to the garden without having to be directly in the pouring rain.

In honor of the garden, we wanted to share one of our ongoing projects. Our in ground compost experiment. Sweet Pea, being the scientist she is, has been making observations through the glass lid. Documenting stages of decomposition, worm activity, and noting it down in her field notes. Swoon!

Along with seed saving, we've also started seedlings. Tomatoes, peppers, cilantro, and a few mysteries too. Sweet Pea has been showing more interest in the garden lately, especially when it comes to seeds, so we're leaning into it! I don't have a clear plan for what to do with them once they need to be transferred, but as they grow, so will our ideas.

Bubba returned from his work trip! I love being able to show Sweet Pea that we're a powerful, capable, persevering duo who can live this off grid, construction filled lifestyle on our own, have a blast, and thrive - we totally did! AND it's really amazing to have Bubba back. He is so comforting, supportive, steady, and strong. We couldn't possibly adore or appreciate him more. Welcome home, Daddy! We love you - BIG TIME!

I hope you’ve had a lovely week and I wish you a relaxing, fun and recharging weekend.

Love,

Coco