Joy List Monday -- Slowing Down

Now that I've published my Skillshare class (thanks to those of you who have already signed up!!), I feel like I can take a deep breath.

I tried to take it easier this past weekend. Spend some time in the garden.

Enjoy the weather. Work in my sketchbooks.

I sat on a blanket in the grass with the dogs and sketched clover.

I played with gouache in my new sketchbook.

I took the time to be. And think. And simply enJOY.

Sometimes just being is a Joy List itself. Opening up to awareness and gratitude. Listening with all of your senses. Being still.

I need to work on cultivating that awareness all the time.

For today, a Joy List.

Joy List Monday: 

a weekly ritual

a reminder to stop and pay attention to the little beauties and graces that make life magical and to set aside time for gratitude each day

Here's my list (I hope you'll write one, too):

• watching hummingbirds at the salvia
• finishing my Skillshare class and putting it out into the world
• looking at the stars
• working in my sketchbooks
• roses reblooming
• making a big bowl of salad (with plenty of ingredients from the garden) to eat over a few days
• the Artist Interview I'll be sharing this Friday
• the sunflowers growing taller and taller (taller than the garage) at least 12 feet and my first teddy bear sunflowers
• making refrigerator pickles (so quick and easy!) with cucumbers (a white variety), dill and garlic all from the garden
• reading books and magazines
• summer. just summer.