nov '25 favorites
Small things that made my November just a little bit better.
creating
This month was unique in that I was on vacation for a week, then returned home to finish preparing for a Holiday Art Market. As I expected, my art making was very limited. This photo is of me in the Charvin Art Store in Paris, gazing longingly at the vast color selection. It was mesmerizing in the best possible way. I painstakingly chose 3 tubes, as traveling with a carry-on forces one to be judicious. You can see the Charvin paint I selected and also the oil sticks from the Sennelier Art Store in this video.
following
YouTube: Lewis Noble paints abstract landscapes and shares his process and helpful tips on his channel.
Pinterest: Doppio Verde has beautifully created boards of all types of art.
Instagram: Ines Hildur is an abstract, mixed media artist with an earthy aesthetic that is inspiring.
One can speak poetry just by arranging colors well.
—Vincent Van Gogh
inspiring (artist)
Winifred Nicholson was a British painter known for her still lifes, florals, and landscapes. During her lifetime, her art was shown in over 200 exhibitions. She painted for 60 years and died in 1981 at the age of 88.
Her 1933 oil painting on plywood titled “Sandpipers” hangs at the Tate Museum in London. I enjoyed trying to capture the essence of her landscape in my own style.
reading
I checked out Ellsworth Kelly’s hefty book, “Plant Drawings,” from the library and embarked down a rabbit hole learning about him. Typically, Kelly is recognized for his abstracts; his botanical drawings, although lesser known, are a visual treat. Most are minimal with delicate line work, although some include watercolor or ink. The book is cost-prohibitive to purchase, but I would highly recommend checking with your local library, as it is inspiring to peruse.
Making art has, first of all, to do with honesty. Then the real meaning of it can be felt and understood.
—Ellsworth Kelly
baking
Fall is the season for all things pumpkin. So rather than opt out of this seasonal stereotype, I am embracing it wholeheartedly and sharing the delightful Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes recipe. Admittedly, this is not a tried and true recipe by my high standards (which involves making it repeatedly for 10 years), but I did whip up these cupcakes twice in 3 weeks. When you’ve got a hankering for a tidbit that is sweet but not too sweet, pumpkiny yet not too pumpkiny, then this is for you.
The only change I made was to make basic cream cheese frosting, although I imagine the maple would add a magical touch.
growing
The metallic blue berries on this Viburnum almost seemed to glow on the sunny November day that I snapped this photo. This shrub grows on the east side of our house, on the edge of our property bordering the city greenbelt, giving it plenty of room to spread out. At this time of year, I only see dear Viburnum when taking out the garbage, but I enjoy its eye-catching display and typically wander over for a closer look. In late autumn, when most plants are humdrum, I appreciate the Viburnum’s hint of glamour.
Read more about Viburnum Shrubs here.
Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty.
—John Ruskin
gathering
Remiss in capturing the actual Thanksgiving gathering, I have only the remains of the day. Edible table decor, a handcrafted turkey, and somehow unlit candles. Fond reminders of yesterday. I’ll admit as much as I love a good meal, my favorite part is pausing to acknowledge blessings both big and small. As each person takes a turn, I am reminded once again that it is a gift to hold joy with both hands and share it with others. This year, our table was surrounded by our daughter-in-law Melanie’s family. The weaving together of families is a Thanksgiving benefit, a treasured mix not to be taken for granted.
laughing
Behind Rick and I, glowing in yellow, poised to shower us with his humor, is Nate Bargatze on his Big Dumb Eyes tour. We bought tickets 11 months in advance (I am not kidding) to attend this sold-out event. I myself wish I could make people laugh, desire to be funny, and come from a long line of people who think they are funny. I suppose that is why, at times, I share outlandish things, hoping and praying you will laugh with me or even at me. Humor is in my blood, and I suppose that is why I enjoy it so much
Watch his Netflix special, Your Friend Nate Bargatze for a good chuckle.
There is nothing in the world so irresistably contagious as laughter and good humor.
—Charles Dickens
arranging
You might think I am hopelessly obsessed with flowers, and I suppose I am. Any excuse to buy them works for me. We were recently invited to a traditional Indian lunch (complete with Mango Lassi, my husband’s favorite) at the home of some friends from church. Flowers seemed like a thoughtful gesture, but after circling Trader Joe’s parking lot three times without finding a spot, I almost gave up. Begrudgingly, I headed across the street to Whole Foods and, to my surprise, found stunning flowers. I bought more than I needed to be on the safe side, which turned into two bouquets. That, my friends, is what I call a win-win.
traveling
Meandering through the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is like being in a maze. One passage leading to another and then another, a labyrinth of sorts. (It reminded me a bit of wandering through the narrow alleyways of the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona, where it’s easy to get lost.) The Turkish culture is on full display from the aggressive “helpfulness” of the carpet sellers to the ancient mosques to the grand palaces. A cruise on the Bosphorus Strait into the Golden Horn and watching the Whirling Dervish perform made history come alive. I mean, I’m not even really sure I knew the Whirling Dervish was a real thing.
My husband, Rick the Traveler, said the best finale he could have hoped for was witnessing the well-known shoe shine scam. Who knew we didn’t need to walk 15 miles a day visiting all the sites!
Still round the corner, there may wait, a new road or a secret gate.
—J.R.R. Tolkien
reminiscing
Glancing out the front window, this scene makes me nostalgic for summer. I know, I know. I need to look forward, not backward. This is true for most things in life. In Seattle, we have entered what is commonly called the Big Dark. A time characterized by gloomy skies and waning daylight, challenging even the most lighthearted of people. It is also a time for nestling inside, making soup, and finding a slower pace. In reality, I believe the antidote to the Big Dark is not perpetual summer but embracing the seasonal changes and enjoying what it offers.
commemorating
I recently received this email from eBay celebrating my, yes, count it with me, 22 years of selling on their platform. What started as a way to make a few extra dollars turned into a part-time business. In my heyday, I had over a thousand listings and sold overstock for 3 businesses. My kids still remember vacations that started with a trip to the post office to drop off last-minute packages on our way to the airport. Although my eBay business has shrunk considerably, I still work on it daily and typically end my day shipping packages.
What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.
—John Steinbeck
I’m curious, what’s on your list of favorites?
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