oct '25 favorites
Small things that made my October just a little bit better.
creating
This painting is living proof that there is room for some version of adorable in my art. Despite struggling to figure out a composition that incorporated child-friendly mushrooms, I think I got it on the 42nd version. The swinging mouse was a last-ditch effort for whimsical cuteness. I was so happy when I showed a slightly earlier version to my daughter Mackenzie and received a glowing response which confirmed I was finally on the right path. Although long overdue, this canvas now hangs in my sweet grandbaby, Remy’s, nursery.
cooking
In general, I try to only recommend tried and true recipes, family favorites, that sort of thing. In this case, Ina Garten’s Potato Leek Soup was a first-time attempt. It was a case of leeks in the garden nearing their “best if picked now” expiration date. A use it or lose it situation. This soup did not disappoint and offered a vague similarity to French Onion Soup.
Note: I did not puree my potatoes, opting for a lumpy version which I prefer. I subbed sour cream for creme fraiche because that is what was on hand. I highly recommend taking the time to make the crispy shallots, although I probably caramelized mine more than fried them.
Creativity is a wild mind and a disciplined eye.
—Dorothy Parker
reading
The Creative Call by Janice Elsheimer is a book written in a similar format to Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way. Elsheimer describes it as the Christian version with specific Bible references throughout. Although 20+ years old, the concepts and principles outlined in the book continue to offer helpful insights to any creative practice. It seems there is a bottomless pit of encouragement needed to foster your creativity, as evidenced by the volume of books written on the subject.
inspiring (artist)
Elizabeth Murray was considered one of the most influential postmodern abstract artists of her time. She received numerous artistic awards and was a sought-after instructor until she died in 2007 at the age of 67. For all those accolades, you’d think her name would be well-known to us common folk, not just to art history majors.
I copied her 1978 painting titled “Children Meeting,” which hangs at the Whitney Museum of Art in New York. Besides confronting my personal aversion to a bright color palette, I found the straight lines particularly difficult. I think that is what makes art so interesting, that we all choose differently.
It’s easy to announce that we don’t have time for a new skill or generous act. But the truth is we could probably find the time. What we don’t have is energy or motivation. Find that and you’ll probably find the time.
—Seth Godin
following
YouTube: Marabeth Quin’s channel is fairly new to me but her mixed media abstract landscape process offers lots of inspiration
Pinterest: Willa Wanders boards are bright and cheerful filled with many visually appealing ideas
Instagram: Carole Pueo’s portraits are varied each carrying their own depth and meaning which I find inspiring
arranging
Sometimes you arrange flowers, and sometimes you arrange gourds. This month, it is all about pumpkins, and these little white ones are my favorite. Together with a wooden chain, a vintage shoe mold, and an old book, this is my dining room table decor. Nothing ordinary, traditional, or complicated about it.
I do understand if it’s not your cup of tea. Not everyone has vintage wooden shoe molds lying around.
If you give freely, there will always be more.
—Ann Lamott
capturing
Nothing brings me greater joy than a patch of soft green moss. On top of bricks, in the cracks of a slate patio, on a woodpile. Anywhere and everywhere. My hunch is that it stems from my childhood, where moss was prolific, rampantly growing in the damp coastal mountain range, encouraged by 144 inches of rain each year. Moss unknowingly became part of my DNA, a blueprint for life inherited not by my parents but my mountain home.
blooming
I plunked this bucket of chrysanthemums down as I headed to the potting bench in search of another container. Upon my return, I snapped a quick photo as I loved the orange set against the green and gray background. The flowers were headed for the front porch, their final destination after an impulse purchase from the discount rack at Home Depot. Although orange can seem a bit garish, it does seem perfect for October. Not exotic and probably cliche, but when all things pumpkin are at their height of popularity, it does seem fitting. It won’t be long until they will fade to brown and wear out their welcome.
In the entire circle of the year there are no days so delightful as those of a fine October.
—Alexander Smith
smiling
When our kids were growing up, my husband would fondly refer to them as “Children of the Corn”. A reference to a 1984 Steven King horror movie. In hindsight, that probably was not uplifting or affirming, although we found great humor in it at the time. As in all our poor parenting decisions, I pray these same kids made a full recovery and are not festering wounds of animosity.
The reason I bring this up is that a neighbor recently described this supposedly spooky lightshow scene as “Children of the Corn.” If only the movie was as benign as these life-size teddy bears and rocking baby buggy. It reminds me instead of a nightmare called “The Hand that Rocks the Cradle”. A psychological thriller that has you looking over your shoulder and second-guessing nannies.
drinking
Yes, it is that time again. After a brief hiatus, our wine group met this month to try the Gamay varietal, a medium-bodied red wine most notably from France. After much palate cleansing, cracker eating, and sipping, the clear standout winner was the 2023 Couer de Granit Chenas. You’ll notice Gamay is nowhere in the title, which is as confusing to you as it is to me. The French tend to spin some mystery into their wine, a guessing game that keeps us all on our toes.
Wine improves with age. The older I get the better I like it.
—Joan Collins
watching
I know you have endless streaming options, so I’m only suggesting a short 7-minute video here. Not a series, movie, or documentary, more like reality TV masquerading as a cute commercial. Truthfully, I couldn’t resist sharing. My son, Blake, and his wife, Melanie, made a fun product review video. If you don’t finish watching and want to buy a Moprobo, then, quite frankly, I don’t know what’s wrong with you. Watch here to see what I mean.
exciting
Our Seattle Mariners baseball team had a historic season. Rick & I attended the epic 15-inning, game 5 win over the Detroit Tigers with 46,000 of our new best friends. I calculated we were at the game for 7 hours. Oblivious as always, we were featured on the Big Screen before the start, as observed by friends who immediately started texting us. Painfully, the Mariners lost the series a week later against the Toronto Bluejays remaining in the category as the only team in the league not to be in a World Series. (Sorry, not sorry about all the sports talk!)
In full disclosure, I am not the biggest baseball fan, as I find it incredibly slow. On the other hand, I am a big sports fan, so I can readily support our local teams, whether it is baseball, football, soccer, or ice hockey (and maybe one day basketball again… Supersonics anyone?)
Whatever makes you weird is probably your greatest asset.
—Joss Whelan
I’m curious, what’s on your list of favorites?
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