the farm | these days...

the sunflowers are racing the barn to see who can touch the clouds first.
the blueberries are bubbling.
the new lavender whisper secrets in the breeze.
the path engulfs. 
&
i find myself celebrating my fourth summer here on the farm. i have had the immense privilege to witness exquisite beauty and growth, both around and inside each of us here.

 

havasupai | all the little things

(and sometimes big.)

 

 

 

signs of spring.

i noticed it when i looked up.

on tuesday, i sat outside in the back lot of my office to take a break from the waterfall of details i'm drenched in right now. after inhaling my my burrito (light on the rice and beans please), zanahorias curtidas and squirts of lime juice, i sat there, letting the sun's rays soak into my skin; i needed to slow down and breathe. it's been a busy work week, coupled with the details of preparing for a week-long backpacking trip in the wilderness - a duration i've never done before, and one that is causing a bit of humbling anxiety.


while sitting there breathing, i looked up and noticed these flowers. (you wouldn't know that i was surrounded by mostly concrete from the picture.) it was so beautiful that i stared for a while as i squinted to keep my gaze. then went back in to grab my camera. so simple & lovely in every way. 

treats.

straight out of the camera. 

all around me...

...i see new life.

i snuck outside between the torrents of rain this weekend.

and all i could see was new life everywhere. the garden is simply stunning right now. if you are local or in town for a visit, please come by. it won't take your breath away...it might breathe life into you.

what a delicate reach!

cherry blossoms.

i can't wait to sink my teeth into a sun ripened apricot this summer. they're unbelievably tasty & meaty.

the fuyu persimmon tree seems like it's made it's home.

coming in for an asparakiss.

the plum trees are prolific.

o, just lookin.

secret garden whispers.

grow little one, grow.

rare.

i admit, i usually don't like being in pictures.
but every so often, someone takes one that capture my attention.

i like this one because i'm wearing my favorite outfit doing one of my favorite things.
anyway, that's me. & this is what i shot.



///
on sunday, i went out with 5 other folks on a photography excursion around lake merritt in oakland. it was probably one of the most inspiring outings i've had in a while. i felt like there was eye candy everywhere. my senses came alive! when i got home at 10pm, i downloaded all my images and edited away for 3 hours, losing all sense of time.


i hit a flow.
& it felt so freakin good.
: )

if you're interested, you can see more shots from the day here.

wishing you a losing & finding of yourself in something you love.
xo

[thanks abel for the great shot. i love it!]

they smiled at me, and i said hello.

i really like fresh cut flowers. beautiful simple ones, not of the generic variety. (although..some might say dahlias are generic.)

at the farmers' market on sunday, these dahlias smiled at me. i swear they did. so i brought them home. it was quite pleasant participating in a craft (flower arrangement) that i don't normally do.

the point that most captivated me most, came while looking at the cut stems (note: it was not the flowers, as one might expect). i was inspired by what would've become the "trash."

the stems looked really interesting after i cut off the actual blooms, so i just started playing around with the composition of the arrangement. i really like the results of the first one on the left, because of the playful leaves on the top.

then, i started cutting the rest of the stems to approximately the same length and then put them into the clear jar, to create a solid base in the clear jar. (2nd picture to the left). combining 3 dahlias with the stems in the mason jar felt simple and clean in a way that please my eye.

these little arrangements are sitting next to my desk, bathroom, and reading chair, so i can get the most enjoyment out of them before they need to get thrown into the compost. oooOo. you know what? i think i want to treat myself to fresh flowers like once a month.

but by all means, feel free to send flowers anytime. :)
i kid. kindasortanotreally.