a sick and snowy week.

I have been fighting a cold all week. Today I have no voice. My week was still productive though. I finished my spring catalogue and organized my life. Drawers and files and receipts were all sorted. I usually spend the first week of the year doing this. In the evenings I flipped through an inspiring stack of books from the library. I drew pages and pages in my sketchbook too. I drew growth and germination, mostly. I organized the studio and we organized our home too. It feels good to do this. We added much needed storage to our home over the holidays. A new book shelf with open shelves, glass doors, and a few drawers. All of our books have a happy new home and the shelves behind the glass now house special things from our travels and thoughtful gifts from our friends and family. A little tour of our new bookshelf.

Jeff I got these little elephants when we travelled to Thailand. Since I am a little clumsy the little guy's trunk has been glued back on twice. I am hoping he will be safe behind the glass now. A wooden bowl made by Jeff's uncle Don Stinson. It's made from a burl of a tree. And on the right, an adorable ceramic piggy bank- a trade I did with Aneela Dias D'Sousa at the Cabbagetown show this year. It has to be broken to get at the money. I wouldn't be able to bring myself to do that. It's still empty.
A ceramic Raki set Jeff and I bought on our honeymoon in Crete. We have yet to find Raki in Canada. And my small but beautiful woodblock collection. One was gift from my mom and the other a gift from my friends Sara and Marcel.
My little family- as Russian nesting dolls! Jeff and I both twist in half at the waist. My brother painted these for everyone in my family. He ordered the blank dolls online. My parents' set is of them, my brothers, and myself as the wee little one since I am the youngest. I find it too funny that Beau is our little one. Funniest Christmas presents ever.