kt40

beach souvenirs

I know I dedicated three days to posting about Corsica. So I wanted to share something from the trip, well a couple things. First off the conversation that took place when we first got off the ferry, just trying to keep it real.

Jason: "Where am I going?"

Katy: "Well just stop for a second, let me figure out where we are" (Jason not stopping car)

Jason: "This way?"

Katy: "Jay, I don't know, I don't know where we are, if you would just stop for a minute." (just to be fair to Jason , I'm requesting that he does this as we are going around a round-about in heavy city traffic)

Jason: "I'm just going to take this road" (At this point I am looking out the window, trying to take a deep breath.)

Jason, again: "Is this the right way?"

Katy, not wanting to respond but doing it anyways: "If you would slow down for a minute, I could make out the signs."

Well of course we made it there and he was going the right way, but could you feel the tension which is now humorous of course. 

Secondly, I worked on making some beach souvenirs this weekend for my May giveaway. They are funky! (would anyone expect anything less?) So If you want one of my beach souvenirs with rocks from Corsica, shells from Corsica, the Azores(Portugal) and Tuscany, Italy. Each wrapped with wire and a little bead.

Just leave a comment or email me jandk_keuter@yahoo.com they are numbered 1-10 from left to right. So if there is one that catches your fancy just make sure to write the number. The largest one is #8 (length 10cm & width 7cm) smallest is #3 (length 4cm & width 4cm)  all the others fall in-between these measurements. I must add that Jason came in the room when I was making these "Oh making something with your rocks, interesting." yes I do love this man, dare I say it......even when he is driving, now that's true love.

Here are close-ups of each one since the photos are so tiny.

All over the place

This post is all over the place a bit like my mind lately so it is fitting to say the least. First off I wanted to share a photo of some drop dead gorgeous roses my friend Bridget brought over. They are from her garden, she read my post about my goal of having fresh flowers on my table. If you are reading this Bridget, Thanks again!!!

Secondly I have not been looking at my "To do list" Important stuff that needs to be taken care of now list. Instead I have been varnishing rocks that I collected in Corsica, we all know how imperative it is that I get on this now, I mean really now, the rocks must be varnished before we move to Japan this summer, getting the children's school records is just going to have to wait.

I have been making muffins.
Then sitting down and leisurely eating them and placing my "To do list" across the table so that I have to strain and squint my eyes, but alas, it is to hard to read....ho hum.........
(I highly recommend this recipe, so easy and good and pretty.)

I have been beading wire necklaces. That I shall wear when I get around to tackling my "To do list"

I have been outside taking a break from thinking about how I am avoiding my "To do list". Outside I can admire Iris's bouquets that she has been putting together and trying to sell to people that pass by our house.

I love that she even fills up the the little vanilla bottles with flowers.

Have a great weekend!
katy

small vacation 3

I have mentioned before that one of my favorite things to do is look at hanging laundry, it is a clue to who lives in the house, obviously a sweet baby dwells here. I couldn't resist taking this photo of all the little onesies and sleepers too sweet! It does make me sigh a little though, I can't help but think of my own children's laundry, ohhh......how they have grown.

The four photos below are different shots from another mountain village. These little towns made me love the color gray(I didn't know it was possible to love it more than I already did).

At each place we stopped I took photo after photo. Jason didn't l know that I was taking this particular photo, he was busy petting a dog that wandered up to him while he was waiting for me to finish taking photos so he could drive us to the next town where I would hop out and take more....I think he was secretly happy when my camera battery ran out.

I did feel like a kid in a candy store, each town was so beautiful! I love when signs are painted on buildings.

Last photo I leave you with was taken along the beach. I made it a little out focus, to make it seem dreamy, that is the word I would use to describe Corsica, dreamy.

a small vacation 2

I think for the next few days I will post photos of our (mine and Jason's) two nights and three days in Corsica on our own.
Yes without kids, my dad and step-mom watched the kids for us, such a treat. Corsica is one of my favorite places, I am drawn to Island life, seems slower and the beaches the kind that are not filled with umbrellas, those are my favorite.

If I could become a professional beachcomber I would, it is my true calling I think. On our last day there before catching the ferry, I said to Jason, I need to go to the beach one last time to gather some more rocks."
Jason said "I think you already have enough." as he watched me stuff my tote full of rocks.
"I need just a few more." I pleaded. And there he sat on a bench near the beach, patiently watching me.

Here are some windows in a small town in the mountains, I really like the one with the older person inside reading the paper. More photos tomorrow.

a small vacation

I didn't think these photos needed to many words next to them.

at home

Tomorrow my dad and stepmom come to visit, so I won't be blogging for a bit. Iris has been counting down the days until their arrival and set up a desk space for them in her room, in case they need to write. Jasmine is willing to part with her room for a little bit, snow globes have been rearrange so that they can be admired by visitors. Wyatt is sick again today, I am taking him to the doctors today, flu like symptoms five times in the last month in a half, minus the fever, it just doesn't add up to me. Jason has been getting job offers from around the world, but Japan still seems to be in the lead. Last but least I've been cutting roses from our yard and calling attention to them when a family member passes by the table,
"Look at the roses aren't they beautiful!"
"You can smell them if you want."
I'm getting half responses in return.
"A yeah , mom......can I have my computer turn now" or "Ummmm Okay.... in a minute...maybe....has anyone seen the black stapler."
Doesn't matter, there will be plenty more flowers this spring that will grace our dining room table, plently, it is in my job description after all, the mental one I wrote up myself.

featured blog this month, Sperlygirl

A while back I talked about introducing a new blog every three weeks or so. Well I'm changing this a little I want to first go through the blogs I already have on the sidebar (down a bit and over to the left).
Do a little feature on them and why I chose to put them there. First up is the first blog that I ever read sperlygirl. I am lucky enough to know this blogger in person, lucky that my family sees her family and that her and I are good friends. I loved looking back on one of Suz's first posts red laundry then viewing her blog now. The size of the photos stand out as the only difference to me (which I am happy about, I like seeing them bigger) unlike most bloggers who start their blog off sounding like a beginner, Suz's blog started off seeming like she had done this before. She manages to maintain and continually surprise us with her poetic descriptions that makes one wonder if her first words were written, it seems to be second nature for her to write. Her words are always a perfect fit next to her consistently touching photos.

A person who seems to always find the light in the dark,

sperlygirl

Check out her blog, I know you'll end up as a regular visitor too.

finally finished my dream piece

You might remember that I have been working on and off on making a ceramic piece that I had in a dream long ago, well I finally finished it!! There was a point where I almost threw it in the garbage. I had received the two ceramic pieces back  (they looked like a hot water bottle that had been cut in half) and I hated the glaze, really I did, I even gasped when I saw it, nothing like an ugly ceramic hot water bottle split in two.  Then I said to myself "Katy you still need to finish it!" if you have read any of my other posts you know I have to see things through to the end. So, I went to the store and purchased some ceramic paint and painted and painted.  Then my mom entered the picture, she really saved this project, she sent me some feathers (I was having a hard time finding any here).  She knew just what I wanted. I never went into detail with her, and then there they were sent through the mail, the feathers from my dream and ones that I couldn't have even dreamt about, they were so beautiful. This dream piece does not make sense(a lot like my dreams really) It is a vase that simply holds feathers and a single rose.....it is laced together.....it is uneven.....it is strange.....it is something I would have never made if it had not been in one my dreams.  Doing this experiment has really made me listen to myself, lower the critical voice and turn-up the encouraging one instead. For myself and others. I have this tendency to see someone else's art, for instance a piece in a modern art museum and judge it immediately, I don't get it and I do not get the point of it. Making this piece makes me want to step back from being that person, I don't want to be so quick to judge, I don't have to always get it that isn't really the point of creating something......at least it isn't the point for me anymore.

I just needed to add that I realized that this project was a collaborative effort, the people who encouraged me to finish it, my mom, The people who collected the feathers, then dyed them, the rose, whomever it was who made the rose, the color of the paint for the vase, who came up with that color? The ribbons and their colors, my ceramic teacher for firing the pieces, my camera, the people responsible for designing my special little camera.....making something does involve other's creativity and ideas that is the other gift I received by seeing this crazy project through, stepping away from myself and seeing the bigger picture, others, some I will never know and ones that I do, and truly appreciating them all.

early welcome

It is nine in the evening here, probably noon in the states where I am from. I am welcoming May early on my blog. Tomorrow I won't be on the computer, the kids all have the day off and I am not sure what we will be up to but I have decided to cross the computer off my list. With my new blog comes a new kt40 banner at the top of my blog each new month and new color fonts, my way of shaking things up a bit and noticing what each month brings me, my kids helped me pick the flowers and stood around while I arranged things saying "Yes!" "No!" "That doesn't really work, Mom" to "That is my favorite one!" They are my helpers and sometimes they feel like my stay late at work(home) to finish the blog errr...I mean "the project" colleagues(they aren't as into my blog as I would like to pretend they are). Even though they are much younger than me and don't drink coffee yet and this blog isn't really a job, they are my honest critics about it and sometimes this can wear on me but most importantly they are my children that wander in and out of whatever project I am working on and offer their two cents(these are very shiny new pennies of course), and if there were do-overs in life, I wouldn't change a thing.

I thought this little house was beautiful with it's gray door and shutters up above and the blue spray for the grapes that managed to stain the walls. Seemed like a fitting photo for May, colors as soft as the name itself.

painting and picking flowers

I know mine mind is restless, whenever it is I have an urge to make something. I have been painting, not really sure I even like these paintings but that isn't really the point...they relax me.....the circles.....it must been painting the circles that is doing it for me. I also have been pulling over the car and hopping out picking wildflowers and roses from abandoned roses bushes. Arranging bouquets, some are simple and some are showy, it is another standby that relaxes me. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around moving to Japan. "Moving from Italy to Japan, a housewife with three kids, a dog, three guinea pigs and an adventurous husband, stay tuned for more on this story" imagine an official sounding newscaster saying this, what is the real story? Is it even news? When I think of this move, I miss my turn I was supposed to take when I am driving, I forget why I walked into a room, I end up looking lost in the grocery store because, surprise, I forgot my shopping list .....yeah sometimes I just have to stop and paint and pick flowers.

This is a close-up from a painting

a full painting

Morning light

I haven't been posting lately. Jason was gone last week in Germany so this weekend was just spent doing nothing but being home together as a family. I also haven't known what to write about either. So this explains why you might come here and say hum... what's up? I took Cubana on a walk this morning and have one photo to share. There are these groves of trees planted around here, I'm not sure what type of tree they are or why they are planted in rows but I love how they look. When I get out of my bloggers block...you'll be sure to know. A good week to you. katy

Very Happy Everything(Shutter Sisters Love Thursday)

I do look at shop windows and there are some that make me smile or admire who ever it was that came up with the window display. This particular shop had different flying hearts in the windows, each one with something positive written on it "Very Happy Everything" strange wording, strange enough for each word to stand out. I think this was a clever person who came up with this display....who wouldn't feel a little lighter after walking past a shop full of different sweet messages on winged hearts.

for more love thursday

Italy

When I switched my blog this month it made me go through my past posts.  This was a long process because I have written soooo much.....crazy.... One thing stuck out to me, I talk about living here in Italy but a lot of my photos, to me a least,  seemed to missing Italians themselves and the small things that make up the Italy where I live. So I decided I will try to show you more glimpses of where it is I live, maybe once a week have a Italy day or something along those lines. Following is the first official attempt.

Below is a cafe where I have often met my friend Anna for a morning cappuccino and pastry.

There are these small stores scattered everywhere. I love the dog with his owner shopping.  There is something to these small shops we have one in our neighborhood and the man and his wife are very friendly and always fixing their window display. Where I grew up there was a small shop like this one next to our house but it shut down because there was not enough business.  That makes me use these little markets here more, nostalgic person and worry-wart that I am.

This was a deli with the slabs of meat hanging above, cheese, pasta, sauces and wine.  All the ingredients you need for a great meal. You have to love that.

Tuesday

Hey just a short note today "Have a good Tuesday!" I had to share this photo of this planter I just loved the flowers bursting out of the pot. I have a stomach bug, I will spare you all the details and let your imagination take over. So my tone wouldn't sound chipper if you could hear me more weak and groggy but that doesn't mean the sentiment isn't there. kt

Using an old table cloth to make barrettes

I went to a market with Bridgetand Suz(with her family) this weekend. There was a table full of old linens. One section was odds and ends for only one Euro each(about a dollar and fifty cents) Well I went crazy of course, I love old linens. This little old table cloth was stained but I couldn't resist the design, all the work that someone had done.  I knew I could find a use for it. So this little table cloth is becoming little barrettes for me and the girls. Instructions as follows.

P.S. Iris wrote all the little signs for me.

                  Supplies: 1) old linen with embroidered designs 2) scraps of felt  3)fabric glue 4)scissors 5) thread 6) bobby pins

 

cut out shapes and glue felt on the back

 

When glue dries, use your needle and thread to sew onto the bobby pin

 

I sewed six stitches down then six back up.

Last step is to make your knot. They look very sweet in hair, especially when you clump a lot of them together.

My pockets #2 walnuts

This post isn't really about much, I am just enjoying taking more photos of the small items that manage to end up in my pockets. When I set them out on a white table with direct sunlight coming through the windows, then do some tweaking with the exposure in iphoto they make me take a second look at them and know why I picked them up in the first place and wanted to carry them around.

Teaching

The last few days around here have been quite enough that I was able to pull out a sewing project I am working on with the girls. We are making place-mats and I am teaching them how to sew. I love this project because they are designing these place-mats, choosing the color combinations and the colors are so bright and cheery.
My favorite part has been watching them sew, knowing one day they will maybe have their own sewing machine. What will be their first project? Will they call me for help or will they be sitting at their machine maybe with some music on in the background quietly, confidently sewing something that I will think is beautiful, they are my children after all, I am biased to whatever they create. I know the second scenario, where they don't need me is the best but hard to not want the first one.
I have many tins filled with things that they have all made and some days when they are at school I will open up a tin and rummage through kindergarten art. One day one of these place-mats, stained I'm sure, will get folded up and put in one of my tins.

Welcome!

Hey welcome! This is my new site, take a look around I have been setting it up for many minutes upon minutes, more fun than doing the actual work that needs to be done around this house. Happy you made it here! kt

woman for garden wall

I made this woman for a wall in my new garden next year. I don't know if I will actually have a wall but one can hope can't they. She is based on the Madonnas that are around here that inspire me. They always seem to have flowers around them and shells. I suppose this stands for the beauty found on land and in the ocean, not sure, but that is what I would like to believe they represent. Mine doesn't have a child with her because she is more the mother of earth with a flower in her hair

and a full circle with a star inside stamped over her heart.

A year in the garden is a full circle to me and the plants

that grow then fade away do seem to live like stars.

Love is in the air(shutter sisters,love thursday)

It is everywhere really...love...We went with the kids to the city the other day I had my camera slung around my shoulder. Then I saw a couple kissing behind a fountain and it was the man's hands that really caught my eye, clasped around her back....love is something we like to hold, isn't it.

The next photo..... a man was receiving the comfort of love or was it the other way around, he was the one giving. Then lastly the photo below, the simple act of holding hands as we walk, sort-of the quiet subtle body language that says "I love this person".

It is everywhere I tell you, these were just a few glimpses of many that I saw that afternoon and when my little family sat down for lunch a man sitting at the table next to us noticed my camera and offered to take our photo "You have such a lovely family." he said. I guess he was noticing the love that was around him too that day and knew that a simple photo could capture it.

For more Love Thursday

couple of days off

I have to take a few days off blogging here, need to stop being the lady causally taking photos of others hustling and bustling about. Need to start attending to matters like getting three guinea pigs pet passports, you know the usual moving stuff like that. We are moving soon, need to face the reality of it. So until a couple days from now...Katy

And the winner is.....

I had Jasmine pull the name out of the bowl this morning....."It's Mary!" she said. So Mary the bowl will be sent out this week along with some Italian treats in it to you.

This makes me think I will do this again next month with another piece of pottery because, well I have quite a bit and we are moving and it is fun to be surprised to find out who it is going to and honestly I wanted to be able to send each one of you something but it wouldn't be a drawing then would it. Well I hope your Monday goes well! kt

The poem

My ceramic dream piece is almost finished. Last Wednesday I glazed it. I went to the library to look for books about Native American Art. I realized this is what my dream piece wants to be and as I looked around the library I ended up seeing a little ragged book on a bottom shelf in the poetry section. I could only make out the words sun and love on the side. "Hummm......what is this?" I thought.
I picked it up and open the first page "So and so has written over six poetry books since 1940 poems about the Yukon...."
"I don't know this really isn't speaking to me." I thought.
"Just look at one poem." I heard myself say. I opened the book
Kathleen was written at the top of the page. I slammed the book shut. "That is my name! This book has a poem written in it with my name as the title, I just randomly turned to that page....okay this is weird, I am definitely checking out this book." I glanced around, had anyone noticed that I had sort-of freaked out and slammed the book shut....no....the coast was clear or maybe the library was just it's usual empty self and I was my usual nutty self.
I realized as I was checking out the book that I had to rush home, Iris would be out of school very soon. I threw the book in the front seat next to me. I couldn't stop glancing over at the book What was the poem about?...are there many poems titled Kathleen?....was this poem going to be a love poem?....was it about a woman in Alaska?....was it going to be the most intense poem I had ever read with some sort-of life changing message? Well after I picked up Iris, I had to make lunch for all the kids, take them swimming and then finally when we got home I went down to my room and opened the book.
It was probably the lamest, strangest poem I have ever read I actually started laughing thinking "What the *;%#!"!!! Every line rhymed at the end tak'n and break'n these are how the words were actually spelled, it was about some man who sailed a boat and had stomach problems and had to have a cow, who he named Kathleen on his boat, because he could only drink milk......I kidd you not! I kept thinking who would write a poem about this....six poetry books published.....what the bleep!! I somehow finished the whole poem which went on and on and the writing style driving me crazy the whole time but I kept thinking there has got to be something to this. It all really makes me laugh now, laugh at myself for being so freaking serious about the whole thing. Life is funny, get it, I get it.

My morning walk

I took my usual walk the other day. Took the camera along. I have walked this same path at least four times a week for the last year and half. My mind wanders in and out of though.
For the most part the countryside is able to distract me from my ever-repeating thoughts.
But one kept sneaking through.... come this end of August I will just have photos of this path and only memories of the red tail hawk who lives somewhere nearby and has scared me a couple of times because of how close it was to me, one day only five feet away sitting on a stump watching me walk.

The little Italian tower on the crumbling cliff side.

The cement shed at the end of field whose crop rotates each year. I know I will find new places to explore but sometimes thoughts of moving can be so bittersweet.....so I took photo after photo, I don't want to only rely on my mind's memory of images that started off my mornings here. I made that mistake with Portugal.

Two days left

Only two days left for the bowl drawing( see post below) so if you want in, just follow the instructions below. Kt