It’s time for my first Taking Stock post for 2022, and oh what a year this year has been already! Wouldn’t you agree?
Let’s jump straight in.
Making: Art again after far too long of a break – more on that in my next Art Chat post.
Getting: Out with Mum now and then is good for the soul (for both of us). Recently, we’ve had a lovely outing to a nursery with coffee and cake at its cafe, and another outing which included a quirky country cafe stop.
Cooking: Up veggies for my dog Ava. I mix them with her dried food. She’s been on a diet to lose weight which she did but last visit to the heart specialist he told us she needs to put a little more back on!
Sipping: On a coffee as I type this.
Reading: Art blogs by artists whose work inspires me!
Thinking: That my furkids know the cues as to when I’m heading over to Mum’s again. This time Amaya jumped in my suitcase, refusing to get out!
Remembering: Lots of things that need doing for Mum when I stay with her. I’m the queen of lists!
Looking: At social media and websites of artists whose work I like to get me all inspired and raring to go with my art again.
Listening: To art podcasts like this one called Art Juice.
Wishing: Ok – this is gonna sound like a beauty pageant speech but I truly do wish for world peace. We’re all humans aren’t we? Humans should be kind and care about other humans. Amen!
Enjoying: I signed up for an online course! It’s on urban sketching and I am so excited because I love urban sketching and I am ready, willing and can’t wait to learn from those that are expert at it!
Appreciating: Home. Shelter. Food. Health. Health Care. Basic but important things.
Wanting: A holiday. I really need one so badly. We’ve not had a holiday since we had a week at Burleigh Heads back in February 2021. There’s been a lot going on – a pandemic, Mum being unwell and needing caring for, floods! Another factor that makes it hard to get away is that we have three pets! I’m determined though – an autumn or winter getaway needs to be planned asap and not just a 2-3 day one. It needs to be at least a week. Where should we go?
Eating: Cowboy Mix from Aldi with my pre-dinner port when staying at Mum’s. I don’t have it at home cos I’d be eating it too much but it’s a nice treat when I’m staying with Mum. Have you tried it? Yum!
Finishing: Another art mentoring module with Studio Yellow tomorrow (there’s 8 modules). There’s only two more modules for me to do as I’ve done all the rest. The next ones for me to do will be the last module for 2022 (Module 108) and the first module of 2023 (Module 101).
Liking: The fact that my daughter is living back in Brisbane again now. We had a visit to check out her cool new abode!
Loving: The fact that cooler weather is coming. I am not a summer humidity and heat loving gal.
Buying: Some art supplies. Sssshhh!
Watching: The first modules of my new online course. So exciting!
Hoping: That I will have had a holiday by the next Taking Stock post in June.
Wearing: A singlet top still – in March! The cooler weather couldn’t be too far off could it?
Walking: Not enough but it’s been too hot for me. Hopefully that will improve when it cools down. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.
Following: Lots of new artists on my social media. They inspire me and I can learn a lot from them.
Noticing: That I don’t let all the news articles on the pandemic fuel my anxiety anymore. I’ve gotten good at knowing what I need to know and blocking out all the rest.
Saving: Glass jars for art (to put water in) was becoming a problem because I have too many BUT I’ve decided I’m going to start making my own Bread & Butter Cucumbers because I can’t find any in the shops lately and I love them! Here’s a recipe by TASTE.COM.AU which I’m going to try. Do you have a B&B Cucumbers recipe you could recommend?
Waiting: For some art supplies to arrive before I properly start my new online art course. Meanwhile, I’m watching some of the videos to prepare.
Bookmarking: Everything art related these days – podcasts, blogs, courses, supplies, etc!
Coveting: A holiday. A little time out to relax and unwind. It needs to be in nature. A relaxing holiday.
Feeling: A little unwell. Tired eyes. Tired. Bit of a headache. Hope I’m just tired and I’m not getting sick.
Hearing: Thunder and rain. It’s Saturday afternoon and it’s been raining and storming. My washing is all on the line getting drenched! Boo hoo!
Well that’s a little insight into my world right now. Of course, it’s not the whole picture but it’s a glimpse! This year has been A LOT so far hasn’t it? We’ve had Omicron and now Omicron BA.2 and there’s the invasion of Ukraine by Russia which is just awful and here in Australia we’ve had floods along the east coast which led to my post a few weeks ago ‘It never rains but pours‘. Hopefully the year will improve. Meanwhile, I’m focussing on positive things, finding my happy places (art, yoga & pilates, nature, etc) and continuing to put steps in place to protect my mental health (limit exposure to the news!). I hope you will do the same to help you stay happy, healthy and well!
If you’d like to Take Stock also, just pop over to the creator of the Taking Stock concept, Pip’s blog – Meet Me At Mikes, and grab the list of word prompts from her last Taking Stock post which you’ll find HERE.
I do my Taking Stock posts quarterly so the next one will be towards the end of June.
Ciao for now,
Linking up with Denyse Whelan for #LifeStories
18 Comments
Love love love that you’re getting back into your art – and expanding it – and how that is peppered throughout this episode of Taking Stock. I’m SO looking forward to some cooler weather too!
Hi there Jo – yes slowly getting back into my art. I still have the interest and passion which is a positive and I love that I’ve signed up to an online course. It keeps the interest alive and inspires me! I agree – bring on the cooler weather I say!
Hi Min – it sounds like a good month for you – and that the time with your mum is creating positive memories and growing your relationship – and adding some variety into your weeks. I love how you’re doing a deep dive into your art and finding so much to enjoy in it – and being brave enough to take classes and expand your horizons. I’ll look forward to seeing your urban art when you start doing it.
Hi Leanne – I can’t really complain about the month I’ve had. It’s been demanding and busy and worrying at times but I’ve been healthy and have a roof over my head and plenty of interests to pursue so I’m doing well! I’m really looking forward to the urban sketching course and yes – you’ll be seeing what I produce from it! lol xo
Well done Min, your art is getting going again, and the cooler weather is coming! But I think you need a holiday as it’s mentioned quite a few times in your Taking Stock post :). Hope you are OK and really enjoyed catching up via your post.
Thanks Deb. It’s been hard to fit in art with all the other stuff on my plate lately, but I’m well aware of how good it is for my mental health and I really enjoy doing it and the sense of achievement it gives me. Yes – I sure do need a holiday so much! How did you guess? lol
It sounds like you’re getting your creativity back. I know you struggled when you did the 100 day challenge. You’ve had a lot on your plate with your mum’s illness. I saw your outing to the nursery centre last week and it looked lovely.
I hope you continue enjoying getting back into your art and I’m with you on the cooler weather. Bring it on!!!
Thanks Deb! I’m not feeling quite as creative and productive as when I did my 100 day project but I have some good intentions that hopefully I’ll see through! And the passion and interest is still strong which is good.
I love how into your art you are getting – and I do think we’re lucky with SM because we get an insight into artists from all over the world, not just ones that are curated for us by galleries.
Lovely to spend time with your mum and I do love nurseries that ARE GALLERIES. mY MUM i THINK IS A LITTLE SCARED TO LEAVE THE HOUSE SO WE ARE NOW PLANNING mOTHER’S DAY AT HER PLACE AND i’M ON THE SCOUT FOR FOOD i CAN BRING THAT CAN TRAVEL (WE NORMAL GO TO A RESTAURANT) – sorry, ignore all the caps. Fat fingers.
I hope you were just tired, and not sick – I guess you know by now.
Lastly, so with you on the rain. So over it! Esp re the clothes.
Hi Lydia – yes SM is fantastic for finding artists worldwide whose work inspires me! Mum & I enjoy a nursery and gallery too but we still can’t go far with Mum. I have to be able to park really close and the outing can’t require too much walking or having to walk cross country or anything like that. So we stick pretty close to home. We’re having Mother’s Day at my brothers house this year which will be nice. I hope your day goes well! Turns out I’m just tired. I’m not sleeping the best lately. I just need a little quiet time at home so cancelled our of a couple of my appointments to give me that. I hope the latest rain is over with now!!
I do love a Taking Stock Post Min, and there is so much to love in yours. You have reminded me of my precious poodle Matilda who is no longer with us. She hated to see the suitcase come out of the cupboard and would sulk. She knew what it meant. I’m definitely going to try those bread and butter cucumbers. They look amazing. I’m with you about needing a holiday. I think many of us are thinking the same. We’ve had the pandemic and now the floods and war to cope with hearing about. It certainly has been a worrying year already, but surely it can only get better.
Thanks so much Jennifer! Poor little Matilda! They all have their little quirks don’t they?! I hope you enjoy the Bread & Butter Cucumbers if you make them. I’ve been enjoying the ones I made. In fact we are nearly through the second jar so I’ll have to make some more soon! Let’s hope we can all get a nice holiday soon!
A great taking stock with lots to share…but the ART..love how it just takes over. I was like that for some time and was on a buying spree each time I saw something new to try.
Fortunately when I learned to only buy ‘the good stuff’ and what is labelled “artist” quality I have a lot of art supplies, and only bought something new early this year. But of course, here in Australia, we pay so much for much of the media as it’s imported. I have small glass jars with lids that were originally with home made jams I bought ages ago. The jars are the perfect size for me so the Jam lady sold me some as well ones with jam. I also use a water spritzer on my solid paints kept in small sections of plastic trays and my paints come up fresh every time.
My GP suggested I try a holiday after the past few months of stress, illness and overwhelm and I said it’s too hard for either of us to be overnight anywhere these days because of physical comfort and eating, so I am trying some little outings just for me as a change of pace.
Thank you so much for linking your blog post up for Life’s Stories my “now” fortnightly blogging link up at Denyse Whelan Blogs.
I appreciate your support and continuing blogging connections and friendships.
I will be back with the next #LifesStories link up on Monday 11 April 2022.
Denyse.
Thank you Denyse! Yes I am amazed at how much Art has become a focus of my life and a passion and joy. It’s taken me a long time to find it and realise that it was my thing all along. I guess the journey has been worth it because I have learnt a lot about myself along the way. I mostly only buy the good stuff too but do have a bit of cheap stuff! Only good stuff from now on though. I need to get myself a spritzer. It will be handy to ‘wake up’ my watercolours! I’m glad you’re having your little outings Denyse. They can be just as beneficial as an overnight stay away. I crave a holiday so much at the moment. Nature helps balance and restore me and after the last six months I really need that right now. I appreciate your support and friendship too. Thank you! xo
You know what made me smile? The mention of ART in response to so many of these prompts. Yay!! Cannot wait to see your latest creations. Have a tab open to visit Studio Yellow. It probably isn’t an online thing but thought I would check just in case. I have so enjoyed collage making with Jennifer Chamberlin online. Hope to get started on an Easter collage this weekend. Collage making has almost replaced my love of scrapbooking.
Glad you enjoyed time with your mom. I am just back from visiting mine, too. We went out to eat every day. At 95, she was amazingly gung-ho to go-go-go!! Now I need to lose the weight I gained sampling all the food in Lexington, Kentucky.
How wonderful that your daughter is living closer to you now. I have one who lives in the same city but about 20 miles away. Which works well most of the time. It just makes it difficult to pop in for a short visit. Especially with gas prices the way they are.
World peace. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? Why does it just have to be so elusive. Why can’t everyone just be NICE??
Hugs to you, my friend. Off to Studio Yellow….
Thanks so much Leslie! Lots of latest creations to see – some posted today. Studio Yellow is an in person thing BUT I know that she is currently working on some online courses that will be coming in the near future. Wow your Mom at 95 sounds incredible – good for her! It IS wonderful having my daughter back in the same city. She came for dinner last night which was lovely. Big hugs back at you. Thank you for your lovely kind comment xo
we were out at that brookfield cafe recently. it’s such a wonderful place to go. so sad that it was inundated during the flood. i wonder if it is back in order? Hard times lately… Keep well.
Fancy that! Isn’t it just so quaint and quirky? I love places that are a little different. It was all in order when we were there. I had no idea it had been affected in the floods! Stay well yourself and hope you’re having a wonderful week Sherry!