Hello my friend!

Summer has arrived in full force and my garden continues to enchant me every day.

In case you missed it, I blogged about my June garden over on Substack.*

My butterfly friend looked very different in that post. Those three caterpillars, all now transformed and flown away, are good reminders of how quickly things change.

I sat in the garden the other day, just trying to be present. Observe. Soak up the glories of full-blown summer. Everywhere around me are little moments of magic. I’m trying to slowing down so I don’t miss them.

The days-long unfurling of poppy petals.

A chorus of peeps and chirps from a family of rose-breasted grosbeaks.

The way the hose crushes scent from the orange mint as I roll it to put away.

Spicy arugula flowers, tangy-sweet raspberries and crunchy snap peas munched as I wander my garden beds.

The intoxicating fragrance of wet soil.

Although I’ve witnessed each of these moments and so many more, they seem to pass faster than ever. We’re somehow halfway through the year now, even with my intentional slowing down. Trying to hold onto summer is like trying to grasp water.

And I’m reminded again of how important it is to savor each delight, even as it passes.

I’m working on a new painting inspired by flowers gathered in my garden.

I’m overflowing with ideas for many more paintings. So many flowers and combinations of plants I want to capture with watercolor.

I know I’ll never have time for them all before the season shifts.

And that’s ok.

One more reminder to be present and enjoy the fleeting moments.

I’m doing this in my sketchbooks, too, as I embrace creative play.

Somehow sketchbooks seem more fun and playful in the summertime.

Perhaps it’s the ability to take them outside.

I load up a picnic basket with art supplies and sit in the garden.

Noticing.

Observing.

Playing.

I’ve been thinking about the exercises I shared in my summer sketchbook class. Inspired by them, I recently did some more sun prints and flower pounding.

Both are magical.

Sketchbooks give me permission to make a mess.

To experiment without worrying about the outcome.

To play.

To ponder answers to the question “what if?”

No matter what else is going on in the world, my garden brings me solace and my sketchbooks let me escape into the childlike joy of creating.

Sometimes there’s nothing more important.

What have you been savoring lately?

*I’m still finding my way on Substack, but so far am enjoying it. How’s your experience been? Any suggestions, thoughts, ideas, feedback? I had a great email conversation with a subscriber sharing her concerns after my announcement last month and would love to know what you think, too.