what can you do with an old red shoe?

My college years were during the age of grunge and combat boots were the rage. In attempt to be cool and artsy, I bought a pair of bright red Doc Martens--mainly because I loved the color and they were on sale (I was a poor college student!), even though they were a good 2 sizes too large on me.

Needless to say, over the years, I realized that these oversized, red boots made me look like Ronald McDonald and weren't very comfortable. But somehow, I didn't have the heart to throw them away. So, I left them in storage at my parent's house where they have been for years.

Recently, when I returned to visit, I saw this is what my mother had done to them:



Ha ha!

Coincidentally, my mother's creative gardening venture is the same project my friend Anna Alter titled her book on.

Next, I think my mom should consult Anna on what to do with my old cassette tapes of the Cure.

my wedding things (on thursdays)

When one has to get married within 90 days on a limited budget, there are things that you let slide. Or you let others take care of. I am truly fortunate that my mother is an award-winning floral designer, as well as flower show judge...which meant she did the flowers!

While that made things much simpler for me, it wasn't easy on her. After our wholesale flowers arrived, my mother was constantly at work. We had to tear her away so that she wouldn't be late for the ceremony. But it was true artistry at work. My cousin Austin described how she would move a flower an inch, step back and then move the flower another half inch...and did this for hours. Suddenly, I am beginning to understand where I get my painting patience/particularities from:



But it was worth it!

Baby Maia thinks so!

on my (mom's) desk monday

I'm in Upstate NY visiting my parents, where my mother proudly displayed her winning entry in the 3rd flower show of the NY State Fair. For this piece "Windmill" she won 3 blue ribbons: Best in Class, Design Choice Award Best in Section, and the Award of Excellence in the Design Division. The branch and round clusters of flowers all slowly spin with the air movement around them (like a mobile).

Yay, Mom!