Remember the first time you tried to ride a bike without training wheels? The first time you tried to skate? You fell, you laughed most of the time when you did, and then picked yourself right back up and did it all over again. Howie made the kids their very own ice rink in our yard. We plan on having lots of winter fun around here, skating, laughing, picking each other up, drinking hot cocoa, making bonfires and just being together.
The sun is so low in the sky during long Maine winters and disappears before five. Lighting candles during the darkness helps us to remember that it will come again.
...and something else I wanted to share...
I had my book signing for Exhibition 36 yesterday at Borders Books in Brunswick. And you know, it wasn't at all about selling my book, but instead a celebration with my family and friends. I got to look into the eyes of people I had not seen in a long time and give them big, warm, tight hugs. People from all walks of my life showed up and made me tear up over and over again. Don't laugh -- but it felt like a beautiful funeral, only I wasn't dead. Does that make sense? It was a gift of a day I will carry with me always.
Here I am with three amazingly beautiful, talented Maine artists -- each of whom is a contributor in the book. From left to right is Joselyn, Holly, me and Jes. Thank you ladies for joining me and making the day extra special! I would also like to thank members of the Etsy Maine Team for coming out to show your support -- it was a pleasure to meet you!
And a thank you to you my friend, for stopping by my blog. Your comments add another dimension to it -- you bring my blog to life for me, and I am so grateful. I must apologize for my lack of timeliness in responding to your comments this holiday season. I will be trying to catch up this week, visiting all your wonderful blogs -- thanks for your understanding.
41 comments:
I'm looking forward to trying out your skating rink! Look like fun :) So happy to see you on Saturday at your book signing and happy that the kids were able to see you there too... See you tomorrow!
congrats on your book signing !!!
you look beautifully happy and yes..I get the funeral idea !!
and just think... I can say "I knew her back in the day of the very first squam"...having shared a cottage, wondering what was "alive" in your bedroom, journaling by the fireplace, driving in the rain around new hampshire, shopping at the general store....such great memories !!!
YOU GO GIRL !!!
Congrats on your book signing. I also love your photo of the little boy and the pigeons. i have teh exact same shot except it is my son in Amsterdam. Lovely :)
susan the look on your daughters face with the candles is priceless, I have really enjoyed my visits here and celebrate your success ...we need more artists in this big old world ...blessings
Oh Susan,
I'm so thrilled for you - everyone looks so totally happy :) Congratulations.
It's a dream of mine too - and you are so inspiring!
I would love to know how to get a signed copy of that beautiful book of yours???
what beautiful and meaningful pictures :) i am so affected by the book signing picture... i've always wondered how it felt like for people to be holding your book and then presenting it to you, smiling... and then you sign it... 1000s upon 1000s of unexplainable feelings i would imagine ... perhaps i have always secretly wanted to be the one sitting there :) i've only been in your blog a couple of times but each time you exude hope... the aura you have is immense... you probably think i'm a bit silly... after all we haven't even met... yet this IS what i feel each time i come here :) congratulations once again on your new book... if it comes to borders in my country... i will surely buy it :) you are such an inspiration and a mom that every kid would want :)
Hi Susan,
Congratulations on your first book signing. The first of many I am sure. That is so exciting. Thanks for sharing that. Wish I could have been there to have you sign my copy!
The homemade ice rink sounds like a blast. When we lived in Canada, many of the neighbors had them for their kids and they had a ball. Enjoy the winter!
Love,
Tammy
Every picure is a work of art and tells a million stories.
AMAZING
CONGRATS on the book signing, that is such a wonderful accomplishment.
Absolutely sooooo cool, the book signing - you deserve it sweetie!!! And I wanna come skate with you guys :-) what a terrific idea. I don't think it stays cold long enough here for it to work, but my skating/hockey playin' family would love it.
YAY! How great is this photo?! I'm putting it on my wall. yes! I, a complete stranger, am putting your photo on my wall!
(I think I saw this on an episode of America's Most Wanted, once. Maybe it was something else.)
Anyway, how cool that you had a signing where warm fuzzies happened!
p.s. i have a hard enough time just standing in sneakers. there's no way I'm getting on skates again. But thank you all the same!
You haven't responded to my comment yet.
Congratulations on your book signing, it looks like it was a lot of fun. I would have love to have attended ...*sigh*..why do I have to live so far away!?
The second photo of your daughter is beautiful. You really have captured the wonder and innocence of a child with this photo.
*hugs*
I'm so happy for you! And I do understand what you mean. You've now done what so many yearn for.
Brenda
How exciting for you!! Congratulations to you! I love the picture with the angel chimes- to me they are magical. Ahh- the long, deep winter- time to snuggle in, get cozy, light candles and stay warm...and know that seconds, then minutes are being added to the daylight as we speak. round and round the seasons go...Enjoy
Patti
Congrats on your book signing Susan! I love that last group picture - so much joy!
xoxo,
Kristin
what a gift you are giving your kids with the winter memorys they will carry throughout their lives.
we had a creek behind our house growing up and we skated it when it would freeze. one winter beavers built a dam and made the ice so smooth. it was so much fun.
i so love to ice skate.
congrats on the book. i teared up when i spotted it in barnes and noble.
Hi Susan, I just read your interview on the etsy Maine site. Congratulations on your book and thanks for mentioning "Goodwill" as one of your favorite things to do in Maine!
Michelle, Goodwill of Northern New England
The glow coming from your blog is just blindingly beautiful.
You are one blessed young woman.
I am going to go exercise and take vitamins now. I am feeling VERY old. Enjoy!!!!
I Love your daughter face such innocents there ,a truely beautiful shot.How exciting a book signing I could only image the excitement of having your own book Congrats to you
Jen
Oh Susan, what a wonderful post. I just love the pics of your kids - you really captured their spirit and wonder....I miss homemade skating rinks!
Congrats on your book signing - just look at you GLOW!!! It must have felt like a dream only you're wide awake! That group shot is just amazing too, pure joy!
Wish I could have been there. My only compensation is that I got to stand in your 'light' last year and you, dear soul, shared some of it with me :>
Big hugs,
Laura
xoxo
Congrats on such a wonderful book!!!
Congrats to you! What a gorgeous, happy looking group of women!
I'm thrilled for you!
Becky
congratulations! i love your book and wish i could have been at the book signing. it's a long way to maine from wrightsville beach, nc! your photos are beautiful. i can feel the warmth you create there.
kim
i picked up your book the other day from the bookstore and knew i had to have it...every page is filled with so much inspiration to create...from cover to cover it is a work of art itself...
congratulations on your wonderful book and on your book signing...what an amazing kickoff for the new year...
Congratulations Susan...what fun! Your artwork and your book are an inspiration!
An ice rink in your yard! That is too cool. We're having to settle for a big puddle.
you four women look like you're having the best time! i love your attitude toward the book signing - the delight in getting to meet over the table with family and friends who had come out for your book. you have such a beautiful spirit, susan, and i know it touches so many hearts and changes many lives. i'm grateful for your friendship, and that i got to be part of your wonderful Exibition 36 project. wishing you and your family a year full of joy beyond imaginings. xoxoxox
Congratulations! What a thrill, I will definitely look for your book! Love the photo of your little one sliding on the ice... brought back quite a few lovely memories. Happy Belated New Year!
congratulations, dear Susan* what a celebration!
as for your home*made/hubby*made ice rink...i wish i lived close by & could come over to join in the fun & sip yummy hot cocoa.
sending a warm, big, tight hug from here to there...
xo,
gem
Your book really is wonderful.
The ice skating rink brings back memories. Only we went out to fields were there were ponds. I hadn't thought about that for awhile. I saw your book on Amazon. It looks very good. It looks like it will end up on many shelves.
Sooo many congratulations again on your wonderful achievement. I am so thrilled to have my own beautiful copy of your gorgeous book. Now I just need you to sign it for me... in person!! Hopefully in the not too distant future...
love and hugs xxx
Susan,
I specifically scrolled down past your comments so that I wouldn't be overwhelmed. Yet, still, I am. I know that what they said is so much BETTER than what I'll say.
So, simply, I love what you said, and it resonates. Thanks.
Congratulations again on your book. That is so exciting.
Wow, your kids are cherubic!
What a great picture of you three!
I love the one of your daughter looking at the candle carousel too, Susan. You really captured some magic there.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Susan!
This is really great!! Your book signing!!! Sorry I haven't done a post about your book yet!! IT WILL HAPPEN!!
May your heart be happy today and always!
xox
Constance
Your book is wonderful, having a blast trying out techniques. Congratulations on your book signing!
Congratulations...I know you feel so much right now~love, accomplishment, fellowship and an overwhelming sense of gratitide. You certainly deserve it....I more than that...I can see it in your eyes! =)
diane
xoxox
What a wonderful photo of you four!!!
So thrilled for you and the book...
Such an inspiration to us all in blogland!!
Congrats!!!!
KayEllen
Congratulations, Susan. I wish I had paid attention so I could have attended your book signing. *sigh*
Wishing you even more successes in 2009.
Tam
sunflower studio
Susan -
I bought your book last week, and I just wanted to tell you how much I love it! I have been spending my spare moments going through it again and again, and I am just itching to get back to a couple of collages I started last summer.
Thank you so much for the inspiration and the practical methodologies behind the pieces.
:-) Molly
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