One Little Word 2018 | Savor

If you read my blog, you know that rather than make resolutions, I pick a word each year. I've discovered that having a word as a focus, shapes my year dramatically. I am affected physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually in unexpected ways.

Past years:
2008: Health and Wealth
2009: Passion
2010: Connect
2011: Explore
2012: Light
2013: Begin
2014: Cultivate

2015: Capture

2016: Stretch

My word for 2017 was TRY, and each month I paired my word with an objective and tracked how well I did, or did not do. It turned out to be a great word for me last year, and I learned much about myself, my self-imposed restrictions, and made major changes that I plan to maintain this year.

My word for 2018 is SAVOR. Here are some facets that excite me:

Appreciate | Relish | Taste | Experience | Sample |  Luxuriate In | Treasure | Enjoy | Cherish.

I wanted to take a moment to thank those of you who read along, share your journey, and inspire me. May 2018 be the best year yet.

31 Plays in 31 Days

Hello July. If you follow along on this blog, you know that I love challenges, and you can read about some of them here. 

My One Little Word for 2016 is STRETCH, and I've been doing that in various way this year. As we start the second half of the year, I thought it might be fun to add another challenge that stretches me out of my comfort zone. 

My challenge? 31 plays in 31 days. I love watching plays, but don't often get around to either reading or listening to them, so this is a way to change that. To make this doable, I decided that rather than find plays to read, I'm going to leverage the Playing On Air podcast. From their home page:

"Short plays + radio = theater for the ears, available to audiences anywhere, anytime. It’s the best seat in the house, no matter where you’re tuning in.

That’s the simple idea behind Playing on Air. We’re a public radio show and podcast distributing the work of great contemporary playwrights for today’s digital audience. Our episodes feature short plays followed by conversations with their writers, performers, and directors, moderated by Playing on Air’s artistic producer, Claudia Catania. "

This works for me in a couple of ways:

1. The plays are digitally available, so I don't need to go find source material, and lug anything around.

2. It's portable. I simply download plays onto my phone using my favorite podcast app.

3. The plays are short, so they won't take up a lot of time.

4. I'll get exposed to a large sample of new and contemporary plays.

I've sketched out a monthly tracker in my newly started 2016 Volume 2 composition journal, and I've downloaded the first week of plays. I'm all set to go!

I'll post regular updates on my progress during the month of July, and will report back as to what I learn along the way. So excited about this one.

Do you have a challenge you are working on? If you love plays, I'd love to hear about ones you'd recommend.

The100DayProject Prep (Video)

Here is my #the100dayproject planning and journal video. Am both excited and nervous about this challenge.



If the embedded video does not work, click here.

For daily updates once the challenge starts follow along on my Instagram account.

One Little Word 2016

This post is a little late this year, but I've been focused on my One Little Word since the start of the year.

If you read my blog, you know that rather than make resolutions, I pick a word each year. I've discovered that having a word as a focus, shapes my year dramatically. I am affected physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually in unexpected ways.

Past years:
2008: Health and Wealth
2009: Passion
2010: Connect
2011: Explore
2012: Light

2013: Begin

2014: Cultivate

My word for 2015 was Capture, and each month I paired my word with the Capture Your 365 photo project. It turned out to be a great word for me last year, and I learned much about myself, and I noticed so many of the little details that make my life mine. You can see the photos I captured last year on Flickr or Instagram.

My word for 2016 is STRETCH. Here are some facets that excite me:

Grow| Expand| Change form| Stretch out| Lengthen| Movement| Adapt

I wanted to take a moment to thank those of you who read along, share your journey, and inspire me. May 2016 be the best year yet.

2015 December Daily Art Project (Video)

I had challenged myself to create art every day in the December, and I did it. As usual I love some pages in my journal better than others, but overall, am so pleased with the creative process and results. Below is a video of the completed pages and the supplies used. I'll be posting individual page photos with write ups in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for that.



If the embedded video does not work, click here.

CY 365 Update

If you are regular reader of this blog, you might be wondering if I've quit on the CY 365 project. Absotutely not. I'm no quitter. I still post daily to my Instagram account, but have decided to not re-post those entries here are well. So, if you want to follow along, you can see what I'm up to here.

CY 365 | July Update

Are you playing along with the CY365 project? You can read more about what I'm doing here.

Here is another week of 2015 Captured.

185/365 - 070415 #July4th #cy365
Started the day with a hike down the Bright Angel Trail, and ended it with fireworks of a different kind. #GrandCanyon #Arizona #Travel #family #nephews

186/070515 #Bellagio #cy365
Always love the exhibits in the atrium. Yes, we had an ice-cream stop later, but the sweetest part of today was watching the USA women's soccer team win the #fifaworldcup. #Vegas #family #Travel

187/365 - 070615#FreemontStreet #cy365
Hanging with my parents and brothers on a wet evening in the desert. #Travel #family #Vegas

188/365 - 070715 #Family #cy365
The older of my baby brothers with my oldest niece and nephew. #Travel #GrandCanyon #Arizona

189/365 - 070815 #Brothers #cy365
My baby brothers sucking it in at the #GrandCanyon. #Arizona #family #travel

190/365 - 070915 #VintageStyle #cy365
If you can't make it to Venice, I guess a trip to #TheVenetian in #Vegas will give you a teeny taste of the wonders that await you in one of my fave cities. #Travel

191/365 - 071015 #Sundown #cy365
My nephews soaking it in at the #GrandCanyon. #Arizona #family #Travel

As always, click on photos to view larger. You can also follow along with daily updates on my Instagram and Flickr accounts.

CY365 | June Done | July Update

Are you playing along with the CY365 project? You can read more about what I'm doing here.

Here is another week of 2015 Captured.

178/365 - 062715 #SmallPlanet #cy365
Dear #NationalGrid, please sent the EMTs to any neighborhood homes more efficient than us, as they must be dead and no one knows yet. #thatshowweroll #efficientandproud

179/365 - 062815 #LowLight #cy365
#onmywalktoday #nofilter #sunset

180/365 - 062915 #WaterTaxi #cy365
The sweetest way to get to the airport bar none. #Boston #boats #BostonHarbor

181/365 - 063015 #Trouble #cy365
My nephew Jonah and I causing trouble in Las Vegas. #lovethiskid #Vegas #family #travel

182/365 - 070115 #SayWhat #cy365
Exploring the desert is clearly not for the faint of heart. Did I mention that my nephews feel the need to hug every snake they encounter? #Vegas #travel #family

183/365 - 070215 #LookAtTheseTwo #cy365
Mom and Dad celebrating their 50th anniversary with a road trip. #Sedona #Arizona #family #travel

184/365 - 070315 #TheNextGeneration #cy365
My nieces and nephews are growing up so dang fast. #family #GrandCanyon #Travel #Arizona

As always, click on photos to view larger. You can also follow along with daily updates on my Instagram and Flickr accounts.

CY365 | June Update

Are you playing along with the CY365 project? You can read more about what I'm doing here.

Here is another week of 2015 Captured.

171/365 - 062015 #GoldenBlooms#cy365
Flower pots at the marina. My neighbor is the resident green thumb. #nofilter #flowers #nature #urbangarden #beautiful #Charlestown #ConstitutionMarina

172/365 - 062115 #Viewpoint #cy365
Mishipmen getting ready for a briefing on board the #JuanSebastianDeElcano. #TallShip #BostonHarbor #sailingseason #boats #onmywalktoday #Charlestown

173/365 - 062215 #UrbanGarden #cy365
#onmywalktoday #nature #flowers #lovelies #Charlestown

174/365 - 062315 #Sketchbook #cy365
#sketches #art #draw #journal #watercolor #sakura #strathmore #artsupplies #artjournal #ArtOnTheBoat #Sharpie

175/365 - 062415#SummerBlooms #cy365
It feels like summer when these #lovelies appear in our garden. #flowers #ilovesummer #nofilter

176/365 - 062515 #SummerBBQ #cy365
It is all about bbq fruit this season. Salad with bbq pears, salmon pattie with bbq pineapple, and cauliflower rice. #delish #foodie #yummyinmytummy

177/365 - 062615 #LoveWins #cy365
#itissoordered #canhardlybelieveit #causeforcelebration #slate #lambalegal #scotus

As always, click on photos to view larger. You can also follow along with daily updates on my Instagram and Flickr accounts.

CY365 | June Update

Are you playing along with the CY365 project? You can read more about what I'm doing here.

Here is another week of 2015 Captured.

164/365 - 061315 #ihavethisthingwithfloors #cy365
#onmywalktoday

165/365 - 061415 #BunkerHillDayParade #cy365
What I stumbled upon #onmywalktoday.#charlestown

166/365 - 061515 #BirthdayGirl #cy365
Cold and rain has beached the birthday girl, so the clambake in the sand has morphed into lobster rolls at home. #delish #foodie #lobstah

167/365 - 061615 #BagpipesAndKilts #cy365
A touch of Scotland in #Charlestown.#BunkerHillDayParade #latergram #nofilter

168/365 - 061715 #TallShip #cy365
We've got a new neighbor! Juan Sebastian De Elcano is a four-masted topsail schooner in the Spanish navy. She is a beauty. #BostonHarbor #boats #sailingseason #onmywalktoday

169/365 - 061815 #Visiting #cy365
Visiting our new neighbors. #TallShip#BostonHarbor #onmywalktoday #boats #sailingseason #Charlestown #JuanSebastianDeElcano

170/365 - 061915 #HolyMoly #cy365
Check out the size of the lines on the #JuanSebastianDeElcano. Clearly I need to amp up my gym workout! #sailingseason #TallShip #boats #BostonHarbor #Charlestown

As always, click on photos to view larger. You can also follow along with daily updates on my Instagram and Flickr accounts.

CY365 | June Update

Are you playing along with the CY365 project? You can read more about what I'm doing here.

Here is another week of 2015 Captured.

157/365 - 060615 #Fawn #cy365
Look who I met #onmywalktoday. He/she came right up to me on his/her not quite coordinating spindly legs. #naturalbeauty #nature #deer #backyardfauna

158/365 - 060715 #InMyHands #cy365
Today #ontheblog I posted a short video of my pared down supplies for travel and art journaling. Link in profile. #artsupplies #artjournal #sketchbook #sketches#sakura #strathmore #watercolor #micronpen #pittpens

159/365 - 060815 #InMyLap #cy365
Sometimes the best place for my sketchbook is in my lap. Unwinding with a watersoluble pen and a water brush. #art #sketches #artsupplies #Fortitude #strathmore #portrait #draw

160/365 - 060915 #WhereIStand #cy365
In my studio with my sketchbook and some watercolors. #art #sketches #draw #artsupplies #artjournal #strathmore #watercolor #micronpen #sakura

161/354 - 061015 #WhereAreTheBees #cy365
#onmywalktoday passed this lovely plant. I wait every year for the blooms, and then cautiously step in to smell them. Have noticed this year that I don't need the caution as there are no bees around. That cannot be good. #flowers #nature

162/365 - 061115 # CurrentlyReading #cy365
Trying out the #CrossingMidnight #graphix this week. Interesting story and illustration style. #bookstagram #summerreads #librarybooks

163/365 - 061215 #Sunset #cy365
The party boats have gathered for the sunset canon. Another beautiful day on the water. #BostonHarbor #sailingseason #onmywalktoday #nofilter

As always, click on photos to view larger. You can also follow along with daily updates on my Instagram and Flickr accounts.

CY365 | May Done | June Update

Are you playing along with the CY365 project? You can read more about what I'm doing here.

Here is another week of 2015 Captured.

150/365 - 053015 #Memento #cy365
In case you did not already know it, I love all things nautical. These huge anchors are impressive, and it is quite fun to watch little kids use them as slides. #charlestownnavyyard #sailingseason #anchor #onmywalktoday

151/365 - 053115 #RainyDay #cy365
We've had so little rain that I'd almost forgotten the lovely sound it makes. An added bonus is that much of the pollen is getting cleared out of the air. #onmywalktoday saw puddles with pollen slicks. #pollenbegone #puddles

152/365 - 060115 #CurrentlyReading #cy365
Listening to Shadow Divers by #RobertKurson on my long walks.#bookstagram #summerreads #audiobook #ReadingOnTheBoat

153/365 - 060215 #JuneFires #cy365
June starts off cold enough for fleece clothing and evening fires. #whathappenedtospring

154/365 - 060315 #Radiant #cy365
Attended the local middle school's Spring Concert this evening. The approximately 240 students ranged from 5th to 8th grade. My nephew Luke plays both the clarinet and alto sax, and he rocked it. #lovethiskid #thiskidlovesjazz #proudauntie

155/365 - 060415 #TripPlanning #cy365
Family members will be gathering in a month, so time for some trip planning. #Fodor's #Frommer's #bookstagram #currentlyreading #GrandCanyon #Vegas #travel #summerreads #librarybooks

156/365 - 060515 #SummerBBQ #cy365
Fired up the new Weber for an easy summer meal: salad, bbq beef with sautéed mushrooms and caramelized onions, and bbq pinapple. #delish #foodie

As always, click on photos to view larger. You can also follow along with daily updates on my Instagram and Flickr accounts.

CY365 | May Update

Are you playing along with the CY365 project? You can read more about what I'm doing here.

Here is another week of 2015 Captured.

143/365 - 052315 #Open #cy365
An open blank page is full of possibilities. Spent a little time sketching after breakfast this morning. #ArtOnTheBoat #art #sketches #artsupplies #sketchbook #draw #watercolorpencils #waterbrush #strathmore

144/365 - 052415 #Evoked #cy365
Our summer home always evokes a smile. I love #sailingseason in #Boston. #boats #sailing #BostonHarbor #nofilter

145/365 - 052615 #Devoted #cy365
One of the really cool things about the Navy Yard is the devotion that the sailors have for these old vessels. #boats #sailingseason #charlestownnavyyard #onmywalktoday

146/354 - 052615 #Finished #cy365
Just need to add some text and the date, and my #sketch for today will be finished. Inspired by #AmyDavis. #artsupplies #sketchbook #strathmore #watercolor #markers #drawing #artjournal

147/365 - 052715 #Arid #cy365
All the rain clouds seem to disintegrate before they get to us, and we really need the rain. The chipmunks are playing in the drizzles from the garden hose. Saw this lovely window box #onmywalktoday. #flowers #urbangarden #nature

148/365 - 052815 #RightNow #cy365
Much cooler down on the water, and it is quite fun watching the fog bank roll in over #Boston. #boats #BostonHarbor #sailingseason

149/364 - 052915 #Twilight #cy365
There is something magical about twilight on the water. Love my summer hood. #sailingseason #BostonHarbor #boats #onmywalktoday #courageoussailingclub

As always, click on photos to view larger. You can also follow along with daily updates on my Instagram and Flickr accounts.