on making lemonade.

by Lieke Romeijn

How to begin? 

This summer has dealt me some lemons in the guise of personal challenges.  To say that I never saw these things coming would be quite the understatement.  And I’m usually pretty darn good at seeing things from miles away.  I’ve always sort of sensed that in the blog world we all present a projection of ourselves, and because I haven’t necessarily felt like my best self, I’ve been silent for a while.  No one wants to be inundated with someone else’s garbage.  No one wants to hear about how much you’ve cried, or listen to a constant stream of negativity. 

With the silence came a contemplation about what to do with this space.  While one of the things that I love most about reading blogs is getting a chance to look at beautiful and inspiring things for a little while each day, I’ve never felt totally comfortable with how much my own lens seems to be about things that I Want.  I Want that dress.  I Want this house.  I Want to look/act/dress/be like this person, then my life would really be it.

In the past few months though, I’ve come to see that finding beauty in each an every day needs to be something internal, not external; not found elsewhere, but found right here.  I’m not exactly sure what this will look like quite yet - I'm thinking a little more art based.  More contemplative.  More writing.  More honesty.

But if you want to come along, you know where to find me.

Pic-A-Day

So I know it's been a while... what can I say? I'm a busy bee: grad school, working on a novel, busy designing and hand-binding books. The last thing I feel like doing at the end of the day looking at a computer screen since it's what I do all day long. But I've hit upon an idea. I have been taking a lot of photos recently, so I'm going to be doing a pic-a-day for a little while. We'll see how it goes. Hope you are all well out there!

And It Happens Just Like That...

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It happens just like that, and before you know it summer is over; today was the first day of my graduate program in creative writing. But I really can't complain since I'm coming off one of the best vacations of my life in which I got to hike, run, swim and play with some of my favorite people in the world. In bare feet, without makeup, wearing my bathing suit all day. It broke my heart to leave home yesterday, and I sort of feel jet-lagged and confused, but nevertheless, here's to new schools, to new friends, to new beginnings.

Adieu, For Now

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Today I drove away from the place that has been my home these past six years. During this time I've been a ski bum, found creative passion and fulfillment, learned how to telemark ski, gotten married, got struck by lightning, become an aunt, and have grown into an adult. Driving away, I looked back at the mountains in my rear view mirror through teary eyes, took a deep breath, and then shifted my gaze and looked forward. On to a new chapter of life: to a new city, to a new self, to new adventures. All I have to do is jump.

{Taking a little hiatus while I move to California. Be back Monday, June 8th! Be well, everyone!}

pink balloons can only mean one thing...

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On a personal note, my sister had her long awaited second baby last night in England. And it's a girl, Olivia May! Welcome to the world my little dumpling. We love, love, love you!

Equinox

photo by Ansel Olson

Today is the first day of spring. We've officially made it through the long and cold darkness, even if it doesn't totally feel that way. It's time to take stock, shed our winter skins and renew. On that note, I'm doing a massive spring cleaning today. Have a fantastic equinox everyone!

it's been one helluva year...

Goodbye to 2008! And welcome 2009--a year of change. Happy New Year to everyone! Love, H & A

amazing grace, how sweet the sound

Last night was a victory for the world.

I am so happy that I am smiling ear to ear. I feel so overwhelmed and proud that it brings tears to my eyes. For the first time in my life I feel like I belong to something that is bigger than myself. I am so glad that the politics of fear has come to an end. I am so thankful that I have been given a new reason to find faith in humanity, despite having lost my uncle in the grimness that was 9/11. I am grateful of our constitution and its profound words, "We the People of the United States of America." I feel like there has just been a collective group hug worldwide. I am elated that other nations in the world are impressed by the US today. I wish that I had a baby so that I could squeeze him or her and tell them how much I love them. I would tell him or her to never give up hope, never stop believing. I feel like for the first time in my life there is a future for our communities and our country that I, and my family can be a part of. I am ecstatic that I have an intelligent and humble leader whom I would follow to the ends of the earth if he asked me to. I cannot wait to work for and make this future of possibility happen here on earth.

I believe in US

First of all, I felt a need to write something to you all on this momentous occasion. I consider myself an eternal optimist, but as an adult I have yet to be part of a government that I fully believe in. I have spent the last few days knocking on strangers' doors and encouraging them to vote, to get out there and let their voice be heard. I am so incredibly thrilled to have believed in, worked for, and voted for Obama. I am so happy and so proud, really for the first time in my life, to be an American. I look forward to a new future. A future where the best possibilities can and may finally exist for all of us no matter what color, gender, or class we are.

Second of all, A. and I just did a square dance to leftover salmon to celebrate. yeeeeeehaawwww! Colorado went BLUE!!! I AM SO PROUD.

Now and forever more, ¡Obamanos!

one word:

please, please watch.

believe with me:

what you are and what you are meant to be

So I've decided to create this little space and put it out there, wherever that may be, for myself and perhaps for others to enjoy. I've been needing a quiet area, a blank slate of sorts, to organize my thoughts and inspirations for quite some time and although I'm a blogging neophyte, this somewhat strange format feels right for now. I suppose I should mention that the phrase "by its own design" comes from one of my all-time favorite songs. I will leave you with these beautiful words:

I have seen where the wolf has slept by the silver stream. I can tell by the mark he left you were in his dream. Ah, child of countless trees. Ah, child of boundless seas. What you are, what you're meant to be Speaks his name though you were born to me, Born to me, Cassidy. Lost now on the country miles in his Cadillac. I can tell by the way you smile he is rolling back. Come wash the nighttime clean, Come grow this scorched ground green. Blow the horn, tap the tambourine. Close the gap of the dark years in between. You and me, Cassidy. Quick beats in an icy heart, Catch-colt draws a coffin cart. There he goes now, here she starts: Hear her cry. Flight of the seabirds, scattered like lost words Wheel to the storm and the fly Faring the well now. Let your life proceed by its own design Nothing to tell now. Let the words be yours, I'm done with mine.