Good morning!  I've been cooking a lot this past week.  Chopping, washing, prepping for a big festival meal on Monday night.  At some point along the way I grabbed my camera and started taking pictures of what I saw along the way.  When we really look at what is in front of us we can experience a whole new world.  Search out the details that are everywhere in sight.  Stop long enough to notice the change of light or move something into that light to see it differently.  I was cutting leeks and all of a sudden I found this amazing pattern inside.  and such a wonderful range of colors...

                                           

As I threw the sliced leeks into the pan I saw this...I think it would make a great abstract painting!  Look at how beatiful those patterns in the leak show up against the black pan!


                                            

I can't say where I learned this understanding, but it is so much a part of me now that it has become my "normal" state of seeing.  I walk my garden looking for the smallest changes.  The apricot tree now has swelling buds of fruit, ever so small on its branches where only last time I wrote there were flowers...9 days!

                                

That's the back door of my studio, so I get to enjoy watching the apricot tree go through it's transformations all spring!  Not to mention the battle between the squirrels, the birds, and my husband as the fruit ripens...It is the most wonderful thing to eat an apricot that has ripened in the sun.  Look carefully at how that the once pink petals have turned papery and the rising green mound of fuzz which will be an apricot starts to emerge!  I love nature.

Speaking of nature, the next time I post I will have some spring garden pictures to show...The rose buds are formed and growing each day, the iris stalks are rising from the ground by inches a day and the amaryllis flowers are making their presence known.  The garden already smells fantastic as the orange tree is in full bloom and the fragrance is so intoxicating.  The once a year show of the  pink jasmine on the back shed is in full glory and smells like heaven.

                              

Just remember to stop and look at what is around you.  Inspiration is everywhere, color is everywhere.  You just must stop to really see!  Have a wonderful day.  Don't forget to check out my online classes with Julie Prichard at www.julieprichard.com.  We are offering some amazing classes and a new one starts in just a few days!