shanna murray

in luck

I had a really fun photo shoot for a local quintet at my favorite restaurant in town yesterday. Couldn't believe my luck that it was the first sunny day after a batch of grey ones, and that the light was just right where I had been planning to do the shoot. Isn't it such a great feeling when it all comes together without much effort? A rare occurrence, and so appreciated on a day when I was supremely busy driving all around town for three different projects. Maybe it isn't an accident that the restaurant is called Good Luck.

I had some time to kill while I was waiting for the musicians to arrive, so I thought I'd share with you a little peek into the place that makes the best french fries I've ever had. Oh, man they're good.

Tonight I have my first show of the season, and I've still got some prep work to do, so I better dash! But before I leave, I've been meaning to ask you something. We typically eat quick meals for dinner during what is a very busy time or year for both of us, but we're in a rut and resorting to sandwich after sandwich. I'm so bored with dinner, and am at a loss. I can't seem to come up with much that is quick, healthy and delicious that I haven't already made a million times. What's your favorite meal that fits this bill? I'd love some inspiration! 

Hope you have a terrific day, friends!

xo, S

*

When I heard these words Sunday morning they really struck a chord. I've been thinking about them ever since, and I'm inspired all over again. 

We are not bound to win. We are bound to be true. - Abraham Lincoln

Happy Monday, friends. S

 

meanwhile

I know, I know...where are the decals? 

Well, let's just say they are waiting for me. Waiting for me to make the sun come out, then waiting for me to borrow a better camera, then waiting for inspiration to strike to sufficiently capture them in their proper setting, then waiting for me to determine what that setting is - and is this the setting they'll always be in, or will I need to figure this out all over again for. every. decal. You get the picture. So yeah, out of excitement and an incorrect assumption that all the others would be as easily photographed as the first, I spoke a little too soon. Apologies. I'm a bit embarrassed to have left such a tease and then sort of slinked away into my little blog corner while I figure this all out.

I will say though, that however frustrating and humbling the last week or so has been it's become plain to me that I am so terribly excited and proud about this new adventure. More than I expected to be. I am just as eager to share them with you as ever - more so, actually. I'm still working all the bits out and am sort of trying to decide if I will launch an early peek after all. A girl can change her mind, right? That said, I do fully intend to make good on my offer of a little sale whether I launch a few early or all at once at the end of the month. I'll keep you posted on the details as I work them out.

For now, I'll share with you a little bit of what I've been working on when I'm not immersed in decal madness. These are a few little in-the-process-of shots from my first ever interior decorating project for a client. It's been quite dreamy to be up in the top floor room of this tree house, sun streaming in, lots of birds chirping, just me and the radio, and a whole lot of liquid starch. I feel just so terribly lucky. Thank you universe, for throwing me such a golden bone. Much, much more to come on this in a few weeks...

And thanks friends, for continuing to visit me here - even when I flounder a little bit. You're the best.

Hope you're smiling, S

and p.s. never mind the 80's laura ashley bedding, haven't gotten to the bedding yet - messy parts first!

pause

Ever have one of those days where everything you attempt to accomplish feels awkward and forced? I've been swimming up stream all afternoon - nothing terribly wrong, but nothing working out quite right. My attempts to take a few more pictures of the decals failed miserably, the words needed to describe them in a listing aren't coming easily, but I won't bore you. Suffice it to say I'm feeling stuck. In these moments I find it best, if I am able, to close the computer, pull on my boots, gather up my dog and head out for a walk. The decals will have to wait for tomorrow, I'm afraid. Care to join us on a walk, instead?

Have a wonderful evening, friends. Until tomorrow. I leave you with some words from one of my favorites, Mary Oliver. They've been on my mind this week:

from In Blackwater Woods:

the long tapers

of cattails

are bursting and floating away over

the blue shoulders

* * *

Love, love, love, S

new growth

 

 

Hello and happy Tuesday to you! The sun is shining here for the fourth or fifth day in a row. What a tonic it has been for my mood! Though I am the type of person who favors moody weather, this bright warm sunshine has been such a welcome change. 

In keeping with spring and rebirth and new growth and all that I've been going through closets, rearranging furniture, creating little stations in drawers for myself, and just sprucing up my surroundings in general. It feels great to be able to open up a widow or two and to come home to what feels like a very happy new version of our home.

While working on the living room this weekend I decided to hang one of my garlands. I've been working on this project for a few months, and though I won't officially launch the entire line until the end of March, I decided I just couldn't wait to share a little peek! I've been working on a collection of vinyl wall and window decals made from my illustrations! I made some decals for my good friend Amber last year for her booth at the NY gift show, and again for her this year. The response at the show was super positive, so Amber suggested I might give it a go. I'm so glad I did, as it's been such great fun! It feels great to be working on a new endeavor, in a new-to-me medium!

I can't wait to share much more about this new endeavor with you at the end of the month, but for now I thought I'd list a little sneak peek in my shop tomorrow! To start things off in a festive way I'll be offering a little pre-launch sale on just a few pieces from the collection. The sale will run through the 23rd, and the official launch will be on March 29th. I'm really so very excited about this new adventure! Excited, and nervous - I hope you'll love them as much as I do!

I'd love to get your feedback on this new work. For those that do scoop up something from the pre-launch sale and are willing to share your thoughts on the decals, I have a little special something to send your way!

Hope the sun is shining where you are! S

P.S. That picture is of my mom at the lake at age 5, I love how happy she seems. Isn't it sweet?

my stars

 

 

My sister was telling me, when I was out in California last week, that someone she knows once said that at night, from the hilltop, all the twinkling lights in the valley look like stars on the ground. I kind of really like that thought. It's comforting to know that behind many of the lights that shine are people, and families, and whole universes of experience beyond my own. So many brightly shining lives out there. 

I had a rough re-entry into day to day life last week, not ready to say good-bye to the beautiful universe that is my brother's family, my sister, my father and his wife and all that comes with spending time with them. When I am home all the way across the country sometimes they feel like distant stars, though there is so much that tethers us together that feeling never lasts. I know we are not really so very much apart.

Maybe the difficulty rested in the fact that my visit occurred during the anniversary of my mother's passing. I marvel at how much has happened in four years, too much to even list. For the first time this loss feels permanent, she's not coming back. She has missed so much, and the list will only get longer. An entire universe will unfold without her even knowing about it. I remember everything about the moment she told me that she wasn't sorry to leave, she was sorry she'd miss so much. 

There's no getting around the difficulty of that thought, I've realized. I've learned so many things because of her passing. Deeply etched upon my heart is the reminder to soak up every last bright moment while I can. It's hard to fly away from those moments. But I try to remind myself that too much time thinking about what I am missing causes me to miss all of the stars that lay before me. And today that star is a sunny day, kisses, and hanging book pages on a wall.

Love, S