Where am I now?

 Today I realized I had lost me credit card...or shall I say misplaced?  My mind does not seem to be making a connection with reality. 

 The fragility of the Iris blossom reflects in its delicate veins of color...that is how thin I am feeling my heart is these days... the tears and numbness floods in and out of my consciousness.

 There is promise in this tender blossom with future kisses of the Iris new blooms.

 Hot and hazy mornings turn to a steamy afternoon.  The gentleness of the breezes caress the humid moisture on my skin and ease the moments of loss.

"Every gesture is an act of Creation."  Each expression of kindness touches my heart ...no matter how small this quiet expression...the healing creates a Light in the cracks in my heart's spirit.  Imagine and Live in Peace,  Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

May your Memorial Day be filled with memories of courageous young spirits....

It was a rainy day here.
I think the skies were gently crying.
We are home and trying to catch up on the rest of the world....
I know some of you have felt this numbness and overwhelming loss.
Your thoughts and prayers have lifted me up...and supported my beloved family.

Remember none of us are promised tomorrow.  Follow your heart and passions and tell those you love that your love them.  I am going back into the studio tomorrow...my solace.  I hope my working hands will guide my heart to remember the values...the love my family has shared and the courageous brother who lived his life dedicated to his family. 

I will be back ....I wish you Peace.  Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

....when making plans ...be careful what you plan......

 we had some new visitors...jade is in school with Branson...

 he was proud to share his portfolio...

 Jade has a curious approach to making art....

 the background of the big Cubism inspired "Brutus the big Mastiff"..........

 cubes...rectangles......squares......carefully applied with gel medium....

 continuing our Paris imaginary trip...I introduced him to Gertrude Stein.....friends of Braque and Picasso as they moved into cubism.............

 Gertrude and Alice.........

 collected the most wonderful collection of this Modern Art movement.....

 interesting face Alice B. Toklas.........

 Picasso's painting of Gertrude...

 Brutus is coming to life...............







this 2013's Courtyard Concerts...come on down!

No... I am not in Phoenix. I don't care.   My life is on hold....on Saturday morning my younger brother Larry suffered a massive heart attack.  There are no words...my life is broken and the tears will not stop.  I do not have the details...moving through the day like a ghost...I am trying to ...well get through this nightmare.  I went in to work with Branson...and I knew how hurt he would have been if I cancelled  and he was a gentle spirit.  I worked for two hours...mechanical motions but easy to perform and then went home to bed.  The phone continues to ring......once again I feel on a mechanical response...my eyes are swollen...I do not recognize the woman looking back in the mirror.  How could this be...one moment he was alive and happy...and the next moment the spirit is gone.

I put his post up for Branson to share with his friends.  I am not sure when I will come back.....My heart is hurting and my family will be reunited at the end of the week.  Pray for the family.  Peace,  Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Happy Happy Birthday Ken....and TGIF...........

My studio was very warm today but not nearly as warm as the deli across the way.  I worked quietly on moving "stuff" around and in preparation for the big Mastiff collage  with Branson tomorrow.  I put some more thoughts into what I might need when I fly away on Sunday.  I worked on organization and zip lock bags for traveling...clear...see through and functional when it comes to knowing where certain materials are kept.  I received a beautiful photo this morning of the most precious hot pink cactus flower in full bloom at the Desert Botanical Gardens.  This is a location I am looking forward to visiting ... maybe even more than once.  I have to decide what hat to pack...like my time in Australia I already know that sunscreen and a big brimmed hat at necessary for keeping cool and safe. 

I came home and took a few photographs of the flowering blooms in my small garden on the hillside.  The simple daisies ...the dandelions in whispering bloom known as "wishing flowers"  I started to take a photo but Roxie got in the way and knocked it down before I could get my shot.  The day lilies are just beginning their one day of beautiful life...a sacred reminder.  My stars are bright red blooms and the clematis is just beginning to open up.  The irises are just about ready to spread their folds and fly into brilliant colors. I hope you enjoy the moment of time...my old camera is still working and I have to decide whether to take one or both??? I only want one suitcase....I can do this and be frugal in my packing.  I usually take way too much!

 the daisies have returned to my valley..... after a long winter's sleep.......

 I love the simplicity of this sturdy perennial wildflower..........

 simply grace .............

 Averi brought in a tiny little artist...she wanted to get down and see up close.......

 the baby's aunt is one of Averi's best girl friends..........sweet girls loving on a very sweet baby girl....

 the purple irises are up and ready to shine in the afternoon's sunshine.........

 the wild phlox are also gracing our hillside...........

 five beautiful star lilies seem to be smiling up to my camera lens.........

 no hummingbirds have arrived yet... but we are ready and willing to have them come for a stay...........

 Happy Birthday Ken...Happy 65!!!  It is not the beach front of the ocean but here in Licking county it is as good as it gets.........

 the first yellow day lily blushes as it peeks up from the bottom of the plant.........

 my burgundy irises are just beginning to pierce the opening of the bloom....

 Roxie is being bossy and wants her photo taken too!!! Look how cute I am Mom!!!

 Rosie and Roxie being very good puppies! A rare sight here but very much appreciated.............

my first pink clematis is just beginning to open.....in mother's garden..........






have a great  weekend..........
enjoy the moments in the quiet and I will check back in tomorrow....
Imagine and Live in Peace,  Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Thursday morning with my hubby..........

This morning Ken went for an early biopsy ..his numbers have been increasing.  The last time he experienced a traumatic event after his examination...so his anticipation levels were up there.  I kept myself as busy as I could but my mind would continue to wander here and there.  I crocheted on a light weight sweater for Arizona...went down to the cafeteria for a scrambled egg and iced tea... and tried to watch mindless morning television.  Nothing seemed to work... but before I knew he was meeting me in the waiting area...a little tired and sore but so ready to come home.  He went to bed...and I tried to be there as still as I could so he would not move up and down from the bed and finally he went to sleep.  A real release from the his totally frustrating experience....now we just have to wait until we receive the results next week!  I made comfort foods like chicken and noodles and sour dough toast... he stayed in bed most of the day and we are lucky this experience went better than last experience.

 Here is my new ceramic bird bath for the summer months before I can find the cobalt blue one I am looking for...it is beautiful........

 the love the colors in the wash of colors...so natural.....

 my baby rose plant  "tea roses" is growing so quickly...I think I need to transplant it already!!!

 my lilies have been nibbled on...so we put the spray retardant to hopefully protect them........

 here is the rest of my booty...I am collecting wooden spools of threads for a future project and there is the vessel that went with the ceramic bowl...I can see flowers from the meadow this summer in this......the small glass container is for button storage......or beads....

 I also found some hand crocheted pieces and some blue and white lace trims...........

 I also discovered some bright duck cloth for summer art bags and such in the remnant section ...for half price!

I retrieved this drawing book to review some simple lessons for working with my grand children this summer...and found myself going through the whole book and loved the number of artists quotes she had included! 



I think I am rambling now...so goodnight to you all!  Thank you for the support and prayers for my Ken!  Imagine and Live in Peace,  Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

The materials are ready...the suitcase is ready to fill.....almost time to go.........

Today was a beautiful hot day here in Newark...we were up to 90 degrees.  The wind was powerful...the storm clouds are moving in tonight but the gardens are thirsty.  I went to Goodwill and found a two piece handmade ceramic set...a vessel with a large bowl and beautiful colors are fired into the set.  I am using the large bowl for a temporary bird bath... until I can find the cobalt blue one I am looking for.  I also found several treasures...wooden spools filled with heavy duty threads.  Some creative storage containers with cork tops...and a beautiful crystal dish that is flat and may have been used as a butter dish....but I plan to put my small loose beads in when I am embellishing my Desert Flowers.  I love senior discount days...25% off the prices make this really affordable and when one is careful...you can discover some wonderful treasures. 

I stopped by my daughter's house but she was still at work.   I had a quick cuddle and watched a bit of a movie while little Hannah was just about to fall asleep.  The high heat and the busy last days of her school year seems to be wearing her out.  I stopped by my grocery and actually met a young man who asked me to try his fresh sushi...spicy jalapeno pepper with a spicy sauce and a small bit a cream cheese.  Spicier ...yes but delicious!  I brought home a small sampler for dinner and fresh spring greens for a quick and cooling dinner.  Something out of the ordinary...and yet light and cooling foods at the end of the day.

Ken watered the new garden...I know they are predicting rain but it is Ohio and things have a way of changing.  I picked up a small rose bush also...something to just enjoy as it blooms through the summer months.  Hopefully I can bring it in for my studio upstairs over the winter months.  I took the new bird bath outside for my fair feathered friends to cool themselves and find fresh water on the hot days to come.

 My friend Sam returned from the Smokey Mountains with this adorable little black bear with real leather claws.... she also brought a really cute true story for small children...

 the illustrations are so cute in this cute book............

 and a real Southern treat ...Moon Pies....I cannot remember the last time I have had one...........yummy treats!

 look at this cute tiny bear claw..................

 Sabrina and Kya were out enjoying the beautiful sunshine.........

 little Hannah is ready for a nap ...Domino is already there fast asleep.........

 Miss Maya is my pride and JOY!!!!!!!!!!!!

 filling up the gas tank...........

 I ended up spending $36.00 for 12 gallons............I used my Kroger gas discount....

 the path is beginning to really green up............

Miss Roxie is full of vigor this afternoon and covered with stuff from under the deck..........curiosity killed the cat girl!

















I will take pictures of my new found treasures and share them tomorrow.  I wish you Peace and enjoy the early warmth of our changing seasons.  Peace,  Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart