May Day, Keeping it simple, keeping it real

by ruralpearl | May 1, 2014 | Inspiration

My dinner tonight = sautéed portobello mushrooms and spinach in worcestershire and honey with avocado. I’m sorta a foodie. I’ve been trying to perfect 10 minute dinners with simple ingredients. This was delicious. I try to cook something simple every night, but I’m definitely a fan of elaborate dinners with several courses.. After owning a restaurant, I’ve decided that I couldn’t find enjoyment in cooking for people for pay.. however, I do enjoy cooking for my friends and family. I wish I could do it more often. Anyway…

I’ve been exceptionally absent from my blog. I’ve been working on a couple concert posters, plus some illustration work for a 4 page spread for a magazine (coming out in december). I’m also looking at the start of art fair season within just a couple days, so the printers have been printing full speed. Prints are being matted, cards are being bagged, buttons are being buttoned.. How the year has flown by.. I’ve also been running a lot more – its so good to be out in this spring weather, and when I find myself surrounded by trees and fields, its hard to turn around and run back home. I saw a fox the other day while running, and a bald eagle flew peculiarly close to my head.

Anyway, sometimes I need to stop and sautee the spinach. Or smell the flowers? Happy May Day. It’s good to be here.

Weekend Stuff

by ruralpearl | Apr 20, 2014 | Inspiration

I spent my Saturday attempting to paddle in the wind — total fail — and hiking around the woods of Clinton Lake with a few of my chums. It’s always good to disconnect with daily life and reconnect with the outdoors and friends.

Look what the cat dragged in…

by ruralpearl | Mar 30, 2014 | Inspiration

Actually its my next door neighbor’s cat. And I found out today that there is a garter snake nest in my next door neighbor’s yard. I’m pretty sure it escaped unharmed, but it certainly picked the wrong yard to live in with a feisty young cat who chases anything that moves..

Relax, and Float

by ruralpearl | Feb 13, 2014 | Inspiration

“To have faith is to trust yourself to the water. When you swim you don’t grab hold of the water, because if you do you will sink and drown. Instead you relax, and float.” -Alan Watts

Oooh, to be here right now. Floating away in a warm sunset. Soon. Soon..

Snow Day – Feb. 4, 2014

by ruralpearl | Feb 4, 2014 | Inspiration

I always enjoy a good snow day..

First run of the year

by ruralpearl | Jan 13, 2014 | Inspiration

You can’t see them in these pics, but there was a family of bald eagles fishing for their breakfast in the river. It’s been so cold that I haven’t had my running shoes on for a bit, so it felt really good to get back out on the levee this morning for some fresh air and sunshine. A bald eagle even flew over my head and down the trail before landing in a tree where it allowed me to watch it munch on something for a minute. I also enjoyed watching a cormorant, blue heron, lots of seagulls, geese and ducks forage and swim in the water. Looking forward to taking my camera over into Missouri on Saturday to see if I can find as many eagles as last year. There were at least 100 of them roosting in the trees at Bean Lake. I managed to get a few close ups: https://ruralpearl.com/blog/?p=6530
The ice on the river was backed up at the dam and making this cool pattern, shot from the bridge above.

It All Goes By in the Blink of an Eye

by ruralpearl | Jan 1, 2014 | Inspiration

Happy New Year, friends. Thank you for being part of a terrific 2013! It was certainly my busiest and most lucrative year thus far.. And it truly felt like I blinked and suddenly the year is over, which may be a consequence of being so committed. I’m hoping to slow down a bit in 2014 and try to enjoy the moment a little more and push myself further creatively. I’m going to do a few less shows, hopefully a few more animations, work on lots of new pieces, and see what kinds of opportunities arise. Mantras for the new year: ‘go slow’ & ‘be here now’. Til next time..