Hello my dear Wonder Seekers!

I am writing to you from a completely different place, a realm embraced by the ancient guardians of the forest: Western Redcedars, Douglas Firs, and Sword Ferns. No, I don’t live in the depths of a remote woodland, but I found sanctuary in a house that definitely gives that feeling. And let me tell you, I’m absolutely enchanted by it!

2024 is a year of great changes in my life, and moving to a different place is the first of them. After almost six years living atop a hill, I finally gave up the gorgeous view of the mountains on the horizon for a quiet, single-story house nestled near a lake. Oh, it also has a big yard, which is the most exciting thing after having spent the entirety of my adult life in various apartment buildings.

The decision to relocate wasn’t solely mine; it marks the start of a new chapter in our family and I look forward to the future that lies ahead. I already feel inspired by this new place and all it has to give us.

Artistically, I can already see myself creating in many different spaces here: my office of course, but also the yard. Picture this: sketching amidst the dappled sunlight, my back against that huge cedar, listening to the soft whispers of its branches, with the melody of birdsong in the background… And what about those rainy days characteristics of the Pacific Northwest, you say? I imagine I’d just spread my stuff on the living room floor, cozily sheltered behind the giant bay windows overlooking the backyard.

Now, speaking of my Art Studio, as I’m writing to you, I’m almost done with the whole relocating-and-reorganizing thing. My priority right now is to take care of the orders you so kindly placed while I was buried in a pile off U-Haul boxes. But once that’s sorted, I’m excited to fire up my wood burning pens and start creating again!

Thankfully, I tend keep most of my supplies, papers, and stuff in baskets and bins and after this move, I would highly recommend doing so. I can’t stress enough how easier it made it to transport and relocate my Art Studio. Once the furniture arrived in the new place, everything I use on a day to day basis was basically ready to be put back in their rightful places as if nothing happened. I think the hardest part of it all was just making sure nothing got damaged on the way, but that’s about it.

All in all, everything went smoothly during the move, but you know how it is. It kinda creates some level of stress regardless. Mine, I confess, was mostly cat-related: how will Pumpkin react and navigate this transition? How will I keep him from escaping the house? Where are the teeny tiny crawlspaces he could hide in and get himself stuck? (I’m looking at you, air vents).

The thing is though, pretty much as soon after spending the first night in this place, I felt a sense of inner calm, one that I’m not really used to feeling. I think it’s the house being so peaceful and quiet. It must have woven a soothing spell upon my spirit. I mean, there is a palpable Magic in the heart of a Home, don’t you think?

PS: By the way, after a few days of getting adjusted to his new environment, I’m delighted to report that Pumpkin is doing great! Pretty sure I have to thank the entertaining squirrels hopping in front of the windows for that 🐿️💛