My latest digital collage experiment...this one inspired by the Japanese sketches of one of my favorite illustrators, French artist Mathurin Méheut.

I love taking Q to the botanical gardens. It's a wonderful resource because every time you go it's different. The season has so many different phases in each garden scape.
My husband got us a membership on my birthday this year, and it's such a perfect escape for us on almost any sort of day.
I love to just let Q loose and watch her explore.
She definitely has her own little routes and rituals, but every time she also discovers something new.
Busy charming passers-by.

Oh, the colors! Isn't it like a painting?

I discover something new every time, too. Kudos to the designers.

Late blossoms, just low enough for a little girl to enjoy.


Someone deserves an award for this little arrangement. The color! I can hardly stand the artistry of it!

...and speaking of illustration:wanni did an illustration of Q and one of her favorite sayings. SO cool! I love it!! Check out the entire blog. Lots of good stuff.

I only discovered this through my hit tracker, and so glad I did. A perfect capture of Q's personality. Thanks, wanni!

I'm still experimenting with computer illustration. Far from perfect yet, but I'm really enjoying myself, as you can see!

A river picnic.

This is us...before we knew. Before we even had an inkling of how much love could possibly stretch our hearts. July, 2008, Beijing, and in a few days our whole world would change.
Me about to walk in the door of the adoption office in Nanjing, just minutes before we would meet her for the first time.
A rainy day in Nanjing, with a very small and confused Q in her baby bjorn.
So new to one another.

Each and every day, to this day, I'm amazed at how much the heart can still expand.

Making me happy today...

...this photo of Keith Richards at Villa Nelcote that's been popping up everywhere since the re-release of Exiles on Main Street.

Corner View: The end of our street
Our street has been very pink this spring. Early rains and less snow made for a spectacular bloom which went on for weeks.
We live very nearly at the north end of our street, which comes to an end half a block from us at a park and a small lake. Head south, and at the end of the street you will once again come to a park and a larger lake.
Whichever way you go on our street, you will come to a park, which makes it a lovely neighborhood to live in.

Q wistfully watching soccer practice. It won't be long, Q. It won't be long.

Stop by Jane's at Spain Daily for a full list of corner views around the blogosphere.

Colors of China....
...from my archives.

From Marrakesh, with love...
Recently, I at last ran out of self-control and ordered one of Maryam's vintage Moroccan wedding blankets from her scrumptious online selection. It was very difficult to choose and, of course, even more difficult to wait for my choice to arrive!
Today, a box arrived from Marrakesh, feeling as sun-baked and warm as if it still held some of the gilded rays from that far-off city. Inside, along with the blanket (even more magnificent in person) was this mother-daughter pair of slippers for Q and I.
Q was enchanted by the blanket with its magical sequins that chime and jangle when you shake it...but she was beside herself about the slippers.
She was so excited, in fact, at the idea of mommy-and-Q slippers that she insisted we put them on and take pictures of our feet together.
Thank you, Maryam!
These treasures will be well-loved!