falling in love with the desert.

Zak took J and I on a drive today, it was just breathtaking. We were just outside of Tucson, right at sunset... Pretty amazing.

In the shop this week.

I've recreated my Etsy! New name, new banner, all new in preparation for my business adventure with Katie :)
So I figured each week I will make a post showing you what's new, either in the online shop, the (as of yet) theoretical traveling market bus, or the soon-to-be booth right here in Tucson.
These are things I just listed in the Esty, now named after this here blog, Kunst der Kuh.

So exciting! There are even collaborations in the works with other friends, how can that NOT be exciting?! :D

Here's to art every day and reaching for the stars. And friends, always to friends!! xo!

three.

My camera is broken, so I've been using my blackberry to take photos recently. Really lame, but I feel it's a lesson in letting go and letting my memories be just that- pictures in my mind; especially on a day like today, when my baby boy turned three!
We didn't wrap his big present and had him cover his eyes instead, which was really cute. So hard not to snap away and take a million photos, but I felt more present than usual not ducked behind my camera checking to make sure I had a good shot. Interesting realization in the end.

What a sweetheart. He's amazing, really. He went through this move barely noticing all the changes, just going with the flow and enjoying moments with new people every few days/weeks. A few months ago he was weary of new people and tonight Chris brought a coworker home and J wanted him to go play trains in his room before they even knew each others' names. He is no longer worried about where I am at the playground, he washes his own hands and gets his own water. He was mad at me the other day when I almost forgot to strap him into his car seat, and he lets me know when he's ready for a nap. I never have to wonder why he's upset or crying, he tells me just what he needs or wants, all I have to do is listen. He will spend all day making me think my work here is done and then he will climb up in my lap and ask me to sing baby beluga while rocking him, reminding me that I am far from done and he will be my baby boy for awhile longer, thankfully.

So Johnathan, if you ever look back on this, I think you are the best three-year-old a mother could ask for. You have taught me more about patience and kindness and empathy than I ever thought a small person could. You've taught me to listen and to take things at face value and ask for what I need. And to nap when I'm feeling tired or sad. You are a champion napper, my boy.

I look forward to this next year while looking back fondly on the previous years (years! so hard to believe already!). What a cool kid we have! 


(Here are some photos from before the camera broke, of J doing his favorite thing: lining up his cars and then rolling over them like a steam roller... and then of course lining them back up and taking photos of them like mum!)

what i needed.

 +

+

lush bath bomb (lavender and tonka absolute)

=

yes. please. 

my homework assignment for my art/living class was to take a bath. to fill it full of herbs and soak and soak and let it all go. i didn't have herbs handy and didn't get to the store, but i had an old bath bomb laying around that is all my favorite scents mixed together. that plus some baby bubble bath was all it took to sweep me off my feet. the movie was an indulgent addition played on my laptop, one that had been sitting in my que for a very long time just waiting for the right moment. cute, sad, blissful edie.

not sure where to go from here. bed? i feel fabulous! i don't remember a bath this comforting in at least 15 years. man. a blog-worthy bath, if you can believe it ;)


what do you do to take care of yourself? 

bumpy roads.

Dear loved ones:

It seems that everyone around me is in some insane state of flux. Families are moving, changing, growing and dissipating. Jobs are doing the same. Almost as if our sleepy universe stood up and said, "Wait a minute. What's going on here? It's time for change!" and shook us off it's back with the flick of a shoulder.

In any case, things are changing, and it doesn't seem all bad. It's not so bad especially because we are clearly not alone in this adventure.

I was fortunate enough to spend last weekend with two of the most inspirational women in my life (besides my mother!). We joined our families together for breakfast and lots of talk about what is to come. (How funny that it says 'meuse' behind Emily, as Katie and Em are certainly meuses of mine).

The horizon is far for some, closer for others, but we are somehow on this path together, even if distance divides us. Leaving all the beautiful people behind in Germany was difficult, and knowing that some of them are having a hard time as well makes it a bit harder. So this is a love letter to you, my friends, and to my family, to let you know that I love you. I miss you. And I truly look forward to the future and the path it takes me on, no matter how hard. I know you are there, all I have to do is reach out and ask for an email, or a phone call, or a visit- and there you are.

You can expect the same of me, any time, anywhere. I am here for you.  I believe that, once the road smoothes, we will find our selves stronger, closer, and in better places than before.

xo, Kari

~~~~~~

There is a bit of a new look to the blog. There will be more changes slowly as I undertake a new endeavor with Katie, who is now only a day's drive away! 

new surroundings

 Oooh, I'm so behind! 

I have Sooooooo much to say (okay, not really, just that: I flew to Arizona, I miss my family, Johnny keeps asking to go 'home', Tucson is hot but today it rained, I'm happy to be unpacking, aaaaaaand I need to make friends).

Other than that, I am painting and unpacking and sorting and exploring. 

Here's a peak into our new house:

That's all for now. There will be more :)