February 6, 2010

I love beginning projects. I love the blank openness, the unyielding potential, the simple newness.

I usually have several ongoing crafting projects scattered throughout our home, littering tabletops, cluttering counter space, balancing precariously in corners hither and thither.  Depending on my inspiration, my available time, or simply my need to finally finish something once and for all, I will pick up one craft or another: knitting, embroidering, sewing, quilting.  Surprisingly, many of these creations do indeed come to completion.  (Although I have been working on my husband’s sweater for over a year now, having put it aside for 10 months).

I wondered how to begin this blog for the past few weeks while I navigated myself (blindly) through the process, from being a complete computer-phobe until now!  And what better beginnings than to feature a few carvings from my man, Josh.

He carved this Om from birch wood before we met.  It is about nearly 2 feet in diameter and stunning!  When we first dated years ago, Josh had just completed it and was intending to gift it to his friend’s back-country ski lodge.  Six and a half years later it hangs beside our hearth…hmmm…true love!?!

For Josh, the Om has personal significance as his mother has been a spiritual follower of an eastern religion for nearly forty years.  He grew up surrounded by the image.  To Josh, the Om represents the symbolic vibration that unites all living things.  It is the Beginning. 

This is a smalller Om that Josh made for me last year.  It is about 5 inches across and he thoughtfully rubbed it with lavender oil.  He is a special man — this I know!

So, here is to New Beginnings!  I hope to share our family’s adventures, musings, and craftings in this space.  A way to record all the everyday details of our lives for my children. 

May all your beginnings be fruitful!