What we’ve been up to

When the weather outside is -photographically?- frightful..

It has been an interesting few weeks in Casa de Dalbec. We have been so crazy busy it’s hard to even think at times… believe me when I say, I’m not the kind of person who associates busy-ness with success. In fact, it’s not even the fun kind of busy (with adventures, waves and mayhem and intrigue on the high seas.)

We’ve been busy with lame stuff… like fixing multiple vehicles… and trying to upgrade a camper that has (all too quickly) gone well over-budget. While trying not to go too crazy, I’ve been tackling some house projects that I feel entirely unqualified for. Add to all of this, preparation for the holidays and incredibly disappointing weather.

My poor photographer who needs his early morning swim every day to center and embrace calm, has been too discouraged lately by 1) the lack of waves. 2) the deary light-lacking sunrises. and 3) the mountain of labor he stacked up for himself.

It’s one of those times, that challenges your ability to generate gratitude. Even during the month of Thankfulness.

So dear world, I’m thankful despite the challenges we’ve faced lately. I’m thankful for each and every one of our followers trudging on through this journey with us. I’m thankful for every note of encouragement. I’m thankful for each new face I’ve met in our studio – every person who now knows our life so intimately well. I’m thankful for the love shown to my amazing man for his incredible talents. I’m thankful to be able to sit with my laptop and compose this love letter in a warm house-turned-home that I created with the man that I love.

So while we’ve been busy and starved of our typical adventures, we have to find joy in a different way during this season of adjustments.

While finding joy between loads of laundry and cabinet painting (don’t even ask… I said I’m out of my comfort zone… ) I make Christian double chocolate cupcakes with the words “Happy Camper <3” to remind him that we’re happy and these challenges are good for us. And Christian brings me a beautiful vase full of purple flowers (my favorite color btw..) to remind me that he sees all of what I do for him. And we make it work.

We recently had a wonderful couple visit us in the studio and they said, after 44 years of marriage they’ve learned it can’t be 50/50. You both have to give it your everything, all the time. I love this so much. They also said after so many years of bliss, it helps to be friends with your spouse.

Good reminder. While I am head-over-heels for my guy, he is also my best friend in the whole world. And my best friend has his own set of drama to deal with. So I can be there for him and not over-whelm him with mine. Give and then give some more.

I don’t mean to be sharing ridiculously intimate details of our lives with the faceless masses. I don’t view my blog that way. Instead, I hope to be providing an insight into the man behind the art. Thinking of Christian, who he is, all of what he has done and been through, also thinking about who he is for Me, changes how I look at that wave picture. I can see his mind, his heart, as it was in that particular moment in time and what made him think that one wave was worth preserving for all of time. It spoke to him somehow. And to me, that feeling, that understanding, brings so much more depth to his art. Christian, is different – his art, is different. I think you see it too or you wouldn’t be here. There is something more than pixels and combinations of ones and zeros when you look at his pictures. There is a moment in time, in creation, that will never be again. But it’s frozen there in all it’s splendor for you to enjoy.

I just don’t know if my words could ever capture that feeling. But in this month of thankfulness, I’m again reminded to be thankful for my artist husband. So Christian, thank you for this. Thank you for your art and thank you for making the world a better place.

And thank You, for watching out for the deer. 😉