Penelope Illustration • Penelope Dullaghan

Research for a project I just finished. So looking forward to sharing…

Our adventures took us to Saxapahaw, North Carolina last weekend. It’s pretty there. And yummy.

paper pattern series

identity exploration

paper pattern series

business card exploration

business card exploration

paper pattern series

paper pattern series

moodboard

I worked on these visual elements a while back and they were never used. I have never really let them go. It could’ve been cool. Next time, Gadget. Next time.

Been loving the sunlight that comes into my kitchen in the afternoons. Warms me up. Especially with how much time I seem to be spending in the kitchen these days. Having a toddler “help” with meals and clean up takes at least four times as long. But she loves to assist.

Recently switched to making coffee via french press and am surprised at the difference – in taste and in the ritual of it. I really like how the simple daily act of making coffee feels more tangible and thoughtful.

I love thrifting. I’ve discovered a Goodwill near our house and head over there first when I need something. (Found an awesome, solid steamer basket to replace the broken flimsy one I’ve had since college.) The elephant coat hooks were not “needed” of course. But I have a thing for elephants and they were too cute to pass up.

We’ve a hayday building tons of forts lately, especially because I’ve had a cold and want to stay inside. She makes them pretty elaborate and then asks me to put the roof (blanket) on. She crawls in with her trusty flashlight.

And I’ve been thrifting old sweaters lately and have been experimenting with sewing. I tried to sign up for a sewing class at the community center but there were no spots left. So I just sat down at my machine with some scrap fabric and tried all the settings to see what would happen if… it’s a good way to learn. Pictured is my newest creation: a ruffled butt-warmer with hand-sewn flower. I really love it.

And of course, lots of painting going on… I am looking forward to sharing these projects with you!

Happy weekend!

photo by Colin Dullaghan

So doing that yoga video for Squam kind of broke the ice for me, and I felt compelled to share another video post! (Feeling braver, yes we are!)

The idea for this one started first with my love and passion for Thai Yoga Massage, and my desire to share it with others. Now, to be clear: I am NOT a schooled or trained Thai practicioner (yet!). I have simply taken a few workshops and have had and done a handful of Thai massages myself. But I so love this healing art form and practice it regularly on my family and friends (lucky ducks, huh?!).

The second reason this video idea was at the top of my mind is because my mom is aging (like ya do) and has started experiencing some health problems. Typical stuff like feeling stiff, aching feet, sore back, etc. In her words: “Pen, I am turning into a stone!” So in talking and brainstorming with her, we came up with the idea of me posting little videos to help her regain her health and flexibility. And I mean helping with simple, natural ways… basic things you can do at home (massage techniques, yoga, food choices) to nourish your body. Plus, helping my mom will give me experiential knowledge to eventually start to help other people (something I’d love to do down the road when the timing is right and I get more schooling).

So let me back up… What is Thai Massage? I have had a couple of close friends ask me that, so if my friends don’t know, you might not either. :) Thai Massage, I think, is a relatively unheard of form of bodywork that’s just starting to gain popularity in the west. Originally from Thailand (you already guess that, right?), it uses hands and feet, knees, forearms and elbows to offer receivers rhythmic massage, acupressure, assisted yoga stretching and gentle twisting. It helps with range of motion, flexibility, chronic back pain, shoulder and muscle tension. Basically, the receiver lies passive on a large mat while the practitioner does the movements for them and encourages them to relax. My tremendously inspiring friend Jenny‘s husband Patrick does Thai Massage for his living and also teaches. Check out his site to see visual examples and get a better explanation than I’m giving here. :)

We clear as mud?

So onto this video. This is a super simple, but amazingly wonderful foot massage technique that you can do with a partner. It’s basically walking on the receiver’s feet with your own. There’s no real “right” way to do it, as long as you are communicating with your partner and they feel good. So you can use your heels first, then the front part of your foot. You can grab a kitchen chair for balance and walk on both feet at the same time. Whatever feels right. I know it’s hard to visualize in black and white type. So watch the video, try it out, and let me know what you think!

Hope your feet are happy too!

“Rejoicing in ordinary things is not sentimental or trite. It actually takes guts. Each time we drop our complaints and allow everyday good fortune to inspire us, we enter the warrior’s world.”  ~ Pema Chödrön

I love this quote. It gives me permission to feel excited and grateful about the everyday, simple things that are rocking my world right now. Things like the slow cooker my mother-in-law passed on to me. (So far I’ve made a modified version of this hummus recipe and loved it. I’m on the hunt for more veggie crock pot ideas.. if you have any recipes or links to good ones, please share!) The morning walks and quiet time I’ve been taking at dawn each day. Returning home and spending a little more time to make french-press coffee. The simple craft ideas and play-time games that Veda and I enjoy together. Establishing and editing our working routine. It’s all just lovely and plain … and I’m so grateful for each moment of it.

Hi! The lovely ladies at Squam asked me to put together a short yoga video for their blog. I squirmed and freaked a bit… and then said yes, even though I was SUPER NERVOUS about doing a video… You know. Where you can see me talk and stuff. :) Check it out here. I do hope you’ll like it and not make fun of me. :)

This was a quick little editorial piece done for Indianapolis Monthly. The story was about cabin life in beautiful Brown County, Indiana.

I didn’t mean to take such a long break away from this space, but life got super busy with Christmas travels, family and the flu (Veda’s first flu bug! oh my!). Aside from that little bug, it was an awesome trip. I hope your holidays were merry, too!

It’s the new year and it feels like it. I don’t know why, but this year feels entirely different to me. Full of possibility… not in a huge oh-my-god-change-everything-right-now way, but in a subtle, contented, watch-it-as-it-unfolds sort of way.

I do have a few resolutions for the year. Jotted them down during the long hours in the car.

– Find ways to quiet myself so I can more clearly hear my intuition/inner guidance. I’ve been reading a lot about dharma lately, and the idea of listening as the compass for your ship stems directly from that. This quote really resonated with me:

“Whatever your part is, you just play it, but you play it as consciously as you can. That’s the most basic form of the concept of doing your dharma: to find your little square on the grid and then to live it out perfectly.” ~ Ram Dass (from Paths to God)

– Take baby steps toward homesteading (instead of pushing and going full tilt like I tend to do). And part 2 of this: figure out (listen!) to what homesteading with ease and joy means for our little family.

– Date Colin. (Cause he’s super cute!)

– Learn more about thai/ yoga/ ayurveda on my own until the perfect opportunity for schooling comes up. (Again: not forcing.) And — a more important aspect of this one — to PRACTICE what I learn so this surface knowledge turns into experiential wisdom.

That’s it! And I guess that’s a lot!

I’m excited to keep these things in mind as the year goes on. I think my challenge will be to relax and trust the pacing of how things naturally unfold instead of always wanting to rush it like a wild person.

I know it’s a bit late, but if you’d like to share your resolutions/thoughts here in the comments, I’d love to hear!