OUR COMMON HOURS

Kelli Ann Wilson June 1, 2015

21 // 52

“A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2015.”

Lillia: This week was a particular good one for you. After all of your hard work campaigning for a spot on the Student Council at school next year, you were rewarded with a win! Next year you will be the school’s one and only Member at Large. When you came home from school after learning the results of the election, you had a huge grin on your face — ear to ear — and you were jumping up and down with excitement. You felt a little sorry for the child that you were running against, but you said that she gave you a hug and gave you a slip of paper that said “Congratulations!” on it. That little girl (your competitor) should certainly receive accolades for her graciousness and sportsmanship, and I hope that she finds success in another endeavor, as she clearly deserves it. This week you also found out that you scored very, very well on the reading portion of your school’s end of year testing. I’m so thankful for these gifts that you possess, and I hope they will always serve you well as your go through the years of your life.

Zane: This week was turtle week! Because we live so close to the Mill Pond, every spring we have lots of turtles that climb up the bank to lay eggs in our neighborhood. I can’t imagine why they would choose such a place, except that it must be safer than down by the pond. One morning there was a giant snapping turtle mama walking slowly up and down the road and on our lawn (and even up our front steps!). You said, “I have a good name for that snapping turtle: Zane! Because he has a great day just like me!” That was very cute and it made me smile. Unfortunately, the big snapping turtle seemed to be having a hard time deciding where to lay her eggs, and I was worried that she might get hit by a car if she stayed in the road too long. So, I said, “Turtle, just pick a spot!” to which you replied, “You have to call him Zane! Zane, pick a spot!” Oh my goodness, Zane (the boy, not the turtle) — you do keep me in stitches!

Kelli Ann Wilson May 30, 2015

artist // heather sleightholm

I recently discovered the work of artist Heather Sleightholm, otherwise known by her blog and shop name “Audrey Eclectic.” I was immediately captivated by Heather’s folk-art style religious paintings. Using the basic structure of icon paintings, Heather has created religious works for the 21st Century; her colors are bright and vibrant, and her subjects’ faces are open and accessible, drawing one right into the heart of the painting. I am particularly enamored of her Madonna & Child paintings — one can almost feel the love emanating from Mary’s face. Her “Woodland Madonna” is my absolute favorite (below, right).

Heather has also created many works that feature scenes of home and faith. Given my own domestic aspirations, I’m always looking for role models and inspiration in the world of art. Heather’s painted families garden, prepare for festivals, attend church, and just spend time in each other’s company. Amidst the chaos of the modern world, there is such comfort and hope in these images of simple lives in which home, family, and God are central.

In Heather’s own words:

The things that inspire my art are wide and varied, but I love when the things I love speak to others as well. If I’ve gained anything through my art, its been amazing friends! If there is a common thread in my art, it is a deep love of family, tradition, faith and history. These things tend to mingle in all I create, and it’s my hope to make art that gives others a sense of peace, happiness and warmth when they add my art to their home or give it to their friends or family.

I have to say that I am kind of astounded by the number of things that Heather and I have in common, from our discovery of the Episcopal church later in life, to our love of Scandinavian culture, to our preference for historical fiction — I never knew there were other versions of “me” out there! I’m also so impressed with the way in which folks from various faith traditions come together in the community that Heather has created with her blog and her Instagram account. I really encourage you to check out Heather’s blog, where she posts about her artwork, but also about many other things that might interest or encourage you. I’m especially fond of her “Tasha Tuesdays” series, where she writes about and shares aspects of Tasha Tudor’s art and life. And, of course, you must see more of her work, which you can find in abundance in her Etsy shop. Thank you for letting me share a little bit of your enormous talent, Heather!

*Right now Heather is doing a giveaway — see more details here.

Kelli Ann Wilson May 28, 2015

a sunset & a rainshower

Slowly the west reaches for clothes of new colors
which it passes to a row of ancient trees.
You look, and soon these two worlds both leave you
one part climbs toward heaven, one sinks to earth.

leaving you, not really belonging to either,
not so hopelessly dark as that house that is silent,
not so unswervingly given to the eternal as that thing
that turns to a star each night and climbs-

leaving you (it is impossible to untangle the threads)
your own life, timid and standing high and growing,
so that, sometimes blocked in, sometimes reaching out,
one moment your life is a stone in you, and the next, a star.

— “Sunset” from Selected Poems of Rainer Maria Rilke

Kelli Ann Wilson May 26, 2015

newport, r.i.

For my birthday this year my husband got me the gift of wonderful memories — a trip to Newport, Rhode Island! I have wanted to go to Newport for years, ever since I learned about the mansions and the opulent parties of its golden age. In high school I even entertained the idea of attending Salve Regina University (some of the dorms are restored mansions). We made reservations at the La Farge Perry House, an amazing bed & breakfast located in a quiet neighborhood just a short walk from the historic downtown area. I cannot even begin to sing the praises of the innkeeper, Marise, and I would recommend the La Farge Perry House to anyone in a heartbeat (we stayed in the Com. Matthew Perry room). Our little getaway was a whirlwind trip that included: luxuriating at a beautiful bed & breakfast; eating made to order nachos washed down with sangria; strolling through an historic seaside village; trying and failing to buy a bottle of wine after 6pm on a Sunday; drifting off to sleep in a crosswind of cool ocean breezes; six hours round trip in the car with no kids bickering in the backseat; and walking…A LOT of walking. It was one of the best 24 hours of my life. Thank you, my love, for memories I’ll cherish for a lifetime. I can’t wait to go back!

Kelli Ann Wilson May 26, 2015

zane’s baptism

Our little boy Zane was baptized this past Sunday, May 24, 2015, also the Day of Pentecost, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Walpole, NH. It was a wonderful day for all of us. I hope that Zane will find his spiritual home in the Church, and that he will feel the power of God’s love for him all the days of his life. He wore his grandfather’s bowtie, and also the very same necklace that I wore when I was baptized many, many years ago. The necklace has a cross that belonged to a family friend, and a baby ring that belonged to my grandmother (Zane’s great-grandmother). What is truly special is that my grandmother was actually able to be there for Zane’s baptism, and she and I were able to take communion together for the first time in our lives. It was truly an amazing day.