Today unfolded as a beautiful day, though it carries a bittersweet weight. I treasure every moment spent with my mom, especially since we live six hours apart. This morning was lovely as we sat together on her patio, sipping steaming…

Happy Oscars Day!

For as long as I can remember, the Academy Awards have been the most anticipated highlight of late winter. The entire season of film, television, and music awards unfolds like a grand spectacle, akin to the thrill of baseball season for others. I eagerly immerse myself…

Today was an exhilarating marathon of activities that exhausted and fulfilled me. I dove into the cleaning frenzy, meticulously scrubbing every nook and cranny of the house until every surface sparkled. After tidying the house, I carefully organized and packed my bags for the upcoming trip, ensuring I didn’t forget any…

Over the past year, I’ve noticed a troubling shift in my approach to packing for trips. Gone are the days when the mere thought of an upcoming adventure would spark a wave of excitement that had me packing my bags days in advance. I used to take pleasure in the process, carefully curating…

Today, I’m filled with joy at the thought of pancakes, those delightful rounds of fluffy golden goodness that make for the perfect meal any time of day—breakfast, lunch, or dinner. While chatting with my mom the other morning, I mentioned making pancakes. Since that conversation…

My dogs have me completely wrapped around their little paws. Every time they look up at me with those big, innocent brown eyes, they hold the power to melt my heart. Whether it's the gentle nudge of their noses or the soft whine they give when they want something, I find it almost impossible to resist their charms. Most of the time, their desires revolve around food or the thrill of a walk outside…

Do you possess that unique ability to sense the unseen, almost like an inner compass guiding you? Many creative individuals seem to share this gift, an intuitive sixth sense that allows them to perceive emotions and nuances in others. They often have an uncanny knack for anticipating trouble before it arises, tapping into a deep well of empathy that helps them navigate…

I have been pondering how to infuse a distinctive texture into my paintings for several weeks. The desire for experimentation is a recurring theme in my artwork, and I suspect other artists often feel the same urge. This time, however, I wanted to steer clear of the typical sand texture or the familiar wet modeling paste. Instead, I envisioned a method to thicken modeling paste to achieve a consistency reminiscent of clay…

As an artist, I am adventurous when exploring diverse painting mediums. Watercolor captivates me as I delight in the harmonious dance between water and pigment. It’s like a delicate symphony, where every brushstroke sings and intertwines to convey my artistic vision…

Since I began writing this journal, I’ve transformed myself into an archeologist of sorts, delving into the layers of my everyday life. At first, I found myself sifting through the day's events with great deliberation, carefully searching for the ‘good things’ worth immortalizing on the page. However, those moments shine brightly, standing out like an exuberant beacon in a foggy…

There are moments when a warm bowl of chicken soup can indeed turn the tide of any day. It’s not that anything disastrous has unfolded; instead, the simple comfort and rich flavors of the soup have worked a special magic. The savory aroma wafts through the air…

Today was a stunning day, the warmest we’ve had all year—perfect tank-top weather, as I like to call it. The sun immersed everything in a golden glow, and a gentle breeze drifted through the air, making it the ideal afternoon for a stroll. Kevin and I decided to take the dogs out for a walk, and as we ventured into the neighborhood…

Have you seen the SNL 50th Anniversary Special?

I caught a glimpse of it the other day and then settled in to finish the second part last night. Oh, my goodness, I can’t recall the last time I laughed so hard! Each scene was packed with humor, and the clever writing had me in stitches. It was one…

Today was a wonderfully productive day in the studio. The past few weeks have been happily fruitful, but today was especially remarkable. The 48” x 60” piece I’ve been diligently working on is finally taking shape, with shapes and colors blending beautifully and…

Happy start of birthday week to me! My husband and I have always affectionately dubbed February 1st as the kickoff of "Stephy Month," a delightful celebration that resonates with my spirit since my birthday falls in the shortest month of the year. I adore the festivities that come…

Isn’t it interesting how people from different parts of the country—and even around the world—pronounce certain words differently? For instance, take the words "tomato" and "potato." This reminds me of the song…

After a few days of much-needed rain, it was delightful to feel the sun on my face today when Kevin and I took the dogs for a walk. What a lovely walk it was! We all needed it, especially after being cooped up for several days. Upon walking down the driveway and stepping into the sunlight…

Happy Valentine's Day!

This day has always been a strange one, in my opinion. That is not meant to say I don’t believe in love. I am in love with my husband of seventeen years, and I appreciate

There’s something about the smell of clean clothes that makes me happy. I can walk into a room where freshly laundered sweaters or yoga pants are spread out to dry in the sun coming through the window, and the sweet scent of the soap fills the air, and my heart swells. Maybe…

I found it amusing to see one of my Goldendoodles, Zephyr, lying on our fabric-tufted coffee table when I walked into the living room this morning. Granted, her blanket was laid out on the top of the table, so naturally, “I's fair game,” she would say…