Kenya in February - 3 Fold Mission

I'm planning my next trip to Kenya for the month of February and it seems to be turning into a trip with a 3-fold mission! 1. Glass Apprenticeship at Kitengela 2. Music Therapy research in Nairobi

3. Square Foot gardening on Lamu Island.

I'm going to start volunteering at Urban Glass this winter and spring. I think it will be inspiring and educational to spend time in a glass studio and around glass artists. So far I've taken two bead classes there and both were phenomenal. I'm currently learning how to draw on glass with glass. Needless to say, it is so hard but so fun at the same time. I feel like I'm 5 years old again, learning how to trace my letters. The brain-hand connection is just fascinating!

A bunch of us from the Relief Society went up to a farm in Connecticut last weekend to pick peaches. It was wasn't exactly my plan but I actually picked about 30 lbs of blueberries as well and I don't regret a minute of it! My freezer is once again busting at the seams. Once home, we canned up the peaches in my hot & steamy kitchen and it only took us about 8 hours! It will be well worth it come that early-fall, dutch oven cobbler that's on the brain...

I am dying over here. I've got a yearning to work with glass that won't leave me alone. In the past I've hesitated to get into the art of glass blowing because it seems intimidating, expensive, and extremely involved. But, I have a craving that won't go away. I want to work with recycled glass like they do at Kitengela and learn the art of glass blowing and Dalle De Ver. I want to be excellent at it. I want to create tableware of all kinds and housewares such as doorknobs, drawer pulls, light fixtures, lamps, sinks, windows, staircases, and even walls. I want to keep making beads as well to incorporate into my silversmithing work. And speaking of silversmithing and yearnings, I have GOT to get my in-home studio set up asap. I'm overflowing with ideas that are screamin' to get out!!!

Missing Kenya....a lot...it's in my heart and I feel a tugging

Joined the Park Slope Food Coop today! Very excited. Absolutely no genetically modified foods. Yippee!

Check it out. My very talented little sister, Roxy made these cake toppers. Are they to die for or what? She made a scene for my 35th birthday of a cute Swedish girl in the woods. Get to know her better at romawinkel.blogspot.com