Simply put Seattle is eye candy for the soul...

Well...I'm back...  My plane flew in last night and unfortunately I had to get up early this morning and head to work even though I am completely exhausted from all the Art Fest excitement...not to mention the mounds of laundry that needs to be washed.  I have so much to write about.  I probably have a month's worth of posts wrapped up in this one week.  I guess the best place to start is at the beginning.

The day before we were to check in for Art Fest I flew to Seattle where the amazing Kim...and she truly is amazing...I knew that before I spent a week with her and now I know it for sure...picked me up at the airport then drove me all over Seattle showing me some of her favorite shops (including Pike's Market) and some of the more fascinating things about Seattle (like the Space Needle).  The entire time I kept thinking, why don't I live here?  It's full of color and energy, culture and progress, change and artistry.  It's a place that is very alive.  And I love it.  And I want to move there.  Like tomorrow.  It's a photographer's dream and the ocean is just right there...right there.  And did I mention there are recycling bins everywhere making recycling so easy and accessible?  You can recycle right then and there as opposed to saving it in your garage, loading it up in your car, and driving it to the closest facility.  I knew I liked Seattle the first time I traveled there a year and a half ago and now I am sold.  I am totally and completely in love with the place.  All I can say is when I think about Seattle I let out a long heartfelt sigh.

I stayed that first night with Kim and her family and a friend of Kim's from Canada, Christina, who would also be going to Art Fest with us.  Kim's mother, an absolutely amazing cook, stuffed me with the most incredible food ever (the best deviled eggs I've ever tasted...I swear).  That night I slept long and hard which was just what I needed before my Art Fest adventure.  Flying in the day before is the way to go because I can't imagine trying to fly in and get to Art Fest both in the same day.  Way too much stress.  Needless to say I am so grateful Kim offered her home...and her car...and her mother's cooking...and her son's bed, to me.  It was nice to have a day to see Seattle and get settled in before heading to Port Townsend for Art Fest.

I have so many photos and stories to share.  I want to tell you about how Kim is an artist in every way, shape, and form, show you pictures of her studio and tell you about what an amazing, generous heart she has.  I want to tell you about my first ferry ride.  I want to make certain I don't forget any of the details.  I want to tell you about how charming and wonderful Port Townsend is.  I want to tell you what it was like to see Liz again and meet Kelly Rae (and her mother) for the first time as well as Bluepoppy, Misty Mawn, and Ali Edwards.  I want to tell you about how amazing Susan Wooldridge is and how her workshops truly blessed me and changed my life.  I want to tell you about Word Pools and Word Tickets.  I want to tell you about the beach...the sand, the tide, the seashells, the seagulls, the fallen tree trunks that make perfect benches.  I want to tell you about the soft rain and the way it feels when the sun shines on your face after a nice rain.  I want to share with you some synchronisities and tell you about ending the trip in Tacoma bonding with Liz and her very sweet husband John.  I want to tell you so much and I know I'm going to miss something but I'm going to do the best I can.

Comments

[ANDREA24Kirk]

I took 1 st loans when I was 32 and that aided my family very much. However, I require the student loan once again.

[kellyvanhook]

beautiful photos!!! Makes me want to hop on a plane to Seattle! You and your blog are such an inspiration....I tried to subcribe....had issues, lol. Also tried to email you but it was apparently "undeliverable"!! Just wanted to let you know that you have another fan...

[patry francis]

My memories of Seattle are luminous, but you have colored them in more brightly than ever. Gorgeous!

[Marilyn]

Gorgeous photos. Seattle a'ight. ;) (That's a former Portlander trash talkin'...) Glad you had a great time!

[Robyn]

Beautiful, beautiful photographs!

[jenica]

oh honey, i'm loving the honey!

i just caught up on the posts above as well. while i do make friends very easily, i'm still afraid of that junior high feeling in meeting people from the internet in real life. one of my very first posts was about the *cafeteria experience* on my first day in a new school. mis.er.able

i hope to hear about all of the heart-soaring, new technique type details very soon. ;-D

(((hugs)))

[gkgirl]

wheeeee!
the excitement that comes
across in your words!
it's phenomenal!!

and those photos...
holy smokes!
:)

[kelly rae]

you were a joy to meet, michelle. and i still can't get over the poetry you wrote in susan's class! thank you so much for the lovely and thoughtful journals - what a treasure you are!
xo

[ceanandjen]

Already, you have shared so much about the wonder and beauty that was this trip. I am so glad to hear that your time there was so incredible...and your photos are breathtaking!

[darlene]

sounds absolutely wonderful and those photos are breathlessly beautiful!! :)

[Mandi]

I always take joy in hearing about those who fall in love with my hometown. :) I am glad you had a wonderful time and I look forward to hearing more about the Art Fest.

[Swirly]

I think you could tell the story of your experience through your photographs alone...what a wonderful, inspiring, colorful way to start my morning!!

[deirdre]

I want to hear about it all, in such detail that I'll absolutely have to go next year to find out for myself.

I've driven through Seattle three times without stopping. It looks good from the freeway. My sister lived north of Seattle for almost four years and showed me a little corner of it then.

[Thea]

I want to tell you I have tears....happy grateful, miss you, wish I had gone tears. I just can't get over the beauty you capture with your camera my darling-just breathtaking.

You are a talent and a true heart love soul friend that i just absolutely adore. I can't wait to absorb all your yummy words and photos in the weeks to come:) hee hee I am giving you weeks to write it all.

XOXOXO
snuggles and kisses my love

[bella]

wow.wow.wow. I'm so happy you had an amazing experience. I can't wait to hear all about it. I'm about to share my trip experience, so when you get time, come over and read. (Except my pictures aren't as pretty as yours!)

[Lisa]

Amazing, amazing photos. I don't know why, but I can't take my eyes off of the honey jars...

[liz elayne]

(deep breath)

i miss you so much. wish you would move here too. like tomorrow.

you have captured such incredible beauty in these photos. i cannot wait to see what else your camera clicked and stored away...

much love to you dear girl...

[kim]

Wow!
I don't know if I was really with you that day that you saw and captured all of those amazing images! (I just saw the flowers ;) --- you saw light and lovliness in every nook and cranny) I wish you did live here so I could take you everywhere and see what you see when you click your lens open/shut!

I am so thankful that you got to stay with me if just for a night, and that I got to talk you into a coma! in the car ;)

Thought about calling tonight to see you were as exhausted as Liz, Christina and myself ... but knew you would be doing something more important, like kissing son, doing laundry, sleeping.

xoxoxox

[shona]

I have been waiting to hear about it. I can't wait any longer..... but I guess I have to! I will be checking in and in until I have read every word :) and your Seattle photos are beautiful.

[shona]

I have been waiting to hear about it. I can't wait any longer..... but I guess I have to! I will be checking in and in until I have read every word :) and your Seattle photos are beautiful.