Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Garden Retreat

 DSC_0577

This is my back yard. It was a shambles when we bought the house, but we’ve built the flagstone patio area with the swing, fire pit and picnic table, planted tender new flowerbeds everywhere and spent many long evenings eating and laughing together here.

My daughter and I just finished this dinnerware set, which combines my Organic Soul with her garden Retreat.

 DSC_0565

We’ve worked hard on the dinnerware set to make the leaf plates curl gracefully, to make plates that are organic shapes but also not warped. We’ve sweated in physical labor as a family creating our retreat far more than the time we’ve spent lazily enjoying it.

Is this a conundrum, to work hard making a place of rest, or a dinnerware set intended for long leisurely meals?

The work has been a kind of joy and pleasure unlike any other. There are thoughts that come while forming clay into a poppy or planting new lilies or laying the flagstone that are as if the mind has opened and something large and full of grace steps in. Inside of the physical work of creativity I find delight, as if delight were the most serious thing possible.

3 comments:

  1. Hi Lee ,

    Just found your blog today :))

    And I am so happy for you and your daughter !
    How beautiful story ! mom and her girl !

    Beautiful and traditional handmade work !
    Soft beauty !

    Cheers
    Feyza

    ReplyDelete
  2. :)) I have same table in our garden :))

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lovely backyard retreat...the pottery is awesome!

    ReplyDelete