This is what my evenings have looked like this month.
Frankly, I'm surprised I even have the energy to snap a photo, but I'm often reminded how making art feeds me - even if it does feel like something else on my insane "to do" list.
We are halfway through the month.
Perseverance and Perspective is the name of my December game.
That, and brandy-spiked eggnog dusted with nutmeg...light on the eggnog.
Do you hear it?
That would be the sound of November rushing by.
Bienvenue Décembre.
What do you hold?
I asked you last night.
Thus far, you've answered with:
- A frantically late morning that turned into waiting for the next bus which turned into a frothy cappuccino.
- December Evenings: Take 2 - a photo collaboration hosted by my friend Chris. Wanna join?
- A new poetry obsession. Can you guess what it is from the picture above?
- Greasy and delightful chicken chow mien leftovers.
- The promise of an evening pint in a dark pub.
Time passes on the right,
Cuts me off.
Doesn't bother to signal.
I curse.
i have been blogularly absent since returning to work on monday because (surprise of all surprises) i have been somewhat busy at work.
though it's annoying, it's highly welcome.
though it's meaningless work, it brings me use and productivity.
how can this be?
welcome to being freaking me (not that it's worse than being any one else - pet peeve #492: i hate it when people imply that about themselves...like no one has it as bad as they do or any kind of shameless ploys for pity. it lacks compassion and perspective), but i seem to exist in an incessant amount of contradiction, hypocrisy, and paradox.
but back to the matter at hand.
my to do list has been haunted for an entire week now by the appropriate ending to the December Evenings project. though i still wait for my 2009 calendar to arrive, i realize we are already deeply entrenched into the first week or so of January, and I must pay my respects to the project that kept my creative juices flowing and my humbugary spirits from bathing in the spiked-nogg.
internet, i would like to introduce you to the talented group of people i now call my friends (some i already did, some i now do). seriously. look how talented and beautiful they are.
thank you, fellow photographers, artist, friends, humans.
here are my favorites from each individual...appearing in no particular order:

formidable friends by QuirkyEye
Cum Sanctus Spiritus by
Rebecca Gomes
Post Youth Group by
Brian Wigand
Junior Photog by
horseychicken
Nightime Baking by
Emily Burtt (my favorite dweller of Australia - also, check out her
etsy shop!)
xmas morning walk by jordan (dwelling in canadian subzeros!)
December 07 B by Jeremy Rosenlund (an ex student and burgeoning photographic genius)
December Twenty Four by
The Good Which (MY SISTER!!!)
one exposure night by
mapleleif (the first artist who saw the artist in me...)
Dec 16th: Christmas Tree in York by
Chris Bradley (our UK dweller extraordinaire and future travel guide/host :) )
{12:15} the hardest question by
the highest heel - my parallel-o-friend dwelling so far away...
Days End by
The Noisy Plume - sister, mother, daughter, friend. check out her
etsy shop!
dec4: c'est fin by
IscahMara - my favorite redhead and comfort
My Constant Companions by
Kelly Clark - buy one of her handmade, luxurious, and soulful pillows from her
etsy shop, then go check out her
paintings and save up to buy!!!
December Twenty One: pick up the pieces and go home by
Mme. Bookling.
I am really thankful to have this caliber of work and communal participation. Thank you for encouraging my own work by jumping on board with my projects.
Who will start the next one in a few months?
I really do know some inspiring folk.
"to me, fair friend, you never can be old
for as you were when first your eye I eyed,
such seems your beauty still. "
~shakespeare
~raising a {second} glass to you,
lady whit
p.s.
and i just welled up in sobs of tears because Pavarotti came on my
pandora station...(send me your email and i will share it with you)

welcome to the end of week two of the december evening's project. it has been so magical to see into everyone's night lives. we are in celebration of our various weathers, moods, colors, and festivities.
here are a few of my favorites (click for credits):
(
see entire group pool here)
portrait of the nightself___________________________
can you believe it's only December 15? with the hustle and bustle, it feels like January is knocking hard, but in actuality we are only half way through advent. i often feel like december gets put on a conveyor belt and we are responsible to grab the moments - only there is no time to sit and examine our new gift - only a panic to grab as many meaningful moments as they pass by us with dizzying speed.
sigh.
deep breaths and eggnog swigs.
it will all get done.
homesick here and there, no matter the destination
someone will sew up the fractured called family.
choose wisely.
stop wildly grabbing everything.
one moment may be all....
yesterday I found the present.
A hot eucharist swallow of humility and mercy,
a blessing, a lifting of shamed chin, the gift of less of me.
"you are not alone."
Today my soul finds comfort in my God (a rare delight. Like Turkish deeeelight.)
~with gratitude.
crm
and we are off! the
december evenings project has almost 100 shots just from week one. wander over and take a gander.
i think all participants agree that yes this is about capturing your evening and learning about your creative eye via photography, but it is also very much about the collective comments and collaborative remarks of all involved.
here is a small sampling...
also, feel free to still join if you find yourself inspired...
~a kind curator
i have made no time for reading or writing lately.
in this, i feel a bit like an unpeeled orange.
bitter on the outside.
sweet & sour on the inside
{for those who dare peel}
well the one i am daring to peel me...
is
me.
i love how art anchors me.
i must have words (written or read) in some shape or form
in order to balance the chaos that is
a rather, well,
unhappy candace
(oh melancholy fall - have your way with me).
i will read.
i will write.
i will
fall.
Dear Hands
spiced, silent, safe
mug(i was about to apologize for the three photos again. i will not do this anymore...i cannot stop up what seems to flow so languidly through the crooks and crannies of my terrain.)
~peace be with you,candaceruth
i couldn't keep it to just one picture for day one of
december evenings.
i was just shooting everything about my night in hopes i could get one good shot...and then i had a few to share...so i will share them here too!
december one: spectre

december one (3): before the shades are drawn
if you are participating, hope to see your photos soon!
smooches, hugs, or handshakes (wherever appropriate, of course),
crm