Snow, snow, snow

In all of my years here in New York I don't remember a winter like the one that we are having right now. The snow is pummeling us, again and again with weekly snowfalls, sometimes more often. Yesterday, the snow began again, that's our house half way down the block with the turquoise cornice,

Then this morning we opened our shutters to a winter wonderland, again,

It was a day to build blanket forts and stay in pajamas longer than usual,

 

I love the quiet after a huge snowfall, the snow absorbes the sound, and the whole world feels soft and powdery. After a huge snowfall the streets in New York become like sidewalks and there is a feeling of comradery as everyone is digging themselves out and taking a day off to sled and play.

Frank spent a good part of the afternoon building a snow fort in our backyard, staying out there building long after Jasper got cold and retreated inside,

From the looks of things we'll have this sweet fort around to add to and play with for a while, I don't think that the snow will be going away anytime soon!

Finally, here is a short time lapse video that I enjoyed of one of the blizzards that we've had here in NYC this January,

Time Lapse NYC Snow Blizzard from K Taro Hashimura on Vimeo.

Happy New Year!

Hello friends, its good to be back. The post Christmas relaxing really got the best of me, it was delicious to have some unplugged time and recharge in Florida...the beach really is one of my absolute favorite places.

Then, we heard news of the crazy blizzard that hit NYC while we were away. All flights were canceled, and even three days after the snow fall our flight back was the first to leave from the Florida airport that day. We returned to 22 inches of snow, and 4 foot drifts on our deck and backyard,

Our street wasn't even plowed when we returned, for a city like New York it did seem like the snow got the best of it this time! On top of that our cat was missing, since the start of the storm. He is an indoor/outdoor guy, and our friend who was feeding him while we were away could not find him. So I spent time looking for him, walking thigh high in snow through our neighbor's backyards, climbing over fences, finally finding him huddled under the deck of one of our neighbor's houses. He was missing for 5 days, and we felt so grateful when he reappeared!

With all of that drama, and lots of snow play thrown in we have been enjoying days of building snow forts, sledding and snuggling indoors. We started our year very quietly, with a party of 4 at home, we baked a "New Years" cake with the kids.  Frank and I shared some wine reflecting on all that 2010 held for us and looking ahead with excitement to 2011. The year ahead will be a big one for our family, we've got some exciting news to share soon. At the beginning of each new year I also always feel excitement for the art that I will create in the year to come, I already have a few pieces in progress, and new ideas to explore.

Happy New Year!

P.S. Thank you so much for your enthusiasm about my friend Kristin's Spirit Ship project in my last post. I wanted to let you know that she was able to raise the $5000 needed by January 2nd to fund the project to finish the film!!!

After the snow

Our blizzard was wild and beautiful yesterday.

A snow fort was built, with high walls all around, and a deep corner where my boy nestled and carved his secret snow walls.

Then back inside where wet clothes dried by the fire.

While stories were spun, of far away secret forts buried in deep snow, as we watched the flames dance.

Deep Ocean

Deep Ocean

::The heart is deeper than any ocean, wider than any sea::

Today its a snow day here in NYC, the flakes are coming down thick and the city has pretty much called everything off...people are walking down the middle of the streets, pulling kids on sleds, and everyone is in a jubilant mood.
I think that we'll spend this afternoon building a snow fort in our backyard, then coming inside to get cozy.
I'm leaving you with another new painting, Deep Ocean...a piece about probing the layers and depths within our own hearts.
Its over in the shop now.
Happy Snow Day!