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About Tracy MacDonald

A joyful writer, photographer, mixed-media artist, and seeker of beauty on this amazing journey.

Sunshine for the Soul

Almost to the beach!

Driving through a state park

Road trip to Virginia Beach for my first art retreat!  Had to put my toes in the water before checking into the hotel:

As I was walking on the beach, I was reminded of an Old Irish Blessing-

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face…

It feels primal, beach combing. Like being an archeologist, searching for treasures on the shore among the scattered array of pebbles, pieces of shell, the occasional piece of sea glass, or feather.

A wet leaf with many tones of green and brown made it look like it was trying to experience all 4 seasons at once.  Twigs and branches were artfully arranged, casting long shadows. I kept turning around to head back, but was propelled further down the beach, drawn in by colors in a shell, or a wave bringing new patches of things to investigate.  The brilliance of the sun’s shimmering path on the water was mesmerizing.  My gaze studied the horizon line where sky melded into the sea, and I stood for a long while to soak up the calm. The ocean always feels like coming home. Can’t get this in the city!

Light and Shadows: Art in the Sun

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The rewind button of my mind reeled backwards to childhood when I saw Sun Art Paper while browsing at Restoration Hardware recently. Have you ever seen this? I am a 70’s child, and I remember being about 8 and making all kinds of gleefully arranged pictures from nature bits and anything else within reach. What great memories!

Isn’t it such a great feeling to come across something you forgot you loved? So I bought a packet for my goddaughter (who just turned 6), and one for me (who just turned 40)!  And the weather cooperated a few days ago, so I reread the directions and had such a blast collecting leaves, twigs, and flowers to make fun shadows on the paper. You arrange the objects, let the paper fade for a few minutes in the sun, rinse it quickly, and voila!

I’d love to know if anyone else remembers doing this or other childhood art activities?

Summery Al Fresco

IMG_0315Hello, Patio! Spring is here. Fresh veggies are popping up at local markets and we can eat comfortably outdoors- YAY!  Don’t you love al fresco dining?

I got out one of my favorite cookbooks by Joanne Weir and decided to try a couple of new things.

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I  chose one recipe solely because the quirky cooking method for a pork loin made me laugh. It was way too much fun to tie a french baguette around something and cook it!

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pork loin wrapped in a (halved) baguette

  It just looks funny, doesn’t it? Like one enormous cartoon-like sandwich. But we sliced it up and it tasted delish!

The colorful veggies were tasty, too. (The recipe did not call for goat cheese, but we bought some fresh at the market, so I couldn’t resist adding it).

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Gratin of eggplant and veggies with oodles of fresh basil and garlic

I see family picnics in the near future!

  Bon Appetit!