I am continuing to enjoy the meditative effect of painting my tea, food, or other comestibles. I also like being surrounded by a cloud of friends, even when I am eating on my own, as I often do since I live alone. My tea this morning was in a cup made by my friend potter Melissa Bridgman (who will be joining me at my place again for our Valentine Open Studio Sale on Feb. 5-6). The spoon was a recent present from my best girlfriend Jill, keeper of my secrets, travel and dance buddy, oldest sister in spirit if not blood. And the teapot (which I put into the sketch after I scanned it in) was bought in NYC on a trip for my blood sister Marian's birthday last year. We visited yet another sister who lives there. I am deeply blessed in my community.

Similarly, my wine last night was in a glass made by potter Dale Baucum, a longtime friend and fellow congregant. He and his wife Brin and I taught art together one hilarious Vacation Bible School years ago. And the wine was a present from newer friends, neighbors, who are recent art school grads. They now don't have access to a school press, and they came over to use mine instead. It's fun to be able to have a bit of community when creating art. I am deeply lucky in the people around me.