This winter has been full of gratitude for me. All my people are so generous, and I have an overwhelming sense of contentment. Here is one reason:

my Madrona Salad Bowl !

my Madrona Salad Bowl !

My mother has a passion for art, and refuses to gift me with anything practical for Christmas. This year I had met a brilliant young wood artist, David Earle, on Vashon. He had exquisit salad bowls and was eager to tell me what tree each for each bowl came from, which ones were local and which were his favorite. I drooled over all of them, and went home with a small rolling pin to give away. David really cared about each of his pieces. And so I told him that when I grow up and move out of the van in to a real house, I would have him make me a salad bowl. But for now I was committed to my gypsy life style and he was welcome to go read about it on this blog.

Christmas came, and I was very surprised to find that my family had gifted me with one of Davids Vashon Island Madrona salad bowls. (It will never fit in the van! I exclaimed.) Everyone came over and we ate salad out of it that evening, revealing the roset patterns of the wood, a special treat when the greens were gone. Late in the night there were still pretty packages under the tree…. how could there be more.

it is another windy day here in patagonia

it is another windy day here in patagonia

Some great books for this journey to windy Patagonia came out of ribbons with greens and holly berries. And then one last larger then a book package, from Santa…. I was not convinced and I scowled at my mother for being too generous. But she held her ground and said ‘no, really, santa. Open it.’

Another small bowl came out of that last box and made me cry as I heard the story (still my eyes are blurred by tears as I write).  The perfect gypsy salad bowl for two. A piece of cherry that David the artist, had turned in to a piece of art for our Van. He had set out all these small ones, for my mom to choose from, knowing my lifestyle, but she had to have the other, her favorite, Davids favorite, the Madrona salad for 10 bowl.

David Earle gave me a salad bowl. I am not sure why, but I can only hope that I can inspire him through my wild adventures as much as he has inspired me with his art and generosity. Thank you

David Earle's bowl

David Earle's