makingpeace

We Always Knew She Had Royal Blood

2011-12-30T10:42:00.000-08:00

She just needed the ceremonial robe to re-activate her status...

And confirm her celestial lineage...

As daughter of Heaven...

Dowager of all small creatures...

And benevolent ruler over all palace servants.

Long may she reign!

Waiting for the Man

2011-12-24T22:10:00.000-08:00

Waiting for Santa is still very exciting and joyful around here. Having time off together and having slow mornings relaxing around the house is pure heaven.

Wishing everyone peace, joy and connection to the source of light and life!

It Only Takes a Girl

2011-12-21T17:47:00.000-08:00

Don't let the title of this blog fool you. I think both boys and girls will change the world, men and women. And what group or force might be that massive influence? The one that finally tips the scale on a grassroots level and begins the eradication hunger, ends the cycle of abuse and suffering of living beings, cares for this beautiful planet earth as it so badly needs? Girls! I know it's just one strategy, but it is one that gives me A LOT of hope! Girls.

During this season so focused on giving and getting, I've been really proud of my girl and how she wants to give. After seeing this video and feeling the outrage and disbelief of the plight of girls around the world, she pledged all her Christmas money to show her belief in girls, and deep desire to make the world beautiful for all.

I'm pledging too because it's the very best strategy I've heard of.

While this video may be too heavy for young kids, you may want to take a moment and see if it makes as much sense to you as it does to me. And maybe those few dollars that you might spend on our own daughter or son, you could flow it out, into the world.

Below are some great links to contribute, there are many organizations to choose from.

http://www.girleffect.org/question

http://becauseiamagirl.ca/

http://internationalhf.org/contribute

http://www.globalgiving.org/leaderboards/girl-effect-challenge/

The previous post, below, has a very compelling video too.

The Girl that Changed the World

2011-12-21T17:28:00.000-08:00

I'm pledging too because it's the very best strategy I've heard of.

http://www.girleffect.org/question

http://becauseiamagirl.ca/

http://internationalhf.org/contribute

http://www.globalgiving.org/leaderboards/girl-effect-challenge/

The previous post, below, has a very compelling video too.

The Dance of Gratitude

2011-11-24T21:45:00.001-08:00

A big thank you to Bill, Annie & Mary for making Thanksgiving day just perfect!

Plus the wonderful calls from the Kern's, Hinz's, Sieler's and Carrillo's.

Color and Warmth

2011-11-23T22:20:00.001-08:00

Our recent visit to LA for some pre-Thanksgiving visiting with family and friends was full of color and warmth.

The accommodations were excellent.

We visited the Museum of Natural History to see the dinosaur exhibit. Fantastic!

The Crane's met us on Alvera Street for a great meal at La Golindrina.

A perfect visit.

Plus, Annie got to visit her friends Mathias and Asher who she LOVES to play with.

Thanks Calvin

2011-10-27T13:01:00.000-07:00

Calvin & Hobbes have played a huge role in Annie's life.

For years now Annie has found him hysterical, outrageous and admirable. I believe these comics have contributed to Annie's excellent vocabulary and reading skills. In one comic, Calvin did a report on bats, so Annie decided she wanted to too. Here she focused on her mission

And here she is after she recovered from the shock that there probably needed to be a second draft to fully bring her points home.

Can you just imagine the moaning and groaning we endured

trying to support her in her goal?

And here she is trying to deal with the fact that there is, most likely, a third draft in her future. We're saving it for another day. Our writer needed to regain her strength.

Can you believe I posted again?

Still Beating

2011-10-17T16:37:00.000-07:00

I'm flexing my creative and energetic muscles so much in my life, blogging has falling into a deep ditch on the side of a remote country road. Blogging has been so wonderful to me! I hate to call it quits. So, here I am. I have just this small offering; pics of my sweet Annie in a moment of forest bliss.

Sending out my best wishes to all of you!

Some Summer Highlights

2011-07-19T18:07:00.000-07:00

The magic of sparklers!

Gulp! Can you see how much she's grown? The hair pulled back might be throwing me off, but she looks older than I'm comfortable with right now. And where does she get that leg + hip pose from?

Bill above Lake Tahoe on a gorgeous day.

Zooming in and capturing a moment of Annie up (way up!) in the tree house she and Bill have been building together.

Listening to Bill and Hollis talk while soaking up the sun in Big Sur.

Annie modeling one of the many fabulous nighties that LaLa has made her. She says she's flying out of lava in this photo. She looks like Marilyn Monroe to me. (That pose again!)

True Summer Highlight; Seeing the Getty Villa permanent collection with LaLa and Annie! Amazing.

Hiking with the entire Hinz family, including Uncle Pete.

Feeling so proud as I rode behind Annie as she rode "Dot" along the beach in Big Sur.

Having one of those deeply grateful moments as I watched Annie and Bill on the trail ahead of me.

Little House in the Big (Sur) Woods

2011-06-23T21:58:00.000-07:00

The packing, planning, pet sitters and pushing-to-get-out-the-door are all worth it the minute we arrive and meet up with family in our favorite cabins in the Big Sur forest.

This year the cousins joyfully roamed the river, forest and beaches, on this years summer solstice/birthday trip...

...enjoyed the "matchy-match" pajama's that LaLa Pat made them...

...and lounged around in the wonderful weather.

We found a wonderful fuzzy caterpillar amongst the poison hemlock, wild mustard and abundant wild flowers on the trail down to the beach.

We found the perfect spot where the Big Sur River meets the ocean...

...and collected special rocks and shells to remember our trip by.

And then, after we said our goodbye's, we stopped at a local stable and Annie and I took horses through some beautiful meadows and trails, through the Big Sur River, and down onto the beach. What a thrill!

Beautiful & Amazing

2011-06-11T22:41:00.000-07:00

Beautiful for how they got along so swimmingly.
Amazing for how much they've grown.

The smokey eyes, ratted hair and the threatening poses were especially for the Tim Burton exhibit at LACMA. These were taken as we were just about to walk in the door.
They loved it!

French Fantasies

2011-04-29T22:17:00.000-07:00

My dear friend Mary just returned from a fabulous trip with her two high school friends, Anne and Connie. They visited London, Paris and Amsterdam! They had a terrific time. Mary reports that the gals in Paris, even those very casually dressed, all wear wonderful scarves to top off each outfit. I thought to myself, what a great economical way to enhance my wardrobe and stay fashionable with the seasons. Who knows? Maybe I'll be touring the continent soon.

Since Pat and I share this French fantasy, I plucked these perfectly sized pashima's for the two of us. The lime and the purple/blue for you Pat?

Making Peonies-W.I.P

2011-04-27T12:41:00.000-07:00

So, I'm taking a week off!

What do I do?

Start a new mural, with the help of my trusty sidekick.

Trying to Get a "Nice" Picture

2011-04-24T21:44:00.000-07:00

Pop looks innocent, doesn't he?

But he's the one tickling and nibbling...

...and saying things that will crack Annie up right before the camera snaps.

All I want is one "nice" photo!

Easter Dragon Dress

2011-04-23T13:00:00.000-07:00

Annie was given this little Easter dress from her friend Autumn.

It fits perfectly! It's lined, has taffeta, tulle, and a pretty ribbon on it.

Annie said it was too "girly girl" and that she would only wear it if it had a fierce dragon on it.

Annie sketched out the dragon, and I used ribbon, embroidery floss and a small blue bead for the eye. I'll try and take pictures of her in it tomorrow!

Who Loves Easter?

2011-04-22T17:33:00.001-07:00

Easter is still a big deal around here! At ten, Annie is as enthusiastic as ever, begging us to dye eggs and bring out the decorations. Her friend Robert (see below) at 12.5... not so enthusiastic. I wonder how long it will last around here? I hope for a long time.

Oh! We learned something new this year about boiling the eggs. Annie Googled it while we were in the kitchen getting ready. Start by putting the eggs into the pot and do not boil them, or they will crack! Slowly cook them on medium, we did it for at least 45 minutes and they turned out perfect. I ate one to check.

Beauty

2011-04-22T10:06:00.000-07:00

My beauties last Sunday in San Juan Batista.

Razzle and Dazzle

2011-04-15T22:04:00.000-07:00

I love these pictures of Annie during tonight's performance of the play Aladdin. It's a local children'sproduction and Annie played Razul the guard. She was fantastic! She really hams it up and uses her body, voice and face to express herself. What she really wants is a reaction (laughs) from the audience, and she got some tonight.

(Click on the above to enlarge. Great expressions!)

Spring Fever

2011-03-26T14:42:00.001-07:00

Hello blog friends!

I can smell Spring in the air, and it's giving me new energy and vigor!
Yea(!), because I've been dragging a bit (a lot) since the remodel, trying to catch up and waiting out a few cough-colds things and the doldrums that followed.

Annie's beautiful singing voice and piano music has been filling the house these gray days, lifting our spirits, turning darkness into light, despite one rain storm after the next here in Northern California.

Little Harpo, below, is also showing some real vigor and tenacity. Just yesterday she scratched her way out of the house to chase the UPS man. She has a real thing for him. She chased him to his truck and then chased the truck five or six houses down on a very busy street, as onlookers pointed and gasped. You have to remember she is only about twelve inches tall!

As I write, the canaries we raise are all singing loudly, filling the whole downstairs with songs of Spring! It's all around me!

Hope you are feeling it too.

2011-02-17T21:51:00.000-08:00

It is amazing how much things can change in just two short weeks! My studio has grown to more than double it's size with the removal of a few walls, closets and a hallway. New lighting, hardwood floors, custom shelving, tables and storage have been added, plus an already enjoyed snack corner. (See Clara, Asher and Alabama above, after they slurped all up the orange slices. Sorry you didn't get any Caliope!)

I left some original details, like the old built-in cabinet, above.

Added these new honey + amber glow oak floors...

And there was so much more room for all my artist friends this week!

I know how much I like to spread out when I work in the studio. Three cheers for more elbow room!

Just look at the light! Balanced and bright.

Annie went straight from her bed to the studio this morning. A My Little Pony accessory making session is still going strong over here.

I love the new custom shelves with a suspension rod support system designed and built by my brother, Master Builder T. Kern. He guided me through this whole renovation process and it has been wonderful working with him.

I'll post more pictures after I spend this weekend playing in my new studio!

A special thank you to
Annie Louise O'Farrell Hinz
William Hinz
LaLa Pat Sieler
G r a n d m a B e t t i e
Thomas Kern
Nieters Family

and all my wonderful artist friends and their families!

A Quick Visit to France!

2011-01-19T22:10:00.000-08:00

The stories are true about France having a rich history, beautiful customs and thriving arts! Our homeschool Country Club brought it all to life today!

The presentations began with Annie (as SuperGirl Kitty photo 6, above) sharing about Marie Antoinette and Louis August, notorious King and King of France. Then Mathias (photo 3 above) and Asher (photo 7 above) studied then shared two books about French men, Marcel Marceau, and the famous tightrope walker Philippe Petit. Exciting and well presented!

Then Johnny (photo 4, top photo collage above) gave us some insight into the French Revolution and helped us to see the very real violence that come with upheaval. Aiden (above looking so handsome and so French, directly above) and Caleb (photo 5 top photo collage above) brought the Tour-De-France alive. I never knew it was over 2,000 miles long! Plus they added a review of the Red Balloon, making me want to rent the movie for Annie.

Then the delightful Scotts (Peter and Marianna above, and Elizabeth, photo 1 top photo collage above) brought with them the beauty, elegance and style of the French at their best! Food and a meditative approach to enjoyment and nourishment. They brought fresh berries, flowers, crusty baguettes, brie, olives, candles, and a wonderful dry champagne (Jeanette and Jen enjoying photo 2 above, as well as myself!), for the grown-ups! Wow!

Next month is Johnny's pick! Ireland here we come!

My Muse

2011-01-17T09:40:00.000-08:00

Pat and I had an impromptu Skype date Sunday morning, lasting probably and hour and a half. How pleasant! It was almost like being together!
She was making refinements on a purse design and I was doing a Picasso inspired project for the kids in my studio, so I pretended we were working side-by-side in the studio. Because I had her right there, (on screen) I used her as my model, my Dora Mar. I can't wait to have the kids do the project.
Other than that, I'm completely obsessed with some construction work I'm doing to enlarge my studio. Really it's a dream-come-true making my studio twice the size, improve the lighting, add more outlets, storage...be still my heart! I'm sooo excited. I'm going to try some "before" shots, so I can show the improvements.

Fun House Photos

2010-12-26T22:35:00.001-08:00

I think today might be one of those great days that will live on in my mind as bright, effortless and fun!
I love hanging out with these two...

Catch a Shooting (Rising) Star

2010-12-13T15:19:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful and whirlwind few weeks!
Starting with LaLa coming to visit, then a week filled with dress rehearsals, tech and a pre-holiday celebration with Grandma & Grandpa, a coupla fantastic shows of Jungle Book (with Annie as the unforgettable Kaa, Mother Wolf and a stand out part as a Prickly Pear!) and finishing up with a wonderful visit with Grandma Pinky Mae Rose!
So fun!

A Pat Hog

2010-12-06T22:02:00.000-08:00

I know, it's no fun in the re-telling.

And yet, here I go again...
Pat and I had the BEST time ever together the last three days.
I know I always say that.
It's always true!
And I don't think there is a way to translate exactly why it was go great without diminishing it.
So, I will just re-cap;

-We had a laugh attack at a hair salon, that quickly climbs to 2nd place in the history of all laugh attacks for us. (First place still has to be Reno, where our laugh attack continued, on and off for almost three days, leaving us weak and painfully muscle sore. ) This newest laugh attack went on so long, and was so embarrassingly public, that the stylist at the salon brought us a box of tissues. As she handed the box to us, the look on her face was a mix of pity and fear.

-A dynamite haircut for Pat, despite the above.

-A trip to Mastick (fabulous Senior Center thrift store) where we each found at least two great pieces.

-A fantastic Chinese full body massage. Four of us gals lined up in a row of massage chairs. It was Pat, myself, dear Jen and Kristin of West Vista Urban Farm School.

-Hot homemade apple pie as a punctuation, preface or in place of most meals.

--Tickets to Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cezanne and Beyond. Just go see it. There were at least six works in that show that transcend this realm and spoke of pure vibrating communion with the creator. The Nabis works especially. Many brought tears to our eyes. I could go on, but really, words are pitifully insufficient next to these works.

-A sparkling visit to a park and a walk on the bay between rainstorms.

-Dim Sum at East Ocean Seafood. Fortunes were read in the tea leaves.

-And Annie! My darling! Despite calling me a "Pat Hog" she did a fair bit of hogging as well. She made Pat breakfast, decorated her bed and door to her room, sang, played piano, acted out scenes for her upcoming show, held hands with, draped herself on Pat, and told a million stories and got Pat to herself as well. Annie, your are wonderful!

I'll stop gushing now.
Love you Pat!

Another Name for Thanksgiving is...

2010-11-25T23:56:00.000-08:00

...Thursday dinner!

WIP

2010-11-24T23:12:00.001-08:00

Inks + Carving Tools + Brayers + Papers + Temperature + Pressure + Patience

Experimenting...

Layering...

My studio has a strong smell of ink, lots of paper, tape, wet and dry cloths, palette knives an the constant streaming of Netflix movies.
(A few from my queue - Bela Fleck-Throw Down Your Heart, Imitation of Life,
The Art of the Steal,)

Say Ahhhhhhh!

2010-11-24T17:57:00.000-08:00

Annie's got a slight case of the sniffles so we went to pick up some herbs and vitamins at Dr. John Nieters' office, and he took a few minutes to look at her throat, feel her glands, take her pulse, and make sure she didn't have Strep.

Annie loves seeing him.
She came right home and made him this card as a thank you.

Thank you John!

Pure Heaven

2010-11-22T21:18:00.000-08:00

For those of you who don't yet know the pure joy of a heated mattress pad, I encourage you to buy one, upgrade to overnight shipping, and know the deep pleasure of slipping into a deliciously warm bed!

It's the modern version of a few warm rocks placed in the bed on a cold winters night.

I literally moan and squeal with delight each time I get into bed. Really!

If my words don't move you, see this pleasure beautifully illustrated above by Annie.

If you're curious, and you need further encouragement, know that it can help you save on your overall heating bill. Rather than heating your whole room (or home) just heat the bed. We just heat ours twenty minutes before going bed, and turn it off as soon as we slip in.

Pure heaven!

Thank you for the gift LaLa!!
(The original of the above artwork is on it's way to you via snail mail!)
xo

How to Build a Duff House, or I Could Look at My Baby All Day

2010-11-14T15:29:00.000-08:00

We went for a hike up in the redwoods today. Wow! Today's weather was so warm and amazing and the view of the San Francisco Bay glittered and sparkled! I went looking for sticks, lichen and eucalyptus for a project, and Annie quickly decided to build a Duff house to shelter small animals from the coming winter rains. (Annie has informed me that "Duff" is all the redwood leaves, sticks and debris on the forest floor. If you pile enough on your structure, it becomes rain proof and keeps the cold out.)
I liked Annie's structure, but mostly I couldn't keep my eyes off of her! What a delight to listen to and watch as she worked!

A Day

2010-11-09T17:46:00.000-08:00

Annie and I scurried off to the thrift store before my first class began this morning. I found this blue linen shirt.

After the morning class left, Annie and I continued doing foam printing together and I LOVE how her prints turned out.

Here I am waiting for my afternoon class of boys to show up.

And here they are in all their glory!

It's already dark at 5:45 p.m. and here I am, talking to LaLa Pat while I get ready to post this to my blog. Another great day!

Foam Printing

2010-11-08T16:41:00.000-08:00

I finally did an printing experiment that I've been wanting to do using foam trays. You know those kind that meat and fruit are packed on? Friends and neighbors have been saving them for me, and I finally can offer this project with the kids in my studio.

The following are a few simple steps to use your foam trays and make repeated images. Step one, using an exacto blade I cut out a flat piece from the tray to carve on. Step two, I then used a light pencil line to layout my design, then pressed much harder with the pencil, creating a deep ravine that would convey my image. Step three, using my Brayer and Block Printing Ink, laid out the red paint on a flat surface covered with freezer paper, then transferred the paint as evenly as possible onto my foam "block". Step four, lay the foam "block" onto good paper, cover it with a hard-backed book, and you can see my lovely (and petulant) assistant in action, applying even pressure to make a good solid transfer. I'll post the kids work with foam prints in the studio this week on Alameda StudioTime.

A Little Family

2010-11-07T22:34:00.000-08:00

I've been working on a holiday nativity scene for our dear friends the Taylors. So far, I've worked in silk, wood and wool to create a Mary, Joseph and the newborn Jesus. I love the colors and the non-traditional costumes. The parents stand approximately 8.5" and are completely pose-able.
Next, the manger/structure. I've got a date with a eucalyptus tree this week to collect bark.

First Haircut in Almost Ten Years

2010-11-01T15:33:00.000-07:00

Goodbye barrettes, hair ties, and long hair.

I'm So Glad She's My Kid

2010-11-01T11:05:00.000-07:00

Someone around here feels happy about me!
I feel happy too!

Preparing for the Haunt

2010-10-31T22:04:00.000-07:00

Annie woke up at 2:00 a.m. Saturday night and got up, came to my side of the bed and asked if it was too early to get up and prepare for Halloween! I took her a loooong time to fall back asleep, and I've been tired all day because of it.

These pictures were taken when the sun (finally) started going down and we were preparing to go out and Trick or Treat. At the last minute, I stayed back to hand out lollipops to the kids, since I was tired and a little Halloweened out.

Mostly I was pooped because we held a Halloween dance party Saturday night, and we dressed up, danced, feasted and to me, that was Halloween this year.

Annie loved the dance party, and she was out-of-control excited all day about Halloween and Trick-or-Treating. Then she can't decide whether to hand out candy or go in search of! She did both. After she got home, she took at least half her candy and gave it away to those last few ghouls and goblins passing by.

Aren't these two creepy?

Happy Halloween!

So Alive

2010-10-29T19:57:00.000-07:00

We really enjoyed the Día de los Muertos exhibit at the Oakland Museum of California today and it left me with a great feeling of aliveness. For me it's a mix of awe at the mystery and emotions around death and the afterlife, and the sheer joy of living.

Nothing illustrates that joy of living as much as watching the children in my life! Living with bravery, gusto, endless amounts of energy and big emotions and a fresh, creative approach to each moment.

Here's to life!

Little Willie

2010-10-28T16:05:00.001-07:00

Willie, Pat's seventeen year old shop cat died yesterday.
We are all sad and feeling the loss.
Especially Pat.
Here's Annie's depiction of Willie messing up Pat's desk and the papers flying all over the office.

Happy Making

2010-10-23T21:04:00.000-07:00

As busy as I've been with StudioTime, I find myself thinking of and planning for holiday giving. I do love to make things for those that I love, and I'm a bit worried how to do it all, and have balance.

On that note, I did my first two woodblock carvings tonight (see above), and last night I started painting some rocks (see below) that I collected on this summers outings. I like the way they both came out! Both felt easy and fun, plus Billy and Annie gave me positive feedback. So maybe I'll make some sets of woodblock cards or prints and painted rocks as gifts gifts this year!

I'm thinking that my kids in Alameda StudioTime can do versions of both of these projects too. I'll see what response I get from them this week and how I can adapt them to different ages.

A Visit to Brazil

2010-10-20T18:54:00.000-07:00

Country Club is a small group of homeschooled kids in our community that Annie is a part of. The kids each get turns choosing a country and then we all meet once a month and the kids offer up what they know to each other. So fun!

Each persons approach is different, one child might talk about the animals of a country, a specific person, historical information, or like yesterday, Annie chose to study the Yanamamo tribe of the Brazilian rainforest, including partial costume, seen above with a warriors face. The littlest kids sometimes just hold up a flag and support a sibling in his presentation (see above), while others read various books on the subject and review what they found out to the group. When we did Germany, Annie didn't offer anything she just absorbed what the others presented.

Us mom's offer up dishes from each country if we choose to or have the time. Yesterday Jeanette brought a yummy black beans and rice dish that I loved, plus there were fruits and vegetables and nuts.

About a Boy

2010-10-18T20:09:00.001-07:00

Boy kitty that is...
Yes, Billy finally found a kitten.
He's four months.
A Lynx Point Snowshoe cross.
Super sweet and affectionate.
The dogs are a shivering jealous mess.
I hope that things smooth out by the end of the week.
No name yet...

Into the Woods

2010-10-05T20:55:00.000-07:00

We've returned from a wonderful week in the Mendocino Woodlands forest and I can't wait to go back!

The Ross (Residential Outdoor Science School) program was top-notch from beginning to end.

It was a completely unplugged week of community, learning, playing and breathing in the deep, unspoiled redwoods.
Ahhhh......

The camp itself is very simple, with vintage well-kept cabins, bath houses and a main dining hall that is well loved. It seems to hold the echo's of countless folk dances, wonderful shared meals and stories told in front of the fireplace.

The excellent staff of naturalists led small groups of the kids into the woods and onto the beach each day to sing, explore, write and learn in a playful and relevant way. Annie loved "Wolf" her naturalist. I trusted the team completely!

On top of all this juicy goodness, as I sat and painted with friends, sipped tea and visited with other parents, my friend Deanne was taking some time to teach herself the hammer dulcimer. The sounds became a kind of soundtrack making our time more magical and uplifting.

I would describe Annie experience as ecstatic.
Doesn't it show?

The sky is blue. The trees smell good.
I like the sound of the waves.
I feel like one of the trees.

A poem written by Annie during Ross Camp

Collecting Moments

2010-10-03T21:00:00.000-07:00

Moments from Everynone on Vimeo.

Annie and I just got back from a week in the Mendocino Redwoods collecting moments. We were part of a wonderful science camp where the theme was community, and interconnectedness. It was fantastic! I was so in the moment that I didn't take a lot of photos, but I'll post some when I sift through them. Until then, here's a video that I enjoyed watching.

Dogs Just Make Me Laugh

2010-09-21T11:43:00.000-07:00

If you want to watch this movie below, either hit pause in the margin of my blog, or click on the video and view it on YouTube to override the soundtrack on my blog.

Lala and Annie both love Cute Overload and are always alerting me to when I must take a look.
This one really tickled my funny bone.
Dogs just make me laugh.

Let Your Hair Down

2010-09-09T20:18:00.001-07:00

Since this summer was so chilly, I didn't give Jasper his annual buzz cut, so his coat has gotten really long.
After today's grooming session, it was like finding a small fluffy dog laying on the floor. Look at all that hair!

Tomorrow. The bath!

She Wore Electric Boots

2010-09-02T17:35:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's all the David Bowie Bill listens to, or that we just discovered Project Runway. All I know is that she's never given a hoot about what she wears up until now.

I think that stage is over.

Annie's friend Ilana loaned her a sparkly silver belt a while back and she's said a few times that she'd like to own a belt.
So we went in in search of a belt.
Just a belt.

And Annie walked out a whole new girl.

More Happy Campers

2010-09-01T17:37:00.000-07:00

Here are a few more shots from our last camping trip.

I love the color of the water, the lush greenery, and of course, these children.

Mostly we swam and hiked, and we soaked up the fleeting California warmth, made a trip to the beach, painted rocks, whiddled sticks and kept busy with all the tasks that camping entails. I always head out with watercolors, paper, colored pencils as well as my tent and camp stove. As exhausting as the prep, camping, and return home work is, I admit I'm tempted to go out and camp one more time before the season ends.

Click on any image to see up-close.

Happy Campers

2010-08-26T16:31:00.001-07:00

We are just walking in the door after a great camping trip into the deep redwoods. Annie took her whittling to a new level, and lived in the river for three days.

I took a ton of photos that I need to comb thru, and I'll post some as soon as I do.

Baby Hogging

2010-08-22T11:08:00.000-07:00

Annie and I sped down to Central California to meet the newest baby in the family, Bryn! Oh, new life is intoxication and so fleeting, so we didn't want to miss a moment. She was ten days old and very alert, when she wasn't fast asleep. My sister-in-law let me really hog the baby, which is so generous of her.
To top it all off LaLa Pat and her two grandchildren, Lucy and Hollis, sped up California to spend the day with us swimming, playing and getting in a little baby hogging too. Here are some photos to document the day.

Oh yes! The new shoe painting was a big hit!

I Liked This Very Much

2010-08-15T22:23:00.000-07:00

I love to see movies, and since Annie arrived on the scene over nine years ago, I just haven't seen many. Enter Netflix to the rescue. I admit, I am still helplessly out of the loop as to what is in theaters, especially Independent and Foreign releases, so I've been snooping around Netflix and streaming movies onto my TV, and voila!, so many films.

Be warned that my tastes run far from mainstream when I say I loved Seraphine. I loved it. A quiet, based-on-true-life period piece, that moves slowly and ends without everything tied up in a smart little bow. Oh yes, it's about an artist.

I love the actress who played the lead role and all the supporting characters, none of whom I've seen before.

If you see it, let me know what you think!

Shoe Re-Do, Done

2010-08-07T19:43:00.000-07:00

My Sister-in-Law Sara and her new husband Brad just celebrated their first wedding anniversary a few weeks ago and just Thursday night welcomed a new baby daughter, Bryn Nicole Roberts, to their family!

This happy event nudged me to stop stalling and finish the wedding shoe painting for my MIL and I'm just now completing it today. Some of you may remember I posted about it way back, and I will say that yes, I did decide to paint over the original canvas. Mostly because if I had one more obstacle to scale (like driving to the art store and buying a new canvas) I might never have finished it.

So all I have left to do is to sign and date it. Unless of course any of you have any feedback that might make me moisten my brushes again.

Bryn Nicole Roberts

After the Faire

2010-08-03T09:48:00.000-07:00

LaLa came for a long weekend, and it was the best weekend ever!

I'm still recovering.
Saturday was one of those spontaneous magical days that one simply cannot plan for. That happens a lot when Pat and I get together.
Sunday was the Alameda Point Antique Faire which takes super-human powers to see thoroughly. And we did see it thoroughly. The picture above is me when we got home. Pat must have taken it from where (I thought) she was dozing in the rocker across from me.
Thanks for coming Pat!
That lump I get in my throat when you leave, is still with me...

Hey! That's not me snoring. It's Harpo!

Showing Off

2010-07-09T14:13:00.000-07:00

Who here doesn't love a before-and-after photo series?
It seems like voila, instant improvement.

But in this series, it really isn't fair, because my "before" pictures were taken not with the intention of doing a before-and-after series, but taken for my own planning purposes, hence they are really bad, making my "after" shots look soooo much better than the original.

I am really pleased with my kitchen face lift! It's now two years this month that we bought this house, and I've always hated the kitchen. It was ugly and dysfunctional.

I suffered long enough.

So, with a budget of $600 I bought five new cabinets, a butcher block top (lucky score at $99), four cans of paint, a thrift store shelving unit, and a ton of sandpaper.
(I sanded for almost two days continuously.)

Working with the concept of 'use what you've got', I reconfigured, reorganized, and refreshed my kitchen.

I am happy.

And sore.

2010-07-08T10:01:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends!

Can you believe I'm blogging!?
LaLa Pat has urged me to post this photo since she is curious about how my kitchen "facelift" looks. (Actually she's nagged me to death!)I will try and post some before and-after shots of the kitchen update this weekend.
I started collecting wall pockets 13 years ago after I found one at a thrift store for $1.99. Since then I've gotten them as gifts from Bill, Annie's Birthmother and Birthgrandmother, and friends that know I collect.
I've always pictured hanging them in a grouping like this!
Now that my kitchen is done, I can sit at the kitchen island and look out and enjoy.

Year of the Snake Shoes

2010-04-14T16:55:00.000-07:00

I've been sick for 14 days running now.
Pneumonia believe it or not.
I've been very sick and lethargic, and thankfully, every day I'm getting stronger and stronger. Annie has been terrific at keeping busy and helping out, making me many potholders, Lego vehicles, drawings, paintings, practicing piano, using bendy Fimo, dressing up the dogs, making movies and many creative cooking attempts. Today she dug out these Belle shoes, which she never liked because of the character on each toe. She removed the lacy pink fabric, covered Belle with gems, and made some Fimo snakes because she was born in the Year of the Snake.
I am so tickled with her creation that it inspired me to blog.
Now I'm back to my couch and cozy blanket.

Really Enjoyed

2010-03-25T09:14:00.000-07:00

Young Me Now Me

Lost Things

2010-03-10T19:39:00.000-08:00

After watching this video, Annie made a looong series of photos of her My Little Ponies to make a flip book with. It's still in the works.

Dogs Make Me Happy

2010-03-07T12:43:00.001-08:00

Nine

2010-02-26T07:09:00.000-08:00

On Thursday we had a playdate for Annie's birthday.
The theme was our solar system. She made this banner.

We made a pinata of the sun with solar flares. I baked a chicken, a cheesecake and made a big salad. Everything turned out well.

Plus we made cake toppers out of fimo of the planets, plus the dwarf planet Pluto.

Megan, Mathias, Asher and Lissy were there.
Plus Paul, Deanne, Mary and Danai.

Annie and I made brooches and hid them in the pinata for each kid. We made trap doors in the pinata because Annie doesn't like the idea of batting something.

Potholders for Pat

2010-02-22T19:28:00.000-08:00

We've scaled back media in this house to the bare minimum, so the amount of handiwork output by Annie has skyrocketed. I hope to post some of the wonderfulness soon.

Is It Over?

2010-02-20T12:30:00.000-08:00

Here is a re-cap of the new living room wall finish and our love altar, as Annie calls it. I'm not calling the paint treatment a mural, since it is supposed to look like wallpaper. Annie did her share of paint application and I thank her for her labor and the companionship. I still want to put a light wash over the whole thing. I'm adding that to my long list of things to do.
I know that these blog breaks of mine seems to be growing in length and breadth. Am I still a blogger? I don't know. It feels hard to give up, and yet, so much of my energy seems to be going into the *live* version of things, rather than the re-caps.
I would like to keep up my blog for StudioTime. So much fun and great work is happening each week, by wonderful and imaginative students.

2010-02-13T04:45:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines Day

2010-02-12T15:22:00.000-08:00

“Love is the ultimate outlaw.

It just won't adhere to any rules.

The most any of us can do is to sign on as its accomplice..."

-Tom Robbins

2010-01-30T15:26:00.001-08:00

powerlinerflyers from wes johnson on Vimeo.

I'm working on my dining room mural again and looking around at images of birds flying in the sky so that I can add a lovely flock of blackbirds to the landscape.

I thought this was charming!

Hello!

2010-01-19T19:56:00.001-08:00

It's amazing to me how a simple blog post feels almost impossible when life pulls me in other directions. It's hard to type, hard to sit in this chair, and hard to think of anything I want to share. My camera's full, and my life even fuller, and yet I'm not moved to download either.

Maybe it's the studio? I've spent a lot of time in here since last Summer. I've been pouring everything I've got into creating a great space and wonderful projects for StudioTime. I feel excited and satisfied about that!

Now I'm focusing on my own personal, slightly neglected life, and my own creative expression. Away from the studio. I'm taking time to take care of some of the things I've been putting off. I've been so active and happy! Just to name a few things;

-I've been working on (and just about finished with) another mural. I'm aching to to do the final push on my dining room mural.

-From top to bottom I've purged my house. Every closet, drawer, shelf, nook and cranny has been purged, Goodwilled, recycled, Freecycled, or thrown. Ahhh! Even the car got an interior detail (by moi), fresh tires, new wiper blades and I even replaced a few fuses that were blown. Impressed?

-I got to the bottom of my in-box. I'm caught up on all correspondence and thank-you's, paid bills, and sent back any returns.

-I made dear Annie, Harpo, and dear Lucy matching outfits with the colorful sweatshirt fabric you see above on the beautiful Harpo.

-Now Bill and I are on our way to the Big Sur coast to revel in the winter weather for a long, long weekend. We have Scrabble, wool slippers, our favorite books and each other.

-Life is so sweet.

Happy

2009-12-31T09:54:00.000-08:00

This week I'm living with a high-tech peacock and a super-hero Raven. Adding to our fun, our friend Robert (age 11) is here visiting and it's so wonderful to have games, special meals, play, play, play and today we're off to see Where the Wild Things Are together with dear Mary from around the corner.

We still have our full holiday decor up, and Grandma and Grandpa are coming today for a New Years celebration complete with fresh crab, a homemade angel food cake with a chocolate glaze and a redwood hike.
Then we are going monastic.
Seriously.

Bright, Bright Day

2009-12-25T15:29:00.000-08:00

As far as we can discern,
the sole purpose of human existence
is to kindle a light of meaning
in the darkness of mere being.

-Carl Jung

The Waiting...

2009-12-22T16:40:00.000-08:00

...is the hardest part. For Annie anyway. She's been counting down for the big day since around October and now it's down to "I go to sleep tonight, then go to sleep tomorrow night, then it's Christmas Eve day!" She seems distracted, hardly eats and barely wants to leave the house because she might miss something. So to keep her busy and hopefully, exhasted, I moved her new stereo (thanks Mary!) into the dining room, pushed the table into the corner and created a "dance floor." I can hear her now, above me, dancing and rockin' out!

Holiday Poses

2009-12-12T16:38:00.000-08:00

Ugh It's been too long since my last confession!
I'm wondering if the addition of a small business to my life has completely gobbled up my energy and time for blogging? Or maybe it's just that we're in the holiday season + Bill was out of town on business + running a small business that kept me away? Hmmmm. I guess time will tell.

I really love December, Solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years. I also love balance, so it takes a lot of thoughtfulness on my part to make December a month of joy, not one of obligation and overwhelm. We've already taken a few things off the calender, and even opted out of plans at the last minute two or three times, once choosing a long bubble bath instead, once a walk in the redwoods, once reading in bed, and more than once, impromptu hot chocolate parties for two.

The photo below of Annie and the two dogs became our holiday card this year and I am so happy with it. Click on it to see see it more clearly if you'd like. I'm also having fun taking pictures of Harpo. What a poser! The top photo is super clear and darling. Again, click for the larger view, and to see each hair on her head.

Here's hoping you are all taking care of yourselves during this season of warmth.

Over the River and Through the Woods

2009-11-27T16:37:00.000-08:00

...in search of fungus and fresh air.

We found both.

The photo opportunities were endless,
and I only had the battery power to shoot these few photos.

Warmth

2009-11-27T11:05:00.001-08:00

I think the glow of the candle light captures the mood of our Thanksgiving gathering.

Mary took these two wonderful photos of our "spooky silly storytelling" session after dinner. I only wish we had gotten a photo with Mary in it.

Thanks everyone for making it such a wonderful day!

Staying Home

2009-11-26T15:44:00.000-08:00

From what I can hear throught the oven door, our turkey is not singing this song.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Goodbye Scully

2009-11-23T19:23:00.000-08:00

After seventeen+ wonderful years,
we said a final goodbye to our most beautiful cat Scully today.

Really, it was Bill's kitty.
He picked her out of a newborn litter and took her home at nine weeks old.
Scully was utterly devoted to him every day of her life.

Bill in turn spent almost every evening after dinner holding her,
giving her her full share of scratching and petting, and she purred and "knitted" his shirt and slept happily.

So, with tenderness and great emotion, we sewed her still body into a golden fabric pouch, then buried her in the side yard, right outside the studio window.

Ugh.

Tonight, we're each raw and stunned and tired and sniffley and inward.

Goodnight Scully and thank you.

We miss you.

Just Cockoo for Coco

2009-11-22T21:16:00.000-08:00

Cuckoo doesn't really describe it.

Over-the-Moon comes close.
Truly, Madly, Deeply touches upon it.
Crazy Happy too.
Nothing compares to Chloe for Annie.
Thanks Tiger, Travis, Rinny and especially Chloe for making Annie's day.
Or week. Maybe month...

Annie and Chloe-2.5 years ago on moving day.

2009-11-21T22:04:00.000-08:00

Another lightning-speed post here.

I'm so enjoying my life and being immersed in the joy of creating in the studio! Annie and I have had many days together here, trying new things and getting really excited for Thanksgiving and all the fun of Christmas. I love Alameda StudioTime, and I only wish I could stand outside myself, photograph and post all of the magic as it happens.

We've had turkeys, more robots, drawing, advent calendars and angels, etc. etc. etc.!
Really, we could hole up here in the studio for weeks, dogs at our feet, stream movies on the computer, listen to great music, dream up new projects and only stop make small meals and go right back to work.

The Lions Are Coming

2009-11-17T13:29:00.000-08:00

I can barely stop to post these days I'm so abuzz with projects, plans, and holiday spirit. There was a wonderful napkin workshop in the studio this weekend. Ahhh. The combination of linen, leaves and paint bring the outside onto the table!
The little lion ornament is a little lap project I've slowly been working on and I think they are adorable.
Now, production begins.

Try Not to Smile

2009-11-08T21:26:00.000-08:00

I was looking thru pictures from Annie's first year and couldn't help myself,

I had to post these.

Here she is at 3, 5 8 and 10 months old.

Try not to smile.

Baby Frida's first pumpkin pie on Halloween 2001.

Felt Fun in the Studio

2009-11-07T18:48:00.000-08:00

I love working with felt. Especially the wool felts.

It's so easy and satisfying with little (or no sewing) and such wonderful colors and contrasts. I will add another Fun and Easy Felt Workshop to the Alameda StudioTime calendar soon. If anyone out there wants to come and make ornaments, gifts, patches, brooches and other wool treasures, please let me know so I can schedule it in time for the holidays.

Isn't She Lovely?

2009-11-03T15:28:00.000-08:00

I've been laying low for two days now with a cough + lower back thing and my dear Annie has been my cozy companion and court comedian. This morning, after multiple trips down the stairs, and quite a while in the kitchen, she prepared this lovely breakfast tray for she and I. She also stepped up to clean the kitchen so that it didn't pile up, and ran many small "fetching" errands around the house for me, so I didn't have to get up.

*Blink*

*Blink*

Not that she isn't helpful and willing on a regular basis, but she has never made me a meal, cleaned the kitchen or taken responsibility on like she's done the last two days.

*Can you hear the triumphant choir from above singing
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah?*

Wow! I can. For the first time I'm getting a small glimpse of how, after eight years of what seems like constant giving and doing for her, there might be more shared responsibility and independence down the road.

And...
Isn't she so lovely?

ooooooooh

2009-11-02T07:57:00.000-08:00

I'll Meet You There...

2009-10-31T14:48:00.001-07:00

...out in the fields, beyond that tall stand of trees, where the witches meet and dance and conjure up the spirits of this world and the next!
Happy Halloween!

A Day and a Half...

2009-10-29T14:01:00.001-07:00

...until the witching hour! Annie thinks she likes scary things now that she's eight and a half, but really she's still very unsure of masks, dry ice fog, being out at night, and of course spooky sounds and screams.

Little Golden Circus Dog

2009-10-28T17:24:00.000-07:00

My friend Mary gave me a gold fabric wine gift-wrapper thing recently, and being right on the heels of seeing Bright Star, (Fanny Brawne hand stiches a wonderful four tiered mushroom collar), I had to make our lady Harpo one to match. She really is our Little Golden Circus Dog! Now I'm now making a matching skirt...

Oh, and go see Bright Star right now! If you love poetry, Jane Campion, period pieces, and fantastic art direction and locations, it's for you. Bring a hanky.

Spooky Birthday Bash

2009-10-24T14:26:00.000-07:00

We are just now baking the birthday cake, the house is fully frightening, and the costumes are finished! Now it's just countdown to the arrival of Grandma and Grandpa. I will try and get a good photo of the front of the house. The light just isn't right at the moment.

Compliments to Annie on the invitation.
(See photo below of Harpo.
Annie did the photo retouching
and it turned out so well we had to show it off!)

Fairies and Goblins

2009-10-20T22:31:00.001-07:00

Tonight, upon your pillow,
Close your eyes and hide your head,
For the fairies and the goblins
Will be hovering 'round your head.

I love the imagery on this postcard and I'm getting excited about the change in weather, especially the rain, and the coming season of warmth and celebration! Annie been ready for Halloween for months, each day knowing exactly how many days until the big "H", and this year she has big plans for having maximum fun, fun, fun! After last year, when she really "got it" about the whole trick-or-treat concept (free candy!!) she's decided it really is her most favorite holiday.

We are thick in the middle of creating costumes, decorating the house and porch, and planning ghoulish treats and tricks for the days leading up to Halloween. I've cut out Annie's kitty costume (this will be the third year in a row as feline), and will put it together this week, plan a birthday celebration for my mother-in-law Jane, and hopefully be outside, smelling the earth and wind and remembering to just enjoy.

Ahhh. After the Rains.

2009-10-16T21:51:00.001-07:00

Fun With the Dead and the Alive

2009-10-10T19:45:00.000-07:00

So much fun in the studio today!
It was the first mini-workshop for Alameda StudioTime and there was so much creativity and excitement going around. I'm waiting to see if everyone wants their picture posted on line before I reveal more.

Thanks to everyone who came and I look forward to more great projects together!

Jasper Big Heart

2009-10-05T09:25:00.000-07:00

Now that we have a second dog, Jasper is looking to get reassurance that he is still #1. Harpo, or Harper now, is 7 pounds and she can fit in places that Jasper just cannot.

Like a lap. Or a tiny fleece sleeping bag. Or under the bed. Or on the bed!

As I watch Jasper adjust to these inequities, all I can see is total tenderness towards her! He uses his 115 pounds so carefully! As they run, wrestle, chase and all out play-dog-fight, it is she who is in charge.

When we first rescued you Annie named you Jasper Big Heart. This Cree tribal song is called Big Heart-You'll Always Be My Number One.
I dedicate it to you.

The Real Thing

2009-10-02T13:31:00.000-07:00

Once in a while you meet someone and you just know they are the real thing.
Real kindness.
Real intuition.
Real vision.
And a huge, huge heart.
This Little Golden Circus Dog, who we now call Harpo, led me to Keri. Or was it the other way around? Either way, Keri is the real thing. Last night Keri lovingly placed this little golden sweetie into my arms, into our family, after following her heart and doing a long distance rescue, based on one small online photo, out of a sea of homeless pets out there in world, only to turn around and try and find her the perfect home.

Thankfully it was our home!

More later...I've got to get back to bonding!

Thank you Keri!

Funny

2009-09-28T01:05:00.000-07:00

I bought these decorative toadstools for Annie for her fifth birthday, and I think it is so funny that they have somehow attracted spores and have sprouted this huge mushroom! Since I took this picture a few days ago it has grown and is now about as big as a dinner plate.

Funny.

4:00 a.m.

2009-09-20T04:18:00.000-07:00

i don't know what woke me... i think i could have gone back to sleep except the lure of the computer drew me to my studio. just a few minutes to meander and read email while everyone is asleep seemed so guilt-free and irresistible.

here's a little "10 things" meme i saw batted around out in blogland;

1. i always find the shady side of the street. as a redhead, the sun has always been something i avoid.

2. i miss terribly the open ocean and the redwoods surrounding santa cruz california. not to mention the dear friends and neighbors that i miss daily.

3. people are often surprised when they see my hair down. i really only take it down to sleep and bathe.

4. i'm typing this in at 4:00a.m. it's perfectly still and quiet in my house and on my street. (i just heard jasper creeping around upstairs.)

5. i smile easily and often, although it takes a lot to make me laugh out loud.

6. i typically under-commit and over-deliver. i think it is because i don't like chaos and i enjoy thoroughness, economy and taking my sweet time.

7. just like my grandmother, i am mesmerized by babies, young children, and baby animals. i love the way they look, sound, smell and i am charmed by what they do. i'm confused at how different observing young life can be from the reality of parenting (and animal ownership) in my own life.

8. i enjoy a tidy and organized home. sometimes i get a feeling of utter contentment and pleasure putting things back where they belong.

9. when i was younger, i thought i was really tall. (I stand 5'4")

10. i can hear a train whistling in the distance. it's getting really faint.

now that i'm chilled, falling back asleep next to a sleeping annie is going to feel so warm and cozy...

Who's Busy as a Bee?

2009-09-17T22:24:00.001-07:00

...that would be ME, ME, ME!

I thought I would do a quick post to say "Hi" and tell you what I've been up to. I've been putting every spare morsel of my energy and attention into my new venture, Alameda StudioTime. I've been so focused that I've hardly given my blog a thought! I keep looking around my studio and our day-to-day life and I see so many blog-worthy moments, and then I realize I want to have balance and take care not to deplete my energy reserves.
Having this blog has really been such a wonderful way to express myself and have some regular creative output. I wonder if StudioTime will begin to fill that need? We'll see!
Hello and warmth to you all.

Thanks Mary

2009-09-07T21:05:00.000-07:00

Our dear friend and neighbor Mary has been cleaning out her basement in preparation for some foundation work and we have been the lucky recipients of many wonderful items. Today Annie got another bag of doll clothes, a globe, a wonderful vintage book filled with fuzzy felt kitties and over 100 colorful bindis. As you can see from the above photos, one bindi is beautiful, but 15 is spectacular!

Thanks Mary!

Lot of Little Things

2009-09-05T20:52:00.001-07:00

Gosh, I'm surprised you haven't given up on me!

I'm still here and I can't seem to pull out of my moment-to-moment to grab the camera or form thoughts that might become a proper post. I have been busy doing a lot of little things; thrifting, entertaining, recovering from a cold, gearing up for Annie's fall classes, gardening, baking, watching Annie and Johnny swim, completing traffic school, plus all of my day-to-day mothering, housekeeping and dreaming up some plans for 2010.

Since our lives have been filled with all of the little things, here are a few links to view many cute little things. Annie checks in regularly at Cute Overload, Snuzzy, and Itty Bitty Kitty Committee.

(I like to imagine that the puppy in the top photo is Jasper as a newborn.)

I Just Want to Eat the Muffins-A Comic Strip By Annie

2009-08-31T21:07:00.000-07:00

There's a great little comic-strip-making site called Make Beliefs Comix. It is super fun and easy. Annie has been making up simple comics about us, that crack Bill and I up. I guess it's so funny because she's expressing so much of our concerns and silly aspects of our lives. Here's one she did a little earlier tonight. (It reads better as a horizontal strip, but I stacked it because it becomes so small it's illegible.) Can you tell who is who?

The Sweetest Thing

2009-08-21T11:37:00.000-07:00

Mmmm.
We had toast with honey, tea with honey and spoon fulls of honey for breakfast today.
Thanks Kristin!
It really is the best honey we've ever had.
I think the photo's illustrate my point.

The song is Wild Honey by U2

She's In

2009-08-17T11:49:00.000-07:00

Annie has never put her face underwater. Never ever. Not in the shower, not in the bath. I've never pressured her (although it's driven me nuts, at times, like many of her idiosyncrasies) and we've always just worked around it.

Until now.

This weekend at Grandma's she's been swimming like she's done it for years! Deep end, shallow end, touching the bottom, free as a little dolphin!

Just like riding a bike, she hopped on one day and rode with mastery and skill.

Despite working around so many of Annie's uniquenesses, I love that she really listens to herself and honors her own deep sense of safety and timing!

She keeps calling me to just squeal her accomplishment across the phone lines! Then she dashes back in.

And Then She Sighed Ahhhhhh

2009-08-14T13:50:00.000-07:00

I seem to have carved out some precious free time for myself!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

It is clearly overdue for I feel so light and spacious! Relieved. Almost four hours have passed and I've meandered doing a little this and that without interruption or hurry. I have no agenda except to enjoy myself.

I'm wishing for all of you to have the sweetness of self connection and peace.

P.S. The photo above is not me, although it illustrates exactly how I feel.

You're My Number One

2009-08-10T21:21:00.000-07:00

These two little friends of mine both love to have their picture taken, and I really love taking them. It's a bit tricky though because Annie just saw the pictures on my desktop and said "I really feel jealous and I don't like it when you take pictures of other kids!"

This is not the first time it's come up.

So dear reader, just take a quick peek at these two shots. I thought the light was so perfect, plus the excitement of the background quilt. (And I have to admit the models are quite delightful.)

So to you, my darling Annie, you're really my number one favorite person in the whole wide world to take pictures of and I love you a google plex times more than any other kid on the planet!

I really mean that!

Honey Bee

2009-08-05T09:43:00.000-07:00

Kristin over at West Vista Urban Farm School is a local apiarist, homes schooler and blogger. She has just harvested (is that the right word?) honey from her hives and I am taking her label/tag challenge. These are three directions. Now remember I know nothing about bees, harvesting or that particular honey.

Hmmm.

Maybe I need to actually taste the honey to design the perfect label?