A review for Poppins: Why I love my Nature Journal

A little while ago, Poppins asked me why I liked the Nature Journal by Claire Leslie Walker. I tried to write it up as a comment on her blog, and then as an email, but it just wasn't inspiring me. Let's try a review blog post approach, shall we? First off, do visit the Amazon link above, Poppins, and peek inside. It will look like blank pages at first, but if you squint, you can see the faint line details on the edges of the pages.

Ok. Here is my journal. I decorated the covers and the inside page with vellum see through stickers. On the inside cover I have my name in stickers, and a sticker that says "Whispers of nature carried through the wind." I liked being able to personalize my journal, as one of my nature study mom-buddies has the same journal.

I have many sketchbooks, and I use them all. What makes this one great for nature journaling specifically, is in the front and the back, it has several drawing lessons and tips for nature journaling, right out of Walker's book (companion to this nature journal), Keeping a Nature Journal. Here is one spread:
Here is another. For an inexperienced artist such as myself, this is nurturing, inspiring, and useful.
Once into the actual journal, the two page spreads are very inviting. I like to write about what I am seeing- describe it in words, and then draw one or two views of my subject (in this case, a branch of an elderberry bush). There is plenty of room for this. On the upper left corner are faint lines for your writing. On the outside corners of each page are faint lines to add the date, time, location of your drawing session.
It also has this handy-dandy page holder-backer-strap-thingy that works very well. I can find the next blank page in a hurry, so that I can spend time drawing that flitty bird rather than flipping through pages. Notice the words at the bottom of the right hand page (and pardon my fingers holding the book open). There are words of encouragement at the bottom of some of the pages. They are inobtrusive, and don't take away from the 'blankness" of the book.

Here are a few examples:
"Drawing even the little things helps to focus the mind, calm the spirit. There's always something to be drawn."

"What I haven't drawn I don't know."

"Add clippings from newspapers, magazines, note cards, or letters from friends to your journal when they relate to natural events."

The only negative I would say about this book is that you cannot fold it backwards. A spiral binding would detract from the "bookness" of this book, if that makes any sense, but I prefer them for functionality.

Be sure to go to Walker's site. She has written a lot of great books, and also has some of her illustrations on her site. I love to look at others' work for inspiration.
Hope that helps, Poppins.
LB

Pictures of the Day: Garden Bounty for Gramma

This photo came out fuzzy, but I am posting it anyway. This is my largest bowl, holding green cukes, green zucchini, yellow crooknecks, patty pans, and one round lemon cuke. It is like this every week in the garden- enough to share with my mom, and to make quiches , zuchini bread, and quick dinner pickles. Love it .Here is my mom's fave way to eat the cukes- I simply slice them, add a touch of salt and fresh ground pepper, and sprinkle them with a little balsamic. She ate them all! I will peel them for her next time, but I could not believe how fast she made these disapear!

Birthday Art- Guest Artists!

For the Dude's birthday, I called the kids down to the studio, and gave them a quick tutorial on how to use Paintstiks. When we were at Daniel Smith the other day, both of them were enamored with all the pastel sticks, so I knew they would have fun with these. These have just one layer on them as we didn't do this project until the day before Papa's birthday. We will probably add more, but they already gave them to their Papa. They used 11 by 7 flat canvases.

This one is by the Fine Young Man. I really liked his use of color. This one is by Piano Girl. The colors did not come out well in this photo, but that is ok.
Now these are mine. I found the coolest blank canvas cards at Daniel Smith. Again, I will put another layer on these, but the kids took pictures of them, so I thought I would post them anyhow. I have absolutely no experience with painting, have never had a class or anything. I feel the lack of such, but for now, I am not letting inexperience with a medium stop me from experimenting with it.
And this is how you can tell that Miss LB had a good time in the studio.
TTFN,
LB

High School Meme

Saw this over at Writing and Living. I really didn't like high school much- I had been to a private (7th Day Adventist) school for all 10 years. There were 10 kids in my 10th grade class- 210 in the whole school! There were more than that in one grade at the high school. I started at Lake Washington High as a Junior, and it seemed so big to me! My parents were not supportive of my education, my home life was, well, I hate to say it, now that my mom and I get along so well, but it was sheer dysfunctional hell. My friends and their parents, many of whom I am still friends with today, got me through.

As I go back and read my answers, I see that there are many different stories here- almost one for each question, if I chose to tell them. I always had the story that high school was hell, and the only good thing about it was my group of friends. I know now, that for most of us, it was hell, but looking back on it now, with dimming faculties, it doesn't seem so bad- compared to some of the things that have happened to me as an adult. Especially since I have forgiven my parents and come to terms with this part of my life- it was my life that sucked, not the high school.

I won't tag anyone, but I would love it if you did this one. But if you were a perky cheerleader, or LOVED high school, or would LOVE to go back, I may hate you for a minute or twelve.

1. Who was your best friend?
I had a lot of close friends, but Mary Johnson was the best. She married her high school sweetheart, and I am still friends with both of them. When we get together, it is like we have never been apart. I see her every couple of months. I love her to pieces. Big D and I were close too, but got closer when he was in college.

2. Did you play any sports?
Good. God. No.

3. What kind of car did you drive?
No car. I live 2 blocks from the high school. I didn't drive till I was 22. Mary had a car senior year.

4. It’s Friday night. Where were you?
At Mary's or Jeff Lang's house, or tping a friend's house, or at a Mormon dance- best dances ever!

5. Were you a party animal?
Yeah. We held most of our parties at Jeff Lang's house. His mom was wonderful for allowing her house to be the hangout. The parties got a bit wild when everyone (but me, sigh) was in college, but she still put up with us.

6. Were you considered a flirt?
I don't know. Probably not.

7. Were you in the band, orchestra or choir?
Nope. Many of my classes at the SDA school didn't count for credit, so I didn't get to take any electives- too busy trying to fit the required classes in.

8. Were you a nerd?
Nope. Wasn't super popular, but found a great group of kids to hang out with, somewhere in the middle between popular and geek. Still friends with many of them. Big D, whom I blog about occasionally is one of them.

9. Were you ever suspended or expelled?
Nope. I would bend the rules occasionally, but wasn't much of a rule-breaker.

10. Can you sing the fight song?
I didn't even know the fight song when I was *IN* high school. I only went to the games because my friends played in the band, and I liked Louie Louie.

11. Who was your favorite teacher?
I had two: Mr. Jones. Speech teacher. He was gorgeous and kind. I was painfully shy and really struggled. He helped. Mrs. Ulch, spanish teacher. She was a 7th Day Adventist, too. We related.

12. What was your school mascot?
A purple and gold kangaroo. Honest.

13. Did you go to the Prom?
Junior year, Mary and I took each other out to a fancy dinner and a movie (World According to Garp, if memory serves). We had a ball. Senior year I went with Scotty, my high school sweetie, but only because his mother forced us.


14. If you could go back, would you?
Good God no! I sometimes have nightmares about being in high school!

15. What do you remember most about graduation?
Being handed the little scroll and not knowing if I had graduated or not (I was going to drop out, but Mary and Scotty talked me out of it, so I turned in 7 major papers on the last day of school. FYI, I passed, but barely.)

16. Where were you on Senior Skip Day?
I don't remember. If I did skip, I was with my friends, but I don't think I did.

17. Did you have a job your senior year?
Many jobs. My main job was scooping at Baskin-Robbins. I also babysat tons. I paid rent at home so needed to work.

18. Where did you go most often for lunch?
I would get lunch in the cafeteria and then bring it to the commons to eat with my friends.

19. Have you gained weight since then?
Yes. I was always round, and I have gone up and down since then. Right now I am 50 lbs more than in high school. What would Scotty think?? Somehow I don't think he would be appalled.

20. What did you do after graduation?
Got my first apartment, where my rent was cheaper than what my mom charged me. Worked 4 jobs- as a teaching assistant at a private school, ran and supervised a church nursery, part-time nanny-share with two families, and the ice cream store. I also helped out at Mary's mom's daycare sometimes. Also took classes at the voc. tech. Whew!!!

21. What year did you graduate?
1983

22. Who was your Senior Prom Date?
Scotty. He proposed to me that night. It was the only good thing that happened that night- the rest of it was a story that deserves a post all on its own.

23. Are you going/did you go to your 10 year reunion?
Nope. Do they do one for 25? Or is it 30? I might like to go if I lost a bit of this weight, mostly just to see Scotty and other friends I have lost touch with (I guess that is what it is all about). I still have a soft spot for him in my heart after all these years. He was a good fella. I sorta wanted to go to the ones in the past, but I let the facts that they are pricey and that my Dude wouldn't come with me stop me from going.

HodgePodge: Kludge, and the daily grind.

Busy, busy. This morning was filled with the smells of sausages, eggs, and raisin bran (note to self: this particular cereal is so much better suited to muffins than becoming a bowl of mush). The sounds of piano practice and the washer going around. Warm sunshine, and clucky chickens. A phone call to Dy, a good scrubby bath, a lecture on honesty and diligence for the teen, and making sure everyone brushed their teeth.

This afternoon was filled with a toddler fix, piano and voice lessons (which we are loving!). Papa even drove us so we didn't have to spend 4 hours on the bus. Thanks, Dude! Then home for supper, and a couple of episodes of That 70's Show. I know, I know, but I like it! Not having cable, it is new to us. We also made some pudding.

Now the kids are doing the dishes, and then they will do a bit more school and eat some pudding before bed.

A good day. I also spent some time reading some of my fave blogs. If you haven't yet checked out Kludge's blog, do so. He writes about varied and sometimes random topics, and I find his writing to be thought-provoking as well as humourous. And I am not just saying that because he is my nephew, or because he likes Sci-Fi like I do. I only met him once when he was a teen, but it has been fun to get to know him through his blog.


Before I sign off for the night, here is a quiz, which I happened to get from Kludge. Thought it was fun. And one last thing: Kludge, dear boy- wherever did you come up with that name?? I just gotta know.

WIP-frog collage

It's just feast or famine with me and posting, isn't it? Can you handle a third post today? OK, so I have had frogs on the brain ever since I made Patty's birthday card/screen. In all actuality, I love frogs almost as much as I love turtles, so it isn't much of a stretch for me to be thinking of them often.

So I started with this book that I aquired at a school district book discard sale. It has great pictures, but the information wasn't scientifically accurate anymore (hence its being discarded). THe pictures however are still wonderful. Nice simple line drawings on most pages, with a few spreads of brightly colored painted pages.

I took the cover off carefully, and ripped out many pages.
Next, while watching StarTrek reruns with the family, I colored in some pages with watercolor pencils (the lily pads on the right). When using my new Lumiere paints (love these- want more!) on another project, I did a few washes over some of the pages, too (a coppery colored page on the left).
The picture is fuzzy, but I did this one with my woodless pencils. Very cute when it isn't fuzzy.
Then yesterday, when we were out and about, I discovered a Daniel Smith store! I dragged the kids in, and came out with a few items- the most colorful being these giant sheets of paper. I thought they would be fun in this collage too.

That's all I have done so far. I am facing a bit of a brain fart- not sure what to do next. I will let you know.
LB

studio after

Oooohhhh, now isn't this better? I can actually use the design panels, and I can get to the shelves behind them. Aaaahhhh. And notice the clean floor in front! It might be even better if those silly triangles ever moved. If they ever did more than take up space, and actually heaven forbid looked like some kind of design. Sigh.All cleaned up and re-organized. Lots more room to get messy and make mistakes.

I still have this pile of precariously stacked boxes, but that is ok, as it is the only pile in the room now. I need to get some more plastic boxes to store this stuff- this is all the paper stuff my card-selling friend gives me to use for collaging.
So there you have it- a nice clean studio full of inspiring stuff to use and places to create with it! Except that the table looks like this again. Sigh.

It's all good though- a messy studio means there is a creative force at work. Right?
LB

Studio before

Ok, so about two weeks ago, I couldn't take it anymore. I had been creating like crazy for a couple of months, but then just not cleaning up. So when I wanted to make something, I would just move the piles to one side, and then when done, add to them or make a new pile. And then SassyCat/ CuddlePuff (she has multiple personalities, so has multiple names) decided to help me out by dumping my garbage can over, and dragging stuff around the room, and by deciding she needed to play with some packing materials she found in a box. This all spelled D-I-S-T-A-S-T-E-R A-R-E-A!



I had piles of stuff everywhere, and couldn't get to my shelves or the design panels at all.












And then there was the matter of the litter boxes (3 inside cats, sigh) being so close to my workspace. The kids were not managing this area well at all, and it spilled out into my space. You can also see stacks of boxes in front of my art supply cupboard, too. They were even higher and stacked very precariously before I actually got to cleaning.

Just look at this table! How could anyone do
anything creative here?!
So, two weekends ago, while my Dude was away, I kidnapped my mom (not really- she loves to be down here), and we went for it. She started vacuuming all the pet hair and cat litter that had dribbled into my space, and I started putting and throwing things away. Check the next post for after pictures.
LB

Happy Birthday, Love!

Someone I know and love has a birthday tomorrow.

Someone tall, with sparkling blue eyes and sexy grey hair.

Whose long, comforting hugs make me remember his mother, from whom they were learned.

Someone who loves old movies and bebops to jazz.

Someone who collects and adores hardcover first editions.

Someone for whom family is everything.

Who taught me what special and unique holidays birthdays can be.

This man who truly can make something out of nothing, and turns tinkering into creativity.

This romantic man who sprinkles rose petals on our bed, and in my bath.

This passionate man who models for his children how to be thinkers and doers.

Someone who knows I sometimes must be there for friends, and says, "It's ok. Go to them."

Someone who hates drumming and loves sea shanties.

This man who is not afraid to cry, and whose smiles melt my heart.

Someone who thinks my round body is beautiful and tells me so.

This lover of good wine and my home-cooked Indian food.

Who writes and tells the best bedtime stories I have ever heard.

Who loves to laugh with his children, and loves a good pun.

Someone who taught me how important it is to be honesty and integrity in one's life.

Who turned out to be the best possible birthing partner I could ever have chosen.

This builder of treehouses, giver of studios, and creator of cottage gardens.

Who is nurtured by the mists of the ocean and the canopy of the redwood trees.

This man with whom I have had the priviledge of partnering and parenting for 16 years.

Someone I love is having a birthday tomorrow. How blessed I am to know and learn from him.

I love you Papa Dude. Happy 53rd Birthday.
LB

Tidbit: Gratitude

We are busily getting ready for our day, but I just cannot get this post out of my head. Those of you who know me in real life know that not that very long ago, my Dude was unemployed for a long while (22 months). Today I am feeling grateful that no matter what, he has always made sure we have always had a very safe, comfortable (if sometimes rather on the small size for 4 people) place to live. May your day be filled with gratitude and joy, and a little tenderness for others.

If you would like to leave a comment, tell me what you are grateful today.
Love and hugs,
LB

In a perfect allergy-free world...........

Got this one from Bridgit.

Caramel Frappuccino

Creative and expressive, you tend to match your Frappuccino flavor to your mood. And a flavored syrup is always a must!

What Flavor Frappuccino Are You?

Yup. 'Cept that I am allergic to dairy, so I would rather get the equivilant over at Tully's where they will make it with rice milk- no whip. But they got it right that I am a caramel fan- too bad it has milk in it. But if I am going to splurge, I would much rather have caramel than chocolate, and I am allergic to it as well.

LB

Tidbit: Tomorrow's plans

The Papa Dude is on his way to Spokane, the Girl is finishing her math, the Boy is reading The Odyssey, and I am trying to decide between the latest disc of That 70's Show or a dose of JeanLuc Picard. I am hoping to get a bit of rest tonight, but if not, I will be in the studio, so it is all good.

The Girl is teaching a piano lesson tomorrow morning, and then we head to the East Side to take Gramma to the Dr.'s to have her stitches removed from her punch biopsy (I will explain more tomorrow AFTER we have seen the Dr.). I am hoping we can work in a visit to see the Godparents, too.

Another update on life written from the studio depths

The Boy and I marched in our first parade today. We were in the Renton RIver Days Parade. He played his french horn, and I was one of the moms who marched behind the band, in case anyone dropped their music, or anything like that. Felt a bit embarrassing not to be doing anything other than walking, but it was fun, none the less, and the kids did a great job!

I also got a chance to interact with the other moms, which is always an interesting experience. We are all alike, as we are all playing taxi driver, disciplinarian, short-order cook; at the same time as we are doing our own life's work, whether it be driving a school bus, studying to be a teacher, or trying to be an artist. Where the differences show up, and my life varies significantly is that I am teaching my kids on top of it all. It still surprises me after all these years that I can quiet down a room in two seconds flat just by saying what I do everyday.

In other news, while the others were enjoying a bit of a Star Trek marathon, I have been in the studio, working (playing) with everything from watercolor pencils to my new Lumiere paints. I will try to post photos (if the computer gods will let me this time, sigh) soon.

I am off to bed, as we have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow with church, Gramma, and picking up a new-to-us stove. I will try to update tomorrow evening.

TTFN,
LB

We have a winner!

Lisa won the funky poster prize package! Congratulations, Lisa!

So far, I haven't won anything yet. I entered over 400 contests, so I still haven't lost hope, but as I said before, if all I get out of this is a whole mess of new blog visitors, I will be happy!
LB

Tidbit: Bloggy Giveaway update.

Well, this has been so much fun! It is nice to see so many new folks visit the blog. I really hope some of you come back and visit again. I would also look for about 20 new blogs in my sidebar soon- so many fun people to meet in this give-away! I hope I win something, but even if not, this has been such a great deal of fun!

You still have some time to enter, feel free to still sign up! At 3:00 pm my time I will put names in a hat, and get one of the kids to draw one lucky person's name to win my funky package! Winner's name will be posted later tonight. (Updated to say that we have numbers written on slips of paper, and they are in my sunhat. Just waiting for a few more souls to enter the contest now!)

And for my regular readers, I am sorry for the lack of blogging this week. I have just been out of sorts, and working some personal stuff out. I promise to get back on it!

LB

My bloggy giveaway- funky poster collection

And so the fun begins! When I went to Rocks in my Dryer today, there were over 400 sites participating in the bloggy giveaway! Be sure to check out the list here and then visit a bunch of sites and enter in a bunch of contests!

Like all the other participants in the big giveaway, I'll draw from among those who leave a comment on this post by July 27th at 5 pm (EST). I HOPE YOU WIN!! (Remember: Anyone can enter. Bloggers and non-bloggers can enter, but only commenters have a chance to win!)

For my giveaway, I went down to the studio (of course) and wandered around to see what I had that I wasn't using. Here are some things I found:

1. A magnetic word calendar for '07. I know the year is half over, but there is a board with lots of magnet words, and lots of poetry, and inspiration. Besides, it's free!

2. A funky 11 X 17 Pondering Pool poster a friend gave me. She gave me two, and this one just didn't speak to me the way the other one did. But it is cute and fun, and I know someone will love it.

3. I have a funky chicken refrigerator magnet someone gave me- still in it's packaging.

4. I will also throw in a couple of pairs of homemade earrings I still have from my craft-fair days. I will just reach in and choose- we will both be surprised.

I am sorry for the lack of photos- again they are trapped in my camera. I think I need a new memory card, sigh.

I also am sorry to say, I am going to open this giveaway to U.S. residents only. As much as I would like to, I just cannot afford the high postage rates for out of the states. Don't hate me for that, ok?

And that is it! Off to Rocks in my Dryer to enter a bunch of giveaways for myself!

LB

Tidbit #19 My man is home!

I'm working on a long update post, but also trying to get stuff done- suffice it to say I am here,and so is my Dude! We are well, and working on school and art. Look for an update (with lots of pictures, as Big D. fixed my camera/computer problem!) tonight.
LB

Friday- no fancy title required

Well, the kids did a pretty good job of getting (almost-sigh) all of their school work done this week, so we are heading out for our big field trip of the week. One of my old and dear High school friends, Big D (I call him that, because I am close with 3, possibly four D's- they all have something in front of their names to distinguish them!) and I are going to take the kids to the science center this afternoon. I have my sketchbook packed.

Hopefully before we go, there will be a couple of history lessons, some piano practice, and some mega laundry-folding happening. The house is a complete and total pit, so I want them to have fun today, because tomorow is going to be nothing but cleaning! I bought Clorox wipes, and black garbage bags yesterday, so we are ready!

THey haven't fought once since Piano Girl has been home, and I have really enjoyed that.
In other news, I got 9 hours of sleep last night! Yay! You have no idea how amazing that was- I have literally been getting 2 or 3 hours if I was lucky since Papa Dude has been gone this trip. So nice hours last night was completely refreshing. I think the heat dropping from 98 to 68 really influenced my ability to sleep. Aahhh, back to my nice, wet, cool weather. I love it.

That's all for now- still don't know how to get the photos off my camera- that will likely wait till Monday when the Dude gets home (3 days!!).
TTFN,
LB

Summer fun bloggy giveaway

This looks like fun- a giveaway carnival. I'm in. Not sure what yet, but Iwill find something. Maybe I will make something!

Go visit Rocks in My Dryer for more info.
LB

She's baaaaaccckkk. Again.

The Girl just came screaming into the house. Apparently Ida is back. And apparently, whatever scared her off ripped out every single tail feather but one on Virginia, one of the other hens. Man, this chicken keeping is stressful!
LB

Sad chicken news

We were gone all afternoon and evening. When we got home, I sent the kids out to put the chickens to bed. I looked out the window to see my Girl crying. I think to myself, "Oh crap!", and head out. Something (I'm thinking dog) crashed through the fencing fabric, tearing out two fence posts on the way, into the chicken yard, and took Ida. Remember, just 2 weeks ago, when something got her but she escaped? Judging by the trail of feathers, I don't think she was so lucky this time. THere were feathers from some of the other chickens strewn around in the same area, so whatever it was attacked several of the birds.
Girl is so very sad, this was one of her favorites of the 5 chickens we rescued earlier this year. She also feels like they aren't safe out when we aren't home. We will have to do some remodeling of the chicken run when Papa gets home.

It has been a tough day, one of those that makes you thankful for all the good ones!
TTFN,
LB

Aaackk! How did this happen?????

And how do I fix it?!?!?! My sidebar is at the bottom of my blog, in the posting section!! It looks okay in the template. What the heck! Help!!!! I told you I was a computer dolt!! Sigh.
LB
UPDATE: Thank you so much, Kathy Jo and Crissy!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

treehouse 4

These pics were taken in March, before the renovations. Here is PianoGirl, posing at the top. SHe is about 10 ft higher than the top of our house- yes, the treehouse is that high. No, I do not worry too much about them falling out. Don't ask me why- I am usually much more panic-sticken and controlling than this! This is the side facing the house and the backyard.A view from the treehouse of the freeway down the hill at the back of our property. During the summer, the foliage fills out and you can't see anything but the lush trees, but in the winter, I have been able to look out my bedroom window and judge which freeway I should take by how much traffic I see!
Also from the treehouse. You can see our shed there in the middle, and the back porch roof on the right.
Here is the Girl sweeping up in the treehouse. See the cool windows Papa put in?They face the next-door neighbor's yard. They even open. There are only walls on two sides, but there is a roof. I have tried to get some pics of the treehouse from up here, but it was tricky. I may send the camera up there with MonkeyBoy sometime and see if he can get better. Hard to take good photos up there when you are afraid of heights! I hade to climb the rickety ladder to get up there!
That's it for now! Hope you enjoyed the treehouse rennovation pictures. My Dude knows what is important- we haven't remodeled the house yet, but he has beautiful gardens, and a remodeled treehouse! Good priorities.
LB

treehouse3

So here we are, standing on the first level (my hangout spot), looking again towards the new monkey bar platform, but now we will sneak a peek into my neighbor's back yard. I like to be snoopy and see how her lettuce and corn are growing. You also can see close-up how Papa used the logs to make the platforms. And here you are again, at the first level, looking down the spiral stairwell to the ground-level platform.
Another view from the new platform. You can see the weeds that frow around the plum tree. Our plan is to terrace this. The area around the plum tree is shaped like an ampitheatre, and there is a fire pit hiding in the weeds. Someday.
Here is another view from the ground level. Just call us the Swiss Family Lewis.
One more treehouse post coming up!
LB

treehouse2

Here is the monkey bars, with the new platform the guys built on top. The guys built these stairs going from the top of the monkey bar platform, up to the first level of the treehouse. The platform at the top left of the photo is usually as far as I go. I love to sit there and read.
Here is the white porch swing that was peeking out from the tree in an earlier photo. It has nice strong springs, and is where Gramma sits while the kids are playing.
Here is another swing that hangs on the other side of the tree. Notice the rectangular hole in the fence behind it? This is the doggy visiting window. Our next door neighbor dogs love to stick their heads through and get hugs, play kissy-face with the kids, and eat carrots and celery. I will have to get pics of them someday. We love them.
Ok, Here is the view of the new steps and monkeybar platform from the first level of the treehouse.
More to come.
LB

treehouse post #1

Okay, I was able to access the pictures I had already uploaded onto the computer, so here are a bunch of treehouse photos. Their order came up kind of random, so I may be flitting around a bit. It is hard to really get a good picture of this unless you see it in person, but I will do my best. You will probably want to click on the photos to get a good gander.

Papa and Boy did this the day the Girl was flying, about 3 weekends ago. It was such a surprize for her when she got back. I have great pics of Girly seeing it for the first time, but they are still trapped in my camera.

Here is the new platform they built, and the view of the play structure from it. See the swings to the right? And on the section where the ladder is, are the monkey bars. To the far left tucked behind the tree trunk, you can see the white porch swing peeking out. Still standing on the platform, but looking on the other side of the tree, are the stairs leading up to the first level.
Ok, this pic is out of order. Realistically, it should have been first. This is the view from the platform, if you look straight up.
Hmmm, how to describe this one. Papa Dude had made a rope web all around the treehouse steps. It needs to be redone now, so many of the ropes are hanging loose. The steps circle all around the tree as you make your way up- many of them are made of cut branches nailed together. The stepladder is how you get up to the treehouse. I rarely get up that far- it wobbles and my fear of heights kicks in. Half the kids that play up here don't even use the steps or the ladder- they just climb up the branches.
Here is another view. You can really see the rope webs and the way Dude used the cut logs to make the steps and platforms.
See next post for more treehouse pictures.

Birthday Card

Here is the card I made for my friend Patty in WA. The picture quality isn't the best, but thought you'd want to see them regardless. It came out nicely, but it was all I could do to coax my machine to finish the stitching around the edges. That is because it is very thick! It stands nicely, but I will need to learn how to make a thinner fabric "sandwich" if I don't wand my poor little Janome to die. Anyway, this is the front. Three panels , 2 of them using batiked frog squares. I also used a variety of fibers and put tons of beads on them. That was time-consuming, but enjoyable. Each panel is 5 X 7 inches.Here is the back side. I used the prettiest of my silk fusion pieces. The colors are so sumptuous. This is also the reason the card is so thick- the silk fabric is hefty.
Here is a detail of the center front panel. You can see the fibers and beads well here. I had a lot of fun making this, and as usual, learned a great deal during the process. Patty knew I was making something, from the hints here on the blog, and on the WTM boards. She loved it, and is displaying it right where I pictured it in my mind when I had the idea for it. Cool!

Patty threw herself one humdinger of a 50th birthday bash. Her birthday was 7-7-07, supposedly the luckiest day of the century! It was certainly a lot of fun. I got to see lots of people I hadn't seen in a while, and catch up, while the Boy got to play with other boys, and the Papa Dude talked treehouses with other papas. It was a fun day.
LB

Dang it! I think I am frustrated.

In no particular order:

1. I cannot post pictures! I have a ton on the camera, and a ton on the computer, but I cannot access them! I keep getting these messages: First it says I can't open a database because one is already open. I click on close, and then it says, and I quote: Please open or create another database using the database dialog which is accessed via the database menu command. I have no idea what this means, other than my photos are trapped on my camera, and I cannot access the ones already in there. Sigh. I have Piano Girl, treehouse, art, and other photos to show you. I promise to figure this out and get them up soon.

2. It was a good day parenting wise- I kept my cool, but I did find it stressful to do so. Better than last night, though (when my Boy said something disrespectful to me in the car, it was the straw that broke the camel's back after a loooonnnnngg day of backtalk, and I kicked him out of the car. Sigh. We worked it out, but it was horible and tough.), and that counts for a great deal. It means I set the example of thinking carefully before I spoke to the kids. At this point, my kids are too old for me to control their actions, but I can still model the behavior I expect, and it can be powerful as well as extremely taxing.

3. My Dude has been gone a full week, and I have another to go. I am so glad I am not single parenting. As Melissa so elegantly (and timely, I might add) wrote tonight, I am not a single parent. My partner is away, but he is working his sweet little tuckus to the bone for us, so that I can stay home, and devote myself to these amazing (albeit bratty sometimes) children we created. He is still very much an active part of this family, whether he is here or away. I do miss him terribly though, and not just when I could use some tag-team parenting. There is so much to share, so many smiles to give, so much to enjoy about this life! I know it is much harder for him than me, so I do my best to support him, and not complain, though I know I do a bit. Truly and deeply I am grateful for him and how hard he works, and how much he loves us, and I am grateful he doesn't have a more dangerous job, and isn't away from us more. Getting to know Melissa has helped me a great deal with this!

The biggest thing is that he didn't call me tonight, and I am just really missing him. But it's okay. It really is.

4. This was a long day. Piano Girl really wanted to see her Gramma and Godparents today, so we went to the East Side, and went to church (there was a wonderful speaker- ask me about him later!) with the GP's, and then spent the afternoon at Gramma's. After that, we dropped in on the B family, to touch base about this week's actions on the kids' community service project (details later),. We didn't even get home till 8 pm.

5. The best part of the afternoon for me was going to Value Village with Gramma. You need to know that my Mama is the best truckin' buddy a gal could have, and when she lost her eyesight, she decided that shopping wasn't any fun anymore, and up and stopped going with me. My Mama grieves her sight for many reasons, but this is probably the toughest thing about it for me- for my entire life, if I wanted to be spontaneous and go thrifting, shopping, antique hunting, etc. (my Mama always called it truckin'), my Mama is the one partner I would always ask. I just haven't found anyone who is as much fun (though the Girl is learning fast, and comes in second.) We have similar tastes, like to do the same things, and wear out and need to eat at the same time. I so miss this.

Today was really fun- I got some storage stuff for the studio, found a couple of neat things for upcoming birthdays, and had a lot of fun, but it was also bittersweet, as shopping with her is different now. First off, I have to be my mom's eyes. I have to tell her what EVERY SINGLE THING IS: explain to her colors, sizes, and shapes; check prices, and help her navigate the stores. Second thing is I cannot leave her for very long at all, as she sometimes forgets things (don't want to lose her!), which means I cannot just go off to the skirt section while she looks at the kitchen stuff.

I guess as I think about it, I have been very blessed, and really have no complaint. I love my Mama, and will spend as much time as I can with her. I love to help and support her, and spend time with her doing whatever she wants or needs to. We will adjust (You have no idea how far we have come, the two of us!!) and adapt.

6. Gotta get myself to bed right now, as we are schooling tomorrow, and have a lot of ground to cover. I also need to be in the studio for a few hours- there are two sweet babies turning two in August, as well as my love's birthday. I also still have a bunch of fabric postcards in process.

That's it- I feel better- writing this down was a bit of a release, and was also an update for you!
See you tomorrow!
LB

Tidbit #18: She's home!

I promise to update on Piano Girl blog tomorrow- tired, tired tonight. I have a bunch of pictures as I had promised, just need some uninterupted time to get them up. Hah!!!
TTFN,
LB

To the Zoo- the critters

It was a good day for seeing the African animals. The giraffes were running all about, and so were the zebras. The hippos were out, too. We always take a vot- will the hippos be out or in the water. These two were in, but were swimming all over the place. We love hippos.
As I said earlier, this was the first time I had been through the butterfly exhibit. We saw tons of butterflies, all over the flowers. It was cool. That's about it for the critters- when you are keeping the pace of a toddler, it forces you to slow down and appreciate it all.
The other animals we saw were the elephants, but I didn't get any pictures, because I was holding the todler at that point.
LB